MYUFPC CHAPTER 9
No warmth left in heart
A casual "Aunt" had inadvertently stirred up a sorrowful memory. While Zhan Yue and the others were lost in their thoughts, only Zhao Youze continued eating, undisturbed.
He held his chopsticks, listened for a moment, and then asked, "Why aren’t you all eating? And Aunt, why did you sigh?"
Due to his eye condition, Zhao Youze's hearing was much sharper than that of ordinary people. Not hearing anyone else moving their chopsticks, he naturally found it strange and said, "I think Aunt’s cooking is delicious. If you don't eat, I'll eat it all."
"If it’s good, then eat more," Princess Ruyang said, moved by his words. Her eyes softened as she looked at Zhao Youze with great affection. The bitterness in her expression faded, replaced by a gentle smile. "In a few days, Aunt will make a special meal just for you, Yuan Kang."
Zhao Youze beamed, his face rosy with joy, and nodded enthusiastically.
Seeing her brother so happy, Jiashan gently tousled the soft hair on the top of Zhao Youze's head. "You should eat more. Come join me in copying the ‘Du Ren Jing’ this afternoon; you'll need the strength."
Hearing this, Zhao Youze’s hand trembled slightly, but he obediently said, "Oh, alright."
Princess Ruyang couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh softly.
With Zhao Youze’s lighthearted interruption, the mood finally eased a bit. Although Zhan Yue’s brows were still slightly furrowed, the tension in his face was not as rigid as before.
He even watched for a moment when Jiashan touched Zhao Youze’s head, until she withdrew her hand.
Zhan Yue himself didn’t realize that just now, his gaze had held a trace of cautious longing.
After the meal, the female attendants from the nunnery came to clear the dishes.
Zhao Youze, who had grown up in Changle Palace, was used to taking a nap for an hour at noon. As the time approached, he began to yawn out of habit. Seeing this, Princess Ruyang quickly instructed a maid to take him back to rest.
The autumn afternoon sunlight was still warm, shining brilliantly like gold in a wheat field.
Princess Ruyang personally brewed a pot of tea and poured a cup for Zhan Yue and Jiashan, who accepted it politely. As Ruyang rinsed the teapot with hot water, she seemed distracted, her eyes frequently drifting toward Zhan Yue.
Zhan Yue, ever perceptive, held the teacup in his palm and said, "If there is something you wish to say, Aunt, please go ahead."
Surprised by his keen insight, Princess Ruyang glanced at Jiashan before smiling and saying, "It's not anything urgent."
She studied Zhan Yue with clear eyes and asked, "Yanqing hasn't settled down yet, has he?"
Zhan Yue pressed his lips together slightly, glancing at Jiashan.
Jiashan appeared oblivious, her head bowed as she blew away the tea leaves floating in her cup.
Zhan Yue replied, "Not yet."
Ruyang nodded lightly and did not pursue the matter further. Being someone who had withdrawn from worldly concerns, she cared about Zhan Yue’s future but wouldn’t press him into marriage like an ordinary woman might.
However, Zhan Yue was uneasy after Ruyang’s question and didn't dare to stay any longer.
After finishing his tea, he quickly found an excuse to leave, bidding farewell to Ruyang and Jiashan, his departure seeming somewhat hurried.
Jiashan, who shared his sentiments, found it amusing to see Zhan Daren in such a flustered state for the first time. She couldn’t help but laugh, "I didn’t expect Aunt to worry about such mundane matters. I thought you had tuned out the world, seeking only peace."
Ruyang set down the teapot, "I had no intention of getting involved."
Her gaze distant and tinged with sorrow, she said, "He’s now the commander-in-chief, seemingly at the peak of his career. But I always feel that no one truly cares for him, thinking only of his well-being."
Thinking of Zhan Yue’s pale face when he called her "Aunt," she said sympathetically, "If there’s no warmth left in his heart, I fear Yanqing might stray."
Few descendants of fallen noble families are willing to live mediocre lives. Princess Ruyang worried that the Yongding Marquis's case would remain a burden on Zhan Yue's heart.
Now in a high position, she feared he might prioritize restoring the Fu family, falling prey to manipulation.
Jiashan pondered for a moment.
She actually knew whom Zhan Yue had married in a previous life. If she recalled correctly, the woman’s surname was Feng, the daughter of the Huguang Provincial Governor. Feng shi was gentle and kind, not particularly striking in appearance, and certainly not a match for Zhan Yue.
Jiashan remembered that in her previous life, Zhan Yue never took a concubine after marrying Feng shi, nor accepted any beauties offered to him, even though Feng shi bore no children.
However, in public, the couple always appeared respectful but not particularly affectionate.
Yes, respectful but not loving.
Jiashan had met Feng shi a few times at family banquets at the An Guo Gong’s mansion. Feng shi, coming from a noble family, was impeccable in manners. Whenever she met Zhan Shaoying and Jiashan, she always inquired politely. As a fellow woman, Jiashan could see the love in Feng shi’s eyes for Zhan Yue.
But what about Zhan Yue?
Recalling carefully, it seemed he treated everyone the same—cold and distant. If there was any difference with Feng shi, it was that his respect for her went beyond the usual indifference.
But respect should not be the only sentiment a man holds for the woman he loves.
Jiashan organized her thoughts and said, "It’s probably very difficult to keep any warmth in Zhan Daren’s heart."
"You don’t know," Princess Ruyang said softly, "This child is actually very affectionate. Every year at New Year’s Eve, he sends me a small gift. He has never missed a single year."
"It touches me that he still remembers me as his aunt." With a wistful expression, she couldn’t help but bring up the past, "If the old Marquis were still alive, Yanqing would likely have achieved much more than he has now."
Jiashan was momentarily stunned, wanting to tell Princess Ruyang that a golden fish is not meant to stay in a pond. Zhan Yue’s future held much more than his current position as commander-in-chief.
Even without the protection of the Yongding Marquis, he would still bring glory to his family name, destined to be the brightest general of this era.
Thinking of this, Jiashan looked deeply into Princess Ruyang’s eyes and said with a smile, "Aunt, rest assured. I see that Zhan Daren stands firm and will not be swayed by treacherous ministers. Besides, how could the blood of the Yongding Marquis Fu family be tainted?"
Ruyang's expression softened, and she nodded, "That’s true."
She turned her gaze to Jiashan, smiling slightly, "I noticed he seemed quite at ease while playing chess with you today."
"Perhaps he would listen to your advice." Ruyang looked at Jiashan with a serene expression.
Jiashan was slightly surprised, not expecting Princess Ruyang to have this impression. She said, "Really?"
She suddenly recalled their last meeting at Dongzhi Gate in her previous life when Zhan Yue kindly told her to take care of herself.
Jiashan paused before saying, "I promise Aunt. If I get the chance, I’ll inquire about Zhan Daren’s for you."
"To see if there’s anyone suitable for him to marry."
Ruyang chuckled and said, "That would be wonderful."
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Du Ren Jing- A Taoist scripture, preached by Yuanshi Tianzun. For more detail read here.
Shi- Clan name, maiden name.