Chapter 802: Chapter 800: Taking a Detour

Imperial Palace.

Imperial Garden.

Nanny Zhou supports the Empress as she admires the flowers in the Imperial Garden.

The Empress’s complexion is still pale, but it’s much better than before.

These days, Nanny Zhou has tried every way to comfort the Empress, allowing her to walk out from the sorrow of losing her beloved daughter.

Looking at the flowers in the Imperial Garden that Princess Shouning loved, the Empress feels sad again.

Fearful of her wrath, even Consort Li doesn’t dare to provoke the Emperor at this time.

Previously, Consort Li was used by others, displeasing the Emperor. In the matter of rewarding Su Jin with a Death Exemption Token, Marquis Wucheng acted wisely and gained the Emperor’s favor.

The Emperor lifted Consort Li’s confinement.

The Empress touched the flowers, seemingly hearing Princess Shouning’s laughter and calling out “Mother Empress” by her ear.

The Empress sobs uncontrollably.

From a distance, a palace maid hurriedly came over and said, “Your Majesty, the legitimate daughter of Nanyang Marquis Mansion has left the Capital for Yinzhou.”

Nanny Zhou was surprised, “Why did she return to Yinzhou?”

The palace maid shook her head.

She didn’t know.

Nanny Zhou looked at the Empress.

The Empress’s expression was cold. Because of Nie Yao, Prince NanAn Mansion was unwilling to marry her daughter, and it was the iron shoes she gifted that injured the leg of the Heir of Duke Chong, causing irreparable conflict with Prince NanAn, ultimately costing her daughter her life.

The Empress wants Nie Yao’s life more than anyone.

But she cannot.

Princess Shouning lost her life to win Prince NanAn’s favor and marry into his house.

If she were to kill Nie Yao, would Prince NanAn Mansion still feel indebted to Princess Shouning?

The Empress doesn’t want to destroy everything her daughter achieved with her life.

She can only endure.

“She has some sense, knowing to hide far away!” the Empress said coldly.

Behind her, Princess Duanhui came over.

Nanny Zhou noticed and said, “Princess Duanhui is here.”

The Empress’s face turned grim.

Ever since knowing the Empress Dowager intended to send Princess Shouning for a marriage alliance, the Empress hasn’t paid respects to the Empress Dowager.

Princess Duanhui, after the incident with Princess Shouning, wasn’t worried whether her daughter would survive, but feared that if anything happened to Princess Shouning, her daughter might be sent for a marriage alliance.

A cold-hearted mother and daughter, the Empress doesn’t want to talk to them.

Whenever Princess Duanhui visits the Empress Dowager, she requests to see the Empress.

The Empress always claims illness and doesn’t meet. Now, encountering her in the Imperial Garden, she couldn’t avoid meeting her.

Princess Duanhui stepped forward and paid respects to the Empress.

The Empress said indifferently, “I’m fatigued, returning to the palace.”

Nanny Zhou supported the Empress as they left.

Princess Duanhui’s eyes flashed with dissatisfaction, blocking the Empress’s path, “After so many days, does the Empress still refuse to speak to me?”

“What’s there to talk about?” the Empress mocked.

“When you decided to send Shouning for a marriage alliance, did anyone think of me?”

Princess Duanhui supported the Empress and said, “That wrongs me; I was in my fief, unaware of the decisions made by the Empress Dowager and Duke.”

“The Empress Dowager did it for Shouning’s benefit.”

The Empress was heartstricken.

At this point, still trying to deceive her?

What is good, what is scheming, can’t she distinguish?

The Empress bitterly smiled inside, saying, “It’s too late to talk about it now; my Shouning is gone, such good things will belong to YiAn from now on.”

Princess Duanhui’s face stiffened.

The Empress wished to return to the palace, and Princess Duanhui accompanied her.

After finally seeing her, she naturally wanted to persuade her to relax; being the Empress, her quarrel with the Empress Dowager benefits no one.

The Empress had no intention of dealing with Princess Duanhui.

In the distance, Princess Jiuling and Princess Fuqing approached.

Princess Fuqing hung on Princess Jiuling’s arm, acting coquettishly; Princess Jiuling looked dotingly.

From afar, seen as closer than genuine mother and daughter.

The Empress saw them, glancing at Nanny Zhou.

