Xiao Huang returned dejectedly to Yuan Xiang, listless. Jiang Yun Qiao observed this scene and sighed: “No wonder Xiao Huang would like her. Xue Yu is indeed beautiful. For it, perhaps Xue Yu is an unattainable divine bird, knowing it cannot be obtained, yet still deeply infatuated.” Her tone and expression were somewhat unusual.
As I was about to ask, I heard a soft call: “Mother, Aunt.”
Yun Qiao’s six-year-old son A Fu ran over, diving into her arms and kissing her face. “Mother, A Fu wants tea too.”
The child, in a bright red wool cloak and a deep red tiger-head hat, looked like a red fruit. The imperial consort, followed by a wet nurse, caught up and smiled at Jiang Yun Qiao: “This child insisted on finding you, so I had to bring him. We didn’t disturb you, did we?”
Jiang Yun Qiao smiled softly, “It’s fine.”
I also smiled at the imperial consort, indicating no problem. Despite years of marriage, the couple remained polite. It was strange, given Jiang Yun Qiao’s temperament; she didn’t seem the type to treat her husband with such distant respect.
I took a tea cake from the table and offered it to A Fu. He caught it, grinning and revealing an adorable dimple. “Thank you, Aunt.”
I picked him up, wiped the crumbs from his mouth, and gave him a sip of tea. Jiang Yun Qiao watched and smiled, “A Yao likes children? You should have more in the future.”
I was slightly stunned, thinking of An Jin. Where would he be now? Would he remember me? When would we reunite?
If we could reunite, I would be content even without children.
Jiang Yun Qiao, seeing me lost in thought, signaled for the imperial consort and wet nurse to take A Fu away. Once they left, she leaned close and asked with concern, “I heard An Daren’s whereabouts are still unknown. A Yao, rest assured, we’ve sent people to search in Xi Liang and Da Qi Kingdom, and we believe news will come soon.”
I forced a smile. “Thank you for your trouble.”
