435: visit

As for Princess Danying, because her pregnancy was showing and her body felt heavy, Situ Jun ordered her to rest in the courtyard, so she learned the news later than others.

When the Servant Girl reported the decree from Tianqi and the matter of the deposed Empress to her, Li Danying was stroking her slightly bulging lower abdomen, sitting in front of a brazier to keep warm.

The moment she heard the news, she suddenly stood up, her face pale, and asked in disbelief:

"What did you say? Imperial Brother deposed Imperial Sister-in-law? And even established a New Empress?"

The Servant Girl nodded and said in a low voice:

"It's true, Princess. The messenger from Tianqi has already been here, and the City Lord has already received the decree."

"Imperial Brother... how could he!"

Li Danying stroked her belly, her eyes instantly turning red, her voice filled with grief, indignation, and desolation.

Her relationship with Jiang Yan had always been close, and she knew well how difficult it had been for Imperial Sister-in-law in the deep palace all these years.

Jiang Yan was dignified, virtuous, kind, and generous, managing the inner palace in perfect order without ever overstepping. How could Imperial Brother be so heartless as to depose her just like that?

Anger and grievance welled up in her heart, nearly bringing her to tears.

But a moment later, she took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

Since things had come to this, any more anger and sadness would be useless.

She was no longer a Princess of Tianqi, but the wife of Situ Jun, the City Lord of the Northern Frontier, and the mother of his child; her position had long since changed.

She could no longer act purely on impulse as she had before.

What she cared about more was Jiang Yan's current state of mind.

Imperial Sister-in-law had been strong-willed all her life; suddenly falling from the position of Empress to the mundane world and being demoted to a Commoner, what kind of pain and despair must she be feeling?

Li Danying composed herself and instructed the Servant Girl beside her:

"Help me tie my cloak. I'm going to see Imperial Sister-in-law... no, I'm going to see Sister Jiang."

The Servant Girl hurried forward to support her:

"Madam, your body is heavy and it's snowing hard outside. Why don't I, your Servant Girl, go on your behalf and deliver your regards?"

Li Danying shook her head, her fingertips still lightly resting on her lower abdomen, her tone a bit stubborn:

"It's only proper if I go personally. Sister Jiang must be feeling terrible right now; if anyone else goes, she might not say much. I'll go accompany her, and perhaps it will put her mind at ease."

Seeing her determined attitude, the Servant Girl didn't dare to persuade her further and hurriedly fetched a thick Fox fur cloak, carefully wrapping her in it before cautiously helping her out of the room.

The courtyard outside was covered in snow, and the cold wind bit at one's face. Fortunately, Jiang Yan's courtyard was nearby; after passing through three or four courtyards, they arrived outside the Warm Chamber where Jiang Yan was temporarily staying.

As soon as Li Danying entered the courtyard, she could vaguely hear suppressed sobbing.

Her heart ached. She stopped the Servant Girl who was about to announce her arrival, left her own Servant Girl in the main hall outside the Warm Chamber, and pushed the door open to enter alone.

Inside the Warm Chamber, the charcoal fire glowed red and it was warm and cozy. Jiang Yan had stopped crying, but her eyes were still severely red and swollen, and tear stains remained on her face.

She leaned against Situ Jun's shoulder, her body trembling slightly, like a plum blossom broken by wind and snow, fragile enough to make one's heart ache.

Situ Jun had one arm around her waist and was gently patting her back with the other hand. His movements were tender, and his expression was filled with a rare gentleness.

Hearing the door, both of them looked up at the same time.

Seeing Li Danying, Jiang Yan hurriedly pulled away from Situ Jun's embrace, flusteredly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and forced a faint smile:

"Princess... why are you here? It's snowing so hard outside, and you're pregnant; be careful not to catch a cold."

"I've come to see you, Imperial Sister-in-law."

Li Danying walked forward quickly and took Jiang Yan's cold hand, her gaze full of heartache:

"Hearing the news, my heart... it really hurts. Imperial Brother... he has really gone too far!"

At the mention of Li Xuan, Jiang Yan's eyes dimmed, and a bitter smile tugged at the corner of her mouth:

"Forget it, it's all in the past. From now on, I have nothing more to do with him."

