Chapter 59: Sisters-in-Law Swear Oath as Sisters
“Alright, stop thinking about those unpleasant things and go back to sleep.”
“Weren’t you asking me earlier to look into that Huo Renli’s background? Tomorrow, Imperial Aunt will leave the palace to investigate for you.”
Lin Yue comforted Xiao Huaizheng, gently stroking his forehead.
Tears streamed down Xiao Huaizheng’s face even more fiercely. Others treated him kindly because he was a prince, but Imperial Aunt knew he would turn out badly in the future and still couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.
“Waaah…”
“Imperial Aunt, I was wrong.”
“I won’t… sleepwalk again.”
Lin Yue quickly wiped his tears with a handkerchief, smiling wryly. “Sleepwalking at night isn’t a big deal. Just don’t wear women’s clothes anymore. Crying like this, you look like a delicate young lady.”
“Late at night, Imperial Aunt climbed over the wall to get in. When you go out, could you try opening the door a bit?”
Hearing this, Xiao Huaizheng finally smiled through his tears and nodded.
The noise inside startled the Empress, who fled as fast as she could.
But her guilty conscience made her stumble and roll around, covering herself in mud and even biting into a blade of grass.
A loud “Ptooey!” gave her away instantly.
Lin Yue, hearing the noise, cautiously asked, “Who’s there?”
The Empress froze on the spot. Seeing her muddy state with no way to explain it, she simply collapsed and pretended to be dead.
Lin Yue stepped forward in the moonlight and discovered it was the Empress. She was still in her nightgown, covered in dirt as if she had just escaped from a refugee camp.
Lin Yue anxiously held her, calling out, “Imperial Sister-in-law, what’s wrong with you?”
“Don’t scare me. Could it be someone tried to assault you?”
The Empress twitched at the corner of her mouth, knowing if this gossip spread, it would ruin her reputation.
Quickly, she feigned waking up slowly. “Where am I? Did I dream I was chasing after you?”
Lin Yue was shocked. “Chasing me?”
The Empress nodded seriously. “I was half asleep, vaguely saw you leave, so I got up to follow you. But after that...”
“I don’t remember much.”
“Could it be some illness? Do I need treatment?”
As she spoke, she swallowed nervously.
She longed for the nourishing tonic—when would she get to drink it?
Lin Yue helped the Empress up and guessed, “It’s probably sleepwalking. Nothing to worry about. Let’s go back first.”
Hearing hope, the Empress quickly shifted to support Lin Yue, asking with concern, “You too? Did you come looking for me?”
Lin Yue remained calm. “Me too.”
The Empress scoffed inwardly, “Yeah, right!”
Supporting each other back to their chambers, they naturally washed up. Since it was late, they didn’t want to make a fuss—only Zhang the nanny and two junior palace maids were summoned to fetch water. Lin Yue took care of the Empress’s bath.
Seeing how the Empress’s figure had somewhat withered, Lin Yue couldn’t help but recall the majestic presence of the Empress Dowager, feeling that both she and her sister-in-law were quite pitiful.
It wasn’t just that—they couldn’t even match the Empress Dowager’s figure.
Thinking of the Dowager’s alluring pale legs, Lin Yue lost her composure and instructed Zhang the nanny, “Make two cups of honey tea for me and Imperial Sister-in-law.”
The Empress, sitting in the tub, secretly thrilled at the words. Before Zhang could respond, she said, “Hurry up. From now on, listen more to the Princess Consort. We’ll have elixirs to drink!”
Though puzzled by the Empress’s attitude, Zhang the nanny quickly prepared the tea—after all, good relations between sisters-in-law were beneficial and might keep the Emperor in check.
Soon, Zhang brought the honey tea.
While the Empress was dressing, Lin Yue said, “Take your time getting dressed, Imperial Sister-in-law. I’ll wait outside.”
[By the way, exchange two bottles of tonic. We both didn’t sleep well last night; otherwise, we’ll look like giant pandas by dawn.]
[The tea you drink in your chamber and whatever effects it has are your business, not mine, hehe.]
The Empress smiled so widely it almost reached her ears, nodding as her hands trembled holding her clothes.
She even managed to put her trousers on backwards… and forgot to fasten her belt. Hearing Lin Yue say the tonic was ready, she dashed out.
But as she hurried, her trousers slipped off smoothly, revealing bright red undergarments beneath.
Lin Yue: “...???”
[Imperial Sister-in-law, do you have to be this seductively charming? You’re putting a lot of pressure on me. You don’t actually like me, do you?]
“Forgot to fasten my belt—old age, forgetfulness!” The Empress chuckled, pulling her trousers back up. She did crave her younger sister-in-law’s companionship but definitely not for her beauty!
Watching her so fluid and practiced, Lin Yue began to worry: [Does Imperial Sister-in-law have dementia?]
[That tonic only provides temporary relief. I might have to prepare a Bright Eyes and Clear Mind Pill for her.]
The Empress: “...”
Bright eyes, you say???
Please don’t mean dying in peace is the end of it!!!
Fortunately, Lin Yue’s thoughts came again: [The Bright Eyes and Clear Mind Pill requires fifty thousand merits to exchange. It can restore eyesight, cure brain illnesses, and ensure Imperial Sister-in-law lives to a hundred with sharp senses, so no one can scheme against her.]
The Empress was moved to tears and wanted to kneel before her younger sister-in-law in gratitude.
Seeing the Empress about to cry, Lin Yue’s worries deepened. “Imperial Sister-in-law, what’s wrong?”
The Empress took Lin Yue’s hand, raised her tea cup, and excitedly said, “Sister-in-law, let’s become sworn sisters!”
“From now on, we share blessings and hardships. We may not be born in the same year or day, but we vow to die on the same year and day!”
“Come, cheers!”
Lin Yue: “...”
[Although… if I accumulate too much negative energy, I might drop dead soon.]
“Ahem…” The Empress coughed violently, spilling some tonic she had just sipped, hastily covering her mouth out of fright.
What a joke—if I choke and die, I’d better swallow it down!
But maybe this oath needs… revising?
The Empress pressed Lin Yue’s hand and said, “I almost forgot, you’re still so young. You can’t be like me.”
“Then let’s change it to: sharing blessings and hardships, may we both live long and well!”
Lin Yue found this more agreeable and promptly finished the tonic in one gulp.
Suddenly, both of them felt as if the sky had brightened before their eyes.
Just as they wondered if their eyesight had improved, Zhang the nanny reported, “Mistresses, the Empress Dowager has arrived. She wants to take you both for morning exercises.”
The Empress and Lin Yue were stunned and asked in unison, “But outside it’s still…”
Zhang looked puzzled and replied, “It’s dawn already. The Emperor has gone to the morning court.”
Lin Yue: “...” She had thought they would see night as day from now on.
The Empress: “...” She had thought her eyes had really brightened!!!