Three years later, He Nian moved his entire family to Beijing, and his businesses also began to expand into the capital.

Gong Yu personally came to the city gate to greet him. Upon learning this, He Nian abandoned the carriage and fled, going directly to the Ming residence.

Mingyue asked calmly, "You don't like him?"

"No, not really..." He Nian mumbled, her face flushed. Her little secret exposed, she didn't try to hide it and spoke frankly, "Over the years, I've been assassinated several times because of him, although, although..."

"Although what?" Mingyue asked.

He Nian lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers shyly, "Although he saved me too."

It wasn't because she was implicated in the assassination attempt, but because she was making so much money that the surrounding restaurants couldn't compete with her, so they spread rumors that a woman running a restaurant must be doing something unethical.

As a result, her strong resistance generated publicity, making the restaurant even more popular. After that, she was envied by jealous people, and she almost died.

It was Gong Yu who saved her. At the time, he was locked in a fierce battle with the Third Prince, but unexpectedly, he was still paying attention to her news and rushed over from afar, just in time to save her.

Moreover, this person is gentle and polite, respects her wishes, and never imposes his own will on her. She...she likes him, right?

The more she thought about it, the redder her face became, and she acted coy and demure like a little girl. "Oh dear, let's not think about this now. I'm going to take care of things at the restaurant!"

Mingyue joked that she had let He Nian go. She was too lazy to manage Ming's Embroidery and Textile, so she left everything to Gong Yu. She was only responsible for receiving the money every month.

In her fifth year of traveling and having fun, Mingyue received news that He Nian and Gong Yu were getting married. After driving for two days, she finally arrived in the capital.

The old emperor of the Yue Kingdom retired, and the princes fought tooth and nail for power. In the end, they could only watch as Gong Yu ascended the throne. The enthronement ceremony and the wedding banquet of the emperor and empress were held together, and the scale of the event was breathtaking.

Mingyue gracefully took her seat amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, and ate a whole table of food with gusto. Before anyone could find out who this person was, Mingyue left the capital.

The following year, news of Mingyue's death reached the palace. Despite being heavily pregnant, He Nian insisted on leaving the palace. Upon seeing Mingyue's body, she immediately went into labor.

When He Nian woke up and learned that she had given birth to twins, a boy and a girl, she showed no joy. She forced herself to hold a funeral for Mingyue, and Gong Yu had no choice but to let the imperial physician accompany her.

He understood that Mingyue meant something different to He Nian, and he just needed to stay quietly by her side.

The funeral lasted for three days. After watching Mingyue's coffin being lowered into the ground, He Nian finally couldn't hold on any longer and fainted. Just a second before Gong Yu caught her in time.

"Little sister!"

He Ruyi quickly gave He Nian an acupuncture needle. "Your Majesty, the Empress's health is not suitable to continue. She must rest in bed."

"I can."

He Nian's voice was light and airy, her lips were completely colorless, but her eyes were fixed on Gong Yu with unwavering determination.

Gong Yu hugged He Nian tighter, his voice trembling as he said, "Okay."

He Ruyi sighed deeply, stuffed a piece of ginseng into He Nian's mouth, and said, "Sister, I can only let you last for an hour at most."

"That's fine."

He Ruyi inserted a few more needles, and a trace of color returned to He Nian's pale face. After the funeral was completed, Gong Yu carried He Nian and ran back to the palace. Almost all the doctors in the Imperial Hospital were on standby.

He Nian was unconscious for almost half a month before she woke up. She looked at the bloodshot eyes and freckles on Gong Yu's chin and said, "Gong Yu, you've become ugly."

"Then you still can't shake me off!"

Gong Yu fiercely asserted his sovereignty.

He Nian smiled through her tears, but her hand tenderly touched Gong Yu's haggard face.

The man is gone, but the task he left behind is not yet completed. She will spend the rest of her life completing the task.