After Rebirth, She Becomes the Revenge Queen-Chapter 540 - 354: Familiar Handwriting_3

"He really looks like his father when he was young," the Empress spoke hoarsely but with a hint of satisfaction, "The most important thing is that he’s healthy and still so imposing and tall, that’s wonderful..."

At this point, she turned her tearful eyes towards Fu Zhen, "By the way, is he married? The child must be quite big by now, right? My daughter-in-law and grandson have never seen me, their mother-in-law and grandmother."

Fu Zhen felt a pang in her nose and steadied her breath with difficulty, "There was simply no time to mention these things. Moreover, we dared not inquire."

"Is that so? Then it doesn’t matter," the Empress smiled through her tears, holding the portrait to her heart, "As long as everyone’s well and fine, everything’s good."

Her tears dropped onto the portrait, spreading the still-drying ink in two places. She quickly lifted her sleeve to gently wipe it, but the more she rubbed, the worse it got, with a large smear already on the left arm.

She raised her head in a panic, "What should be done about this? What should be done?"

Fu Zhen hurried to console her, "Don’t worry, Your Majesty, I can still draw. You keep this one, and when I return, I’ll draw a few more variations and send them to you."

Only then did the Empress calm down, wiping away her tears, "Alright, alright. There is plenty of time ahead, I lost my composure."

Fu Zhen helped her to sit, "Your Majesty, may I be so bold to ask, why exactly does His Highness refuse to return to the palace?"

The Empress pressed her lips tightly and shook her head, "This isn’t something that can be explained in a few words."

"Is there some misunderstanding? If there is, shouldn’t we try to resolve it?"

The Empress looked at her with tearful eyes, "I also hope it’s a misunderstanding, but some things don’t leave room for resolution from the moment they happen."

With that, she turned her face away, "You are still too young to understand the contradictions in human nature. Do not ask anymore."

There is no benefit in entangling oneself with those in power, even if she is the acknowledged kindly Empress. Overstepping the boundary would bring trouble.

Fu Zhen had to stop, catching sight of the newly placed vase of osmanthus nearby, she went over to pick it up, "Your Majesty, this flower is beautiful, may I have it?"

In the Imperial household, both the Emperor and Empress advocated frugality. Although it was palace porcelain, the quality of this vase was only of medium grade, not blatantly opportunistic.

The Empress, devoid of heart for such matters, tugged at the corners of her mouth, "If you like it, take it."

Fu Zhen thanked joyfully, "Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty. I shall then draw many more portraits and quietly send them to the palace."

The Empress nodded, a sorrowful expression once more crossing her face, "Then I shall entrust him to you. Follow his instructions closely, and do not disclose his existence to anyone."

"Your Majesty’s orders, I dare not neglect them," Fu Zhen solemnly assured.

The Empress nodded, wearily waving her hand, "You may go."

Fu Zhen bowed with the vase in her arms and left the hall.

...

In Qianqing Palace, after listening to Pei Zhan’s full account of the events, the Emperor asked him for the personal letter written by Yang Yi to have a look.

After reviewing, he frowned slightly, "You really don’t know what the messenger looked like at all?"

Pei Zhan remained unperturbed, "Indeed, I never saw him, he just slipped it under my door. Does Your Majesty notice anything unusual?"

The Emperor looked at the letter paper again for a moment, then said, "There’s nothing particularly wrong, Jin Xu and Dayue’s enmity had been noticed by the court many years ago, and I am already aware of it. It’s just this handwriting—"

Pei Zhan’s heart suddenly skipped, he stole a glance at the Emperor, "What’s wrong with this handwriting?"

This was Yang Yi’s own handwriting, from the time when he left Huzhou he was only ten years old, before which the Emperor was surrounded by literary and martial talents, Yang Yi must have been studying for several years!

"Nothing." Huang Zhang folded the letter closed, "It just looks somewhat familiar. But I must be overthinking."

The handwriting of a ten-year-old must be very different from that of over twenty years later, yet it was indeed rare for the Emperor to find it familiar from such a young age.

"Is there any truth to this letter’s claim that Lian Ruo’s remnants have incited rebellion among Dongzi’s generals? Have you verified this?"

"There was no time. After receiving the message, I immediately entered the palace to report. Currently, my position is Commander of the Capital Camp, concerning the northwestern military situation, unless granted permission by Your Majesty, I cannot intervene privately."

The Emperor nodded, "I will give you the decree to command fast horses to the northwest to ascertain the cause. If the news is confirmed, then coordinate with the Ministry of War to formulate a decision."

...