AMLFS Chapter 129

Chapter 130: Fulfillment

A calm voice suddenly appeared in the silent Kun Ning Palace, startling everyone as their gazes turned towards the woman in Daoist robes standing before the main hall.

The figure on the steps was slender, clad in a blue-gray Daoist robe. Her dark hair was pulled into a simple bun with a wooden hairpin.

Her appearance had not been ravaged by time, and one could clearly see that she possessed stunning beauty in her youth.

At this moment, her eyes were as still as an ancient well, and her expression was indifferent as she looked at the suddenly intruding figures, neither joyful nor sorrowful. She was surrounded by an aura of detachment and aloofness.

Chun Hua and Zhao Lu, unaware of the palace’s secrets and unfamiliar with this person’s identity, were surprised to find someone actually living here. However, knowing that anyone residing in the Imperial Palace must be of noble status, they dared not be presumptuous.

“This is the Empress, our intrusion is quite improper,” Chun Hua stepped forward to explain Song Huaixi’s identity.

Hearing who they were, Wang Shuran’s eyes flickered. She didn’t say much to the three of them, only uttering, “Come in.”

The group entered the hall, Song Huaixi curiously looking around. The entire palace was cold and desolate, with no one else in sight except them, unlike his own residence, where maids were constantly serving.

Moreover, the furnishings in the palace were very simple and elegant, with hardly any gold, silver, or jade ornaments. There were mostly altars, incense burners, and books.

A faint aroma of sandalwood lingered in the air, creating a sense of tranquility.

“Do you live here all alone?” Song Huaixi asked as he followed her, “Does no one take care of you? Aren’t you afraid to live in such a big house by yourself?”

Wang Shuran didn’t answer his somewhat childish questions, but led them to a side hall where she practiced Daoism, pointing to the meditation cushions on the floor and saying, “Sit.”

“Okay.”

Song Huaixi obediently sat cross-legged, curiously touching the cushion beneath him.

His gaze swept around, taking in the enormous portraits of the Three Pure Ones hanging on the walls, different from the Buddhas he had seen in temples. He didn’t recognize the figures in the paintings.

Wang Shuran poured him a cup of tea and sat down on the opposite cushion. Her calm eyes gazed faintly at the person before her.

The young man before her had a pair of large, innocent eyes filled with curiosity. They darted around inquisitively. His appearance was endearing, radiating childlike innocence and purity. He wasn’t wearing attire symbolizing the Empress’s status.

He wore a light yellow round-collared robe, with a circle of fine fluff around his neck, and a small jacket embroidered with exquisite flowers and birds.

If one didn’t know his identity, they would think he was just a young master from some noble household. Wang Shuran carefully examined Song Huaixi. Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district must cherish him dearly, allowing him to retain such innocence even within the palace.

After observing enough, Song Huaixi turned his head and, seeing her studying him, proactively asked, “Who are you? Why do you live here?”

“Just a person of leisure,” Wang Shuran said faintly, unwilling to delve into the past. “How did the Empress happen to come here?”

“I was just wandering around and ended up here,” Song Huaixi said, curious about the person before him. He continued, “Do you live alone? Aren’t you lonely?”

Wang Shuran smiled inwardly. She preferred to be alone with the flickering lamp than be amidst the world’s filth.

“Miss,” Just as they were speaking, another person in Daoist robes walked in, carrying incense and candles. She was clearly stunned when she saw the three people inside.

Then, she placed the incense and candles and walked to Wang Shuran’s side.

Song Huaixi looked at the newcomer, vaguely feeling that he had seen her somewhere before. He stared intently at her for a while before suddenly pointing at her and saying, “I remember you! You’re the old woman who gave me the bracelet.”

As he spoke, the memories in Song Huaixi’s mind gradually became clearer. Looking at the two of them, he seemed to understand something: “You are Zhao Fangye’s mother, aren’t you?”

After leaving Kun Ning Palace, Song Huaixi seemed very happy. He hummed a tune as he ran back to the Imperial Study. Pushing open the door, Song Huaixi looked excited.

