Chapter 260: Chapter 259: Desolation"Then I will set this precedent."
He Ying glanced at her, frowned, and asked displeasedly, "Do you have an objection?"
Sang Ruoshui: "..."
Of course, she dared not object.
But she still forced out a faint smile and said softly, "None. However, Qingning Palace is the Emperor’s sleeping quarters, and my sister and the Emperor have not yet had a grand wedding. Wouldn’t it be better for her to temporarily stay at my Yuesang Palace?"
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He Ying didn’t even think about it and directly refused, "The grand wedding is just a ceremony; it will be held sooner or later. Ah Yan is rightfully the Empress, and Qingning Palace is my sleeping quarters, so naturally, it is also hers."
Sang Ruoshui: "..."
This damn favoritism!
She could no longer force a smile and could only lower her head to conceal her jealousy and resentment.
Sang Yan, listening at the side, also felt it improper—after all, the most vital thing in the Imperial Palace was to abide by the rules.
Her reputation was already not good; she should be more cautious.
But He Ying had already made his stance clear, and if she refused, wouldn’t she be publicly slapping his face?
So she maintained her silence.
Of course, living in Qingning Palace was good, too.
For one, she didn’t want to live apart from He Ying, and for another, Qingning Palace was quiet!
As long as she lived in Qingning Palace, those who wanted to cause her trouble wouldn’t dare to come over easily.
"Then let’s follow the Emperor’s wishes."
Sang Yan complied with a smile.
He Ying was very pleased with her "submissiveness" and, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, moved towards Qingning Palace.
The Sang Family also got off their horse-drawn carriages one after another.
Sang Kun, who was always good at judging the situation, looked at his younger daughter with a sinking look and with a slightly blaming tone said, "What kind of foolish things are you saying? The Emperor and the Empress have deep affection for each other and want to live together—why are you getting in the way? Have you gone mad?"
He now saw that Sang Yan was the one truly prized by He Ying and naturally protected Sang Yan’s interests with all his heart.
Sang Ruoshui glanced at the couple walking away and, hearing her father’s words, could no longer contain the grievance in her heart, complaining, "Father, why do you speak of me this way? I’m only considering sister’s reputation."
She didn’t dare truly voice a complaint, not to mention reveal her jealousy.
She could only use a tone of grievance to air her grievances.
Unfortunately, Sang Kun was indifferent, "With the Emperor considering for your sister, there’s no need for you to worry. Your sister is now the Empress, and our Sang Family will need to rely on her from now on. You must be cautious and prudent in your words and actions from now on, and do not displease her."
Sang Ruoshui: "..."
Even her father favored her now!
She watched her father head toward Qingning Palace and turned her gaze to her mother, not giving up hope as she murmured, "Mother..."
Ms. Lin gently patted her shoulder, sighing, "Ruoshui, if you’re unhappy in the palace, then come home. Ever since the Emperor dismissed the concubines from the palace, I’ve been thinking of you—"
"I don’t want to!"
Sang Ruoshui interrupted her, refusing outright.
Ms. Lin attempted to persuade her, "The Emperor has always favored women but not rightly so. You’ve been in the palace for so long without being graced with his favor. Now, your sister has deeply won the Emperor’s affection, and clearly, the Emperor has no intention of favoring other concubines. With your chastity intact, why waste your youth here in the palace?"
"The Emperor just temporarily likes my sister. My sister is so much older than me—how many good years does she have left? When she becomes old and loses her beauty, there will come a day when I’ll have my chance."
She lived with this belief.
She also believed that the Emperor wouldn’t always love one woman.
Especially as that woman aged.
Ms. Lin hadn’t expected her daughter to harbor such thoughts, and partly angered, said, "How could you curse your sister? And you wish for her to fall out of favor? You’re becoming more and more senseless!"
She felt that her youngest daughter was being too inappropriate.
Maybe she should discuss it with the master or Sang Yan and have her return home from the palace soon.
Sang Ruoshui hadn’t expected her mother, who had always doted on her, to scold her.
Her eyes filled with aggrieved tears as she said, "Mother, you don’t love me anymore."
Not only did she not love her, but she also favored Sang Yan.
Because Sang Yan was in favor, she had become expendable.
Everyone was revolving around her.
That was the glory that should have been hers!
"You child—"
Ms. Lin, hearing her daughter’s complaints, felt both disappointed and angry, "If I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t have said these things. Think about it well."
She didn’t say more and walked towards the palace.
Sang Jue, with his arm around his wife’s shoulders, passed by Sang Ruoshui.
He was cold-hearted and only somewhat affectionate towards his wife and daughter, treating Sang Ruoshui very coldly, not even sparing her a glance.
Sang Ruoshui felt so neglected by her family that she nearly fainted with anger.
As long as Sang Yan was present, the Emperor had eyes only for her.
Now, even her parents and brothers were eagerly revolving around her!
Detestable!
Sang Yan!
