The news that Empress Wang had appeared in Liancheng and saved the Wang clan, escorted back to the capital by Zhou Yi, the Military Governor of Henan Province, quickly reached the capital.
Consort Yao, a woman known for her forbearance, even smashed a teacup in the palace.
"How is that bitch still alive? Wasn't she supposed to have fallen off a cliff, her bones scattered to the wind?" Consort Yao roared in fury.
"Our people personally witnessed her fall off the cliff back then. Who knew... she was lucky to survive." Yao Zhinian gritted his teeth in hatred.
With Wang Youling returning at this time, those aristocratic families would stir up trouble again.
"I don't care, she absolutely cannot be allowed to return to the capital alive," Consort Yao shrieked hysterically.
No wonder they hadn't announced her death to the world, nor had they deposed her as Empress. He knew she was still alive all along. After all these years, he still couldn't let go of that bitch in his heart.
She had been deceived by him back then, which was why she had to eke out an existence outside the palace for so many years.
"Yes."
"Feng Qirui cannot be punished. He still has great use. Don't forget he is now the commander of the Northern Army," Consort Yao said pointedly.
"Your Highness intends to..." Yao Zhinian reacted quickly this time.
"Since he is unrighteous, do not blame me for being unjust." Consort Yao's face contorted, her beautiful eyes filled with ferocity.
...
"This is not your fault. If she doesn't want to leave, there will always be a way," Xie Jiayan said in a deep voice.
"You don't need to comfort me. I never expected that I, Hua Chaofei, so clever my whole life, would suffer such a great loss. Your mother, who looked as gentle as a little rabbit, could also be so scheming." Hua Chaofei felt a sense of defeat.
Xie Jiayan gave a wry smile. Even he hadn't expected it, let alone Hua Chaofei.
This time, he had underestimated a mother's love for her child.
Xie Jiayan's eyes felt a little sore. Since she had returned, mother and son could be considered reunited.
"Brother Hua, many people in the capital do not wish for her return. This journey will surely not be peaceful," Xie Jiayan said.
Yao Zhinian dared to make a move in the capital because he had pleaded for the Wang family, even sending people to assassinate him, let alone her.
"Don't worry, I'll stake my life on it. This time, there will be no more slip-ups," Hua Chaofei promised.
If he couldn't escort his aunt safely back to the capital this time, he would have no face to see Xie Jiayan again.
When Yu Mingyue entered, Xie Jiayan was standing by the window, gazing out. The rain pattered on the leaves, making a rustling sound. He didn't even notice someone had entered the room.
Yu Mingyue puffed out her cheeks. Brother Jiayan was preoccupied with worries, and she had never seen him like this.
She had heard about the Wang family's affairs and had come. It seemed he already knew the news.
He treated the Wang family with unusual importance. Even though the Wang clan members had been saved, and Empress Wang was still alive, why did he still look unhappy?
"Brother Jiayan," Yu Mingyue said, standing at the doorway.
Xie Jiayan turned around. Yu Mingyue was wearing a goose-yellow dress, and the lower half was noticeably darker, having gotten wet.
He took a step forward. "In such heavy rain, why did you come?"
"I was idle at home, so I came to Brother Jiayan's place for a while. I won't be disturbing you, will I?" Yu Mingyue asked with a light smile, and before he could answer, she added, "Even if I am disturbing you, I'm already here. You can't drive me away."
Xie Jiayan put his hand to his forehead. How could he drive her away?
Only then did he bring out the hand he had kept behind his back. It was a pot of wine.
Yu Mingyue placed the wine on the table, opened the wooden stopper, and flashed her hand over the bottle's mouth. "Does it have a cherry aroma?"
"Yes."
"In spring, Brother Jiayan gave me cherries, and Nanny Rong made this cherry wine. I had planned to drink it on the Mid-Autumn Festival, but it's raining today, and I suddenly felt like having some. Since they are cherries given by Brother Jiayan, I naturally have to drink them with Brother Jiayan," Yu Mingyue said playfully.