Situ Jun looked at the two of them and slowly stood up, saying:

"You two sisters have a good talk. Also, Princess, it's inconvenient for you to move around; try to walk less in the snow. I'll go tell the kitchen to prepare some ginger soup for you."

"I understand, thank you, husband!" Li Danying said obediently.

Situ Jun nodded. He knew well that some things were much more comfortable for women to discuss among themselves than with a man present.

After Situ Jun left, only the two of them remained in the Warm Chamber.

Li Danying took Jiang Yan's hand, sat on the soft couch, and looked at her closely.

She saw her dressed in plain clothes, having cast off the magnificence of the phoenix crown and robes; she lacked some of the Empress's dignified majesty but gained a bit of the gentle elegance of a southern woman, though the sorrow between her brows could not be dispelled.

"Sister, don't be sad."

Li Danying comforted her softly:

"It's Imperial Brother's loss to treat you this way. The Northern Frontier has high skies and pale clouds, far better than the intrigue within the palace walls of Tianqi. My husband... he will surely protect you."

Jiang Yan lowered her eyes, looking at her hands folded on her knees, her voice as light as a sigh:

"I know. It's just... twenty years of time can't be forgotten just like that after all."

She had once thought she would be Li Xuan's Empress for a lifetime, accompanying him as he ruled the world until their hair turned white. But in the end, it was nothing but a mirage.

"Those unworthy people and things are best forgotten."

Li Danying squeezed her hand, her tone firm:

"After this, you have me, my husband, and the sisters in the estate. We are all your family."

Just then, a soft sound of footsteps came from outside the door.

Su Yunniang, dressed in a moon-white long dress and followed by Qiu Lan, walked in slowly carrying an exquisite brocade box.

Yun Niang had a gentle smile on her face as she nodded slightly to the two of them:

"Sister Princess is here too. I've come to see Sister Jiang and brought some things along."

As she spoke, she had Qiu Lan place the brocade box on the low table and opened it; inside was a piece of shimmering Moonlight Brocade and a set of dazzling Eastern Pearl jewelry.

"This Moonlight Brocade feels soft and comfortable, perfect for making winter clothes. This Eastern Pearl jewelry set is also a treasure I've kept at the bottom of my chest; if you don't mind it, Sister, please accept it."

Looking at the items in the brocade box, Jiang Yan's eyes grew hot again.

She had only known Su Yunniang for half a month, yet she received such generous treatment from her; a warm current immediately surged in her heart.

"This... it's too precious, I can't accept it."

"Sister, what are you saying?"

Su Yunniang smiled and pushed the brocade box toward her:

"Since we are both part of the City Lord's Estate, we are sisters. These small gifts are not worth mentioning. In the future, it's only right that we sisters live in harmony and look out for each other."

Li Danying also chimed in:

"Yes, Sister, it's Yun Niang's sincere wish, so just accept it."

Looking at their sincere gazes, Jiang Yan felt a mix of emotions and finally nodded:

"Thank you, Yun Niang."

Seeing her accept it, Su Yunniang's smile deepened.

As the three were talking, another Servant Girl came to report that Liu Xuaner had also arrived.

Before long, Liu Xuaner walked in carrying a small food box.

She was dressed in a fiery red silk dress, bright and moving, with a somewhat playful smile on her face:

"I knew you'd all be here. I specially stewed some Rock sugar snow pear soup to soothe Sister Jiang's throat. After crying for so long, your voice must be hoarse."

As she spoke, she opened the food box, which contained a bowl of steaming snow pear soup, its sweet fragrance filling the air.

Looking at the three women before her, the haze in Jiang Yan's heart gradually dissipated.

She had originally thought that being demoted to a Commoner and living under someone else's roof would make her future days lonely and difficult.

She hadn't expected to feel such warmth in the Northern Frontier City Lords Mansion.

She picked up the bowl of snow pear soup and took a sip; the sweet taste slid down her throat, and the warmth instantly spread through her entire body.

Her eyes grew hot, and tears nearly fell again, but this time, they were no longer tears of sadness, but tears of gratitude.

Outside the window, the snow continued to fall, but inside the Warm Chamber, it was warm and harmonious.

The charcoal fire in the brazier flickered, reflecting four flower-like faces and a brand-new bond.

[Happy New Year, everyone! May the new year bring you health and prosperity!]