When Emperor Jing entered, he saw this scene: the woman he loved and his beloved son were holding each other and crying, both looking pitifully miserable. Yet Emperor Jing understood that crying their hearts out like this was good for both of them.
He slowly walked over and embraced the two, murmuring, “From now on, I will protect you with all my heart. No one will ever be hurt again. I broke my promise before, but never again, never again. Let’s all be safe and happy together, okay?”
“Father—” Yan Yu cried even louder.
For a moment, the entire room was filled with weeping.
Outside, Lai Xi lowered his head. He thought, indeed, the inner palace would be forever changed from now on.
No one could ever fully understand the emperor’s thoughts, yet none had imagined that he could actually fall in love with Empress Shen.
When a man truly loves a woman, the things he can do for her go beyond imagination. He himself had never been a man who understood such emotions, but if he had to say whether it was worth it, he truly believed it was.
Empress Shen had done so much for the emperor. Perhaps others didn’t know, but he did. Hui Fei claimed to love the emperor with her words, yet she was willing to stab him with a knife. Empress Shen, without saying a word, was willing to risk her life to save him, whether it was at the cliff or during the smallpox outbreak.
Both he and Lai Fu felt that everything the emperor did for Empress Shen was worth it.
Life is like this: when you treat others with all your heart, others will naturally return the favor.
They were both loyal and protective of their master; as long as the emperor was well, they felt everything was fine.
The palace had truly become quiet now.
All those disturbances and struggles had finally dissipated like smoke.
Others might not know, but they did. They had watched step by step as events and people reached this point. The emperor’s decision now must have been made after deep consideration.
They even felt that things should be this way.
Looking at the clear sky outside, Lai Xi felt as if the wind was high and the clouds were light, as if the rain had indeed decreased.
From now on, would it really be clear skies forever?
Three days had passed since the assassination attempt on the emperor.
Emperor Jing took Yan Yu, who had been crying bitterly in Fengqi Palace, back to Xuanning Hall. Layue did not say much.
Now was the time for father and son to have a serious talk, and only in this way could it be better for Yan Yu.
Watching the two leave hand in hand, Layue finally wore a smile of satisfaction on her face.
At Xuanning Hall,
Emperor Jing ordered someone to wash the child’s face properly. Yan Yu lifted his little face, his red eyes looking at the emperor.
“Father, what do you want to talk to me about?”
He was a smart child and knew that the emperor had brought him here because there must be something important to say.
“Yü’er really is a clever child,” the emperor sighed.
The little boy bit his lip and stood there silently.
“Yü’er has grown into a little man now. You’re not a clueless baby anymore. Father can treat you like an adult, right?”
Yan Yu nodded and replied earnestly, “I am an adult.”
The emperor patted his head, “Father promised you that I would avenge your mother, but Father wants to know what you really think. Not only about Fu Jin Yao, but also the Fu family. After all, the Fu family is your mother’s maternal home. Chancellor Fu is your maternal grandfather, and Grand Academician Fu is your maternal uncle.”
Yan Yu pursed his lips, bit his lip, and thought for a long time, finally saying, “Everyone should be responsible for their own actions.”
The meaning behind those words was quite simple and clear. Emperor Jing nodded.
“I’m glad you can understand reason.”
Yan Yu thought for a moment and sat opposite the emperor.
“Father, no matter what decision you make, I will accept it. I know you do it for our good. You will never harm us.”
Emperor Jing hadn’t expected Yan Yu to say this. He was somewhat surprised, but more importantly, he felt comforted: “Father is very glad, very glad that Yü’er is such a sensible child.”
He gently patted his head, his expression soft.
However, Yan Yu’s next words surprised the emperor: “Father, do you want me to be the crown prince?”
The emperor looked at him, seeing his serious expression, and shook his head: “Father hasn’t thought about it. Not only for you, but for others as well. You’re all still young. I can’t be sure which one of you is definitely suitable to be emperor. I need to observe carefully. You’re not a child anymore and should understand that Father’s affection is one thing, but being the crown prince is another. I must be responsible for Nanshun and cannot allow the foundation laid by our ancestors to be destroyed by me or my sons.”
