Leng Ruo Li: "..."
"Speaking like this, it's only natural to kowtow to our mother. Did I say I was unwilling?"
After Leng Ruo Li finished speaking, she rolled her eyes at Jun Mohan.
The Emperor, who was behind them, heard the conversation between the King of Leng and his consort and showed a look of relief.
"Exactly, you brat, don't talk nonsense!"
The Emperor suddenly turned around, his sharp eyes glaring at Jun Mohan.
Hearing this, Jun Mohan pouted a little aggrievedly. In front of his father and imperial grandmother, he didn't feel like their own son and grandson. Instead, he felt like his consort was the one who was truly related to their old Leng family.
"Jun Mohan, what are you spacing out for? Let's go kowtow to mother."
Leng Ruo Li tugged at Jun Mohan's sleeve to remind him.
Jun Mohan nodded, and walked with Leng Ruo Li to the portrait of Zi Yi Yun. The two of them bowed respectfully and kowtowed twice.
Then, Leng Ruo Li and Jun Mohan stood up and tidied their clothes.
At this moment, the Emperor finally sighed.
"Yi Yun, this is our son Han'er, and this is your daughter-in-law, Li'er." The Emperor introduced, looking at Zi Yi Yun's portrait.
Then, the Emperor continued, "Our son is truly blessed to marry such a treasure of a woman, who is skilled in medicine, exceptionally intelligent, talented, and kind-hearted. If you are watching from heaven, please bless them with a lifetime of peace and safety."
After speaking, the Emperor reached out and pulled the gauze curtain next to the portrait.
"You two, come with me somewhere."
The Emperor suddenly said to the King and his consort.
"Okay!"
Jun Mohan and Leng Ruo Li readily agreed.
Then, the two of them followed the Emperor to Zi Yun Palace, the palace of Jun Mohan's mother.
Leng Ruo Li and Jun Mohan had been to Zi Yun Palace once before, but it was at night, and she hadn't gotten a good look at the surroundings.
As the three of them stepped through the gates of Zi Yun Palace, they were met with a fragrant aroma from the courtyard. Leng Ruo Li looked up and saw that the small courtyard of Zi Yun Palace was filled with blooming flowers, weeping willows, pavilions, towers, ponds, and pavilions reflecting each other. Bluestone paved the paths, and rockeries, strange stones, flower beds, potted plants, climbing vines, and lush bamboo adorned the scene. Leng Ruo Li's eyes sparkled; the place was so beautiful.
However, what intrigued her the most was how, after so many years since Jun Mohan's mother had passed away, Zi Yun Palace was still so well-maintained, as if the owner who lived there had never left.
"Li'er girl, this Zi Yun Palace is where your mother used to live in the palace," the Emperor introduced to Leng Ruo Li.
"Every flower, every tree, every object in this small courtyard was planted and designed by me personally for her back then. But she didn't like it here; she preferred a life of freedom, without schemes and intrigues..."
The Emperor continued speaking as if to himself.
"Alas..."
Leng Ruo Li could only sigh after hearing the Emperor's words. She didn't know how to comfort him, but she still kindly advised him.
"Father, what's past is past. You still need to take good care of your health."
"Alright, Father knows. You are the most considerate, Li'er girl."
The Emperor praised her.
Afterward, the Emperor led Leng Ruo Li and Jun Mohan into the hall. The furnishings inside were also very clean. The windowsills, walls, and ceiling were painted with various birds, auspicious clouds, and floral patterns in vibrant colors. The floor was covered with beautiful brocade carpets, making it unique compared to other palaces.
The three of them toured the hall and then proceeded to Zi Yi Yun's sleeping quarters. There was a white jade bed with red carvings, draped with light purple gauze. To the left was a dressing table, in the center was a table with four chairs and a tea set, and to the right was a large wardrobe and two large chests. The arrangement in the room was quite simple.
"This is where your mother used to live. Your mother preferred quiet and simplicity. I had originally prepared many things for her, but she had them all moved away. Alas..."
The Emperor sighed again as he spoke.
Jun Mohan, looking at everything in Zi Yun Palace, had an unreadable expression on his face. He had lived here with his mother for two years when he was young. Those two years were the happiest of his memories. Although his mother disliked being confined to this palace, she never transferred her emotions to her children, always playing, laughing, and being wild with him with a smile every day.
But one day, his mother suddenly took him and escaped the palace to live in her hometown (the Zi Mou clan).
That place was more free than the palace and more beautiful than the palace. The people there were simple and honest, without so many schemes and intrigues. It was no wonder his mother disliked the palace.
Leng Ruo Li, standing beside them, saw that both father and son were lost in deep recollection, and she didn't want to disturb them.
Afterward, everyone fell silent.
After a long while, Jun Mohan suddenly came back to his senses and said to the Emperor, "Father, regarding the matter of the Zi Mou clan back then, this son has already investigated many relevant clues. Once I gather all the evidence, I will not hesitate to settle the score with them."
"Father is old now. From now on, it will be up to the two of you." The Emperor walked up to him and patted his shoulder forcefully.
Then, he sighed again, turned, and walked out of Zi Yun Palace.
Seeing the Emperor leave, Jun Mohan immediately pulled Leng Ruo Li into the back garden of Zi Yun Palace.
The back garden of Zi Yun Palace was also very beautiful, with many exotic flowers and grasses, as well as a small pavilion and a swing. The environment looked quite cozy.
Jun Mohan pulled her to a willow tree.
"Jun Mohan, why did you bring me here?" Leng Ruo Li asked curiously.
"I brought you here to dig up a treasure," Jun Mohan said with a mysterious look.
"What treasure?" Leng Ruo Li asked again.
"You'll know when I dig it out later," Jun Mohan replied with a smile.
"Alright, where is it buried? You dig," Leng Ruo Li said, looking at the base of the willow tree.
"It's under this stone," Jun Mohan pointed.
As soon as he finished speaking, Leng Ruo Li cooperatively took out a small hoe from her spatial storage and handed it to Jun Mohan.
Then, Jun Mohan moved the stone aside and used the small hoe to slowly dig into the soil.
Because it had been buried for some time, the soil had hardened, making it a bit difficult to dig. It took Jun Mohan the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before he dug out a medium-sized wooden chest.
He patted the dirt off the chest with his hand, then used the small hoe to pry open the lock of the small chest.
Leng Ruo Li watched with anticipation as Jun Mohan opened his small wooden chest. To her surprise, inside the small chest were a small golden armor and a small silver bow and arrows.