Having done business and broadened her horizons, Qin Susu thought that she would have plenty to talk about when she returned home.

She wanted to tell her parents and children everything about her trip to India.

Qiu Yan was right; they didn't turn back the way they came.

Instead, it was the surrounding towns that carried out the same thing again.

This time, because they were familiar with the terrain, their return journey was much shorter.

However, they still need to pass through the Western Regions to bring Mayi back.

When He Lin went to the Western Regions to pick up Mayi

Mayi was in tears.

Because of the long time that had passed, she still thought that He Lin didn't want her anymore.

He Lin felt deeply apologetic for this.

He originally thought it was just a routine exploration, never expecting it would last for two years.

Fortunately, he gained a lot from the trip to India, which made him realize that there are always higher realms to explore.

...In Shangjin City, at the Nuwa Temple, He Jinran sat in front of the temple, wondering when his parents and father would return.

Sigh, it's been over two years. He Jinran feels like an abandoned child.

His parents and father had all forgotten him.

Just as he was thinking about this, he suddenly heard rustling footsteps outside. He looked up and saw...

Then they saw He Jinyu and Prince Yi visiting together.

"Third Imperial Uncle, Sister, it's you."

He continued to lower his eyes, lost in deep thought.

Father, Mother, Emperor, when will you finally return?

"What, are you disappointed to see us?" He Xuan joked. Of course, he knew that what He Jinran wanted to see most were his parents and the Emperor.

"Third Imperial Uncle, please don't tease me." He Jinran didn't want to talk. Suddenly, he thought of the scene when he was abducted by kidnappers when he was a child, and his heart felt a little empty.

“Every time I come here, I see you. Your Majesty, don’t you have any official duties to attend to?” He Xuan stepped forward and lit three incense sticks before the statue of Nuwa.

"I'm done with my work, can't I even take a break?" He Jinran asked indifferently.

He's not a spinning top; he can't be busy all day long.

"Sigh, it's been two years, why haven't my parents and the Emperor returned yet?"

He Xuan chuckled, his face beaming, his previous worries gone: "With you here to oversee things, they can go out and live a carefree life without any worries."

"Being an emperor is so exhausting. Ah, life was so much better before, carefree and unrestrained." He Jinran reminisced about the past, feeling quite nostalgic.

No matter how good things were, we can never go back.

"Being His Majesty isn't something you can just do as you please." He Xuan sat down next to He Jinran and patted him on the shoulder.

“Your father worked tirelessly for the throne, and you have been enjoying the fruits of his labor while complaining. This is truly wrong.”

The throne is supreme, and among the princes of that time, he was probably the only one who was indifferent to fame and fortune.

“Third Imperial Uncle is right, we shouldn’t complain. Father Emperor entrusted this country to us intact, and it is my duty to protect it.” As He Jinran spoke, he silently fixed his gaze on his younger sister, who had been silent since entering, as she meticulously wiped the statue.

"Third Imperial Uncle, what a fine daughter you've raised! My sister is only friendly to you; she has no feelings for anyone else. She doesn't even call you 'brother' when she comes." He Jinran's complaint earned her a cold glare from He Jinyu.

He just smiled and said it was just a joke.

“Sisi is introverted; she’s just not good at expressing herself. If she didn’t care about you, why would she have thought of coming to visit you?” He Xuan slowly stood up, carefully examining the statue’s features.

"The Nuwa Temple here is wonderfully built, truly wonderful!"

Unconsciously, his thoughts drifted back to the day he visited Shu'er with Sisi a few days ago...

That day, the weather was fine and sunny.

The moment he saw Shu'er's tomb with his own eyes, he forgot everything else, and in a daze, he seemed to see Shu'er smiling at him.

"He Xuan, after all these years, you've finally come to see me." In the video, Li Wenshu smiles as she walks towards him and embraces him tightly. "Why did it take you so long to come see me?"

"Shu'er..."

"He Xuan, I'm sorry, I've let you down. If there is an afterlife, I will never let you down again." In the scene, Li Wenshu smiled as she wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Shu'er, no, it's me who's sorry." He Xuan shook his head abruptly.

"He Xuan, if there is an afterlife..."

"If there is an afterlife, I will definitely marry you..."

