Chapter 1313 - 1313 The Hard-Earned Peace
Chapter 1313 The Hard-Earned Peace
Everything in the past had a cause, but this cause was concealed in many mists, so it appeared unreal.
After reading the letter in her hand, Shao Wanru put it down with a trace of a smile across the corners of her eyes. She had been relieved of some things. Once she hoped that Qin Huaiyong would treat her like Qin Yuru.
This was what she hoped for most in her last life. After all, at that time, she had always thought that she was Qin Huaiyong’s biological daughter, and she had no idea that her identity had been seized by Qin Yuru. Right now, Shao Wanru didn’t want to mention it again. After the rebirth, she found out the truth and could not be reluctant to get close to Qin Huaiyong anymore.
The memories of her last life were fading away, and they become blurred in her eyes.
Putting down the memorial in her hand, Shao Wanru smiled with an elegant and calm look in her eyes. “Madam, please pass my gratitude to Ningyuan Army General for taking care of me back then.”
Anyway, Qin Huaiyong raised her, and he was just partial to Qin Yuru. Later, when he knew that Qin Yuru was not his biological daughter, he probably could not regret it more.
But now, none of this mattered.
She was no longer eager for the fatherly love from Qin Huaiyong. Even without a father, she had many people who loved her, and she was no longer the helpless Qin Yuru who lacked love in her last life.
Shui Ruolan knew what Shao Wanru meant. It was good enough that Shao Wanru and Qin Huaiyong could maintain the status of a monarch and a minister. As for other things, it was better not to talk about them anymore. Shui Ruolan breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. This was the best result.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Shui Ruolan knew that Shao Wanru was generous and kind and treated her and Madam Dowager very well, but Qin Huaiyong was exceptional. Who could let go of what had happened back then when thinking about it carefully?
General Qin asked her to hand the memorial to Shao Wanru, which meant that he intended to explain the matter. Now that the matter had been explained clearly, and for the rest, Shui Ruolan didn’t dare to request, nor could she afford to request.
The Qin family had already benefited a lot because Shao Wanru became the Empress. If she requested more, the pressure on Shui Ruolan would be too big.
After chatting with Shao Wanru for a little more while, Shui Ruolan stood up and bowed to leave when she heard that Rui’an Great Elder Princess came to visit the Empress.
Shao Wanru didn’t ask her to stay. She knew that Shui Ruolan was not good at social communication and had a weak character.
When Shui Ruolan walked to the gate of the Palace, she met Rui’an Great Elder Princess. Shui Ruolan hurried forward to salute.
“Madam Shui, don’t stand on ceremony,” Rui’an Great Elder Princess said mildly. She looked at Shui Ruolan with a smile. “Madam Shui, please come to the Palace more often to accompany the Empress in the future when you are free.”
Rui’an Great Elder Princess had to take care of her daughter. Sometimes, she was too busy to make time to visit Shao Wanru.
“I will, Your Highness,” Shui Ruolan said softly. She was unwilling to associate with other Madams from the aristocratic families in the capital city. However, Shao Wanru was not anyone else. In Shui Ruolan’s heart, Shao Wanru was like a daughter, so she certainly did not find it hard.
“How is Old Madam Qin?” Rui’an Great Elder Princess asked again. She had always been grateful to Old Madam Qin. Since she knew that Old Madam Qin had been protecting Shao Wanru and even went against Madam Di, Rui’an Great Elder Princess had sent gifts to Ningyuan Army General’s Mansion now and then to express her gratitude.
Rui’an Great Elder Princess even visited Ningyuan Army General’s Mansion in person several times, so she was somewhat familiar with Shui Ruolan.
“Madam Dowager is in good health. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness,” Shui Ruolan said softly.
“I’ll visit Madam Dowager when I’m free next time,” Rui’an Great Elder Princess said with a smile.
