Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 478

“Aren’t you an immortal being? If not for you, my grandfather may not have lived on for so many years…”

The old doctor was overwhelmed by Gu Ye’s colorful boasts, so he quickly interrupted him, saying helplessly, “I know, let me study for a few days… Anyway, I will tinker with it for you as soon as possible.”

Gu Ye halted, then hopped off the stool and expressed his gratitude. “Then it’s all up to you.”

Seeing him so obedient, the old doctor couldn’t be reluctant. As soon as he put the chopsticks down, he immersed himself in the pharmacy once again.

 …… 

Gu Ye spent the first few days in the Xiefang Hall, and naturally, he also had the evening meal in Kunning Palace. The Emperor and Empress were in harmony, and he accompanied Empress Zhou for three meals. If one put aside the palace environment, the family’s lifestyle was no different from that of ordinary people in the market.

Emperor Zhengyuan appreciated this kind of atmosphere and allowed the palace servants in Kunning Palace to forget the strict etiquette observed in other places. One day, after finishing class, Gu Ye and Lu Zhao, the two brothers, returned holding hands.

Empress Zhou was sitting on the bed by the window, engrossed in needlework. When she saw the two brothers, a gentle smile adorned her face. Gu Ye first carried Lu Zhao onto the bed and then sat down next to him, advising her, “Why are you still doing needlework at this hour? The sky is dark, so pay attention to your eyes.”

Empress Zhou heeded his advice and put the needlework in the basket. She had someone bring two small bowls of plum soup for them to drink and explained, “It’s summer, and I’m thinking about making a shirt for the two of you.”

Naturally, in the palace, there were also embroidery maids, but the mother made clothes for her sons not just with skill but also with a caring heart.

Gu Ye took a sip of the plum soup and suggested, “You should start with Ah Zhao’s shirt first, and when you’re done, you can do mine, so there is no need to worry about it.”

At that moment, Lu Zhao chimed in, “No, make brother’s first.”

It had been a while since he visited Wenhua Palace. Although Lu Zhao was still not as articulate as Lu Xu of his age, he could express himself more effectively now.

In the past, Lu Zhao was very lonely and wished to occupy all of Empress Zhou’s attention and care, but him making such a statement genuinely surprised her.

Gu Ye also looked at him encouragingly, and then he continued, “I learned recently, Kong Rong gave away pears!” (This idiom is from a story where Kong Rong gave all the better pears his father bought to his siblings.)

Empress Zhou and Gu Ye immediately applauded and praised him. 

Lu Zhao’s pride swelled. Later, Empress Zhou suggested having the wet nurse take him back to wash his face and change clothes. However, he insisted, “No, I’ll do it by myself!” Then he ran to his bedroom. 

Empress Zhou glanced at the wet nurse, who naturally followed.Gu Ye went back to Xiefang Hall to change his clothes after coming out of Wenhua Hall and before going there. Therefore, Empress Zhou didn’t let him move at this time. Instead, she asked the palace servant to wet a veil with well water and then took it to wipe his face.

Gu Ye explained while she was wiping his face, “This kid is always arguing with Ah Xu, and they were arguing again today. Ah Xu said he’s a baby girl, as he needs a wet nurse to follow him, and he goes back to live with his mother. So Ah Zhao called him bad and pushed him.”

That explains why Lu Zhao didn’t want a wet nurse to serve him.

Empress Zhou was not angry at that but she couldn’t help but worry a little. “Then Ah Xu…”

Gu Ye smiled and said, “It’s fine; that kid doesn’t hold grudges. Later, I intervened, and they spoke. When they talked, they didn’t fight. Now that Ah Zhao and I are back, Feng Yu is with Ah Xu, and he will be able to coax him in a while.”

Empress Zhou nodded reassuringly. She asked Gu Ye again, “Then what do you think of letting our Ah Zhao live in Xiefang Hall?”

Gu Ye’s eyes lit up. “It’s naturally good. Don’t worry, mother, I’m there.” 

“With you there, there’s nothing to worry about. Just don’t worry about it too much. Even though you’re an older brother, if Ah Zhao treats you badly, you can come back and tell me. I will spank his little ass.”

Gu Ye smilingly nodded.

The mother and son continued to gossip and chat, and suddenly Gu Ye asked, “Empress Mother, father is not here, can I ask you something?”

He specifically mentioned Emperor Zhengyuan, obviously intending to talk about him.

Empress Zhou asked the palace servants to step back and then said, “We are mother and son. You can say anything if you have something on your mind.”

“In another two months, my adoptive parents will have a wedding. My uncle is very thoughtful. He prepared a bride’s gift, and there was a certificate written by him in it, pledging that my adoptive mother will be his only woman for the rest of his life. My adoptive mother was very happy when she found out…” As he said this, Gu Ye carefully looked at Empress Zhou’s face.

Empress Zhou was not naive, and she understood what he was asking in a subtle manner.