Counterattack of the Cannon Fodder Chambermaid

by Usui Takumii

not mine, Princess Capture Plan. Total: 177 chapters and 12 epilogue so 189 chapters .

19. 181 to 189

181

At the same time, the eastern palace was also having its meal.

A large round table was filled with various dishes. There were five people seated.

They were all children who weren't ten years old yet.

Yi Yi looked at Luo Yu as he got rice everywhere and couldn't help but say disdainfully: "Aiya, I told you not to come but you insisted. Look, you got rice everywhere."

Luo Yu glared at her and let out a hmph, saying self-righteously: "I'm still young."

Yi Yi used a handkerchief to wipe off the rice around his mouth, "You're almost five. Still young? Ask your big bro. The two of us didn't spill our rice when we were five."

"Big bro Heng Heng is almost eight, but isn't he spilling as well?!"

The boy on the other side who was stuffing his face froze. His face was also covered in rice as he looked blankly at Yi Yi and Luo Yu.

Luo Zhuo couldn't help but laugh out loud. Next to him, Yang Nuo laughed as well.

Yang Nuo let out a sigh, and took out a handkerchief to wipe Yang Heng's face. "Can't you eat a little slower? Mom taught you countless times but you're still like this. You're making a fool of yourself, even in the palace."

"Uncle says that men have to take big bites of food and drink big gulps of alcohol to embody the true manly spirit!"

Well, it seemed that the Dingyuan Marquis had led his little nephew astray. But the Dingyuan Marquis didn't eat like this, ok?

Luo Yu was laughing loudly, his gaze provocative. He seemed to be making a show of it as he vigorously scooped another spoonful of rice and stained his face even more.

Yi Yi rubbed her forehead. This brat was too hateful.

"Big bro—look at him!"

Yi Yi used her ultimate move and summoned her big bro to deal with her disobedient little brother.

Luo Zhuo's elegant brows contained amusement as he tried to settle things, "Alright, alright. Second bro isn't normally like this either. Only when we're together is he a little more casual."

This was truly the case. Xiao Hua still didn't know what her second son would get rice all over his face when eating. Of course, it had happened before, but that was only when Luo Yu first learned to eat by himself. Now, it was no longer the case.

Yi Yi let out a hmph and couldn't be bothered to look at Luo Yu anymore. She muttered, "Look at our big bro Yang Nuo. So refined. The two of you are like bandits."

Her words didn't have any other meaning but the listener's thoughts stirred. Yang Nuo looked at the girl dressed in pink across from him. He saw her large, limpid eyes which slanted slightly upwards and her pouted little cherry lips. He couldn't help but lower his head.

After lunch, Yi Yi pulled Luo Zhuo along for a walk in the courtyard. This was something she learned from their parents, saying it could help with digestion.

Yang Nuo naturally followed along. Yang Heng and the youngest Luo Yu also came, but the two naughty brats ran off before long, presumably going to play by themselves.

Although Yang Heng was one of the crown prince's classmates in name, he never studied. Of course, he did a bit of it, but he wasn't very interested in reading. He merely followed along in learning a few words to become literate. In contrast, he was extremely interested in learning martial arts.

When Luo Zhuo turned six, the Jing Emperor assigned him extra studies. Every morning he would learn literature and every afternoon he would learn martial arts. If he had interest and talent, he could learn a little more. If not, he could treat it as strengthening his body.

As of today, Luo Zhuo handled things pretty well. He made progress in both literature and martial arts.

The imperial tutors all praised his outstanding talents, and said he would definitely not be simple in the future. One of the scholars even lamented that if Luo Zhuo could focus on his studies alone, he would definitely become a famous scholar. Unfortunately, Luo Zhuo was the crown prince, and naturally couldn't bury himself in books and theory. What he learned was the application of theories to practical matters and people's livelihoods, as well as matters of the court and the nation.

According to the Jing Emperor's martial arts instructor, the crown prince was far more talented than his majesty.

Barbarian Yan was precisely Luo Zhuo's martial arts instructor. When he taught the Jing Emperor, it was more to amuse himself. When he taught Luo Zhuo, Barbarian Yan was far more focused. Good seedlings were hard to come by, and Barbarian Yan naturally felt inspired by his talent.

What made Barbarian Yan even more pleased was that he had suddenly encountered three good seedlings all at once. The other two were Yang Heng and Luo Yu. Luo Zhuo was the crown prince, and he naturally couldn't put all his efforts into martial arts. Therefore, Barbarian Yan put his thoughts on Yang Heng and Luo Yu, wanting them to surpass him in the future.

The three had all taken him as their master, and the situation was naturally different from the casual training with the Jing Emperor in the past. This had required a type of special ceremony. Therefore, the three of them were now fellow disciples. Luo Zhuo was the senior disciple, Yang Heng was the second disciple and the youngest naughty brat Luo Yu was the youngest disciple.

Of course, this wasn't something that was mentioned within the palace. It was merely used in private.

Yang Nuo and Yi Yi naturally wouldn't fall behind. Yang Nuo didn't have the aptitude for martial arts, and merely learned a few things to strengthen the body. Yi Yi always did things halfheartedly. She didn't have enough perseverance and couldn't endure suffering. Therefore, she merely tagged along a couple of times for the liveliness and then put her thoughts to rest.

Yi Yi was now focused on learning the feminine arts, such as etiquette, needlework, poetry and calligraphy, as well as studying the Confucian moral injunctions for women…

As their only daughter, both Xiao Hua and the Jing Emperor spent a lot of effort on her, but they also didn't lack in pampering and indulging her. Yi Yi had grown up with Luo Zhuo, and had spent her time messing around with him. Since her environment had been different growing up, her way of thinking was naturally different from ordinary girls.

She had a lively nature, and was being spoiled by the most influential couple under the heavens. She felt that the Confucian morals for women were complete nonsense. Therefore, she merely learned what she needed to regarding these virtues, but didn't bother with learning the things she hated.

Furthermore, Lin Qing Wan often came into the palace, and she was someone who was different from most of the women in this age. She was carefree, wise and often saw things differently than other women. Her views sometimes even conflicted with the ethics of this world, but still gave off a sense of moral wisdom. Since she often interacted with Xiao Hua in the palace, Yi Yi was naturally influenced by her as well.

Perhaps from the perspective of titled women, such an eldest princess was undignified. However, Yi Yi was happiest this way.

"Where did those two little brats run off to?" Yi Yi stomped her foot angrily.

Luo Zhuo strolled lazily while talking with Yang Nuo. Hearing her words, he told Yi Yi: "There are people following them, they won't get lost."

Yi Yi let out a hmph, and pulled at Luo Zhuo's hand. "Big bro, come back to the Fengqi Palace for dinner. You don't know, but mom has been harping on for two days about how you haven't come back for dinner."

Luo Zhuo rubbed his nose, his expression a little awkward. "I spent too long on my homework the past couple of days. Didn't I have someone send a message over?"

Only during such occasions did Luo Zhuo seem more like a child, and less like Grand Xi's crown prince.

"Ever since you moved to the eastern palace, mom started liking you more than me. She talks about you every day." Yi Yi pouted, a jealous expression on her face.

"Then you should move to your own palace as well. Princesses need to live alone once they are seven years old."

Yi Yi tilted her chin and bragged: "Out of the question. I'm going to live with mom for a few more years. Not just anyone can enjoy the treatment of mom tucking them in and hugging them to sleep."

Luo Zhuo's gaze contained a hint of jealousy as he glanced at his sister. He definitely wouldn't admit he wanted such treatment from his mom as well.

But he was a boy, and was also the crown prince. It's been a long, long time since his mom had held him.

He felt deeply aggrieved, "Yi Yi, this humble one is very busy tomorrow. The day after is very busy as well. You shouldn't come to the eastern palace in the next two days."

"Great! Big bro is threatening me. I'm going to tell father and mother empress…."

"Only someone as young as second bro would be idle enough to go tattle…."

"You, you, you. You're so mean." Yi Yi switched her target and pulled at Yang Nuo's sleeve, "Big bro Yang Nuo, look at him. He's bullying me…."

Yang Nuo smiled helplessly, "Princess, the person bullying you is the crown prince."

Therefore, he was powerless.

"Great! You are all on the same side!" Yi Yi stomped her foot and ran off angrily.

Luo Zhuo and Yang Nuo looked at each other and smiled.

The warm afternoon sun shone through the green foliage above their heads. The golden, fragmented rays of light scattered upon the young, still immature faces of the two people.

This moment was very beautiful.

After settling Eunuch Fu and Auntie Qi's affairs, Xiao Hua turned her gaze upon Ding Lan and Chun Cao.

The marriage of these two personal palace maids had been weighing on Xiao Hua's mind over the past two years. But no matter what she said, one would say she didn't feel like marrying and the other would say she was still young.

One was twenty-six and the other was twenty. Was this still young? They would be counted as old maids outside the palace!

Chun Cao was still ok. She spent her days laughing away, and did indeed seem young if one didn't consider her age. But if Ding Lan delayed further, she could only remain in the palace her entire life.

On this day, Xiao Hua specially called Ding Lan and Chun Cao for a conversation.

Ding Lan had never been willing to reveal the reason she wasn't willing to get married. But with the empress's attitude today, she had no choice but to speak.

"Empress, this servant isn't like big sis Ding Xiang, who entered the palace at a very young age. This servant was sold at fourteen into the palace in exchange for silver so my brothers could get married….because I had grown up outside and understood the way of things, I know that a married woman's life outside isn't as nice as one imagines…."

"…life outside is bitter, and there's always the worry of not having enough to eat. Even if life isn't bitter, that means the man is rich, and how many concubines would he have in that case? It's better to stay with empress and serve the rest of my life. When this servant is old, empress just has to continue providing food….."

After hearing her words, Xiao Hua fell silent.

Actually, Ding Lan's words weren't wrong at all. Without money, she would worry about food. With money, she would have to worry about various flowers making trouble for her. This world was too unfair towards women. No wonder Ding Lan would have such thoughts.

"How would you know without giving it a try? Your life is still what you make of it, right?" This was Xiao Hua speaking from experience.

"This servant is already this old, and hasn't met anyone suitable. Actually, from another perspective, this servant's situation is pretty good. No need to wait upon a mother-in-law, and my days are comfortable. Empress is a good mistress, and never curses or beats us, and never even gives us attitude. Life outside isn't as good, might as well assume this servant is greedy for the good life in the palace. Regardless, regardless, this servant doesn't want to get married. Empress, don't drive Ding Lan away."

"What foolish words, how could this seat drive you away? But, I still feel…..ai, forget it if you don't want it….." Xiao Hua let out a sigh, and looked at Chun Cao. "What about you? You aren't old, but now is the best time to get married."

Chun Cao giggled, "This servant is also greedy for the good life in the palace. Empress, don't drive this servant away."

Xiao Hua rubbed her forehead. These two!

"Can't you guys follow good examples? Isn't Ding Xiang living a nice life?"

Ding Xiang was truly living a nice life. Zhao Da cherished her a lot. She had only just given birth to a chubby baby boy but Zhao Da pretty much put her on a pedestal. Zhao Da was an orphan, and there were no in-laws to speak of. Ding Xiang could essentially treat the house as her own, and her days were especially beautiful.

"How many good men like Zhao Da are there?"

"Precisely."

Seeing the two's stubborn expressions, Xiao Hua didn't know what she should say.

After another while, she finally said: "Regardless, this seat will leave things at that. If you change your minds, just let this seat know. This seat will let you get married off grandly. Of course, this seat won't force you. After all, everyone has their own paths."

"Thank you empress for your grace."

Author's notes:

It's not that this author refuses to let them get married, it's they who are unwilling. Actually, this authors feels it really wasn't a good choice to get married back then. Might as well serve by the empress's side in the palace. There's more freedom. Ding Lan seems to have made up her mind. Chun Cao might not be for sure, but that's something for the future.

Everyone will be grown up in the next chapter. Time to worry about marriage.

182

As the years passed with the empress remaining the only favored one, the officials all got used to it.

This clearly didn't conform to convention, but this was the way it was, and after a while, everyone felt this was the way it should be.

Of course, there were a couple of small fries who popped up and mentioned the state of the Jing Emperor's harem, but they were all ignored by him. As time passed, no one brought it up anymore.

Concubine Qiao passed away. It was said she had died of illness, and the event didn't even make a ripple within the rear palace or the court.

But at the same time, in a small southern town far from the capital, an ordinary looking widow moved into an alley along with an old one and a young one.

Their stories continued, but no one knew what would happen to them in the future…..

Xiao Hua didn't expect Concubine Qiao to make such a choice, and also didn't expect the Chengyang Count's family to agree with it. But it was as she said, a woman's happiness didn't come from luxury. Concubine Qiao was a smart one, and she had her own reasons for choosing such a life.

Xiao Hua wished her well.

Arrangements were also made for the Serene and Tranquil Concubines, but they showed no signs of movement. One day, they both suddenly asked for an audience with the empress.

