"Still have to wait until next year! I was hoping to attend your wedding sooner!"
Yilan sighed with a hint of resentment.
Yue Er glanced at her indifferently.
"You’re living quite well now, so why are you still eager to leave?"
"Although Nan Yunze took a concubine, hasn’t he changed? Why are you being unforgiving?"
"What does Maternal Aunt Tan have left to compete with you now?"
Hearing this, Yilan frowned and retorted.
"I haven’t tried to leave!"
"I’m just... still holding onto some anger!"
"You can say I’m being difficult or unappreciative!"
"But I just don’t want to forgive!" She spoke with firm resolve.
No matter what, the injuries she suffered back then were borne alone, with no one to help her.
All those harsh words, mistrust, and deep misunderstandings.
They poured over her like buckets of filthy water, engulfing her.
At that time, who cared about how she endured it all?
Understanding this, Yue Er didn’t say more, offering only a gentle piece of advice.
"As long as you’re happy!"
"But if you still want to be with him, forgive him; if not, then separate!"
"Just lingering like this doesn’t seem good either!"
Yilan shook her head bitterly.
She neither wanted to separate nor reconcile.
Her temper was strong, her heart narrow; she wanted to punish him properly, to return equally all the suffering and grievances she had endured over the years.
Once he had tasted enough bitterness and endured enough grievances, then she’d forgive him.
For now... sorry, she didn’t want to forgive.
"Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore!"
"How about something cheerful?"
Knowing that saying more wouldn’t help, Yue Er changed the topic, chatting about other interesting events in the Capital City.
She even kept Yilan for lunch until afternoon when they finally parted ways.
...
With spring gone and autumn coming, time flew by in an instant.
The ground of the Imperial Garden was covered with fallen leaves, chrysanthemums in full bloom, osmanthus fragrant in the air.
A flock of birds chirping merrily flitted among the fallen leaves; their crisp, pleasant chirping echoed in the clear and refreshing autumn sky, unknowingly lifting one’s spirits.
Once they were tired of frolicking, they gathered together in flocks and headed south.
When all the birds completed their southern migration, more than half of autumn had passed.
On this day, Xia Ruqing leaned against the window, quietly watching the fallen leaves outside.
Tired of watching, she put aside the scroll she was holding and took a delightful nap.
Waking again, it was already evening.
From time to time, the small kitchen wafted the aroma of dishes, tantalizing the taste buds, making it hard to resist hunger.
Excitedly, she got up, changed her clothes, and was about to go out to dine.
Unexpectedly, she bumped into Zhao Junyao, who was returning from the Imperial Study Room.
"Emperor?"
Zhao Junyao pulled her up.
"Why are you going out at this time!"
Xia Ruqing chuckled.
"The room was a bit stuffy, so I’m stepping out to have a look!"
"I’ll join you!"
Zhao Junyao turned directly, and the two sat side by side on the swing in the courtyard.
They silently admired the orange sunset, more beautiful than any shimmering silk, without a word between them.
After an eternity, Zhao Junyao suddenly asked.
"What have you been busy with today?"
Xia Ruqing felt a bit anxious but still smiled.
"It’s not worrying about Chenchen!"
"Jingfeng was unwilling to marry and dragged on till nearly thirty!"
"I’m really afraid Chenchen will be the same!"
"Even Yue Er is engaged now—how can I not be anxious?"
Zhao Junyao ruffled her long hair.
"Actually..."
"I’m quite anxious too!"
Xia Ruqing thought he was going to comfort her again but unexpectedly heard this.
She burst into laughter.
"What are you anxious about?"
Without thinking, Zhao Junyao replied directly.
"I want to retire quickly!"
"Once the boy marries and has a son, popular sentiment will stabilize more!"
"Then, I can retire and live in seclusion!"
Xia Ruqing was puzzled.
"Why have you suddenly had this thought? You used to always vow to devote your whole life to the Great Chu Dynasty!"
How had your sentiments changed suddenly?
Zhao Junyao didn’t answer immediately, only smiled faintly.
The gaze fixed on the sunset sparkled with complex longing and... sweet memories.
After a long while, he suddenly asked.
"Qingqing, do you remember that little fishing village in Guangnan that year?"
"Of course I remember!"
Xia Ruqing replied firmly.
"Do you like it?"
"Of course I like it! But... those memories aren’t pleasant, and I’d rather not go back there!"
She felt somewhat frustrated.
They nearly faced life and death separation then; such encounters she hardly wished to risk again, so... maybe not.
...
"How about going elsewhere?"