The Employed Empress 180 I Know

Wei Yi Yi endured and endured and finally cannot endure. She, of course, took a break without approval.

The autumn hunt carried a different meaning for the Imperial couple; busy, boring, and full of fake pleasantries. So much for her initial excitement. May the whole thing pass peacefully and let her return back to lil' one. Going out in the palace is no fun, Wei Yi Yi lamented.

"Excessively viewing flowers shall fade their beauties." There's a new outfit for each day and a new blinding piece of jewel for a match. Those women are out to mess up her already whacked beauty standard, giving her another set of immunity.

Before she could react, a man towers over her and said, "It would be for the best to not let the ladies hear that. They will misunderstand."

'Stalker!' was what Wei Yi Yi wanted to blur out.

Even Tang Mei has yet to gain the ability to counter her disappearing acts. Much more to find her instantly.

"Second brother-in-law…"

Jiang Cheng smiled at her then proceed to smile even more. Smiling and smiling, hers already went rigid.

"..." Mister, my facial expression is limited!

"As expected of Yi Yi, master of the 36th stratagem."

Wei Yi Yi was ill at ease. That again, that soft smile of his that gives the vibe of how he knows her well.

"Sixth brother is not tailing Yi Yi?"

"He's enjoying the hunt." 

That brat became close with Wei Lian all of a sudden.

"That's good."

"En."

"..."

"..."

How are we so awkward?! Dying inside, Wei Yi Yi started to have grudges over her insufficient data. 

Rekindling the connection with Jiang Cheng was different from Wei Lian. Maybe because of the similarities he held toward He Lian, or maybe because of how convinced she was that they are one, Wei Yi Yi never had hesitation towards Wei Lian. They were a family, regardless of which lifetime it was.

As for Jiang Cheng, it was like suddenly meeting your illegitimate brother. He knew about you all along but he didn't exist in your knowledge until now.

"Here." Clasping both of its ears, Jiang Cheng shoved a furry ball of white to her face.

Did he just pull out a rabbit under his outer robes? Suffocated until now? Mister your gentle cinnamon roll facade is crackling. The wildlife rescue brigades are having a stroke.

"It's already that time, huh." Wei Yi Yi mumbled, taking the pitiful rabbit away. 

On the last day, the gentlemen will offer their best hunt game to a lady of their liking. The place would then be bustling with noise and excitement, full of teenagers blushing left and right, and dog food forcefully shoved on your throat.

Wei Yi Yi coughed and tried to naturally tease Jiang Cheng. "How come elder brother is so cheap nowadays? I heard you caught a fox yet you are only giving me this."

"Since winter foxes are rare and my Wangfei adores its pelts, all that I've caught were gifted to her."

Wei Yi Yi clapped for this proper married man. She almost blushed from his instant reply. Ah, she better not tell him that Wen Yang was within their petty radar.

"This one is something I picked up on the way. It matches with the fox fur, doesn't it? I'll get a few more to make a winter coat for Chen'er."

"..." Saying something illegal with a nonchalant face and giving her a live animal to kill herself, Jiang Cheng was challenging her morals. "So this is not for me as well?"

"Yours flew out of my mind." Jiang Cheng scratched his cheeks and she laughed dryly. "I'll find another opportunity some time to give you gifts. Of course to show my sincerity for taking care of my son. I hope Chen'er is not giving you troubles."

"He's a fast learner. I have nothing but praises."

The present Jiang Chen can now bully even the adults, successful learning after his questionable aunt, Wei Yi Yi, and being her little tail.

"Does he mention us?" 

Wei Yi Yi matched Jiang Cheng smiling face. She grinned, ready to pinch him till he cries. "Since you remember you still have a son, then go see him yourself."

"Yi Yi there will always be complications in the royal court. The distance between Chen'er and I is the same amount of protection that I could give him. It's better that they think he's an abandoned prince." Jiang Cheng sighed. "The emperor is young, his reign stable, but the power wasn't firmly within his hand and has no heir. You are a woman so you don't understand politics."

"Don't go saying 'you are a woman' to me! Your hair is longer than mine!!" Wei Yi Yi stomps off, taking the rabbit with her. After pulling a distance, she hesitated then added, "The Wei Family's influence over the court, I know what it means. As well as, how threatening the existence of Jiang Chen will be if ever both of our family stand behind him. His right to the throne, as well as yours, together with me and the backing of my maternal family, the emperor will be restless until he turns ruthless. I understand these simple things, what I don't is why parental love always so depressing."

A servant came running, interrupting whatever reason Juang Cheng wanted to explain. "Your Highness, this servant has been looking for you!"

The dust has yet to settle went Tang Mei rushed out of nowhere. "Empress, there's trouble!"

Then she collided with the other servant.

The two fell into a sorry state but they were still unable to pacify their unease. Both scrambled to get up and put on the first word.

"Reporting to His Highness, there's an accident that caused an animal stampede within the forest. Some nobles were caught up and are currently missing," the male servant hurriedly said.

Wei Lian's warning resurfaced in her mind; there's an overpopulation of games so the forest is restless. She could imagine her boss seething with anger right at this moment.

Jiang Cheng hurriedly asked to be escorted to where the emperor is. Wei Yi Yi took a step to follow but was stopped by Tang Mei.

"Empress, this servant has other matters in hand. Lady Shen fainted while climbing the pagoda."

"Eh?! Did she fall? At which level?!"

"That's not it, your majesty. The servants with her firmly held on the consort so she didn't suffer any injuries. Then the doctor that examined the consort said she's pregnant and now Lady Ye is making a fuss!"

Wei Yi Yi, who went pale, "..."

Jiang Cheng, who unconsciously stopped, "..."

"Separate them! Don't let Consort Ye continue making a fuss! Call the big momos and separate them," Wei Yi Yi cried out.

Chapter end