Chapter 813: 377 Mother’s kindness and filial piety (second watch)_3 Chapter 813: 377 Mother’s kindness and filial piety (second watch)_3 She wasn’t quite sure whether it was the white medicine prescribed by Consort Jing that was no longer effective, the black medicine from her aunt that was failing, or perhaps both were simultaneously becoming ineffective.
Gu Jiao made a “no problem” gesture to her aunt.
Empress Dowager Zhuang then raised her eyebrows slightly, satisfied as she glanced at her “five candied fruits”: “Let’s go.”
Was it an illusion? Why did he feel like the Empress Dowager was drooling over him?
Neither of them had objections to Gu Jiao trailing along as the little tail, so she leisurely followed behind.
Eunuch Qin and Eunuch Wei were naturally present too, but they were less noticeable, unlike Gu Jiao who was sitting in Empress Dowager Zhuang’s Feng Nian—
The Emperor and Empress Dowager Zhuang walked all the way to the Imperial Garden.
The weather today was nice, and there were many people in the Imperial Garden.
As luck would have it, Consort Jing was also there.
Empress Dowager Zhuang had entered her role from the moment she left Renshou Palace, not at all affected by the presence of Consort Jing; however, the Emperor tensed slightly upon seeing Consort Jing.
He felt a rush of panic as if he had been caught in the act.
Consort Jing looked at the Emperor with an injured expression.
The Emperor knew he shouldn’t have done this. His mother was the most important person to him, yet he had left her to stroll in the garden with Empress Dowager Zhuang.
Gu Jiao understood; the effect of the black medicine was just beginning to take hold, and the Emperor had not completely taken a dislike to Consort Jing. His feelings at the moment were probably a mix of guilt and complexity.
Gu Jiao surmised that Consort Jing had anticipated this and wanted to see firsthand the relationship between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, which might be crucial for her next plan.
Unaware of these details, Empress Dowager Zhuang was, after all, performing for Consort Jing to see. It was even better that the intended audience had arrived in person—this saved the effect from being diluted through another’s narration.
Empress Dowager Zhuang looked at the Emperor tenderly, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the non-existent sweat from his forehead: “Honghong, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Let’s sit in the Pavilion for a bit.”
“No,” the Emperor came back to his senses, but did not pull away from her touch.
Consort Jing’s eyes deepened for a moment.
“Oh, isn’t that your mother there?” Empress Dowager Zhuang seemed to notice Consort Jing only then, her tone and gaze impeccable, “Eunuch Qin, please invite Consort Jing over.”
Eunuch Qin went to invite Consort Jing.
Nurse Cai understood that it was extremely irrational to go there at this time, but sometimes, after winning for half a lifetime, one might really believe that they can control everything; Consort Jing agreed to come.
They all sat down in the Pavilion.
With four stools available, Empress Dowager Zhuang naturally took the seat next to the Emperor, while Gu Jiao sat on his other side, causing Consort Jing to sit directly opposite the Emperor.
“Honghong has lost weight recently; you should eat more.” Empress Dowager Zhuang gently picked up a piece of Crab Yellow Crisp and offered it to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty does not eat Crab Yellow Crisp,” Consort Jing reminded softly.
Empress Dowager Zhuang: …She had forgotten that her foolish son was picky.
Without missing a beat, Empress Dowager Zhuang said, “He’s come to like it now! Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”
She smiled, giving him a threatening little look.
The Emperor frowned and reluctantly accepted the piece of Crab Yellow Crisp.
Empress Dowager Zhuang’s handkerchief fell to the ground, and she even stepped on it herself; she casually picked it up.
Then she took the handkerchief and proceeded to dab at the Emperor’s mouth: “Oh my, just like when you were a child, you still get your mouth all messy when eating. Here, let Mother clean you up!”
The Emperor’s temples throbbed: …Are you asking for trouble? Don’t think I didn’t see that this is the handkerchief you stepped on with your foot!
Their eye contact engaged in several rounds of silent battle, but all of this appeared quite different in Consort Jing’s eyes.
They looked to be on very affectionate terms!
Consort Jing, unaware that they were acting, actually thought they had really started to reconcile.
A wave of intense jealousy surged in her heart, and she poked a hole through the handkerchief she held!