After thanking Rui’an Great Elder Princess, Shui Ruolan walked outside behind a Nanny. When she just took a few steps, Rui’an Great Elder Princess called her to stop. This time, Rui’an Great Elder Princess especially asked someone to prepare a palace sedan chair to send Shui Ruolan out of the Palace.
Shui Ruolan had wanted to reject, but Rui’an Great Elder Princess specially sent her maid over to escort Shui Ruolan to get on the palace sedan chair. In an instant, Shui Ruolan realized that it was inappropriate to reject. After thanking Rui’an Great Elder Princess, she got on the palace sedan chair parked on the side, and the maid from Rui’an Great Elder Princess’s Mansion escorted Shui Ruolan out of the Palace.
Rui’an Great Elder Princess came to the Palace mainly about Infanta Qinghua. After saluting the Empress, she sat on the side.
“Your Majesty, Qinghua seems to have recognized Hao’er.”
Rui’an Great Elder Princess said excitedly.
Telling Infanta Qinghua that Shao Yuanhao was her son was something Rui’an Great Elder Princess said almost every day. But every time Infanta Qinghua woke up after a sleep, she would forget about it. She just occasionally called “Zhuozhuo” several times, and she also remembered that “Zhuozhuo” was a girl. When she saw a girl in someone’s arms, she would pay special attention to her. However, she had no impression of Shao Yuanhao at all.
Rui’an Great Elder Princess had no choice but to repeatedly tell Infanta Qinghua that she had not only one daughter but also a son and that Shao Yuanhao was her son, the son of her and Shao Jiang.
However, it didn’t work well.
“Has my mother remembered Brother Hao?” Shao Wanru sat up straight. She was out of the blue at the news, and she looked very surprised.
“Yes. She gets a little better. Sometimes, she can remember him. Mingqiu Nun and Doctor Qi both have good medical skills.” Rui’an Great Elder Princess nodded repeatedly.
“She is not Mingqiu Nun any longer,” Shao Wanru said with a smile.
Rui‘an Great Elder Princess also smiled, “Right. Now she is not Mingqiu Nun, but Madam Qi.”
Mingqiu Nun and Qi Jue had experienced so many things, and now they were officially married and lived together. It could be said that all sufferings had their reward. Qi Jue refused to be bound by the Palace, so he lived in Rui’an Great Elder Princess’ Mansion. On the other hand, it was convenient for him to treat Infanta Qinghua.
Mingqiu Nun and Qi Juebroke up because of various misunderstandings back then. Now they got back together, which was what Shao Wanru hoped to see.
“It’s great that my mother is getting better,” Shao Wanru said.
Rui’an Great Elder Princess looked depressed again. “But, as per Doctor Qi and Madam Qi, even if she gets better, she can only restore part of her memories at most. She can’t get fully recovered.”
Hearing that, Shao Wanru fell silent for a while. She pondered and then comforted Rui’an Great Elder Princess, “Grandma, sometimes it’s not a good thing to have a clear mind. Maybe it’s because God can’t bear to see my mother in such pain. My father has gone. If my mother wakes up, how painful it will be for her…”
Shao Wanru felt too sad to finish her words.
No matter how painful it would be, as her family, they should hope that Infanta Qinghua would have no illness. How could Shao Wanru say such words? She just wanted to comfort Rui’an Great Elder Princess.
Rui’an Great Elder Princess let out a long sigh and looked at Shao Wanru kindly. “I understand… It’s okay. Anyway, it’s a good thing. After all, it’s a blessing in misfortune that your mother is still alive.”
In the last life, Rui’an Great Elder Princess became a nun, and Hao’er met an accident. It was easy to guess what happened to her mother in the end.
Shao Jing was the cause of all of this. Once thinking of this, Shao Wanru couldn’t calm down.
For the title of nobility, Shao Jing even plotted against his elder brother’s family, not even letting go of the youngest child. He deserved to end up like that.
“How is Old Madam of your original mansion?” Rui’an Great Elder Princess wiped her tears and asked.