Hearing this, Yan Yu’s tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed.
A childish smile appeared on his face.
“Father, then please don’t choose me!”
The emperor was stunned.
“Don’t choose me, okay? I don’t want to be emperor.” Yan Yu said earnestly.
Looking at his son, the emperor didn’t know what he meant.
He had become accustomed to doubting others’ words, but toward his own son, looking into his clear eyes, he found himself unable to doubt him. Perhaps this was truly his genuine thought.
“Why?”
Yan Yu looked at the emperor, the father he respected most: “I just don’t want to. I don’t want to become an emperor, nor do I want to be plotted against my whole life. I would rather be a prince, take care of my younger brothers and sisters, protect them, and assist my younger brother.”
The emperor looked at him.
“Father will deal with all the corrupt elements in the country thoroughly. Even so, you still don’t want it?” The emperor stared into his eyes.
Yan Yu shook his head firmly: “Please grant my wish, Father. I don’t want to. I just want a simple life. I want to be happy.”
The emperor wanted to say something else but finally remained silent.
He nodded and agreed: “Father agrees to Yü’er’s request. But Yü’er, since Father has promised you, you must not change your mind. Are you still willing? There will be no chance to regret it in the future.”
“I’m willing!” Yan Yu was firm.
No one knew about this conversation between father and son. No one had ever imagined that the imperial throne, which people had once vied for, would be cast aside by Yan Yu like an old shoe.
Everyone has their own path in life.
Emperor Jing had gradually come to love Layue and grown tired of the concubines in the harem, tired of having many women around him, because of all the events that had brought him to this point. Therefore, he abandoned the harem and chose to be with Layue alone.
Yan Yu, having witnessed too much scheming among the women in the palace—even against their own family members—had developed a deep weariness. Now, regarding the imperial throne that many had longed for, he kept his distance and showed no interest at all.
Perhaps, being an ordinary person is truly the best!
Life often works this way: people always desire what they don’t have.
After receiving a definite answer from Yan Yu, Emperor Jing finally dealt with Fu Jin Yao.
However, unlike Bai Youran, he did not imprison her in the madhouse.
Instead, he ordered her to drink a cup of poisoned wine and end her life.
As for the Fu family, Emperor Jing said not a word.
But on the very day Fu Jin Yao drank the poisoned wine and died, Chancellor Fu submitted his resignation in the imperial court.
He seemed to have aged many years in an instant.
Chancellor Fu even claimed that it was due to his failure in raising his daughter properly that led to this outcome, and he felt deeply guilty.
In fact, everyone understood that both hands are part of the body—when one daughter caused the death of another, it was an unbearable embarrassment.
Emperor Jing did not utter a single word of blame. On the contrary, he ordered Fu Jinyu to temporarily take over Chancellor Fu’s position.
Only then did everyone finally understand.
Whether a concubine is favored or not indeed has nothing to do with the affairs of the court.
Fu Jinyu and Emperor Jing were taught by the same imperial tutor and had always shared the same ideals and political views. Therefore, regardless of what happened to the Fu family, it would remain unshaken.
No matter how many mistakes the women of the Fu family committed, the Fu family’s prosperity was not brought by the women.
When Chancellor Fu resigned, the emperor valued Fu Jinyu.
The assassination attempt by the Fu family’s daughter did not implicate every member of the Fu family. This was politics.
The emperor was not targeting noble families but eliminating the conservative faction within the court. What he needed were many capable individuals who shared his political views.
At this time, the civil and military officials finally felt relieved—not only relieved but also believing it was better this way. They no longer engaged in superficialities; as long as someone had ability, they could rise to a higher position. What was wrong with that?
Only in this way could Nanshun become even more renewed and flourish.
For a time, the morale of Nanshun did not decline due to the changes in the court and the inner palace but instead became even higher.
However, on the very night Chancellor Fu submitted his resignation, he ended his life with a cup of poisoned wine.
