Chapter 821: Missing Mother

Xia Ruqing finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"That’s good, that’s good!"

"It’s good that nothing happened!"

She said this and then climbed out of bed, washed her face, and ate a few fresh fruits.

Then she suggested.

"Since there’s nothing happening, why don’t we go to Fengyu Pavilion to see her, just like going out for a walk!"

After all, she’s just a fourteen-year-old girl, perhaps she’s scared.

Considering she’s the only sister of the eldest brother and my own sister.

Now that she’s living in the palace, naturally I’m obliged to take good care of her!

"Alright!"

Zi Yue responded, ready to leave.

Inside Fengyu Pavilion.

Xia Caiying was also unable to sleep, lying on the bed and reading a book.

Suddenly she heard an announcement from outside.

"Noble Consort Xian arrives!"

She quickly got up to pay her respects.

Xia Ruqing, smiling, helped her to her feet.

"What are you doing!"

Xia Caiying smiled and replied:

"Big sister, I’m not doing much, just reading a book!"

Xia Ruqing sat down on the couch, while Zi Yue and Zi Su went to prepare tea.

Xia Ruqing looked at her complexion, felt she looked well, and smiled.

"I’ve heard about what happened earlier, were you scared?"

Xia Caiying shook her head.

"No! Thank you for your concern!"

"That’s good!"

"Not surprising, being your brother’s sister, he fears nothing and so do you, you’re brave enough!"

Xia Caiying lowered her head slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Big sister, it wasn’t me who bumped into her, it was the Imperial Noble Consort who was walking too fast!"

Xia Ruqing laughed and said.

"But you’re also bold!"

"If it were someone else, they might have been scared silly by now!"

A humble girl bumping into the Imperial Noble Consort, there’s hardly time for distinguishing right from wrong!

Xia Caiying said nothing.

Tea was served.

The sisters sipped fragrant tea and chatted idly, the atmosphere relaxed and leisurely.

Suddenly, Xia Caiying stopped and said to her.

"Big sister, I’ve been living in the palace for quite a while now, I... I want to go home!"

"Ah?" Xia Ruqing was momentarily taken aback.

"But here... here you’re not comfortable?"

"Or has someone offended you?!"

Xia Caiying quickly shook her head.

"No, sister, the maids and eunuchs here treat me very well, it’s just..."

"I miss my mother!"

She spoke these words very quietly, and after saying them, lowered her head.

When Xia Ruqing heard the word ’mother’, she felt an inexplicable ache in her heart, but it passed quickly.

A moment later, she smiled.

"That’s good too!"

"It’s been over ten days combined, you’ve been staying here, and I can’t accompany you every day!"

"You must be feeling lonely too!"

"Alright, I’ll arrange for someone to send you back tomorrow!"

Though a bit reluctant, Xia Ruqing knew.

If she doesn’t return now, something might happen.

These past two weeks, it’s hard to say if the Empress Dowager or Empress Dowager Zhen hasn’t heard.

Recently they’ve been busy with the selection process, and Fifth Master is also getting married.

Although Cai Yang is a humble daughter, her unique status might attract attention from some.

It’s better to return home first; there’s too much unpleasantness in the palace.

No one knows what might happen next.

...

Seeing Xia Ruqing’s somewhat somber expression, Xia Caiying hurriedly knelt down and said.

"Sister’s kindness to her younger sister, Cai Yang is truly grateful from the bottom of her heart!"

"In the future, when I have time, I will definitely visit sister often, I hope sister won’t find Cai Yang bothersome!"

Xia Ruqing laughed.

"What are you talking about!"

"Get up quickly!"

"Yes!"

Xia Caiying, seeing her sister wasn’t angry, relaxed and stood up.

The two chatted idly for a while.

Only then did Xia Ruqing leave.

Before leaving, she held her hand with concern.

"Take good care of yourself, I’ll have people come for you at dinner time!"

"Tell them to prepare a nice table for your farewell!"

Xia Caiying happily said.

"Thank you, sister!"

"Hmm!"

Xia Ruqing patted her hand and then left.

...

At dinner time.

Xia Ruqing indeed hosted a banquet at Duanning Palace, sending Xiao Xizi to Fengyu Pavilion to fetch Xia Caiying.

From Ningshou Palace to Duanning Palace, it’s quite a distance.

As the daughter of a minister, lacking any rank, naturally she couldn’t sit in any extravagant carriage, only a simple sedan chair could be taken.

Thus...

In the dim dusk outside Fengyu Pavilion.

A young girl in a green dress, surrounded by several palace maids.

Boarding an ordinary sedan chair, heading towards the harem.

This scene, originally very ordinary and inconspicuous,

unexpectedly caught the attention of some passersby.

Like... Empress Dowager Zhen’s two sons: Fifth Master and Sixth Master.

"Fifth brother, who is that... I’ve never seen her before!"

Fifth Master frowned.

"I don’t know either! Must be a relative of one of the consorts!"

"Come on, let’s go, mother is waiting for us for dinner!"

Sixth Master frowned, wanting to ask further.

But Fifth Master interrupted him, forcibly pulling him along.

Helplessly, he could only momentarily set it aside.

The two made their way into Ningshou Palace, to the courtyard where Empress Dowager Zhen resided.

Empress Dowager Zhen also had prepared an abundant dinner.

Firstly, because she hadn’t had a good meal with her sons in a long time.

Secondly, also to discuss the matter of selecting a bride for Fifth Master.

Although marriages are arranged by parents and matchmakers,

Empress Dowager Zhen, being their mother, wouldn’t put her sons in a bad situation.

She still hoped her son would find someone suitable.

Not to mention, at least they could have grandchildren sooner, right?

"Greetings to Mother!" The two brothers bowed upon entering.

"Rise, my sons!"

Perhaps feeling sorry for Sixth Master’s leg, Empress Dowager Zhen immediately went to support him.

Leaving Fifth Master aside.

After supporting her youngest son to a chair,

she realized the eldest son was still bowing.

Empress Dowager Zhen was quite surprised.

"Zhezher, stand up!"

Her tone was ’how silly of you not to rise yet’.

"Yes, Fifth Brother, come sit!"

Sixth Master pointed to a seat across from him.

Fifth Master hesitated, awkwardly smiling.

"Oh... Thank you, Mother, thank you, Sixth Brother!"

He said, and then sat in the chair.

But looking at the arrangement, his gaze dimmed quickly.

The table was round, originally for three people it wouldn’t seem too far apart.

But the current seating arrangement was odd.

Mother and Sixth Brother were warm and close, as if they could sit on one chair.

Leaving him alone, solitary on the opposite side of the table.

Fifth Master frowned, glancing at the table full of dishes, he lost his appetite.

Yet Empress Dowager Zhen remained unaware, smiling, saying.

"Today’s dishes were specially prepared by Mother for you two brothers to enjoy!"

Then she moved the plate of sweet and sour fish from the front of Fifth Master directly to Sixth Brother.

Fifth Master was utterly shocked.

"Mother!" He stood up.

Finally, Empress Dowager Zhen noticed, Sixth Brother’s side couldn’t fit anymore.

While the elder son’s side was empty, taken away by her.

Empress Dowager Zhen apologized and smiled.

"Zhezher, it’s my fault, come, come, there’s plenty!"

"Someone, bring another serving of sweet and sour fish!"