Chapter 234 — Back-to-Back
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 4 of 4
Dou Yan was caught between laughter and tears. After much coaxing she finally got Zhao Zhangru to leave; then, hesitating for a long while, she instructed Suxin, "I want to see the Heir. Have Old Chen arrange it."
Suxin pursed her lips, answered, and went out of the Heming Temple Alley.
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Song Yan was just taking his leave of Empress Wan: "...I have asked for four days' leave. After four days I will return to duty at the Jinwu Guard. If Your Majesty has any instructions, I will enter the palace at any time to await them."
Despite her careful upkeep, days of fear and worry had left Empress Wan utterly exhausted, and she looked more haggard and aged than her years warranted.
She said gently, "You're about to be married, and here I am dragging you along in the palace..." A hint of apology showed between her brows. "The Emperor's condition has stabilized; nothing will happen these next few days. Hurry back now! Go be a proper bridegroom!" At the last, her face broke into a smile, and a touch of animation came over her dignified features, making her look much more spirited.
Song Yan assented respectfully and withdrew.
Gu Yu was boredly teasing the palace maids. Seeing Song Yan come out, he dropped the maids and ran over hurriedly. "How was it? What did my aunt say? Did she say she'd reward you?"
Song Yan patted him lightly on the head. "All day long it's nothing but rewards with you! Couldn't you spare a proper word of comfort for the Empress?"
Gu Yu pouted. "With the Crown Prince keeping my aunt company, I won't go hovering about there." These past few days Song Chu had been very busy, and he too was constantly being sent hither and thither by the Empress; the two had never had a chance to speak privately. The matter of Dou Zhiwei had become a knot in his heart, and seeing that Song Yan could leave the palace, he said hurriedly, "Wait for me a moment—I'll go tell my aunt, and we'll leave the palace together. You're getting married; how could I not come drink to your happiness?" As he spoke he ran toward the rear hall, calling back again and again, "You must wait for me! I have something important to tell you!"
Song Yan smiled faintly.
That the apple was not crisp and the plums were sour—to Gu Yu, these were matters of the gravest importance.
This was the Kunning Palace, after all!
And he had not a drop of blood relation to the Empress!
Song Yan pressed a piece of broken silver into the hand of a palace maid nearby and said courteously, "Might I trouble you, sister, to tell young Master Gu later that I will be waiting for him at the Xizhi Gate."
The maid's face flushed crimson at once, and she stammered, "The Heir need not be so courteous; this servant will certainly deliver the message for you."
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Sisters and brothers, work resumes as normal tomorrow; the break runs Monday through Wednesday. There will be single updates tomorrow and the day after, and double updates from Monday through Wednesday.
o(n_n)o~
ps: Begging for pink votes...
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