"We've taken empress's consideration to heart, and understand empress's intentions. However, the two of us are different from big sis Concubine Qiao. People like us wouldn't find much happiness to speak of even if we went outside. We might as well continue to muddle about in the palace. Empress wouldn't mind having a couple more mouths to feed, right?"

Xiao Hua fell silent at their words.

However, she respected their decisions. Everyone had their own lifestyle, and she had already done what she wanted to. Her conscience was clear.

"Empress doesn't have to overthink things. In fact, our days are no longer hard after thinking things through…."

Someone with such thoughts shouldn't have a hard life.

Days flowed on like a boat rowing with the current, and one year passed after another.

During these years, Luo Zhuo, Yi Yi and Luo Yu all matured. Xiao Hua felt that whenever she blinked, the children would age by a year. On the other hand, her own days with the Jing Emperor were the same as always.

The Jing Emperor was a dull person. He didn't enjoy music, song or dance, didn't enjoy playing go, and in fact didn't really have any hobbies. Every day, he went to the same three places: the court, the imperial study and the Fengqi Palace. The Violet Imperial Hall that belonged to him had been empty for far too long.

Of course, the two of them felt the urge to travel for fun, but were helpless since the Jing Emperor was too busy. Xiao Hua also couldn't bear leaving her still young children behind. They could only put their thoughts to rest.

The days passed like this, calm yet filled with comforting joy.

Only when the Jing Emperor brought up the matter of finding Yi Yi a husband did Xiao Hua realize her daughter was almost of marrying age. As for herself, she seemed to have grown old.

Of course, this was just in her own mind. In the Jing Emperor's eyes, she was just as beautiful, but this wasn't something he was able to vocalize. He wasn't someone who would say such sweet nothings, and would only use actions to represent his thoughts. The only time the Jing Emperor told Xiao Hua she was beautiful was the day she was conferred empress.

That was already eight years ago.

To be honest, Xiao Hua wasn't old. She was thirty-two, which was the prime of a woman's life. This was obvious from the Jing Emperor's occasional infatuated gaze these past few years.

Xiao Hua didn't know that she had involuntarily stunned the Jing Emperor countless times. After being married for a while, there would always be the fear that one's partner would one day get bored. For example, Xiao Hua would occasionally ask the Jing Emperor worriedly whether she had gotten old, and whether she was no longer as beautiful. Another example was that the Jing Emperor would put more effort into his own appearance.

The Jing Emperor had changed quite a lot. First of all, his temperament had changed. In the past he was apathetic. Now, he was still apathetic, but now also had the inviolable air and prestige of a ruler. As someone over forty, he still maintained his health and body appropriately, and was slender yet energetic. However, due to his constant work, his hair had whitened quite a bit at the temples.

In the past he never cared about his own appearance, but when the empress asked worriedly whether she was getting old, he got the urge to look in the mirror. When he saw his reflection in the mirror and then looked at her, he suddenly realized something. If they were getting old, he should be the first one. He was older than her by eleven years after all.

Looking at the increasingly beautiful person and then looking at himself, he felt he was much older than Xiao Hua'er. After asking imperial physicians, the Jing Emperor started taking some medicine made from knotweed.

This naturally couldn't be kept from Xiao Hua. She secretly laughed in her heart but pretended not to know about it. However, when they were together, she would reveal a worried expression and say things like "when I'm old, majesty isn't allowed to leave me for someone new". This gave the Jing Emperor a weird sense of self-confidence, but on the surface, he merely said righteously: "We've loved the empress as Our wife for so many years. It was this way in the past, and will be this way in the future."

Thus, both sides regained their equilibrium and continued their lovey-dovey days, making others envious.

This sort of little amusements between the couple had no winners or losers. As for their daughter Yi Yi, the eldest princess, she both cringed at and admired their relationship.

She and Luo Zhuo were both sixteen. Luo Zhuo didn't have to marry until he was eighteen, but her own matter seemed to be imminent.

When Xiao Hua mentioned the matter of finding a son-in-law for the emperor, Yi Yi was inexplicably unhappy.

"Mom, are you tired of your daughter? I'm only sixteen, why are you in a hurry to marry your daughter off?"

The sixteen year old Yi Yi had already become a rather beautiful young lady. The pair of limpid peach blossom eyes and the inherited palm sized little face from Xiao Hua, along with her curvy willow brows, cherry lips and cheeks that dimpled at a smile made her both sweet and moving.

Xiao Hua pulled Yi Yi into her arms and stroked her daughter's jet-black, thick hair. "Silly lass, mom isn't tired of you. But you're at the age where you should be thinking about marriage. Even if you don't marry right away and do it two years later, it's still something that needs to be decided beforehand."

"Then let's talk about it two years later, alright?"

Xiao Hua didn't speak and looked at her daughter.

"Pleeease? Pleeeease?" Yi Yi acted spoiled with all her might. She knew this act worked on her mom.

"But your father…."

"Mom can deal with father. Father listens to mom the most. Daughter doesn't want to get married yet. Yi Yi wants to spend time with mom and dad…."

Xiao Hua sighed and stroked her daughter's hair.

That night while lying in bed, Xiao Hua sighed and said: "Sir Jing, our daughter says to talk about her marriage two years later."

The Jing Emperor frowned and didn't say anything.

"What do you think we should do? Who knows what those little things are thinking? I'm getting worried from watching."

The Jing Emperor pulled her into his arms and said quietly: "Daughter isn't young anymore. She should be able to decide these things by herself."

"I'm just afraid she will get hurt later….." A mother's heart is like this.

"Our daughter isn't a fool. She's aware of the situation." Compared to Xiao Hua who was a mess due to worrying, the Jing Emperor could see things a little more clearly.

"Yi Yi, Yi Yi, wait for me…"

A teenager called from behind. He took a couple of large steps and stepped in front of the fleeing Yi Yi.

"What's wrong? Why have you been avoiding me recently? I got something new to play with and wanted to give it to you, but could never find the opportunity."

As he spoke, the teenager pulled out a little object.

It was a thumb-sized little milky-white rabbit made of suet jade. It was holding and nibbling on a carrot. The carrot was made of red jadeite. What was special about it wasn't the rarity of the jade, but rather the lifelike carving and the fact that it was carved from a single piece of jade.

"Do you like it? I specially picked out the jade and came to give it to you after carving."

The teenager was Yang Heng, who was Yi Yi's childhood friend growing up. The two were both lively and got along well together. Although they became reserved as they grew up since they were opposite genders, Yi Yi wasn't an unreasonable person and Yang Heng often came to the palace. Their relationship remained pretty good.

But at some point, Yi Yi started avoiding Yang Heng, making him endlessly confused. He wondered whether he had accidentally offended her at some point, and found something to try and make her happy.

Yi Yi truly liked it a lot, and fondled it admiringly for a while. She suddenly seemed to think of something and her expression grew complicated. She stuffed the thing back into Yang Heng's hands.

"What? You don't like it?" Yang Heng scratched his head uncomprehendingly.

He was already sixteen as well, and had grown tall and sturdy. His angular face was clearly similar to his father "Iron Pillar" Yang's.1 It was filled with masculinity, but due to his youth it gave him an air of foolishness.

"That's not it." Yi Yi turned her back to him.

"Then what's wrong? You don't come play with me anymore. Did I do something to anger you?" Yang Heng ran in front of her.

Yi Yi's brows contained a hint of worry. Compared to her normal cheerful and lively self, it was a very big difference.

"Yang Heng, we're both grown up. I can't accept your things….."

"Didn't you accept all my little gifts in the past? Why don't you want them anymore?" Yang Heng really couldn't understand what growing up had to do with accepting or not accepting something.

Yi Yi didn't know how to respond, and could only yell out "If I say I don't want it, then I don't want it" before running off.

Yang Heng was left staring at her back for a long time, before putting the rabbit sorrowfully back into his robes.

…

That night in the Yang Family's carriage on the way home.

"Bro, Yi Yi lost her temper at me. I don't know where I offended her. She doesn't even want the little rabbit I made for her."

Yang Nuo who was reading with his head lowered glanced at his disheartened little brother. A strange gaze flashed across his eyes. Unfortunately, Yang Heng was sighing with his head lowered and didn't notice.

"The little thing you carved with the jade dad found for you?"

Yang Heng brought the little rabbit out for him to see, "Doesn't this suit Yi Yi very well? Cute, right?"

It was truly very cute.

After Yang Nuo looked at it, he gave a knowing smile. Looking at the little rabbit nibbling on the carrot was like looking at Yi Yi with her eyes narrowed in a satisfied smile, her little mouth twitching mischievously. It made one's heart involuntarily soften.

But these thoughts only lasted a moment. Yang Nuo restrained his smile and returned his gaze back to his book, and turned the page.

"She definitely has her own reasons for not accepting."

"She said it's because she's grown up, and can't accept my gifts anymore. But what does that have to do with growing up!"

Yang Nuo's eyes flashed, "She's a grown lady now, and naturally can't just randomly accept gifts from men."

"But…." Yang Heng brows furrowed before relaxing again, "Forget it. It must be because she's in a bad mood these days. I'll give it to her when her mood improves."

Yang Nuo furrowed his brows instead.

Not sure if that's a nickname or not….

183

In the eastern palace.

Luo Zhuo and Yang Nuo were seated across from each other. One held white stones and one held black as the two played go.

Luo Zhuo was wearing a purple crown prince's regular outfit embroidered with dragons. A black jade belt hung around his narrow waist. As a sixteen year old, he had already become an outstandingly handsome young man. His figure was tall and straight, his face fair and handsome and his brows seemed as if drawn with ink. As someone who was conferred the crown prince at a young age, he was filled with an air of nobility and steadiness. He was not lacking in the bearings of the future monarch under the heavens.

Yang Nuo who was across from him wore a set of black clothes. His brows were elegant and he gave off the air of a scholar. He appeared extremely refined. At this time, he pondered while holding a stone, and placed it down once he found his target. It was clear that in contrast to his appearance, he was an extremely decisive person.

"Are you going to let that matter drag on? This isn't like you." Luo Zhuo said faintly.

Yang Nuo froze, and put down another piece without saying anything.

"This humble one's sister has always been lively and pleasant. But recently she's been melancholic and extremely haggard, making this humble one's heart ache. This humble one only has one sister." Luo Zhuo left it at that.

"I'll find a chance to tell the princess directly."

"Tell her what directly?"

"Naturally that she and Yang Heng are the most suited for each other."

After speaking, Yang Nuo didn't raise his head. However, his fingers gripping the stone had turned white.

Luo Zhuo's long and slender phoenix eyes narrowed dangerously, and he threw the black piece in his hand down. "So generous?"

Yang Nuo didn't speak, and kept his head lowered.

"This older brother is truly mature. Have you ever asked Yi Yi's opinion?"

"…."

"I don't believe you've failed to notice that Yi Yi likes you, and that it's a different sort of liking than with Yang Heng. You're being a good role model as an older brother and yielding to your younger brother, but what are you treating Yi Yi as? Don't tell me you don't like Yi Yi, this humble one isn't blind. If you were anyone else, this humble one would definitely have you chopped up!"

"….."

Yang Nuo lightly put the stone in his hand down and looked very wretched.

"Yang Heng…..is my little brother after all. I'm the intruder here, the two of them have been close since they were children."

Luo Zhuo wasn't able to endure any longer, and sighed: "I feel you've gotten your priorities mixed up. Have you ever considered that even if you don't marry Yi Yi, she wouldn't marry Yang Heng either? How could she just change her mind and get married to your younger brother!?" He emphasized the last two words.

"I….."

"Mother empress and Aunt Wan have always been close, and she had long since planned on letting Yi Yi marry into your family. Mentioning a son-in-law for the emperor this time was because she couldn't just watch any longer. Think about it properly, this humble one doesn't want to say too much about it anymore."

Yang Nuo nodded and said his farewells. Leaving the eastern palace, he walked vacantly.

"Big bro Nuo Nuo….."

A hesitant female voice sounded from behind him.

Yang Nuo trembled and his feet stopped.

"How long are you going to avoid me?!"

"Yi Yi…."

Yi Yi's eyes were red and her little face haggard. Her previously full cheeks were a little sunken recently. Her beaming eyes were filled with grief.

"Mother empress and father want to choose a husband for me. Will you only be satisfied after seeing me get married to Yang Heng?"

"I'm not….."

Yi Yi was a princess after all. To have her speak such brazen words with such an attitude was already challenging the dignity of her status.

Seeing Yang Nuo still acting the same way, she stomped her foot and ran off crying.

Before running a few steps, she was held fast from behind.

"Let go."

"Yi Yi….."

Yi Yi wanted to struggle free but couldn't, and could only turn around and beat at him while crying.

"What do you want, Yang Nuo!? You're the one who led this princess on. Now you're pretending like nothing ever happened, and want to yield this princess to Yang Heng. What am I supposed to do?!"

Yang Nuo pulled her into his arms, his face full of pain. Seeing her like this, he felt even worse than she did.

