After Rebirth, She Becomes the Revenge Queen-Chapter 542 - 355 Osmanthus_2

Chapter 542: Chapter 355 Osmanthus_2
"Three days until the Mid-Autumn Festival?" Yang Yi put down his book when he heard this, "That’s right, today is the twelfth of August, exactly the anniversary of the deaths of Hu Yi and his son."
He Zhao silently recited: "Indeed."
Yang Yi’s gaze darkened: "Go prepare some incense, candles, and paper money. Tonight we’ll visit their graves to pay our respects."
He Zhao acknowledged the order and left the room.
Fu Zhen had just arrived at the courtyard gate and happened to encounter He Zhao coming out of the courtyard.
"Guard He."
He Zhao bowed deeply: "General’s wife."
Fu Zhen smiled and said: "I wish to see the teacher, is he in the courtyard?"
He Zhao quickly replied: "The teacher is inside reading a book, allow me to inform him of your visit."
After speaking, he turned back and pushed open the door, addressing Yang Yi who was sitting by the window: "Master, the General’s wife is here."
Yang Yi looked up, fixing his gaze on Fu Zhen holding a large vase: "Please come in."
Fu Zhen stepped across the courtyard and entered the room: "I see the teacher."
Yang Yi replied gently: "No need for such formalities." After a pause, he added, "If you don’t mind, you may call me uncle."
"That would be a great honor for your niece." Fu Zhen smiled, placing the vase on the tea table, and performed a curtsy: "I greet Uncle Yang."
Yang Yi smiled: "Why did you bring a vase of flowers?"
Fu Zhen casually brushed the branches of flowers: "This morning, Ming Zhi and I entered the palace early. He went to military information to the Emperor, and I went to Kunning Palace to pay respects to the Empress.
"The Empress was arranging flowers. She cherishes me, and seeing that I liked these flowers, she granted them to me along with the vase.
"Uncle Yang, look, how fresh these flowers are!"
Yang Yi couldn’t help but gaze at the vase, his eyes lingering as if unable to look away.
Fu Zhen quietly observed for a moment, then casually picked up the book he had placed on the table.
After a while, Yang Yi took a deep breath and turned his gaze back: "Since it was gifted to you, why did you bring it here?"
Fu Zhen replied calmly: "I came straight here upon leaving the palace. Ming Zhi subtly conveyed Uncle Yang’s message to the Emperor, and I came to give Uncle Yang a .
"The Emperor has already issued a decree for Ming Zhi to verify the situation, and decisions will be made afterwards."
"I see." Yang Yi picked up the tea leaves sent earlier by Manager Su, examined them, then opened the lid, and placed some in two teacups on the table. He walked to the corner of the room, picked up the teapot warming on the small stove, and skillfully began making tea.
Fu Zhen said: "Uncle Yang, you are reading a military book; for so many years, you haven’t given up on the ideal of protecting the country, have you?"
As steam wafted, Yang Yi focused intently on pouring water into the teacups, and only after finishing did he respond: "Not so much an ideal. Merely that when the country prospers or falls, every common person has a responsibility."
"Well said, ’when the country prospers or falls, every common person has a responsibility.’ Truly, whenever Her Majesty mentions you, she praises you endlessly, saying you are her pride."
Upon hearing this, Yang Yi glanced at him and then deeply contemplated the tea in front of him, falling silent.
The daylight perfectly outlined his profile, his weathered face exuding a steadfast quality everywhere.
Fu Zhen moved behind the table, picked up pen and paper, and began to draw.
For a while, the only sound in the room was the scratch of pen on paper. As the tea cooled slightly, Yang Yi lifted his cup and took a sip, then asked: "What are you drawing?"
"I was sickly from a young age; everyone said I wouldn’t survive. My mother defied fate and protected me as I grew up. Afraid I would become spoiled, she chose a skill that didn’t require much effort for me to learn.
"So as I grew, the only thing I became somewhat proficient at was painting.
"Uncle Yang, your life experiences have been too legendary, giving you this exceptional bearing. I couldn’t help but capture it on paper."
Yang Yi chuckled lightly: "I’m just a rough person; what talk of bearing? You must be joking."
After speaking, he paused, then turned to Fu Zhen: "I heard your father lacked virtue and your mother was merely a weak woman; how did she protect you all these years?"
"A woman may be weak, but as a mother, she becomes strong." Fu Zhen lifted her head, "Uncle Yang, you mustn’t underestimate us women. When it comes down to it, we’re in no way inferior to men.
"Take the Empress, for example. If not for her steadfast presence beside the Emperor all these years, managing the harem on his behalf, would Great Zhou be as stable as it is now?
"Yet, in her position, amidst it all these years, who knows how many grievances she has endured."
Yang Yi remained silent.
After a moment, he picked up the military book Fu Zhen had set aside, walked out to the courtyard, and sat beneath the pomegranate tree to read.
Above, the large pomegranates hung red and heavy, wrapped in green leaves, rustling in the autumn breeze.