Four Seasons Brocade – CH 295

Chapter 295 ☆、 Extra Chapter (4)

Time flew by, fleeting in an instant. Ah Wu never expected to see Tang Yin again after so many years. Rong Yin had managed Luobei very well; the border had been relatively peaceful for the past ten years, gradually developing in the direction Chu Mao had hoped for.

It was just that Tang Yin had suffered, spending decades in Luobei, which had transformed her from a noble young lady of the capital into a woman capable of withstanding the hardships of life.

“Sister Yin,” Ah Wu said sadly, looking at Tang Yin. Although they had corresponded occasionally, it had been many years since they had last seen each other.

“Ah Wu, you have not changed much,” Tang Yin exclaimed.

Time and fate had been extremely kind to Ah Wu; though she was in her thirties, she looked like she was in her early twenties.

“You know me, I like to tinker with things every day, putting on makeup,” Ah Wu said somewhat shyly. Seeing Tang Yin again had stirred up memories and feelings of her youth.

“Then, when I leave, you must give me several baskets of bottles and jars so I can apply some,” Tang Yin said with a smile.

Actually, Tang Yin was not exactly old, just of average age. Being a housewife meant managing so much; naturally, she had her worries, especially with three sons and two daughters to care for.

Ah Wu, on the other hand, had been pampered all these years, without a care in the world.

Tang Yin touched her temples sadly. “I am afraid applying more will not help.”

“What’s wrong?” Ah Wu asked, looking at Tang Yin.

The bitter smile on Tang Yin’s face made Ah Wu feel a pang of sadness. Unfortunately, both were close to her, the other being her second brother.

“I am tired of these years. This time, I do not want to go back to Luobei after returning to the capital. E’er’s marriage should be arranged,” Tang Yin said.

“Second Brother’s heart has always belonged only to you, Sister Yin,” Ah Wu comforted weakly. She watched Tang Yin and Rong Yin go from being a loving couple in their youth to their current state and felt a pang of sadness.

“You think I am still sad about this?” Tang Yin laughed. “Even the strongest feelings dissipate in the mundane realities of daily life. But your second brother still respects me, his legal wife, the most. Those illegitimate children cannot bother my children.”

Ah Wu remained silent, but there was still a hint of resentment in Tang Yin’s words.

“Speaking of which, all the women in the world must be jealous of the Empress. The Emperor has not taken a single concubine all these years. Tell me your secret!” Tang Yin did not want to talk about herself anymore and instead teased Ah Wu.

“There’s no secret. It’s just that the Emperor has a strange habit; he does not like touching other people,” Ah Wu said.

“Then why did he touch you?” Tang Yin asked with a smile.

These words made Ah Wu blush bright red, and she shamelessly retorted, “Because I am beautiful.”

“No wonder you two, an old married couple, are still so passionate,” Tang Yin teased, looking at Ah Wu’s neck.

Ah Wu quickly covered her neck. “You are just jealous.”

“Tch, shameless,” Tang Yin laughed. “I think it’s not just because you’re beautiful. I’ve seen that Princess Lingrou; she was truly a beauty. It’s a pity she’s living like that now.”

“Luan-niang? You’ve seen her?” Ah Wu had not heard that name for several years. Since Lady Huide’s death, Ah Wu had not heard any news of Luan-niang.

“Hmm. A relative of the Tang family also married into Luan-niang’s husband’s family. I heard about her again when I passed through Anhui this time. When she first married into that family, with her looks and status, who would not adore her? Her husband was said to be completely devoted to her, practically worshipping her. But she did not cherish her blessings, and now not only does she have no children, but her husband sent her back to his hometown and remarried. Although it’s called taking a concubine, everyone in the household calls her ‘Madam,’ making her a proper matriarch, managing the household affairs.” Tang Yin sighed.

Tang Yin’s phrase “did not cherish her blessings” truly encapsulated Luan-niang’s life.

Ah Wu sighed and changed the subject, saying, “Since Sister Gu left, your brother has been mourning for three years. He’s done his best, no matter how deep his feelings were. The Emperor just inquired about it a couple of days ago. Does your brother have any plans to remarry?”

