jdhmnovel Chapter 148 Not Understanding the Birth Mother
Chapter 148 Not Understanding the Birth Mother
"It's with Xiaobao."
Little Bao, who was wolfing down his food, raised his hand to answer.
Ye Yaoyao's gaze fell on the jade pendant around Xiao Bao's neck. She could see that the jade was translucent and lustrous, a superior item.
Ye Yaoyao leaned closer and asked gently, "Can Xiaobao be taken a look at by his older sister?"
"My sister invited me to dinner, so I can show you." Xiao Bao readily took off the jade pendant and gave it to her.
Ye Yaoyao took it and examined it closely. The pattern on it was a twining vine pattern, with vines intertwined and continuous, symbolizing endless life, which is not uncommon.
From what I understand, this person is either rich or noble. After examining the jade pendant, Ye Yaoyao returned it to Xiaobao.
Are you new to the Holy Capital?
"Yes, young lady, my surname is Li. I came here from Yongzhou to visit relatives. I just arrived in the city today," the man replied.
Seeing that they looked travel-worn, Ye Yaoyao nodded, "The restaurant originally offered a month of free meals as a prize, but I'll give you cash instead."
"Fuling, go and fetch five hundred taels of silver notes and some loose silver."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Young lady, we haven't been of much help, you don't need to spend money."
Upon hearing that they were to be given five hundred taels of silver, the man was filled with surprise and quickly waved his hand to refuse.
"You don't need to feel burdened. Merchants keep their promises, and restaurants can't go back on their word."
Ye Yaoyao smiled and handed over the silver.
"Thank you very much!"
The man gratefully accepted it and left with his wife and children.
Qin Jingyu drew a picture of the jade pendant and handed it to Lian Jin.
"Investigate thoroughly in Yongzhou and the surrounding area."
"Yes, master."
Qin Jingyu picked up his brush again and began to draw phoenix tail flowers. He only drew simple lines and did not add color. He put down his brush and looked at the painting in silence.
Qin Jingyu picked up his brush again and began to draw phoenix tail flowers on the paper. His movements were fluid and natural, and the lines he drew were simple and powerful. Although he had not added color, one could vaguely see the shape and charm of the phoenix tail flowers.
After finishing the painting, he gazed at it quietly, lost in thought, his brow furrowed slightly, as if pondering some important question.
What did the handsome man discover?
Ye Yaoyao had just seen the family off when she turned around and saw Qin Jingyu with a slightly furrowed brow, which aroused a sense of curiosity in her heart.
"come over!"
"Did you find something?"
Ye Yaoyao walked quickly to his side, her gaze falling on the painting in front of her. A strange sense of familiarity welled up in her heart, but she couldn't remember where she had seen it before.
"This picture... I feel like I've seen it somewhere before."
My mind kept racing, trying to remember where I'd seen it before.
"My mother likes this pattern. I didn't even know it was a phoenix tail flower."
When he first saw the phoenix tail flower, he felt it was somewhat familiar, so he casually drew a few strokes and made some slight changes. To his surprise, it turned out to be exactly the same as the pattern that Consort Xi liked.
"Ah! The Imperial Palace, I've seen it in Consort Xi's palace."
Upon hearing his words, Ye Yaoyao's eyes suddenly lit up, and she recalled seeing this pattern on Consort Xi's bed when she went to rescue Ye Xiyao.
"Your Highness, how could you not know about the phoenix tail flower?"
“My mother passed away after giving birth to me. My father was heartbroken and sealed off everything related to her. I was young at the time and didn’t know much.”
[The late emperor's actions seem understandable; no wonder Consort Xi's palace became a forbidden area.]
"Did the palace ever grow phoenix tail flowers when Consort Xi was alive?"
Qin Jingyu's gaze was deep as he slowly said, "I don't know. Since Mother Consort likes this pattern, she may have grown phoenix tail flowers."
"Then, could we try to find out from Consort Xi's former associates?"
Qin Jingyu shook his head: "My mother passed away early, and the people who served her in Yuexin Palace have disappeared without a trace."
"Ah! Whereabouts unknown?" Ye Yaoyao's eyes widened, sensing that something was wrong.
Why have the servants disappeared? Is there some hidden story behind Consort Xi's death?
“When I was young, my father told me that if my mother hadn’t died, she would have been a good mother. She was most beautiful when she smiled. I look like my mother. My father never mentioned anything else to me.”
A hint of confusion appeared in Qin Jingyu's eyes. He knew he was indifferent by nature and had no curiosity about his birth mother, so he never asked her about it.
Looking back now, it seems that there was a secret hidden within.
“My maternal grandparents rarely mention my mother in front of me.”
Qin Jingyu frowned slightly, his doubts deepening.
Qin Jingyu's maternal family, the Xiao family, had been arranged to go to Yunmengze long ago. The head of the family was his maternal uncle, and the Xiao family head treated him with great care and rarely mentioned Consort Xi.
Qin Jingyu wrote a letter and had it sent to Yunmengze, hoping that finding the Phoenix Tail Flower would help him better understand his birth mother.
Since Xue Ruoxue and her daughter went to court, their lives have been gloomy and miserable. Their shop's business has plummeted and no one is interested in it anymore.
"Mother, what should we do?" Ye Yuanru asked cautiously.
Xue Ruoxue glared at Ye Yuanru fiercely, her face full of anger at his lack of ambition.
"It's all your fault that someone found fault with you. You've learned your lesson this time."
"Yes, yes, I know I was wrong." Ye Yuanru lowered her head and admitted her mistake.
"During this time, you should cultivate your character and spend more time with Princess Chang Le. Your father intends for you to become the Crown Prince in the future."
"The royal family is far more prestigious than even the families of meritorious officials. Daughter, I have already hired someone to teach you court etiquette. You must study diligently."
Xue Ruoxue spoke with a smile, her eyes sparkling with anticipation for a bright future.
“Mother, doesn’t the Crown Prince already have a Crown Princess? She’s the Prime Minister’s daughter, and I…”
Ye Yuanru gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her voice tinged with trepidation.
"Silly daughter, so what if you become the Crown Princess? As long as you win the Crown Prince's favor, who can say what the future holds?"
Xue Ruoxue didn't care much; her eyes were full of calculation.
"But Mother, didn't you say that I can't be a mistress or a concubine?"
"The Crown Prince will inherit the throne in the future. He is not from an ordinary family, and any member of his family can surpass the wives of his ministers."
"I never dared to dream of this before, but now that I have the chance, my daughter, I want you to become someone of high standing."
Xue Ruoxue's tone was firm, as if she could already see her daughter's bright future.
"But, Mother, I feel I'm not blessed enough," Ye Yuanru said softly, her head lowered.
“Yes, I did. When you were a month old, your mother held you and had a fortune teller calculate your destiny. He said you were destined for great wealth and honor. I told you that, have you forgotten?”
Xue Ruoxue lived in the shadows, unable to see the light of day, and placed all her hopes on her children.
Ye Yuanru knew she couldn't refuse this, but someone had already taken up residence in her heart, so she couldn't help feeling somewhat unwilling.
"But...but the women who catch the eye of the royal family all come from extraordinary backgrounds, we..."
Ye Yuanru's voice grew softer and softer, and her head drooped down.
"Your older brother is about to become the top scholar in the imperial examination. From now on, you two siblings will support each other. Just listen to your mother."