Chapter 585: Chapter 585

When Fengyu took Ruyi to Xiangguo Temple to offer prayers for blessings and planned to stay overnight there, she encountered Lin Yushu and Lin Yunong, who had also brought Abao to the temple.

Upon seeing Fengyu with Ruyi, Lin Yushu easily deduced Ruyi’s identity. The child resembled the Xie Family so much that it was almost impossible to mistake him. He was raised well—healthy, rosy-cheeked, clever, and lively—quite unlike Abao. Abao was more than a year older than Ruyi. Though still a young child, he was already at an age of understanding. Perhaps due to the oppressive life in the palace, Abao was quieter and more restrained than ordinary children, timid and reserved. Often, he carried an air of the Crown Prince’s demeanor, as though being taught to act like an adult despite his tender years. Lin Yushu felt immense pity for him and hoped that leaving the Capital City would allow Abao to relax, laugh freely, and forget the suffocating days of palace life.

He was still very young. As long as she was patient and guided him slowly, Abao would eventually improve. He was still young, and when he grew older, he wouldn’t even remember the days spent in the palace.

Fengyu and Lin Yushu had only met briefly on a few occasions and were not familiar with each other. Fengyu had no intention of engaging with her—a fallen empress from the previous dynasty conversing with the empress of the reigning monarch was an inherently awkward situation. No matter how magnanimous one may be, it takes time to accept upheavals and a dynastic change that alters the destiny not just of individuals but of entire families.

While Fengyu wished to avoid forming close ties with Lin Yushu, Lin Yushu unexpectedly invited her to tea. After a moment of hesitation, Fengyu agreed. As the two women shared tea, Abao and Ruyi played close by, though it was mostly Ruyi playing while Abao watched him with curiosity.

Ruyi, who had never played with children his own age, was very enthusiastic and offered his favorite little wind chime to Abao, sweetly calling him "Brother."

Having been taught as the Crown Prince, Abao had developed the habit of not accepting things from others.

"Brother doesn’t like wind chimes?" Ruyi asked in his bright, clear voice, shaking the wind chime for emphasis. The delicate sound of the chime traveled lightly on the breeze, melodious and pleasant.

Abao hesitated. As the Crown Prince, he had neither a childhood filled with innocence nor the experience of playing with toys meant for children. He couldn’t quite tell whether he liked the wind chime or not. The attendants present were all Lin Yushu’s people, and no one stepped in to resolve the situation.

"Thank you, little brother." After some thought, Abao accepted Ruyi’s wind chime. He then removed the small jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Ruyi, saying, "Take this as my gift to you."

Ruyi happily accepted the pendant and tied it to his waist, twirling around as he asked Abao, "Does it look good?"

Abao nodded. Ruyi, full of zeal, took Abao’s tiny hand and eagerly led him off together to pick flowers and chase butterflies.

Lin Yushu, seeing this, finally let out a breath of relief. It seemed indeed necessary to find a few children of similar age for Abao to play with. Dongxue and Xia Zhu always stayed by Ruyi’s side, so Fengyu was not concerned.

However, Fengyu didn’t like Ruyi playing with Abao. Since Abao was Yuwen Jing’s child, Fengyu, being someone fiercely protective and vengeful, would not blame a child for past grievances but truly disliked forming too much connection. Chapters fırst released on novel⸺fire.net

Xie Xun had told her that Lin Yushu planned to take Abao back to the Lin Family ancestral land to live. Otherwise, their positions in the Capital City were rather awkward.

If not for her relationship with the Lin Family, Xie Xun would not have permitted Abao to leave the Capital City. The princes imprisoned in Qiushan were younger than Abao. Xie Xun had deliberately explained this matter to avoid any potential resentment on her part. In truth, she didn’t resent Lin Yushu or Abao. She simply hoped that in the future, there wouldn’t be too much interaction with Ruyi.

The grudges of the previous generation should result in the best conclusion for Ruyi and Abao—a clear boundary between them, each living their own life in peace.

Lin Yushu was not a person who wielded her past kindness as leverage. Although she had done a great favor for Feng Shu, she did not use it to exert influence over Fengyu. The tea invitation was merely an impulsive act. When they actually sat down together, the air was silent; they were too unfamiliar with one another and lacked anything in common to discuss.

