Chapter 557: Bashu
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Before entering the palace, Yu Niaoniao had already guessed that Empress Wen might mention “Double Beauties”.
...She smiled and said, “We did perform Double Beauties last night. I didn’t expect the Empress to be interested in opera.” Empress Wen looked at her steadily.
“You haven’t forgotten what I told you, right?”
Yu Niaoniao did not answer and asked, “I wonder what you mean?” Empress Wen said, “You don’t have to act stupid. You know very well what I mean.”
Yu Niaoniao pretended to be troubled.
“I really don’t understand. I hope the Empress can explain more clearly.” Empress Wen’s expression darkened. “Are you determined to go against me?” Yu Niaoniao looked back at her neither servile nor overbearing.
“Aren’t the Empress and the Crown Prince the ones who made things difficult for us first? Originally, we didn’t interfere with each other in peace, but the Crown Prince wanted to take Duke Lang’s credit for himself. Ask yourself, is this so kind?”
Empress Wen said in a low voice.
“This was the emperor’s idea. If you have the ability, go and reason with the emperor.”
Yu Niaoniao said, “No matter whose idea it was, the Crown Prince was the one
who benefited in the end.”
Empress Wen closed her eyes and tried to soften her tone.
“Alright, consider this a debt, but this is not a bad thing for you. If you help the Crown Prince, he will definitely repay you in the future.”
“As long as you endure this for a moment, you will be able to exchange for greater benefits in the future. In the end, you will still earn it.”
Yu Niaoniao nodded. “That’s right. This is indeed a good opportunity to curry favor with the Crown Prince. If it were anyone else, they would definitely be happy to make this deal. However, I’m not willing, and neither is Duke Lang.” Empress Wen frowned. “You’re a smart person. You shouldn’t fight for a moment. ”
Yu Niaoniao laughed.
“Then you’re very wrong. Not only am I not smart, but I’m also stupid and stubborn.”
“There is only one principle in my mind— What should be ours, we won’t give in, What shouldn’t be ours. We won’t touch it.”
Empress Wen realized that there was a gap between her and Yu Niaoniao. It was impossible for her to convince Yu Niaoniao, and Yu Niaoniao could not change her.
It would be a waste of breath to say anything else.
Empress Wen said, “That’s all I have to say. It’s fine if you don’t listen.”
Yu Niaoniao said, “Yes, people of different paths can’t work together.”
Empress Wen looked ahead and said calmly.
“I hope you won’t regret it in the future.”
The two carriages parted ways.
Yu Niaoniao rode the sedan to the vicinity of the palace door.
Xiao Juan had been waiting here for a long time. When he saw Niaoniao finally appear, he immediately went up to her and reached out to help her out of the carriage.
“I heard that the Empress called you over. Nothing happened, right?”
Yu Niaoniao shook her head. “It’s fine. Let’s go back.”
When the two of them returned to the Regional King’s Mansion, Lo Pingsha had already prepared his luggage and horses and could set off at any time.
The three of them did not say anything and immediately packed their bags, preparing to head to Bashu.
Just as they walked out of the door, they saw Ling Hai kneeling in the snow with a bag on his back.
“Please take me with you, Your Highness.”
With that, he kowtowed heavily.
Yu Niaoniao said, “We’re going out to do something this time, not go sightseeing. It’s inconvenient to bring you along.”
Ling Hai raised his head with an extremely serious expression.
“I know you’re going to do serious business. I can be at your beck and call. I can do any rough work. I’m not afraid of hardship. I just hope you won’t abandon me.”
Yu Niaoniao sighed. “Do you ride?”
Hearing this, Ling Hai was overjoyed and hurriedly nodded.
“I will!”
Yu Niaoniao got someone to prepare a horse for Ling Hai.
Because they were in a hurry, they traveled light this time. Other than the necessary clothes, money, and dry food, they did not bring anything else.
The four of them mounted their horses and left the Imperial Capital in the snow, walking quickly along the official road.
Along the way, they tried their best to rest and travel as quickly as possible.
Even so, it took them more than a month to reach Bashu.
After more than three years, Yu Niaoniao returned to Jinguan City and realized that everything here was the same. The scenes in her memory assaulted her heart, making her involuntarily stop.
The two children chased each other on the street and accidentally bumped into Yu Niaoniao.
Yu Niaoniao had no choice but to stop.
Before she could speak, a middle-aged woman rushed over and pulled the child over, reprimanding him with a straight face.
“How many times have I told you not to run around on the streets? Why can’t you remember? If you continue like this, I’m going to beat you up!”