It was not ordered by the emperor but was his own act of suicide.
Chancellor Fu’s last words were only one sentence: “At last, I can go and accompany her. I hope I haven’t kept her waiting too long.”
No one except Fu Jinyu knew the truth behind this event, nor did anyone know who this “her” was.
Emperor Jing, deep in the palace, sighed deeply.
Others might not know, but he did.
When it came to emotions, it was hard to say who was right or wrong.
The emperor had loved the empress, and at the same time, to balance Fu Yunrui, he continuously created misunderstandings between the two.
Madam Fu had schemed and plotted to win over Chancellor Fu, but in the end, it only cost her life.
At this moment, Emperor Jing couldn’t help but feel that Yue’er’s affection for him and her sincere feelings were such a beautiful existence.
At least, both of them had no regrets.
The person he loved also loved him in return—that was true completeness.
Thinking of Layue, Emperor Jing rose from his seat. At this moment, he really wanted to see her.
He quickly went to Layue’s residence. Now the inner palace was extremely quiet, but it was precisely this quietness that made Emperor Jing feel a sense of peace.
It was not only external but also internal.
Upon hearing of the emperor’s arrival, Layue hurriedly went to the gate to greet him.
The emperor feigned displeasure: “You silly girl, autumn has already arrived, why are you standing at the gate like this? What if you catch a chill?”
This girl hadn’t even bothered to put on an outer robe.
Layue paid no heed to his words and smiled as she retorted, “How could I catch a chill? It’s still hot during the ‘autumn tiger’ season. I’m not that delicate.”
Although she said so, she was still happy to receive his care, and the small dimple at the corner of her mouth faintly appeared, extremely tempting.
Unable to help himself, the emperor gently kissed the corner of her mouth.
The two were immersed in sweetness.
“How is Your Majesty’s shoulder now?” Layue asked, holding his arm.
Emperor Jing knew that Layue was very concerned about his injury.
“It’s fine. I change the medicine every day as usual. There are so many skilled physicians in the Imperial Medical Institute. I’m not in any danger. Even without mentioning this, Cui Wen’s medical skills are also reliable.”
Layue smiled proudly: “Of course they are reliable. Just look at who her master is.”
Emperor Jing had long suspected that Cui Wen was not self-taught. If that were the case, she would be a rare genius in the world.
To become as skilled as the imperial physicians through self-study alone—Emperor Jing was not a fool. He didn’t say anything because Cui Wen was from Layue’s palace, and since Layue didn’t speak of it, he wouldn’t either.
Just like Guo’er—Layue knew that Guo’er was his person. But he didn’t say much about it, and Layue didn’t either.
Seeing her not avoiding the topic today, Emperor Jing smiled and asked, “Then, my dear Yue’er, would you like to tell me who Cui Wen’s master is?”
At this moment, Emperor Jing had a vague idea.
“Can’t you guess, Your Majesty?” Layue glanced at him.
Seeing her like this, Emperor Jing laughed heartily: “I guess that person is Lady Wan.”
If he hadn’t known that Lady Wan’s medical skills were exceptional, he would have guessed it was Minister Wan. But now, he believed it was Lady Wan.
Layue smiled: “Your Majesty is indeed wise, but there’s something you must not know.”
“Is that so?” Emperor Jing looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
Layue slightly lifted her chin, a proud look on her face.
Embracing her waist, Emperor Jing spoke tenderly: “Then, I beg my queen, please tell this humble servant something he doesn’t know!”
Hearing this, Layue couldn’t help but giggle uncontrollably.
She gave Emperor Jing a proud glance and poked his face: “Cui Wen is no ordinary person. She is the current Empress’s senior apprentice sister.”
For a moment, Emperor Jing was stunned, looking at Layue, and then burst into laughter.
Layue was puzzled by his laughter and tilted her head to look at him.
The emperor laughed so hard that tears came to his eyes.
“Senior apprentice sister? My dearest darling, are you saying that you are also Lady Wan’s apprentice?”
