OBS Chapter 231 Mother
Chapter 231 Mother
Yongqi was truly a good son who followed the Twenty-Four Filial Piety principles. As soon as he learned that the morning and evening visits to the Empress Dowager had resumed in the Yikun Palace, he became extremely anxious and, without even a moment's delay, immediately rushed to the Yikun Palace to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Ruyi.
He walked hurriedly, his expression full of concern and respect. Along the way, Ruyi's figure kept appearing in his mind, and he was worried about the grievances she had suffered during her confinement.
The moment he stepped into the Yiku Palace, his eyes sparkled with joy, which was a natural expression of his deep respect and love for Ruyi.
Yurong had a very good impression of the Fifth Prince. During the period when Ruyi was under house arrest and confined to her room, most of the princes and princesses in the harem avoided Ruyi for fear of being implicated.
Only he, the Fifth Prince Yongqi, would come to pay his respects every first and fifteenth day of the lunar month. His figure on those lonely days was like a ray of warm sunshine, illuminating the gloom of the Yikun Palace.
Even though Ruyi didn't want to see him, he still asked the maids serving outside the door about Ruyi's recent situation and asked them to serve her well.
Seeing him coming, Yurong went to Ruyi to inform her. Even though Ruyi refused to see him, Yongqi still waited outside the door. He and the maids asked Ruyi about her recent situation and asked them to take good care of her.
Seeing him coming, Yurong went to Ruyi to inform her. Her steps were brisk and eager, with a relieved smile on her face.
She was well aware of Yongqi's filial piety, and she hoped that Ruyi could meet Yongqi. Not to mention the mother-son relationship, it would be good to have another person to rely on in the palace.
Yurong came before Ruyi, bowed respectfully, and then said softly, "Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince has arrived. He has been waiting outside for a long time, and has been concerned about your recent situation."
"Empress, why don't you meet him? Noble Lady Hai only has you and the Fifth Prince close to her in the palace..."
Ruyi remained silent, her head bowed in thought. Her eyes revealed a complex mix of emotions: relief, worry, and a hint of indescribable emotion.
The agarwood burning in the incense burner nearby lingered in the air, and its light woody aroma lingered around the tip of the nose like a soft ribbon, giving people an inexplicable sense of peace.
In this quiet atmosphere, Ruyi's thoughts became deeper.
Ruyi's feelings towards Yongqi were indeed somewhat complicated. He was so filial and sensible, and he always cared for her during her most difficult days. This filial piety made Ruyi feel extremely warm.
He was raised by me and Hai Lan when he was young. He is talented and good-tempered, and is the most outstanding of the emperor's children.
Although she was confined to the Yiku Palace, she still knew some news in the palace.
When Ruyi learned that Yongqi had a close relationship with Concubine Ling in Yongshou Palace, she felt a little chilled.
The chill was like an icy tide, slowly flowing over her heart.
She had placed high hopes on Yongqi, loving and teaching him like her own son.
However, now he is so close to Concubine Ling, who once framed her, which makes Ruyi's heart full of disappointment and pain.
She knew that Yongqi was bewitched by that side, but he couldn't have anything to do with the enemy who had framed his biological mother.
She didn't understand why Yongqi was so easily deceived by Concubine Ling and forgot the hatred and pain he had felt in the past.
If Hailan knew this, she would be so heartbroken. Hailan always regarded Yongqi as her own life and devoted countless efforts to him.
She and Ruyi supported each other and went through countless difficult years together. But now, Yongqi is close to Concubine Ling, which is undoubtedly a sharp blow to Hailan's heart.
In Ruyi's view, this is a betrayal. She cannot understand Yongqi's behavior, nor can she accept his closeness to his enemy.
"Empress, the Fifth Prince is now very capable in the Emperor's presence and is highly valued by him. You are also waiting for the restoration of power. At this critical moment, if you still want to help the guard Ling in the cold palace, as well as the elderly people such as Rong Pei and San Bao, why not go and see them. Empress, there are some things you cannot do, but the Fifth Prince can help you..."
"The Fifth Prince is truly filial to you. If you are willing to see him, he will certainly do his utmost to serve you. Guard Ling and his men are suffering in the cold palace, and you must be feeling bad. The Fifth Prince has the ability to secure some improvements for them, making their lives less difficult. Your Majesty, please put aside your concerns and meet the Fifth Prince."
Yurong's words were sincere and genuine. She hoped that Ruyi could let go of the entanglement in her heart and seize this opportunity for the sake of those she cared about.
