"I only have this one son, and the position of Crown Prince will be his sooner or later." Yun Shu's expression was slightly cold as he calmly said, "I have said that I only want you in this life."
If Xiao Jin still couldn't understand the meaning of these two sentences when put together, then she had lived in vain. She froze, staring blankly at Yun Shu. Yun Liu, held tighter and tighter, squirmed uncomfortably in her arms, and seeing that Xiao Jin still wouldn't let go, she started crying loudly.
Yun Shu took Yun Liu from Xiao Jin's arms, holding her gracefully in her embrace. She softened her voice, soothingly saying, "Liu'er, be good. Even if your mother doesn't love you anymore, your father will always be there for you. He'll watch you grow up, teach you to read and write, practice martial arts, and watch you marry and start a family—"
These were the words Xiao Jin had whispered to Yun Shu while they were nestled in each other's arms. Now, hearing them, every word sounded sarcastic, like a sharp knife tearing her heart apart.
Xiao Jin's lips instantly drained of blood and trembled uncontrollably. Large tears rolled down her face, but Xiao Jin stubbornly pursed her lips tightly, refusing to make a sound. She sat even straighter, seemingly trying to maintain some kind of composure.
When Yun Shu looked up, she saw the pain and vulnerability in Xiao Jin's eyes.
He didn't want to force her, but he couldn't bear to let her go! In fact, this was his last gamble. If she still didn't want to stay, he would let her go. Saying that he would make Yun Liu the crown prince was not just empty talk. He had only ever been committed to one person in his life. If she was no longer there, he would rather raise Yun Liu alone.
In the end, Yun Shu couldn't bear it any longer, and he gently kissed Xiao Jin's bloodless lips. "Jin Niang, don't cry. I won't force you anymore, okay?"
"Hold Liu'er again." Yun Shu sighed helplessly, his voice filled with powerlessness and dejection. "If he asks me about his mother in the future, I can tell him that you loved him and that you held him in your arms."
"Third Master!" Xiao Jin could no longer hold back and threw herself into Yun Shu's arms, crying bitterly.
Yun Shu held two people in his arms, his gaze filled with tenderness and pity, causing his dark eyes to glisten with a hint of tears. He was guarding the two most important people in his life, yet a hidden despair lingered in his heart.
He was afraid he wouldn't be able to keep her.
******
Xiao Jin still went to Huguo Temple to admire the plum blossoms, but apart from the palace maids and guards, she didn't let anyone accompany her.
Yun Shu did not stop her, but silently ordered people to prepare everything for her trip. She also specially ordered someone to make a thick fox fur coat, which she personally tied on for Xiao Jin before she left.
"Go, be careful on your journey." A gentle smile appeared on Yun Shu's handsome face. He swallowed his last words: Go and come back soon. He didn't know if Xiao Jin would ever return.
Xiao Jin nodded obediently.
The plum blossoms in the plum grove were in full bloom, their red petals contrasting beautifully with the unmelted snow.
“Master Huizong, there is never a way to go back, is there?” Xiao Jin stood by the plum grove for a long time, then suddenly turned around and said to Master Huizong, who was waiting beside him, with some urgency, “Tell me, there is no way to go back, is there?”
“Since Your Majesty has made your decision, why bother asking this humble monk?” Master Huizong’s smile remained as wise and kind as ever.
The plum grove, freshly covered in snow, was bitterly cold. Xiao Jin took a deep breath, the frigid air filling her lungs with a refreshing feeling she had never experienced before. A smile crept onto her lips. "You're right. If I say no, then no."
Going home was an obsession she longed for but could never have.
But now she has something more important to protect.
******
As Xiao Jin slowly walked out of the gate of Huguo Temple, she saw Yun Shu sitting on horseback, quietly watching her.
Xiao Jin smiled slightly, walked to Yun Shu's horse, and extended her hand to him.
The previously overcast and gloomy sky suddenly burst open with a dazzling ray of light.
Sunlight finally pierced through the thick clouds and reached the earth.
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Chapter 114
This is a protected chapter. If any readers accidentally purchased it, don't worry, it will be replaced around 8 AM tomorrow. The word count will increase after the replacement.
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Winter of the twenty-fourth year of Kangping.
The heavy snow this winter seemed unusually frequent. It is said that a good snowfall foretells a bumper harvest, and with the new emperor's ascension to the throne, it is considered a good omen.
The eldest prince was taken away by his wet nurse and coaxed to sleep. Xiao Jin sat by the window, holding a cup of hot tea, quietly watching the snowflakes dance in the air. She sat there for the entire afternoon. In the vast harem, she was the only one who could be called a mistress, so she didn't need to deal with anyone else.
"Your Majesty, you've been sitting for almost two hours. Be careful not to hurt your back!" Xiao Jin's health had been poor since giving birth. Seeing Xiao Jin's absent-minded appearance these past few days, Huan Yue felt a pang of heartache and said, "The Emperor will be worried if he finds out!"
Hearing Huan Yue mention Yun Shu, Xiao Jin's somewhat unfocused gaze finally sharpened. Coming back to her senses, she noticed a sharp pain in her lower back. She sighed softly, then obediently helped Huan Yue to slump onto the chaise longue in the bedchamber.
Zisu and Dongshuang came over and quickly massaged Xiao Jin to make her feel more comfortable.
"Your Majesty, what exactly are you worried about?" Huanyue couldn't help but ask, "Was it because the young ladies from Jiangnan were sent over the other day—"
The Governor-General of Jiangnan was a very astute man. Seeing that Yun Shu's harem was empty, he brought ten beautiful and graceful women from Jiangnan to be sent over. Each of them had her own unique charm, yet they were all humble and submissive. Xiao Jin glanced at them and had to admit that he had indeed put in a lot of effort.
"Oh?" Xiao Jin came to her senses and smiled. "Are you worried that I might lose favor if the Emperor takes them into the harem?"
"That's not what I meant!" Huan Yue knelt down in a panic. "His Majesty has deep feelings for Your Highness and would never hurt your feelings!"
Xiao Jin curled the corners of her lips slightly, remaining silent without replying.
Huan Yue was right. Everyone in the harem knew how Yun Shu treated her; he cherished her dearly. Even before he ascended the throne, during his conquest, countless noble families wanted to send their daughters to him, but Yun Shu resolutely refused them all, despite the pressure. After becoming emperor, he immediately made her empress, again rejecting countless court officials who wanted to send their daughters to the palace.
He has gone to such lengths, truly deserving the title of "deeply affectionate."
But she had more to think about than just that.
******