Extra 3

"Now that Queen Mother has arrived, my heart can finally be at ease." Roujia gently leaned into her mother's embrace, her voice choked with emotion. "I never thought our family of three would have the chance to reunite again..."

The autumn wind was cool. Their Queen Mother had finally come to the capital. Bairen went out of the city to welcome her. She had just arrived at the King's manor in the afternoon, and before dusk, Roujia had already brought the child to see her.

"It's all thanks to your brother's capabilities..." Their Queen Mother's eyes also reddened. She kept caressing Roujia's face, repeatedly asking, "How is your mother-in-law? How is your husband? How is the child?"

Roujia kept nodding, "They are all well. Your son-in-law is outside talking with Bairen. In a moment, let him come in to pay his respects to you, Mother. Quickly, let the wet nurse bring the child over..."

The wet nurse brought the child over to greet the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother couldn't stop smiling, "Let me hold him... Oh my, he's grown so much already..."

The child was sound asleep and didn't wake even when the Queen Mother held him. He didn't cry or fuss at all, looking pitiful and adorable. The Queen Mother laughed softly, "Don't they say nephews resemble their uncles? This little nose and eyes, he looks just like a miniature of the King..."

Roujia nodded with a smile, "Indeed. Last month during the Qiqiao Festival banquet at the palace, I brought our son along. The Emperor also said this child looks exactly like Bairen. His Majesty, usually so stern, even smiled upon seeing our son and held him affectionately, bestowing many gifts..."

The smile on the Queen Mother's face stiffened for a moment. She nodded and said with a laugh, "Yes, such a wonderful child, who wouldn't adore him..."

Roujia, having navigated the circles of noble ladies in the capital for several years, was no longer the naive maiden she once was. Noticing the Queen Mother's reaction, she instantly understood her worries. Regretting her careless words, she forced a smile, "Mm... I was too impulsive. Just because Princess Dunsu said the Emperor liked this child, I brought him along. Thinking carefully, it was indeed improper of me."

The Queen Mother shook her head with a smile, "I'm not blaming you for this. You all go out first. I need to speak with the Princess..."

The others took their leave. The Queen Mother carefully placed the child on the side of the couch, gently patting his little tummy. Lowering her voice, she said, "About the matter between the King and the Emperor... I had some inkling of it when we were in the south. Tell me honestly, what is the situation now?"

Roujia dared not conceal anything. She softly relayed everything she knew, looking distressed, "Sometimes when I think about it, I also feel it's not good. Several times I wanted to hint at it to Bairen, but... Mother knows, how can one bring up such matters?"

The Queen Mother sighed, "I understand your difficult position. I'm not blaming you. That child has always been headstrong. How could you dissuade him? Even I... can't say much."

"Still in mourning, and unable to speak of marriage, I tried bringing up other families' marital affairs to your brother a few times, but he always remained indifferent. There was a period when I really couldn't stand it anymore. I couldn't help but tell your husband, asking him to think of a solution. Who would have thought..."

Roujia's eyes held both gratification and worry, "Your husband, upon hearing it, showed not the slightest surprise. He only told me to pay attention to the jade pendant the Emperor wears the next time I enter the palace."

The Queen Mother's eyes flashed. Roujia continued, "I didn't understand his meaning. Coincidentally, not many days later, the Emperor bestowed favor again. I went to the palace to express thanks and had the fortune of seeing His Majesty. I took a careful look... The jade pendant the Emperor wore at his waist was actually his life token. I recognized that piece of jade - wasn't it the one you gave to brother before, Mother?"

The Queen Mother smiled bitterly, "No wonder... After your brother returned to Lingnan, I noticed his life token was only half and understood a little. I thought he had taken a fancy to some young lady here. I never imagined it would be..."

Roujia frowned, "Would be what?"

The Queen Mother shook her head without answering.

Roujia sighed, "I went back and told your husband, asking him what should be done. But he laughed and asked, now that the two of them are like this, what more can be done? I was so anxious, yet he was at ease. I was so angry I pummeled him. Afterwards, he pulled me aside and earnestly talked through the night, all sorts of principles. I didn't understand most of it, but I did grasp one thing..."

Roujia looked at the Queen Mother, "If brother was being coerced by that person, then we should fight tooth and nail for justice, even at the cost of our family and lives. But it just so happens..."

The Queen Mother smiled wryly, picking up where she trailed off, "It just so happens that your brother is completely willing."

"You didn't see how he was in Lingnan that half year, you wouldn't know. He really frightened me." Speaking of past events, the Queen Mother couldn't help but lament, "As soon as he woke, he would go to the front, personally handling matters big and small in the fief. At night, he could barely eat a few bites before entering the study. Once he started reviewing documents, he would be at it past midnight.

