Chapter 167 Peaceful Years

That afternoon, Liu Ruohua changed into a simple cloth dress, removed her hairpins and jewelry, and changed her name to "Su Suixin".

Then, she quietly drove out of the palace gate in a plain-colored carriage.

As the carriage wheels rolled over the bluestone road, gradually moving further and further away until the vermilion palace walls completely disappeared from sight, Liu Ruohua dared to lift the carriage curtain and take a deep breath.

The wind outside the palace carried the fragrance of grass and trees, which dispelled the palace air that permeated Liu Ruohua and also blew away the gloom that had accumulated in her heart over the years. Her eyes were filled with the lightness of regaining freedom.

Liu Ruohua did not stay in the capital. Instead, she took the reward and settled in a small lakeside town in Jiangnan.

She built a small courtyard by the lake, which was filled with lotus and loquat trees.

In spring, Liu Ruohua enjoys lotus blossoms and boating; in summer, she picks fruit and cools herself off; in autumn, she admires chrysanthemums by the lake; and in winter, she gathers around the stove to brew tea. Her days are leisurely, carefree, and unrestrained.

In this pleasant time, Liu Ruohua's eyes and brows were filled with a lively smile, and she became even more gentle and radiant.

After half a year of this carefree life, Liu Ruohua met Shen Zhiyu while praying at a mountain temple.

Shen Zhiyu was a local academy teacher, gentle and refined, knowledgeable, and with a kind and considerate nature.

Seeing that Liu Ruohua was all alone, he often took the initiative to help her find her way and bring her some fresh fruits and vegetables. Over time, the two gradually developed feelings for each other.

Shen Zhiyu never asked much about Liu Ruohua's past; he only cared about her and put her first in everything, protecting her carefully and thoroughly.

Touched by his sincerity and gentleness, Liu Ruohua accepted his marriage proposal, and the two chose an auspicious day to get married.

After their marriage, the two lived in harmony and mutual respect. Shen Zhiyu treated her like a precious jewel, and the neighbors all said that she had found a good husband.

A year after their marriage, Liu Ruohua gave birth to a daughter, whom she named Shen Nianhe.

This little guy is exquisitely beautiful, with eyebrows and eyes that closely resemble Liu Ruohua's. His eyes are clear, bright, and endearing.

Holding her infant daughter, Liu Ruohua felt a deep sense of fulfillment. She immediately ground ink, picked up a brush, and wrote a letter to Lu Zhaoxue in the palace.

The letter vividly describes the peaceful life of the past two years, expresses the joy of meeting Shen Zhiyu, and the tenderness of the birth of her daughter.

Liu Ruohua's words were filled with undisguised happiness, and she added at the end, "May Your Majesty have all the best and be free from worries year after year."

The letter was delivered to the palace after several days of travel. At that time, Lu Zhaoxue was pruning flowers in the courtyard. Upon hearing that it was a letter from Princess Qinghe, she immediately put down her scissors and opened it.

After reading the letter, Lu Zhaoxue's face was full of gratified smiles. She hurriedly instructed the palace servants to prepare a generous reward and personally wrote a reply, asking Liu Ruohua to bring the child to the palace to meet her.

The next day, Liu Ruohua brought her daughter Shen Nianhe into the palace.

The peonies in Chengqian Palace were in full bloom, a riot of colors and a lively scene.

Liu Ruohua, dressed in the elegant attire of a woman from Jiangnan, slowly entered, carrying the exquisitely carved lotus flower. Her eyes and brows were filled with tenderness nurtured by time and love.

Lu Zhaoxue was already waiting outside the hall. When she saw the mother and daughter, she quickly stepped forward to greet them. When her gaze fell on Shen Nianhe, she was instantly touched by the little girl's soft and cuddly appearance.

Nianhe wasn't shy at all. She stared at Lu Zhaoxue with her big, dark eyes, waving her little hands gently and giggling.

Lu Zhaoxue took the baby. The little one was soft and had a faint milky scent. She gently pinched the baby's little face.

