After the eldest sister-in-law of a fishing family became a widow, her disabled younger brother-in-l

Chapter 308 Your Majesty, aren't you going?

Jiang Yuyue was taken aback by these words. She hadn't expected Jiang Huanxi to be so thoughtful. Thinking that what he said did make some sense, she didn't insist any further.

The meal ended after Jiang Huanxi's persistent pleading. Although he had been trying to persuade Jiang Yuyue to stay a few more days, Jiang Yuyue, unusually, rejected his request. Under Yueying's eager gaze, she finally boarded the carriage back to the capital.

She had been having a rather leisurely time these past few days, but she felt something was missing without the two voices, one loud and one soft. Just thinking about seeing Mo'er and Song Jinglan soon made Jiang Yuyue's lips involuntarily curl up.

With nothing to do on the road, Jiang Yuyue chatted idly with Yueying, who was driving the carriage outside, and took the opportunity to ask about Song Jinglan's whereabouts these past few days.

"Has he been waiting impatiently these past few days?"

The "he" in this context naturally refers to Song Jinglan. Although Yueying received messages every day urging him to urge Jiang Yuyue to return to the palace as soon as possible, how could he possibly reveal his master's secrets under such circumstances?

"Of course not."

Knowing her master's temperament well, Yueying helped him lie without thinking, "Master only told me to protect you, and didn't say anything else."

He didn't say much? Jiang Yuyue didn't believe his story.

Thinking that she should at least save face for Song Jinglan in front of the servants, Jiang Yuyue didn't ask any more questions. The carriage sped along and soon entered the gates of the capital.

As they passed a pastry shop, the familiar aroma drew them to a stop in the carriage.

Having been away from the palace for so long, she naturally couldn't return empty-handed. Song Jinglan would surely be somewhat dissatisfied with her being gone for so long, so she had to buy something to appease him.

Seeing that she was heading towards the pastry shop, Yueying said, "Miss Jiang, why don't you wait in the carriage and I'll go buy it for you?"

Jiang Yuyue waved her hand and declined his offer. Of course, she had to buy the apology and coaxing gift herself to show her sincerity. Otherwise, if Song Jinglan was persistent, she didn't know how much more he would torment her.

The pastry shop was clearly doing very well, with a long queue of customers already forming at the entrance. Jiang Yuyue wasn't in a hurry, patiently joining the line and slowly moving forward with the flow of people.

While she was idly looking around in line, she suddenly spotted a very familiar figure on the side of the road.

Is it... Pei Jingchuan?

Jiang Yuyue had not seen him since the fake marriage. Now, he had clearly taken her words to heart. At this moment, a beautiful woman stood beside him, shyly holding his arm, while Pei Jingchuan gently inserted a newly bought hairpin into her hair.

He seemed to notice Jiang Yuyue's gaze, turned his head and immediately met her eyes. Seeing that she was actually there, Pei Jingchuan's smile froze.

Over the years, whether Jiang Yuyue sought justice for her family, faked her death, or even arranged a fake marriage, she never contacted him. Even though Pei Jingchuan didn't want to give up, he gradually came to realize the cruel reality that in Jiang Yuyue's heart, he was indeed worthless.

Moreover, the news of Jiang Yuyue becoming empress was widely known, and he was naturally aware of it. On that day in court, he personally witnessed how Song Jinglan overcame all opposition to make Jiang Yuyue empress. Although he was unwilling, he was also very self-aware. Knowing that Jiang Yuyue had no feelings for him, he would not foolishly try to compete with the current emperor for a woman.

Can……

A hint of hesitation flashed across Pei Jingchuan's face. But now that Jiang Yuyue was the Empress, could it be that something had happened between her and that person?

This rekindled a glimmer of hope in Pei Jingchuan's heart. Just as he was about to step forward, he suddenly noticed the gloomy gaze of a guard-like man not far away.

Jiang Yuyue, however, did not notice his complex emotional fluctuations. To her, Pei Jingchuan was just an acquaintance, and there was no other relationship between them. Although the two had some unpleasantness before, those things were just the past and she no longer cared. Rather, she was happy for Pei Jingchuan to have a new person by his side.

Seeing Pei Jingchuan staring blankly at her, Jiang Yuyue simply nodded slightly to him in greeting. Just then, she reached the shop entrance, selected a few pastries to pack, and boarded the carriage.

The woman beside Pei Jingchuan noticed him staring blankly in one direction and gently shook his arm, asking softly, "Pei Lang? What's wrong with you?"

Hearing this, Pei Jingchuan finally came to his senses, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, but he quickly covered it up, shaking his head and pretending to be nonchalant, "It's nothing."

Meanwhile, in the palace, as soon as Jiang Yuyue entered the gates of the capital, Song Jinglan received the news.

"Your Majesty, the Empress's carriage has arrived in the capital and will enter the palace shortly."

Upon hearing Jixiang's words, Song Jinglan, who was in the Imperial Study, subtly raised the corners of his lips, but quickly regained his composure. Thinking that Jiang Yuyue had been gone for so long, he felt quite unhappy. Even though he was happy about her return, he still decided to put on an act.

"understood."

Song Jinglan's expression remained calm and composed. He simply said, "I still have state affairs to attend to. Since the Empress has returned, let her rest well and tell her she doesn't need to come over."

Jixiang paused slightly upon hearing this. Her master inquired about the Empress's movements five or six times a day, wishing she could go to the water town to accompany her. But now that the Empress had returned, she was deliberately acting distant.

"Cough cough."

Jixiang still pretended to ask, "Your Majesty, the young prince is already waiting at the palace gate. Your Majesty...aren't you going?"

"Don't go."

Song Jinglan answered decisively, and seeing this, Jixiang did not ask any more questions and slowly withdrew from the Imperial Study.

As for Jiang Qimo, upon hearing that Jiang Yuyue was coming back, he took Jasmine's hand and waited at the palace gate. As soon as the carriage slowly came to a stop, he immediately rushed forward.

"Mother!"

Jiang Qimo threw himself into Jiang Yuyue's arms, snuggling against her affectionately, and looked up at her with a somewhat aggrieved expression.

"Why did Mother take so long to leave? She didn't even take Mo'er with her. Mo'er thought Mother didn't want me anymore!"