"I'm sorry, Yi Yi. I'm a scoundrel. I'm mean, shameless and obscene. I actually liked you from a long, long time ago. I like your unaffected smile, I like how you act spoiled and pull my sleeve, I really, really like you….."

"…..I clearly knew that Heng Heng liked you as well, but I pretended not to know and interacted with you in private. I was selfish and greedy. I wanted to enjoy each day as it came. But seeing Heng Heng run around you all the time, I couldn't bear to continue…..I'm sorry…"

If the Jing Emperor and Xiao Hua hadn't brought up the matter of marriage, who knows how long Yang Nuo would have continued acting this way. But since things were pressing, he could no longer play dumb.

"I've told you countless times, I don't like him that way. He's just a childhood playmate. I've only viewed him as a playmate. Big bro Nuo Nuo, the one I like is you. Perhaps not as early as you liked me, but that was because I didn't understand at the time….after I understood, I felt that if you and I could live peacefully like father and mother empress, it would be great….."

"Yi Yi…"

"You, are you still going to yield me to Yang Heng?"

After a while, Yi Yi straightened up in Yang Nuo's arms and raised her head to look at him. Her large watery eyes were filled with apprehension. Yang Nuo gazed back before closing his eyes and pulling her back into his arms.

"I won't." He said quietly and decisively. "I will never. You can only be mine."

Forget it, forget it. Just treat it as him being shameless. So what if Yang Heng disdained him. He couldn't let go of the person in his arms. He had been depressed, and sorrowful….but in the end his emotions couldn't be suppressed!

"Big bro Nuo Nuo…."

Yi Yi happily cried and laughed, and finally started crying heavily in Yang Nuo's arms.

"Don't cry, it's all my fault….."

…..

In the distance, Xiao Hua was extremely moved. The Jing Emperor however had a stiff expression.

This damn brat. This damn brat dared to take advantage of his daughter!

Seeing the two young people tangled up and kissing, the Jing Emperor took a step forward to stop them. Before he stepped out, he was grabbed by Xiao Hua.

"Majesty, what are you doing?" Her voice was very quiet.

The Jing Emperor glanced over in the distance, his veins popping, and replied in an equally quiet voice, "That damn brat is taking advantage of our daughter."

Xiao Hua looked over as well and her face turned red, but her hand didn't let go.

"Er, that, I know this isn't good, but we're also spying on them. If daughter finds out, she'd definitely be angry."

The Jing Emperor froze.

"Also, it's normal for young people to be passionate. Regardless, our Yi Yi will definitely get married to Nuo Nuo that little fellow in the future." Xiao Hua acted righteously as she spoke.

The Jing Emperor thought about it and felt the same way.

"Furthermore, Nuo Nuo knows what's appropriate. You've watched for so long, and this is his first time overstepping a little. To put it plainly, the two of them talked things through and are now momentarily overly emotional."

As they were speaking, the Jing Emperor was pulled away by Xiao Hua.

After walking for a while, the Jing Emperor finally reacted. "Our empress, you are obscuring the facts."

Xiao Hua laughed awkwardly, "Am I?"

"Aren't you?"

Xiao Hua smiled and glanced at the Jing Emperor, "Everyone was young at some point. Majesty should understand."

"When We were young, We weren't like this."

"That's because you were inflexible and passionless."

Xiao Hua mumbled and thought the Jing Emperor couldn't hear her clearly. Unexpectedly, she met his gaze when she lifted her head.

"Majesty—–"

"We are inflexible, and passionless?" The Jing Emperor's long and slender phoenix eyes narrowed.

"No, no, I didn't say anything like that. Majesty definitely misheard."

"Really?"

The handsome and expressionless face leaned closer, a faint light hidden within his eyes. The middle-aged Jing Emperor was more charming than he was in his youth. This was something Xiao Hua had never told him before.

She sucked in a breath and even forgot to nod.

A powerful arm wrapped around her waist and his lips pressed upon hers.

Xiao Hua pushed back but was unsuccessful in breaking free.

"Sir Jing, we're in public…" She said indistinctly.

The Jing Emperor felt that since she could still speak, he wasn't doing enough and increased his strength. His tongue tangled with hers as it tossed about and suckled.

After a long, long time, the Jing Emperor finally released his arm, but Xiao Hua was too embarrassed to look. She buried her head in his chest and wasn't willing to look up. The palace maids would definitely gossip tomorrow about how the emperor and empress were immorally embracing and doing shameless things on the palace roads!

She lamented, "We're in public, this isn't decent…."

These were casual words, but they unexpectedly ignited him once again.

The Jing Emperor didn't say anything before carrying her off and walking to their waiting carriage.

Xiao Hua had just felt relieved, and felt that this was better, when she was met with even fiercer kissing. Just kissing was fine, but the Jing Emperor's hand moved under Xiao Hua's dress. Only when she felt a slight chill underneath did Xiao Hua snap out of it a little.

"Sir Jing, don't…."

The Jing Emperor ignored her and kept going.

…

The journey to the Fengqi Palace should have taken only fifteen minutes, but the carriage ended up taking half an hour.

Only in the end did Xiao Hua realize from the Jing Emperor's hoarse voice saying "Are We old?" over and over why this person suddenly went crazy. But her understanding came late, and she could only hug the Jing Emperor's neck as she went along with his continuous movements while pleading for mercy in his ear "Majesty is as valiant as ever"… 1

…

The Yang Family's residence on the capital outskirts had been constantly renovated over the past dozen years. It already occupied a large amount of space.

It was richly decorated with a large amount of pavilions. From the outside, it looked no different to a wealthy household.

Lin Qing Wan liked the secluded area. The Dingyuan Marquis Lin Qing Ting had told his sister many times to move into the capital. He had even prepared a residence already since the Yang Family had several in the capital as well. But the entire Yang Family liked living here, and thus they remained the whole time.

Yang Heng always practiced some martial arts before bed. Today was no different.

He glanced at his older brother who had been sitting and watching him for a while. His thick and sturdy arms withdraw his lance, and with a flick the lance flew directly into the weapons' rack.

"Big bro, why are you watching me train instead of reading today?" He grabbed a towel and wiped off the sweat on his neck, pulling on a shirt from the nearby chair.

The Yang family had never gotten an official's status. Although they become quite well known around the capital after so many years, it was all due to being related to the Dingyuan Marquis as well as Madam Yang's relationship with the empress and her children being the crown prince's classmates. The Yang family's lord was a rich merchant, but no one knew how he ended up being rich.

The Yang family had always been very low-key. Yang Nuo and Yang Heng were also low-key. Despite being the crown prince's classmates, they never interacted with any outsiders. This was because they were clear that people only tried interacting with them because they were interested in the crown prince. Lin Qing Wan was the same. Ever since her children became classmates with the crown prince, she very rarely interacted with the other titled women.

This spared her a lot of trouble, and also reduced the disturbances around the empress and the crown prince. Of course, she also wanted to build herself up independently, and one day soar into the skies.

Lin Qing Wan had such self-confidence, and her children were the same way.

Yang Nuo would ask his teachers every two years what level he had reached.

He had gone from someone who could pass the imperial exam to someone who could easily do well, to finally someone who would definitely be a top-scorer…..at that point, Yang Nuo no longer asked this question. This was three years ago.

Yang Nuo knew what he wanted. He wanted to bring honor to the Yang family, and raise their status in an aboveboard manner. He wanted to accumulate enough merit to be able to marry her, and not have everyone laugh at the eldest princess who chose to marry someone from a low background. He also understood what his younger brother was thinking.

The two of them were both doing their best, but as of today…..

"Big bro wants to tell you something."

Yang Nuo had always been a decisive person. He had hesitated too long about Yi Yi and his younger brother's matter. Not only did he make himself suffer, he even caused the person he liked to be hurt. Now that he had made up his mind, he naturally no longer hesitated.

Yang Heng sat next to him and scratched his head in confusion.

Compared to his sharpness earlier during training, he seemed completely different after putting away his weapon. If one ignored his bulging muscles and tall physique, he seemed completely like a harmless foolish young man.

"Big bro wants to marry Yi Yi."

Yang Heng was frightened for an instant before letting out a careless "oh".

"Big bro has let you down, but cannot yield in this sort of thing." Yang Nuo had a hard time saying this. The usually steady person lowered his head for the first time and didn't dare look at his own sibling.

Yang Heng's rough palm patted Yang Nuo's shoulder. He said with a smile: "Big bro what are you saying? It's good if you married Yi Yi. That way I can always play together with her."

"Big bro knows you also like her. Big bro wanted to yield at first, but—–"

Yang Heng jumped up and looked at Yang Nuo with fright. "Big bro what are you saying? I like Yi Yi, but don't want to marry her."

Yang Nuo looked directly into Yang Heng's eyes and wanted to see if there was any pretense in them. Perhaps it was due to his emotional state, but he couldn't see anything within them.

"Big bro, you're overthinking things. I'm not an old stickler like you, why would I bring back a woman to marry. I'm going to become a great general in the future. As the saying goes, beauties fall beneath a hero. I won't get married before I accomplish my goals."

"I'm going to become a great general in the future"…

When he was young, Heng Heng would always say this.

Yang Heng's attitude was very determined, and he was also calm, making Yang Nuo unable to doubt him. He gradually let out a breath and said: "That's good then. Turns out big bro overthought things."

He felt a sense of relief and smiled. Because of his own thoughts, he had been twisted up for so long, but he had never thought about asking the person in question.

Actually it wasn't that he never thought about it, but he was too embarrassed to bring it up. He always felt that he had schemed and stolen something from his younger brother…..

"Big bro, as expected you've read too many books. You've got too many things going on in your head." Yang Heng patted his shoulder once again. "I won't say anymore, I'm going to bathe and sleep. I'm extremely tired after the training."

Looking at Yang Heng's fading figure, Yang Nuo planned on telling Yi Yi the good news tomorrow in case she was worried about things becoming awkward with Yang Heng.

Censorship returns! Or at least, this is the first time in a while the author has indicated it. It seems pretty toned down already, but in the raws it was still replaced with gibberish.

184

The next day, yang nuo went to the palace and told Yi Yi about the situation.

"Really, big bro Nuo Nuo? Heng Heng really said that?"

Yang Nuo nodded, his lips curled in an elegant smile.

They were in a small bamboo forest near the eastern palace. It was a small grassy field filled with young bamboo trees. This was Yang Nuo and Yi Yi's secret little hideout. The two of them had come often in the past.

Ever since the two of them realized they were interested in each other, they had often come here on dates. Actually they weren't really dates since Yi Yi hadn't quite figured it out yet. She only felt that she enjoyed hanging out with big bro Nuo Nuo alone to chat. As for what Yang Nuo the two-faced fellow thought, it was hard to say.

Yi Yi let out a breath and revealed a sweet and beautiful smile, "That's good then. To think I was worried for so long."

Yi Yi's voice was the soft and coy kind. When her mood was good, it would sound like she was acting coquettish. Every time it would make the listener's heart grow soft as can be.

"No more worries?"

Yang Nuo leaned his face over to her cheek and rubbed her little face with his nose.

"Big bro Nuo Nuo."

Yi Yi blinked her large eyes, her face blushing. She wanted to move away but also felt it would be too obvious. In the end, she still couldn't endure Yang Nuo's fixed gaze and lowered her head shyly.

"Silly lass." Yang Nuo laughed lightly and softly kissed the top of her head. "I have to make a trip back to the Yun Province in a few days. We might not be able to see each other for a long time."

Yi Yi grabbed his hand in a panic, and gently creased her brows, "Why?"

He pinched her nose, "It's time for me to take the exam. I naturally have to return to my hometown to register."

Yi YI's brows furrowed even tighter, and she pouted her lips. "Then how long will you be gone? Will I not be able to see you for a long time?"

"Not too long. Once I pass the county-level exam, I will be able to return to the capital for the city exam and finally the court exam. We can meet again at that time."

Yang Nuo's voice was filled with confidence. Actually, he could have already passed the county exam when he was ten years old. However, his instructors told him that he hadn't accumulated enough experience due to his youth, and although he could pass, he wouldn't be able to score high, and wouldn't be able to do well in the city exam after that.

He waited six years and accumulated experience for six years. Now, he wanted to fulfill his wishes.

Yi Yi also knew that this was important to him, and thus didn't bother him despite the endless reluctance in her heart. She merely said with teary eyes and pouted lips: "Then big bro Nuo Nuo has to come see me once you're back."

"En, wait for me to marry you when I'm back!"

…

While the Yang family prepared for Yang Nuo's trip back home, the Jing Emperor also gave the crown prince an assignment.

The Yellow River had overflowed its banks for two years in a row. The Jing Emperor assigned Luo Zhuo to bring people along to investigate.

Luo Zhuo was sixteen, and had been brought along by the Jing Emperor to listen to politics since he was twelve. In the past few years, Luo Zhuo had gotten better and better and handling government affairs, but it was all limited to paper. He had never experienced dealing with the suffering of the people and working with regional officials.

