Chapter 314: She’ll Eat Me into Poverty

Weiyang Palace…

The Empress was not dressed in elaborate attire. She had chosen a light green zhiju robe, her long hair styled into a lofty cloud-like bun, adorned with a nine-tailed phoenix hairpin. She looked dignified and noble, yet still gentle and graceful—without appearing too aloof or unapproachable.

Her illness had not yet fully recovered. After receiving the news yesterday, she had tossed and turned all night. Even with powder on her face, her poor complexion was still apparent, and her appearance seemed haggard.

“Your Majesty, it is still early. They might want to spend a bit more time together and may not arrive until later. The wind is strong outside, why don’t you wait inside? I’ll keep watch at the entrance. If I see them coming, I will call you to come greet them,” the female official advised gently.

“Don’t try to comfort me. If I don’t do something, I’ll feel uneasy,” the Empress said, coughing a few times, a trace of sorrow between her brows and eyes. “The Gu family has treated Jingyun very well. Their bond is deep. Now, all of a sudden, he’s told the truth about his parentage… will he be willing to accept me?”

The female official felt a pang of bitterness in her heart, but smiled and said, “The young prince is very sensible. He knows that Your Majesty loves him in your heart, that you didn’t abandon him on purpose. He will not resent you. Children are simple in nature but also sensitive. Whoever is truly good to him—he will be able to feel that kindness. Even if he cannot accept you right away, once you’ve spent more time together, he will surely come to treat you sincerely.”

“Yes, in time, he will come to accept me,” the Empress said with a faint smile. “The fact that he is alive is already a great blessing. Why should I ask for anything more?”

The female official remained silent, standing in front of the Empress to shield her from the wind.

After waiting for a moment, the Empress asked again, “Have the pastries and everything else been prepared?”

The female official smiled as well and replied, “They’re all ready, prepared according to the young prince’s tastes.”

The Empress asked a few more questions, but her anxious mood showed no signs of easing. Instead, she grew even more restless and began to entertain the thought of personally leaving the palace to fetch him from the Gu residence.

“They’re here! They’re here!” A eunuch hurried in, joy written all over his face. “Your Majesty! The young Grand Secretary has brought the young prince!”

“Where are they now?” Before the eunuch could reply, the Empress had already strode quickly toward the outside.

At a glance, she saw a tall and a small figure walking hand in hand. The Empress abruptly stopped in her tracks. Her gaze landed on Gu Jingyun’s face. He looked so much like her eldest son—only, that child had a gentle disposition and was usually quiet.

The Empress’s eyes grew moist. There was so much she wanted to say to him, yet all the words were stuck in her throat.

“Jing’er, I am your mother,” the Empress said as she opened her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

Gu Jingyun had been preparing himself mentally along the way, but upon seeing the woman before him crying so sorrowfully, his heart softened despite the sour ache within. The joy and excitement in her eyes were genuine—she truly cared about him.

He pressed his lips together. Since he had decided to accept this, he could not afford to act willfully.

“Please don’t cry.” Gu Jingyun pulled out a soft handkerchief from his sleeve and gently wiped the Empress’s tears. “I only learned yesterday that you are my birth mother. To me, you still feel like a stranger. I need time to get to know you. I may be rude at times, but I will try to correct myself as quickly as I can.”

He understood that everything in this world was mutual. He could not just rely on the fact that she was his birth mother and then take everything from her without reservation, accepting her kindness openly while refusing to respond because of his own stubbornness.

If he was going to enjoy the privileges that came with this identity, then he ought to give just as much in return.

It was just that the word Mother—he still couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“Please give me a bit more time,” Gu Jingyun thought with some unease.

“It’s all right. No matter how long it takes, I can wait,” the Empress said gently. This was already so much better than she had imagined. As long as the child stayed by her side without resentment, she could accept anything. “If you need anything, just tell me. Don’t keep it bottled up inside. I can be a bit slow sometimes and might not guess what you’re thinking, but I will do my best to understand you. If there’s anything I don’t do well, or anything that makes you uncomfortable, you can speak up.”

Gu Jingyun tightened his grip on the hem of his robe and gave a small nod.

“May I… hold you for a moment?” the Empress asked, opening her arms.