The Queen can't always take care of herself. With the Fifth Prince as her support, there will be someone to help those she wants to take care of.
The moment Yurong finished speaking, Ruyi seemed to feel a ray of light flash in her eyes.
Yes, why didn’t she think of asking Yongqi to help her.
Yongqi is very capable in front of the emperor. With his help, perhaps there will really be some turning point for Ling Yunche, Rong Pei and Sanbao in the cold palace.
A glimmer of hope surged in Ruyi's heart, and she began to re-evaluate the situation. She realized that she could no longer bear it alone, but should use all the resources she could.
Ruyi sat up straight, her originally languid posture instantly becoming dignified. A complex expression appeared on her face as she spoke awkwardly.
"Let him in. I haven't spoken to him in half a year..."
Yurong agreed and left. Her steps were brisk and steady, but her mind was full of thoughts. She knew Ruyi's thoughts and understood her inner struggles and contradictions. Hearing Ruyi's words, she silently felt sorry for Yongqi.
Yongqi has always been loyal and filial to Ruyi, but Ruyi has become estranged from him for various reasons.
No wonder the Empress Dowager asked her to come and help. This Queen Consort is really confused.
What she was thinking seemed so out of place in this place full of conspiracy and calculation.
Seeing that the Fifth Prince was becoming more and more favored by the Emperor, and that he and the Empress were the only ones closest to him in the palace, if the Empress was willing to act like a loving mother, get closer to the Fifth Prince, and make some plans for him.
Given the Emperor's temperament, he would most likely allow the Empress to live a good life for the sake of the Fifth Prince, with all the dignity and respect that is expected. The Emperor has always valued his princes, especially an outstanding prince like Yongqi.
But no one knew what was going on in the Queen's mind, and she became estranged from her husband and son.
Yurong shook her head slightly, as if sighing at Ruyi's stubbornness. She lowered her eyes slightly, thought for a moment, and then adjusted her expression to make herself look kind.
She walked slowly and steadily up to Yongqi.
Yongqi looked at Yurong, with a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes. He knew that Yurong was someone close to Ruyi, and her arrival might mean that Ruyi had made a new decision.
Yurong looked at Yongqi with a smile and said softly, "Fifth Prince, the Empress wants to see you."
A look of surprise instantly appeared on Yongqi's face. He quickly straightened his clothes and followed Yurong to Yiku Palace.
Hearing that Ruyi was willing to see him, Yongqi's tense heart finally relaxed. At that moment, it was as if a warm current flowed through his heart, dispelling the long-standing uneasiness and anxiety.
From childhood to adulthood, the Empress Dowager treated him well...
At least in his memory, Ruyi always treated him with tenderness and care.
Now that she is willing to give him a chance to see him, it couldn't be better. Yongqi's heart is filled with gratitude and anticipation. He longs to have a good talk with Ruyi, express his feelings, and also hopes to share some of Ruyi's worries.
He walked into the hall with steady and slow steps, feeling a bit nervous and expectant.
Ruyi sat in a chair with a listless look on her face. Her once dignified and beautiful face was now shrouded in a faint sadness, as if shrouded in a layer of haze. Her eyes were somewhat empty, having lost their former brilliance, and her whole spirit was no longer as strong as when she was on the southern tour.
A heavy, gloomy atmosphere lingered around her, like an impenetrable fog. As Yongqi watched Ruyi like this, an indescribable sadness welled up in his heart.
"Your son pays his respects to the Empress Dowager. Is the Empress Dowager doing well these days?" The handsome and bright young man knelt down to pay his respects, his voice clear and pleasant.
The young man stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his face handsome, his eyes shone with concern and respect. His greetings echoed in the hall like a flowing spring, bringing a touch of freshness to the slightly dull atmosphere.
He lowered his head slightly, waiting for Ruyi's response. His respectful posture made people feel his humility and filial piety.
"Everything is fine with me. Get up quickly, Yongqi. You've lost a lot of weight these days and have grown up. You have some of the emperor's charm..."
Ruyi sat on the chair and spoke with a loving look, her eyes falling softly on Yongqi, as if she was still the imperial mother of Yongqi's childhood.
"You've lost a lot of weight these days and have grown up. You have some of the emperor's charm..."
There was a hint of emotion in Ruyi's voice. Time flies. The child she once was has now grown into a handsome young man, and there is even some resemblance between his eyebrows to the emperor's youth.
A complex emotion surged in her heart.