The Jing Emperor understood that if the water was clear, there wouldn't be any fish. After several years of purging, things were much better than before. But the matter of the Yellow River flooding twice had made him rather angry. The Yellow River flooding had always been something that gave emperors headaches throughout history. After spending hundred thousands of silver taels every year without any effect, the Jing Emperor felt that something was not right.

When an imperial censor submitted a note impeaching the river channel's governor Hu Guang Bo for corruption and abuse of law, the Jing Emperor decided to let the crown prince gain some experience.

Knowing that things weren't simple, the Jing Emperor not only made sufficient preparations for the crown prince on the surface, he also secretly sent people to follow him.

Therefore, Yang Nuo left the capital and Luo Zhuo was about to leave as well.

On this trip, he brought Yang Heng along. Yang Heng was the most skilled in martial arts amongst the three apprentice brothers, and it also allowed him to clear his mind.

"Do you feel regretful?"

Yang Heng stood at the end of the boat, and looked pensively back at the capital. Luo Zhuo walked over and patted his shoulder.

Yang Heng stuffed something back into his robes and smiled. "Why should I feel regretful? I was clearly the one interfering. Yi Yi and my brother have feelings for each other." As he spoke, his voice trailed off towards the end.

Luo Zhuo sighed and patted his arm. "It's good you can understand. A man of character won't have trouble finding a wife. In the future, you will definitely find a good girl to marry."

Yang Heng smiled bitterly, and didn't speak.

No matter how good of a girl, it still wouldn't be her.

Having grown up as childhood friends, it would be a lie to say there were no feelings. But he had understood too late, and by the time he realized, Yi Yi and his brother already looked at each other differently.

He had been very dispirited for a few days, and in the end he wasn't resigned. He continued to play dumb for a long time. He just couldn't restrain his feelings, but it ended up making all three of them suffer. His older brother avoided Yi Yi for his sake, and Yi Yi avoided him for his brother's sake.

Actually, he had long since planned on clearing things up with them, but unexpectedly his older brother had taken the lead.

During this time, his heart had been dripping blood while he acted foolish and unaware. Since one was his own brother and one was his childhood friend, he also wanted them to be happy.

Yang Heng looked out upon the churning river, expelled his air of depression and laughed loudly a couple of times. "Highness is right. Men of character won't have trouble finding a wife. I, Yang Heng, is someone who will become a great general. I won't start a family before I accomplish my goals!"

He scarcely imagined that his words were prophetic. In the end, Yang Heng only got married when he was thirty years old. At that time, he had already become a mighty general whose name shook all of society. And also at that time, he encountered his predestined partner.

….

Luo Zhuo encountered several dangers during this trip, and only returned after half a year. What awaited him on his return was his mom's intimate embrace which he hadn't felt in many years.

Xiao Hua's heart had been full of pain this time. Although the Jing Emperor kept reassuring her that he had sent people along to watch over him, she still couldn't bear seeing the various reports of her son's hardships and injuries.

Luo Zhuo was drowned in Xiao Hua's tears. The Jing Emperor glared at him, but Luo Zhuo pretended not to see and sank into his mom's warm embrace.

The Jing Emperor got jealous easily, even towards his sons. Once they had turned seven or eight, he didn't allow Xiao Hua to hug them. Putting it nicely, it was for their own good so they wouldn't grow up to become mommy's boys.

Xiao Hua knew this was him being petty, but also knew it was truly for their own good. This time was because she had been worried and couldn't hold back any longer.

She looked her son over and made sure everything was in order before having someone arrange food. The family sat down for a reunion meal.

After eating, the children returned to their own palaces. Xiao Hua and the Jing Emperor went to bed after a bath. When they got in bed, Xiao Hua used her influence over the emperor for the first time in her life.

"Majesty, that Hu Guang Bo truly deserves death. You mustn't let him off this time."

The Jing Emperor nodded and stroked her silk-like long hair. "We have already ordered for him to be arrested back to the capital. We definitely won't let him off."

The river channel's governor Hu Guang Bo had truly been daring. He embezzled the silver for the river channel and sent someone to assassinate the imperial censor who impeached him. After finding people had been sent from the capital to investigate him, he sent someone after them as well. Initially, he hadn't been aware of Luo Zhuo's identity. After he found out the crown prince had personally come, Hu Guang Bo still didn't stop trying to have him killed. This was sufficient for his nine generations to be exterminated many times over.

Once Xiao Hua felt she had successfully persuaded him, she finally slept at ease for the first time in a while. The Jing Emperor looked at the bags under her eyes, and grew a few shades angrier at that Hu Guang Bo.

This matter will be temporarily put aside. The next day, Xiao Hua received news that the crown prince had actually brought a woman to the palace.

Xiao Hua was stunned and ordered someone to investigate.

The information she received was that when the crown prince went south to handle this matter, he had stayed at a minor official's house to recover from his wounds. That official had offered his own daughter to serve the crown prince.

Serve?

There were several meanings to that word.

Xiao Xia Zi smiled ambiguously and said with his head lowered that the crown prince had accepted and used her.

This struck quite the blow to Xiao Hua, and in confusion she waved her hand for him to leave.

When the crown prince came of age, the palace would send some palace maids to teach the crown prince the ways of the world. When she found out about this, Xiao Hua had struggled with it for a while before bringing it up with the Jing Emperor. The Jing Emperor felt that this was something the crown prince had to experience, in case he grew obsessed with matters in bed. Unexpectedly, Luo Zhuo was extremely opinionated, and despite the arrangements he never touched those two palace maids.

Who would have thought that after leaving for only half a year, he had accepted a woman offered by a subordinate official?

Xiao Hua urgently sent the Jing Emperor a message and he soon returned.

When Xiao Hua told him the situation with a concerned expression, the Jing Emperor gave her an indifferent glance.

"Isn't this a good thing? Don't you want hold a grandson?"

Hold a grandson?

Fine, Xiao Hua was almost at the age where she should be holding a grandson.

"But what about Zhuo'er's wedding and marriage?"

The Jing Emperor was too lazy to explain to this silly Xiao Hua'er that men normally had many wives and concubines. Especially the heir apparent to the throne. He only had her, but he wouldn't bother with his son's thoughts. It was something for his son to figure out himself.

If he met someone suitable, it was good if he could figure it out. It was fine if he didn't as well. As the future emperor, he could have his pick of women.

Xiao Hua looked at the man's apathetic expression and awkwardly stroked her nose.

She understood the Jing Emperor's perspective, and merely had gotten too used to it just being the two of them. Her son having a harem felt very weird.

However, she also understood how hard it was for the future emperor to only have one woman. She and Sir Jing only managed to reach this step due to their many shared experiences.

Thinking of how good he was, and how he was only good to her, Xiao Hua's face turned red and she cuddled into his arms.

Looking at the sweetly smiling Xiao Hua'er who rubbed her face into his royal robes, how could the Jing Emperor not know what she was thinking?

His heart melted and he kissed the top of her forehead.

On the path in front of the Fengqi Palace, there were two figures walking slowly.

The one in front was tall, and wore a golden embroidered crown prince's outfit, his hands clasped behind his back. The one behind was small, with dark hair and fair skin. A round figure whose face still contained some baby fat, round almond eyes and pouted little lips.

The figure in front stopped and turned with a frown: "Walk faster."

The person behind let out an "aye" and ran a couple of steps to catch up. Then, the person in front started walking again and the other fell behind due to her short legs.

Entering the Fengqi Palace's main hall, Luo Zhuo greeted Xiao Hua with a salute.

Then, Luo Zhuo stood up and looked around before pulling someone out from behind him. "Pay respects to my mother empress."

That young lady glanced at the beautiful woman upon the throne in a panic before kneeling with proper etiquette and kowtowing, "Respects to the empress, may the empress live long and prosper."

"Rise."

Xiao Hua didn't expect her son to bring the girl over to see her. Her gaze was a little strange as she glanced at him.

Luo Zhuo sat on the side and said with a rigid expression: "Mother empress, this is someone personally serving your son. She's called Zhu'er. In the future when your son is busy, I'll have her come fulfill my filial duties in my stead."

Xiao Hua was embarrassed but still nodded.

What was this repressed son of hers up to?

Xiao Hua offered Zhu'er a seat, and saw that the girl was tiny, probably not yet fifteen. The young and round little person sat obediently behind Luo Zhuo, and only took up half a seat. She was clearly a timid one.

Luo Zhuo spoke with Xiao Hua for a while before leaving with Zhu'er.

Seeing her son leave, Xiao Hua revealed a complicated expression. This expression remained until the Jing Emperor returned.

Hearing Xiao Hua's account, the Jing Emperor revealed a mysterious expression and didn't say anything.

Author's notes:

Haha, laughing a hundred times towards the heavens.

Really like the thought of Zhuo'er's cool expression while a round little thing is following behind him.

Little Zhuo'er is only sixteen, this author is a baddie.

On another topic:

Regarding Yang Heng, Yang Nuo and Yi Yi's matter, this author feels that since Yi Yi is such a cute girl, it is normal for both her childhood friends to like her. Before, Yang Nuo's feelings were hinted at. Back then Yi Yi was only eight and Yang Nuo was older by a year but something was already going on.

Because this is the epilogue of Xiao Hua's story, I didn't dare write in too much detail. The summarized style is a little different, where the main point is brought up first before the details were filled in this chapter.

Yang Heng's acting was very good, even Yang Nuo was fooled. The only one who knew his feelings was Luo Zhuo who was the bystander. Therefore, Xiao Hua and Lin Qing Wan had both thought he was just Yi Yi's childhood friend as well. Xiao Hua's thoughts could be seen when she said "who knows what those little things are thinking". She was lamenting why they couldn't just say it directly, and had to avoid each other. Therefore, the situation where Lin Qing Wan objected to her two sons liking the same girl didn't happen.

As for Yang Nuo, he matured early and started liking Yi Yi early, so he made a move (who knows when the little brats learned to meet up in private. This authors didn't note a concrete time, everyone can use their own imaginations, hehe)

As for Yang Heng, he was always fooling around and was bit of a boor. He reacted too slow (by the time he realized, Yi Yi and his brother already looked at each other differently), and that's why he told Luo Zhuo it was him who was interfering.

Of course, this author also considered that Yang Nuo is a scholar while Yang Heng is a martial artist. Yang Heng had always wanted to become a great general. This was mentioned in Wan Wan's novel. The Dingyuan Marquis also planned on nurturing Yang Heng, saying that he is a good sapling.

Everyone can imagine that a warrior becomes famous by bathing in the blood of his enemies. If Yi Yi married him, what would happen in the future? Worrying every day? Sure, she could use the royal family's authority to give him an official position, but this would be too cruel towards someone who truly has ambition. Lin Qing Wan would also not permit it. It is clear from the Yang family's way of doing things that they want to rise up via their own efforts, and not rely on others. How could Yang Heng choose between his love and his dreams? In order to not let Yi Yi worry, he would have to give up his ambitions. Would it be a lifelong regret? (Alright, perhaps this author overthought things, but I really thought this way)

Therefore, I feel like Yang Heng's ending should be to fulfill his dreams first before finding his own destined person. Everyone has a first love in their hearts, and if they think of them in the future, it would just be a beautiful memory. It'll probably be the same for him…..

Don't know if this explanation is satisfactory, please don't hit me….

185

Afterwards, the little girl called Zhu'er did indeed come to the Fengqi Palace once every few days.

This was an extremely innocent girl who didn't understand the implications of being able to serve Xiao Hua in the Fengqi Palace as a concubine.

She was extremely timid, and would often be startled if Xiao Hua made any sudden movements. If Xiao Hua was thirsty, she would fetch water. If Xiao Hua was hungry, she would serve food. If Xiao Hua was tired, she would obediently sit on the couch and massage her legs.

Xiao Hua had asked her in a roundabout manner where she had learned these things. Zhu'er said that she had served her mother like this at home in the past.

The mother she referred to wasn't her birth mother. Zhu'er was born from a concubine, and because she was cute, her own father had gifted her to the crown prince.

This honest and timid girl was cute in appearance and very likeable. It made Xiao Hua feel that her own son was bullying her. She asked her age and found out she was only fourteen.

Fourteen. This made quite an impression on her. Her destiny had changed when she was fourteen as well.

Therefore, Xiao Hua involuntarily felt some sympathy for Zhu'er, and treated her more and more intimately. Only then did Zhu'er shed some of her timidity and reveal a little of her character. She was sweet and naïve, and was an extremely likeable little girl.

Out of curiosity, Xiao Hua had someone investigate at the eastern palace to see how these little ones were getting along. She found out that the crown prince couldn't be said to be treating her well. He would go to her once every few days. It was also said Zhu'er had been scolded to tears by the crown prince several times.

After interacting with her for a period of time, Xiao Hua had started to become biased towards this little girl. She couldn't help but cherish her and scolded her son in her mind for not having tender feelings for the fairer sex.

But since she had given birth to him, Xiao Hua also couldn't speak ill of Zhuo'er. She could only comfort Zhu'er a little and say that Luo Zhuo was cold to begin with, and that she shouldn't mind him.

