C239

The weather had changed. After the summer heat, the weather gradually turned into autumn. The weather was as cool as day, and the morning air was cool.

Early in the morning, Shang Yiqing went to the palace to pay her respects to Empress Chen.

Shang Yiqing knelt on the ground within the palace. "This concubine pays her respects to the empress. The empress is thousands of years old!"

"Imperial Concubine Rong, rise and take a seat." Empress Chen said amiably as she gestured for Shang Yiqing to sit beside her.

"Chenqie came to visit the Empress today. The Empress looks very healthy." Shang Yiqing said obediently as she sized up Empress Chen.

Empress Chen smiled. "I've always been in good health, and I've heard that Prince Rong won a battle outside. He's really fighting for his life!"

"The Empress is praising the Prince Rong too much. This is all because of General Xiao's help. This is the first time the Prince Rong is leading troops into a war, and he still has many shortcomings." As Shang Yiqing spoke, her thoughts drifted to a faraway place. She couldn't help but think of a person without realizing it. She could think of things like eating, sleeping, and so on.

Empress Chen looked at Shang Yiqing and smiled coyly. "What's the matter, have you missed Prince Rong?"

"No, the Empress is joking."

Empress Chen smiled and shook her head. "What's there to be embarrassed about in front of me? Back when I was still an imperial concubine, every time the emperor went to war, I couldn't sleep or eat in peace." Furthermore, this is the first time that you two husband and wife have separated.

Shang Yiqing smiled embarrassedly.

Empress Chen looked at Shang Yiqing for a long time before replying, "Imperial Concubine Rong has been getting skinnier. You need to take care of yourself even if Prince Rong isn't here."

"Empress Dowager, you're worried about chenqie. Chenqie will take care of herself." Shang Yiqing smiled shyly at Empress Chen as she spoke.

At this moment, the voice of a young eunuch came from outside the palace. "The Emperor has retired from court."

Empress Chen raised her eyes to look at the time. "The emperor ended the court early today. He even said that he wanted to come to the Jade Chen Palace, and should be arriving soon."

Before he could speak, he heard the eunuch speak again, "The emperor has arrived."

Shang Yiqing was so flustered that she hurried to kneel down.

The emperor was already striding into the palace when he saw Shang Yiqing and was slightly surprised. "Princess Rong is here as well. Hurry and rise."

"Thank you, your majesty."

Empress Chen also got up and asked with a smile, "Has the emperor withdrawn from court so early today?"

"That's right. Since there is nothing important in the court today, I came back early." As the emperor spoke, he sat down on the bed with a look of love on his face. "Prince Rong did not fail to live up to my expectations this time."

"That was due to the Emperor's excessive love, all of which were blessed by the Emperor." Shang Yiqing lowered her head and answered humbly.

"Hehe, Imperial Concubine Rong is becoming more and more eloquent. Actually, Prince Rong's intelligence isn't any worse than the other princes. It's just that he lacks exercise. In the future, he'll definitely be even more outstanding." The emperor smiled in satisfaction as he praised Fang Zinan endlessly.

"Your majesty is right. I think so too." Empress Chen nodded her head. "This time the emperor has really chosen the right person for sending Prince Rong."

The emperor smiled with satisfaction and stood up, walking a few steps back and forth. "I didn't expect that Prince Rong would actually be the victor. I'm truly very happy in my heart."

Although Shang Yiqing had received the news early in the morning, she felt gratified to see the emperor so happy.

"I believe that Prince Rong will win quickly." Empress Chen smiled at Shang Yiqing before turning her face to the emperor. "Your majesty is finally at ease now."

"Yes, when Prince Rong comes back, I can truly be completely at ease." If Prince Rong could win this time, then he would have earned the military merits. He could also smoothly pass on the title of Crown Prince to Prince Rong. No one else had anything to say. As the emperor thought of this, he felt that all these years of hard work had not been in vain. At the very least, he could take advantage of the fact that his body was still strong enough to support him and settle this matter as soon as possible.

Shang Yiqing was wondering when Fang Zinan would return. When he came back from his dream at midnight, Fang Zinan's every move was still vivid in his mind. It was as if he hadn't gone far, yet he was still alone, unable to bear the loneliness. She was so engrossed in his memories that she barely noticed the words of the emperor and empress dowager.

"Imperial Concubine Rong, I can't see that you're in good spirits, so you should return to the estate first."

Empress Chen's warning broke Shang Yiqing's train of thoughts. She smiled at the emperor and the empress. "Thank you for your love, esteemed wangfei. Your consort will take her leave first." As she spoke, he slowly withdrew herself from the Jade Chen Palace.

It was a sunny day, but now it started to drizzle. The drizzle fell on her face like rain without any special coldness. It was as if she was numb to it. Shang Yiqing laughed self-deprecatingly, suddenly recalling two verses, "One zhang long with black hair, ten drops of rain, fifty strings of the zither, half of a worry." It was as if parting was always connected with the rain. The drizzle did not make people feel cold or cold, but only heavy thinking, lonely and sad.

As he thought of this, he felt even more uncomfortable. He thought for a moment, but instead of returning, he said to the carriage driver, "Go to the Xiao Residence." Perhaps chatting with Ying Ying at this time could relieve the boredom and loneliness in her heart.

The carriage turned around and headed in the direction of the Xiao manor.

Shang Yiqing opened the curtain of the carriage with a bored look, it seemed as if rain was hitting her face, calming him down a little. There were only a few people on the road, and under the willow tree in front of them stood a man. He was tall and slender, with his hands behind his back, looking calm and composed. Suddenly, he looked very similar to Fang Zinan. Shang Yiqing was shocked, her heart was in her throat. She rubbed her eyes, not believing what she had just heard. She then called to the coachman, "Stop."

The carriage soon stopped, just near the willow tree. Shang Yiqing stretched her neck and looked ahead. The man was still standing there calmly with her hands behind her back. Just by looking at his appearance, one could tell that he must be very dashing as well. He was very tall and very thin. Her figure was similar to Fang Zinan, but what was even more surprising was that she gave off a very relaxed feeling. Although they didn't see his appearance, just her back made them have wild thoughts.

Shang Yiqing opened her mouth, wanting to cry out, but she did not know what to say. Just as she was hesitating, she suddenly turned her head and glanced at Shang Yiqing, intentionally or otherwise. Shang Yiqing felt her vision blurred, as if she had seen a ghost. Wasn't this person Fang Zinan? Why was he standing here? Didn't he go to war? Too strange!

"Fang Zinan …" She called out in a low voice.

The other person didn't answer.

"Fang Zinan …" she cried again.

The other person still didn't reply.

"Fang Zinan …" This time she raised his voice and called again.

The other party still did not reply.

Shang Yiqing was getting anxious and shouted, "Fang Zinan, why are you ignoring me?"

That person suddenly turned around and stared at her with widened eyes, as if he was asking: "Are you talking to me?"

Shang Yiqing was dejected as she saw the man's face clearly. This man was not Fang Zinan! He almost didn't look like Fang Zinan, but between his eyebrows, they seemed to be the same person. The temperament of the two were too similar, giving off a feeling of clear water that was also as free and easy as the waterfall.

That person glanced at Shang Yiqing again and turned around. Shang Yiqing smiled awkwardly and called for the coachman, "Let's go."