Chapter 90 - First Time Apart

The Imperial Noble Consort glistened with tears as she heard Luo Qianqian calling her mother.

She took hold of Luo Qianqian’s hand and said, “Qianqian, you are a good girl, I’m so glad I’ve finally met you today. You and Yun make such a good match, you are my good daughter-in-law.”

The Imperial Noble Consort’s voice quavered and tears gushed from her eyes, she somehow found she had met Luo Qianqian somewhere before.

‘Is Qianqian a child of that family?’ thought The Imperial Noble Consort.

‘No way! This is impossible!’ she denied herself immediately.

“Qianqian, tell me how old you are this year?” The Imperial Noble Consort squeezed Luo Qianqian’s hand subconsciously.

A normal question en elder would ask young kids.

Luo Qianqian searched the original owner’s memory to make sure she had the right answer, “I’m fifteen years old this year.”

Fifteen was a huge year for a girl in ancient time, fifteen meant a girl was budding into womanhood and she had reached a marriageable age.

“Your birthdate?”

“The seventh day of the tenth lunar month.” was the reply.

The Imperial Noble Consort narrowed her eyes and did some math in the heart, the date could be matched.

But it couldn’t be true. Qianqian was Prime Minister Luo’s daughter, everyone knew about this. Plus, no way would that family marry their daughter to an official in the mundane world.

The Imperial Noble Consort’s facial expressions didn’t escape Murong Yun, Murong Yun had never seen his mother so eager to find someone’s background.

“Qianqian, is it all right to tell mother you mother’s name?”

Luo Qianqian nodded, she searched the original’s owner of the body’s memory, “I have never met my mother, I don’t know her name exactly, all I can remember is father calls her Jiao’er.”

“Jiao’er?”

“Is everything all right, are you all right? Your Highness?” Luo Qianqian asked with concern.

The Imperial Noble Consort kept her smile in place with some effort, “Yes, I’m fine, I just want to learn more about you. You are fifteen years old this year, three years younger than my Yun.”

Then The Imperial Noble Consort put on a serious face and looked at Murong Yun, “Yun, I’m telling you, you need to treat Qianqian well, otherwise I will punish you.”

Murong Yun and Murong Xue both looked a bit surprised, this was the first time their mother looked so serious towards them.

But Murong Yun knew everything wasn’t all right, his mother was just trying to change the subject.

Luo Qianqian’s mother died of difficult labor, and Prime Minister Luo hated it when people brought this up, so she didn’t know much about her mother.

All she knew was Prime Minister Luo loved her mother the most, and Prime Minister Luo shifted the blame of losing her mother to her, that was why she was ill-treated since she was a little girl.

She wasn’t deliberately trying to hide her mother’s story from The Imperial Noble Consort, the truth was she didn’t know much.

The Imperial Noble Consort didn’t want anyone to see she wasn’t her usual self, she turned around and asked, “Yun, are you getting better lately?”

The Imperial Noble Consort wished it was her who was poisoned and suffered the unbearable pain every month instead of her son.

“Yes, he is. Please rest assured, Your Highness, we will find a cure for him in no time.” Luo Qianqian chimed in, she knew how hard this must be for Murong Yun’s mother, watching her own son suffer great pain every month.

The Imperial Noble Consort forced a smile, she knew Luo Qianqian was trying to comfort her for it was almost impossible to find a cure, even Doctor Lin couldn’t find it.

“Qianqian, what did you just call me? I thought we’ve agreed.”

Luo Qianqian blushed and lowered her head, “I mean… mother, please rest assured, he will be fine soon.”

The Imperial Noble Consort talked about Murong Yun and Murong Xue’s childhood anecdotes, and Luo Qianqian listened with keen pleasure, how she envied Murong Yun and Murong Xue for having such a caring mother when they grew up.

Murong Xue yawned after about an hour, and everyone realized it was getting pretty late.

“Qianqian, it’s so great to see you today, I won’t keep you for too long. Let Yun escort you back home.” The Imperial Noble Consort and Luo Qianqian said goodbye.

Luo Qianqian made a bow with hands folded in front and left.

She knew The Imperial Noble Consort had been absent-minded since they talked about her mother, but she dared not ask Murong Yun about this, she hoped she was over thinking.

Life went on after that night.

Luo Qianqian and Murong Xue both worked harder in the tavern, they arrived earlier and left later than before. Murong Xue was feeling more motivated after the dinner that night, she felt more obliged to practise harder, because if someone provoked her sister-in-law next time, she could take that person down herself.

But it wasn’t the same for Murong Yun, he had to leave the capital city this day on the request of his mother.

The Imperial Noble Consort looked rather anxious, it was her maiden family.

The Imperial Noble Consort’s maiden family was the Gu Gamily, one of the well-renowned Three Families, the other two were Liang and Xiao.

Murong Yun came to the tavern to say goodbye to Luo Qianqian.

“It’s all right, I know you will be back soon, take care of yourself and don’t worry about me or Xue.” Luo Qianqian smiled.

Murong Yun kissed Luo Qianqian on the forehead, “Thank you Qianqian, and I know you will take good care of my sister.”

“Noo worries.” Luo Qianqian lowered her voice, she still wasn’t used to show affections in public.

Murong Yun stroked Luo Qianqian’s hair, “Just ignore Mu Chaoyang if he dares to do something stupid to you, leave it to me when I come back.”

Luo Qianqian nodded.

“Don’t force yourself on martial arts cultivating, I will be back soon and help you, remember?”

“Feng Qing will be here with you, he will protect you for me.”

Luo Qianqian waved her hand, “Don’t worry, I got this. I have Xue, I have Feng Qing, plus now I’m good at Lightness Skill, worst-case scenario, I can always — run!”