The bamboo house still stands in the mountains, but its owner will never come again.
"The Emperor has issued an imperial decree to welcome us and wash away the dust of our journey. This is an immense honor." On the streets of the capital, Song Zixing held Fang Ruoxi's hand, attracting the attention of passersby. An old man pointed at the two and said, "The world is going to the dogs!" But the two of them ignored him and continued to walk hand in hand on the street.
Song Zixing asked Fang Ruoxi with a smile, "Are you going or not?"
Fang Ruoxi smiled and said, "It's been a long time since I've attended a banquet. I remember that I used to be invited one after another, without getting tired of it, but I was never invited as the main character. This time, Qi is taking it so seriously, I'm actually a little nervous."
Upon hearing this, Song Zixing shook his head and said, "Don't call him Qi, you should call him Your Majesty."
Fang Ruoxi stuck out her tongue.
Song Zixing said with a half-smile, "You don't need to be nervous. You're probably the one who's most nervous."
"Really?" Fang Ruoxi smiled.
In the blink of an eye, six years have passed since I last saw him.
The eunuch's shrill voice startled Fang Ruoxi. Seeing her like this, Song Zixing couldn't help but smile, took her hand, and walked into the hall.
As she walked, she encountered many people panting all around her, yet all remained silent. Perhaps it was because the path inside was too long, and there were too many eyes watching her, or perhaps it was because she hadn't experienced such a grand scene in a long time, but Fang Ruoxi nearly tripped over her own heel several times.
Song Zixing held her hand and told her to be careful.
She couldn't wear a mask to see the Emperor, so she removed it. However, her attire couldn't be careless, so she had to dress rather elaborately, causing her jade pendants to jingle as she walked slowly. She couldn't help but glare at Song Zixing with a hint of reproach; it was all because he said she looked beautiful. But he just smiled nonchalantly. She was about to secretly pinch him when she looked up and saw the person she knew so well sitting at the very top of the table. Her heart froze.
Now she finally understood why she had been so nervous before arriving, so nervous that she had even forgotten to breathe. It wasn't that she was afraid of the banquet, nor was it afraid of other people's stares; she was simply… simply afraid of seeing him. That fear wasn't terror, but a mixture of wanting to see him and being afraid to see him, because seeing him would remind her of someone else…
Wu Qi sat at the very top and saw her from afar. She approached slowly, her figure graceful, wearing a long white silk dress embroidered with blooming lotuses from top to bottom, with fallen petals swaying gently at her waist, her bright eyes as lively as ever. All these years, she seemed unchanged. She had finally returned. He gripped the dragon throne tightly, suppressing his emotions.
Empress Song watched as her brother, Song Zixing, led his sister-in-law, Fang Ruoxi, into the main hall. All eyes in the hall were on his sister-in-law, and Empress Song couldn't help but look at the Emperor beside her.
His expression was indifferent, but the bulging veins on the back of his hand betrayed his current mood.
That night, after endless pleasantries, Fang Ruoxi felt uncomfortable being stared at by so many eyes, so she went outside the palace for some fresh air. There, she happened to run into Sun Zheng (Young Master Zheng), whom she hadn't seen for a long time and who was now in a high position.
Of their former classmates from the academy, some had left, some had scattered, and some had died. Now, only Sun Zheng and Zhao Xun (Prince Xun), stationed at the border, remained in the court. They were both married, with sons already doting on them. Prince Xun, in particular, had seven concubines, truly enjoying the blessings of multiple wives and concubines. Mentioning Wen Yu, Prince Zheng mentioned they still corresponded, and that Wen Yu was now a schoolteacher in the countryside. Prince Zheng added that the Emperor, upon learning this, had joked that Wen Yu might be increasingly resembling the old Master Ji. Perhaps they were too happy, or perhaps they had drunk too much, but with a sigh, though they didn't mention it, they both thought of Wu Yi and Liu Xiu. Prince Zheng couldn't help but weep, his clothes soaked with tears.
Gongzi Zheng said that King Cheng's tomb had been moved to the imperial mausoleum by the emperor.
The princes argued that Liu Xiu's remains were nowhere to be found, and that he only had a cenotaph in Weicheng where he was buried with Qi Huan.
Gongzi Zheng said that Gongsun Ziyang died in battle from exhaustion, and his tomb is also in Weicheng, right next to Liu Xiu's tomb. Wang Kuang's whereabouts are still unknown, and it is unclear whether he is dead or alive.