You deserve to die!
She clenched her fist, bit her lip, and the murderous intent in her eyes was barely concealable.
Qingning Palace
Sang Yan had just walked in when she saw a pale pink figure rushing towards her.
With a thud,
the figure knelt before her.
"Lady, sob sob, you’ve finally returned."
The other party raised their head, revealing a face streaked with tears.
"Qiuzhi—"
Sang Yan recognized the personal maid of the former mistress and quickly helped her up, smiling, "Why are you crying? See, I’ve come back, haven’t I?"
Qiuzhi, choking back sobs, wiped away her tears and turned her crying into a smile, "Yes. I won’t cry anymore. It’s good that the Lady has returned."
At that moment, all the Palace Attendants of Qingning Palace knelt down in unison to pay their respects, "We welcome the return of the Emperor and Empress to the palace. Long live the Emperor and Empress."
"Rise."
He Ying and Sang Yan both raised their hands and spoke simultaneously.
Having received permission, the Palace Attendants all got up and scattered to the sides.
The masters were all people who preferred quiet, so they sensibly waited from a distance.
Qiuzhi was overjoyed and couldn’t contain her excitement, babbling, "Lady, you haven’t eaten since you returned to the palace, right? You must eat a lot of the lotus root starch balls and eight-treasure duck that you like, which I personally prepared, during the meal later."
She had arrived at Qingning Palace earlier upon hearing the news to prepare the evening meal.
It took her several hours to complete the dishes that Sang Yan loved.
"Gurgle—"
A sudden, awkward rumble came from a stomach.
It was Qiuzhi’s.
The flustered Qiuzhi’s face immediately turned beet red: She had made a fool of herself in front of the Lady! Such impropriety in front of the palace could be a serious offense!
"Emperor, Lady, please forgive me—"
She said, about to kneel again.
Sang Yan stopped her with a gentle smile, "No need for such formality. You’ve worked hard."
She could see the situation clearly and understood Qiuzhi had forgotten her own meal in the midst of preparing dinner.
He Ying also appreciated her loyalty to Sang Yan and expressed his reward, "Such devotion is rare; Pei Muyang, issue the order, give her a generous reward."
Pei Muyang: "...Yes."
For just an evening meal which the Emperor and Empress hadn’t even partaken in yet, a reward was given.
Such favor!
He glanced at Sang Yan and sighed to himself about how fortunate Qiuzhi was to serve such a good mistress.
It was Qiuzhi’s first reward, and she was too excited to speak properly, "Emperor, thank you, Lady, thank you, Your Majesty."
He Ying waved his hand and smiled, "Serve the Lady well in the future. Now, go and have your meal."
As he spoke, he turned to Pei Muyang, "Go and instruct the Imperial Kitchen to prepare an extra table for the banquet. Today’s return to the palace is a joyous occasion. After we finish here later, you take them down to join in the festivities as well."
Pei Muyang responded again, "Yes."
He took his leave to make arrangements.
First to arrange the reward for Qiuzhi, then to send orders to the Imperial Kitchen for the banquet.
While waiting for the evening meal—
Sang Yan finally had a moment to catch up with her family.
She sat on the soft couch, glancing at the restrained and silent family members in the palace: her father with his ingratiating smile, her mother silent and uneasy, her brother lovingly gazing at his wife, and Suxi holding the child.
Oh, the child.
She heard it was a daughter?
Her niece by name.
She wanted to see the child.
But to walk over there, that might not seem fitting for her status?
"Suxi, bring the child over for the Empress to see."
Sang Kun saw his eldest daughter’s gaze fall on Suxi and knew she wanted to see the child.
Suxi, upon her father-in-law’s word, didn’t want to embarrass him and carried the child over.
"Lady—"
She approached Sang Yan to show her the child.
The child was very small, wrapped in swaddling clothes, revealing an overly beautiful little face.
Clearly more resembling the father.
Speaking of which, it’s the Sang Family’s genes; the daughters always inherit their father’s good looks.
Sang Jue’s face was beyond compare; had he been born a girl, perhaps it wouldn’t even have been Sang Yan’s turn.
"She’s so beautiful."
She exclaimed in admiration.
The next moment, the beautiful little human cub, with eyes as black as grapes, flashed Sang Yan a smile.
"Xinyuan, Xinyuan, come quickly, she smiled at me!"
She was so delighted she forgot her composure.
He Ying was talking to the father and son of the Sang Family, "Remember, do not let her know about the past incident."
He glared at Sang Jue, "Especially you, keep your distance from her in the future!"
Sang Jue knew the Emperor wanted what was best for him and humbly admitted his fault without previous arrogance, "Yes. I was at fault for that matter. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your forgiveness. I’m sorry."
He Ying was unimpressed, merely huffing coldly.
Upon hearing Sang Yan’s joyful voice, he smiled and went over to see the child.
He had held the baby when she was just born, but he didn’t know what she looked like now.