Wu Hui snatched the food box and counted them one by one. Just as Chu Yao had said, the box had three layers. She ate one of the first layer, leaving nine. The remaining two layers each had ten, for a total of twenty-nine.
This made her laugh even harder.
Seeing that the two of them were playing the piano and singing so well that she couldn't say a word, Wushuang simply ignored them and turned to Wuyou for help. She found Wuyou sitting in the corner with a pale face and a listless expression, clearly not feeling well.
"Second sister, what's wrong?" Wuyou hadn't said a word while we were laughing and joking, and she hadn't even noticed. How careless of her!
"It's nothing." Wuyou's voice was light and weak. "I was feeling a bit dizzy and nauseous from sitting in the car for so long. Qiqiao made me some plum tea, and I feel much better now."
Wushuang traveled all over the country with her father, and her little body was very healthy. She rarely even got sick, so she couldn't understand Wuyou's feelings. Seeing her listless appearance, it really broke my heart.
Seeing her frowning face, Wu Hui comforted her, "It's okay. She just doesn't go out much and isn't used to taking such long car rides. I used to feel dizzy when I accompanied He Yao to the suburbs, but I got used to it after going there more often."
Wushuang was still worried and turned to ask, "Chu Yao, is Second Sister really alright? Should we call the imperial physician to come and take a look?"
"Strictly speaking, there shouldn't be any major problems," Chu Yao said. "However, if the dizziness and nausea persist, it will be truly unpleasant. I'll hurry ahead and have Pang Yuan bring a royal physician to examine Miss Wuyou."
"Don't trouble him," Wuyou hurriedly said. "Everyone in the Lingguang Guard has a mission to perform and cannot leave their post without permission."
Chu Yao smiled and said, "My fiancée is unwell, so it's only right that he comes to visit her. Miss Wuyou, there's no need to worry. I'll take my leave now." He then nodded slightly and rode away.
When Pang Yuan heard that Wuyou was ill, his heart was filled with anxiety. When Chu Yao granted him an hour's leave to take the imperial physician to visit Wuyou, he hurriedly thanked him and left without stopping.
When the emperor went on an inspection tour, the procession, including the accompanying officials and their families, stretched for miles, with no end in sight.
Pang Yuan was a military general by birth, and his horsemanship was superb, making it seem as if he were walking on flat ground. The imperial physician was an old scholar; although he could ride a horse, he wobbled when he ran, barely faster than walking.
Pang Yuan was extremely anxious and turned back to wait several times. Finally, he became impatient and simply had the imperial physician ride on his horse. The two of them rode away together, leaving a trail of dust in the distance.
This whole ordeal naturally didn't escape the eyes of those who were paying attention.
He Yao lifted the carriage curtain a crack and watched Pang Yuan come and go several times before finally carrying an imperial physician on his back. He couldn't help but ask in surprise, "What's going on? Who in the back is sick and needs the Lingguang Guard to bring an imperial physician to diagnose them?"
A round-faced little girl sat next to He Yao, holding a scroll in her right hand, and replied softly, "Who cares who he is? It's none of our business."
He remained engrossed in his book as he spoke, completely unaffected by what was happening around him.
Chapter 88 | Table of Contents
Chapter 88:
He Yao's face was full of disdain, but when she turned to face the girl, her expression changed instantly, showing no trace of dissatisfaction: "You're right, other people's affairs are none of our business, and we shouldn't meddle. Aunt, what book are you reading today? Why don't you tell me?"
The girl she called her aunt was the daughter of Consort Yu's eldest brother, named Yu Xiangxiang, and was fourteen years old this year. She was younger than He Yao, but of a higher generation.
If it were anyone else, He Yao would definitely put on airs as a princess, regardless of your age or seniority, and everyone would have to listen to her and do as she pleases.
But the Yu family was no ordinary family.
This story begins before the current emperor ascended the throne.
Emperor Deqing was the fourth son of the late emperor, neither the eldest nor the legitimate heir. Among all the princes, he was unremarkable in terms of appearance, talent, or the prestige of his maternal family. He only obtained the throne thanks to the strong support of Consort Yu's father, Yu Jin.