Fang Ruoxi burst into tears.
Gongzi Zheng was also in tears, trying to comfort Fang Ruoxi, when the Emperor appeared beside her at some point. Gongzi Zheng bowed and withdrew, leaving Fang Ruoxi and Wu Qi alone.
Their meeting would inevitably remind them of someone; before, it was always three people together, but now there are only two. Looking at Wu Qi, she became increasingly unable to control herself and burst into tears.
He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly, his own eyes reddening. They were both longing for the same person, and they understood each other's feelings of longing best. He tried his best to control himself, but his voice still trembled slightly as he said, "Song Zixing really did save you. You're alive, you're alive. That's wonderful."
She nodded emphatically.
He smiled and released her, wiping away her tears, and said, "From now on, you still have me. If Song Zixing dares to bully you, come find me, and I will avenge you."
She nodded again, emphatically.
He smiled and said, "Stop crying. If you keep crying, when Song Zixing sees your bald eyes, he'll think you've been punched twice. What if he throws a tantrum in public? Where will that leave my face?"
She stopped crying and smiled, wiping away her tears. Looking at his teasing face so close to hers, memories flooded back, feeling so warm and familiar. She couldn't help but ask, "Is being an emperor fun?"
He chuckled and shook his head, saying, "It's not fun."
She didn't believe it and said, "Isn't the emperor very powerful and rich?"
He smiled and said, "It's alright."
"Shouldn't you give me something in return?" Her eyes flickered.
He considered for a moment, then took something out of his waist and handed it to her, saying, "This is a get-out-of-jail-free card. With it, you have nothing to fear. You can also pass this on to your wicked offspring to ensure your family's safety for generations to come."
Fang Ruoxi accepted the gold medal in a daze, knowing its value, but when Wu Qi mentioned the word "offspring," her expression dimmed slightly, and she said softly, "Qi, I was seriously injured when I was repairing those three arrows, I'm afraid I won't be able to have any more children..."
Wu Qi was taken aback upon hearing this. He reached out and grabbed Fang Ruoxi's wrist, checking her pulse. After a while, he lowered his hand, his brows furrowed.
Fang Ruoxi laughed at this moment, waving the gold medal in her hand and saying, "The thing you gave me seems pretty good."
Wu Qi nodded and said, "Of course, how could I mistreat you?"
Fang Ruoxi said, "You can still pawn it when you're broke." She bit it with her teeth and exclaimed happily, "It's pure gold!"
Wu Qi was furious. He waved his sleeve and said, "Next time, come to see me dressed as a man. Also, change your name and identity. I will grant you the position of Imperial Attendant."
"Why?" she asked, puzzled. Why would they make her an official for no reason?
"Your appearance has dealt my harem a once-in-a-century blow overnight. I will have to comfort countless wounded hearts later; it's exhausting." He sighed, offering a reason that wasn't really a reason, yet it sounded surprisingly grand and convincing. An unnatural smirk played on his lips. How many years had it been since he'd made such a joke? How many years had it been since anyone had inspired such a desire in him to joke? He didn't want to remember.
"I've heard that emperors have three thousand concubines in their harems. Can you manage that?" Her attention was indeed diverted.
"It's alright, actually there aren't that many, only a few dozen." In fact, from the Empress down to the concubines, there were less than ten in total. He was not a lecherous man.
"It must have been tough, right?" she asked with concern, not ashamed to ask.
"Which aspect are you referring to?" he asked maliciously.
She glanced at him sideways.
"Haha, not much?" Upon seeing this, he burst into laughter. For so many years, no one had spoken to him so casually.
"Hmm?" she responded rather reluctantly.
"It's so good to have you back," he said.
"Of course!" she said smugly.
He glanced at him sideways.
"What other benefits are there? You're the emperor now," she chuckled mischievously. "Why not give me the Elegant Wine Shop and that weapons shop? Oh, and the Bright Beauty Pavilion too." The Elegant Wine Shop and the weapons shop were opened in the capital by Gongzi Yi when she left Nanshu Academy. The Bright Beauty Pavilion was originally a secret outpost planted in the capital by the Marquis of Xijing, which was later given to Gongzi Yi. After Gongzi Yi's death, it was taken over by Gongzi Qi. Now, after several years, these shops have become quite famous in the capital. Even after Gongzi Qi became emperor, he didn't close them and continued to operate them, and it was said that the profits were quite considerable. She had visited them as soon as she arrived in the capital and was very tempted by these shops. Very few people knew that the real owner behind these shops was the current emperor, but Fang Ruoxi was one of those few.