The woman then looked up and was about to apologize to the person who had been hit by the child, but she was stunned when she saw Yu Niaoniao’s appearance.
“Niaoniao, why are you back?!”
Yu Niaoniao also recognized her and replied with a smile, “Aunt Wang, I just returned today.”
Auntie Wang sized her up and clicked her tongue.
“It’s been three years since we last met. You’re getting prettier, especially your eyes. They’re exactly the same as your mother’s…”
At this point, she stopped.
Everyone in Jinguan City knew how tragically Madam Xie had died. As her daughter, Yu Niaoniao was naturally extremely sad. Auntie Wang’s words were equivalent to poking the other party’s sore spot.
Aunt Wang’s expression became awkward. She said awkwardly, “Look at me. I spoke too quickly. Don’t blame me.”
Yu Niaoniao shook her head. “It’s fine. It’s all in the past.”
Auntie Wang hurriedly nodded. “Yes, yes, yes. It’s all in the past. We have to look forward.”
She looked at the three people following Yu Niaoniao and could not help but be curious.
“These are?”
Yu Niaoniao introduced them one by one.
“This is my husband. The other two are my friends.”
Auntie Wang immediately perked up. “You’re already married! Your husband is really good-looking. It’s obvious that he’s capable. If your parents knew in the netherworld… Uh, sorry, I’m talking too much again.”
Yu Niaoniao knew Aunt Wang’s personality. She was a straightforward person and often quarreled with others because she said the wrong thing. However, she was a kind person, so Yu Niaoniao only smiled.
“I came home this time to bring my husband to pay respects to my parents so they can rest in peace.”
Seeing that she was not unhappy, Aunt Wang heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly said.
“Old Master Feng and Madam Feng doted on you so much when they were alive. Now that you’re married, you should tell them. Originally, I wanted to weed your parents’ graves during Qingming Festival this year. Now that you’re back personally, we don’t have to worry about this.”
Yu Niaoniao’s heart skipped a beat. She asked, “Did you visit my parents’ graves?”
Auntie Wang nodded.
“Yes! Every year during the Zhongyuan Festival and Qingming Festival, someone will clean up the weeds on your parents’ graves and burn some paper money for them. Your parents are good people. When they were alive, they accumulated merit and helped many people.. Even if they’re no longer around, everyone misses them..
Chapter 557: Bashu
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Before entering the palace, Yu Niaoniao had already guessed that Empress Wen might mention “Double Beauties”.
...She smiled and said, “We did perform Double Beauties last night. I didn’t expect the Empress to be interested in opera.” Empress Wen looked at her steadily.
“You haven’t forgotten what I told you, right?”
Yu Niaoniao did not answer and asked, “I wonder what you mean?” Empress Wen said, “You don’t have to act stupid. You know very well what I mean.”
Yu Niaoniao pretended to be troubled.
“I really don’t understand. I hope the Empress can explain more clearly.” Empress Wen’s expression darkened. “Are you determined to go against me?” Yu Niaoniao looked back at her neither servile nor overbearing.
“Aren’t the Empress and the Crown Prince the ones who made things difficult for us first? Originally, we didn’t interfere with each other in peace, but the Crown Prince wanted to take Duke Lang’s credit for himself. Ask yourself, is this so kind?”
Empress Wen said in a low voice.
“This was the emperor’s idea. If you have the ability, go and reason with the emperor.”
Yu Niaoniao said, “No matter whose idea it was, the Crown Prince was the one
who benefited in the end.”
Empress Wen closed her eyes and tried to soften her tone.
“Alright, consider this a debt, but this is not a bad thing for you. If you help the Crown Prince, he will definitely repay you in the future.”
“As long as you endure this for a moment, you will be able to exchange for greater benefits in the future. In the end, you will still earn it.”
Yu Niaoniao nodded. “That’s right. This is indeed a good opportunity to curry favor with the Crown Prince. If it were anyone else, they would definitely be happy to make this deal. However, I’m not willing, and neither is Duke Lang.” Empress Wen frowned. “You’re a smart person. You shouldn’t fight for a moment. ”
Yu Niaoniao laughed.
“Then you’re very wrong. Not only am I not smart, but I’m also stupid and stubborn.”
“There is only one principle in my mind— What should be ours, we won’t give in, What shouldn’t be ours. We won’t touch it.”
Empress Wen realized that there was a gap between her and Yu Niaoniao. It was impossible for her to convince Yu Niaoniao, and Yu Niaoniao could not change her.
It would be a waste of breath to say anything else.
Empress Wen said, “That’s all I have to say. It’s fine if you don’t listen.”
