"Since the little one has already intervened, we don't need to worry about the Marquis's mansion for now. Whether they want to ally through marriage will depend on the little one's mood."
Ye Jingyu's imposing aura was evident. "It's time we utilized the people in our court; they shouldn't be taking benefits from this King for nothing."
Ying Xiao knelt on one knee and replied, "Yes."
Currently, the entire court only knew of the Emperor's eldest legitimate son, Ye Jingcheng, and not the Third Prince, Ye Jingyu. It was time to change this order.
They had long been fully prepared, waiting only for His Lordship to make a decision. Now was the time for the sharp swords to be unsheathed!
After Jiang Yufei's birthday banquet, Su Yunmo had been free for a few days.
Another day passed, and an imperial decree arrived at the General's mansion.
Su Yunmo then remembered her appointment to treat the Empress Dowager.
The pills had been prepared long ago, and nothing else was needed.
Early one morning.
Su Yunmo entered the palace, following a palace attendant.
As they walked along Changqing Road, she spotted someone standing by the wall in the distance.
Ye Jingyu.
Today, his mask was silver. He stood with his hands behind his back, as upright as a pine tree.
The youth's gaze was fixed on the eaves of a nearby building. His usually dark eyes now sparkled with faint luminescence, appearing as cold and proud as a high mountain snow lotus, yet as hazy as the dense fog over the sea.
It was impossible to discern his thoughts.
Su Yunmo paused, then changed direction. "What are you doing here?"
Ye Jingyu withdrew his gaze and came back to his senses. "That's what this King should be asking you."
Su Yunmo patted her medicine box. "I'm here to see the Empress Dowager."
Ye Jingyu glanced lightly at the medicine box. "Putting on a show."
She wouldn't need such things to treat an illness. He was certain it was empty.
"How dare you disrespect the divine physician specifically requested by the Empress Dowager? Are you tired of living!" Su Yunmo feigned ferocity, then her expression shifted, and she winked.
"Don't you already know how good my medical skills are? So, do any of your relatives have illnesses or injuries? I'll charge you ninety percent of the usual fee."
Ye Jingyu glanced at her, then looked up again, gazing deeply at the four corners of the building. "You can't cure everyone, nor can you cure every illness."
With that, he lowered his brows and turned to leave.
Although it was brief, Su Yunmo still caught a fleeting glimpse of sadness in his eyes.
She narrowed her eyes and looked up at where Ye Jingyu had been gazing.
From this angle, only a small corner of that eave was visible.
"Eunuch, where is that?"
The eunuch who had come to fetch her bowed. "That is the cold palace, not a good place. Miss Su should come with this servant to see the Empress Dowager."
Su Yunmo understood.
She followed him to Cining Palace.
The Empress Dowager had recently finished her morning meal. Besides Madam Rongjin, another person was in the hall.
The little fatty Su Yunmo had met before, Ye Jingguang.
Upon seeing her, Ye Jingguang glared at her, let out a snort, and turned away, carrying a plate of pastries.
From this angle, Su Yunmo could clearly see the bite marks on his face.
They were deep, almost bleeding, and wouldn't heal for at least ten days to half a month.
Su Yunmo knew only one person who would dare to bite the Fourth Prince.
"Imperial Grandmother~" Su Yunmo called out obediently.
Madam Rongjin stepped forward, took Su Yunmo's medicine box, and introduced her.
"This is the eldest son of Consort Qin, the Fourth Prince. Although he is a few years older than you, he is lively. The Empress Dowager fears you might not have playmates when you come to the palace often, so she specially asked the Fourth Prince to come."
Su Yunmo raised an eyebrow.
Lively? He was certainly quite lively.
"Thank you, Imperial Grandmother. You are so good to Mòmo."
"Hmph!" a certain Fourth Prince snorted through his nostrils.
"Little Mò, come here." The Empress Dowager leaned back on her couch and beckoned affectionately.