Layue spent all day reading medical books. At first, Emperor Jing had suspected that she knew everything, but as time passed, Emperor Jing could see that Layue’s medical skills were practically nonexistent, which was precisely why he trusted her even more.
Seeing him mock her, Layue pouted and pinched him a few times: “Why can’t I be Lady Wan’s apprentice? It’s just that I entered the palace not long after I started learning, and my talent wasn’t that good, so that’s why I’m like this now.”
The emperor laughed and gently patted her head.
“My Yue’er is the smartest. If you like, I can summon Lady Wan to the palace to teach you in the future.”
But at this moment, Layue firmly shook her head.
“No, I wasn’t that interested in the first place, or I wouldn’t have learned so little. The reason I initially studied under Lady Wan was merely out of concern for life in the deep palace.”
Her eyes were clear, and how could the emperor not understand?
Now even he admitted that the inner palace was indeed a place where people were devoured without blinking.
The two entered the inner chamber. After much deliberation, the emperor spoke: “Bai Youran is gone, but Ning’er cannot grow up like this. Although he also made mistakes, he is still a child, and my child. I want to bring Zhu Yuning back from the national temple to take care of him. What do you think?”
Bai Youran had died by suicide three days after being sent to the madhouse.
The outcome did not surprise Emperor Jing, though Ning’er was, after all, his own child.
After a moment of silence, La Yue looked Emperor Jing straight in the eyes and said, “Fine! Whatever you say is fine!”
In truth, Emperor Jing naturally understood that among all the concubines, the most suitable person to raise Yan Ning was not Zhu Yuning, but Fu Jin Yan. However, he did not wish to do so. Fu Jin Yan was simply too clever.
He would not take even the slightest risk.
Nor would he allow any instability for any of his children.
Perhaps he could not bear to give up on this son, but he had already decided that Yan Ning would inherit the throne.
A few days ago, Yan Ning had woken up, but had lost all his memories.
Emperor Jing couldn’t say whether this was good or bad.
But upon closer observation, the child was clearly not pretending. Perhaps, in the end, heaven is fair to everyone.
Zhu Yuning’s temperament was certainly suitable to be a mother.
Since she had been able to become a nun, she could naturally return to secular life for the sake of an innocent child.
Emperor Jing was not mistaken. Although Zhu Yuning had already shaved her head and become a nun, she truly returned to secular life for Yan Ning.
In the harem of Nan Qin, aside from the Queen who exclusively occupied the Jiao Fang Palace, only Li Fei held a special position.
On the day Zhu Yuning returned to the palace, seeing Shen La Yue waiting at the gate to welcome her, she finally burst into tears.
Life’s twists and turns often surprise us. In this lifetime, she never could have imagined that she would have a son of her own.
Looking at Shen La Yue before her, Zhu Yuning wept and laughed at the same time.
“Your Majesty the Empress.”
“Dear sister, please rise quickly.”
The intrigues and disputes of the harem had finally come to an end. From now on, there would be no more competition for favor, no more scheming.
It was already autumn now, and the two women were strolling in the imperial garden.
Looking at the garden still full of blooming flowers,
Zhu Yuning sighed, “I never could have imagined that in the end, things would turn out like this, and that the palace would only have you and me left.”
La Yue also felt a sense of dreamlike haziness.
But seeing several lively children in the distance, La Yue smiled warmly.
“I have gotten what I wished for. What about you, sister?”
Zhu Yuning also smiled, “The Emperor said that for the rest of his life, the Third Prince will never know that I am not his birth mother.”
With that, the two exchanged a smile.
This was, after all, the best outcome for both Zhu Yuning and Yan Ning.
Although people might talk, La Yue firmly believed that if the Emperor had said it, he would certainly make it happen.
“He is still weak. In the future, sister, you can bring him over to play with these children. Children should be with other children to be happy. Keeping them isolated will only make them more withdrawn. That would not be a good thing.”
It was precisely because of Bai Youran’s situation that Yan Ning had nearly been harmed.
Zhu Yuning nodded.