As soon as Ah Wu finished speaking, Tang Yin looked at her strangely again. “He said he will never marry again in this life. He has already fulfilled his filial duty to the Tang family in his previous life, and he must live for his own heart in the rest of his life.”

Ah Wu was stunned by these words. Actually, Tang Yin was also surprised when she heard this. She had always thought that her brother’s feelings for Ah Wu were just a fleeting infatuation in his youth, but she never expected them to erupt in this way after so many years.

Unfortunately, in this situation, both of them could only pretend not to understand.

“By the way, why have we not seen the Crown Prince?” Tang Yin asked.

“He went on an errand,” Ah Wu said.

“On an errand! How old is he?” Tang Yin asked. The Crown Prince was only fifteen years old.

Ah Wu just smiled and did not answer. In Chu Mao’s words, he was already eager for Crown Prince Chu Xie to oversee the country; this was all a test for the Crown Prince.

“What about the Princess?” Tang Yin asked again.

“She went out too, clinging to her brother,” Ah Wu said. She could not do anything about Chunhua; Chu Mao spoiled her rotten, letting her do whatever she wanted. In Chu Mao’s words, that meant they could have a few more days of peace and quiet.

Tang Yin and Ah Wu chatted for a while longer before Tang Yin bowed and left, despite Ah Wu’s attempts to persuade her to stay.

“The Dragon Boat Festival is here, and the Empress will see me again. She will need your help to look after E’er then,” Tang Yin said. “Anyway, I am not leaving; I will have plenty of time later.”

Ah Wu then let Tang Yin go.

On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, before the races began, Ah Wu changed into plain clothes, intending to talk to Tang Yin. However, she ran into Gu Tingyi just as she rounded the decorated pavilion.

“Second Brother,” Ah Wu called, lifting her veil.

Gu Tingyi was now in charge of the Hui Rebellion, having just returned to the capital three months ago to present captives. He was now a highly sought-after general.

Gu Tingyi was startled upon seeing Ah Wu and immediately began to bow.

Ah Wu quickly shook her head at him. “I am wearing plain clothes because I do not want anyone to recognize me, Second Brother.”

Gu Tingyi nodded. The two stood there, speechless, each with a thousand words unspoken, yet unable to utter a single one.

“Master,” a female voice called out from the side. Ah Wu glanced sideways and saw a round-faced woman walking towards Gu Tingyi, standing side by side. Upon seeing Ah Wu, the woman was about to kneel.

Gu Tingyi quickly stopped the woman and shook his head at her. The round-faced woman immediately understood; the two seemed to have a perfect understanding.

Ah Wu smiled, lowered her veil again, and walked forward.

Gu Tingyi did not turn back and also took his wife’s hand and left.

Ah Wu had not gone far when she encountered Chu Mao. He coldly asked, “How are you feeling?”

Ah Wu quickly and obsequiously stepped forward and took Chu Mao’s arm. This Emperor, though quite old, was still incredibly jealous; Ah Wu attributed this to his age and her youth.

“Feeling very relaxed,” Ah Wu smiled.

Chu Mao snorted coldly, letting Ah Wu hold his arm.

After the dragon boat race, Chu Mao, instead of returning directly to the palace with Ah Wu, went to the Imperial Household Department compound.

“Why are we here?” Ah Wu asked, puzzled.

“The Imperial Household Department reported that the Sixth Prince is dying. Let’s go see him,” Chu Mao said. Nearly twenty years had passed since he was imprisoned; all past grievances had faded away.

Chu Yu lay on the bed, barely breathing. Fifth Lady Rong, emaciated, stood guard by his bedside. She and Ah Wu, former cousins, did not exchange a single word. Even as Ah Wu left, Fifth Lady Rong remained silent, still retaining the haughtiness of the “Twin Beauties of the Capital.”

As Ah Wu walked out the gate, she turned back and sighed. Then she took Chu Mao’s arm.

“Your Majesty, I truly thank Heaven for allowing me to meet you in this life,” Ah Wu said without looking at Chu Mao, as if uttering the words casually.

“Me too.” Chu Mao did not look at Ah Wu but instead took her hand.

The two of them held hands tightly.