Shi Aohan had to swallow her anger but was helpless. If she made a fuss and Lu Wanning insisted on accusing her of disrespecting the Empress Dowager, it would do her no good.
However, she was still quite unwilling. Moreover, she had to continue mourning with such a swollen and red face.
The Queen was startled when she saw Shi Aohan's appearance. Frowning, she asked in a low voice, "Where have you been?"
Shi Aohan was filled with emotions. Sure enough, those who were not the Queen's own children were treated differently. Yesterday, when Lu Wanning was crying so bitterly, although the Queen didn't like her, she still hugged and comforted her for a long time. Now her face was so swollen, but the Queen didn't ask who had bullied her, only where she had been.
Gritting her teeth, she said in a low voice, "I accidentally met the Princess of Zhaoyang. She... without asking the truth, just..."
The Queen looked disgusted. "I've told you many times not to provoke her. Now that the Empress Dowager has passed away, she's in a bad mood. Why did you have to provoke her? Forget it. It doesn't matter if you're here or not. Go to Guanjugong Palace first."
Shi Aohan felt aggrieved. At this moment, it was a time to compete in showing grief. Although the Emperor was not present, several of his personal eunuchs were here, keeping an eye on the court officials. They would surely report to the Emperor later.
If she fainted from crying later, maybe she could gain the Emperor's favor.
But since the Queen had given the order, she didn't dare not to obey. So she returned to Guanjugong Palace reluctantly.
Because the Emperor was grief - stricken, he ordered the court officials and their wives to enter the palace to mourn for three days. When the guard was not so strict at night, they could take a nap on the spot. It was cold at night in spring. The female relatives huddled together for warmth without any scruples, while the men had to endure it stubbornly.
Lu Wanning specially returned to Shoukang Palace to get thick cloaks. She gave one to her eldest sister - in - law and one to Jiang Shishi. Although she really wanted to give one to the Princess, she was afraid of others' gossip. If someone reported it later, Lu Hongxi would be in trouble again.
She didn't wear a cloak herself and nestled with the Princess.
The Wei family waved to her in a low voice. "Ning'er, come to sister - in - law. The clothes are big. We can huddle together."
Lu Wanning shook her head. "Sister - in - law, don't worry about me. I'm with mother. I'm not cold."
On the second night, it got better. The concubines would let their family members or female friends go to their palaces to rest, and the court officials could also rest in the wind - proof places in the halls.
The Queen didn't send someone to invite the Princess. Lu Wanning asked someone to help the Princess and the Wei family go to Shoukang Palace. She also asked the small kitchen to cook hot plain noodles.
After only eating dry cakes for two days, eating something hot was really comfortable.
Lu Wanning carried the food box and went to deliver food to Lu Hongxi.
The Princess quickly grabbed her. "Ning'er, the Emperor refuses to return to his bedroom. He will keep vigil with the court officials tonight. If you go there like this and the Emperor sees you, it won't be good."
Lu Wanning still carried the food box into the hall. But she didn't go to Lu Hongxi's side. Instead, she walked all the way to the Emperor's side, knelt down, took out the noodles and presented them in front of the Emperor.
The Emperor's face was pale. The court officials could secretly eat some dry rations to cope, but the Emperor really hadn't eaten for two days and one night.
"I can't eat. Zhaoyang, you eat it yourself."
"Your Majesty is the lord of the country and the pillar of all the people in the Great Zhou. Zhaoyang doesn't know what else to say but just wants to say 'please mourn properly'. If Your Majesty falls ill because of this, how can the Empress Dowager rest in peace?"
Lu Wanning picked up the noodles with chopsticks and presented them in front of the Emperor. Seeing that he didn't open his mouth, she said again, "Even if you can't eat much, eat a little."
The eunuch beside quickly said, "Your Majesty, the Princess's filial piety is obvious. Your Majesty, eat a little."
Only then did the Emperor open his mouth and eat the noodles. This mouthful made him come to his senses. Originally, he had no appetite because of grief, but now he felt he could eat a little.
He took the bowl and chopsticks and ate up a bowl of plain noodles. Then he looked at Lu Wanning. Seeing the clear look in the girl's eyes, his heart softened. "My Zhaoyang has grown up."
Lu Wanning lowered her head and said in a low voice, "If I could have grown up earlier..."
The Emperor reached out and stroked her head. Then he turned around and said, "Tell the kitchen to serve a bowl of plain noodles to everyone in the hall."
Lu Wanning handed the food box to the palace maid, got up and withdrew. Then she walked to Lu Hanchi's side and said in a low voice, "Brother, when the plain noodles come, please persuade father to eat a little."
The hall was quiet. The Lu family was close to the Emperor. Even though Lu Wanning's voice was very low, the Emperor still heard clearly.
He turned to look at Lu Hongxi. Seeing Lu Hongxi's vicissitudinous appearance, he couldn't help but speak. "Cousin, Zhaoyang is right. If you ruin your health, the Empress Dowager will be sad."
Lu Hongxi reacted a bit slowly. After a long time, he prostrated himself and began to cry loudly.
The Emperor's eyes turned red. He didn't persuade anymore and also began to cry. Seeing this, the court officials in the hall didn't dare to rest. They all knelt down and cried.
Lu Wanning didn't stay. She didn't want to return to Shoukang Palace either. So she simply stayed by the Thousand - Carp Pond near the Imperial Garden. According to the original owner's memory, when the Empress Dowager was in good health, she liked to watch the fish in the Thousand - Carp Pond and often sat there for a whole day. At that time, the original owner was young and playful and always thought it was extremely boring.
At night, the light by the Thousand - Carp Pond was dim, and one couldn't see the fish in the pond clearly. Lu Wanning wasn't here to watch the fish. She sat on the bench beside.
There were many benches around the Thousand - Carp Pond because the Empress Dowager liked it. So the previous Emperor ordered that benches and cool pavilions be installed nearby for the Empress Dowager to rest at any time.
At this moment, many noble ladies were resting nearby. Although it wasn't as warm as in the hall, at least it wasn't so restrictive, and people could relax a bit.
Before long, a palace maid came over and explained carefully, "Princess, this bench is broken and hasn't been repaired yet."
No wonder no one was sitting on this bench. Lu Wanning stood up.
The palace maid said again, "Your servant will go and carry a bench for the Princess."
Lu Wanning shook her head. "No need. I'm going back soon. You go and do your work."
She walked aimlessly into the nearby woods. The Imperial Garden should have been surrounded by flowers, but because the Empress Dowager liked it, the previous Emperor changed it into an orchard. Perhaps the previous Emperor and the Empress Dowager were very much in love at that time.
But even though they were so in love, the Emperor still had several half - brothers.
Lu Wanning didn't know what she was daydreaming about. She just walked forward slowly. After walking for a while, when she looked up, there was a man in a black robe in front of her, as if he was waiting for her on purpose.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince looked at her casually. "Get up."
Lu Wanning got up and didn't want to say much. She planned to walk in another direction.
"Zhaoyang, yesterday, did you attack Shi Aohan?"
So, he came to stand up for Shi Aohan? Lu Wanning sneered inwardly. In the book, the Crown Prince didn't have much talent, but with the couple of Fu Rongxuan and Shi Aohan to offer advice for him, he managed to outshine the King of Yu.
"She disrespected the Empress Dowager."
The Crown Prince said coldly, "She is now the adopted daughter of the Queen, so she is also my younger sister. Let it go for the past. In the future, Zhaoyang, you mustn't be so reckless and bully anyone you like."
Lu Wanning was stunned for a moment, then raised her eyebrows and smiled. "Your Highness's younger sister? Has the Emperor recognized her?"