Several months later.

Chunsheng County, Cuiwei Palace.

The soft, blue gauze curtain swayed for an hour before gradually returning to calm.

Before long, a woman's angry voice came from inside the tent, "Shen Hanshan, can you stop using your brute force on me every day?"

“Zhizhi,” followed by a soft laugh from the man, his voice full of tenderness and affection, “throughout this journey, through thick and thin, you and I have always been by each other’s side. Now, the children have all grown up and have their own responsibilities. Why don’t we go and experience the beauty and splendor of this world?”

"Slap!" Zhao Zhi playfully slapped Lin Muhan's hand, feigning anger, and said, "Shen Hanshan, you use this excuse to coax me every night. You say you'll take me to experience the magnificent landscapes of this world, but the next thing you're saying is to let your husband experience it first with Zhizhi, okay?"

She turned her head away. "Hmph, you're a big liar!"

"Tomorrow! I swear, we'll get serious tomorrow. We'll set off, passing through Yichun County. After visiting your parents, I'll make sure you know where we're going, and I certainly won't dare say a word against it, okay?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhi concealed the shyness in her eyes and gave a soft "hmm" in a barely audible voice.

In the southeast corner of Cuiwei Palace, at the Lansheng Hall, a soft cough could be heard from time to time.

Although Chunsheng County is spring-like all year round, one of the two people playing chess at this moment was covered with a thin blanket.

The person coughing was Yun Li, who was wrapped in a thin blanket. However, he usually preferred to be called by another name, Cui Shenghe.

The person he was playing chess with was none other than Li Ye, the mighty general of the Yun Dynasty, who had retreated to the Cuiwei Palace to enjoy a peaceful life.

This guy was given four beautiful concubines not long after Cui Shenghe ascended the throne. Later, he married the second daughter of the prime minister as his principal wife. Now, his wives and concubines have given birth to seven daughters and three sons for him. He lives a life like a god.

"Young Master Cui, what kind of life am I living?! My mistress and concubines in the harem are all too well-behaved, not one of them is jealous of me, I have no fun watching them!"

Li Ye looked worried and distressed.

But secretly, he was very pleased with himself.

Taking advantage of the situation, Cui Shenghe coughed again, covered his mouth, and laughed, "Your house is peaceful and there's nothing to do, so it's my fault?"

He could tell that Li Ye had come to show off. In front of his colleagues, Li Ye was a big winner. Although he was illiterate, he never participated in partisan struggles throughout his life.

However, it seemed he couldn't really take sides with any political party. The retired emperor had passed the throne to his sister not long after ascending to the throne, catching most people off guard, and Li Ye was the former empress's most loyal supporter.

He can only stand before the sole emperor, regardless of gender.

"You're just taking your blessings for granted." Cui Shenghe yawned and gestured to Li Ling beside him, "You don't need to stay here anymore. Go back and spend some time with your wife and children. I'd like to have a chat with our mighty general."

Li Ling gave a few instructions to the maidservant waiting nearby, then turned and left.

Cui Shenghe watched Li Ling's departing figure, and a smile gradually curved his lips.

Those who had been by his side all settled down, started families, and found their own place in life. But he, as a person with a physical disability, was destined to be alone for the rest of his life.

Li Ye insisted on drinking, and after finishing the wine, he became drunk and demanded to soak in a hot spring.

Cui Shenghe instructed people to take good care of Li Ye, and then went to the bedchamber. After removing his clothes one by one, he let the water soak over his head.

After a long while, a splashing sound came from the wooden tub, and Cui Shenghe finally poked his head out of the water again.

He touched his empty lower body and suddenly smiled.

In fact, he should have guessed long ago what the secret was that Song Huaixi was pretending to be crazy and was willing to die to keep for her aunt Cui Mi.

He and his aunt, Cui Mi, were both intersex. However, his aunt appeared to be a woman with a beautiful figure, yet she could impregnate women.

Although he looks like a man, he lacks the qualities of a man.

"Haha, hahaha—"

In the dead of night, a man's low laughter, interspersed with light coughs, came from the Lansheng Hall.

The final laugh turned into sobs, interspersed with weak murmurs, "Auntie, I'm sorry, Li'er misunderstood you..."