"Don't be too greedy, or you'll get struck by lightning." He looked at her, but realized that no matter what, she was beautiful. If it were Yi instead of him today, would Yi...
"Stingy," she said dismissively.
"How dare you speak ill of me!" he feigned anger.
"I already told you," she stubbornly insisted.
"I can exterminate your entire family, aren't you afraid?" he threatened.
"My husband's sister is your empress, so you're now part of his entire family," Bai threatened.
"I can turn you into a beggar right now." I'll strike at your weak point; I don't believe you won't be afraid.
"No... I'm scared." My biggest fear in this life is not having money.
"Are you really scared?" It worked.
"Mmm, that's scary." She humbled herself, and he was very satisfied.
"Not much?" he called softly.
"Hmm?" she looked up in response.
"I miss you so much." He looked at her.
“Me too.” She looked up at the sky.
“Hypocritical.” He glanced at her.
"Hehe, hehe..." She was embarrassed when she was exposed.
"Nothing much?" he called softly. A gentle breeze blew by, lifting the strands of hair at her temples. He stared at her, mesmerized.
"Hmm?" she responded, gazing at their shadows under the moonlight.
"Next time there are outsiders, you must not address me as such in front of me, but when there are no outsiders, you may do as you please," he said.
"What if I forget?" she frowned.
"A beating with a board," he answered decisively.
"Oh? That's too serious." He appeared frightened, but was actually dismissive.
"Just don't use your internal force to break the board." He knew her too well.
"..."
"Not much?" he called softly.
"Hmm?" she responded.
"I should go in now." I've been out for too long.
"We respectfully invite Your Majesty to come." She gestured dramatically.
"It's a respectful farewell..." he said helplessly.
"..." She was speechless.
He shook his head and left with a smile, the starry sky behind him.
She stared blankly at his retreating figure.
He had taken several steps when he suddenly stopped and softly called out, "Wu Duo?"
"Hmm?" She responded, still gazing at his retreating figure. The cool moonlight cast a long shadow behind him, a shadow that seemed somewhat lonely and solitary.
After a long while, he remained standing in the same spot, never turning around. Just as she was wondering what was going on, she heard an unusually clear and gentle voice, “I have ascended to this lonely throne, holding the fate and life and death of all people in the world in my hands. Above all others, this is what every man dreams of. I possess it, which means I possess the most desirable but unattainable thing in the world. But I… am not happy. My heart is empty. I have no true friends anymore.”
She was taken aback, and when she understood, she suddenly felt a pang of sadness. Then she heard him continue, "But I have a wish, I hope that we will not change. I will do everything in my power to protect this unchanging bond."
She silently shed tears, nodded heavily, and replied emphatically, "Yes."
In a corner she couldn't see, he smiled, walking further and further away, murmuring to himself, "Having you by my side to remember the sunrise over Daming Lake in this life is enough."
Fang Ruoxi went back and told her husband, Song Zixing, that the Emperor had appointed her as a court attendant. Song Zixing frowned slightly and asked, "Do you intend to stay in the capital forever?"
Fang Ruoxi then realized something was wrong and couldn't help but frown like Song Zixing.
But when the imperial edict was actually issued, Fang Ruoxi realized that she had wronged Wu Qi.
This position of Imperial Attendant was merely a sinecure; one received a salary but did no work. The main problem was that Wu Qi bestowed this title upon Xu Qing, Song Zixing's follower, instead of Fang Ruoxi herself. Xu Qing was completely bewildered to suddenly receive such a favored position.
For many years, Xu Qing had stayed in Suzhou to manage affairs at the former Annan General's Mansion. Some time ago, upon learning that Song Zixing had returned, he hurriedly rode to the capital to meet him.
Six years later, upon seeing Song Zixing for the first time, Xu Qing knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, his excited appearance truly giving anyone a headache. Fang Ruoxi had initially turned a blind eye to him, but unexpectedly, this young man, eager to stay by Song Zixing's side as her follower, was constantly calling her "Madam" and showering her with whatever she wanted or liked. Later, seeing that she couldn't get rid of him, Fang Ruoxi said to Song Zixing, "Let him stay; his roasted lamb leg is quite delicious."
Song Zixing then kept Xu Qing.