Su Yunmo trotted over with her short legs. "Mòmo is here to see Imperial Grandmother and has brought something good for you."
Madam Rongjin placed the medicine box on a cabinet.
Su Yunmo, with her back to the others, opened the medicine box, rummaged through it for the pulse-taking tools, and a white porcelain bottle.
She first performed a remote diagnosis and then took out the pills for the Empress Dowager to swallow.
"This is something very good. Taking it continuously for a month will alleviate Imperial Grandmother's condition."
Ye Jingguang's expression shifted from disdain to confusion, and finally, unable to contain his curiosity, he leaned closer to look into the medicine box.
The medicine box snapped shut.
He looked up and met Su Yunmo's smiling eyes.
Su Yunmo said, "Fourth Prince, you shouldn't casually look at Mòmo's precious medicine box."
It was empty, after all.
"What's so great about it? I don't care," Ye Jingguang huffed, his small round face elongating as he walked away.
A servant entered from outside and stepped aside for Ye Jingguang, then reported, "Empress Dowager, the Empress requests an audience."
Su Yunmo's eyes flickered.
She had heard that the Empress had fallen ill after that day, but her recovery had been just as swift.
Madam Rongjin stepped forward. "The Empress's visit at this time is likely regarding the County Princess's marriage. Does the Empress Dowager wish to see her?"
A hint of sarcasm appeared on the Empress Dowager's dignified face.
"Now that the Empress manages the harem and can handle all matters concerning the Luo family, since the wedding date has been set, why is she coming to ask this old woman?"
Su Yunmo subconsciously glanced at the Empress Dowager.
Although she had sensed discord between the Empress Dowager and the Empress last time, their conflict now seemed more severe than she had imagined.
Madam Rongjin glanced at Su Yunmo, subtly reminding the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager's gaze deepened. "Little Mò, go play with Jingguang for a while. I will call you again in a couple of days to have snacks."
"Okay~" Su Yunmo replied sweetly, carrying her medicine box out with a look of innocent ignorance.
As she reached the doorway, she saw the eunuch who had just reported accompanying her out. Moments later, the Empress approached.
They met eyes, the Empress glared at her, and did not stop.
Su Yunmo left Cining Palace, her gaze lowered in thought.
Luo Yun'e had been chosen by the Empress Dowager to be the Empress to the current Emperor. Logically, even if they had had disagreements, they shouldn't have reached such a stalemate.
Not to mention they were both from the Luo family, and judging by Luo Yun'e's previous attitude towards the Empress Dowager, she shouldn't have done anything to defy her.
There must be a reason for this.
"Bean sprout, why are you only coming out now?"
Su Yunmo stopped and turned to see Ye Jingguang leaning against the arched doorway. "Is something wrong?"
Ye Jingguang pouted, looking sulky and annoyed. After a while, he reluctantly approached.
"I'm telling you, I'm not talking to you because I like you. I can forgive you for what happened last time, but in exchange, you have to agree to one thing for me!"
Su Yunmo frowned.
This kid, with no other skills, was quite good at seizing opportunities.
"I want to bring someone to see Third Brother. You have to help us connect, and persuade Third Brother to listen to me."
Su Yunmo asked curiously, "Why should I do this?"
"Aren't you on good terms with Third Brother?" Ye Jingguang pouted. "I saw you talking to Third Brother by that wall."
Third Brother had always hated children. Only she could get through to Third Brother, so he could only come to her.
"I'm not asking about that," Su Yunmo said, merely wondering why he didn't speak directly to Ye Jingyu.
Even if Ye Jingyu had a cold personality, they were brothers, after all. Was it so difficult for them to even talk?
"Forget it, I don't like meddling in other people's business. You should find someone else."
Su Yunmo turned to leave.
Ye Jingguang stared with wide eyes and shouted, "If you don't agree, I'll bully Ye Jingkun every day!"