The dream abruptly ended, and He Xuan found himself embracing an empty shadow, tears blurring his vision.

"Shu'er, if there is an afterlife, I will never let you marry He Lin!"

…………

Another day has passed.

He Jinran was standing under the peony blossoms in what used to be the Eastern Palace.

Three figures approached simultaneously, and he felt as if he were hallucinating.

"Mother!" He Jinran was very excited when she saw the person who had arrived.

He longed to be held in his mother's arms without restraint, just like when he was a child.

He thought it, and he did it.

Looking again, he saw two men behind him staring at him.

This forced him to withdraw from the situation.

"Father, Mother, Emperor, you've finally returned."

Finally, I'm back!

He Jinran thought about it day and night.

And Qiu Yan,

"Xiao Ran, the peonies haven't bloomed yet, what are you doing here?"

"I just happened to be strolling around here." He Jinran smiled, his long-lost heart filled with joy at his parents' return.

"Father, Mother, your brothers missed you so much! Why did it take you so long to come back?" He smiled and held his parents' wrists, one in each hand.

She pulled He Lin behind her, looking rather forlorn.

He Jinran led his parents around, looking around, and finally asked:

Where is Qing'er?

Gu Qian replied:

"Qing'er is being played with by her older brothers."

"You didn't even come to visit your older brother first," he complained, but the smile on his face never faded after he saw his parents.

Noticing his father's forlorn expression behind him, he released his parents and walked towards his father.

"Father, you always say you don't want to be separated from Mother. I've thought of a way."

Qiu Yan and Gu Qian were surprised and shocked.

He Lin couldn't wait any longer and asked, "What method?"

“Father, all the surrounding cities have now submitted to our Dongjin Dynasty. However, in my observation, the capital, Shangjin, is located in a remote area. If any of the surrounding vassal states harbor any disloyalty, it may be difficult to detect it in time. It is safest to establish the capital in the center of the country.”

Gu Qian: "So, you want to re-establish the capital in Huaiyuan?" This was a question he had never thought about before, but after Xiao Ran said it, it made a lot of sense.

However, it's not that easy.

Qiu Yan did not find it absurd after hearing this.

Such ideas have existed since ancient times.

However, in practice, it would be a waste of manpower and resources.

The two fell into thought.

Only He Lin agreed outright.

"Excellent!"

He nodded earnestly.

Kamijō-jō is located somewhat to the east.

That year, Huyan Xun's secret maneuver was exploited by him.

...In that same year, Qiu Yan turned forty-three. Her aunt and uncle had long since left Shangjin and returned to their hometown to live their own ordinary lives.

As they get older, they choose to return to their hometown to live.

Qiu Yan and Gu Qian, thinking about the relocation of the capital, decided to go together.

Furthermore, the two also discussed with their second uncle the matter of rebuilding the capital.

My second uncle's project is the most feasible.

Before heading back to her village, she spent some time with her younger siblings.

She had been away for a long time; her sister resented her, her brother missed her, and her sons longed for her.

After returning home for several months and spending a long time together, I was able to make up for it.

Because of the proposed relocation of the capital, his younger brother and sister were also eager to join in.

Hometown is always the best place, but even if the two of them settle in Tianjin, it will probably take a while before they can return to Baiyang.

He Jinran's relocation of the capital affected the entire court.

Some are happy, some are sad.

Those who were happy were all locals from Baiyang Huaiyuan.

Those close officials from Shangjin, whose original families were in Shangjin, were unwilling to go with him, and He Jinran did not force them, so their official positions were retained.

Those who are willing to accompany him will be promoted one rank.

He also promised that each of the officials who moved with him would have a mansion.

...The relocation of the capital went relatively smoothly, and fortunately, there were not too many setbacks.

As Huaiyuan was expanded, the previously empty fields were reclaimed by the state.

A magnificent palace was built on the ground.

The overall project was directed by Qiu Dafu, with Wu Erhu and Wu Sanhu serving as supervisors.

All the remaining workers were in place.

The enormous palace took two years to build.

Two years later, Huaiyuan was renamed Jindu, a complete transformation.

Aside from occasionally staying at their Baiyang Mansion, Qiu Yan and Gu Qian spent most of their time living in Lingnan Village with their master and mistress.

