The Empress Dowager couldn't help but clench the armrest tightly. Due to the force, her well - maintained hand turned pale, and the blue veins on the back of her hand bulged.
Her abnormality caught Di Yunjian's attention.
"Mother, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Di Yunjian asked with concern as he noticed her pale complexion.
"I'm fine," the Empress Dowager quickly shook her head, coming back to her senses.
"That concubine is so beautiful. I heard from you a few days ago that Concubine Zhen and her mother were not favored by the Marquis of Zhenyuan in the marquis's mansion?" The Empress Dowager pretended to be nonchalant, and her tone became rather flat.
At this, Di Yunjian nodded. "Yes... I've investigated. Concubine Zhen's mother lost her memory in the early years and was forcibly taken into the marquis's mansion by the Marquis of Zhenyuan."
"She still hasn't regained her memory until now."
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager's eyes flashed. "They are all poor people."
"When I was still unmarried, the mistress of the marquis's mansion, Chen Yunying, was well - known. Although she was a daughter of a noble family, she was the most shrewish woman in the capital. After she married into the marquis's mansion and took charge of the inner affairs, none of the concubines in the back house got pregnant. This concubine was able to give birth to Concubine Zhen and her younger brother. She must have suffered a great deal."
The Empress Dowager shook her head with a sigh, but inside, her heart was in turmoil.
Lost her memory and was snatched into the marquis's mansion...
Could it be that she didn't die back then but just lost her memory and was taken into the marquis's harem by the Marquis of Zhenyuan?
But the servant reported back then that he saw her being chased off a cliff with his own eyes and even saw the fragmented body after chasing after.
Maybe it's just a coincidence.
Thinking this way, the Empress Dowager's eyes couldn't help but look in the direction of the Marquis of Zhenyuan's mansion again. Seeing that familiar yet strange face, she felt a shudder in her heart.
It was familiar because in the early years, she saw the portrait of that woman almost every day. It was strange because that woman had been dead for more than a decade. Suddenly seeing someone who looked very similar made her feel dazed.
The Empress Dowager was silent, trying to restrain her eyes from looking in that direction, but she just couldn't help it.
Finally, the Empress Dowager's eyes swept over again and met Wen Sheng's gaze.
This eye - contact contained too much, something extremely complicated.
The Empress Dowager was shocked and quickly averted her eyes. Her hands couldn't help but tremble.
As for Wen Sheng, she felt a sharp pain in her head. The fine stabbing pain was like steel needles, pricking deep into her mind one after another. The pain made her face turn deathly pale. Her hand slipped off the table involuntarily, knocking down a glass cup.
"Smash!"
The glass cup shattered, and the crisp sound attracted the curious glances of some people in the hall.
There were some gossips mixed in, mostly about how Chen Yunying had been lax in managing her household over the years and even brought a concubine into the palace banquet.
Seeing Wen Sheng's state, Yan Jinhua and Chen Yunying beside her felt ashamed with the gossiping voices in their ears and under everyone's gazes.
Sure enough, they shouldn't have brought this bitch out. She only brought shame!
If it weren't for the fact that that commoner daughter was in favor, why would they bring her out to disgrace the marquis's mansion.
Chen Yunying frowned and was about to scold Wen Sheng in a low voice when the Emperor on the high seat spoke up.
"What's going on?" Di Yunjian's tone was casual, and his eyes lazily swept over.
Yan Qingshu also looked over. Seeing her mother's pale face covering her head, she panicked. Just as she was about to stand up, Zhu Yao grabbed her hand.
Before Yan Qingshu could react, Yan Jinhua clasped his hands and bowed. "Your Majesty, it's my family member who doesn't understand the etiquette rules. Please calm your anger."
"Really?" Di Yunjian asked lazily.
Before Yan Jinhua and Chen Yunying could say anything, Di Yunjian gave an order.
"I think this family member of the Marquis of Zhenyuan seems to be unwell."
"Since she's unwell, go down and have a good rest."
After saying that, Di Yunjian gave Li Dahai a look. The meaning was obvious: take that concubine to the side hall.
Li Dahai nodded. In order not to attract attention, he told a maid to take Wen Sheng to the side hall.
The maid walked into the seating area and helped Wen Sheng away.
Yan Qingshu's worried eyes fell on the gradually disappearing back. She didn't retract her gaze until they disappeared at the door of the hall.
"Don't worry, Your Highness. Didn't His Majesty say that he would arrange for you to meet your mother? I think this is the chance. Let's find an excuse to go out," Zhu Yao whispered in her ear.
Yan Qingshu nodded. Her eyes scanned the table. There were a few cups of fruit wine at the corner of the table. They were all brewed from fruits by Di Yunjian's order, and pregnant women could have a few sips.
Without hesitation, Yan Qingshu raised her head and drank it. After confirming that there was a faint smell of fruit wine on her body, she stood up with a blushing face.
"Your Majesty, I'm a bit drunk. I'd like to go out for some fresh air," Yan Qingshu bowed gracefully, looking really a bit tipsy.
Di Yunjian slightly curled his lips, trying his best to restrain the doting in his tone. "Okay. You're pregnant. Be careful."
"Zhu Yao, serve your mistress well."
Zhu Yao responded and reached out to support Yan Qingshu's arm. The two slowly walked out of the hall.
As soon as they stepped out of the hall, Li Dahai, who was waiting outside, stepped forward.
"Your Highness, Concubine Wen is waiting for you in the Bamboo Singing Pavilion," Li Dahai said with a smile.
"Your Highness, don't worry. I've arranged everything on the way."
Yan Qingshu gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you, Father - in - law Li."
"Your Highness, you're being too kind. I still need to serve His Majesty. I'll let Xiaoshunzi follow you from afar."
After saying that, Li Dahai stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation. Then he turned around and walked back to Di Yunjian's side to continue serving.
When Di Yunjian saw him coming back, he asked in a low voice, "Is everything arranged?"
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I've arranged everything."
Only then did Di Yunjian nod in satisfaction.
He was still thinking about how to find a reason to let Li Dahai call the person out. Unexpectedly, this incident happened.
"How is Shu'er's mother? Send someone to call the imperial physician," Di Yunjian said, thinking that her face was so pale just now. She must be really unwell.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I've sent someone to call the imperial physician. I think he's already in the Bamboo Singing Pavilion by now," Li Dahai had done things very thoroughly and arranged everything.
"You did a good job," Di Yunjian glanced at him.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's praise," Li Dahai said with a smile and picked up the public chopsticks to serve Di Yunjian food again.
The toasting and feasting at the banquet continued. There were endless polite and formal remarks.
Yan Jinhua and Chen Yunying both looked a bit unhappy. The court officials beside them were chatting with them politely, and the atmosphere became lively again.
They didn't have time to think about Wen Sheng anymore.
At the same time, Yan Qingshu was supported by Zhu Yao, and her steps were a bit hasty.
Her heart was filled with sourness.
The scene of her mother and younger brother's death in that dream kept flashing in her mind. Just thinking about it made her hold her breath.
Her heart seemed to be tightly grasped by a big hand, and it hurt badly.
Zhu Yao held the lantern, and the two rushed all the way and finally arrived at the Bamboo Singing Pavilion.
Standing at the door, Yan Qingshu absurdly didn't dare to go in.
The door creaked open.
A familiar face came into view.
Yan Qingshu's eyes were red and filled with tears. She bit her lip and took a few steps forward, throwing herself into the arms of the person in front of her.
The tears silently slid down and wet the clothes.
"Mother..."
Shu'er misses you so much...