klisemfg Chapter 156 The Queen Mother Returns to the Palace
Chapter 156 The Queen Mother Returns to the Palace
"Brother Shaohan!" Ye Yaoyao ran out and caught up with Wei Shaohan.
"Little Yao Yao, what's wrong?"
"I have something to ask you, come with me."
Ye Yaoyao pulled Wei Shaohan's sleeve and walked to the side.
"You guys go back first!"
Wei Shaohan turned around and greeted his friend who had come with him, then followed Ye Yaoyao to the side.
"Sister Yaoyao, what do you want to say?"
"Who else went to Laifu Inn besides you?"
"No, we came out of the academy. Li An said he was going to the bookstore to find books, and Hao Ran wanted to go home, so it's just the few of us. Yao Yao, is there a problem?"
"Who else besides you knew that our elder brother went to the bookstore today?"
"If Li An and Hao Ran didn't tell anyone else, then it can only be Hao Ran."
"What color clothes is Brother Haoran wearing today?!"
"White! Doesn't he mostly wear white? What's wrong, Yaoyao? Is something the matter?"
Wei Shaohan looked at her inquisitively.
"You wouldn't... suspect Haoran, would you?"
Upon hearing Wei Shaohan's reply, Ye Yaoyao's expression turned serious. After a moment of contemplation, she said:
"It wasn't a coincidence that my elder brother was hit by the carriage today. When he fell to the ground, he saw a person in a white brocade robe hurrying past. I suspect..."
Wei Shaohan was startled, his eyes widening. "Sister Yaoyao, you really suspect Haoran? What reason does he have... it seems he actually has a reason..."
Wei Shaohan thought of Lu Haoran's father.
Ye Yaoyao shook her head. "I don't want to doubt Brother Haoran either, but he knows where my brother is right now, so I have to find out the truth."
Brother Shaohan, could you tell me about his recent situation?
Wei Shaohan frowned. "Haoran has been doing the same thing as usual lately, reading and meeting friends. There's nothing special about him."
However, little sister Yaoyao, perhaps the person wearing white is just a coincidence?
"Whether it's a coincidence or not, I need to find out. Please don't make this public for now."
Wei Shaohan nodded and assured him, "Don't worry, I won't voice your suspicions."
Ye Yaoyao felt that it was probably Lu Haoran.
"It's getting dark. I'll talk to Haoran about Li An's injury tomorrow!"
"Okay, thank you."
"Then I'll take my leave."
After leaving the Ye family residence, Wei Shaohan sighed softly:
"Hey! I hope it's not you, brother!"
The next day, Wei Shaohan went to the Lu family and saw that Lu Haoran's eyes were bloodshot and his face looked haggard.
"Wow! Haoran, did you go out stealing chickens and dogs last night?"
Lu Haoran glared at him. "What do you want?"
"I'm here to tell you that Li An was hit by a carriage and injured. Let's go check on him together!"
Lu Haoran tensed up for a moment, then asked anxiously, "How badly is Li An injured?"
"He was kicked in the back by a horse, and I heard it was quite serious."
Lu Haoran's face turned pale instantly, and his voice trembled: "How could this happen? What's the situation now?"
Wei Shaohan patted him on the shoulder, "Don't worry too much, you've already seen a doctor, you need to rest for a while."
Lu Haoran lowered his head and muttered to himself, "It's all my fault, it's all my fault!"
"How can you blame yourself? Li An was injured while saving a child."
Lu Haoran's eyes darted around, "I... I wish I had been there for him back then."
“With you by his side, Li An will also be able to save people. Let’s go see him quickly.”
Lu Haoran nodded, his expression serious.
"Young master, young master, the master needs to see you." A servant boy ran over.
Lu Haoran froze. "Shaohan, you go see Li An first. I'll go later when I have time."
"Okay, I'll leave first."
After leaving the Lu family home, Wei Shaohan turned back and gave them a complicated look.
"Is being the top scorer really that important?"
How could he not see something amiss in Lu Haoran's expression? After years of brotherhood, Wei Shaohan was certain it was him.
Today, the Empress Dowager returned to the palace, and the Crown Prince, dressed in a python robe, led several princes and ministers to wait at the city gate.
Ye Yaoyao waited with Liu Yunshu for almost an hour before the Empress Dowager's procession slowly approached.
The crown prince gazed intently at the approaching procession in the distance, his posture upright, his hands clasped in front of him.
The princes also stood solemnly behind the crown prince.
The ministers, with their heads bowed and eyes lowered, waited respectfully for the Empress Dowager's arrival, their solemnity and dignity displaying the majesty of the imperial family.
The Empress Dowager's carriage arrived at the city gate, and the Crown Prince stepped forward first, kneeling to pay his respects.
"Grandson respectfully welcomes Your Majesty back to the palace. Your Majesty must be tired from your journey."
The princes and ministers also knelt down in unison, shouting, "Welcome back to the palace, Empress Dowager! Long live the Empress Dowager!"
The Empress Dowager stepped out of the carriage and said with a smile, "Rise, all of you!"
The Crown Prince rose and stepped forward to help the Empress Dowager, asking with concern, "Grandmother, was your trip alright?"
The Empress Dowager nodded, looking at the Crown Prince with loving eyes: "Everything is fine. I'm sorry to have troubled you, Your Highness. Now, return to the palace!"
The Empress Dowager was helped back to the palace and, surrounded by people, slowly walked into the imperial city.
Madam Liu stood beside the carriage and did not follow the Empress Dowager into the palace.
"Mother."
"Grandmother, Second Aunt."
"Maternal grandmother, second maternal aunt."
The Liu family and Ye Yaoyao surrounded them.
Old Madam Liu had a head of white hair, a rosy complexion, and was full of energy.
"You're all here, you little ones, let this old woman take a look at you."
As he spoke, a kind smile appeared on his face, and his gaze swept over everyone.
Ye Yaoyao stepped forward and affectionately took Old Madam Liu's arm. "Grandmother, we've missed you so much these past few days!"
Old Madam Liu gently patted her hand, "You're such a sweet talker."
"Grandmother, are you getting used to the palace?"
"Grandma, I've learned a new piece of music. I'll play it for you in a bit."
"Okay, okay, all good!"
Madam Liu smiled and responded to the children, her eyes full of joy.
"Second sister-in-law, thank you for taking care of Mother all this time," Mu Yunmeng said, holding Qin Longyue's hand.
Qin Longyue responded modestly, "Sister-in-law, you flatter me. This is simply what a daughter-in-law should do."
Ye Yaoyao looked at Qin Longyue, her second maternal aunt, who was also the princess of the Prince Rui's family, the brother who had the best relationship with the late emperor.
Her face is round with a touch of maturity, her eyes are bright with a sense of composure that comes with age, her brows and eyes still carry a hint of melancholy, and her chin is soft, exuding gentleness.
Oh! I remember now, Liu Tiansheng looks a bit like my second aunt.
Qin Longyue looked at Ye Yaoyao, "Yaoyao, you said..."
"Second sister-in-law, you and Mother must be tired from your long journey! Go back and rest first," Liu Yunshu interrupted her.
"Okay!" Qin Longyue didn't see Ye Yaoyao speak, so she didn't know that what Ye Yaoyao heard was her inner thoughts.
Madam Liu looked at Ye Yaoyao strangely. She didn't seem to have seen her granddaughter speak, but she heard her speak. She thought she must have been tired from the long carriage ride and had misread it.
"Alright, let's go home."