135 Chapter 135: Hide and Seek

As Ye Ai Ning's appetite was small, in a short while, the meal concluded in utter silence.

Although, in order to ease the emperor from worrying about her welfare, Ye Ai Ning did eat more than usual.

They were having digesting tea after the meal when Jiang Yu got distracted by the loud neighing of horses.

It might be another batch of youths going out to the forest in a group.

Jiang Yu momentarily looked at lost as he stares outside the window.

Are the consorts accompanying the empress properly or are they giving her troubles?

Ah! He recalls telling Wei Yi Yi that he'll let her ride a horse to her heart's content.

As he wonders if his empress is bored already and that he must take her out to entertain her, Jiang Yu stood up and bid farewell, "Zhen will go first. Take more rest so that you will be well. If you still feel dizzy by noon, you do not need to accompany the Empress anymore."

"This... Would it not trouble her majesty?" Ye Ai Ning asked. Her face exhibits reluctance and worry but deep in her heart, she was proud of her self and the favor she receives.

"If you are sick, then you are sick. No need to force yourself."

"But the empress..."

Jiang Yu lightly smile to reassure his worried consort. "Later, just send a servant to inform her. Tell her Zhen wanted you to rest."

Thinking about it, Wei Yi Yi was the first to worry. If Ye Ai Ning's health really took for the worse, Jiang Yu could imagine Wei Yi Yi dragging Ye Ai Ning herself back to bed.

His empress always took consideration and care for his consorts and concubines in order to share his burdens.

Xiao Lin Xi noticed as the emperor's smile widen. Shifting his gaze to the consort, he thought, as expected when facing a rare beauty.

"Then, this consort won't delay the emperor anymore. Please be careful on your way, your majesty."

The two finally separated after many pleasantries.

Xiao Lin Xi quickly followed behind the emperor. Once they stepped out of the western courtyard's gate, Jiang Yu hasten his pace and in quick strides, reach the eastern side.

Entering the moon gate, the servants quickly greeted the emperor with bowed head.

"Where's the empress?" He asked.

But even before the servant left to manage the courtyard could answer, Jiang Yu already went inside the inner chamber.

This is why Wei Yi Yi labeled him as an evil spirited mushroom that pops out anywhere! A rude trespasser too!

Not seeing the one he was looking for inside the room, Jiang Yu finally turn to converse properly to the servant. "Are they still having their meal?"

"No, your majesty. They finished a while ago," the nameless servant answered slowly as she catches her breath.

"Then where is your mistress? Did Zhen not instruct the servant to inform the empress that I will see her?"

The servant was easily intimidated by the emperor's focused gaze at her. She fell down on her knees as she apologizes. "Th-there was a bit of a mishap..."

"What happened?!" The emperor asked, his tone urgent. When he heard 'mishap', he was already thinking of the worse.

"It is nothing major to take note of your majesty." The servant almost wanted to bite off her tongue for choosing the wrong words. "Consort Shen was not compatible with the food and fell sick. The Empress cannot stop worrying so she accompanied the consort back."

"Why no one informed Zhen?"

"The Empress said not to disturb his majesty."

"Was it poisoning? How bad it is?" Jiang Yu asked for more details in a stricter tone. Killing by poisoning the food was a common scheme. And if the food being served to the empress still have poison after it goes to all the procedures and checking, it would be a serious case that needs someone to be punished! All the servant must be interrogated by then!

"Except for feeling lightheaded, Consort Shen was fine. The empress suspects it was either the effect of the long journey or that the consort is allergic to something. Just to be sure, her majesty already sent someone to investigate but it appears that there was no poison."

"Continue to check on it. We cannot have someone poisoning the Empress," Jiang Yu said wanting to make sure. "Xiao Lin Xi follow Zhen to Consort Shen's courtyard!"

After flinging his sleeves, Jiang Yu walked out with a frown on his lips.

Such simple task, would Wei Yi Yi need to bother as much? She should have just called for a doctor to take care of Shen Nian Zhen then remain to wait for him.

Now he must actually go seek for her, giving him much hassle even after telling her that he will go see her.

Suddenly, Jiang Yu was no longer as happy when Wei Yi Yi show importance to the consorts. In her heart, are they weighted more than him?

Jiang Yu was stopped by the thought and Xiao Lin Xi almost slammed at his back.

He was shocked. Why is he comparing his importance to the consorts? Of course, he is more important to Wei Yi Yi than them!

Ye Ai Ning and Shen Nian Zhen just happened to feel unwell one after the another so the empress got overly worried.

That's right. That's how it is supposed to be.