After Rebirth, She Becomes the Revenge Queen-Chapter 543 - 355 Osmanthus_3

Chapter 543: Chapter 355 Osmanthus_3
When He Zhao returned to the courtyard with a large stack of incense candles and paper money, he saw that a few leaves had already fallen on Yang Yi’s shoulders and head. He couldn’t help but approach and ask, "Why is my lord sitting here?"
Yang Yi paused for a moment, seemingly pulled back from his thoughts, and a hint of confusion flickered in his eyes as he looked up.
Then he said, "The girl is painting inside the house, so I came out here to sit."
"Is my lord referring to the General’s wife?" He Zhao glanced toward the house, "The General’s wife has already left. Just now, when I returned, I saw her in the front courtyard talking to Mrs. Ning. There was also an overweight official seated with them."
"Has she left?"
Yang Yi was once again bewildered. He picked up a book and walked back inside, only to find that in the scent of osmanthus filling the room, Fu Zhen’s presence was indeed absent. All that remained in the room, besides the osmanthus on the table, was a painting she had left behind.
Yang Yi took a deep breath, walked forward slowly, and reached out to touch the flower branches.
Seeing this, He Zhao commented, "The painting on this vase is the story of Agarwood saving his mother... This is the story Her Highness used to tell most often.
"And these flowers are also Her Highness’s favorite, osmanthus. My lord, could this flower possibly have come from the palace?"
Yang Yi’s gaze meticulously examined the patterns on the vase, then slowly moved upwards, scrutinizing each flower.
Through the gaps between the blossoms, he saw the painting spread out on the table.
At this sight, his gaze froze, then he went around to the other side of the table and bent over to look at the painting closely.
The paper did not depict Yang Yi at all, but rather a portrait of a noblewoman with graying hair. In the painting, she sat on a brocade couch, her right elbow resting lightly on the edge of a small table, looking melancholically at the floor.
Her slender figure seemed almost alike to the thin flower branches next to her in the vase. Despite her youthful beauty and facial contours that could show her earlier grace and charm, her face was now covered with wrinkles, revealing endless weariness.
Yang Yi pressed both hands on the painting, bloodshot veins creeping into his eyes, quickly reddening his eye rims.
"My lord..."
He Zhao didn’t even finish his sentence before Yang Yi swiftly raised his hand to stop him.
He held the painting up to the light for a careful look, then set it down, sat back into the chair, and gazed into the distance with furrowed brows, deep in thought.
He Zhao remained silent in companionship for a long time before finally tiptoeing out, gently closing the door.
The autumn wind swayed the pomegranates in the trees, and leaves danced in the air.
...
When Fu Zhen left Yang Yi’s courtyard, he initially intended to bid farewell, but standing there for quite a while, Yang Yi seemed not to notice. In the end, she had to choose not to disturb him.
Up ahead, Mrs. Ning was showing Xie Yu through the shop, and just as Xie Zhang passed by to visit, the group of them sat down together for tea.
Since Xie Yu was of lively nature, and the two families had become closer, Xie Zhang no longer adhered strictly to the demeanor of a gentleman, sometimes even joking with Fu Zhen, who also became more relaxed.
She asked Xie Zhang, "With the deposed Crown Prince deceased, shouldn’t the matter of establishing a new Crown Prince be organized soon? Mr. Xie, have you heard any news at court?"
There was no alternative, as nearly everyone in her circle were military generals, and Xie Zhang was the only civil servant, so she could only inquire about this from him.
Xie Zhang replied, "The Ministry of Rites has submitted many petitions to the Qianqing Palace, but the Emperor has yet to respond. However, aside from the Third Prince, there are no other options, so when to establish him really makes no difference."
At this moment, Manager Su came to , "The tea leaves for the East Wing have been delivered, and the East Wing did not insist on declining. Please rest assured, Great Proprietor."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Ning was indeed relieved, "That’s good! Just handle it this way in the future."
Listening to their conversation, Xie Zhang kept his head down, sipping tea.
After Manager Su left, they chatted a bit more casually, and the father and daughter left to return home.
Upon entering the main gate, Xie Yu immediately turned around at the hidden wall, "Father, have you been very busy lately?"
Xie Zhang swung his sleeves as he entered, "Not too busy, why do you ask?"
Xie Yu followed up, "If you’re not busy, you should visit Wanbin Building more often."
A hint of discomfort crossed Xie Zhang’s face as he turned aside, "And why is that?"
"The rival has already moved in, and yet you’re pretending to be unaware!" Xie Yu anxiously grabbed his sleeve, "I’m just asking, what’s your true feelings for my master? After all this time, do you have her in your heart or not?!"