Chapter 418 Dream

"The State of Qi has a vast territory, and its people are simple and honest, but they also need education and guidance. The position of an official may seem remote, but it is actually the place closest to the people's livelihood and the place where one can best realize one's ambitions." Qi Yuxuan looked at Wanxiang and said in a gentle tone, "I hope you will remember what I said today, follow the example of the predecessors, live up to what you have learned, and live up to your own heart."

Wanxiang's eyes reddened slightly as she solemnly knelt and kowtowed: "Your Majesty's teachings are etched in my heart! I will certainly govern diligently and live up to Your Majesty's expectations!"

The Empress's words were both encouragement and unspoken support.

With this recognition, the other women, who were originally hesitant and came from humble backgrounds, were also encouraged and checked "take up a post in a local area" on the flower-patterned stationery.

Even the young ladies from prominent families were shocked when they saw Wanxiang in this state.

Are there really such foolish and straightforward people in this world? A few years ago there was Xie Tingzhou, and now there's Wan Xiang. It's truly strange.

A few days later, Wanxiang set off to take up her post.

Her destination was Yunning County, a thousand miles from the capital and bordering the Yue Kingdom. The people there were suffering from poverty and needed to be governed.

Before her departure, Qi Yuxuan summoned her again at Chang Le Palace. He not only bestowed upon her a light horse suitable for women to ride and a brand-new official robe, but also allocated a sum of money from his private treasury—not a large amount, but enough for her to settle down and make arrangements.

"The journey is long and arduous, I hope Lord Wan will take good care of himself." Bi Sui personally handed Wan Xiang a jade pendant representing the Empress's token. "With this jade pendant, if you encounter local bullies who make things difficult for you, or if your life is in danger, you can seek help from the garrisons and government offices of the various prefectures along the way."

Wanxiang's expectant gaze was tinged with trepidation, but then a resolute look appeared: "Your Majesty, I understand."

As dawn broke, the city gates opened wide.

Soon, a carriage loaded with simple luggage, accompanied by two guards, drove out of the majestic city gate and headed towards the rolling mountains to the south.

Wanxiang sat upright behind the carriage shaft, glancing back at the city wall that was gradually receding into the distance.

Her face showed no sorrow of parting, nor any confusion, only a solemn and resolute determination as she embarked on her future.

High above Chang Le Palace, Qi Yuxuan stood leisurely by the railing, her gaze seemingly piercing through the palace walls and landing on the departing carriage.

Qi Jun had just returned from court when he heard that she had climbed to a high place to look into the distance, so he came looking for her.

Seeing that she was looking southwest, he naturally put his arm around her shoulder and said in a slightly deep voice, "Don't worry. Now that we've taken the first step on the path of the new policy, I will never let it be reversed."

It seems someone is going to 'die for justice' again at the morning court session. Qi Yuxuan didn't have anyone specifically inquire about it, but she could tell from his tone.

She smiled easily: "I know this matter cannot be accomplished overnight. We can wait, and so can the State of Qi."

As she spoke, her gaze toward Qi Jun was tinged with a mixture of mutual appreciation and subtle gratitude.

As a man, Qi Jun was willing to work with her to implement the new policies and even approved Wan Xiang's official appointment. This shows that he did not just want to play along with her whims, but genuinely believed that this was a good policy for governing the country.

As a man, and as the crown prince, Qi Jun was born with everything. What he is doing now is a form of 'self-destruction,' cutting off a portion of what he already possesses, yet he has no selfish motives whatsoever…

Qi Yuxuan didn't know what to say, but fortunately Qi Jun seemed oblivious to her hesitation. He quickly finished talking about the morning court session and then recounted some amusing anecdotes:

"I've heard that there are many kingdoms further west in the Western Regions, some of which are ruled by women while the men stay at home, which is quite rare..."

Bathed in the warm sunshine, the emperor and empress nestled together, whispering sweet nothings.

The morning sun shone brightly on the earth, illuminating the palace and the winding palace roads.

Several years later.

Since the death of the Emperor Emeritus a few years ago, Empress Dowager Qi's health has been deteriorating day by day.

Fortunately, the Empress Dowager is now over eighty years old, so her descendants are not too saddened. At this age, it can be considered a happy passing.

Chang Le Palace was still the residence of the Empress Dowager. The palace servants had just finished their midday meal and were just beginning to doze off when suddenly a startled cry came from inside the palace—

"Empress Dowager!!!"

Upon hearing this tearful cry, everyone instantly snapped to attention, their hearts leaping into their throats.

The palace servants turned pale with fright and hurriedly tried to crane their necks to see what was happening inside the hall, but there were shadowy figures everywhere and they couldn't see anything.

"Quickly, go and fetch the imperial physician!" A frustrated shout suddenly came from somewhere. A palace maid, as if waking from a dream, disregarded all etiquette and rushed out of Chang Le Palace, almost bumping into the old imperial physician who was about to come in to take her pulse.

"Imperial Physician, the Empress Dowager is in grave danger! Please go and examine her immediately!"

Upon hearing this, the old imperial physician was so shocked that he rushed into the inner hall of Chang Le Palace as if he were flying.

Before long, the royal family members inside and outside the palace received the news that the emperor, along with his empresses, concubines, and children, all knelt in Chang Le Palace.

Qi Yuxuan, who was surrounded by people on the couch, suddenly opened her eyes wide.

She is now eighty-one years old, with white hair, loose skin, and eyesight that is not as sharp as it used to be.

However, after staring at the top of her head for a while, she recognized it as the floral chrysanthemum patterned bed curtain that she had been using since she got older.

She is lying on her bed in Chang Le Palace.

She just had a dream.

In her dream, she was an abandoned daughter of the Xiao family, treated like a servant in her adoptive parents' Ye family for more than ten years. When she returned to the Xiao family, she thought she would have a family that truly loved and cared for her, but she did not expect to enter an even more heartless and ruthless den of wolves.

For the sake of an illegitimate daughter, the Xiao family tormented her like mad, trying to please the illegitimate daughter by torturing her. In the end, they even put her in a pig cage and watched her drown in the lake.

The night before she was to be drowned in the pig cage, she was locked in the woodshed. A woman in a phoenix robe with sharp eyes looked down at her, her gaze as if she were admiring a drowning dog.

There were only two people in the woodshed. Empress Xiao wasn't picky; she paced back and forth, looking at the woman's disheveled appearance, and suddenly chuckled softly.

"Look, this is what happens when you oppose me."

"Aren't you very capable? Didn't you think that just because you're a daughter of the Xiao family, you can always be superior to me?"

Xiao Yuyao's resentful gaze swept over her, then lingered on her haggard face, which still couldn't hide her beauty.

“You lowly village woman, this is your fate. You don’t know it yet, do you? Your marriage to Xie Tingzhou, that short-lived bastard, was all planned and prepared by me, so that one day I would see you widowed and childless… and end up disgraced and promiscuous.”

Qi Yuxuan found it absurd, yet she couldn't control what she said or did, and could only listen to these words, which made her furious.

She's getting old, and she usually cultivates her character, so she rarely does things that make people so angry anymore.

Xiao Yuyao stared at her, as if that wasn't enough, and suddenly called someone in from outside to grab her and slap her.