“Nanny Yu is in charge to take care of her. They moved to a remote place to live,” Shao Wanru said calmly. When she mentioned Old Madam of Marquis Xing’s Mansion, there was no trace of emotion in her voice.
Old Madam of Marquis Xing’s Mansion was her biological grandmother. However, she actually watched her eldest son’s family be destroyed by her second son but did nothing. It was understandable if she didn’t know it in the beginning, but what about later? It was impossible for her not to notice her second son’s unusual behavior, but she was still partial to Shao Jing and protected him. She even helped the second branch frame Shao Wanru and her younger brother again and again.
Shao Wanru knew that Old Madam did that to protect Marquis Xing’s Mansion. For the sake of the peace of the Marquis Xing’s Mansion, she could sacrifice her son’s life and even others’ lives. How ruthless she was!
Now she had a stroke and was settled down in a corner of the Marquis Xing’s Mansion. It was also for the sake of being Shao Wanru’s grandmother, but that was it. No one would care about Old Madam, and Nanny Yu was alone to serve her.
“She deserves it!” Rui’an Great Elder Princess said with hatred. She had always been discontented with Old Madam. She even wished to tear her apart several times.
With that, she looked at Shao Wanru’s belly and said, “As per Doctor Qi, this is your first baby, so you should be more careful in everything you do. Don’t make any mistakes. The Grand Empress Dowager is in poor health, so she can’t keep reminding you. As for Noble Consort Dowager Lan, she has never given birth to a baby, so she naturally doesn’t know about pregnancy.”
“Don’t worry, Grandmother. I will be careful. Imperial Grandmother has assigned a few experienced Nannies to take care of me here. Noble Consort Dowager Lan also treats me quite well, and she comes over to keep me company from time to time. It is very clear in the Palace. There are no outsiders in the Palace, so it is very peaceful,” Shao Wanru said with a smile.
Shao Wanru sniggered inwardly, “Noble Consort Dowager Lan has never given birth? In fact, she is the one who gave birth to the current Emperor.”
Chu Liuchen was not willing to publicly recognize his parents, Noble Consort Dowager Lan and the Retired Emperor, so he did not recognize them. He thought it was okay as long as he knew it in his mind. So far, Chu Liuchen was not as angry at Noble Consort Dowager Lan as before. Sometimes, when Noble Consort Dowager Lan was at present, he would stay and say a few words to her instead of pulling a long face and turning around to leave like before.
Noble Consort Dowager Lan was already very satisfied. She came to see Shao Wanru now and then. She said that she would leave the capital with the Retired Emperor to travel around outside after Shao Wanru gave birth to the child. When she was young, she had no choice for various reasons. Now she could finally live a quiet life. The only thing she was worried about was the child in Shao Wanru’s belly.
It was her grandson or granddaughter, so how could she not care?
As for diet, she also reminded Shao Wanru to be careful repeatedly. Although no newcomers were competing with Shao Wanru for favor in the Palace now, they should be more careful. The people arranged by Commandery Prince Cheng, Prince Yue, and Chu Qing previously might not have been cleaned up during the past few days. Besides, there were spies from various palaces in the past, so they needed to keep cautious.
To attract the attention of Shao Wanru, Noble Consort Dowager Lan specially mentioned that she had accidentally been poisoned and caused Chu Liuchen to get poisoned in her belly. When she mentioned this matter every time, Noble Consort Dowager Lan’s eyes would turn red, and she kept saying that it was all her fault. Otherwise, Chu Liuchen would not have suffered for so many years.
Later, after finding out some things, she gave up on herself completely. She thought that all was to punish her and the Retired Emperor. Now everything was finally okay. Even though Chu Liuchen didn’t recognize her openly, she was already very satisfied.
Life in the Palace was quite comfortable, which Shao Wanru had never had before. Her belly slowly became bigger. It was almost the day of delivery. Chu Liuchen was more concerned about it than Shao Wanru, especially could not sleep well. Usually, when he sensed some movement, he would immediately get up, open his eyes, and ask, “Are you going to deliver the baby?”