The king of Zhennan returned safely, and the whole palace was naturally very happy, especially Aunt Zhang and Luoxue's mother and daughter.
They thought Ji Wuhen and Lu Qingtang had recognized each other, but they never saw a smile on King Zhennan's face. They didn't know what was going on.
Aunt Zhang was very puzzled. After the dinner, she went to the study to see King Zhennan.
Ji Wuhen buried himself in official documents. There was a mountain of official business that had not been handled for seven or eight days. His mind was very confused now and he just wanted to stop himself from thinking about those troublesome things.
On the one hand, the imperial court wanted to cut down the vassalage. No, it was not just about cutting down the vassalage. Emperor Kang Yuan wanted his life and the lives of his whole family. The other side is the guilt towards Lu Qingtang. He clearly wanted her life, but she did her best to save them.
As a courtier, it was impossible for him not to know the consequences of disobeying the imperial edict. Even if Mo Zeshen was his son, Emperor Kang Yuan would not easily swallow this bad breath given his temperament.
Although Lu Qingtang was fighting for Ji Wenzhan, he was still grateful, and even more guilty.
These days, he has been imprisoned in Kaishan Temple. Although he is in a state of imprisonment, he has never been humiliated in the slightest. He knew it was probably because of his son, but he was still grateful.
Lu Qingtang is really a good woman, just like Hua Rou back then. They are mother and daughter after all, with the same mind.
Thinking of this, Ji Wenzhan couldn't help but think of something Lu Qingtang asked him.
"If you and my mother had a child living outside the home, would you treat her wholeheartedly like this? Even if you have never gotten along?"
He didn't think much about these words at the time, and just regarded them as a sudden whim of a little woman. After all, she was only twenty years old and looked like a little girl.
But now that I think about it, this is a bit weird.
Why did she ask this, especially when she asked herself, there seemed to be some expectation in her eyes.
What was she expecting?
At the moment of doubt, Aunt Zhang came.
She stood outside the study, holding something in her hand, "My lord, seeing how busy you are just after you came back, and how tired you are, I cooked you a bowl of ginseng soup to refresh you."
Ji Wuhen put the brush in his hand, raised his head and smiled, "I just had dinner and I'm not very hungry. Let's put it aside for now."
Aunt Zhang said "Hey" and then stood aside, as if she had something to say.
Ji Wuhen was a little puzzled, "Aunt Zhang, is there anything else?"
Aunt Zhang hesitated for a moment and walked up to his notebook.
Logically speaking, she, a servant, should not interfere with the master's affairs, but she was really angry.
She has been in the palace for thirty years, and there are many women who have come to the palace, but the only one who can keep Ji Wuhen's heart is Lady Rou. Ever since Lady Rou left the palace without a word, Ji Wuhen, who had always been high-spirited and suave, seemed to have changed into a completely different person. He became taciturn and his love for Lady Rou was seen by everyone. He never paid attention to his gentle and affectionate cousin Xu Lingshu. In addition to dealing with government affairs all day long, he would practice swordsmanship, calligraphy and reading with Ji Wenzhan. Or if he heard that there were Lady Rou's footprints somewhere, he would put down everything in the house and go there. Find her.
She originally thought that he might be like this for the rest of his life, but she unexpectedly heard that Ji Wuhen, who had always loved watching theater alone, actually went to the theater with Xu Lingshu for the first time. Although she, a servant, should not be involved in the master's affairs, she had long been accustomed to Ji Wuhen's attitude towards Madam Rou, and she suddenly had an affair with Xu Lingshu, so naturally she felt a little angry.
However, this was nothing. What was most infuriating was his attitude towards Lu Qingtang.
After all, she was the second child that Madam Rou gave birth to, and she also lost her life because of giving birth to her. As a normal man, he should feel pity for this child, but Ji Wuhen was like an enemy. Not even a smile was left on Lu Qingtang's face.
She couldn't help but feel unfair to Madam Rou in her heart.
Aunt Zhang stood in front of the document, pointed at the bowl of ginseng soup and said to Ji Wuhen: "Your Majesty, Mrs. Rou made ginseng soup for you in the past. I wonder if you still remember the taste?"
Do you remember that there is such a person as Lady Rou?
Ji Wuhen raised his head, and the setting sun shone in from the window and shone in his eyes.
Perhaps because he was dazzled by the light, Aunt Zhang saw tears in his eyes.
He smiled reluctantly, "Of course I remember, Rou'er's craftsmanship is naturally unforgettable, not only the ginseng soup, but also the cooking skills."
Aunt Zhang nodded and smiled, but she didn't care in her heart.
He can remember the food, but forgets the love between the two, and even the child refuses to give a smile.
Is it because Princess Chen is a girl?
But aren't both men and women his and Lady Rou's children?
Sure enough, men are ruthless, hypocritical and pretentious. Fortunately, the bad guy in the family died early. If she had died, then Xue'er would have suffered much more.
Thinking of this, Aunt Zhang became even more angry.
Her voice cooled unconsciously, and she blessed Ji Wuhen, "Your Majesty, this old slave was rescued from the village by Madam Rou. Thanks to Madam Rou, Your Majesty asked me to take care of Madam. Now Madam is no longer alive. There is no nostalgia for the palace, so I’d better return to Zhuangzi.”
Ji Wuhen, who was sitting opposite, stood up immediately and asked with a puzzled look on his face: "Why? Your palace is fine, why do you want to go back suddenly?"
"You are very careful in taking care of Rou'er. You have always been thinking about your old master. There is no merit or hard work. Besides, even if I agree, Rou'er will not suffer the same hardships as you in Zhuangzi."
He suddenly felt that Aunt Zhang in front of him was very strange.
They hadn't seen each other for a few days, so why were they suddenly looking at him like this, as if he had done something terrible?
What surprised him even more was, why did Hao Hao suddenly leave? Could it be that Xu Lingshu was making things difficult for her again? It's impossible. Xu Lingshu has already moved away and went to live in his second brother's Ji residence. How could he come back to Zhennan Palace to embarrass her again.
But no matter what, after all she had taken care of Rou'er and had such a good relationship with Rou'er, how could she be allowed to return to a place like Zhuangzi to suffer. They are all old and not as energetic as they were when they were young. They can still live the rest of their lives peacefully, and Rou'er's dedicated efforts in treating her are not in vain.
However, his words made Aunt Zhang opposite her turn red, and even a trace of anger appeared in her eyes.
She said coldly: "Since the prince cares so much about me as a servant, why do you treat Princess Chen like this? Is it because she is a daughter, or because the prince's feelings for Lady Rou are all lies?"
Ji Wuhen looked puzzled, even a little annoyed.
But thinking that she had taken care of Rou'er, he endured it. Patiently, he wanted to explain to her that even if he loved Hua Rou, he could not tolerate the child she gave birth to with another man. The most he could do was not blame Hua Rou.
However, what Aunt Zhang said next made him stunned.
Aunt Zhang had tears in her eyes and was filled with indignation, as if she was accusing a ruthless man.
