Green Mountains in the Distance (Final Chapter)

The Red Flame Fruit was truly a sacred detoxification object. Within half an hour, the dark blue glow on Qin Yousi's face gradually faded, and her weak pulse became strong again. She slowly awoke, and when she opened her eyes, she saw Baili Hongyuan's bloodshot eyes, yet filled with ecstasy.

"Hong Yuan..." she said weakly.

"It's okay, Sisi, it's okay." Baili Hongyuan hugged her tightly, his voice choked with sobs, "It's all over..."

With Princess Linglong's voluntary surrender of military power and self-imprisonment, the sudden coup lost its core momentum and quickly collapsed. With the assistance of Zhou You, Wei Chong, and others, the new emperor, Liu Heng, swiftly quelled the remaining rebellion and purged the officials implicated.

After this incident, the new emperor's trust in Baili Hongyuan and Qin Yousi increased. He knew that if Princess Linglong hadn't given up at the last minute for love, if Baili Hongyuan hadn't remained steadfast and Qin Yousi hadn't made careful preparations beforehand, the empire would have been overturned in a matter of seconds.

A month later, the new emperor's coronation ceremony was solemnly held. During the ceremony, the new emperor issued an edict of self-criticism, stating the faults of the false emperor. Then, he issued his first decree since ascending the throne—a complete redress of the Qin family's wrongdoings.

The imperial edict, issued throughout the land, detailed the entire story of the Qin family's injustice and praised their generations of loyalty, their inherited medical skills, and their contributions to the country. Qin Wenyu was posthumously conferred the title of Duke Zhongguo, Qin Yousi's mother was given the title of First-Rank Consort, and Qin Youjing and others were posthumously conferred titles according to the imperial decree. A memorial monument was erected at the site of the former Qin Mansion, and Qin Yousi was granted the right to rebuild the Qin family temple as a princess.

The news spread, and the people sighed. The injustice that had been buried for six years was finally redressed on this day. The sun pierced through the haze of history and shone on the newly erected stone tablet.

Qin Yousi, dressed in her princess's formal attire, accompanied by Baili Hongyuan, burned incense before the stele to offer her condolences. She didn't cry, but simply stood quietly, letting the spring breeze blow her clothes. At that moment, she seemed to see the pleased smiles of her grandfather, parents, sister, and the entire Qin family.

The grudges are over and the future is promising.

Three years later, it was spring.

The Imperial College of Medicine was well on its way to becoming a sacred place for physicians worldwide. Qin Yousi's compilations, "New Edition of the Qin Family Medical Classic" and "Collection of Annotated Herbs," were published throughout the nation, benefiting the people. She fulfilled her promise to her family, promoting the Qin family's medical skills to a new level, rather than consigning them to oblivion.

On this day, Qin Yousi handed the seal of dean of the medical school to the most calm and capable deputy dean she had personally trained. Baili Hongyuan also handed over the last of his political affairs, resigned all honorary titles, and retained only the empty title of prince.

The new emperor, Liu Heng, received them in the imperial study. Looking at this pair, who had weathered many storms but always had clear eyes, he felt a surge of emotion. He knew that this capital, this court, could not hold them back.

"The journey ahead is long and arduous, so please take care of yourselves." Liu Heng personally poured three cups of wine. "I and the world will always remember your contributions."

Baili Hongyuan raised his glass and smiled carefreely, "Your Majesty has diligently governed the country, and the empire is now stable. Sisi and I simply went to see the vast green mountains."

Qin Yousi also raised his glass with a smile: "Your Majesty, take care."

There was no grand farewell ceremony. A simple carriage quietly drove out of the capital at dawn.

Their first stop was Liuquan Mountain.

Although Taoist Master Xiwei had lost all her martial arts skills, she was still in good spirits, and her understanding of Taoism was even greater than before. Seeing her beloved disciple and Baili Hongyuan coming hand in hand, a relieved smile appeared on her cold face.

