She hadn't forgotten that her imperial younger brother was very attached to their mother, and was always thinking of disrupting the intimacy between their mother and father.
Could it be that he had a grudge against their father in his past life, which was why he didn't get close to their father, and always fought with their father for their mother's affection.
“Imperial Sister, today is my birthday, I want to know what gift Mother prepared for me?”
Murong Lingqing looked wronged, his clear eyes filled with a mist, his appearance very similar to the current Empress, both possessing a kind of cold and imposing aura.
Today was his birthday. He was wearing a bright yellow brocade robe, his dark hair tied up with a jade hairpin, revealing a small, strikingly beautiful face. He would surely be a stunner when he grew up.
“Alright, Father and Mother are in the rear garden?”
Murong Qin Yu spoke weakly, not because of Lingqing’s wronged expression, but because it was his birthday, and those parental figures were once again in a corner kissing. She was a bit annoyed, which was why she told her imperial brother where they were.
“Thank you, Imperial Sister.”
As soon as Murong Lingqing received the news, he quickly ran towards the rear garden. The eunuchs following him held their breath and kept calling, “Crown Prince, be careful, Crown Prince?”
Unfortunately, he completely ignored the eunuchs behind him, running like a gust of wind.
Although only ten years old, his martial arts were already excellent, having inherited his father’s true teachings.
Even though his father doted on him, he just liked to stick close to the Empress, feeling happy and joyful when he was by her side…
In the imperial garden, colorful flowers swayed, and a light fragrance filled the air.
In the jade-colored flower-viewing hall, two graceful figures appeared – the current Emperor and Empress. Ten years had smoothed away much of their youthful immaturity, and they had become even more enchanting and eye-catching.
“Yao’er?”
“Mm,” Qing Yao raised her head and smiled at him. Ten years had not diminished their affection in the slightest. They were just like they were at the beginning, and she was truly content. With Little Fish’er, and now Crown Prince Lingqing, everything was so perfect.
“Shall we go on a honeymoon together?”
Ever since the Emperor learned the term “honeymoon,” he often used it to tease Qing Yao.
All along, because Lingqing was so attached to her, she was worried and had not agreed. But now it was time to let Lingqing learn to be independent. Qing Yao nodded with a smile, her lips blooming with joy.
Xian Emperor’s handsome face immediately lit up with a smile, his narrow eyebrows accented with a charming air.
The two held hands tightly, their gazes locking. At this moment, a small figure rushed in, abruptly interrupting their intense gaze.
“Mother, Mother,”
Crown Prince Lingqing panted, clearly having run all the way.
Qing Yao looked at him with amusement and exasperation, reaching out to stroke his tender face. Lingqing looked exactly like her, even sharing her personality. He usually disliked close contact with people, only allowing those he wished to approach him; otherwise, he wouldn't let anyone near.
“What is it?”
“Lingqing wants to see what gifts Father and Mother have prepared for this son.”
Lingqing thought this excuse was excellent. In reality, he didn't care about any gifts. As the current Crown Prince, what did he not have? He just missed his mother, so he used this as an excuse. Qing Yao, who knew this, reached out and pinched his cheek, speaking dotingly.
“You, huh?”
Xian Emperor beside them didn’t say much. His temper was particularly good today. He called out from outside the pavilion, “Someone, present the gift for the Crown Prince.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The eunuchs presented the gifts, placed in ornate brocade boxes. Qing Yao took one, opened it personally, and found a magnificent golden crown, radiating light and lifelike splendor. Qing Yao took it out, pulled Lingqing closer, and personally placed it on his head.
“Do you like it?”
“Thank you, Father and Mother,” Lingqing said obediently. He was always well-behaved in front of his mother, unlike his usual cold demeanor with others.
Seeing that the sky was getting late, Qing Yao glanced at Liu Zun, a smile blooming on her lips. “Let’s go. The guests have arrived, and we are still here?”
“Let’s go.”
The three returned to Fengluan Palace. The guests had indeed arrived. There wasn’t a grand banquet, only some familiar faces.
Princess Murong Xingzhu and Prince Consort Hua Lige, as well as Mu Qingzhu and his wife, and Mu Qingxiang had also found good husbands.
Later, the most important guests were the King of Annan and the Queen of Nanan, which was Ruan Xiaolian. Qing Yao had put in a great deal of effort to bring this couple together, and they were now very affectionate.
It turned out that Ruan Xiaolian had a connection with the leader of the Nanling martial arts alliance, Ruan Zihao, who was the brother of Wei Cheng. Ruan Zihao’s wife was Concubine Su Ge. Because of this relationship, the two felt even closer.
In the resplendent hall, laughter and joy filled the air. Everyone was very happy, with smiles on their faces. The adults chatted amongst themselves, and the children played together, except for Crown Prince Lingqing, who was accompanied by Mu Qingzhu’s son.
Mo Chou and Bing Xiao were also married. Mo Chou was enfeoffed as Princess Anping and married into a distant land.
Bing Xiao married an ordinary general but lived very happily. Time could settle many things. Playing a soul-stirring heroic song, who didn’t have a youthful prime, who didn’t have burning passion, and grand ambitions of upheaval across mountains and rivers…
The next day, the palace was filled with cries of surprise.
“Princess, something bad has happened! The Empress is gone, leaving behind a letter.”
Murong Qin Yu’s eyes widened in disbelief as she quickly took the letter. In the letter, Mother’s sweet message read, Little Fish’er, Mother and Father have gone on a honeymoon. Take good care of your imperial brother. This time when Mother returns, she will give you a big gift.
The last sentence made Murong Qin Yu’s hair stand on end, sending a shiver down her spine. She couldn’t shake off the unsettling feeling.
Crown Prince Murong Qing Qing also received the news, rushing in like a gust of wind, yelling at Murong Qin Yu, “Where is Mother? Where is Mother?”
Little Fish’er slowly glanced at Lingqing. It seemed Mother’s intention was for Lingqing to become independent, so he slowly said, “They’ve gone to roam the jianghu. You can stop worrying.”
After speaking, Little Fish’er pretended not to see his younger brother’s displeased expression and turned to leave. In the hall, Murong Lingqing angrily cried out, “Mother?”
Amidst the green mountains and clear waters, a snow-white steed carried two peerlessly beautiful people, slowly disappearing from sight, like celestial beings departing in a cloud of dust. However, faint words drifted over.
“What do you think the big gift for Little Fish’er is?”
“You’ll know when the time comes.”
“What is it, tell me?”
“No, you’ll know,” followed by laughter, its echo fading into the wind. The sunlight remained beautiful, the sky was very blue, the clouds were very white, and happiness permeated the air…
This story has ended. Below is another story, the story continues…
The sunset glow was like blood.
In the palace with carved beams and painted pillars, the slightly open window appeared desolate and tragic.
A few hushed whispers came from behind the glazed screen, the voices sharp and high-pitched, laced with deep malice, cursing as if all of this were the most normal thing in the world.
“This fool should die early and be reborn early, dragging others down when alive?”
“Xiao He, keep your voice down, don’t let anyone hear.”
Another slender voice sounded, seemingly tinged with concern, but the palace maid called Xiao He immediately let out a disdainful sneer.
“Xiuxiu, you are truly telling jokes. Who would come to this godforsaken place? Don’t you know? Besides the four of us damned souls, who else would come to this place?
Think about how miserable we are. Why did we draw lots and end up in this place? I wish for this fool to die early and be reborn early every day, so we can be reassigned.”