Chapter 52: Paying Respects (10) Volume 1

  Suddenly, the sound of footsteps was heard approaching, and a small eunuch sang out in a clear, high-pitched voice, "The Crown Prince has arrived!" Everyone then knelt down together, as they had been previously informed to do, and chorused, "Greetings to the Crown Prince, wishing the Crown Prince good health!"

  "Hurry up and get dressed, I'm going out of the palace today, especially to celebrate your birthday, no need for formalities!" Crown Prince Zhou Jingyu's voice was warm and gentle, he personally supported Yun Lao Taikun in the morning, calling her "Shifu" (teacher), and smiled saying: "I originally wanted to celebrate Shifu's birthday, didn't expect to cause trouble for Shifu instead!"

  "What an honor! The prince has arrived, and it's a great blessing! I've been waiting for him to come, but he hasn't arrived yet!" Cloud Old Lady said with a smile, while Cloud Big Master also chimed in beside her.

  Zhou Jingyu smiled and sighed: "Since Master left, I haven't seen Mistress for several years either. How has Mistress's health been?"

  "Thanks to the Crown Prince's blessing, the old woman is still well. The Crown Prince has become even more dignified than before!" Cloud Old Lady said with a smile. When she heard Zhou Jingyu mention her husband, she couldn't help but redden at the corners of her eyes, and the Crown Prince also felt a pang of sadness for a moment.

  The empress dowager controlled the government, and all major and minor affairs were handled through her hands. The difference between the empress dowager and the emperor was just a title. It can be imagined that the emperor's life was not easy to pass, and as the crown prince, it was even more difficult. In the past when Yunxiang was around, the crown prince still had someone to rely on in his heart. Occasionally, when he was pulled into some gossip, there would be someone with weight who would help him reason things out. After Yunxiang's death, the crown prince only had the path of closing the door and reading books left. Unless the empress dowager summoned him, he almost never went out of the eastern palace gate! This time, when he came to the Yun residence to celebrate the old lady's birthday, it was still unknown how the empress dowager suddenly asked about him, and he dared to respond accordingly.

  "Your Highness, let's go inside and talk in the main hall!" Yun Da Lao Ye bowed his head and raised his hand in a gesture of invitation.

  "Right, right! Look at my foolish wife, letting the prince stand here all this time!" Old Lady Yun smiled and led the group to accompany the prince into the central hall.

  Until the sound of footsteps faded away, Yao Cunhui and other women slowly raised their heads and stood up, each secretly letting out a sigh of relief. Although they didn't even see the face of the crown prince, only catching a glimpse of a corner of his apricot-yellow robe and boots embroidered with four-clawed golden pythons, everyone's heart was still filled with excitement, their eyes shining brightly as they whispered to each other in hushed tones.

  Yao Cunhui held Yao Shizan's hand and stood in the crowd, but only smiled without speaking.

  The housekeeper's wife of the Yunfu government came to entertain and greet, leading everyone into a spacious flower hall for temporary rest, waiting for a while to send off the prince.

  The crown prince arrives, and all the officials in the palace greet him and see him off, this is an indispensable courtesy.

  The prince also knew that his visit to pay respects, although it gave the old lady a great deal of face, had also brought many inconveniences to others. So he presented the birthday gift, paid his respects, and sat for only a short while before leaving the palace.

  The ladies-in-waiting knelt by the road, sending off the prince as if they were welcoming a royal carriage. Afterwards, they returned to the hall to accompany Old Lady Yun. The birthday atmosphere suddenly became lively and warm, with everyone surrounding Old Lady Yun, chattering excitedly and admiring the gifts sent by the prince: a sheep's fat jade Buddha's hand, a red coral longevity star, twelve fans of mountain and water figures embroidered on crystal screens, a ruby-encrusted golden longevity bowl, etc. There were also the fragrant dragon-headed cane and jade ruyi bestowed by the empress dowager. The flattering words flowed like a river without end. Old Lady Yun was also overjoyed and felt deeply moved, chatting and laughing with everyone.

  In this lively gathering, Yao Cunhui wouldn't easily jump into the conversation, instead she would just stand by with a faint smile, occasionally exchanging one or two sentences with the girls around her age.

  She suddenly turned her head and was shocked in her heart: Yao Shizan was gone!

  Yao Cunhui's face changed slightly, her eyes carefully scanning every corner of the hall, still not seeing Yao Shizan's small figure, and she immediately became flustered.

  Yao Cunhui didn't dare to shout loudly, and quickly got up to quietly ask the maidservants waiting in the hall if they had seen Young Master Yao.

  Are there any maids who don't like to watch or listen to the commotion? They all shook their heads, saying they hadn't noticed. After much effort, I finally asked one who knew and was told that Young Master Yao had gone to play in the garden with Third Young Master of our family and several young masters from other relatives' families!

  Yao Cunhui's heart tightened, and she instructed her maid a few words before hurrying towards the direction of the flower garden.

  There are many people and things to attend to today, and I'm a guest at my maternal grandmother's house. If something unexpected happens, it would be terrible!

  Yao Cunhui walked into the garden without stopping, and after passing by a fake hill, she saw Yao Shizan and five or six other children of similar age laughing and playing on the grass by the lake. There were several maids and servants with shaved heads standing by to attend to them. Only then did Yao Cunhui's heart finally put down its guard.

