Empress Zhong watched her son and Ji Zizhao getting along well, and was naturally happy. However, when she looked at Wen Hui, whose face was pale, a trace of worry still flowed from her eyes.
This worry made Empress Zhong somewhat absent-minded even during meals.
After everyone had finished eating, Empress Zhong suddenly looked at Xie Jinglan and said, "I suddenly remembered some things I wish to discuss with Zizhao privately. You should escort Wen Hui back for me."
Xie Jinglan looked at the Empress, surprise flickering in his dark eyes, but more so was his silence.
Empress Zhong smiled and said, "Before, you loved nothing more than to follow Wen Hui around. You even told me that Wen Hui made up for your lack of a sister. How is it that now that you've grown up, you've become shy?"
Wen Hui was a little surprised to hear this and proactively looked at Xie Jinglan, hoping to get an answer from his eyes. But unfortunately, Xie Jinglan did not look at her.
However, just as Wen Hui was about to be disappointed, she heard Xie Jinglan speak up, "If it weren't for Mother reminding me, I would have forgotten what I said as a child. It was my oversight. I will escort Wen Hui back now."
Empress Zhong nodded with a smile, "It's alright if you forgot, as long as you remember. Go ahead, and I'll have a few private words with Zizhao."
"Your son remembers Mother's teachings." Xie Jinglan nodded and walked towards the door first.
"Your son takes his leave and will visit Mother again in a few days." Wen Hui happily curtsied to the Empress and then turned to leave. As her gaze fell upon Ji Zizhao, she gave a triumphant smile, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Ji Zizhao, "..."
There was really no need to show off, because she wasn't jealous at all...
As Xie Jinglan and Wen Hui departed, the hall gradually returned to its original quiet.
Empress Zhong called Ji Zizhao to her side, took her hand, and said softly, "I know Wen Hui's return this time has made you uncomfortable. Actually, I was also a bit surprised when I saw Wen Hui this time. You are an intelligent child, and you understand many things without me having to explain them."
Ji Zizhao naturally understood what the Empress meant.
The children in the harem called the Empress "Mother," but only they themselves knew in their hearts whether they truly regarded the Empress as their mother.
If Wen Hui truly respected the Empress, even a little bit, she would not have returned so suddenly without so much as a word. After all, in the adult world, there were no surprises, only frights.
And the day Wen Hui returned was the same day the Fifth Prince was injured while protecting His Majesty...
Could such a coincidence truly happen?
Of course not.
The Empress had likely figured out the situation and was reminding Ji Zizhao that Wen Hui had an unusual relationship with Consort Xi. What's more, Wen Hui's sudden return was likely entirely related to Consort Xi!
"The Fourth Prince appears calm and experienced now, but men, after all, have their moments of blindness. Fortunately, his judgment is good now, and he has found a daughter-in-law that pleases me." Empress Zhong was indeed Empress Zhong; she did not hesitate to criticize her own son.
Ji Zizhao, "..."
Confirmed, she was his birth mother.
"Previously, the Fourth Prince was willing to follow Wen Hui around. It was only because Wen Hui didn't fancy him and feared his pestering that she repeatedly asked the Emperor for permission to travel outside without even bidding farewell." Empress Zhong sighed several times as she spoke, indicating how unbearable the scene of the Fourth Prince clinging to Wen Hui must have been.
Ji Zizhao smiled and said, "I've heard that the Fourth Prince has a somewhat reclusive personality, and it's not easy for him to find someone with similar interests. If Princess Wen Hui can truly make the Fourth Prince more cheerful, I would have to thank Princess Wen Hui instead." Soudan Novels
Empress Zhong patted Ji Zizhao's hand with relief, "Good child, I knew you would understand. Rest assured, your marriage is what I desire and what His Majesty has decreed. A ruler's word is final; nothing can change this."
Ji Zizhao knew that the Empress was trying to reassure her.
However, she felt it was truly unnecessary.
Ji Zizhao was not interested in Wen Hui's feelings for Xie Jinglan nor did she want to know. But Xie Jinglan's actions clearly and implicitly maintained a distance from Wen Hui. Since both parties were so clear about their positions, Ji Zizhao saw no need to trouble herself over this matter.
Seeing Ji Zizhao's calm and composed demeanor, Empress Zhong herself felt a sense of admiration.
At Ji Zizhao's age, it was a time of infatuation and jealousy. When she had seen the Emperor's numerous consorts, she hadn't been angry, hateful, or jealous? How had she endured it back then?
She had stayed awake all night and couldn't eat for days. It was only after her sincere heart had been deeply wounded and she was filled with disappointment that she accepted the unchangeable reality.
Sometimes, looking at Ji Zizhao, Empress Zhong truly felt she was too mature and sensible. The more she was like this, the more she felt pity and tenderness for her.
Ji Zizhao, "..."
She somehow felt that the Empress's gaze was a bit unsettling.
Meanwhile, Xie Jinglan had already escorted Wen Hui back to the courtyard where she was temporarily staying. However, he had no intention of going in. In fact, as soon as Wen Hui entered the courtyard, he turned to leave.
Wen Hui looked at Xie Jinglan, who was coming and going in a hurry, and suddenly grabbed his sleeve, "Since you've come, why not come in for a cup of tea? I'm sure it won't take long."
"No need for trouble, Mother is still waiting for me." Xie Jinglan subtly pulled his arm away.
"Don't you want to know why I've suddenly returned? Aren't you even a little curious why I, who was traveling outside, would know about the events in your palace, especially that you are about to get married?" Wen Hui looked at his handsome, clear profile. He was so close, yet so unattainable.
Xie Jinglan stopped, but did not turn back, "If you want to say it, you will. If you don't want to say it, no one will force you."
Wen Hui, "..."
So, he didn't even want to look at her again?
Wen Hui knew what was happening to her. It was the same person who had once doted on her, who had completely let her have her way. But back then, all she felt was annoyance and a desire to escape. Now, he was still the same person, but she felt completely different.
Just then, a few palace maids passed by outside the courtyard, chatting and laughing.
Wen Hui gritted her teeth and suddenly lunged at his figure, tightly hugging his firm waist.
"Have you forgotten what you told me before? You said that as long as I was willing to return, you would always wait for me in the palace. But now that I've returned, where are you?" Wen Hui buried her head against Xie Jinglan's back, her shoulders trembling slightly with sadness.
This scene greatly startled the palace maids, who quickly scattered and ran far away.