"Is West State interesting?" Lin Yushu asked. "I also plan to take Abao traveling. I’ve heard that the Twelve States are vast and abundant—I long to see them."

Fengyu replied softly, "West State has beautiful wheat fields, herds of cattle and sheep, and endless grasslands. Beyond the mining mountains, you can see vast deserts and witness the most stunning sunrises and sunsets. West State also has the best meat pies and rice wine. I hope you enjoy your time there."

"Most certainly. My elder brother told me that West State was built single-handedly by you. Third Miss is truly unlike any other woman I’ve known. I greatly admire you and envy you." Lin Yushu genuinely envied the Feng Family sisters, who dared to traverse the world. "The courage you showed back then by leaving the Capital City with Zhixu, combined with your wisdom in revitalizing Twelve States’ commerce, is extraordinary. Zhixu is fortunate to have encountered you. I sincerely wish for Beining’s Empress and Emperor to grow old together, creating a prosperous era."

"Thank you for your kind words."

Lin Yunong, who was sitting quietly nearby, did not speak a word, keeping a low profile. She was typically arrogant and did not have much interaction with Fengyu. Now, an inexplicable sense of hostility and rejection toward her was evident, something Fengyu could sense. Thus, Fengyu avoided prolonged conversation with the Lin sisters.

They were Xie Xun’s relatives, but not hers.

After sipping her tea, Fengyu rose to take her leave. Since Ruyi and Abao were enjoying themselves, she did not spoil the fun but instead instructed Dongxue and Xia Zhu to keep an extra eye on them, along with nearby guards. She returned to her room first.

After she left, Lin Yunong remarked, "Sister, why are you so courteous to her? Her gaze toward Abao was cold as ice. What right does she have? Were it like before, she wouldn’t even qualify to sit and drink tea with you."

"Yunong, you yourself mentioned that was before. Times have changed. No matter how much you dislike her, she is now Zhixu’s chosen Empress, the one and only. Moreover, back then, she left the Capital City with Zhixu and Ting Feng, later helping them stabilize Twelve States. Indeed, she is intelligent and braver than most—you have to respect her for that. Yuwen Jing killed her elder sister; why should she like Abao? Anyway, Abao is my son. He doesn’t need the affection of others. Though the Lin Family remains the foremost clan, even with my brother’s support, its position is not what it once was. You need to rein in your temper."

"I simply don’t accept it. Why her? She reeks of merchant class nature and yet becomes a model Empress. Is it solely because she fled the Capital City with Brother Zhixu and remained loyal? She fled then because she had no other choice." Lin Yunong replied with bitterness. "A woman unworthy even of attending the Lin Family’s flower banquets back then—now, when seen, requires us to pay her courtesy. It makes me sick."

"Fortunes change places—you’ll have to get used to it." Lin Yushu smiled. "Stop acting like a child. Look at Ruyi—he’s so adorable. He truly looks just like... just like Ting Feng."

"More like our eldest cousin, no? Even our second cousin hasn’t married—how can he have a firstborn son? There’s no decorum in it. Ruyi’s birth mother didn’t return either. Could it be that she’s unworthy of being shown publicly?"

"Yunong, stop speculating," Lin Yushu said, her expression turning stern. "When you’re around Fengyu, Zhixu, and Ting Feng in the future, don’t bring up unfounded conjectures about Ruyi’s mother—it’ll only cause trouble."

"I understand. I wouldn’t gossip recklessly."

Ruyi and Abao played together for more than an hour before Dongxue and Xia Zhu brought him back. The little boy, flushed and joyous, was brimming with sweat after their strenuous fun. Dongxue carefully wiped him down and dressed him in clean clothes.

Ruyi asked eagerly, "Little Aunt, can I play with Brother again tomorrow?"

"No, we’ll be going home tomorrow, and your Brother will also be returning to his home."

"Then can I go and find Brother to play together?"

"Because Little Aunt doesn’t know where your Brother lives."

"But Ruyi knows! Brother said he lives in..." The child faltered. Abao had mentioned a specific location, but Ruyi’s memory wasn’t strong enough to retain it accurately. Confusion overtook him, and he hesitated. "Ruyi forgot."

"If you’ve forgotten, then let it be. Little Aunt will find other brothers for you to play with."