He Lin, on the other hand, had been living in the courtyard named Li Wenshu, as if only in this way could he salvage his lonely heart.

He could never escape Shu'er's shadow in his lifetime.

Even though Shu'er hated him and resented him.

However, his Yu'er was unwilling to go along.

Yu'er only wanted to stay at the Prince Yi's residence with her husband, saying she wanted to take care of her adoptive father's daily life.

He Lin felt somewhat resentful.

He also needs to be taken care of.

Unfortunately, his daughter wasn't close to him.

His lifelong regret was that he was unable to raise the two children left behind by Shu'er.

The reconstruction of the capital and the reinforcement of the city walls took a total of five years.

Five years later, His Majesty and all his civil and military officials moved together.

The younger siblings moved with them.

Qiu Xu and Sun Wan, Qiu Ling'er and Zhou Zifang, two couples, plus their children.

Together we arrived at the old Lingnan village.

As soon as Zhou Zifang arrived, he pulled Qiu Ling'er along to paint in the woods.

He had been traveling a long way and hadn't painted in a long time; his hands were really itching to paint.

As for their children, they had already gone to Baiyang's Xingyue Tower, saying they wanted to see how the restaurant their father had once managed differed from Shangjin's.

After inspecting the restaurant, they had other things to do.

For example, the Hall of Forget-Worries; for example, business; for example, officialdom; for example, studies...

In short, everyone is busier than the last.

"Ling'er, I never imagined that I would be able to live with you in Lingnan in this life." Zhou Zifang never expected this before, and he never expected it now.

Now, nearing fifty, he seems to have returned to his youth, to those days when he visited Lingnan with Qiu Xu.

"From now on, you're a gigolo." Qiu Ling'er chuckled, striking a pose in the woods.

"What's wrong with being a kept man? Others want to be, but they don't get to." Zhou Zifang patted Qiu Ling'er's restless body.

"Stand still!" He needed to find inspiration in the woods; tomorrow, he still had a court banquet painting to paint himself.

His Majesty said that if he does this well, he will be made the head of the Painting Academy.

...Sun Wan was incredibly curious about this unfamiliar village.

She followed behind Qiu Xu, finding everything here incredibly strange.

“Wan’er,” Qiu Xu said, pulling Sun Wan’s wrist with one hand, “We’ve been married for so many years, and I still want you to accompany me to leave our hometown.”

“What are you saying, my husband? We are husband and wife, and wherever you are, I will be there too. Besides… didn’t you promise me that you would visit my parents in Shangjin from time to time?”

As she spoke, she changed the subject.

"Qiu Xu, so this is where I grew up."

This is the first time she has come here in all these years.

Qiu Xu nodded, "Yes, when we were little, it was my sister who held up the sky for my brother and me."

As a child, before he was ten years old, he was often bullied.

It wasn't that he didn't know how to resist; it's just that his friends laughed at him for being an orphan, and he was also incited by Qiu Xiaobao. He was outnumbered and outmatched.

In the end, it was his sister who taught him how to rebel, and it was his master who made him stronger.

"Come on, Wan'er, I'll take you to see your master and mistress."

"Okay." Sun Wan smiled and followed.

He accompanied Qiu Xu to visit his master and mistress.

"Master and Mistress, please accept my bow." Qiu Xu and his wife knelt down to pay their respects to their master and mistress.

Looking up at his master and mistress, now with their hair completely white, Qiu Xu felt a pang of sadness, thinking only of how to be filial to them in their old age.

Before Li Zheng could speak, Ye Qiuyun stepped forward, took Sun Wan's wrist, and pulled her up from the ground.

“Ah Xu, get up quickly. Your master and I are very happy that you and your wife can come back to the village to visit us. There is no need for such a grand ceremony.”

After saying that, she didn't forget to carefully examine the apprentice's daughter-in-law in front of her.

"Wan'er is gentle and dignified, quite like my charm back then. It is Ah Xu's good fortune to have you as his wife."

“What are you saying, Master’s wife? It is my good fortune to marry Qiu Xu. I should perform this grand ceremony on my first visit.”

She smiled as she looked at Qiu Xu, who had just gotten up from the ground. The best thing she had ever done in her life was to marry Qiu Xu.

