“Keep it. Emerald is rare. On the fifteenth of the next month, we are allowed to visit our families by the Empress’ grace. Give this to your sister-in-law and let her be happy.” There were only a few people in the palace who treated her genuinely. Fu Rou would not forget their kindness.
“Thank you very much then.” Yang Bo took the earrings and skipped off joyfully.
Fu Rou’s footsteps were light as she walked through the corridor and past the Imperial Garden. She did not shift her gaze as she continued onwards.
“Head Seamstress Fu.” A familiar voice entered her ears. Fu Rou froze before turning around. She then realised that Prince Zhou was sitting at the pavilion that she had just passed.
“Why? Do I not even have a shadow in your eyes anymore? You pretend not to see me when you do. You don’t even greet me anymore.” Prince Zhou’s face darkened as he caught sight of Fu Rou’s surprised face.
“I wouldn’t dare. I really did not see Your Highness.” If she had seen him, she would have hidden long ago.
“Sheng Chumu has returned.” Prince Zhou’s tone was pensive.
“Mmhm, he has returned.” Fu Rou found it hard to hide her smile.
“Why did he come back?” Prince Zhou felt like it was a thorn in his side.
“What do you mean, Your Highness? Should he not return?” Fu Rou turned into a mother hen protecting her chick once again.
“There are many that do not wish for him to return.” This included him.
“If Your Highness does not have anything else, I will take my leave.” Fu Rou did not want to continue talking.
Prince Zhou instructed, “On the ninth, come to Lingxiao Palace.”
“I already said…” That I would not go.
“You can choose not to come.” Prince Zhou looked at her. “But if you don’t, I will ask Sheng Chumu to call you over and I will tell him that I kissed you before.”
Fu Rou suddenly lifted her gaze and stared right into Prince Zhou’s eyes. Is he threatening her?
“On the ninth, Lingxiao Palace. I will be waiting for you.”
Prince Zhou tutted before glancing briefly at Fu Rou and turning to leave. Did she think he was going to be a mature adult? Dream on! The only people that could make him back off was his Imperial Father and his mother. He could give up on other things, but not the person he loved!
Chapter 21.1: Filial Daughter
Lu Yingying sat in the garden as she stared blankly at the plants around her.
In her memory, it seemed like ever since she came to Chang’an, she never had the time to just look at her own garden. Because she was Lu Yunji’s daughter, she received numerous invitations from other families. She would meet one duke today, another lord the next day. Following her father’s wishes, she associated herself with the noble ladies of Chang’an and was always busy.
Over time, she started to get irritated; especially after her father and brother returned. There were so many banquets, so she always had to rush around. She was so tired and asked her father to allow her to rest for a few days. Who would have known that things would change so quickly?
With her father and brother in prison, her cousin, Hanxing, had gathered all the valuables in their house to exchange for money. Her invitations disappeared along with the valuables in her house. To be honest, she did not care. She also did not care about the rumours of her father and brother bullying citizens and robbing them for their personal gain. Everyone in their residence was shaken and the servants were in no mood to work. Weeds grew in the garden, yet no one removed them. She still did not care.
All she knew was that her mother had passed on after giving birth to her and it was her brother that carried her to look for their aunt, saving her life. She also knew that her father doted on her and allowed her to do whatever she wanted in order to reduce the gap left by her missing mother. To others, Lu Yunji and Lu Qi might be nasty. However, to her, they were the best father and brother in the world. She was willing to give up her image for them.
Hence, Lu Yingying no longer sat in a daze. She walked into her father’s study room. The study room was empty, with all the valuable antiques sold. All of a sudden, her gaze landed on her father’s armor beside the screen. She remembered every tear and stitch that mended it. She also remembered the droplets of the enemies’ and her father’s blood. If she remembered all this, then the Emperor would as well.
Lu Yingying knew what she had to do.
The next morning, Lu Yingying put on the armor and appeared in the palace. She was going to beg the Emperor to spare her father and brother on account of their contributions throughout the years.
However, the Emperor had just locked Lu Hanxing up as well for bribing other officials to plead for Lu Yunji. He was in the worst mood and rejected Lu Yingying. Lu Yingying kneeled in front of the palace for an entire day and into the night.
Her determination was recognized by quite a few people as her being filial.
When Sun Lingshu heard this, she was fuming. Ever since they were competitors for the position of Crown Princess, she had subconsciously been comparing herself to Lu Yingying. Lu Yingying looked innocent and carefree, receiving the love of many. Moreover, she still hasn't forgotten the way the Crown Prince looked at Lu Yingying. Although the Empress had already given up on the idea of getting Lu Yingying to be the Crown Prince’s concubine, Lu Yingying may be playing tricks.
Hence, Sun Lingshu went to check out the situation. However, when she saw the Crown Prince speak to Lu Yingying with a look of concern in his eyes, she could not help but feel uneasy.
She was feeling down when she went to greet Empress Zhangsun. Unexpectedly, the Empress did not show much concern but merely told her to be more magnanimous as the main wife. If she was not able to attend to the Crown Prince well, she should make arrangements. Other than the day that Sun Lingshu told her the joyous news of being pregnant and the Empress showed her concern, the Empress did not care much about her thereafter. Not only that, Empress Zhangsun even asked her to think from the Crown Prince perspective and find other ladies for the Crown Prince.
At this moment, Fu Rou entered.
Empress Zhangsun asked, “Head Seamstress Fu, did you hear about Lu Yingying kneeling in front of the palace?”
“Yes I heard she kneeled for an entire day and night.” Although Fu Rou could not bring herself to like Lu Yingying, she could not hate her as well. Putting her feelings aside, they were both females and she admired Lu Yingying’s filial piety.
Sun Lingshu could not stand it any longer. “Imperial Mother, how can you allow her to kneel in front of the palace? She is the daughter of a criminal. What she is doing is clearly making things difficult for Imperial Father.” She accidentally let her jealousy show in her voice.
Empress Zhangsun stared deeply at Sun Lingshu.
Sun Lingshu felt uneasy. “Have I said something wrong?”
Empress Zhangsun replied, “No. However, as people from the harem, we should not interfere with court matters. Even if someone asks us, there is no need to answer. Remember this. Anyhow, you are pregnant and shouldn’t tire yourself. Return back to your palace to rest.”
Sun Lingshu anxiously excused herself and left.
“This daughter-in-law of mine-” Empress Zhangsun stopped what she was saying and waved at Fu Rou, indicating for her to leave.