Yun Jinnian was astounded.
It turned out that the Emperor was not the biological son of the Empress Dowager.
Some things, the Empress Dowager spoke of very vaguely, mentioning very little about Chu Yu’s mother, only that she was very beautiful and highly favored.
But beauty is prone to tragedy. She passed away after giving birth to Chu Yu and Princess Jinfeng, though some say she disappeared...
"There are various accounts, but the late Emperor dearly loved his youngest children to the point of indulgence!" the Empress Dowager remarked, inevitably feeling sentimental.
If Consort Chen were still alive, at least the late Emperor would not have succumbed to grief and passed away in melancholy, and this throne would not have fallen to the current Emperor.
Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager asked, "On your trip to Nanjiang with Prince Rui, did he make things difficult for you?"
"No, we were hurrying along the way. When we arrived in Nanjiang, I went to look for the Snow Lotus of Tian Mountain. Perhaps because I am a doctor, he was quite courteous!"
The Empress Dowager smiled, "Prince Rui’s temperament isn’t exactly pleasant, and he’s someone who can neither suffer losses nor stand grievances. In the future, you must not provoke him, avoid him if you can!"
Yun Jinnian responded respectfully.
The Empress Dowager looked very satisfied, "Alright, it’s getting late, go rest now!"
"Yes, good night, Empress Dowager!"
Yun Jinnian exited the Cining Palace, walking toward her residence in the side halls of Cining Palace.
Reflecting on the Empress Dowager’s words, Yun Jinnian’s thoughts spun.
Was she simply afraid of her harbouring love for Chu Yu or attempting to beguile Chu Yu into falling for her, actually marrying her?
To Chu Yu, would that not be an advantage?
Yun Jinnian understood the Empress Dowager’s thoughts.
Returning to the side hall, Shi Jiayu, Ru Yue, and a few palace maids were busy packing things awarded from various palaces into chests.
They would be taken out of the palace tomorrow.
"Miss, you’re finally back!" Shi Jiayu said, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
Yun Jinnian chuckled, walked over to the table, and poured her a glass of water, "Take your time, there’s no rush. Or you could call for a few more palace servants to help!"
"We’ve already called more than a dozen, these chests need to be carried outside, ready to be loaded onto the horse carts and taken out of the palace tomorrow!"
"Perhaps about a dozen chests, another two hours should be enough!"
Yun Jinnian didn’t know how many things there were, but judging by Shi Jiayu’s demeanor, it seemed to be quite a lot.
"Take your time, once everything is packed, go to sleep," Yun Jinnian instructed.
"Yes!" Shi Jiayu replied and turned back to her busy work.
Yun Jinnian then washed up, changed her clothes and watched as Shi Jiayu and Ru Yue directed the servents to pack everything into chests.
Actually, when each palace presented their gifts, they were packed in brocade boxes, but they had to be registered and noted from which consort they were received, as favors to be returned in the future.
Once out of the palace, with several mansions visited, there would be more free time. The rouge shop she and Tianci owned would also need to open.
Only, she wondered if her mother was in Yun Residence, whether she had returned from Huguo Temple?
And whether she had ever missed her?
With an uneasy heart, Yun Jinnian finally fell into a fitful sleep.
Upon awakening at dawn, Yun Jinnian first bid farewell to the Empress Dowager, then went to Weiyang Palace to say goodbye to the Empress, and as for the Emperor, Eunuch Hai had come early to say there was no need to visit.
She boarded the Phoenix Carriage, carrying the Imperial Decree back to Yun Residence...
Many were relieved with Yun Jinnian’s departure from the palace.
Upon learning of Yun Jinnian’s exit from the palace, several princesses sneered in secret.
They all thought Yun Jinnian would fawn over them, but every time they met, she would merely greet them and then stand aside, face cold and silent.
She didn’t give them a second thought at all.
They were princesses, the most respected young women in Tianchu Country.
Especially when inquiring about the Yangxin Hall matters from Yun Jinnian, she kept her mouth shut, which annoyed the princesses even more.
Yet they couldn’t lay hands on Yun Jinnian and could only harbor resentment.
"Finally left the palace!"