Li Zheng also smiled as he looked at the couple in front of him.

"As long as you and your husband are harmonious, your master's wife and I will be at ease."

...

In the same year that Jindu was founded, Qiu Yan met the blond man, Allen, whom she had met in India.

In addition, he brought along a fellow countryman, who was his good brother.

Upon entering the Central Plains, he was deeply influenced by its profound culture.

After much difficulty, he managed to meet Qiu Yan and immediately told her that he wanted to buy her wound medicine and some kind of energy drink.

Qiu Yan didn't expect him to actually come.

When business came her way, Qiu Yan entrusted all the business to her second son, Gu Chengyun. Among her five sons, the second son had a great talent for business and naturally took over all of Qiu Yan's business.

The eldest son, Gu Chengyin, inherited Gu Qian's title. The fourth son, Gu Chengrui, was a martial arts prodigy who traveled back and forth between the Central Plains and the Northern Desert with his elder brother.

The third son, Gu Chengyue, followed his uncle Qiu Xu to take up a post in the Ministry of War.

The fifth son, Gu Chengye, is still studying.

Qiu Yan and Gu Qian are very gratified that their sons are all successful.

She and Gu Qian are currently staying at the Qiu residence in Qingyun.

While her husband was busy with government affairs,

The couple devoted themselves to raising their daughter and having her study medicine.

At this moment, the former Baiyang now belongs to Jindu, and the world has changed dramatically.

The surrounding villages of Baiyang were thus blessed, and most of them expanded into the capital.

Lingnan Village, on the other hand, became the outskirts of the capital.

As Qiu Yan grew older, she gradually became less fond of outside disturbances. Most of her days were spent teaching Qing'er medicine while enrolling her in Lingxin Academy.

Having finally obtained a daughter, one should not only provide her with abundant resources but also cultivate her virtue and talent.

However, Qiu Yan and Gu Qian felt helpless because their daughter, who was originally theirs, was always taken away by He Lin to accompany him on his leisurely strolls.

According to He Lin's original words

“You raised my son for me, and I will raise this daughter for you.”

Perfect timing, he's got nothing better to do.

Their lives were happy and harmonious.

Their eldest son, Gu Chengyin, is now of marriageable age.

Like father, like son; and because Qiu Yan and Gu Qian had raised him from a young age,

Their five sons were all outstanding, and none of them should be underestimated.

The children are all grown up now, and it's up to the sons to decide their own marriages, with Qiu Yan and Gu Qian in charge of overseeing the process.

What Qiu Yan valued was not their status as daughters-in-law, but rather their personalities.

As long as you have a good personality, don't fuss over trivial matters, are generous, and kind.

She didn't want to marry a troublesome woman who would cause problems all the time.

Fortunately, the sons all have unique perspectives.

...Now, her sons are all married and have their own lives. Qiu Yan and Gu Qian have many children and grandchildren, so they no longer concern themselves with them.

Children and grandchildren have their own destinies; they should just focus on doing their own thing.

Besides taking care of her youngest daughter's studies, Qiu Yan's daily routine includes tending to their medicinal herb fields with Gu Qian.

There were also fields of chili peppers, and fields of grain that others couldn't name.

She constantly fertilized and watered the chickens, and together with her teacher's wife, they raised chickens to support their family.

They were living a contented and carefree life...

………………

Yes, family members come together and part ways, all things pass like smoke, and there's always an inevitable sense of melancholy and sorrow.

Lingnan Village

Qiu Yumei and her husband returned to the village to mourn their mother-in-law and elder brother and sister-in-law. After returning, they decided not to leave again.

Now, the courtyard is peaceful, without the sister-in-law causing trouble all day long, and without the mother-in-law nagging.

Qiu Yumei longed for peace and quiet, yet she didn't want it.

She longed to hear her mother-in-law's nagging, but sadly, she would never hear it again.

Nowadays, they farm in the village, chat with Sister Ye from time to time, and talk to Sister Wang, and that's enough for them.

They only hoped that their children and grandchildren could come back to the village to visit them often.

The Qiu couple gradually withdrew from their previous involvement in craftsmanship and business, handing everything over to their two daughters, Qiu Luoning and Qiu Luoying.

