Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Chapter 845: Chapter 845: Crazy Talk
 

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Having entered the palace, one cannot avoid paying a visit to His Majesty.

Zhao Yuanlang, who had been reviewing petitions in the Wende Hall, upon hearing the eunuch’s report, promptly ordered for Liu Sisi and her companion to be summoned into the palace.

Zhao Yuanlang was somewhat surprised at Liu Sisi’s sudden palace visit, “Ruyu, what brought you to visit Father Emperor today? Come, come, sit here, don’t just stand there, it makes me uncomfortable to watch.”

“Thank you, Father Emperor, for the offered seat.”

Liu Sisi then rose and sat down in the chair next to Zhao Yuanlang, “Father Emperor, today the several shops that Ruyu has recently opened were launched, so I came to inform Father Emperor.”

Perhaps due to the connection of blood, Liu Sisi was not afraid of Zhao Yuanlang but spoke with a smile brimming with good humor.

“Oh? The shops have opened, how is the business? Well, that’s great, from now on, Father Emperor will save a large sum of silver on rewards. Hahaha…”

Zhao Yuanlang teased her and couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

“Indeed, it’s not bad. However, Ruyu hasn’t managed them personally, so the specific earnings are still unclear. Father Emperor, once Ruyu has earned some silver, I will certainly honor you with it,” Liu Sisi deliberately brought up the matter.

And she took the opportunity to glance at Di Yelei sitting at the edge of a small stool beside her.

Zhao Yuanlang’s gaze flickered, and he patted Liu Sisi’s hand gently, “You child, if the shops make money, just keep it for yourself. Consider it that Father Emperor has given you a few more shops as part of your dowry. Your marriage to Ye Lei was hasty, and if you had been married in the capital, how could a few shops’ worth of silver be enough for that?”

“That’s different, a reward is a reward, and this is Ruyu’s filial respect for Father Emperor. You can’t refuse it, Father Emperor!”

Liu Sisi smiled with squinted eyes.

“Alright, alright, since it is Ruyu’s filial gesture to Father Emperor, how could I refuse it? Tell me, what brings you to the palace today? No matter what you ask of Father Emperor, I will grant it,” Zhao Yuanlang was pleased and declared generously with a grand gesture.

“Really? Ruyu thanks Father Emperor!”

Liu Sisi hastened to kneel and kowtowed three loud times.

However, Zhao Yuanlang was still shocked when he learned that Liu Sisi wished to visit Empress Yang in the cold palace!

Looking up at Di Yelei, who still half-sat on the edge of the chair, his gaze inward and meditative, Zhao Yuanlang regarded Liu Sisi with a uncertain gaze, a deep meaning crossing the depths of his eyes.

“What made you think of visiting her? Empress Yang is mad, even if you go, she won’t recognize you.”

“All the better if she doesn’t recognize me, hmph! When I was locked in the sky prison, she did not spare me from humiliation. Now, I want to pay her back for that humiliation! Father Emperor…”

Liu Sisi couldn’t help but cling to the corner of Zhao Yuanlang’s robe, gently shaking it.

Liu Sisi being locked in the sky prison, followed by Empress Yang’s visit to humiliate her and barely sparing her life, were all matters Zhao Yuanlang was distinctly aware of. Precisely because he was aware, such a request from Liu Sisi truly placed him in a dilemma.

“Father Emperor, I promise to return safely, please let me go, Father Emperor!”

Those big watery eyes looked at him, shrouded in a mist of water.

Looking into those eyes, so reminiscent of Lin Xiner’s, Zhao Yuanlang ultimately could not bear to refuse her, “Well then! I shall have Marquis Yongping accompany you to the cold palace. However, remember to be extremely careful, Empress Yang’s madness is not a laughing matter.”

“Thank you, Father Emperor! You truly are the wisest! Knowing of both heaven and earth, understanding of the state’s major affairs, the so-called emperor of a millennium cannot compare to Father Emperor by the slightest bit…”

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Liu Sisi felt elated inside, and during the conversation, various praises spilled out of her mouth like beans being poured out, rattling off one after another.

–

The cold palace was built behind the Imperial Garden, along a winding, serpentine path that led deep to the darkest, lowest section beneath the dark palace wall.

Since Liu Sisi and the other person had an Imperial Decree, they didn’t encounter much difficulty when seeing Empress Yang.

When Liu Sisi saw Empress Yang again, she could hardly recognize that the person before her eyes was Empress Yang.

The Empress had once been domineering and vibrant, her face always bearing a touch of disdain. But the present Empress Yang sat huddled in a corner, her hair disheveled, her clothing so faded that its original color was indiscernible, muttering to herself.

Liu Sisi turned her head to look at Di Yelei, and upon receiving a casual nod from him, she boldly took a few steps forward and approached the woman: “Empress Yang, I am Liu Sisi. I’ve come to see you. Do you still recognize me?”

The other seemed startled by her voice and hurriedly retreated into the corner, instinctively raising her hand to protect her face.

“Don’t hit me! Don’t hit me, I am the Empress! I am the Empress… Don’t hit me! Don’t hit me…”

But Liu Sisi, undeterred, continued moving closer, grabbed Empress Yang’s hair in one hand, forcing her to look up. The Empress before her was not only emaciated to the point of being unrecognizable but also had several scars of varying depth on her face. The scabs that hadn’t yet fallen off made her appearance even more fearsome.

“Empress Yang, look at me closely, do you remember who I am?”

Empress Yang’s eyes rolled wildly, and she began to scream frantically, “Don’t hit me! Don’t hit me, I’ll be good, I’ll be obedient, I’ll listen… I’ll listen…”

The attendant next to her remained calm, unaffected by the Empress’s words.

He stepped forward and said, “Princess, Empress Yang has gone mad. You can ignore her ramblings. His Majesty has also said that you should not get too close to her. Once she goes mad, she has the strength that even four or five eunuchs can’t suppress.”

“It’s fine, eunuch. You all may step down. There are some things I’d like to discuss alone with Empress Yang.”

“But… His Majesty has ordered me to always ensure your safety…”

“If His Majesty really blames anyone, I will explain to His Majesty myself. You may leave!”

The chance to enter the cold palace didn’t come often, and Liu Sisi didn’t want to leave empty-handed.

The eunuch wanted to say further: “But…”

“There are no buts, leave at once!” Liu Sisi was unwilling to listen to any explanations.

Only when the several eunuchs had left did Liu Sisi signal Di Yelei with her eyes. “Empress Yang, I came today to ask you one question. Were you the one at the Imperial Enlightenment Temple back then? Was it you who killed my mother?”

“Don’t hit, I’ll be obedient… Hungry, I’m so obedient… so hungry, I want to eat…” Empress Yang muttered to herself, uttering many incomprehensible words.

Liu Sisi turned to look at Di Yelei, who, instead of saying anything, reached out, grabbed Empress Yang, and yanked her up from the ground.

Being startled, Empress Yang began to scream and shout, but around her, it was dead silent with no one appearing.

As she looked into the eyes of Empress Yang, who was forced to face her directly, there was not a trace of pity in Liu Sisi’s heart. “Tell me! Was it your assassin at the temple that day? What deep hatred did you have against my mother?”