Nanny Zhou said, “Your Majesty, perhaps we should walk the other way.”

The Empress remained silent; Princess Duanhui said, “Why walk that way? Is it possible that the Empress must avoid a Princess?”

The tone was defending the Empress.

Nanny Zhou didn’t respond.

The Empress said, “Speak plainly.”

Nanny Zhou then said, “A few days ago, Princess Jiuling entered the palace; I happened to pass through the Imperial Garden, hearing her mock how Princess Duanhui was demoted, how she bullied her when she was in the palace, forcing her to marry Nanliang. Unexpectedly, upon her return to the Capital, Princess Duanhui was demoted, truly satisfying.”

“I’m afraid the Princess would encounter her, then…”

Nanny Zhou’s voice grew smaller.

Princess Duanhui’s face looked increasingly angry.

Having been a Princess for over ten years, staying at her fief for a dozen years, finally returning, but losing her title, demoted to Commandery Princess, even her residence was taken away.

A thorn stuck in Princess Duanhui’s throat, unable to release her anger these past days.

She knew Princess Jiuling was the happiest about her demotion.

Hearing this from Nanny Zhou made it worse.

Fearing Princess Jiuling’s open mockery, they’d rather take a detour!

This isn’t currying favor; it’s humiliation!

Princess Duanhui lost the mood to comfort the Empress; she needed comforting herself!

The Empress was leaving; Princess Duanhui didn’t follow.

Voices of Princess Jiuling and Princess Fuqing neared.

Princess Duanhui’s anger welled in her throat.

Her gaze fixed on Princess Jiuling.

The nanny beside her said, “It’s unexpected how close Princess Fuqing is with Princess Jiuling, one wouldn’t guess she’s adopted.”

“A Nanliang Princess shining more brightly here in Daqi than a Commandery Princess.”

Princess Duanhui’s gaze fell on Princess Fuqing.

Whatever thought crossed her mind, a dark gleam flashed in her eyes, a scheming smile curling on her lips.

She wanted to see if their mother-daughter bond was genuinely that strong.

“Call YiAn for me.”

…

Princess Jiuling felt bored at the palace; a princess, yet unable to roam the streets, had to return to the palace.

One doesn’t know when Nanliang would send someone for her return; coming back next time was uncertain.

She walked around the Imperial Garden before resting at the pavilion for tea.

Princess Fuqing stood by the lakeside watching the cranes.

Princess YiAn approached, saying, “Princess Fuqing, enjoying a fine leisure.”

Princess Fuqing glanced at her, indifferent.

That clearly dismissive attitude could easily provoke.

Princess YiAn remained unprovoked, walked over and said, “Princess Fuqing, brought as a hostage by Princess Jiuling back to Daqi, enjoying so freely here, longing not for Nanliang?”

Princess Fuqing’s face turned somewhat pale, and she turned to leave.

Princess YiAn laughed, “Doesn’t Princess Fuqing want to know what happened to Prince Jin’s Mansion in Nanliang after Princess Jiuling’s escape?”

Princess Fuqing froze in her step, turning back anxiously, “What happened to my father?”

Such a response was satisfying.

Princess YiAn stood where Princess Fuqing had been, saying, “I heard Princess Jiuling is selecting noble family sons for the Emperor’s matrimonial decree, to keep you in Daqi?”

“It’s none of your business,” Princess Fuqing replied coldly.

“Indeed, it’s unrelated to me, but are you willing to be used like this?”

Princess Fuqing clenched her fists tightly, “What happened to my father?”

Princess YiAn smiled, “I heard after Princess Jiuling escaped from Prince Jin’s Mansion, Prince Jin of Nanliang was hit in the head, unconscious for three days and nights before awakening.”

“Nanliang troops are at the gates, ambitious; Princess Jiuling is the key hostage for controlling Daqi. Prince Jin’s Mansion’s negligence allowed the hostage to escape, even retaining a Commandery Princess as the hostage. What good outcome would they anticipate?”

“Your father trapped, yet you chat with enemies, don’t you wish to leave Daqi for Nanliang?”

Princess Fuqing’s fists clenched tightly.

“Why are you telling me this?” Princess Fuqing questioned.

“Because I can help you,” Princess YiAn replied.

“`

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