Under Qiu Xu's guidance, Qiu Jingyuan had already achieved remarkable success at a young age, rising to the rank of fourth-grade official and taking a seat in the Censorate.

Qiu Dazhi was a learned man, and together with Du Changjun, he became a tutor to the prince.

Qiu Xu, a few years ago, accompanied Gu Chengyin on a trip to the Northern Desert. In recent years, he has participated in the research and development of new types of firearms and gunpowder, and has already earned the position of Duke based on his own abilities.

Now, the Qiu family has truly brought glory to its family.

When the Qiu family is mentioned, everyone gives them a thumbs up.

The men of the Qiu family are all pillars of society.

………………………………

………………………………

In late autumn of that year, Qiu Yan went to visit her former sworn sister, Qin Susu.

Since that relocation of the capital, Liang Yuchen, as a high-ranking official of the court, also moved the capital along with the emperor.

Qin Susu was thrilled; finally, she could enjoy every day with Xiaoyan.

...Baiyang Bihushan Villa,

Years passed in a flash. When Qin Susu saw Qiu Yan, her emotions were revealed.

She was less boisterous than usual, and took Qiu Yan with her to the old Bihu Manor.

Bihu Manor remains the same as before, but the people and things have changed.

The Qi family of yesteryear has long since vanished, replaced by their descendants.

The two sisters, in a small boat, glided across the lake, reminiscing about the good old days.

"Ah, Xiaoyan, time is short. You and the Prince of Zhenbei must take good care of yourselves."

As she spoke, gazing at the empty lake behind her, she seemed to return to the days when she had just recovered from her injuries and had made plans with Xiao Yan to admire the lotus blossoms, and Liang Yuchen had shamelessly insisted on accompanying her.

Looking again at the withered lotus leaves in the lake, one can't help but feel saddened by the passing of spring and the coming of autumn.

Sigh, I miss her Yuchen...

"Green bamboos are covered with new powder, and red lotuses shed their old clothes."

The lotus flowers have all withered, the fallen leaves have also died, and there is no one left to support her.

Splash! He slipped and the oar fell into the water.

Qin Susu hurriedly tried to pick it up, but the oar had already sunk.

Looking into the distance at the lone lotus flower that still stood proudly, Qiu Yan comforted herself, "It's alright, I still have an oar here."

"Yes, and you too." Qin Susu held back her tears, staring blankly at the oar in Qiu Yan's hand, which was constantly rowing. "It's good to have you."

Qiu Yan took out a handkerchief and wiped away the remaining tear stains from the corners of Qin Susu's eyes.

“Sister Susu, you just said that even if the lotus leaves wither, they will bloom again next year.”

"Yes, next year, it will grow again, and there will be new lotus leaves." Qin Susu gazed at the withered leaves in the distance, her eyes glistening with tears again.

Then, he held Qiu Yan's wrist and smiled happily.

"Thankfully, Xiaoyan comes to visit me from time to time. I'm so grateful to Xiaoyan, otherwise, my days would be so boring."

"Mmm." Qiu Yan also smiled, drifting on the lake beneath the withered lotus leaves, gazing at the afterglow of the setting sun, her heart finding peace.

The orange sunlight is so beautiful...

……………………

……………………

On the occasion of Qingming Festival, Qiu Yan, along with Gu Qian, Li Wenqing and his wife, and Li Wenhan and his wife, went to their master's grave to pay their respects.

On the way back,

He Jinyu, carrying a bundle, came to visit the Li family couple.

But all I saw was my grandmother.

"Grandma, where's Grandpa?"

"Is it Shu'er who's back?" Ye Qiuyun's eyes were cloudy, and her knuckles were trembling.

"The border is in turmoil, and your father is fighting on the battlefield. We don't know when he will be able to return."

As she spoke, she pulled He Jinyu into her arms.

"Shu'er, I shouldn't have hit you before, I shouldn't have hit you. It was my fault. I apologize to you. Please don't blame me, okay?"

"Alright, Shuer doesn't blame her mother." He Jinyu didn't push her grandmother away like before, but instead hugged her tightly.

Qiu Yan, Gu Qian, and the couple Li Wenqing and Li Wenhan, who were standing outside, all had red eyes.

