If I were born again, I would marry a strong but short-lived husband.

Chapter 484 Concubine Ning Falls Ill

Before taking Yao Xinling to meet Princess Yongning, Shen Suian first took Chao Ge'er into the palace to meet Queen Dowager Ruan.

Queen Mother Ruan really liked Chao Ge'er. Every time they met, she would hold Chao Ge'er in her arms for a long time. No matter how upset she was, when she saw Chao Ge'er's clear and bright eyes, her mood would suddenly become cheerful.

"This is a small bell that my grandmother had made. Do you like it?" Queen Mother Ruan took out a bell the size of Chao Ge'er's fist. It looked like a simple and adorable Pi Xiu. When it was shaken, the Pi Xiu made a crisp sound.

And it's made of pure gold.

This is not a small bell, it’s a golden bell.

At this age, Chao Ge'er likes shiny gold things and he holds the golden bells in his hands tightly and won't let go.

He slapped me in the face and then bit me.

Empress Dowager Ruan hurriedly asked the maid to wash the golden bell with hot water before giving it to Chao Ge'er to play with.

"When it grows teeth, we won't let it bite us." Queen Mother Ruan said with a smile.

Shen Suian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Even now it wasn't working.

"Prince Chen has been away from the royal capital for some time. Has he written to you?" asked Queen Dowager Ruan.

"I just happened to receive a letter from the prince early this morning, but he was in a hurry, so he just reported that he was safe in the letter and didn't say much else." Shen Sui'an replied.

Queen Mother Ruan nodded with a smile, "I hope he can be safe and sound."

Shen Sui'an added, "Yes."

She just hoped that Fu Jinyuan could return safely.

Empress Dowager Ruan placed Chao G'er on the couch, and Chao G'er was able to sit up with the help of help.

"Do you have anything else to do in the palace today?" asked Queen Mother Ruan.

Shen Sui'an said with a smile, "It's true that nothing can be hidden from the Queen Mother."

"An old friend from Kyoto City wants to meet Concubine Ning, and I'm here to ask for your opinion." Shen Suian said softly.

Queen Mother Ruan curled her lips slightly when she heard this. She felt comforted by Shen Sui'an's initiative to ask her first. It proved that her daughter-in-law respected her and, like her, did not want to create a rift between the family members.

"Concubine Ning has helped me, and I will not force her to see anyone," said Empress Dowager Ruan.

"Didn't you promise her before that you would agree to her request to leave the palace after this matter was over?"

There was a flash of surprise in Shen Sui'an's eyes, "Your Majesty knows? I was rash at the time and agreed without asking you first." Shen Sui'an said hurriedly.

Queen Mother Ruan: "I don't blame you. It is true that with the help of Concubine Ning, many things were done with half the effort. I did not agree to her request to leave the palace now because I felt that the late emperor had just died, and it would be bad for Jin Yi's reputation if she, as a concubine, got into trouble."

"Mother, do you mean that you will agree to her request in the future?" Shen Sui'an asked in surprise.

She thought that Queen Mother Ruan was planning to imprison Yongning in the harem for life.

"I am also a woman, and I also yearn for a freer outside world, but after becoming a palace concubine, there is nothing I can do. The same goes for Concubine Ning." said Queen Mother Ruan.

"She is still young. If she is willing, she can go to the palace first."

"In another year or so, I will let her go."

Shen Sui'an stood up and bowed, "Mother, Concubine Ning will be very happy to know this."

"Chao Ge'er, stay with me. You go meet Concubine Ning." Empress Dowager Ruan said with a smile.

"Yes, Queen Mother."

Only then did Shen Suian leave Kunning Palace and walk towards Zhongcui Palace.

Qing Dai glanced at Shen Sui'an's receding back, and said to Queen Mother Ruan with a smile, "Your Majesty, will it be too risky to let Concubine Ning go in the future?"

After all, Concubine Ning must know a lot of secrets about the Emperor.

Queen Mother Ruan said, "Even if she tells others, it will be dangerous for herself."

"Since the Empress Dowager likes Chao Ge'er so much, why not keep him by your side so that you won't feel bored on a daily basis?" another palace maid flattered.

"I know best the pain of separation between mother and child. How can I let my grandson suffer the same sadness? If so, there is no need to talk about it again in the future." The queen mother said coldly.

The maid was startled when she heard this, "Yes, Queen Mother."

……

Because the new emperor had not yet married and the palace in the West Palace was still under renovation, except for the concubine who was sent to the temporary palace, Yongning still lived in the original palace.

When Shen Sui'an asked for a meeting, he waited outside the palace for a long time.

Aunt Zheng, who usually had a flattering smile on her face, just bowed lightly and welcomed her in.

"Please wait a moment, Princess Regent. Our Concubine has been feeling unwell lately and just took some medicine and went to bed. She heard that you were here and was getting changed." Aunt Zheng said.

Shen Sui'an ignored her cold eyes and just frowned and asked, "What happened to Princess Yongning?"

Hearing Shen Sui'an still calling Yongning "Princess", Aunt Zheng's eyes reddened slightly, and she lowered her head, "The imperial physician said that she was just a little depressed."

Shen Sui'an understood and just sighed secretly in his heart.

She knew what Yongning was worried about, and she wanted to help her resolve it.

After a while, Yongning finally came out supported by the palace maid.

Seeing Yongning's pale face and thin cheeks, Shen Sui'an was completely stunned. The last time she saw Yongning, she was plump and bright. How come she seemed like a different person after just two months of not seeing her?

"What do you want from me?" Yongning glanced at her lazily and leaned back on the big pillow tiredly.

Shen Sui'an's eyes flashed with obscurity, "What's wrong with you?"

"Princess Chen, no, you are now the Regent Princess. Fu Jinyuan is now second only to the emperor and you are also high above everyone else. How come you still remember me, an old friend?" The sarcasm in Yongning's tone was sharp.

"I know why you are depressed. I haven't forgotten what I promised you." Shen Sui'an said in a low voice.

Yongning just sneered and looked at Shen Suian with mockery in his eyes.

As if scolding her for being treacherous.

Shen Sui'an felt bitter in her heart. If she could have complete control over the harem, she would have released Yongning from the palace long ago, but what was she now?

"You are reluctant to give up your current wealth and glory and the position of princess, and you dare not offend Queen Dowager Ruan. I can understand that, so I didn't ask you to fulfill your promise. You don't have to pretend to be hypocritical in front of me. Let's just leave it like this between us." Yongning said lightly.

"The Empress Dowager has agreed to let you live in the palace first. After a year or so, you will be free." Shen Sui'an said in a low voice.

Yongning's dead eyes suddenly lit up. She stared at Shen Sui'an, "What did you say?"

Shen Sui'an: "This is what the Queen Mother agreed to just now."

Two lines of tears silently fell down Yongning's cheeks.

"There is one more thing. Do you still remember Yao Xinling, the girl from the Yao family? She is in the royal capital now and wants to see you." Shen Sui'an said.

Yongning was stunned for a moment, and after thinking hard in his mind, he remembered what Yao Xinling looked like.

"I don't know her well, what does she want from me?" Yongning asked me.

"Maybe someone asked me to come and see you."