"You're such a blockhead. She's been married for two years now, and you were seventeen two years ago. Didn't you say anything then?" Yan Nangui said speechlessly.

"But her husband went to a prostitute? Is he asking for trouble?" Yan Nangui frowned.

Everyone also felt that His Majesty's own niece... who was granted the title of Princess, how dare she court death?

Yan Nangui didn't say anything directly in the end. There was no way to say it. He would wait until he called Yan Jingxue over to talk about it later.

It's clear that Lao Ba's marriage is out of the question for now.

Since there's no chance, there's nothing more to say.

The crowd had no choice but to disperse.

Yan Nangui hadn't been to the Imperial Garden in a long time, so she went to take a look. After strolling around, she unexpectedly ran into Consort Xia.

The second princess married during the reign of Emperor Jingkang in her early years. She married very well and had several children.

Consort Xia has nothing to worry about these days, and she's actually in better spirits than she was a few years ago. She'll definitely get old, but she's in good spirits.

Upon encountering the returning geese, I hastily offered my greetings.

Yan Nangui waved his hand: "I have other matters to attend to. You can wander around by yourself."

Consort Xia agreed and watched her leave.

Once they were a distance away, Consort Xia shook her head with a smile: "Back when I was in the manor, His Majesty hadn't even entered the manor yet. At that time, the late Emperor was still young, only eighteen years old. I was a low-ranking concubine from a humble background, while she was a noblewoman from a respectable family but with an unfortunate past. Thinking back, it feels like yesterday. But in the blink of an eye, we've all grown old."

The maid Qingning, who served her, laughed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty is too legendary. I couldn't have imagined what you were saying to me. It's as if Your Majesty was always Your Majesty. You were never a Crown Prince's concubine, nor an Imperial Concubine or Empress."

“Yes, in all my life I’ve met so many people, but who is more capable than her? I’ve been in the royal family for almost thirty years. I’ve met Emperor Jingxun back then, and I’ve met several emperors in total, but who is like her?” Consort Xia shook her head again: “Thinking back to the past, competing with her for the emperor’s favor doesn’t even feel real.”

“Your Majesty, we sometimes say this in private. Although His Majesty is powerful, he is actually kind-hearted. Look at how carefree Prince Zun is after his abdication. Normally, we wouldn't allow him to run around like that. But last year he went to Jiangnan with someone and was gone for several months.”

"Furthermore, Empress Dowager Cheng now controls the inner palace. Even if His Majesty keeps an eye on things, it's still Empress Dowager Cheng who manages the inner palace. And Empress Dowager Ruining Palace lives a life of unparalleled privilege. None of the late Emperor's children have gotten into trouble. Now, I hear that the eldest prince, who has been confined to a separate residence, is about to be released."

Consort Xia laughed: "Oh, you don't know, you really don't know. Our Empress, you could say she's ruthless, and she is extremely ruthless. But if you say she's kind, then there's nothing wrong with that either. She can never find fault with anyone. Look at her, even though she's already the emperor, she still manages to keep the old ministers in her heart. And she treats all of the late emperor's children well. But in fact, of those princes of the late emperor, have you seen any who are truly outstanding?"

Perhaps Prince Zun was outstanding, but he was too pragmatic and never wanted to be emperor.

Qing Ning laughed: "That's not so bad, is it? Anyway, things have come to this point, so let's just leave it at that."

"Yes, let's just live like this. I'm doing quite well now. There's nothing to worry about." Consort Xia smiled gently, "Let's go admire the flowers."

Yan Lingyun officially retired at the age of seventy-four. He could no longer hold on.

Although he is still vigorous despite his age, the bumpy ride on horseback makes his whole body ache; you have to admit he's amazing.

Upon returning to the capital, the old general, who had been granted the title of a first-rank prince, naturally enjoyed unparalleled prestige.

The one sitting on the throne was his own daughter.

Yan Nangui returned to his home in plain clothes.

In the Yan family today, her second uncle has been gone for over a year. Her second aunt, Zou, however, is in good spirits.

Yan Nanji and his wife remained stationed in Bailu Prefecture, but their children were all in the capital, getting married, becoming officials, or studying.

When Yan Lingyun returned this time, he naturally brought his two concubines back with him.

Neither of these two concubines had children in their lives. One was harmed by Rong Ning back then, and the other was probably not naturally suited to having children.

These two people were also quite old, with gray hair, and they still had to bow to Yan Nangui.

Yan Nangui accepted the formalities once: "The two concubines have accompanied Father for half their lives, so there's no need for such formalities anymore. The mansion has been tidied up, so please settle in comfortably."

Yan Nangui returned here, but couldn't find any familiar faces. She was just taking a stroll out of boredom, not looking for anything.

However, when Yan Lingyun returns, she will have to call her family back.

Yan Jinfei and Shu Ke had a terrible falling out in the past, but Shu Ke eventually came back to her. The couple continued living together like that.

Now, her son and daughter are both grown up, and although they are not yet ready to get married, it will be soon.

Yan Jinsi's two sons are already married, and she also has grandchildren.

Everyone was here at that moment, including the descendants of the second wife.

Although everyone was being careful, it had been many years since they had last seen each other, and they secretly wanted to catch a glimpse of what His Majesty looked like.

There's also Yan Jinsi's husband, Meng Junxian.

To be honest, even among the Yan family, hardly anyone remembers who he used to be.

After a family dinner, Yan Nangui spoke privately with Yan Lingyun.

"Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, please take good care of yourself." Yan Lingyun spoke to her with a relatively relaxed demeanor.

“Alright, Father is the same. He’s getting old, and it’s understandable that he’s not used to coming back so suddenly. But since all the servants have come back with him, he can just be a leisurely prince from now on,” Yan Nangui said.

The father and daughter chatted for a long time.

Finally, Yan Lingyun smiled and sighed, "These past years have felt like a dream; I never believed you were the emperor. Now I can finally relax."

He was only truly at ease after knocking Tuotuo down.

With this achievement in hand, no one dared to say anything.

"I've thought about this for a long time. As long as the Yan family is united, I will never let anything happen to them. Now there's no need to worry. It's just that the Yan family's glory has reached its peak. We can't bestow any more titles upon them. Fortunately, my second brother is also doing well." The third son of the second branch is now a high-ranking official.

"The third son is a capable child. As long as I'm still alive, your two older brothers know what to do. As for the next generation, they seem good now, but if they turn out badly, you can deal with them. Don't let them ruin your reputation." At least the Yan family can't afford to court disaster.

“It’s good that the Yan family remembers that they are subjects. So far, there has been no precedent of the Shu family being bullied by the Yan family. If there is, I will intervene,” Yan Nangui said.

Looking at Yan Lingyun, who is now older, she felt as if all the resentment she had felt in the past had vanished.

Of course, she didn't feel close to them either.

I neither love nor hate anymore.

Back then, this man's negligence led to the original owner's death.

Although it wasn't her intention, she was still somewhat at fault. However, over the years, the Yan family father and son have risked their lives to do so much for her.