Since He Jinyu arrived, he has been inseparable from Ye Qiuyun, going in and out with her every day.

Ye Qiuyun also talked about it every day.

"Your father will be back soon, Shu'er. Don't worry, he'll be back soon. Once you're back, don't leave again. He Lin is not a good match; the Third Prince is the better match."

"Yes, Mother is right." He Jinyu's long-silent eyes became misty.

She missed her godfather; she missed him as soon as she arrived in Lingnan Village.

She originally just went home to visit her maternal grandparents.

Unexpectedly, I arrived too late and missed seeing my grandfather.

Seeing her grandmother's mental state, she couldn't bear it and stayed in Lingcun South for five years.

Until, Grandma passed away...

Another spring has passed.

Qingming Festival

Qiu Yan and Gu Qian took the children to visit the graves and sweep the tombs.

As they get older, Qingming Festival has become the most important day for Qiu Yan and Gu Qian.

Back home, looking at the figures of their master and mistress from the past, they could only grasp at a phantom.

That's life. If you take it easy, life and death are trivial matters.

Rather than living in the past and being heartbroken, it's better to live well in the present.

Despite saying that, Qiu Yan's eyes involuntarily reddened.

Qiu family ancestral graves, Qiu Yan commemorates deceased relatives.

"Master and Mistress, Second Uncle and Second Aunt, Xiaoyan misses you."

Beside her, the man held her wrist, his heart heavy as well.

"Yan Yan, you still have me."

"Mmm." Qiu Yan leaned against Gu Qian's shoulder.

The children have all grown up; the youngest daughter, who used to follow behind me, is now married.

Now, only her brother Qian is by her side.

"And me too." At some point, He Jinran appeared in their line of sight along with Ding Tian.

The mischievous child of yesteryear is now over fifty.

Ding Tian, ​​who was standing beside him, has now become a Noble Consort in the palace.

He Jinran arrived, and Qiu Yan busied herself in the kitchen.

Gu Qian was busy with this as well; their current situation was just like that of their master and mistress back then.

"Dad, Mom, don't make it too lavish, otherwise, Tian Tian and I will come to eat every day from now on."

"It's alright." Gu Qian shook his head. "You should visit your father more often another day."

“Hmm.” He Jinran smiled. “Tian Tian and I just saw him a few days ago.”

During the meal

Ding Tian recounted her amusing stories from inside the palace, her face beaming with smiles the entire time.

She choked up when she spoke of Consort Chen's death.

"Sister Xi was a good person. How could she have passed away at such a young age?"

She sobbed uncontrollably, "She did it to save me."

Inside the palace, intrigue and deceit prevailed; it was not as peaceful as it appeared.

"The person who harmed her is already dead," He Jinran comforted Ding Tian, ​​patting her on the back of the shoulder.

"When visiting your parents, let's not bring up these old stories."

"Mm." Ding Tian smiled again.

Before leaving, he said something to Qiu Yan.

"Mother, I really envy you."

He Jinran couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat.

On the way back to the palace, he held Ding Tian's wrist.

"Sweetie, are you regretting marrying me?"

"No regrets!" Ding Tian said firmly.

"Your Majesty, I love you from the bottom of my heart. If I were to choose again, I would still make the same choice. However, I miss the days when I was with my mother, those carefree days outside the palace."

"Didn't I already grant you the privilege of leaving the palace at will? If you're free, you can chat with your older sister more often."

"Yes." Ding Tian nodded with a smile. "Sigh, my eldest sister is busy taking care of her grandchildren these days. She's always very busy whenever I visit."

He Jinran: "Then go home more often to visit your parents, or chat with your old friends. Do whatever makes you happy."

“Of course,” Ding Tiantou leaned on He Jinran’s shoulder. “I am a Noble Consort, how can I do whatever I want? It’s better to be careful.”

She felt that she still couldn't leave the palace at will, whether she had something to do or not.

Do not cause His Majesty any unnecessary trouble because of yourself. "Your Majesty, the Empress manages the harem for you every day. When you have free time, please visit her more often."

He Jinran casually put his arm around Ding Tian's shoulder. His sweetie was still so sensible.

The Empress is dignified and virtuous, and the Consort is kind and sensible. Sometimes He Jinran feels that his life is too good to be true.