Traveling through the Tang Dynasty: The Concubine Goes to War

Last time we talked about how Yunxi went to Prince Rui’s mansion to ask Princess Rui in person in order to get to the bottom of Ye Cairen’s affairs.

After meeting Princess Rui, Yunxi asked her straight away why she sent a woman who looked like her into the palace.

Princess Rui frankly admitted that this was indeed done to consolidate the position of the palace. However, she firmly denied that she had any disloyalty to the emperor and emphasized that everything was done out of political considerations.

Yunxi then asked about some specifics about Ye Ling'er. Princess Rui told her that Ye Ling'er was a smart and beautiful girl who was sent to the palace after rigorous training. But Princess Rui said she didn't know about Ye Ling'er's true identity and whether there was a bigger conspiracy behind it.

After getting these answers, Yunxi felt relieved, but doubts still lingered in her heart. After all, Princess Rui's explanation could not completely dispel her doubts about Ye Cairen's identity.

After leaving Prince Rui's Mansion, Yunxi sat in the carriage and pondered.

At this moment, she suddenly remembered that her parents' home was not far away. So she told the driver to change the route and drive towards Yang's Mansion in the east of the city...

Yunxi arrived at the gate of Yang's house in a carriage and jumped off the carriage lightly. The servants at the gate saw their young lady from afar and hurried forward to pass on the news to the mansion.

Not long after, a woman dressed in gorgeous clothes and with a dignified manner came hurriedly. This person was Yunxi's mother.

"Mother, I have something important to ask you." Yunxi stated her purpose without delay.

"What's the hurry? Let's go inside first. Come, let me take a good look at you!" With tears in her eyes, the woman gently took Yunxi's hand and walked into the house together.

The mother and daughter came to the spacious and bright hall and sat down one after another. Mother Yang held Yunxi's hand tightly and looked at her carefully. But Yunxi couldn't wait to tell her mother everything about Ye Cairen.

After listening to her daughter's story, the woman's expression changed slightly, but she regained her composure in an instant.

"I have heard a little about this matter, but I don't know the inside story." Mother Yang responded calmly, "It's just that the affairs of the court are complicated and unpredictable. It's best for us women not to interfere too much."

Yunxi frowned, her face full of worry: "Mother, this matter concerns my daughter's safety in the palace, how can I just ignore it?" Her voice was filled with a hint of anxiety and helplessness.

The woman sighed softly, with a trace of worry in her eyes: "I know you are worried, but now all we can do is wait and see. After all, things in the palace are complicated and changeable, and we will get into trouble if we are not careful. You must be careful in the palace and try to avoid conflicts with Ye Cairen. Remember, protecting yourself is the most important thing."

Yunxi nodded, indicating that she understood her mother's meaning. However, she still couldn't calm down. She knew the cruelty and ruthlessness of the palace struggle, and she was in it, so she would inevitably be implicated. But she also understood that at this moment she could only listen to her mother's advice, keep a low profile, and wait for the opportunity.

"Where is my father? Why haven't I seen him for so long since I came back?" Yunxi frowned and asked her mother with a puzzled look on her face.

"Your father has gone out on business and hasn't come back yet." Mother Yang sighed, a hint of worry in her tone, "The last time your father was on patrol, he was suddenly attacked by a mysterious man on the way and the situation was very critical. Fortunately, Han Xuan happened to pass by there. He fought bravely, saved your father, and escorted him all the way back safely."

Hearing this, Yunxi was shocked. She widened her eyes and said in disbelief: "What? Such a thing actually happened! And I knew nothing about it... I am such an unfilial daughter!" She felt very ashamed and self-blame that as a daughter, she was completely unaware of what had happened to her father.

Although Yunxi is not the real daughter of the original family, but a time traveler who possessed the original owner, when she saw the kind mother in front of her, she couldn't help but feel a sense of intimacy in her heart.

At the same time, she couldn't help but think of her biological parents who were far away in modern times. This complex emotion intertwined together, making her feel deeply moved.

Yang's mother asked Yunxi many questions, and Yunxi told her mother about her experiences over the years.

"Xi'er, my poor child, you have suffered," said Mother Yang as she gently embraced Yunxi in her arms.

It was almost time for dinner, and Yang's mother asked the servants to prepare a sumptuous meal. The mother and daughter sat around the table, enjoying the food and continuing to chat.

"Mother, when father comes back, can you ask him to send a reliable person to Ye Ling'er's hometown, Xianyang, to investigate her adoptive parents?" Yunxi suddenly said.

After hearing this, Yang's mother was slightly startled, as if she wanted to say something, but hesitated for a moment. Finally, she nodded gently and replied: "Xi'er... OK..."

However, Yunxi saw that Yang's mother was hesitant to speak. She couldn't help but feel a little strange, wondering why her mother was like this. But she didn't ask any more questions, because she knew her mother must have her own considerations.

Perhaps, when the time is right, her mother will tell her the reason. So, the mother and daughter continued to enjoy this warm dinner, temporarily putting those doubts aside.

After the meal, Yunxi came to Yang's mother, bowed, and said softly: "Mother, my daughter has to return to the palace to serve His Royal Highness the Crown Prince..." Before she finished speaking, her eyes were slightly red.

Upon hearing this, Yang's mother couldn't help but sigh, her eyes full of attachment and reluctance, but she still responded with a forced smile: "Mother knows... I just hope that you can find the opportunity in the future and come back often to visit." After that, Yang's mother gently held Yunxi's hand, and the warmth from her palm seemed to be her endless concern for Yunxi.

Yunxi nodded silently, trying hard to hold back the tears that were about to burst out.

Then, she resolutely turned around and walked towards the carriage parked at the door. Under the loving and reluctant gaze of Yang's mother, Yunxi slowly boarded the carriage, and with the driver's shout, the carriage began to move slowly towards the direction of the palace.

The sound of the ruts gradually faded away, but Yang's mother still stood there, motionless, staring quietly into the distance, until the carriage carrying her beloved daughter disappeared from her sight.

Not long after Yunxi left, Yang Binghuai returned to the mansion. Yang's mother came up to him and said, "Xi'er is back today..."

"Oh? Where is she now?" asked Yang's father.

"She is going back to the palace to serve the Crown Prince. She asked you to find a reliable person to investigate Ye Ling'er's parents." Mother Yang continued, "Tell me, how could Ye Ling'er look so much like Xi'er? And she was separated from her biological parents when she was young..."

Hearing this, Yang Binghuai also fell into deep thought...