"What an adorable little thing! Your features are just as beautiful as your mother's. You're such a good baby."

The two, along with Nianhe, sat on the veranda outside the hall, where the table was laden with exquisite tea, snacks, and fresh fruit.

Liu Ruohua recounted the interesting stories of Jiangnan, the misty rain of spring, and how Shen Zhiyu would help her with household chores after returning from his daily teaching duties.

They also mentioned that Nianhe was well-behaved and quiet at night, and her occasional babbling made the whole family happy.

Lu Zhaoxue also smiled and told Liu Ruohua about the peace and stability in the palace, saying that Chu Siheng was wise and just in governing the country, and that Chu Lingyang was lively and active, and that there were no major worries in the palace.

Lu Zhaoxue's words were full of reassurance.

Shen Nianhe sat obediently in Liu Ruohua's arms, playing with the pearl hairpin in her mother's hair, and occasionally making soft, sweet cooing sounds.

Seeing this, Lu Zhaoxue laughed frequently. The palace was filled with warmth and tranquility.

During their conversation, Lu Zhaoxue suddenly took out a red gold longevity lock from her bosom, with the four characters "Peace and Joy" engraved on it, and gently tied it around Nianhe's neck.

"Ruohua, this is something I had made myself, as a keepsake for the child, wishing her a peaceful, smooth, joyful, and carefree life."

Upon seeing this, Liu Ruohua quickly bowed to express her gratitude, feeling a surge of warmth in her heart. She softly said, "Your Majesty has treated my mother and me so well; this humble woman truly has no way to repay you."

"Ruohua, your well-being and your daughter's well-being are the best reward for me."

Lu Zhaoxue smiled and shook her head, looking at the happiness in Liu Ruohua's eyes, her heart filled with joy.

The two chatted happily for a long time until dusk, when they reluctantly parted ways.

When Liu Ruohua and Shen Nianhe took their leave, Lu Zhaoxue had a cart full of gifts brought out.

The rewards were plentiful, including children's clothes and toys, rare medicinal herbs seldom seen in Jiangnan, and fine silks and jewelry, all carefully prepared for the mother and daughter.

The carriage slowly moved away from the palace. Shen Nianhe played with the longevity lock in Liu Ruohua's arms, the bells jingling clearly and melodiously.

Liu Ruohua lifted the carriage curtain and looked back. The vermilion palace walls were still majestic, but the oppressive feeling of the past was gone. She knew that within those high walls, there was someone who always cared about her and protected her peace in this life.

In the days that followed, Liu Ruohua would often bring Shen Nianhe to the palace to visit Lu Zhaoxue.

Shen Nianhe was about the same age as Chu Lingyang. As she grew up, she became intelligent and clever, and was deeply loved by Lu Zhaoxue.

Lu Zhaoxue often summoned her to the palace to accompany Chu Lingyang in her studies and calligraphy practice.

Shen Zhiyu sometimes accompanied him. Chu Siheng saw that he was of good character and had outstanding knowledge, so he specially granted him the position of assistant instructor at the Imperial Academy. Although he did not have to go to the capital to take up the post, it was still a great honor.

Liu Ruohua's life became more and more fulfilling. Shen Zhiyu treated her as always, and Nianhe gradually grew into a graceful young woman, knowledgeable, reasonable, gentle and sensible.

...

As the sun set, its rays bathed the courtyard in warmth, and Liu Ruohua felt a deep sense of relief.

Fortunately, she did not lose herself back then. It was because of this that Lu Zhaoxue was able to help her break free from the prison of the deep palace, find a good man, and finally live a peaceful and happy life.

Liu Ruohua was also grateful for this friendship that transcended the walls of the palace, which, like a clear mountain spring, flowed endlessly, year after year, remaining as warm as ever.

Lu Zhaoxue in the palace would smile and nod whenever she received letters from Liu Ruohua, reading about the everyday life and joys described in the letters.

Lu Zhaoxue knew that her sacrifice back then had ultimately resulted in a beautiful story of mutual benefit and a warm bond that lasted year after year.