  At a glance, Wu Jin was also standing not far away, silently watching the direction where Yao Shizan and others were playing. Yao Cunhui slowly let out a breath and walked towards Wu Jin.

  "Master Yao, you've come out. Why didn't you have someone send me a message?" Yao Cunhui questioned Wu Jin. If it was Yao Cunhui's intention to let Yao Shizan go out and play, the maids by her side would certainly have personally sent him out to explain things, but this time even Honglian and Hongzhi didn't know when Yao Shizan had slipped out of the door.

  "There are people with numbers in their hearts, and with small people around, the young master will not be in trouble." Wu Jin slightly bowed his head, his tone was flat but exuded confidence.

  "But I'm worried," Yao Cunhui said with some annoyance, staring at Wu Jin slowly. "I believe in your abilities, but don't you think you should have told me something? Wu Jin, do you know what your biggest problem is? Your biggest problem is that you have a lot on your mind but don't say it out loud. No superior likes subordinates like you, even if you do things very well, but you make your superiors feel unsteady in their hearts. Nobody likes this feeling!"

  Wu Jin suddenly raised his eyes in surprise and stared at Yao Cunhui, a hint of hurt and shock flashing across his eyes. He muttered: "But, I was thinking for the sake of Miss, today is a good day for Old Lady Yun, Miss is by her side, I don't want to disturb Miss!"

  "I understand what you mean, but aren't you also making me anxious? Think carefully about what I just said and think again about why, after serving as a imperial guard for so many years, you were never promoted and instead became a scapegoat. Weigh it yourself!"

  Yao Cunhui looked at him straight, the words that came out of her mouth were not left with any tenderness. Wu Jin had this problem for not the first time, whenever something happened he wouldn't say anything, silently doing it without knowing how others would know what he could or couldn't do? Was it so hard to make a report beforehand, talk about plans and explain things clearly? Others are worried and uneasy, what if an accident happens, what should they do? You just quietly get the thing done, making those who worry look like fools!

  Wu Jin's body shook and he stood there in a daze, unable to make a sound for half a moment.

  "Thanks for the reminder, miss." Wu Jin finally came back to his senses, composed himself and bowed deeply towards Yao Cunhui, with a sudden enlightenment in his heart.

  Yao Cunhui let out a soft sigh, and her tone also softened: "As long as you understand what I mean, that's good. Take good care of Young Master, don't let him get into fights with those few young masters, I'll head to my maternal grandmother's place first!"

  "Yes, Second Miss!" Wu Jin escorted her out, bowing his head until Yao Cunhui's figure disappeared into the distance before slowly raising his head.

  "Hui'er!" A person suddenly darted out from behind the fake mountain, and Yao Cunhui was startled. Just as she was about to cry out in surprise, she saw that the man with a jade crown on his head and wearing a long, majestic robe was Shen Qianshi. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand and patted her chest gently, exhaling slowly as she said, "Shen big brother, what are you doing here?"

  "Let's take a step aside and talk!" Shen Que smiled lowly, pulling her into a nearby winding artificial cave.

  What? Yao Cunhui was taken aback, and before she knew it, she had been pulled in by him. She couldn't help but feel a little amused: the men and women of this era were really open-minded, even someone like Shen Que, a gentleman, would do something like this without batting an eye. What is this? A secret rendezvous in the backyard?

  "Speak quickly, if someone sees us, my reputation will be completely ruined!" Yao Cunhui said with a smile.

  "Hehe, even if someone sees us, it's not a big deal. At most, we'll just get married immediately." Shen Ke laughed very easily and naturally, as if it really wasn't a big deal at all.

  Yao Cunhui's face flushed, and she lowered her eyes slightly, saying softly: "What is it, anyway? Hurry up and say it, I still have to go back to my maternal grandmother's place!"

  "Hui'er," Shen Ke suddenly grasped her hands tightly, his deep and profound eyes quietly gazing at her, saying in a low voice: "Next month I will be going to war."

  "What!" Yao Cunhui stopped struggling with both hands, his whole body suddenly stiffened, as if he had fallen into an endless abyss. His heart was filled with unrelenting fear, and he stared at him with wide eyes, not daring to believe it.

  No matter how difficult the days at the Yao residence were, no matter how much effort and thought was put into every step of planning, as long as she thought that he was quietly paying attention to her and protecting her in secret, her heart would feel solid and at peace.

  Although every step is her own, she knows that as long as she takes a wrong step and retreats, he will be her solid support, his support is enough to make her start all over again!

  But today he told her that he was going to war! Not only would he be thousands of miles away from her, but the killing and fighting he would face would be even more brutal than what she would face!

  "Hui'er, don't worry," Shen Ke's heart ached, he grasped her hand tightly, his thin lips pursed, wanting to speak but stopping himself. You look like this, I won't be at ease!

  "It's so sudden," Yao Cunhui forced a smile, still feeling a little down in her heart, and asked: "Where are you going? How long will it take?"

  "Western Regions." Shen Ke lightly exhaled: "It's hard to say how long it'll take, maybe a year, maybe two or three years, maybe four or five years - no, Hui'er, three years at most! Within three years I will definitely return and marry you as my bride with great fanfare!"

  "Good," Yao Cun Hui's nose turned sour, and she blinked her eyes to hold back the tears in them. Her clear and beautiful eyes stared at Shen Que: "I'll wait for you! No matter how long I'll wait for you, Shen Que, you must come back and marry me as your bride!"