"Okay, okay," she said three times in a row, holding Qin Yousi's hand. "Only after overcoming all the calamities can one see one's true heart. Only by staying away from the hustle and bustle can one achieve great freedom." She looked at Baili Hongyuan with a deep gaze, "Protect her well."

Baili Hongyuan bowed solemnly: "Master, rest assured, I will never let her down in this life."

After staying in Liuquan Mountain for half a month, listening to the sound of pine trees and tasting the clear spring water, Qin Yousi's body was no different from that of an ordinary person after the blood-drying poison was eradicated. He even turned a disaster into a blessing. With the residual medicinal power of the Red Flame Vermilion Fruit and the guidance of Taoist Xiwei, his internal strength was further improved.

After bidding farewell to their master, the two boarded a passenger ship specially arranged by the Oujiang Boat Gang, and sailed downstream directly to Huangzhou.

At the Huangzhou Navy dock, flags fluttered. Ye Jiashu, now a deputy admiral, had been waiting for a long time. He stood tall and straight, his complexion dark, and his expression, shorn of the youthful immaturity of a young man from the capital, was now imbued with the steely composure of a soldier.

Beside him stood a bright and valiant woman, none other than Liu Ying, Princess of Pingtung. No longer the girl whose appearance made her feel inferior, the sun and the sea breeze had endowed her with a healthy, rosy complexion, a bright smile, and a radiant look in her eyes.

"Qilang! Yingniang!" Qin Yousi called out happily.

Liu Ying stepped forward, took Qin Yousi's hand, her eyes slightly red. "I've been waiting for you to come!" She and Ye Jiashu had married the previous year, and now they were a loving couple, jointly protecting this sea border. Ye Jiashu, with his outstanding shipbuilding skills and military exploits, was highly regarded by the Prince of Pingtung. Liu Ying, in turn, used her strengths to assist her father in the business, selling Huangzhou's seafood to various locations. The couple was a perfect match.

Baili Hongyuan and Ye Jiashu exchanged a smile, their words saying everything. Sometimes, friendship between men requires only a glance and a glass of strong liquor.

That night, the Prince's Mansion hosted a banquet, with the Prince of Pingtung in attendance. As they drank, they recounted past events in the capital, the thrills of suppressing bandits at sea, and their plans for the future, all filled with emotion and ambition.

After leaving Huangzhou, the two continued heading south.

They traveled to the southern border, where Yin Tong was stationed, to visit this general, who had lost his beloved but devoted his entire life to the frontier. Yin Tong, now with a new beard, looked even more formidable. He led them on a tour of the newly built market, and seeing the people of all ethnic groups trading harmoniously, his eyes gleamed with satisfaction and determination.

"If Youjing were still alive, she would smile when she saw the people living in peace and the borders at rest," Yin Tong said softly, gazing at the distant mountains. He remained unmarried throughout his life, dedicating all his love and loyalty to this land.

They also visited Duan Zheng, who had been exiled to Lingnan but had established a local academy to educate the villagers. He wore simple clothes, ate vegetarian food, and possessed a calm demeanor. Upon meeting them, he simply politely observed the respects of a disciple, devoid of the arrogance of his former princely state. Qin Yousi and Baili Hongyuan were also relieved to see his contentment and open-minded attitude.

Finally, they set out to sea on a boat.

The sea and sky merged into one color, with seagulls flying in all directions. Standing at the bow, feeling the slightly salty sea breeze and gazing at the boundless blue, Qin Yousi leaned in Baili Hongyuan's arms, his heart filled with a peace and openness he had never felt before.

"Do you remember where our name came from?" Baili Hongyuan asked in a low voice.

"I envy the green mountains for their thoughts and the white cranes for their forgetfulness." Qin Yousi recited softly with a gentle smile on his lips.

"Now, the green mountains are in our hearts, and the white crane can also forget about the rivers and lakes." He hugged her tightly, "These vast rivers and mountains, the waves of the four seas, are our home."

Grudges are gone, old friends are well, and the road ahead is full of beautiful scenery.

In this life, walking with you is the best ending.