Chapter 222.2

When Consort Qing looked up, she realized that Zhao Yan had already left.

Outside, the sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow through the lattice window, colouring the room’s furniture in a crimson hue.

She stood up, wearing a plain robe, feeling utterly alone.

“Your Highness,” a servant called out.

“It’s time for the evening prayers,” she said, walking toward the small Buddha hall.

*

After the enthronement ceremony, Zhao Yan rightfully became the legitimate crown prince of Dagan Dynasty.

Everyone believed that the Emperor’s decision to adopt a son and make him the crown prince was meant to silence the courtiers who still hoped for a chance to seize power. However, no one expected that the very next day, Emperor Jin’an would have the crown prince by his side, personally instructing him on how to handle state affairs.

As winter approached, Emperor Jin’an fell ill.

This illness was like a mountain collapsing, unstoppable once it began. It started with a headache, making him unable to leave his bed. Then, he fell into a coma.

During this time, Emperor Jin’an woke up twice, once to disclose a secret that had been kept hidden within the imperial family for a long time, and once to issue an edict to depose the Empress. Empress Xu from the Xu Family still resided in the Kunning Palace all these years. Everyone seemed to have expected her to occupy the empress’s position until her death. But no one expected that Emperor Jin’an would issue the edict to depose her at this time.

Apart from the edict to depose the empress, he also issued an edict to posthumously honour Su Yaoniang, the birth mother of the former crown prince, as empress. Emperor Jin’an didn’t forget to leave instructions that, after his passing, he should be buried alongside Empress Su in the imperial mausoleum.

…

In the winter of the 21st year of Jin’an’s reign, the emperor passed away in the Qianqing Palace at the age of forty-eight.

During his reign, he governed diligently and loved the people. He managed state affairs well, made good use of talented individuals, and established a rare era of peace and prosperity. Nations from far and wide paid homage, and he was considered a wise ruler of his time. He ruled for over twenty years, and his achievements were considerable. Though there were some who criticized his background and his occasional ruthlessness, his accomplishments outweighed his faults.

The only regret was that Emperor Jin’an did not leave an heir during his lifetime, and the imperial throne passed to a different branch of the family. Suddenly bestowing the title of empress on a woman that no one had heard of before also raised a lot of discussion within and outside the court.

Rumors even circulated among the common people, suggesting that Emperor Jin’an was an exceptionally devoted person. After Empress Su passed away, he did not approach any other woman. He may have had a special affection for the crown prince, and he was willing to bear the criticism to secure the Crown Prince’s position, even if it meant being labeled as a tyrant with no offspring to succeed him.

Of course, rumors are just rumors, and no one really knows the truth. Nevertheless, people like to add a layer of romanticism to the story. Even years later, there were many fictional tales, but who knows what the true story was?

The first light of morning broke, heralding the dawn.

The sky was still somewhat misty, and the morning fog had not yet dissipated, but Yaoniang had already risen.

She had been awakened by the commotion in the neighboring house. The Chen Family next door had recently sold their house, and it seemed they had received a considerable sum of money. No matter how others inquired, the Chen Family’s madam refused to say anything. Her mother had been grumbling about how the Chen Family seemed to care more about selling their house than their relationships with the neighbors. To her surprise, the Chen Family had moved overnight, causing quite a stir.

Behind the west wing where young Yaoniang and her sister Huiniang lived was the Chen Family. The two households shared a common wall, so whenever there was any noise coming from next door, they could hear it. After a noisy night, it seemed the commotion resumed again early in the morning.

“Look at you, so delicate. The commotion is much milder than last night, so why not take a little more rest now? When it gets hot during the day, you won’t be able to sleep even if you want to,” said Huiniang, yawning as she spoke from her sleeping mat.

Yaoniang had already dressed. At her age, there was no need for excessive adornment, but she was always clean and tidy. She had a natural beauty that made even ordinary clothing look exceptional on her, and anyone who saw her would be put in a good mood.

“Sister, you rest. I’ll go help mother with breakfast,” she replied after smoothing her hair. Then she pushed the door open and left.

Her mother, Wu-shi, had been up early, busy in the kitchen. Su Xiucai had to go to the school, rain or shine, so breakfast needed to be prepared early.

“I knew you, young lady, wouldn’t be able to sleep. But it’s okay. You can take a nap after breakfast when it’s bright outside.”

Yaoniang washed her face, finished her chores, and then her mother called out to her, “Go to the steamed bun stand at the end of the lane and buy some buns. I forgot that we ran out of dough at home, and we can’t live on just congee.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

She handed Yaoniang a few copper coins, and without delay, she went out the door.

As she passed by the Chen Family’s house, she peered inside. Their front door was half-open, and a carriage was parked in front of it. Although Yaoniang was only seven years old, she had some knowledge and knew that carriages were not something ordinary families could afford.

Why would such a wealthy family move to their neighbourhood? She was curious but didn’t think too much about it. She continued on her way to the bun stand.

In the courtyard, Fu Cheng looked at his young master with an expression of helplessness. “Your Highness, sneaking out like this will surely anger His Majesty.”

“I left a letter for my father before departing,” the young man said.

He appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, with long, graceful eyebrows and a refined demeanor. Dressed in a bamboo-blue cotton robe, he tied a deep-blue auspicious cloud-pattern sash around his waist. Hanging from his waist was a jade pendant, and he had a single white jade hairpin in his black hair.

His unique aura and ethereal appearance seemed completely out of place in this old courtyard. However, this young master had come all the way from the capital to this small northern city. He paid a hefty sum to purchase this courtyard, and he even insisted that the previous occupants move out overnight. Today, he arrived early and ordered his men to make arrangements for him to stay there.

Fu Cheng was truly at a loss. “Your Highness, if you do not wish to marry the daughter of Duke Xuguo, we can speak to His Majesty and arrange another match for you. But suddenly running away from the capital, especially just before the grand wedding, is a matter…”

“Mind your own business!”

The young man glared at him and then entered the house. When he emerged, he had changed into a different outfit. Even in ordinary dark blue clothing, he still looked striking, albeit less conspicuous than before.

“You should also change into different clothes and tell them it’s not appropriate for us to be noticed here,” referring to the attendants who had come with him from the capital.

“Understood.”

Fu Chengi led his attendants to tidy up, and the young man intended to return to the house. However, as he turned around, he noticed that the sky was still quite early, and there was a chance she might not have awakened yet.

Standing alone in the empty lane, he looked at the closed door next door and felt a hint of irony and nostalgia. He had lived a long life, but it had been turbulent! Who could have expected that after his death, he would wake up to find himself back in his youth, and after confirming this fact, he had left everything behind to come to this northern city.

He was impatient; he wanted to see her.

In this lifetime, he was determined to protect her as she grew up, shielding her from the trials and tribulations. Without Xu Yanru and the various tribulations they faced, it would only be him and her. Whenever he thought of this, his long-dried heart stirred with emotions.

He stood for a while, intending to go back inside, but just as he turned, he saw a little girl approaching from a short distance.

The little girl hasn’t grown up yet, but she already has the demeanor of a little beauty. With her fair complexion, big eyes, and double buns on her head, she wore a pink cotton shirt and looked adorable and charming.

She resembled Little Si’er so much that he immediately recognized her.

So, it turned out that she had looked like this when she was a child.

Lost in thought, the little girl had already arrived in front of him, curiously eyeing the tall and handsome young man who stood with his head and shoulders above her: “Who are you looking for?”

I’m looking for you.

gingercat's notes:

AHHH this is hands down my favourite chapter of this novel!!