Unexpectedly, Zhu'er was full of sweat from panicking and explained, saying that the crown prince treated her very well. The reason she cried was because she was too timid. She also said that despite the crown prince's cold face, he was actually quite gentle towards her. Xiao Hua asked teasingly how he was gentle, but Zhu'er stammered and blushed.

Xiao Hua had asked the Jing Emperor what their son's intentions were.

The Jing Emperor said that he probably didn't intend anything, and they should just watch.

One day, Zhu'er stopped coming to the Fengqi Palace. Xiao Hua was a little worried and sent someone over to ask about her. Only then did she find out that Zhu'er wasn't feeling very well these days, and after an imperial physician took her pulse, he said she was pregnant.

Xiao Hua was going to be a grandmother?

Xiao Hua's emotions were strange, but at the same time she personally went to the eastern palace to visit Zhu'er, instructing her to nourish the fetus properly. If Zhu'er needed anything, she could send someone to the Fengqi Palace.

She then realized that Zhu'er was very young, younger than she herself was when she had Zhuo'er. She thus asked Nana He to come out of her retirement, and also sent over Matron Xu who had helped her deliver quite a few times, and had them take care of Zhu'er.

During this time, Yang Nuo had passed both the city and the court examinations as expected. During the court examination, he was marked within the top three by the proctors, and was conferred his top scorer title, New Field Top Scorer, by the Jing Emperor. It could be said that he became famous due to his merit.

Studying for ten years in obscurity and becoming renowned in a single go.

This saying described Yang Nuo perfectly.

Everyone in the capital knew about the crown prince's classmate Yang Nuo. But Yang Nuo had remained low-key while participating in the exams this time, and everyone assumed he was just someone with the same name. Only afterwards did they realize that Yang Nuo was that Yang Nuo.

The crown prince's classmate, the Dingyuan Marquis's own nephew!

Then, the Jing Emperor passed the decree of marriage and pushed Yang Nuo into the limelight once again.

The Jing Emperor actually gave his most cherished daughter's hand in marriage to the New Field Top Scorer Yang Nuo, and they would be married the following year. The younger generation of all the rich households in the capital were resentful and envious.

Everyone knew that marrying the eldest princess would mean a meteoric rise. This was his majesty and the empress's only daughter, and the crown prince's twin sister. The Grand Xi didn't forbid the emperor's son-in-law from holding an official position. Therefore, once the eldest princess became of age, many of the young nobles had thoughts about it. Unexpectedly, Yang Nuo had silently taken the lead.

There were quite a few who spoke sourly, but Yang Nuo was neither overbearing nor servile, and ended up making many eat a loss. Of course, he also had quite a few admirers who said he definitely wouldn't be ordinary in the future.

The princess's estate was under construction, and Yi Yi began making preparations for marriage. Zhu'er was raising her fetus and a messy event occurred at the eastern palace. The two palace maids who were supposed to instruct the crown prince in "worldly affairs" actually made a move against Zhu'er in the dark. The two were both old hands within the palace, and had also been there longer than Zhu'er. Seeing the crown prince favor her while ignoring the two of them, their thoughts turned malicious.

Luckily Nana He lived up to her reputation. The old woman's mind wasn't muddled and she knew the empress had her come to prevent any accidents from occurring. She naturally kept a close watch. Before the thing reached Zhu'er, it was discovered by her.

After finding out it was the two of them, the crown prince who usually treated his subordinates well revealed a thunderous expression for the first time and order them both beaten to death.

When she heard the subordinates report that Zhu'er had remained unaware of the entire situation and didn't suffer a fright, Xiao Hua finally felt relieved and then sighed about her fool's luck. This girl was simpleminded, but her luck was extremely good.

After nine months, Zhu'er gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl.

The Jing Emperor was overjoyed, giving pardons all around and celebrating with everyone.

Xiao Hua was also very pleased. When Zhu'er was giving birth, she had accompanied her son outside the delivery room. When she saw the young and tender newborns, her heart melted.

Zhu'er was conferred as the crown prince's virtuous wife for giving birth to his children.

After celebrating the one month anniversaries of the royal grandson and granddaughter, Yi Yi's wedding followed a month later.

The day of the wedding, Xiao Hua held Yi Yi and cried for a long time. Only after the Jing Emperor said "she's not marrying far, and will often return to the palace" did the two stop crying with embarrassed expressions.

Yi Yi didn't move into the princess's estate after her marriage, and lived in the Yang family residence on the capital outskirts. The two were a loving couple and her mother-in-law had also watched her grow up. Her days were naturally smooth.

The crown prince held a grand wedding at eighteen, but there remained no movement regarding his choice of the crown prince consort.

Xiao Hua asked the Jing Emperor in private, to which he replied no hurry.

…..

Two more years passed.

Older ginger was spicier after all, and Luo Zhuo was no match. He took the initiative to discuss this with the Jing Emperor. It wasn't clear what father and son talked about, but it was said Luo Zhuo's expression wasn't too good when he left the imperial study.

The Jing Emperor suddenly passed down an edict, abdicating his throne to the crown prince. The court was shocked, and even Xiao Hua couldn't quite react to it.

The Jing Emperor actually didn't discuss such a major thing with her. Only after did Xiao Hua find out that the Jing Emperor and Luo Zhuo had come to an agreement. He could confer Zhu'er as the crown prince consort, but he had to take the Jing Emperor's position.

Luo Zhuo was helpless and could only agree with a dark expression.

Xiao Hua was amazed. This was the old scamming the young?

The Jing Emperor had already told her early on that he didn't care who his son chose to be his consort. As long as her background was pure and Luo Zhuo liked her, he wouldn't care about status.

Luo Zhuo ascended the throne and the Jing Emperor became the retired emperor. Xiao Hua became the empress dowager.

Just as things were a mess, the Jing Emperor suddenly took Xiao Hua and snuck out of the palace.

"We had always promised to take you out for a trip. Now, it can finally happen."

Xiao Hua's expression was still embarrassed, and she urgently said: "Tuan Tuan, Nan Nan…."

Tuan Tuan and Nan Nan were the nicknames of the young royal grandson and granddaughter, and they were Xiao Hua's favorite things these past two years. Zhu'er birthed them well, and they were extremely cute. Xiao Hua held them all day and was unwilling to let them go, making the Jing Emperor jealous quite a few times.

Xiao Hua couldn't bear to leave her grandchildren!

The Jing Emperor turned Xiao Hua's face towards him and said with a stiff expression, "There's no Tuan Tuan Nan Nan. There's only Us."

"Yu'er is almost of marrying age, and Qi'er is still young….."

"Their older brother will take care of them."

"But….."

"You're not willing to go on a trip with Us?" The Jing Emperor's expression was dark, and was also a little aggrieved. "We are old, you are old too. There won't be another chance in the future."

Xiao Hua's heart suddenly softened. She sighed and felt a little melancholic as well as some amusement. After a while, she moved and cuddled into the Jing Emperor's arms. "I'm willing. I'm willing to accompany Sir Jing my entire life, in the next life, and throughout all our reincarnations."

The Jing Emperor had nothing to say to that, and his arms tightened around Xiao Hua.

…..

"Then, when will we return?"

"After a year and a half."

Xiao Hua relaxed and nodded. She figured that it wasn't that long, and she could still see her young grandchildren at that time.

…..

She didn't realize that the Jing Emperor had tricked her. Furthermore, Xiao Hua hadn't left the palace in many years, and the freedom made her like a runaway horse. By the time the two returned to the palace, Yu'er's son could already run around.

Of course, that was something for the future….

Author's notes:

The royal family's story is officially finished. The next chapters are truly side-stories, and will be about the fourth young master and Qiao-Shi.

This couple has been stabbing at this author for a while. I intended on writing a separate story about them, but decided to drop it. This author doesn't like writing about scumbags. However, Ruan Siyi cannot be counted as a true scumbag. His thoughts are just a little strange and his actions are a little scummy.

I won't tell you that when writing about their story, this author got emotional several times.

Translator's notes:

Was going to do 3 chapters today and 3 tomorrow, but ended up helping my mom out with gardening. The last chapter was also quite long, especially with the author's notes. Also, this seems like a good place to stop at. The next four chapters will be, as mentioned above, about the fourth young master and his wife. I'll try to get all four done tomorrow. As a huge Star Wars fan, the combination of my VR headset and the new Star Wars: Squadrons game is dangerous…..

186

Within the capital, the Jinyang Marquis's Estate had fallen silent overnight.

But while they were silent, the people were still alive, and they still had to pass their days.

Ruan Zhan had fallen, his noble title stripped and the status passed down for many generations had perished in his hands. He truly couldn't take such a major blow.

He remained bedridden for half a year before no longer being able to hold on.

Therefore, before Ruan Siming and Ruan Siyi could take off their mourning garbs for their mother, they had to put on new ones once again.

The brothers still had work to do, but they could only put it on hold to mourn the loss of their father. At this time, the two were at a loss. This was because they were very clear their jobs had been obtained due to the Jinyang Marquis's face. Their mother had offended his majesty, and this mourning period would probably be never-ending.

However, a starving camel was still larger than a horse. In the past their family had quite a few businesses. If they two brothers were a bit more frugal, they could still have enough for the rest of their lives. Of course, this was Ruan Siyi's own thoughts. Others thought differently.

After Ruan Zhan died, the concubines who had been suppressed by Tian-Shi in the past all came out of the woodworks, fussing about splitting the inheritance. The two people who cared about dignity encountered a bunch of people who didn't, and could only split the inheritance.

They couldn't even give less to anyone. Everyone knew the Ruan family had offended his majesty, and even Ruan Siyi's in-laws didn't dare interfere and manage things, let along that useless Yingguo Duke's Estate. Therefore, they could only split it evenly amongst everyone. After everyone took a share, they had even less remaining.

Ruan Siming seemed to have gotten annoyed at the fuss, and after they were done splitting things he drove everyone who wasn't part of his own family out. This included his own brother, Ruan Siyi.

Ruan Siyi didn't say anything about it, took all his women and moved out to the residence that was allocated to him.

Qiao-Shi didn't make a fuss and did whatever was needed. The family affairs weren't handled by her, and it was someone else's problem.

Ruan Siyi had four concubines and several chambermaids. Every one of them were pampered and spoiled, including Ruan Siyi himself, and they naturally purchased some servants. They lived as they had before, and before long, their income couldn't cover their expenditures.

Actually, there wasn't any income at all.

The dozens of people all needed to eat, and the silver grew less and less.

During the division of inheritance, he had also inherited two stores. Unfortunately, business wasn't good at either one. Let alone make money, he even had to spend his own money on the stores. Ruan Siyi could only close the stores and sell them for silver.

After that silver was spent, he then realized the farmland he was allocated wasn't good either and sold it off as well.

Qiao-Shi merely watched without saying anything.

Finally, everything that could be sold was sold, and all that remained were these few people and their two residences. Thus, the servants started getting sold off.

Without servants, those pampered people naturally weren't used to it. As for Qiao-Shi, she shut her own doors and spent her days with Chun Tao and Matron Chen, not caring about the fallout.

Soon, people wrapped up their own jewelry and ran off. The most impressive one even stole the jade ornaments Ruan Siyi had kept for memories.

…..

On this day, it was extremely quiet outside.

Qiao-Shi opened the door and saw Ruan Siyi curled up and crooked on a chair dressed in white.

She truly wanted to laugh loudly a couple of times, but she couldn't do so at the moment.

"Lord husband, what's wrong?"

Ruan Siyi raised his eyes and looked at her with a little surprise, "Why are you still here?"

"Why wouldn't I be? This one is lord husband's wife, and naturally has to be with lord husband."

Ruan Siyi's expression was complicated. He looked at her once more, disgust flashing across his eyes before being covered up.

Qiao-Shi turned a blind eye to it, "Lord husband, where's everyone in the house?"

"They left, they all left….."

Ruan Siyi stood there soullessly before walking into his room in a daze.

…

Ruan Siyi felt he had slept for a long time. When he opened his eyes, he saw her stocky neck and slightly kindhearted and honest expression.

"Lord husband, are you hungry?" Qiao-Shi lifted a bowl of porridge over as she spoke. "This one made some porridge."

The plain porridge exuded the sweet smell of rice. Ruan Siyi's stomach rumbled with hunger.

How long has it been since he last ate?

Before he slept, it had been over a day. He also didn't know how long he had slept for.

Qiao-Shi fed him one spoonful at a time. In his haste to swallow, he choked on the food. Qiao-Shi hurriedly put the bowl down and wipe his mouth with a handkerchief, patting his back to help him catch his breath.

Ruan Siyi saw felt her touch and wanted to shy away, but endured it.

Once he caught his breath, Qiao-Shi continued feeding him and Ruan Siyi ate silently without speaking.

"This one went and took a look in the kitchen. There was only white rice, so I could only make porridge and let lord husband suffer some grievance. But it's ok, I had Chun Tao go pawn off her jewelry. Once she gets some silver there will be tastier food at home." Qiao-Shi chattered with her head lowered, and turned a blind eye towards Ruan Siyi's complicated expression.