Yu Niaoniao said, “Yes, people of different paths can’t work together.”
Empress Wen looked ahead and said calmly.
“I hope you won’t regret it in the future.”
The two carriages parted ways.
Yu Niaoniao rode the sedan to the vicinity of the palace door.
Xiao Juan had been waiting here for a long time. When he saw Niaoniao finally appear, he immediately went up to her and reached out to help her out of the carriage.
“I heard that the Empress called you over. Nothing happened, right?”
Yu Niaoniao shook her head. “It’s fine. Let’s go back.”
When the two of them returned to the Regional King’s Mansion, Lo Pingsha had already prepared his luggage and horses and could set off at any time.
The three of them did not say anything and immediately packed their bags, preparing to head to Bashu.
Just as they walked out of the door, they saw Ling Hai kneeling in the snow with a bag on his back.
“Please take me with you, Your Highness.”
With that, he kowtowed heavily.
Yu Niaoniao said, “We’re going out to do something this time, not go sightseeing. It’s inconvenient to bring you along.”
Ling Hai raised his head with an extremely serious expression.
“I know you’re going to do serious business. I can be at your beck and call. I can do any rough work. I’m not afraid of hardship. I just hope you won’t abandon me.”
Yu Niaoniao sighed. “Do you ride?”
Hearing this, Ling Hai was overjoyed and hurriedly nodded.
“I will!”
Yu Niaoniao got someone to prepare a horse for Ling Hai.
Because they were in a hurry, they traveled light this time. Other than the necessary clothes, money, and dry food, they did not bring anything else.
The four of them mounted their horses and left the Imperial Capital in the snow, walking quickly along the official road.
Along the way, they tried their best to rest and travel as quickly as possible.
Even so, it took them more than a month to reach Bashu.
After more than three years, Yu Niaoniao returned to Jinguan City and realized that everything here was the same. The scenes in her memory assaulted her heart, making her involuntarily stop.
The two children chased each other on the street and accidentally bumped into Yu Niaoniao.
Yu Niaoniao had no choice but to stop.
Before she could speak, a middle-aged woman rushed over and pulled the child over, reprimanding him with a straight face.
“How many times have I told you not to run around on the streets? Why can’t you remember? If you continue like this, I’m going to beat you up!”
The woman then looked up and was about to apologize to the person who had been hit by the child, but she was stunned when she saw Yu Niaoniao’s appearance.
“Niaoniao, why are you back?!”
Yu Niaoniao also recognized her and replied with a smile, “Aunt Wang, I just returned today.”
Auntie Wang sized her up and clicked her tongue.
“It’s been three years since we last met. You’re getting prettier, especially your eyes. They’re exactly the same as your mother’s…”
At this point, she stopped.
Everyone in Jinguan City knew how tragically Madam Xie had died. As her daughter, Yu Niaoniao was naturally extremely sad. Auntie Wang’s words were equivalent to poking the other party’s sore spot.
Aunt Wang’s expression became awkward. She said awkwardly, “Look at me. I spoke too quickly. Don’t blame me.”
Yu Niaoniao shook her head. “It’s fine. It’s all in the past.”
Auntie Wang hurriedly nodded. “Yes, yes, yes. It’s all in the past. We have to look forward.”
She looked at the three people following Yu Niaoniao and could not help but be curious.
“These are?”
Yu Niaoniao introduced them one by one.
“This is my husband. The other two are my friends.”
Auntie Wang immediately perked up. “You’re already married! Your husband is really good-looking. It’s obvious that he’s capable. If your parents knew in the netherworld… Uh, sorry, I’m talking too much again.”
Yu Niaoniao knew Aunt Wang’s personality. She was a straightforward person and often quarreled with others because she said the wrong thing. However, she was a kind person, so Yu Niaoniao only smiled.
“I came home this time to bring my husband to pay respects to my parents so they can rest in peace.”
Seeing that she was not unhappy, Aunt Wang heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly said.
“Old Master Feng and Madam Feng doted on you so much when they were alive. Now that you’re married, you should tell them. Originally, I wanted to weed your parents’ graves during Qingming Festival this year. Now that you’re back personally, we don’t have to worry about this.”
Yu Niaoniao’s heart skipped a beat. She asked, “Did you visit my parents’ graves?”
Auntie Wang nodded.
“Yes! Every year during the Zhongyuan Festival and Qingming Festival, someone will clean up the weeds on your parents’ graves and burn some paper money for them. Your parents are good people. When they were alive, they accumulated merit and helped many people.. Even if they’re no longer around, everyone misses them..