The two women gazed at the children, their thoughts drifting far.
Perhaps her life had been full of hardships, but in her previous life, she had used up all her misfortunes, so in this life, heaven had been very kind to her.
It had given her many things she desired, even those she had dared not hope for.
The Empress Dowager’s genuine affection, the Emperor’s sincere love, a peaceful Shen family, lively children, and even a friend like Zhu Yuning.
Even the Sixth Prince, whom she had considered an unstable factor, had given her the strongest support when she was crowned Empress and the Emperor had dismissed the harem.
He had said that he had once promised an old friend to take good care of himself.
La Yue knew that he was referring to her mother.
Mother…
Her life, full of twists and turns, had eventually become complete.
Late at night.
La Yue’s sleep was very uneasy.
In her dream, mist and fog surrounded her.
La Yue walked through clouds, unable to reach the end. She didn’t even understand why she was walking here.
“Is there anyone? Anyone? Where is this?” She shouted, but no one answered.
Another daze.
She had arrived at a very quiet inner room, which was also shrouded in mist.
La Yue frowned.
Kneeling there in prayer, the person was… her mother?
She could barely recall her mother’s face…
“Mother…”
The woman turned around, saw her, and smiled.
“Yue-er—”
It was exactly her mother’s smile from her memories.
“Mother—” La Yue rushed forward, tightly embracing her mother, overwhelmed with joy and tears.
Her mother just held her and asked, “Has Yue-er been doing well?”
La Yue nodded, nodding hard. She was good, very good.
“You’ve had a hard time.”
La Yue shook her head, unable to say a word.
“Yue-er will be happy. Yue-er is a good girl. You deserve happiness. Mother is very happy, happy that Yue-er can protect your family, not only the Shens but also the Yus, you protect everyone. So, you deserve to be happy.”
“Mother—” La Yue looked at her mother through tear-filled eyes.
Her mother looked exactly as she had in her childhood, not showing any signs of aging.
Yes, yes, this was just a dream. How could the mother in a dream grow old?
“Mother, Yue-er has tried very hard. The Emperor treats me well, the Empress Dowager treats me well, and even the Sixth Prince hasn’t harmed me. Mother, even though since my rebirth I’ve always felt so tired, I’m so happy, so glad that I kept going, kept holding on. Mother, I miss you so much, so much—”
Yue Qingcheng held her daughter, as if she were still the little girl she had once been.
“Even though Yue-er has been tired, you’ve always done so well. Mother believes Yue-er will be happy. As long as you hold tightly to what you want, you will surely attain happiness.”
“Yue-er, look at how happy you are, seeing the Shens and the Yus safe and sound, Mother can rest easy. You will all be happy! Remember, you will always be the daughter that makes Mother most proud.”
“Mother, Mother—” Yue Qingcheng suddenly vanished.
La Yue looked around in confusion.
“Mother, Mother—”
“You must be happy!” The voice seemed to come from far away.
“Yue-er, Yue-er, wake up, Yue-er—” Emperor Jing saw La Yue frantically reaching out in all directions, calling out “Mother.”
He quickly shook her awake.
At this moment, La Yue’s face was already soaked with tears.
Looking at Emperor Jing, then at the familiar Feng Qi Palace around her, she immediately threw herself into the Emperor’s arms.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I dreamed of my mother. I dreamed of my mother—”
“She said, seeing that I am happy, she can rest easy. She said I am her proud daughter. Your Majesty, I dreamed of my mother—”
La Yue rambled incoherently, clutching at the Emperor’s robe.
Emperor Jing comforted her, holding her tightly in his arms.
Though he found Yue Qingcheng somewhat suspicious and strange, Emperor Jing knew that it no longer mattered.
“That’s great, Yue-er should be happy, right? Why are you crying? Don’t cry, be a good girl, don’t make me worry even more, okay?”
La Yue nodded, “Okay! Your Majesty, I will be happy, right?”
“Yes, I love you, my Yue-er, and you will be happy!”
Emperor Jing said in a deep, low voice.
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