Chapter 515 Hodgepodge, Farewell

Li Chengxun served a two-year term in Longzhou, where his political achievements were outstanding.

Princess Qingyun returned to the Imperial City with him. She had gained immense prestige by securing such a handsome and capable Prince Consort.

However, after returning to Lin’an, Princess Qingyun discovered that her Prince Consort’s attitude toward her had changed. He no longer doted on her or placated her every whim.

‘Could it be that now that Li Chengxun has a high-ranking position and the Empress Dowager has lost her power, he no longer cares for me?’

Princess Qingyun had sent people to investigate, but her Prince Consort wasn’t womanizing. His daily routine was simply to travel between the palace gates and the Princess Mansion.

It was once again time for Emperor Wu Su’s Longevity Festival.

Ji Qingwu, who was just beginning to show her pregnancy, personally organized the Longevity Festival. She made it a spectacular event, forgoing the usual courtly performances for a host of new and fascinating folk acts.

The crowd was overjoyed, afraid to miss a single interesting detail.

Only Princess Qingyun was not paying attention. She glanced furtively at her Prince Consort and saw his gaze was fixed on the sandalwood pagoda cart before them.

The cart was exquisitely constructed with built-in magnets that attracted Mystic Iron filings to create images. On the top level, the filings constantly shifted with the magnetic force.

It shifted from a panoramic view of Phoenix Palace to a vast landscape, then gradually revealed the handsome profile of Emperor Wu Su, and finally, formed the two words, “Boundless Longevity.”

At Ji Qingwu’s request, Yuan Heng and Jiu Jiu, dressed as an adorable Golden Boy and Jade Girl, shouted in their childish voices, “Wishing Father Emperor boundless longevity!”

The guests at the palace banquet applauded and cheered; even Princess Hua Chang broke into a smile.

After Emperor Wu Su bestowed the rewards, he leaned toward the Empress’s table and asked her something with a smile.

Ji Qingwu whispered something in his ear, and the smile in Emperor Wu Su’s eyes deepened. The pair sat for a little while longer before taking their leave.

On a stage set up before Zhaoyang Hall for Emperor Wu Su’s birthday, Ji Qingwu had changed into a flowing, rose-colored dancing costume. She raised her long water sleeves, the ribbons in her high topknot fluttering in the air.

Zhao Mingyan stood below the stage. He was finally seeing this dance.

One by one, they were mending all the past imperfections in their relationship.

Meanwhile, the performances inside the main hall continued.

The admiration in Li Chengxun’s eyes was no longer hidden. Princess Qingyun drank her wine sullenly.

These folk entertainments were right up Wei Chi Lianping’s alley; his boisterous laughter and table-pounding could be heard throughout the hall.

Princess Hua Chang shot him a helpless glance, but considering how hard he’d been working taking care of Little Tingnan at night, unable to get even one full night of sleep, she didn’t rein him in and just let him be.

Tao Wanxin had suffered greatly to carry her child to term and was left with lingering complications after the birth. Her back ached, making it impossible to sit for long. Prince Yong soon escorted her from the banquet, mentioning that he would take her to the hot spring manor south of the city the next day to recuperate.

Soon, only the two princesses and their Prince Consorts remained in the hall.

Princess Qingyun was growing hazy from the wine. She looked enviously at Princess Hua Chang, who sat across from her. Wei Chi Lianping only had eyes for his wife.

Less than an hour later, Princess Hua Chang also rose to leave, with Wei Chi Lianping trotting eagerly behind her.

Only Princess Qingyun and Li Chengxun remained in the hall.

Seeing how drunk she was, Li Chengxun went to help her up. “Qingyun, let’s go home.”

Princess Qingyun shook his hand away. “Don’t worry about me. You can go back first. I’m going to see my mother.”

The Empress Dowager was still under house arrest in Cining Palace. Prince Yong and Qingyun had to beg Ji Qingwu for permission just to visit.

Li Chengxun said, “Come home with me.”

“I’m not going,” Princess Qingyun retorted.

