"My lord, do you still have feelings for the Empress?" Madam Zhou suddenly asked.
Shen Yunxuan looked up at Madam Zhou, his dark eyes like an abyss, drawing her in. The world around her was dark and desolate, filling her with dread. It felt like an eternity before this sensation suddenly dissipated.
She came back to her senses, as if reborn from disaster. She looked at the man before her with a trembling heart. At this moment, she found him a stranger, terrifying, someone who filled her with fear.
"What would you do if I said I did?" his deep voice was laced with a hint of uncertainty.
Madam Zhou knew Shen Yunxuan was not lying to her. She tightly gripped the handkerchief in her hand and raised her head again. His eyes were still dark, but they now held a touch more gentleness than before. Was he waiting for her response?
"To tell you the truth, I would be very angry, but only temporarily. After all, my lord, you knew the Empress before you knew me. I cannot and will not strip the Empress of her place in your heart. I only hope that at some moment, at some time, you will remember me, and remember that you also have me to treat with your full attention now."
After saying this, Madam Zhou quickly lowered her head, nervously clutching the handkerchief.
She dared not look up at Shen Yunxuan, fearing that what she heard or saw would disappoint her.
"Alright, I will be mindful of this from now on," Shen Yunxuan said.
Madam Zhou trembled all over. She had never expected Shen Yunxuan to agree. Her heart felt warm, with a hint of happiness. Did this mean he was starting to care about her?
"My lord, His Majesty has summoned you urgently," a voice came from outside the door.
Shen Yunxuan stood up and glanced at Madam Zhou. Madam Zhou said, "My lord, you should go quickly!"
Shen Yunxuan nodded. "Madam, please rest early."
Watching Shen Yunxuan leave, Madam Zhou sighed. "Hong Yan, come help me freshen up."
"Madam, the old madam requests an audience," Hong Yan said, hurrying in with a displeased expression.
Madam Zhou frowned. Her mother wanted to see her at this late hour?
"Do you know why?" Madam Zhou asked.
Hong Yan shook her head. "This servant does not know, but the old madam is accompanied by a young girl, who appears to be quite young."
Madam Zhou's expression darkened. "Do not admit her. Tell mother to return."
Hong Yan received the order and retreated. When Madam Zhou awoke, it was already broad daylight. She called out, "Hong Yan?"
Soon Hong Yan entered. "Madam, you are awake?"
Madam Zhou nodded, glancing at the sky. She asked, "Has my lord not returned yet?"
Hong Yan shook her head. "No, my lord has still not returned."
Madam Zhou nodded. "Alright, I understand. You may withdraw."
Madam Zhou noticed that Hong Yan did not seem inclined to leave and asked, "What is it?"
Hong Yan hesitated to speak. Madam Zhou said, "If you have something to say, say it. Why are you being so hesitant?"
Hong Yan looked at Madam Zhou and said, "Madam, the old madam did not leave last night and is still waiting in the front hall."
Madam Zhou was taken aback. "What? Mother hasn't left?"
Hong Yan nodded. "Last night, this servant told the old madam that madam was resting and asked her to return, but the old madam refused, saying she wouldn't leave without seeing madam. This servant did not wish to disturb your rest, so I did not inform you."
Madam Zhou sighed. "Let mother come in."
Hong Yan whispered, "Yes, Madam."
A moment later, she heard a voice from outside, "My daughter..."
Madam Zhou stepped forward and said, "Mother, please don't be offended. I was a bit tired yesterday and slept until this hour. Upon waking, I heard from the servants that mother arrived yesterday. These servants are truly audacious, deceiving and misleading. I will vent your anger now."
"Never mind, my child. You can discipline them later. For now, mother has something important to tell you." Madam Fan, for the first time, did not assert her authority, but rather hoped to resolve the matter peacefully.
Madam Zhou kept her guard up and asked, "May I know what it is, Mother?"
Madam Fan smiled upon hearing this and said, "Your cousin has come from Yizhou..."
Madam Zhou looked at Madam Fan, her heart sinking. "Mother, what do you mean?"
Madam Fan looked at Madam Zhou's cold expression and said, "What, your cousin has arrived? Aren't you happy? You used to love seeing your cousin when you were little."
"There were many things I didn't understand when I was young. Now that I've experienced so much, if I still don't understand, I am truly beyond redemption."
Madam Fan paused slightly. "My child, what is wrong with you?"
Madam Zhou looked up at Madam Fan. Perhaps in the past, she still felt some familial affection for this mother, but now that feeling had completely vanished.
"Since cousin has come, if Mother is happy, is my happiness so important?"
Madam Fan frowned at Madam Zhou. "Li'er, are you still resentful about what happened before? It's all in the past, you can't keep it in your heart!"
"If Mother is here to chat with me, I am very happy. If not, I ask Mother to return."
"You..."
"Hong Yan, see the guest out." Madam Zhou stood up as if to leave.
"After years apart, Cousin has become like those noble ladies."
A voice suddenly came, and Madam Zhou looked towards the doorway. Standing there was a graceful young girl. She was wearing a simple white dress and a single hairpin, with nothing else.
Yet, such simple attire made her exceptionally beautiful.
"Cousin, I am Fan Yunxiu."
Madam Zhou nodded. She did indeed remember this cousin, Fan Yunxiu. When she was little, it was this cousin who would talk to her and play with her.
Therefore, her impression of this cousin was not bad.
"Yunxiu has arrived, please sit," Madam Zhou said.
Fan Yunxiu sat down and looked at Madam Zhou. "Cousin has truly become much more beautiful."
"Cousin is also gracefully grown. Have you been betrothed?" Madam Zhou asked.
Madam Fan replied, "Not yet. I thought that there would be more potential suitors in the capital, so I called Yunxiu over, hoping you could introduce her to some talented young men in the capital."
"I will handle this matter," Madam Zhou said.
"If that is the case, then Cousin and I shall take our leave. Don't forget your cousin when you find any suitable talents," Madam Fan said, standing up as if to leave.
"Mother, I haven't had my meal yet. Why don't we eat together!" Madam Zhou said.
Madam Fan looked at Madam Zhou. "May we?"
Madam Zhou smiled. "Of course, we may. If Mother continues to handle matters in this manner in the future, it will always be permissible."
Madam Fan also smiled. "The foolish things I did in the past will not happen again, but you must pay close attention to your cousin's matters."
"Mother, rest assured, I will pay close attention." Madam Zhou said.
Madam Fan smiled. "That's good, that's good."
Madam Zhou instructed Hong Yan to prepare the meal, while she pulled Yunxiu along, saying intimately, "Yunxiu, how old are you this year?"