Yu Jin was an extremely shrewd man who did not boast of his service in supporting the emperor. Once Emperor Deqing had secured his throne, he used the excuse of serious illness to request early retirement. Emperor Deqing delayed for three years before approving Yu Jin's request and at the same time bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Anguo.
From then on, Yu Jin indeed stopped concerning himself with court affairs, enjoying the salary of a Duke, and contentedly spending his time at home tending flowers and walking birds, living a very leisurely life.
But the Yu family did not decline as a result; on the contrary, they became even more prosperous.
Emperor Deqing first promoted Yu Jin's eldest son, Yu Cheng, to the position of Commander of the Nine Gates, and then appointed Yu's youngest son, Yu Zheng, to take charge of the newly established firearms battalion, demonstrating his trust and high regard for the Yu family.
There is also Consort Yu. Apart from the deceased Empress, she was the concubine who had served Emperor Deqing the longest in the harem. She also gave birth to the eldest son of the Emperor. In addition, the Yu family has been continuously favored over the years. It has long been speculated that if the Emperor were to establish another Empress, Consort Yu would undoubtedly be the one chosen.
Therefore, He Yao had been instructed by the eldest princess since childhood that she must be polite to the Yu family members, whether they were elders or cousins, in order to maintain harmonious relationships. This would not only benefit Consort Yu and the eldest prince, but also the people in the princess's residence.
He Yao was actually not very happy, but if her maternal grandmother could become empress, or even if her maternal uncle could become the future emperor, then she, as a princess, would naturally enjoy boundless favor, which is why she was willing to humble herself.
Of course, this so-called grievance is only in her own opinion.
Yu Xiangxiang was the seventh among her sisters; the younger ones were all her uncles' daughters. She was the youngest daughter of her father, Yu Cheng, the heir of the Duke of Anguo's mansion, and also the legitimate daughter.
As the youngest daughter, Yu Xiangxiang received far more pampering than any of her sisters. From childhood to adulthood, she was always meticulously cared for, with someone always planning and arranging everything for her in advance, so she never had to worry about anything. As a result, she developed a simple and innocent nature, almost without any worries, always smiling. Coupled with her round and adorable little face, she was exceptionally lovable and easy to get along with.
When He Yao asked Yu Xiangxiang, she answered truthfully, "It's a storybook."
He Yao wasn't a quiet person; aside from her tutor at home, she almost never touched a book. She simply answered casually when asked, "What story is it?"
"The story between the prime minister's daughter and a poor scholar." Yu Xiangxiang blushed slightly and spoke in a voice barely audible.
Upon hearing this, He Yao understood immediately. However, heavily influenced by her mother and maternal grandmother, she had long decided that even if her future marriage partner's status was not as high as her own, he had to be someone with a strong foundation. In other words, he had to be from a family capable of helping the Yu family, the Princess's residence, and the First Prince rise to a higher level. She had absolutely no interest in poor scholars who needed the Princess's residence's support and had no connections whatsoever in the capital, and naturally disdained such stories.
He Yao didn't want to hear Yu Xiangxiang continue, so she pretended to be well-behaved and frowned, saying, "Auntie, how can you read this kind of book? It'll be a disaster if people find out."
"I...I don't usually watch it," Yu Xiangxiang quickly explained, "I only watch it to pass the time when I'm bored on the bus. I'm not watching it now, so please don't tell anyone."
After saying that, he indeed put the book into the drawer under his seat and never looked at it again.
As dusk approached, the group arrived at the campsite.
The guards had arrived earlier and set up the tents one by one.
After a whole day in the carriage, He Yao and Yu Xiangxiang felt stiff all over. After getting off the carriage, they didn't rush into their respective tents. Instead, they took a walk around the area to stretch their legs.
"Hey, isn't this Ayao and Seventh Sister?" someone called from behind.
He Yao turned around and saw that it was the Fifth Prince, Chu Yun.
"Fifth Uncle, what a coincidence, why aren't you with Grandfather?" He Yao said sarcastically with a smile.