"No matter how I tried to persuade him, he wouldn't listen, only saying he can't make mistakes as a new ruler. How could I not see that he had worries on his mind? Thinking back to how the Emperor violated orders to let him leave the southern frontier, I more or less understood everything. Sigh..."

Roujia nodded, "Mother, you may not know... These past few years, the Emperor has always shown grace to me and your son-in-law. I know in my heart that His Majesty is actually looking out for brother. Just from daily observations... There is nothing bad to say about how the Emperor treats brother. Mother, perhaps you should also put your heart at ease like I have..."

The Queen Mother sighed, "What use is there in not putting my heart at ease? Seeing the King in such good spirits now, if I were to put on airs as an elder and obstruct them, wouldn't I just be deliberately harming him? Forget it, forget it. I'll just pretend I don't know."

Roujia was very happy for her mother to come to the capital this time, but she was worried that this would interfere with Bairen and Qi Xiao's affairs. Now seeing that her mother had come to terms with it, Roujia felt much more at ease.

She smiled and said, "As for the rest, Mother can rest assured. That person is quite fearsome because of previous events. Now that younger brother stays in the palace every day, apart from a few short-sighted censors who said a few extra words at the beginning, no one dares to talk about this anymore. I heard that previously there was a palace maid who couldn't keep her mouth shut. She gossiped with a young palace maid, saying very unpleasant things about younger brother. It's not good to learn from Mother, so I won't say it. Who knew that person would find out about it right away? That person..."

Roujia subconsciously glanced at the child, and seeing the little one sleeping soundly, she leaned in close to the Queen Mother's ear and whispered softly about how Qi Xiao dealt with that palace maid. Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother's hair stood on end. "I've long heard that the current emperor has a strong grip, but I never thought, never thought... Oh my, if there's such a thing in the future, don't tell me about it. I can't bear to hear it..."

"My fault, my fault, I won't say it again in the future." Roujia softly comforted, "Mother, don't dwell on that matter. Just from this, you can see how much that person protects younger brother. With this example, who would dare to say an extra word?"

The Queen Mother, having just recovered from the shock, shook her head and said, "Who would be so foolish? They wouldn't dare to speak carelessly. Sigh... Actually, it's not good either. People always say that if those in high positions are too ruthless, it's easy for those below to harbor resentment."

Roujia found it amusing that the Queen Mother was compassionate and said, "Mother, those words are wrong. If someone as kind and gentle as Mother sits in that position, it would be easier for things to go wrong. Moreover, that person has done what he should do, and has done it much better than the previous one.

"I occasionally hear your son-in-law mention that that person is very capable in court politics and state affairs. It's only been a few months since he ascended the throne, and he has already put everything in order. As long as he does what he should do well, and the country is prosperous and the people are at peace, who would still harbor resentment?"

The Queen Mother shook her head and said softly, "I don't understand these things... Rou'er, the Emperor has a bad temper, and I'm sure it's not easy for your younger brother. You and your son-in-law must be careful in all matters and never cause any trouble that would put your younger brother in a difficult position."

Roujia repeatedly promised, "Mother can rest assured. My husband is now the Emperor's secretary, and every day he only drafts edicts. The Emperor trusts him very much, and he also knows how to advance. He never gets involved in any crooked or skewed matters. As for me..."

Roujia smiled, "Mother knows my temperament even better. I only want to keep to my own little corner of the world and live a good life with my husband and child. Even if some lady or madam outside asks me to do something for them, I just play dumb. Fortunately, they don't dare to offend me. After a few times of seeing that I don't respond, they just give up."

The Queen Mother felt relieved and gently patted Roujia's hand, saying with satisfaction, "You have always been a worry-free child. I also heard that the Emperor wanted to bestow a large manor on you before, but you declined it."

Roujia lowered her eyes and smiled, "I'm not unaware of why the Emperor is promoting me, but forget it. Firstly, I'm afraid your son-in-law would feel uncomfortable. Secondly, I don't want people to point fingers at younger brother and say that he alone has achieved the Dao, and our whole family has ascended to heaven with him."

The Queen Mother couldn't stop laughing, "Silly child, who says such things..."

Seeing her daughter being so sensible, the Queen Mother felt much more at ease. She continued to talk with Roujia in a gentle voice for half a day. Roujia remembered that the Queen Mother had wanted to say something earlier but hesitated, so she couldn't help but ask, "Mother, you said earlier that you initially thought younger brother had taken a liking to some family's young lady, but then it turned out to be... What did Mother mean by this?"

The Queen Mother paused for a moment and sighed, "Forget it, I'm not afraid to tell you now. Do you still remember your cousin Cen Chaoge, the son of the former Minister of Rites?"

"Of course I remember." Roujia nodded, "He used to be very close with younger brother. They were inseparable all day long. What happened?"