Gu Jingyun looked into her eyes, so full of longing, his dark eyes wavering. He bit down on his lower lip, then awkwardly leaned into her embrace.

The Empress’s once-empty heart was now filled. She wrapped her arms around him tightly. This dull and drawn-out life of hers finally seemed to have something to look forward to.

“Jing’er, don’t worry. As long as I’m here, I won’t let anyone bully you.”

After speaking, the Empress let out a few muffled coughs.

Seeing the worsening color on her face, Gu Jingyun tensed his little face and said stiffly, “Then you need to take care of your own health too.”

He seemed uncomfortable, turning his face away, his gaze drifting over toward Tingyuan.

Tingyuan spoke gently, “Your Majesty, I’ll leave Jingyun in your care. I still have some matters to attend to.”

He patted Gu Jingyun on the head. “Take your time to adjust. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange your lessons.”

Gu Jingyun pouted, his tone sulky. “Half a day isn’t enough for me to adjust.”

“The day after tomorrow,” Tingyuan said firmly, not giving Gu Jingyun a chance to refuse. Then he added in a low voice, “The wind is strong out here. Go inside to continue talking.”

“Thank you.” The Empress did not try to keep him. Censor Meng was impeaching Cao Guangyi, and his presence was needed. The Grand Secretary had already entered the palace.

Tingyuan waved his hand and left, his sleeve brushing through the air as he strode off.

The Empress was about to take Gu Jingyun inside, but noticed he was staring blankly at Tingyuan’s departing figure. She said nothing and waited until he was out of sight before speaking softly, “Jing’er, if you miss them, you may summon them to the palace at any time.”

Gu Jingyun shook his head. “That would go against protocol.”

The Empress was momentarily stunned.

“My mother is an honest woman. She doesn’t understand court etiquette. There are many nobles in the palace—if she accidentally offends someone, she’ll be made to suffer and feel wronged.”

Gu Jingyun felt that this place was dangerous too. If his mother came to the palace, she wouldn’t feel at ease. “Elder Brother will stay with me. If I miss them, I’ll leave the palace to visit. Once I…” Once I have the ability to protect them properly, I’ll bring them into the palace.

The Empress felt both comforted and a little sorrowful. “Mother must give proper thanks to Madam Gu.”

“Give her more gold to thank her,” Gu Jingyun said. Nothing could be more practical than that.

The Empress couldn’t help but laugh. She reached out to hold his hand, and when she saw that he didn’t pull away, her lips curved into a small smile. She gently took his soft little hand and led him into the palace hall.

Gu Jingyun had no interest in admiring the splendid, gilded palace. He lowered his head and quietly followed the Empress to sit down.

“Are you hungry? There are fruits and pastries here, would you like to try some?” The Empress pushed the fruit tray and dishes toward him.

Gu Jingyun shook his head and asked in a muffled voice, “Can I bring my third sister here to keep me company while I study?”

“Of course. Mother will make the arrangements,” the Empress replied readily. She wasn’t afraid of him making requests—what she feared was that he wouldn’t speak at all. “Anything else?”

“She should live in the room next to mine.”

“All right, that will be arranged.”

The palace fell into a quiet stillness, and Gu Jingyun sat uneasily, like he was on pins and needles.

The Empress noticed a scented pouch hanging at his waist, its embroidery a tangle of uneven threads. She spoke softly, “Did your third sister make this?”

“Mm. She’s clumsy with her hands. You should find her a good embroidery teacher, or she won’t be able to marry in the future.”

Gu Jingyun traced the stitching with his fingers, his gaze unfocused. “She eats too much. No one will marry her. If I have to support her, she’ll eat me into poverty.”

The Empress couldn’t help but laugh, her gaze growing even gentler. It was clear the siblings were close.

“She’s also really annoying,” Gu Jingyun added, a hint of sadness flashing through his eyes. “And she cries all the time.”

“You’ll see her the day after tomorrow,” the Empress said, understanding that the little one was already homesick.

Gu Jingyun said with disdain, “I don’t miss her. I’m just worried she’ll annoy Mother and cause trouble at home.”

“Yes, you don’t miss her,” the Empress replied with a smile, “but Mother does want to meet her.”

Before long, a female official entered to report, “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is here.”