Chapter 35

That night, at the Leng residence, Xi Yimin sneaked into Leng Xueran's room again. The people inside had been waiting for a long time, and when they saw him arrive, they happily went to greet him. The newcomer immediately picked up the woman and carried her horizontally, startling her into exclaiming, "Be careful!"

"I'm being careful, I won't hurt the child, I know what I'm doing." As he spoke, he placed her on the bed, covered her with a blanket, and then crawled in himself. He hugged the woman, kissed her forehead, and said softly, "Xue Ran, are you bored at home?"

“I’m not bored. With Yimin in mind and the children with me, how could I be bored?” Leng Xue said, her face flushed. Xi Yimin was taken aback. He hadn’t expected the previously reserved and shy woman to speak sweet words. He was so happy that he kissed her lips again, which made her say coquettishly, “Stop it. I have something important to tell you.”

"What is it?" Xi Yimin asked with a smile, his face full of doting affection.

“The Crown Prince’s residence sent word that the Emperor has agreed to grant you an audience, but I’m afraid the Emperor might harm you,” Leng Xue Ran said with some worry.

"What are you afraid of? Don't you know my martial arts skills? He can't do anything to me. Don't worry, Xue Ran," Xi Yimin said reassuringly and confidently.

"But in the end, even two hands can't fight against a thousand soldiers," the woman in his arms said worriedly.

“Xue Ran, I plan to personally take him to find your mother. If he really wants to harm me, then he won’t be able to find your mother either, so Xue Ran, don’t worry,” Xi Yimin said gently. Leng Xue Ran, hearing that she was going to personally lead the way, hurriedly said, “Yimin, take me with you too.” Xi Yimin chuckled and said, “Of course I’ll take you with me. I’ll take you everywhere. You’ll never leave me in this lifetime.” Hearing this, the woman’s face softened, her eyes sparkling, and she said softly, “Okay, I’ll go with Yimin, anywhere is fine.”

The next day, the Crown Prince led Xi Yimin into the palace. The Crown Prince stood guard outside the gate, while Xi Yimin inside bowed and said, "This humble subject greets Your Majesty." The Emperor looked at the person below with displeasure and said, "Xi Yimin, do you know who I am looking for?" Xi Yimin looked at the dark-faced Emperor without fear and said, "An Ye'er." Upon hearing this, the Emperor hurriedly asked, "Where is she?" Xi Yimin calmly replied, "I have two requests. I wonder if Your Majesty can grant them to this humble subject!" The Emperor looked at the person below who was making demands and said with displeasure, "What are they? Tell me."

"What I ask for is not difficult; it is all within Your Majesty's power. First, I beg Your Majesty to release General Leng Shouqing; second, I request that Your Majesty cease obstructing my relationship with Xue Ran." Upon hearing this, the Emperor immediately agreed, "Very well, I grant your request. Quickly tell me where she is." Xi Yimin then said, "This humble subject has another question, which I hope Your Majesty will answer." The Emperor, seated above, became even more displeased and asked with slight anger, "What is it?"

"Why is Your Majesty so determined to kill Guan Haoshan? Even though I changed my name to Xi Yimin, you still found out that I am the same Guan Haoshan as before, and you tried to assassinate me again on the way to the capital." Xi Yimin spoke calmly, as if the pain she had experienced before had never happened. In fact, she wished she could kill the person in front of her. However, although he had a grudge against her, he was still a wise ruler. How could she disregard the common people and Xue Ran? She could only do her best to avenge him.

"How did you know it was me who sent people to kill you?" The emperor looked at the people below with a look of horror and disbelief. This person knew so much, so his strength should not be underestimated. He began to worry again.

"I learned this through my own methods, and I humbly request Your Majesty to enlighten me," Xi Yimin said with a smile.

After a moment's thought, the Emperor finally understood and said truthfully, "Because you are popular in Fengcheng, possess high martial arts skills, and are the leader of the martial arts alliance, capable of rallying martial arts practitioners across the land, you might become a threat to the Crown Prince. Although the Third Prince told me you are a woman, I didn't believe him, because Leng Xue Ran is pregnant, and the child is yours, Xi Yimin's. How can I believe you are a woman? That's why I went to assassinate you on the way to the capital." Xi Yimin laughed and said, "But I am no longer the leader of the martial arts alliance, and I am a genuine woman. Xue Ran's pregnancy was because I found..." "The Fruit of Fertility is a rare treasure. Even women can conceive after eating it; it's just a matter of luck. Ordinary people don't know about the Fruit of Fertility. If you don't believe me, you can ask the Crown Princess. She can confirm I'm a woman, because she treated my injuries during the battle of Fengcheng. Besides, the child I have with Xue Ran will only be a daughter. How could she possibly threaten you?" Hearing this, the Emperor finally felt relieved. However, Xi Yimin thought disdainfully, "If you truly wanted your empire, I, a woman, could have taken it just as easily. I simply don't care." The Emperor smiled with relief, "There were many misunderstandings before. I will not kill you again. Now, can you tell me where she is?"