The Queen Mother smiled bitterly, "What else could it be? It's also this kind of thing."

Roujia was shocked and exclaimed, "How come I didn't see it before? Then... how did it end? Younger brother is not the kind of person who looks at this mountain and thinks that mountain is higher."

The Queen Mother shook her head, "I'm not sure exactly how it happened. I only know that at that time, the Prince was close with the young master of the Cen family. But now, seeing his appearance with that person, the little things from before don't really matter anymore."

Roujia secretly thought, no wonder Mother could so easily tolerate the matter between Bairen and the Emperor. It turns out there was something before... Roujia thought for a moment and said, "How is Chaoge doing now? We often played together when we were young, but I haven't seen him since."

The Queen Mother sighed softly, "Not very well... He hasn't even finished the mourning period yet, but he already had something going on with a young lady from our place. Unfortunately, the news got out. The young lady's family was so angry that they came to the door to demand an explanation. Your aunt was scared to death.

"Whether to marry or not to marry, she didn't know what to do, so she came to me for help. I had no idea what to do either. Fortunately, Granny Yan went to the Cen Mansion and scolded them a few times. The two families discussed and agreed to hold the engagement after the mourning period was over. They also agreed that the betrothal gifts should be generous, and half of the betrothal gifts should be given first. Your aunt knew she was in the wrong, so she had to agree."

Roujia frowned, "But... Mother just said that Chaoge is the same as younger brother, so how can he get married?"

The Queen Mother smiled tolerantly, "You silly child, do you think everyone is as stubborn as your younger brother?"

Roujia smiled self-deprecatingly, "In that case, so be it. Although it doesn't look very good, at least it's settled."

"It's not that simple." Thinking of this, the Queen Mother had a headache. "I originally thought there was no problem, but who knew that after a few days, Chaoge came to pay his respects to me and asked me awkwardly if this engagement could be called off."

Roujia was stunned.

The Queen Mother continued, "I was angry at the time too, so I asked him, you've already ruined the reputation of a good girl, and now you want to break off the engagement. It may be fine for you, but what about that girl's future? If this were in the imperial city, in those strict and prestigious families, they would have drowned such a daughter in a pond, only telling outsiders that the girl had passed away from illness in order to preserve the family's reputation. And now, with a mere few words, you want to call off the engagement. Let's not even talk about whether this is fair to your widowed mother who has been managing everything for you at home. First and foremost, this is unfair to that girl."

Roujia sighed in amazement, "I remember Chaoge was very sensible when he was young. Among us children, he had the best temper and was the most gentle. How did he become like this now..."

"You weren't wrong about him. He still has a good temper and a gentle disposition now. But while this was fine when he was a child, it's not okay for a grown man to only be mild-mannered. How can he support his own family like this? Your younger brother and him..." The Queen Mother found it difficult to continue. She pursed her lips and said softly, "It's probably because he lacks a sense of responsibility."

Roujia's heart softened, thinking how pitiful that girl was. She kept asking, "Then what? How did it end up in the end?"

The Queen Mother said quietly, "I scolded him for a while, then coaxed him nicely. He did agree to stop making a fuss, but still seemed very reluctant. When I asked him why he suddenly changed his mind, didn't he really like that girl before? Guess what he said?"

Roujia tightly clutched her handkerchief and asked softly, "What did he say?"

The Queen Mother didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "He complained to me... saying that after the girl went back, she frequently wrote him letters. One moment she talked about how she would arrange their house after the wedding, the next she wanted him to swear to love only her, and then she asked him to paint and write poetry for her.

"At first he thought the girl was quite talented, but now he doesn't think so at all and just finds it troublesome. Sigh... it's true that the girl is a bit disrespectful, but isn't married life just like this? I tried to persuade him again, saying that if the girl still doesn't settle down after marrying, I'll go talk to her for him. He agreed with his head hanging low. But after a while, he suddenly asked about Bairen again."

Roujia's eyes widened, "Could it be that he still hasn't forgotten younger brother?"

The Queen Mother nodded wearily, "Looks like it... He regrets it now, thinking that your younger brother was better after all and not so troublesome. To put it bluntly, Chaoge is just used to being a young master and can't bear any hardship."

Roujia laughed, "Who doesn't want to be a young lady forever, who doesn't want to be a young master forever? It's fine to say this when you're young, but to still have no sense of responsibility at this age, that's really..."

The Princess nodded, "Your aunt is also worried. But maybe... it will get better once they're married."

"Let's hope so." Roujia was quite content. "Now that you say this, I'd rather have younger brother be with that person. It's still better than someone who can't be the head of a household."

The Queen Mother tried to find some consolation, "That's true."

Just then, they heard that Qi Xiao and the son-in-law had arrived outside. The Queen Mother quickly stopped talking and smiled, letting them come in...