Chapter 1047: Chapter 763: Killing Three Birds with One Stone!
At this moment, Aunt Hui could no longer remain silent, and she couldn’t stay uninvolved either, so she quickly knelt down: "It was my oversight, I am at fault!"
"..."
Yu Wenquan didn’t speak immediately, he just looked at her, his eyes gradually deepening.
Yu Wenye also looked at him, saying nothing, but subtly cast a glance at Shang Ruyi, who immediately understood, walked over to stand beside Aunt Hui, and said to Yu Wenquan: "Father, please do not blame Aunt Hui for this matter."
Yu Wenquan’s tone was indifferent: "Do you still hold on to old habits? Once you enter the palace, everything must change."
Hearing this, Shang Ruyi quickly said: "Yes. Please, Father, do not blame Chief Palace Han."
As soon as she finished speaking, she immediately sensed that Aunt Hui, kneeling beside her, was breathing more heavily and rapidly than before. After all, they called her "Aunt Hui," which implied a familial atmosphere, still considering her as one of their own. But addressing her by her official title rendered a cold hierarchical distinction. Aunt Hui could clearly feel that Yu Wenquan was distancing himself from her; meanwhile, Shang Ruyi took the opportunity to say: "Since Father ascended the throne, palace affairs have been numerous and complex. Chief Palace Han, in her capacity, has to care for so many people and manage so many things, oversights are inevitable."
Aunt Hui knelt on the ground, her head bowed deeply.
In an unseen place, her teeth were clenched tight.
Although Shang Ruyi’s words were meant to highlight her contributions, everyone knew that boasting in front of the Emperor was tantamount to showing off. The Emperor may reward his meritorious ministers, but he does not allow them to flaunt their achievements, not to mention that Yu Wenye had just quietly accused her, making Yu Wenquan aware that the problematic Jian Chun was placed in the Jinyu Garden by her arrangement. Now, saying such words almost put her on the hot seat!
Aunt Hui said in a deep voice: "Princess, you’ve overstated; I dare not take credit for it."
Shang Ruyi smiled and said: "Chief Palace Han, you’ve dedicated yourself to the Yu Wen Family for many years. Even if there’s no merit, there’s hardship. Moreover, at your age, that you still have to personally handle these trivial matters, how can it not be considered meritorious?"
"..."
"In the past, at least at home, there were others to help, but now—"
Aunt Hui knelt on the ground, her hands hidden under her sleeves, clawing tightly to the floor.
Shang Ruyi’s words were exceedingly righteous, but to her, each word pierced the heart, especially Shang Ruyi’s final sentence, which didn’t mention the person—Aunt Yun.
Precisely Jinyun, who was with the late Madam Guan!
In the Yu Wen Family, although Guan Yunmu didn’t take back the rights of the household from her, Jinyun would somewhat participate in managing the household affairs, and indeed, nothing major ever went wrong; but since the fall of Luoyang, Jinyun remained with the Yu Wen Family in Luoyang, and until now, her life or death was unknown. Even if she really entered the palace as a female official, the palace affairs are now hundreds of times more than before, she might not be able to handle everything, yet Shang Ruyi’s words made Yu Wenquan, while remembering this once loyal servant, not only recall her goodness but also reminisce about Madam Guan.
This placed her in an even more awkward position.
Thinking of this, Aunt Hui was both anxious and angry, and when she looked up at Yu Wenquan again, she saw his expression indeed slowly becoming more somber, a ripple of confusion seemingly rising in his profound eyes.
"Your Majesty..."
Aunt Hui wanted to say something, but when she opened her mouth, no words came out.
At this moment, whatever was said would be wrong.
The entire Liangyi Hall suddenly fell into a kind of indescribable, nearly suffocating silence.
It was unclear how long this silence lasted, but finally, they heard Yu Wenquan let out a long breath. Yet, even with this breath, he seemed not much relieved; instead, when he spoke again, his emotions were even more burdened. He said: "Chief Palace Han."
Aunt Hui immediately said: "I am here."
Yu Wenquan said: "These days, you have worked hard."
"...!"
Those words, although kind, when spoken by the Emperor, were definitely not!
Cold sweat broke out on Aunt Hui, even though she felt chilled all over, she could only barely sustain herself to respond: "It is my duty, I dare not call it hardship."
Yu Wenquan said: "I have seen everything you have done with my own eyes, but the appointments and dismissals in the palace are too complicated, and you probably can’t manage them all, so it’s better to hand them over to—" As he spoke, he looked up and gazed at Eunuch Yu, who was holding a horsetail whisk and standing silently by the side, "In the future, these matters will be entrusted to Yu Mingli."
