Chapter 230: Memories

Yuan Siyin was speechless for a moment.

How can she keep the conversation going?

"Actually, I had someone I liked before, and we were mutually in love."

"What kind of person?"

Recalling that figure, the Empress Dowager's usually sharp eyes softened: "Him? He's just like your father, stubborn and single-minded."

He never listens to me and always makes me angry.

I encountered him at the Lantern Festival. He was wearing a mask with a blue face and fangs, which frightened several children, making them cry. I was frantic and couldn't soothe them no matter what I did.

Did his aunt go to help him?

The Empress Dowager's eyes were full of smiles, and she slightly raised her chin, as if she had transformed back into the domineering Miss Yuan of yesteryear: "Of course, I found those children too noisy, so I had the guards go and chase them away."

"Then what?"

"Then he glared at me, turned around and left."

Yuan Siyin: "..."

To be frank, it's unlikely that the story would begin with mutual affection.

"As luck would have it, a few months later, I met him again on the street."

He stammered as he told me that he hadn't turned and left on purpose; he just didn't know what to say and, in a moment of nervousness, instinctively turned and ran away.

Yuan Siyin smiled and changed the subject: "Was Aunt still angry at that time?"

"I was naturally angry, and after saying only 'What a coincidence,' I was about to leave."

Unexpectedly, he hurriedly stopped me, saying it wasn't a coincidence; he comes to this street every night whenever he has free time, hoping to run into me again.

The Empress Dowager smiled sweetly, like a young girl: "Don't you think I'm being stubborn? You could have just asked around and found out who I am, instead of waiting like a wooden stake."

"It turns out it was love at first sight; we do have a connection."

"Yes, I was destined to be with him, but our connection was ultimately shallow."

The Empress Dowager sighed, her voice as ethereal as the wisps of smoke rising from an incense burner.

"The late emperor sent him to lead troops into battle, and he died on the battlefield, leaving me with only a wooden hairpin that he carved himself as a memento."

The Empress Dowager's smile faded, and her eyes reddened slightly: "But the person is gone, what use is that hairpin?"

After I entered the palace, I buried the hairpin under his favorite tree.

As for the late emperor, I have grievances and gratitude, but that is all.

The Empress Dowager turned her head away to wipe her tears, and after regaining her composure, she spoke again: "Alright, I finally have a moment of peace and quiet, and you, you little rascal, have ruined it all."

Yuan Siyin felt very wronged: "My aunt just let me in, and now she wants to kick me out?"

"Well, at least I've heard about my aunt's past. So be it."

The Empress Dowager took a leisurely sip of tea and patted the cushion: "You little rascal, come back and sit down. I still have some questions for you."

"What does Aunt want to ask?"

What are your thoughts on Shi Yan?

Yuan Siyin was surprised that her aunt would ask this question, and for a moment she stammered, not knowing what to answer.

"I don't have any particular thoughts. I'll just think about things normally. What's wrong, Aunt?"

"It's nothing, just a casual question. I thought you were interested in him."

The Empress Dowager put the teacup back, somewhat sighing, "Originally, I intended for you to be the Crown Princess, so that you could rule the world in the future, but you refused."

Then I thought, if you don't like the Crown Prince, Shi Yan isn't a bad choice either."

Yuan Siyin felt her face getting hot, and could only lower her head somewhat awkwardly: "What do you mean by 'can't' or 'can't'? Aunt, what are you saying..."