“Zhao Fangye! Zhao Fangye! Guess who I saw?” Song Huaixi ran to Zhao Fangye, his hands behind his back, looking mysterious.

Putting down the memorial he was reviewing, Zhao Fangye waved for the servants to leave. He put his arm around Song Huaixi’s waist: “Who did you see? If you don’t tell me, how will I know?”

“I saw your mother!!” Reaching up to hug Zhao Fangye’s neck, Song Huaixi looked at him with sparkling eyes and said, “Mother is so beautiful, like a fairy.”

Zhao Fangye’s arms around him stiffened, and an unreadable emotion flashed through his light-colored eyes: “She saw you?”

“Mm.” Song Huaixi nodded, taking out the bodhi bracelet hidden in his hand: “Look! This is what Mother gave you. Now you have one too.”

“Gave it to me?”

Zhao Fangye’s breath hitched. He reached out and picked up the bodhi bracelet. The bodhi seeds were round and smooth, clearly something that was carried on person. The scent of incense permeated them, and a faint sandalwood fragrance lingered around his nose.

Looking down at the bodhi bracelet, Zhao Fangye couldn’t describe the feeling in his heart. The things that had been weighing on him for many years seemed to dissipate at that moment.

He reached out and hugged Song Huaixi. Zhao Fangye had already obtained what he wanted. Therefore, let the past be gone with the wind.

Holding Song Huaixi’s still slightly cold hands, Zhao Fangye grasped them tightly: “What did she say to you?”

Song Huaixi thought about it. He was the one doing most of the talking. Wang Shuran didn’t seem to say much, but just listened quietly.

“Mother doesn’t seem to like talking,” Song Huaixi paused and continued, “I was the one who said everything. Am I too noisy?”

“How could you be?” Seeing his sudden hesitation, he pinched his cheek, amused: “Then what did you say?”

“I talked about a lot of things between us. And I talked about a lot of things about you.”

“And she… did she say anything?”

“She did!” Song Huaixi remembered it very clearly, and raised his head with a proud look on his face: “Mother said that you are under my control from now on.”

In reality, that wasn’t exactly what she had said, but it was close enough. Although Wang Shuran didn’t like Zhao Fangye, she still felt guilty towards this child deep down in her heart. Now, seeing Song Huaixi, she felt somewhat relieved.

Zhao Fangye was amused by his expression and leaned in to kiss him: “Does that even need to be said? I’ve already been yours for a long time.”

The day after Song Huaixi met Wang Shuran, an Imperial Guard appeared before Zhao Fangye after court.

“What is it?”

“Your Majesty, the two people from Kun Ning Palace left the palace gates this morning.”

Zhao Fangye paused in his approval of the documents, then said, “Escort them along the way. As for where they go, there’s no need to tell me.”

“Yes.”

The past was like the wind, and now people had to stay together, looking at the bleakness outside the window. Soon, the new year would arrive, and they still had a long way to go.

Song Huaixi walked in with snacks, and Zhao Fangye beckoned to him: “Huaixi, come here.”

Naturally, he walked over and snuggled into Zhao Fangye’s arms. Song Huaixi’s gaze fell on the desk in front of him. He discovered that many words had been written on the red paper.

“What are you doing?”

“Pick one.”

Song Huaixi didn’t recognize any of the words above, and he didn’t know what to pick.

Zhao Fangye picked up the symbol of the Empress and looked at Song Huaixi, who was carefully recognizing the characters: “Huaixi, shall we get married again?”

In the sixth year of the Qingli era, in the first month, Zhao Fangye ascended the throne. He changed the dynastic title to Qi. At the same time, he conferred upon Song Huaixi the title of Empress of the Central Palace.

Orioles joyfully announced good news, and auspicious cranes delivered blessings. At the moment of leading Song Huaixi to receive the worship of the officials, Zhao Fangye looked at Song Huaixi, who was still somewhat childish, and felt that his life was fulfilled.

From now on, he would have his beloved by his side day and night, which was enough.