Chapter 409 - 313: Regret (Part 2)
"Your Majesty—" Old Madam Gu called out and made a gesture as if to kneel.
The Emperor quickly stepped forward, personally assisting the old madam to the birthday seat in the main hall: "Please take care of your health, no need for such formalities."
"Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace, I am truly grateful." Old Madam Gu said with a smiling expression.
Gu Lan curled up her lips, realizing that the old madam never intended to kneel in the first place.
The Emperor probably also noticed it when he helped her, but today he seemed in a good mood, showing no displeasure.
As a group of people loudly welcomed His Majesty, the Emperor, along with Concubine Yi, took a seat in the main hall.
With the Emperor present, Gu Lan also sat down, attentively listening to the Emperor’s lengthy and elaborate yet seemingly earnest birthday wishes to Old Madam Gu.
Gu Lan listened with one ear and let it out with the other, but her gaze occasionally fell on the Emperor’s face.
It was the eighth day since Rong Heng was absent,
She missed him.
By now, Rong Heng should have reached Tongzhou.
Gu Lan wanted to see if she could evoke memories of him by perceiving similarities in his brother, looking left and right, yet found no likeness between Rong Heng and the Emperor.
It’s known that Rong Heng and Brother Rong resemble each other, with their features both deep and sharp, distinguishable as brothers—especially when standing together.
Of course, in her heart, Rong Heng’s smile was naturally the best-looking, not like Xie Yun’s ethereal grace like an immortal, but noble and handsome, with a toughness that resembled a contained jade, or exquisite wine refined over time, with a gentle smile, like holding jade, encompassing the world.
On the other hand, the Emperor’s features were gentle, exuding elegant nobility, with no resemblance to the two of them.
The Emperor was even wearing such a flamboyant robe, looking less like an emperor...
Suddenly, Gu Lan’s expression stiffened.
She seemed to have thought of a bizarre possibility.
She realized that looking at the Emperor today made her feel something unusual.
She, Rong Heng... and Xie Yun, all fell into a misunderstanding.
They thought Xie Yun was favored by the Emperor because someone from the Xie family was still alive, and that person might be Xie Yun’s sibling, leading them to suspect Song Zhi.
But...
Why not look beyond appearances to see the essence?
Gu Lan involuntarily glanced at Xie Yun sitting outside, attentively listening to the Emperor’s speech. In an instant, her mind seemed struck by lightning.
The Emperor and Xie Yun indeed shared some resemblance, their noses, mouths, figures...
Empress Dowager, Little Xu, Xie Xu—
To her rescue, could Rong Heng make the Empress Dowager come back to life?
She wanted to ask if she had collected so many identical hand-crafted models over the years because she couldn’t have what she desired, or because, having gained it, she lost it once again!
Perhaps Gu Lan’s gaze was too blatant, causing the Emperor to look towards her.
Xie Yun and Rong Miaoyan were sitting together, and the Emperor assumed Gu Lan was looking at Rong Miaoyan, subconsciously pondering the possibility of making this young cub her consort, considering its feasibility.
Today he was in a rather good mood, even his gaze on Gu Lan was no longer filled with apprehension and dislike.
It was because in the morning court, he received a military report from the southern border, a dispatch from Wu.
The dispatch mentioned a matter worrying the court officials: Wei Junzhuo had cleansed Yuan Lang’s forces in Bian, fearing he might rise again to attack Yan Country, yet it ended with the words "Saint’s well-being."
I’m aware this is the format of an official’s dispatch, but given Wu’s character, he wouldn’t address me with these words, perhaps time can indeed change everything, making Rong Heng return to his well-behaved and sensible self of the past...
All in all, the Emperor’s mood inexplicably improved considerably, even looking at Gu Lan or Dingyuan Marquis Mansion became pleasing.
At this moment, Rong Yunhao sneaked over to Miaoyan and coyly said, "Sister Ning An, I want to eat this pastry again tomorrow."
He was currently staying at Xiefang Palace, with parents absent, and his sister leading troops at the border, the only ones who could regularly visit him in the palace were Miaoyan and Gu Lan.
Rong Yunhao had tasted a delicious pastry and wanted Miaoyan to bring it for him next time.
Miaoyan patted Rong Yunhao’s head: "No problem, but I won’t keep it a secret for you. If you want it, you’ll have to trade it with almond pastries."
Rong Yunhao’s round chubby face immediately fell.
The Emperor watched the two, lost in thought for a moment.
Beside him, Old Madam Gu noticed the emperor’s unusual expression, followed his gaze, and also saw the siblings’ interaction.
She recalled something, her voice weathered by the years sounding beside the Emperor’s ear:
"I remember, back then, the Fifth Prince liked sweets and made a similar request... to you, Your Majesty."