“Your Majesty, please release General Leng first, and I will personally escort you there,” Xi Yimin said respectfully. After a moment's hesitation, the Emperor finally agreed and hurriedly ordered, “Guards, convey my decree: release General Leng.” He then looked at the people standing below and asked, “Xi Yimin, when shall we depart?”

"Your Majesty may do so whenever you wish."

"Then we shall depart tomorrow, with the Crown Prince overseeing the state," the Emperor said urgently.

The following day, rumors spread that the emperor was ill and unable to govern, and that the crown prince would temporarily oversee the country.

On the official road to Fengcheng, the Emperor, dressed in plain clothes, sat in a carriage surrounded by highly skilled individuals. Xi Yimin and Leng Xueran sat in the carriage in front of him, their bodies warm and inviting. Xi Yimin was in high spirits, smiling as he looked at the woman in his arms and said softly, "Xueran, we've returned to Fengcheng in just a few days. It seems Fengcheng is truly a wonderful place. Why don't we settle down here?" The woman in his arms looked up at him and smiled, "Once everything is settled, Yimin and I will settle in Fengcheng. Is that alright?" Xi Yimin tightened his embrace and said softly, "Excellent."

Half a month later, upon arriving at the nunnery where An Ye'er was, the Emperor looked at the woman before him, tears welling in his eyes, his hands trembling slightly. He said softly, "Ye'er, you've suffered. I've come to take you away." But the nun replied softly, "Your Majesty, our fate is over. You've suffered these past years, and I've seen through it all. Lovers have no regrets once they've loved. In this life, I only wish to repent for the mistakes I made before. I hope Your Majesty will grant my wish." Hearing this, the Emperor looked at the woman he deeply loved in disbelief, his voice trembling, "Ye'er, is it my fault for not finding you sooner? What wrong have I done?" An Ye'er looked at Xi Yimin and said, "Before, I had Leng Shouqing falsely accuse Guan Haoshan of rebellion, which has already caused a great mistake..." Before she could finish speaking, the Emperor interrupted, "No, it's not Ye'er's fault. I already intended to eliminate him before this." An Ye'er asked in surprise, "Why?"

"I fear he will become a hidden danger to our child's future," the Emperor said guiltily. After a long silence, An Ye'er said, "But I no longer want to live that life of deceit and treachery. I only wish to simply attain enlightenment. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request." She then knelt down. The Emperor, startled, quickly helped her up and said softly, "Ye'er, you know I can't bear to refuse any of your requests. What is the meaning of this kneeling? I promise you, if you wish to return, I will come to fetch you anytime. Ye'er, I want to ask you one question: Is Leng Xue Ran our child?" Hearing this, An Ye'er couldn't bear to lie to him and truthfully replied, "Yes, I gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. But I beg Your Majesty to let Xue Ran choose the life she wants, is that alright?" The Emperor looked at the woman before him with tender eyes. He wouldn't refuse any of her requests. How could he refuse? He loved her to the core; how could he bear to see her sad and hurt? He said softly, "Alright, I'll do whatever Ye'er wants." He then quietly looked at her, as if trying to etch her into his eyes, so that he could see her every time he opened or closed his eyes.

When Leng Xue Ran saw her mother, she begged her to come with her, but An Ye'er refused. Unable to bear seeing her mother in pain, she gave in to her mother's wishes. Xi Yimin looked at the dejected woman in his arms and comforted her, "Xue Ran, it's good for your mother this way. She's free from worldly worries, her mood is more at ease, and her health will improve. We can come to see her whenever we miss her, okay?" The heartbroken woman ignored the way he addressed her as "mother" and softly said, "That's all we can do."

"Xue Ran, may we petition the Emperor to allow us to stay in Fengcheng for now? This back-and-forth travel is too tiring. I think we should make further plans after the child is born," Xi Yimin said worriedly.

“Alright, I’ll listen to Yimin. With my sister and the Crown Prince on Father’s side, I’m relatively at ease,” Leng Xue Ran said softly.

A month later, several major events occurred in the capital. The Emperor abdicated in favor of the Crown Prince and went to the palace to pursue Taoism and cultivate himself, no longer concerning himself with worldly affairs. The Third Prince and his mother were executed. Leng Xue Ran did not choose to become a princess and continued to live as the eldest daughter of the Leng family.

The crown prince is unfortunate because he has never seen his mother since childhood, but he is also the luckiest because he encountered the kindness of the ruthless imperial family. The emperor treats him better than anyone else, which is why he is now a benevolent and wise ruler.

Fengcheng gradually regained its former prosperity.