Li Chengxun no longer treated her as he had before, patiently coaxing and persuading her. He simply stood up and left.

Princess Qingyun called out from behind him, “Prince Consort!”

Li Chengxun stopped in his tracks and said coldly, “What is it that you want, Princess?”

Princess Qingyun asked, “Can you not even be bothered to pretend anymore?”

Li Chengxun was no longer the ambitious young guest he had once been. He was now a high-ranking official in the court, surrounded by supporters.

He said calmly, “One cannot greedily have it all. You, Princess, should understand this better than anyone.”

Princess Qingyun watched him walk away and gave a desolate smile.

Everyone has something they desire but can never obtain. It was true for her, and it was true for him.

But Li Chengxun knew what he needed most. Princess Qingyun had lost her senses for a moment that night, only to be jolted back to reality.

After that night, Princess Qingyun and her Prince Consort returned to their old ways. To the outside world, they were a harmonious couple and even had a daughter together.

Li Chengxun chased fame and fortune, wholeheartedly assisting the Empress. At the age of forty-two, he died, completely burnt out.

Princess Qingyun wept bitterly before his coffin, but two years later, she moved on. She began keeping handsome male companions, not a single one of them lacking a pretty face.

*

[Pop Quiz]

Participants:

Emperor Wu Su, Wei Chi Lianping, Lu Juan, Duan Mingfeng, Wei Ting

Exam Question:

Regarding a certain matter, please answer:

1. Will coax and will stop

2. Will coax but won’t stop

3. Won’t coax but will stop

4. Won’t coax and won’t stop

Emperor Wu Su was the first to answer, musing, “Number 1, of course.”

“…And number 2,” he added quietly.

Wei Chi Lianping waved his hand grandly. “Number 4!”

Then he roared with laughter. “Of course that’s impossible! If I chose number 4, the Eldest Princess would kill me! I choose 3, 3, 3! It’s not that I’m unwilling to coax her, I just don’t know how. The more I try, the angrier she gets.”

Lu Juan: “For this question… can I pick 5? I’ve done all of the above at some point.”

Duan Mingfeng’s face flushed red. “1.” After speaking, he used his Qinggong and flew away.

When it was the last person’s turn, Wei Ting stroked his chin. “I was almost late, so thank you for allowing me into the examination hall. It’s just… this question is a bit improper, isn’t it?”

He sighed. “Number 1. A wife is hard to come by. Of course, I must cherish her.”

*

Afterword.

Thank you to my patient, gentle, meticulous, and amazing editor.

Thank you to all the readers who have stayed with this book until the very end.

You all are really, really, really the best! (Making a heart with my hands and feet!)

It’s a funny thing, the originally planned ending for this book wasn’t like this at all. But when I was writing Chapter 481, a voice inside me told me it was time to wrap things up.

The main characters will no longer be separated by misunderstandings or hardships, nor will they ever again doubt the fact that they are loved by the other.

Their story hasn’t ended; it just no longer needs me to narrate it.

Writing the alternate-timeline extras was my way of making up for many of the regrets in the main story.

In that timeline, the female lead isn’t being coerced by the childbirth system. When she offers her heart for the first time, she isn’t rejected but is taken seriously and cherished. As a result, her love is bold and passionate, not cautious and fearful. The male lead isn’t moody and unpredictable from uncertainty; instead, he’s indulgent and doting, becoming a guiding partner in their relationship.

In the main storyline, both Jiu Jiu and Yuan Heng experience the absence of one parent during their childhood, which indirectly contributes to their complicated personalities as adults.

In the alternate timeline, after the two children are born, they grow up in a warm environment filled with love and security. Jiu Jiu doesn’t need a security blanket to fall asleep, and Yuan Heng isn’t forced to be mature beyond his years and suppress his feelings. Their paths to happiness will be much smoother.

Ah Wu and Ming Yan, look—so many people are here to witness your happiness.

Please continue to love each other for a long, long time!

“With a clear song and a full cup of wine, we’re bound to meet again somewhere in this life.” The end! *scatters celebratory flowers*

Thank you all!

See you all in the next book!