After he finished eating, Ruan Siyi spoke for the first time since he woke up. "You should leave. I want to sleep for a bit."

…..

Ruan Siyi slept continuously for several days. During this time, his meals were all brought into his room by Qiao-Shi.

On the fifth day, Ruan Siyi finally stepped out of his room and into the courtyard. The sunlight was a little dazzling and he couldn't help but shield his eyes.

Only after a while could he see his surroundings clearly.

Qiao-Shi was sitting there plucking vegetables. Matron Chen was doing laundry and Chun Tao was fetching water from the well.

He had never seen this side of Qiao-Shi, who sat on the low stool and plucked the vegetables. Perhaps it was also because he never seriously looked at her. This was the first time he took the initiative to do so.

This was a woman he had hated a lot in the past. This was a Qiao-Shi who wore a silk garment and was doing manual labor.

Suddenly, there was violent knocking on the door. Matron Chen put the clothes in her hands down and wiped her hands before opening the doors.

"Who are you people?"

"Move, old woman. We're looking for Ruan Siyi, Fourth Master Ruan!"

Along with the sound of voices, several large men barged inside.

Qiao-Shi was startled and hid behind Ruan Siyi.

"Fourth Master Ruan, when are you going to pay back the gambling money you owe? The due date has already passed!"

Ruan Siyi froze, and vaguely recalled that he had felt gloomy a few days ago and ended up going to his frequented casino for a few rounds of gambling. In the end, he grew red-eyed from losing and ended up borrowing silver from the casino's boss.

"Lord husband, you borrowed money for gambling?"

A tiny voice sounded behind him.

Ruan Siyi blushed.

He did gamble, but not very frequently. He also never borrowed money. This was the only time….

"How much money did my lord husband borrow from you?" The woman behind him walked out and asked.

"Not much, not much. Only a thousand five hundred taels of silver."

"So much?" Qiao-Shi said in astonishment.

Ruan Siyi snapped out of it, "I clearly only borrowed a thousand."

The burly man in charge chuckled, "Fourth Master Ruan shouldn't forget about interest. You've exceeded the payment date by so many days, so it's naturally a thousand five hundred now."

"This is essentially robbery!"

"Fourth Master Ruan shouldn't put it like that. We're just common folk trying to put food on our tables. You are the renowned Fourth Master Ruan, son of the Jinyang Marquis."

"You—–"

Qiao-Shi spoke, "You guys come back two days later. We don't have that many silvers on hand. We'll come up with it and give it to you at that time."

"This madam, you wouldn't be trying to trick us, right?" That burly man's face showed some doubt.

"Does this madam need to trick you? Just this residence is worth more than fifteen hundred!"

"Very well. We'll be back in three days. Don't let us brothers leave empty handed at that time."

"Sure."

The group of men turned and left. One of them spat on the ground, "What Fourth Master Ruan!? Letting a woman speak for you, you're not even worth as much as this daddy!"

Ruan Siyi's blood immediately rushed to his head. He glared viciously at Qiao-Shi, and went back inside with a flick of his sleeves.

But no matter how angry he was, he still had to eat.

Lunch was served on a dining table. There were two dishes of vegetables with rice. Qiao-Shi saw that Ruan Siyi seemed to have calmed down.

After eating, Qiao-Shi discussed with him about selling this residence. After all, they didn't have many people so they might as well move into somewhere smaller. Ruan Siyi didn't have any objections and nodded in agreement.

In the afternoon, Ruan Siyi went to sell the residence. Qiao-Shi didn't feel at ease and had Matron Chen tag along.

That night the two returned but the residence hadn't been sold.

Such a large residence naturally couldn't be sold off in a short amount of time, especially if the asking price was high. No one made any inquiries, and they failed to sell it the next day as well. On the third day, someone offered fifteen hundred taels of silver for it.

Ruan Siyi didn't agree. This residence's market price was around twenty-five hundred. His bottom line was two thousand taels. It would be a huge loss to sell at fifteen hundred.

That person didn't haggle and left right away. Ruan Siyi was a little panicked, but wanted to maintain his dignity. Matron Chen chased after him and struck up conversation. After some haggling, the final price was set at eighteen hundred.

Looking at the setting sun and thinking that they had to return the money tomorrow, Ruan Siyi could only helplessly agree.

After going through the proceedings at the authorities with the buyer, Ruan Siyi held eighteen hundred silver worth of banknotes as he left the government office. As he passed by a restaurant, he recalled how they had only eaten crude meals these days and went inside to order a feast.

He paid over forty silver for it. Matron Chen wanted to speak but hesitated.

After Ruan Siyi returned, he told Qiao-Shi the residence had been sold for eighteen hundred and he had agreed on moving out three days later. They would have to find another residence in these couple of days.

Qiao-Shi nodded. At this time, the feast was delivered.

Looking at the table of delicacies and finding out about the cost, Qiao-Shi frowned but didn't say anything.

"The food these days has been too simple." Ruan Siyi grabbed his chopsticks and didn't look at Qiao-Shi. "You should eat some more."

Qiao-Shi's eyes flashed. She lowered her head and ate.

The next day, the people from the casino came once again. This time they said fifteen hundred wasn't enough, and wanted eighteen hundred.

No matter how much he cared about dignity, Ruan Siyi still got into an argument with them. Those men weren't good with their mouths but they were certainly good with their fists. They surrounded him and beat him to the floor.

Qiao-Shi screamed and cried, giving them all the banknotes. She pulled out her own hairpin and threw it over to make up for the rest. Only then did those people toss the creditor's contract over before leaving with the silver.

Ruan Siyi was badly battered as he yelled: "Why did you give them all the silver? They're extorting us."

Qiao-Shi sobbed quietly, "What if you get beaten by them? What should we do then? Silver isn't as important as people…"

…..

The remaining silver had been given away and they had to move out three days later. But they didn't even have money for another residence.

Ruan Siyi sat in his room as he heard Qiao-Shi and Matron Chen discussing outside.

"…Now isn't the time to worry about dignity. Matron, go with Chun Tao and pawn off all my jewelry, and use the money to buy a smaller residence. It only has to fit the four of us."

"Madam, but you only have those few pieces left….."

Qiao-Shi was silent for a moment before saying: "We don't have any other choice now….."

"…..Madam, you shouldn't have used your own dowry to cover the pavilion's expenses back then. Now, you don't even have any personal savings left….."

"….Enough, it's too late to bring this up now. Go with Chun Tao in a bit, see how much silver you can get. Then we can consider our next steps….."

"…..How about, madam goes back home and asks the lord for help…."

Qiao-Shi sobbed a few times and said sorrowfully: "Dad said he won't recognize me anymore, unless I leave my husband….."

The voices outside gradually faded but Ruan Siyi was about to go insane….

What on earth is happening with the world?!

187

Qiao-shi's jewelry wasn't exchanged for that much silver.

Those pieces were expensive to make, but when being pawned off they couldn't even get thirty percent of the value.

They got around three hundred silver taels. Qiao-Shi didn't let the injured Ruan Siyi go this time, and instead changed into an unremarkable outfit before going with Chun Tao and Matron Chen.

After two days, they finally bought a small residence in the slums of the outer city.

The day they moved in, Qiao-Shi chattered as she explained to Ruan Siyi that there wasn't much silver and the city residences were all expensive. This sort of place still cost two hundred silvers.

The residence was very small, and looked old on the inside and the outside. However, it was extremely tidy. It was a one compound pavilion. The main building had two rooms: one living room and one bedroom. There were two tiny buildings on either side. One was a side room and one was the kitchen. There was a well in the courtyard and a latrine behind the house. Despite it being small, it had all the necessities.

Then, they started to pass their days properly.

There was no furniture when they purchased the place. Qiao-Shi went with Matron Chen and Chun Tao to buy some furniture. This time Ruan Siyi was too ashamed to remain behind, and went with them.

They changed into ordinary clothes and Matron Chen borrowed a handcart from their neighbor. Under the neighbor's kind guidance, they found their way to the market, and picked out a few pieces of furniture to bring back.

The cart was filled up and Ruan Siyi overestimated his own stamina. In the end, all four of them had to push together to make it back.

They bought furniture, things for the kitchen and some provisions. Qiao-Shi didn't have much silver remaining. After another two days, Qiao-Shi pawned off some of their better clothing with gritted teeth. Although it didn't bring them much silver, she figured they wouldn't be wearing them anyway. There was no need to wear fine silk in such a place.

Living in the capital wasn't easy.

This concept was foreign to both Ruan Siyi and Qiao-Shi. They were both born to wealth, and grew up with golden spoons in their mouths. They ate exotic delicacies, wearing and using the finest things. Why would they care how much a bag of rice cost?

But now things were different. Because they had no income, Qiao-Shi had to meticulously budget their remaining dozen silvers.

She thickened her skin and started networking with their neighbors on the street. She made inquiries about where the vegetables were freshest and cheapest, and learned from them to make tasty yet inexpensive dishes. She also learned from the wives to buy vegetables at a cheap price right before the market closed.

Qiao-Shi was no longer like a noblewoman at all, and had become very ordinary and unremarkable. However, her face was rosy and she was extremely spirited.

In contrast, despite wearing cloth outfits, Ruan Siyi still exuded a noble and elegant demeanor. However, he was taciturn and moody, and slowly started withering away…..

….

After suffering from pent-up frustrations for a period of time, Ruan Siyi finally fell ill.

He remained bedridden and a flustered Qiao-Shi brought a doctor over. Dose after dose of medicine was taken but things didn't improve….

The silver grew less and less…

Chun Tao had once said she would accompany Qiao-Shi all her life. However, she suddenly said someone in the alley was willing to marry her. Despite that person being almost forty and also having a child, he was a good man. Chun Tao said she wasn't good looking as was quite old already, so she might as well get married like this….

When Chun Tao spoke, Qiao-Shi was crying very sorrowfully. She knew Chun Tao didn't do this because she wanted to get married, but because she knew they couldn't afford another mouth to feed….

…

Matron Chen also cried. She cried and said she didn't have any relatives and only had young mistress. She was old and useless….

Qiao-Shi hugged her and cried, and said she wouldn't let her leave even if they starved.

…..

The next day, Ruan Siyi forced himself to sit up. He swayed and trembled as he asked about food.

Two days later, he was able to get up but was still extremely thin. When he was able to get out of bed, he would exercise in the courtyard daily.

Suddenly one day, Ruan Siyi vanished.

Qiao-Shi looked everywhere in a panic without success. Just as she was about to despair, Ruan Siyi walked into the courtyard.

"Where did you go?"

"I just went for a walk outside."

…

Ruan Siyi started talking a walk outside every day. Qiao-Shi didn't feel at ease and wanted to come along, but he didn't let her.

Actually, Ruan Siyi didn't do anything, and merely wandered about the area aimlessly. He had no starting point and no goal. He merely walked…..

On this day, the sun was so bright he couldn't open his eyes. Ruan Siyi left the house, but before walking a few steps he froze.

"You are man from the Ruan household?"

An old man sat outside his house close by, looking at him with a benevolent expression.

Ruan Siyi nodded blankly.

"Come, come take a seat. It doesn't seem like you plan on going anywhere." That old man took out a small stool and patted it.

He walked over blankly and sat down.

That stool was very small and short. He had never sat in something like this before. As he sat, he suddenly felt himself become very small and tiny, and extremely insignificant. A few people walked passed them occasionally. They were clearly dressed in rags, but in his eyes, they had become very large.

Ruan Siyi was at a loss…..

That old man was weaving a basket. His hands were very rough, and the sharp bamboo strips seemed to be nothing in his hands as he carelessly pulled and pushed, weaving upwards one loop at a time. Ruan Siyi felt that if he were the one doing it, his hands would definitely be stained with blood. But this old man didn't have any problems.

"We've been neighbors for so long but I rarely see you come out. I've heard from your wife that you were ill. How is it, are you feeling better?"

Ruan Siyi wasn't suited to such idle chatter, and he stammered: "I'm better."

"It's good that you're better. We poor people can't afford to be sick. During the period you were sick, I saw your wife in a fluster every day. Ai….men are still the backbone of a family. As long as the man is present, the family has some support….."

"Yes, yes."

"You give off the air of a scholar. You're an intellectual right? Scholars are good, you can bring honor to your family in the future. I'm preparing to have my young grandson learn to read. If he can become a top scorer on the exam in the future, this old man would be smiling in my sleep."

Ruan Siyi looked distressed and lowered his head, "Scholars are useless at all things except one…"

"How can you say that? Confucius says that it's good to be well-read….of course, it's not easy for us poor people to raise a scholar. Ai, saying it is one thing, but living is still the most important. If we can't even fill our stomachs, there's no use in thinking about anything else. Right, what does your family do for income?"

"There's, there's no income."

The old man looked at the tender scholarly individual in front of him and nodded his head in understanding. "No wonder you say that a scholar is only good for one thing….actually this way of thinking is a bit off. Our street also has some scholars. They spend their days helping others write letters or copy some books, and can make a living that way. It's a hard life though. They study hard, and if they're able to pass the exam then they can turn things around."

