The Beauties of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 140

Zhao Jiong frowned, his solemn expression revealing a rare look of distress, which made Wanlan stare in astonishment.

"You... haven't visited your mother since returning to the capital, have you?"

Zhao Jiong glanced at her, then looked away, turning his back with his hands behind his back. He sighed inwardly, "Defang's injuries should be healed by now, right? Take some time to visit your mother..."

Wanlan smiled with great interest, took a few steps closer to him, and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong with Mother?"

She thought this man wouldn't want her to bother her mother!

Since Li Yu summoned her to the palace shortly after his death to comfort his mother, which aroused some inappropriate thoughts in her, the imperial uncle forbade her from meeting with his mother at will.

What happened this time?

Zhao Jiong clenched his fists, his voice tense, and said, "I don't know what's wrong with her. She won't let me see her and says she never wants to see me again. What the hell happened? Everything was fine when I first returned to the capital, why—"

"I'll go."

Wanlan smiled slightly and interrupted him in a low voice, "I'll go and see, and try to find out what Mother is really thinking."

She paused, looked at his straight back, and asked in a low voice, "Uncle, when was the last time you saw Mother? Did you say anything or do anything wrong that made Mother sad?"

Zhao Jiong was slightly startled, his hand suddenly clenching into a fist at his side, his voice as taut as a fully drawn bow, "This is not something you should be asking! Just go and see how she's been doing lately!"

Wanlan frowned slightly, glancing thoughtfully at his hand with its bulging veins.

“Uncle, if I may be frank, you handled the matter concerning Mother very poorly. I shall take my leave.”

After leaving Chongde Hall, Wanlan went directly to the inner palace.

She hadn't visited her mother even once in the month since she returned.

Xu'er and Xian'er were also sent back to the Prince of Qin's residence by Yuan Niang. She only remembered that Yuan Niang was not unusual at that time. She also brought her mother's words, saying that Ze Hua was injured and should rest and recuperate, and did not need to go to the palace.

What exactly happened in the past month?

Looking at the Bao Ci Hall that was right in front of her, Wan Lan quickened her pace and walked into the hall. She was surprised to see that the outer hall was empty. The entire Bao Ci Hall was extremely deserted.

"Madam?"

Wanlan turned around abruptly and glared at Yuanniang, who had stepped into the hall. She saw Yuanniang holding a bowl of dark, murky medicine in both hands.

"What is this? Is Mother ill?"

Yuan Niang's face turned pale. "This...this is medicine...um, Her Majesty caught a cold..."

Looking suspiciously at her unusual expression, Wanlan quickly snatched the bowl from her hand and brought it to her nose. Her brows furrowed, and she glared fiercely at Yuanniang. "Medicine for a cold? Yuanniang! Say it again. Is Mother really just suffering from a cold?"

Yuan Niang took a step back in shock, looking at her with suspicion and uncertainty, "Madam..."

"What kind of medicine is this?"

"Abortion pills..."

"What?!

Wanlan's face turned pale, her hand trembled, and the bowl of medicine slipped from her grasp and fell, scattering on the ground with a "crack".

She never expected to hear such an answer.

Seeing that Yuan Niang's expression was strange, she deliberately aroused Yuan Niang's suspicion, thinking that she had guessed the truth, before revealing the answer.

Wanlan bit her lip and sneered, "So that's how it is! So that's how it is! Zhao Jiong, you really are so selfish that it's impossible not to be angry!"

"Madam!" Yuan Niang exclaimed, pulling her towards the inner hall.

"The Emperor doesn't know yet, so keep your voice down."

You don't know?

Wanlan stared in astonishment, turning her gaze blankly to Song Huining as she walked out of the bedchamber. She shook her head instinctively. "Mother, you can't do this. If Uncle finds out, he will hate you."

He'll never know.

Song Huining remained expressionless, only glancing quietly at the broken porcelain bowl on the ground, and said in a calm voice, "Yuanniang, bring another bowl."

"yes--"

"stop!"

Wanlan sternly stopped Yuanniang from walking out, then turned to look at Song Huining, who had her eyes half-lowered, and said, "It was your own decision to overcome all difficulties and join forces with the Imperial Uncle. Now that this has happened, are you going to use this innocent child to bear the sins for you?"

Song Hui looked at her quietly, then suddenly smiled, "Lan'er, I understand..."

Her heart skipped a beat, and Wanlan stared at her in alarm. "What do you know?"

"I will never abandon this child again."

Regaining her gentle smile, she took Wanlan's hand and led her into the inner palace. "Lan'er, did you come to the palace today for something? How is Defang's injury?"

Are Xu'er and Xian'er well-behaved?

"We are all fine, Mother, please don't worry."

Wanlan glanced at her sideways.

Has she really thought it through? Then how should this child be born? Will the Empress Dowager really discuss this matter with the Imperial Uncle?

I always felt that my mother's attitude changed too quickly; she changed her mind as soon as I said a word.