Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 665 Maternal Bond_1

The Empress covered her mouth with a handkerchief, tears streaming down from the corners of her eyes. This was the true connection between mother and son; the child had felt her presence. She didn’t miss her son’s expression, nor his final mouthed words, "Do not cry."

But she wanted to cry. After so many years, countless days and nights of torment, she blamed the Emperor, but hated herself even more. As a mother, she despised herself for not protecting her son, for not ensuring his safety. She never dreamed of her son because she didn’t dare to, and she felt ashamed to even think of him.

All these years, were it not for her eldest son, Jingchen, and her hatred, she couldn’t have found the strength to carry on. God knows how infuriated she felt inside every time she saw Zhang Jinghong.

While tears filled the Empress’s eyes, she couldn’t close the window. There was still a part to play today, and she was truly grateful that her son didn’t resemble her or the Emperor. He looked like his uncle; even if she lost control and cried, others would assume it was because of him.

The Empress wiped her tears, her gaze falling on Shen Yang, who resembled the Emperor. She clutched the handkerchief tightly. A fake would remain fake, even if he resembled the Emperor; she felt nothing for him, only a burning anger in her heart. These people had always used her son, exploiting him for their gains; they all deserved to go to hell.

As the crowd in front of her dispersed, the Empress signaled to close the window.

"Your Majesty, please wipe away the tears. It’s time to return to the palace," said the Female Officer, holding a handkerchief.

The Empress took the damp handkerchief. "I need a moment," she said.

"Yes, Your Majesty," replied the Female Officer.

She had accompanied the Empress from her dowry and later became a Female Officer, spending her lifetime by the Empress’s side. The Empress, of military general backgrounds, was not one to cry. The official had seen the Empress cry only five times throughout the many years since her marriage.

The first was when her eldest son died. The second was from the pain of birthing the Crown Prince. The third was when her third son passed away. The fourth time was when the young Prince went missing, crying secretly behind others’ backs. No one knew of the Empress’s tears this time, except for her, who had always accompanied her.

This was the fifth time, and it broke her heart to see it. After so many years, her affection for the Empress was genuine. She worried about the rift between the Empress and the Emperor and watched as the Empress tormented herself. Now that the Empress had cried, and the Prince was found, everything seemed better. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

The Empress, her voice hoarse, said, "Once the procession has passed, we shall return to the palace."

At another inn, Zhulan and Lady Dong finally found Rongchuan.

Zhulan observed Rongchuan, who didn’t seem happy; he appeared troubled, unlike Chang Lian, who was grinning ear to ear, looking rather foolish.

Lady Dong, unusually demonstrative, waved her hand energetically. Chang Xhong was even less reserved, calling out, "Brother Three, Brother Three."

Thankfully, the little guy didn’t call out Rongchuan as ’brother-in-law’; he still knew some measure of propriety.

The procession moved quickly, and Lady Dong seemed somewhat unsatisfied, "It’s a pity Yu Yi is too young to remember her father’s imposing manner."

Zhulan thought she hadn’t noticed any depictions of Chang Lian being imposing and suggested, "You could draw it, then Yu Yi can see it when she grows up."

Lady Dong grew bashful as her own painting skills were lacking. She resolved to have her daughter learn to paint properly—some things were worth capturing and preserving through her own brush. If her daughter lacked the talent, then there was nothing to be done.

Zhulan, not in a hurry to return home—knowing Rongchuan and Chang Lian wouldn’t be going back either—said, "Let’s have lunch here at the inn today. I’ve never been to this place before and don’t know what their specialty dishes are. Nurse, please call the Waiter over; we will order."

"Yes," said the Nurse.

The Nurse fetched the Waiter, who soon arrived.

Zhulan ordered several dishes, and the Waiter departed. She noticed the Nurse seemed distracted and asked, "What’s wrong?"

Old Madame Song thought for a moment and said, "Just now, when I was closing the window, I noticed a group of people coming out from diagonally across the street; they seemed to be female officers from within the palace."

Every move is unmistakable, certain mannerisms are engraved in one’s bones, and there was the entourage just now; it must have been someone from inside the palace."

Zhulan’s mind instantly went to Rongchuan because of Rongchuan, she thought of the Empress. Marquis Ning’s attitude actually indirectly represented both the Emperor and the Empress, which also meant that the Emperor had seen Shen Yang and knew Shen Yang was an impostor.

Zhulan didn’t believe that the Empress had come to see Shen Yang; it could only have been Rongchuan. This was all but a confirmation of Rongchuan’s identity, but who exactly did Rongchuan resemble?

Now there was still Shen Yang, who resembled the Emperor; she didn’t know what the Emperor was thinking. Now that the Empress had come to see him secretly and the Emperor had taken no action, it didn’t seem like a reconciliation was in the cards.

Zhulan’s mind was in turmoil for a moment, regret in her heart. She should have looked out the window longer just now; at the very least, she could have seen what the Empress looked like and known whether Rongchuan resembled the Empress.

After saying her piece, Old Madame Song fell silent. This involved the palace; it was best not to talk too much about it.

An hour later, the Empress returned to the palace. Her eyes were red and swollen; she could not go to the government hall like this. After changing her clothes, she sat in a chair, lost in thought.

The Emperor came in, and the Empress didn’t even notice.

The Emperor had come over after hearing the news. Seeing the Empress’s eyes slightly swollen, he could tell she had been crying for a long time. He didn’t disturb the Empress’s reverie and sat down beside her.

After a while, the Empress came back to her senses and noticed the Emperor next to her, "You’ve come."

"Yes, are you feeling better now?"

The Empress’s voice was still hoarse; she took the cup that the Emperor passed over and drank some water to moisten her throat, "A bit better now. I just feel empty inside after crying, a bit absent-minded. I saw Rongchuan; the child sensed my presence immediately. You didn’t see him looking all around. When he saw me cry, even as the horse passed by, he still turned back to look for me."

As she spoke, the tears that the Empress had finally stopped began to flow again.

The Emperor reached out to wipe her tears, "Don’t cry anymore."

The Empress smiled, "I won’t cry. The child also said not to cry. I am especially happy today. A mother’s heart is connected to her child’s—I knew at first sight that he is my son, even if he doesn’t resemble you or me."

The Emperor felt somewhat depressed, "Why didn’t the child have any reaction when he saw me?"

The Empress laughed through her tears, "You sit high above on the Dragon Throne. Not just this child, but even ministers dare not look you in the eyes. He must not have dared to gaze at you. How could you expect him to feel anything?"

The Emperor’s heart was heavy; he too wanted to be close to his son. But now, Qingran had also recognized the child, which was a happy affair, "He will stay in the capital in the future, and I will be able to see him often, become familiar with him."

The Empress looked at Zhang Yu’s hopeful expression and knew clearly in her heart about Rongchuan’s appearance and that the child wasn’t in the position of a prince. The Emperor could love him without any reservations, as it wouldn’t affect any court dynamics. This was a son he could dote on wholeheartedly.

If Rongchuan had grown up inside the palace, even if he had been the youngest son, and even if the Emperor still favored him, it would involve a mix of other considerations.

The Crown Prince received the news and was stunned, "Are you saying you saw the Empress returning with tears in her eyes?"

"Yes, I couldn’t have mistaken that."

The Crown Prince wanted to see the Empress, but his steps halted. The Emperor had left not long ago to see the Empress. In his memory, he had only seen the Empress cry for his Third Uncle. His heart was still anxious; he wanted to know why the Empress was crying. Thinking of Shen Yang, he furrowed his brows. Because of him?