When Ning Wanshuang heard this, although she still had her back to Zhao Hua, her trembling back showed that her mood must be fluctuating strongly at this moment.
Zhao Hua was afraid that subsequent words would further stimulate her, but she had to say, she could only carefully approach her step by step until she stood behind her, and then used the gentlest tone possible:
"Half a year ago, Shang Yang had already told Chenghuan about the secret of his birth. Chenghuan was only just over five years old at that time. When he suddenly heard that he was not his sister's own flesh and blood, and that his father had almost executed him, shouldn't his first reaction be to ask his sister if this matter was true or false?
But did Chenghuan ask his sister half a sentence? If he hadn't spoken from beginning to end, do you think this calmness should appear in a five-year-old child?"
Ning Wanshuang suddenly looked back, her face as cold as frost as she looked at Zhao Hua,
"Who did you hear this from?"
"It was accidentally mentioned by Noble Consort Ru when I interrogated her."
"Noble Consort Ru? Hmph." Ning Wanshuang sneered contemptuously, pretending to be arrogant: "She herself is a troublemaker who loves to spread rumors. How many truths can she spit out of her mouth?"
As she spoke, she suddenly raised her eyes, her scorching eyes staring straight at Zhao Hua, but she shook her head in disappointment,
"Now you would rather believe the nonsense of Noble Consort Ru than believe in Chenghuan? Chenghuan is also a child you once loved and cared for, calling you Empress Mother in public and private. Have you ever thought about how heartbroken he would be if he knew about your suspicions?"
"It is true that Noble Consort Ru loves to spread rumors, but Shang Yang is already dead. Does sister think she told me these things to spread rumors?" Zhao Hua sighed softly and helplessly, "Besides, I don't know if Chenghuan will be hurt by what I said, but I certainly don't want sister to be hurt by these trivial things."
There was unspeakable gloom on Ning Wanshuang's face. She said indifferently, "My own son, how could he hurt me."
"Sister Wan! Why did Chengjing drill into the iron ball for the unicorn tribute that day? Why did Chengjing always bully Chenghuan before, but after he was paralyzed in bed, Chenghuan could still accompany Chengjing for one or two hours every day without holding grudges?"
Zhao Hua couldn't help raising her voice, trying to wake up Ning Wanshuang, "I don't want things to be as I imagined, but these coincidences are right in front of us. Sister Wan, do you really have no doubts at all, or would you rather be an ignorant person, unwilling and unwilling to believe that Chenghuan is not as simple as we see him?"
"Chenghuan has always been the simplest and purest child!" Ning Wanshuang also raised her voice and said angrily:
"Zhao Hua, Ruo Xin grew up by my side since she was a child. Search your heart and ask yourself, have I corrupted your daughter at all? Since I can teach Ruo Xin well, I will never teach Chenghuan badly!"
"But sister..."
Just as the two of them were arguing, Liu Yue, who had exited with Yun Sen earlier, came back.
She first respectfully bowed to Zhao Hua, then said to Ning Wanshuang:
"Noble Consort, the Crown Prince will end his lesson soon. I saw that you and the Empress still have something to talk about. Why don't I go and decoct the medicine for the Crown Prince today?"
"No need." Ning Wanshuang said indifferently: "It is I who decocts Chenghuan's medicine every day. I can't rest assured if someone else does it."
After speaking, she walked straight out without even looking at Zhao Hua again.
Only when she crossed the threshold, she coldly threw down,
"I'm going to decoct medicine for my son. Empress, help yourself."
Zhao Hua watched her leave decisively, leaving only an icy back to herself. Although there was some sourness in her heart, there was more of a feeling of powerlessness at seeing the orchid falling into the abyss but being unable to persuade her to turn back in time.
After Zhao Hua left, Chenghuan also came back later.
His clothes were covered in dirt and there were specks of mud on his face.
Seeing him like a little tabby cat, Ning Wanshuang said gently with a smile:
"You little rascal, you went to class nicely, how did you come back with mud all over your face?"
As she spoke, she took the handkerchief from her waist, dipped it in water, and gently and softly wiped Chenghuan's face.
Chenghuan mysteriously smiled and suddenly brought out a bunch of flowers from behind.
It was a bunch of light purple osmanthus flowers, mainly with Forsythia and peonies.
The colors were bright, the floral aroma was strong, and it looked very beautiful.
Ning Wanshuang was fascinated by the sight for a while. Hearing Chenghuan laugh and say:
"When son came back from class, I passed Guangyang Gate and saw the beautiful osmanthus blossoms there. Son knew Empress Mother likes them, so I picked some to give to Empress Mother."
Ning Wanshuang held the bouquet to her nose and took a deep breath of the heart-warming fragrance, with a smile that she couldn't stop on her face, repeatedly saying:
"Very fragrant, also very beautiful, Empress Mother likes them very much."
Liu Yue also laughed from the side: "Don't we also grow osmanthus in our palace? Why did the Crown Prince have to go far instead of picking them in our palace?"
Chenghuan said, "The osmanthus in Yonghe Palace was personally transplanted by Father for Empress Mother. Empress Mother often sits under the osmanthus tree for a whole afternoon. I feel that Empress Mother must cherish these osmanthus very much. I can't spoil what Empress Mother likes."
Hearing this, Liu Yue kept praising Chenghuan for being so thoughtful. Ning Wanshuang also laughed as she stroked Chenghuan's cheeks.
The cracked skin on his cheeks had become increasingly rough recently, even feeling prickly to the touch, but for Ning Wanshuang, every bit and inch of her child was a treasure given by fate, even if imperfect, she would never despise it the slightest bit.
"Tell Mother, what did the grand tutor teach today?"
"It was Yu Qian's poem." Chenghuan cleared his throat and seriously recited:
"Coming out of the deep mountains after thousands of hammerings, raging fire burns as if nothing. I don't care about smashing my body and breaking my bones, I just want to keep my conscience clear in this world."
Ning Wanshuang listened quietly, unconsciously murmuring to herself:
"To keep a clear conscience in this world... Yes, people come into this world innocent, and when they leave, they should also leave cleanly."
"What did Empress Mother say?" Chenghuan asked curiously.
"Nothing." Ning Wanshuang smiled and shook her head, then handed the bowl next to her to Chenghuan,
"Good son, drink your medicine first."
He had been drinking this medicinal soup every day since he could remember. He had always been very well-behaved in taking medicine since he was a child, but today he only took a sip and then unexpectedly raised his eyebrows and stared at Ning Wanshuang.
Ning Wanshuang asked him, "What's wrong? Is it still hot? Let Mother blow it for you again."
She reached for the bowl, but Chenghuan drew back and shook his head,
"It's not hot anymore."
After speaking, he picked up the medicine bowl and drank it in one gulp. Then he turned the bowl upside down as if asking for a reward, smiling sweetly at Ning Wanshuang.
