Chapter 231: Deposed Queen Song Li
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Shangguan Yu and Lianshan turned around and saw the Eldest Prince, Shangguan Pu, and the Fourth Prince, Shangguan Yao, walking towards them.
“Eldest Prince, Fourth Prince.” Lianshan cupped his hands.
“Fourth Brother, how can you speak to Second Brother like that? Aren’t you going to apologize?” Shangguan Pu reprimanded him in a low voice.
Without waiting for Shangguan Yao to speak, Shangguan Yu waved his hand indifferently and said gently, “It’s fine.”
“First Brother, did you see that? Second Brother isn’t that petty. You’re the one who’s making a mountain out of a molehill.” Shangguan Yao mocked.
Shangguan Pu frowned and said in a neutral tone, “That’s because Second Brother has a good temper and doesn’t stoop to your level. You have to know your limits.”
He then explained to Shangguan Yu, “Yao’er has been spoiled by Mother and I. Second Brother, please don’t take offense.”
Shangguan Yao turned his head away indignantly. He just didn’t like this Second Brother who always pretended to be aloof from worldly affairs.
Shangguan Yu smiled and shook his head. “Eldest Imperial Brother, you’re being too serious.”
Shangguan Pu’s eyes flashed as he pointed at Shangguan Yu’s clothes. “What were you doing?”
The creases were obvious. Everyone was smart, so they naturally knew how it came about.
Shangguan Yu smiled bitterly. “I’m worried about Fifth Brother, so…”
He did not continue and only shook his head. “I still have to go to Weiyang Palace, so I’ll take my leave first.”
Shangguan Pu nodded and looked at Shangguan Yu’s back with a mocking smile.
“Tsk, stop pretending,” Shangguan Yao muttered disdainfully.
Lianshan followed behind Shangguan Yu and said indignantly, “The fourth prince is too arrogant. Your Highness, you’re too good-tempered, that’s why he-”
“Alright, just avoid them in the future. It’s just a small matter. There’s no need to get worked up over it.” Shangguan Yu interrupted him.
When they arrived at the entrance of Weiyang Palace, Lianshan took out a money bag and stuffed it into the hands of the imperial guards guarding the door. He said something.
The imperial guards opened the palace door to let Shangguan Yu in, but Lianshan was not allowed to enter.
Ever since the deposed empress moved in, apart from the imperial concubines who occasionally came to ridicule her, Shangguan Yu was the only one who came to visit.
In the past, Shangguan Yu had also wanted to come. Unfortunately, without Emperor Chong’an’s approval, the imperial guards guarding the gate would not let them pass.
From the outside, Weiyang Palace looked no different from other palaces. However, as soon as one walked in, one would realize that the interior was dilapidated and filled with weeds.
It added a sense of desolation to people’s hearts.
A woman in plain clothes leaned against an old couch placed beside the window. She was reading a book seriously, but she would cough from time to time. If she coughed too hard, her entire body would arch.
A maidservant in rough linen clothes walked out of the side hall and took the book from her hand. She complained, “You’re not in good health to begin with. Why do you have to look at these troublesome things?”
Song Li smiled helplessly. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief and coughed twice to ease the itch in her throat before teasing, “In the past, when I was in my room, I always practiced swordplay with my father. Mother sent you to study and do needlework with me.”
“Are you unhappy now that I’m finally reading properly?”
Although Song Li was already in her early thirties, time did not seem to have left any traces on her face.
She had the same phoenix eyes as Song Jingchen, and her facial features were exquisite. Her originally pale face turned red from her violent coughing.
Su Yun’s heart ached as she poured a glass of water and handed it over. She gently rubbed her back.
However, she retorted bluntly, “You didn’t learn it well back then. Not only did you not learn it yourself, but you also brought me to practice martial arts with you. I was punished by Madam many times.”
“Reading these books now can’t make up for the harm I suffered back then. Since that’s the case, what’s the point of looking at it?”
After the two of them quarreled, the silent Cold Palace seemed to have a human touch to it.
A gust of wind blew in from outside the window. Su Yun frowned and looked up at the crack. She immediately complained, “How many times have I told you? Your body is no longer the same as before. You can’t withstand the wind. Why did you open the window again?”
She took a few steps over to close the window.
“Se- second…”
Without books to kill time, Song Li was resting with her eyes closed. When she heard this, he laughed. “Didn’t you just have lunch? Do you want second servings? That’s why I told you not to worry. If you have nothing to do, just lie down and save your energy.”
“But you didn’t listen. You’re hungry now, right? Those people might not even send us dinner… You’ll have to bear with it.”
Su Yun wanted to say no, but Shangguan Yu had already walked into the hall and knelt down in front of Song Li. He called out gently, “Mother!”
How long had it been since someone called her that?
Song Li opened her eyes and was surprised to see Shangguan Yu kneeling in front of her. She got up and helped him up.
She stared at him for a long time before saying, “Yu’er, why are you here?”
Although she did not give birth to him, Song Li had personally raised him. Before Shangguan Han was born, she had never entrusted Shangguan Yu to anyone.
Even after she gave birth to Shangguan Han, she had always cared about Shangguan Yu.
In Song Li’s heart, she had two biological children.
Shangguan Yu let Song Li pull him up and said in embarrassment, “I should have come long ago. Unfortunately…”
He paused for a moment before continuing, “It’s because I’m useless and can’t bring Mother out. I made Mother suffer in this cold palace.”
Song Li looked at her son, who was already taller than her, and reached out to pat his shoulder to comfort him. After standing for a while, she felt exhausted.
Su Yun understood her physical condition and quickly helped her sit down.
“Mother, your body…” Shangguan Yu asked with concern.
Song Li waved her hand indifferently. “It’s fine. I won’t die anytime soon.”
She suddenly asked, “Did His Majesty agree to let you come today?”
Shangguan Yu hesitated for a moment before nodding.
Song Li closed her eyes. A tear fell from the corner of her eye without warning. She coughed for a long time before calming down. She said bleakly, “Did something happen to Han’er?”
She didn’t think Emperor Chong’an would be so kind.
“No, Fifth Brother is fine in Xunyang. Mother, don’t think too much about it.” Shangguan Yu denied.
Seeing him like this, Song Li was even more certain of what she was thinking. She shook her head. “Yu’er, go back. Don’t come again in the future. Otherwise, you’ll be disliked by the emperor.”
Shangguan Yu opened his mouth to say something. Su Yun could tell that the young lady must be feeling uncomfortable at this moment. Before he could speak, she took a few steps forward and bowed to him. She advised, “Your Highness, go back first. I’ll be here with Her Highness.”
“I shouldn’t have come,” Shangguan Yu muttered. He smiled bitterly and cupped his hands at Su Yun. “Thank you, Aunt Su Yun. I’ll definitely think of a way to bring Mother out in the future.”
Su Yun looked at his departing figure and turned around to see that her mistress was already covered in tears. She frowned and shook her head. He really shouldn’t have come.
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