Ruan Siyi froze.

After a long time, after Ruan Siyi left, that old man let out a sigh.

That Ruan family's wife was quite pitiful. Her man was a scholar and was too aloof. It was hard to maintain their living situation. She felt that saying such things herself would harm her man's dignity, and actually asked him to give the speech.

After thinking a while, that old man stopped thinking.

Everyone had their own path to follow. Only after failing and suffering will one understand. Hopefully this young man can think things through.

…

Ruan Siyi started wandering about with a hesitant heart. This time, he had a goal.

After observing for several days, he had some ideas in mind. When he returned home, he dug through his things.

"Husband, what are you looking for?"

Ruan Siyi froze and said softly: "I remember we had some ink, brush and paper when we moved here."

"You mean these things?" Qiao-Shi turned and opened a box, taking out a pile of things. "Look, it's all here."

There was an ink stone missing a corner, two brushes with tips crusted in ink and a pile of writing paper.

Ruan Siyi liked to be sophisticated, and there had been all sorts of books and calligraphy in his study. When those people stole things and ran off, the valuables had all been taken. In the end, they started stealing things from his study. After everyone was gone, Ruan Siyi only had these few things remaining.

Ruan Siyi touched the things with a complicated expression and didn't speak.

The next day, he asked Qiao-Shi for two silver tales. He didn't say what for and Qiao-Shi didn't ask.

That night, he brought back a special trunk. This trunk was half the height of a person and about a foot and a half wide. It could be carried on the back and can also be used as a small table.

The next day, he took the case, ink and paper before leaving.

…

It was easy to think about but hard to put it into action.

Ruan Siyi didn't feel anything when he took the trunk out. By the time he reached his chosen spot, he stood there frozen for a long time without putting it down.

This was a crowded street. Small stalls and peddlers were calling out for business. He had to start making a living in such a place.

Ruan Siyi stood there, a thick sense of humiliation and shame filling his inner soul.

"Hey, scholar. Are you planning on setting up shop or not? I still have things to do after getting this letter done."

He turned his head and saw a woman in her fifties standing there, looking at him impatiently.

"I'm setting up, I'm setting up."

He placed the trunk down and took down the small stool on top of it. He then placed a thin board on top of the trunk, before taking out a brush and paper from the side compartment.

He had ground the ink in advance, and walked carefully to avoid spilling it. He unfolded a snow-white piece of writing paper and took a deep breath, asking the woman what she needed to write.

That woman seemed to send letters often, and swiftly spoke the contents.

Ruan Siyi poured the ink as he listened, and after wetting his brush, he wrote his first letter for someone else. After writing, he copied what he saw others doing, and read it aloud for the woman to verify.

After she listened, she said anxiously: "Hey, scholar. Do you know how to write a letter or not? What on earth are you writing? I don't understand a word! If you don't know how to write, I'll find someone else."

Ruan Siyi's ears turned red, and didn't know what to say.

He was a little confused, and didn't understand where he went wrong. He was good at verse, poetry and song. How could he fail to write a letter properly?

He thought back to the woman saying she "didn't understand" and suddenly things cleared up. He hurriedly said: "This madam, let me rewrite it for you."

"Then you won't charge for this piece, right?"

Normally when writing for someone, they would charge by the paper. If one provided their own paper, it would cost three coins. If one didn't, it would cost five.

Ruan Siyi smiled bitterly and said: "I naturally won't."

As he spoke, he hurriedly wrote, and in a few breaths of time, produced another letter. This time, he used colloquial language.

That woman saw his writing speed and was a little astonished, "You didn't make any mistakes, right? I didn't even open my mouth to dictate and you've already finished?"

Ruan Siyi naturally understood her meaning. His memory had always been good, and he wouldn't forget what to write in this brief period of time.

Seeing her disbelief, he held the letter and read it back to her.

After she finished listening, she looked at him in pleasant surprise: "Hey scholar, you're pretty good. Good memory. You know, my daughter married out of the capital and I send a letter every few days. I've tried all the writers on this street before, and they always need me to repeat several times to finish a letter."

Ruan Siyi felt both pleased and bitter in his heart: "Thank you madam for your praise. This isn't a big deal."

That madam took out a common envelope and handed it over. "Help me wrap it up. Write "To: Sun Yue Jiao" on it."

"Alright."

The woman took the letter and left happily, leaving behind five copper coins.

Ruan Siyi looked at these five filthy copper coins and was dazed for a long time…

188

On this day, ruan siyi wrote two letters, earning ten copper coins in total.

Only when the sun started setting and the people on the street started packing up their stalls did he put his things away and carry the trunk home.

As he was packing his things, a person stood in a corner diagonally across from him. That person hurriedly turned and left, and at the same time, wiped away some tears.

Ruan Siyi arrived home. The small courtyard was already lit.

Qiao-Shi was putting food on the table. Ruan Siyi first went inside to put his trunk away.

"Husband, come eat."

He didn't dare look at her and she also didn't dare look at him.

In the middle of the meal, he took a handful of copper coins out from his sleeves and pushed it over.

"Husband, where did you get this money?"

"It wasn't stolen."

Ruan Siyi's tone wasn't great and Qiao-Shi didn't say anything. He seemed to realize his tone was off and said quietly: "I earned it."

She replied with an ambiguous "en". Ruan Siyi seemed to have heard her choking up, but also seemed to have not.

…

That night, two people slept on one bed.

He was on the outside and she was on the inside.

After moving here, there were only two rooms, and each room only had one bed. Ruan Siyi couldn't avoid sleeping with Qiao-Shi on the same bed. Although there was some distance between them, they were still in the same bed.

In the past, Ruan Siyi had never slept in the same bed with her. He felt she wasn't good looking, and despite being husband and wife for so many years, it was only in name.

As of today, those who wanted to leave had all left, but she still remained by his side…..

Ruan Siyi's emotions were very complicated…..

…

The days passed by idly.

It was like that old man had said. It was possible to make a living, but merely enough to fill their stomachs.

Ruan Siyi had been setting up his booth for a while now and he started gradually getting some regular customers. For example, the woman he wrote his first letter for would only come to him. She had even brought several customers over for him. When business was good, he could earn a hundred or so coins. When it was bad, he could still earn around thirty.

After doing business for a while, Ruan Siyi realized he could draw a couple of calligraphy pieces and hang it on his trunk to sell as a supplement.

He liked to act sophisticated in the past, and could imitate famous calligraphy pieces. If he encountered someone knowledgeable, he could sell it for several silver taels. Of course, there were times when he wouldn't sell anything for a couple months. After all, calligraphy was a luxury that naturally wouldn't be bought at a little stand like this.

Over time, as Ruan Siyi handed the money over to Qiao-Shi, he naturally couldn't hide what he was doing from her. Sometimes, when Qiao-Shi saw he didn't come back for lunch, she would go deliver it to him.

…..

One day, another small stand appeared next to Ruan Siyi's.

That stand sold very basic things: buns and pastries.

Matron Chen knew how to make pastries and buns. This didn't require much capital to make, and there was no need to worry about losing money. She made and steamed it fresh, and any extras could be eaten for dinner. This way, Ruan Siyi also had fresh food to eat for lunch.

As time passed, people on the street all knew the scholar's stand and the pastry stand were run by the same family, and that it was a family of two.

People had actually been observing the scholar who always sat silently at his stand for a while.

This was because they felt he didn't seem like someone who would do this type of work. Furthermore, he was very taciturn, and would always sit there with his head lowered. He could sit like that for an entire day.

At first he was like this. After time passed, that scholar would take out a book and silently read. It was a book bound in thread, and after reading it over and over, the edges started curling up.

In contrast, the woman selling buns was much more cordial. At first, her skin was a little thin and she wasn't at ease. Afterwards, she was able to hold some conversations with her regular customers.

"Boss, give me two buns."

"Alright, that'll be two coins."

Ruan Siyi's gaze shifted over—-

She was wearing a green cloth dress with a handkerchief wrapped around her hair. It seemed that without the silk clothing and head full of gold and jade, she was a lot more relaxed. In the past he disliked her stocky physique, but due to the hard work, she had gotten quite a bit thinner. Her rosy face was filled with smiles as she received the copper into her dress pocket….

Qiao-Shi put the copper away and sensed someone looking at her. She raised her head and met his eyes.

He hurriedly looked away and she did the same.

"Husband, are you hungry?"

Ruan Siyi inexplicably grew a little angry. She would only ask him the same thing every time, making him seem like a pig.

This sort of anger wasn't easy to explain, and he could only shake his head.

When lunchtime came, there were less people on the street.

Qiao-Shi took out a little stove and put some firewood in. She took a jar from her cart. After lighting the fire, the soup inside the jar started boiling before long.

She felt it with her hand and withdrew it due to the heat. She couldn't help but rub her earlobes before using a towel around the edges to take the jar off the fire. She took out two crude porcelain bowls and poured the soup in. One bowl was filled with soup but the other was only half filled. The ingredients that were on the bottom of the jar were poured into the half-filled bowl.

Afterwards, she took out two hot buns from the steamer and put it on a plate. She carried it over along with the bowl of soup to Ruan Siyi.

"Husband, it's time to eat."

Ruan Siyi didn't say anything and received it silently. Qiao-Shi went to her own little stand and sat down on the stool.

Right as she was about to eat, the bowl in front of her was taken away and replaced with the other bowl of soup.

"This, husband, I like just drinking the soup."

Ruan Siyi didn't respond and took a big sip of his new bowl. He turned and went to eat his own buns.

Qiao-Shi lowered her head and broke off pieces of her bun into her mouth. No one saw that her eyes were long since filled with tears.

That night, after Ruan Siyi packed away his own stand, he silently came to help Qiao-Shi with hers. Then he carried his trunk and helped Qiao-Shi push the cart with his free hands.

The cart seemed very small but was very heavy. Qiao-Shi had a hard time pushing it by herself.

She had pushed this small cart by herself for a month. Matron Chen would occasionally help her. But in the next couple of months, another person started helping her push.

…

That day after dinner, Qiao-Shi quietly put something on the table after clearing it.

Ruan Siyi froze as he looked at it.

It wasn't anything precious. It was a volume of the Analects of Confucius.

To the Ruan Siyi of the past, he would have felt it was worthless. As of today, he had thought about it for a long time but couldn't bear spending the money on it. Or rather, he didn't have the money to spare. The money he earned every day was barely enough to fill their stomachs. Such a book required several taels of silver.

After Qiao-Shi placed it down she went to the kitchen. Ruan Siyi was frozen for a long time before slowly reaching out to grab the book.

After he took it, he caressed it for a long time.

…..

That night.

In the silent bedroom, in a small space that was drawn out by a satin canopy.

"Actually, you can go back to your maternal family. There's no need, no need to spend such days with me….."

Qiao-Shi opened her eyes wide and started at the emptiness overhead. She choked down a sob, "A woman follows her husband. I'm not going anywhere…."

She had thought they were finally warming up to each other. Was she mistaken?

Qiao Xin Lan, how long can you continue enduring?

He seemed to be just next to her, yet didn't seem to be there. He was clearly very close by, but it felt very distant.

Qiao-Shi carefully turned over and buried her face in the blankets. She held her breath for a long time before her tears finally started flowing.

She wasn't able to stop once she started, and cried her heart out.

She had never cried like this in the past. In the past, she would cry loudly whenever she wanted to cry. Afterwards, she slowly realized that no matter how loudly she cried, no matter how fiercely she fussed, he wouldn't spare her a glance. Thus she changed…..

She also wanted dignity…..

She was able to endure hardship, and live a bitter life she never dared imagine in the past. She had thought it would be hard to endure, but it actually wasn't that bad.

She thought herself very strong and able to face any predicament. Only now did she realize that she couldn't endure just those few words of his…..

"Don't cry….."

In the dark, a voice sounded out. A hand was placed on her shoulder, seemingly to comfort yet not knowing how.

Qiao-Shi turned around and buried her head into Ruan Siyi's chest, crying bitterly.

She cried for a long time, and mumbled while crying, "I definitely won't leave you. Definitely won't"…..

She had muttered these words many times before, seemingly to convince him and also to convince herself.

It was said that men didn't shed tears lightly. No matter how sullen he had been, Ruan Siyi had never cried starting from his family's situation to this moment. But now, he couldn't help his voice from shaking and his hands from trembling.

"Don't cry….."

He truly had no way of stopping her, and could only use the most primitive method, using his mouth block hers…

The tears were salty, but for some reason, it also had a hint of sweetness…..

…

The next day, Qiao-Shi quietly got up before dawn

Matron Chen got up earlier than she did, and had already started kneading dough for the buns and pastries.

The dough had been left to rise the day before, and they just had to put in the filling the next day before steaming. Then, when Qiao-Shi took it to the market, she merely had to heat it up with some fire.

"Matron, why are you up so early?"

"Can't sleep in my old age, so I get up early to work."

"Matron, you've suffered by following me…."

"What are you saying, young mistress. This matron isn't suffering."

The two finished up the work together and the sky had turned bright. There were two openings on the stove, so by the time the buns were steamed, the porridge had finished cooking on the side as well. After putting the buns away in a steamer basket, Matron Chen stir-fried a plate of vegetables while Qiao-Shi took out some pickled vegetables. Breakfast was ready.

When Qiao-Shi brought breakfast out, Ruan Siyi was standing by the main residence's doors and looking over. His gaze happened to meet Qiao-Shi's, and they both blushed.

After eating, the two of them went to set up their stands.

Once things were set up, the two of them sat down and took a break. A warm thing was suddenly stuffed into Ruan Siyi's hands. He raised his head and saw it was a cooked egg.

"Er, you must be tired from last night. For you….."

"Boss, give me two buns."

"Aye, coming."

Looking at the egg, Ruan Siyi really wanted to say: he wasn't tired.

189

The next year, qiao-shi gave birth to a daughter.

This was Ruan Siyi's first time becoming a father, and he was excited for several days before calming down. He named the child Ruan Chenxi.

The days passed as before. Because there was an additional mouth to feed, their lives became more impoverished.

Ruan Siyi knew something had to be done and searched everywhere for opportunities to earn money. Those who put in the effort would be rewarded. He found a job that involved copying books. Although the pay wasn't high, it was a stable and long-term job.

When their daughter turned two, Qiao-Shi proposed leaving the capital and moving to Ruan Siyi's ancestral hometown in the southern Shaanxi Province.

"Since you've already decided to walk that path, we must go back there sooner or later."

Ruan Siyi was silent. He started packing up and they soon sold off their residence and moved back to his hometown.

It took a month for the family of four to arrive at the Yu County in the Shaanxi Province.

Actually, Ruan Siyi didn't have many relatives left in the Yu County, and he had never returned since growing up. But like Qiao-Shi had said, since he had such plans, he had to come back sooner or later.

He would be starting from scratch.

Luckily the residence in the capital was sold for over three hundred silver taels, and they temporarily didn't need to worry about money.

They rented a residence which was chosen by them after looking around for a while. It was close to the market but also secluded enough. It was extremely convenient.

Qiao-Shi's bun stand opened up shop once again, but Ruan Siyi's letter writing stand didn't reappear. Qiao-Shi had him study properly in order to pass the county level exam the following year. During this year, the money they got from selling their residence could last them for a while.

That's right. This was the reason they had moved back. The Ruan family was stripped of their nobility, and were now naturally permitted to take the imperial exam.

Ruan Siyi focused all his efforts on his studies. While Qiao-Shi set up her stand, he would read and occasionally help Matron Chen take care of his daughter. When Qiao-Shi was about to pack up, he would go pick her up.

The next year, Ruan Siyi entered the exam venue full of confidence, but didn't manage to pass.

When the results were announced, Ruan Siyi was extremely dispirited.

Eighteen years ago, his teacher had called him a good seedling. His poetry and prose had all been decent. Afterwards, he had cast aside his studies after feeling dejected, and it seemed he was now unable to pick it up again.

He wasn't willing to try again, preparing to continue setting up a stand to support his family. Qiao-Shi however scolded him and said: "Could it be that you finally have the opportunity to do something you've wanted to do for eighteen years, and you're going to give up just like that?"

That's right, this was something he had wished for a long, long time ago. This sort of longing had started the moment he picked up his brush, but due to the limitations of his status, he could only suppress his desires.

That's right, how could he give up?

He had already cast aside his dignity and two decades of prestige to become an impoverished letter writer. He had already given up on his pride and ego, what else did he have to lose?

If he didn't pass, he'll just try again! That temperate and refined Fourth Master Ruan had been ground to pieces over the years, and he had been able to piece himself back together. Why would he fear starting over!?

One year passed, two years. On the third year, Ruan Siyi finally passed the county-level exam.

He participated in the provincial exam the next year but failed.

At that time, Ruan Siyi was completely able to remain calm in the face of failure. His character had already been polished extremely well. He found a private school and worked as a teacher while helping Qiao-Shi with the stand during his free time.

Within these three years, Qiao-Shi became pregnant once more. She gave birth to a boy, and they named him Ruan Zhiyuan.

After gaining three more years of experience, Ruan Siyi tried once again. This time he took first place in the provincial exam.

The entire Shaanxi Province was shaken, but Ruan Siyi quietly took his wife and children back to the capital.

Seven years had passed, and they had returned once again to the familiar yet foreign capital.

Ruan Siyi bought a house in the slums where they had once lived. Although it wasn't their old house, it was extremely close by. Many people on the street didn't recognize this new family. Only the old neighbors still remembered that scholar with his stand back then and his wife who sold buns.

No one knew that he wasn't a mere scholar anymore. This was the first place candidate of the provincial exam who shook the entire Shaanxi Province during this autumn's exam: Ruan Siyi.

The Shaanxi Province was too far from the capital. A provincial top scorer was too insignificant here. They were a dime a dozen amongst the minor officials in the capital.

The capital started becoming lively. More and more people gathered in preparation for the city-level exam that would grant them a chance to become imperial students.

At the same time, Ruan Siyi actually set up his stand once again. Qiao-Shi didn't continue with her stand. She had to take care of two children and truly didn't have the time.

In the fourteenth year of the Splendid Era during the second month of spring, the city-level exam began.

Ruan Siyi entered the venue on the ninth, and only came out on the evening of the seventeenth. Qiao-Shi had long since hired a carriage and was waiting by the doors. The moment he got on the carriage, he fell unconscious. Qiao-Shi's heart ached as she wiped away her tears.

Ruan Siyi slept for three days and three nights before finally waking up. The nine days of intense exams had drained him of all his stamina. Then, they awaited the results.

During the end of February, the rankings were released. Ruan Siyi passed, and was in twelfth place.

The court-level exam was held in the middle of March, within the Hall of High Politics. The emperor of Grand Xi, his majesty the Jing Emperor sat in the middle of the hall. Below him, the hall was densely filled with those who passed the city-level exam.

Many of the examinees had long admired the Jing Emperor. Seeing that he had personally come to oversee their exam, everyone was extremely excited.

Whether they would be accepted as imperial students depended on this moment!

In comparison to the others, Ruan Siyi's emotions were complicated.

This person on the throne had ruined his family, and now he was taking the court exam under his supervision.

Fate worked in mysterious ways, but he was actually unable to hate this person. Wasn't it due to him that he was able to mature, and become successful? Furthermore, wasn't the Jinyang Estate's downfall due to their own actions?

He suppressed his emotions and buried himself in the books. Fourteen years of effort all led up to this moment!

When the exam was over, the papers were scored the next day and the scores were announced the day after.

This time, Ruan Siyi's name shocked the capital once again as he was conferred a New Field Top Scorer by the Jing Emperor.

After a horseback parade, there was a news convention. Ruan Siyi was in the limelight.

It seemed that no one remembered him as the useless young master of the Jinyang Marquis's Estate. His own brother Ruan Siming had been present at the parade, but he hadn't been able to recognize this grizzled, thin-faced New Field Top Scorer as his own useless brother who had disappeared a few years back.

Naturally people asked if the top scorer was married.

The New Field Top Scorer answered that he had a wife back home, and they had been married for two decades. They got along well and respected each other in marriage.

…..

Only the heavens knew that as Ruan Siyi participated in the convention, there was a married woman who looked at the skies with flowing tears, mumbling: "Dad, my gamble paid off. Fourteen years, I spent fourteen years….."

…..

The top scorer was only famous for a brief period before falling back into obscurity. Ruan Siyi was conferred as an instructor at the Imperial Hanlin Academy to temper himself for three years. Three years later, he would be assigned something else.

…

These three years passed very peacefully.

Ruan Siyi went back and forth between his house and the Hanlin Academy every day.

During this time, Qiao-Shi had been uncomfortable regarding the difficulties between her maternal family and her husband's family. In the end, she secretly sent a letter over containing only a few words: forgive your unfilial daughter!

…..

Three years later, Ruan Siyi was sent out as the Su Province's magistrate.

The night before they left the capital.

In the dark, Ruan Siyi looked at Qiao-Shi who was tossing and turning next to him, and said: "We're leaving once again. Don't you want to make a trip to your maternal family first?"

"I…."

Ruan Siyi patted her and said softy: "Make a trip tomorrow morning. Don't worry about me."

"Husband…."

…

The next day before dawn, Qiao-Shi swiftly took a carriage to the High Official's Estate. High Official Qiao and his wife hugged their daughter as they cried their hearts out.

Madam Qiao couldn't help but scold: "…you heartless person, not even coming back once in ten years….." After scolding, she cried with heart ache: "….my daughter has suffered…"

After crying the three sat down to talk. As Qiao-Shi spoke, Madam Qiao couldn't help but wipe away tears and High Official Qiao couldn't help but sigh. In the end, he said: "Hard work will be rewarded in the end. Since he has some future prospects, your days won't be hard in the future."

…..

As noon approached, Qiao-Shi hurriedly got on her carriage. She didn't go home, but instead hurried to the harbor.

At the harbor, an official ship was waiting.

When Qiao-Shi got on board, the ship set sail.

Ruan Siyi and Qiao-Shi stood on the ship's tail glancing at the distant imposing city.

Qiao-Shi wiped her eyes, "I'm truly unfilial….."

Ruan Siyi pulled her into his arms and sighed: "When we come back once more, let's go visit my in-laws."

"Husband…"

Ruan Siyi patted her comfortingly and didn't say anything.

"Actually…" Qiao-Shi let out a deep breath. "Actually, I have a secret that I've never told you…"

Ruan Siyi looked at her deeply and said: "I know."

"You know?" Qiao-Shi's eyes widened in disbelief.

Ruan Siyi nodded.

How could he not know about it? Perhaps he had been confused at the time, but afterwards he slowly started to understand. But he just couldn't forget that she had appeared during his most helpless moments, and couldn't forget her haggard expression as he himself was on the edge of death. He couldn't forget when she laughed and cried as she pulled at him when she thought he had vanished as he went out for a walk. He couldn't forget that in their most difficult times she always gave him all the good things in the soup, leaving herself with only the broth. He couldn't forget how she bought him a book after working hard at her stand for several months…..

Therefore, even if there was some deceit, so what? What sort of deceit could be so thorough? If this was all a lie, then he was willing to be lied to!

"…Actually, I hated you a lot at that time, and wished you all sorts of bad luck. Only then would I feel a little better….I told myself at the time, I would definitely get my revenge against you and make you lose everything. I would make you fall in love with me before abandoning you and making you suffer….but in the end I ended up regretting it…"

From the day she secretly followed him as he set up his stand for the first time, seeing his impoverished and dispirited appearance and his determination….she had started to regret!

She realized that he was part of her life. When he was impoverished, her heart ached. When he was depressed, her tears flowed…she already loved him to the bone, and couldn't bear to leave him, couldn't bear to cut him off and couldn't forget about him…..

Actually, the Qiao family had been willing to support their own daughter and son-in-law. Even if High Official Qiao wasn't willing to accept this son-in-law who never treated his daughter well, he didn't wish to see his own daughter suffer. But Qiao-Shi never let them, telling them that if he was merely a piece of mud, then they might as well let him dissolve. She said to give her three years, and if he turned out to be good for nothing, she would leave and come home….

Actually, she had lied to everyone. She had set out for the sake of vengeance, but instead had fallen victim right from the get go…..

She clearly had silver, but forced him to hit rock bottom. They clearly could have lived well, but she forced him into poverty…..

Qiao-Shi had hesitated several times over taking out the silver notes that Madam Qiao had slipped her. In the end, she still put them back into the box. All the way until today, she had never touched them.

These years watching Ruan Siyi change and transform, and enjoying their loving relationship, she had felt extremely guilty….she never said anything because she was afraid…..

She was afraid that all this would become a dream!

Qiao-Shi spoke one word at a time, airing out all the demons she had kept inside for so long, including her own thought process.

Her face was filled with tears and was unable to speak from crying.

At some point, Ruan Siyi had also started crying.

He pulled Qiao-Shi into his arms and held her tightly.

"I've always wanted to tell you that I was sorry, but I felt these words were too superficial. Now, I want to solemnly tell you: I'm sorry. If I could redo things, I would definitely not be that way."

Qiao-Shi cried and laughed: "It's fine."

These words vented all of Qiao-Shi's joys and sorrows, including her resentment from before, including her relief and resignation afterwards. If everything that happened before was necessary to obtain what she now had, she was extremely happy to make this trade.

After all, when they first got married, he had made mistakes, but didn't she make mistakes as well? As the two of them grew more and more distant, she had made further mistakes….

She had used her own abilities to obtain a real husband. During these ten years, Qiao-Shi understood something she had never understood before: using sincerity to obtain sincerity!

Therefore, she was victorious at this moment, truly victorious. She had won everything, and escaped the clutches of fate!

This would continue into the future. Their happiness was just setting sail…

End of novel

Author's notes:

It's finally over. Can't really describe the feeling in my heart. There is both joy and sorrow. Let's meet again in The Violent Concubine Has the Upper Hand.