Chapter Sixty-Six: The Final Chapter (Part One)

Outside Kyoto, the first light of dawn was breaking.

The man standing on the east side was dressed in white, his figure as straight as bamboo. He held a book lightly in his hand, his gaze calm as he looked towards the end of the official road. Ye Yuqing, now the youngest censor in the court, should have been discussing politics in the imperial court, but instead he appeared in this open field, outside the city gate, presumably waiting for someone.

Beneath the locust tree on the west side, a man dressed in ashen black leaned against the tree, toying with an unsheathed dagger in his hand. A faint smile played on his lips, his narrow phoenix eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp. Since that incident, Li Peixuan had been nominally stripped of his title as crown prince and demoted to a commoner. However, due to his act of upholding justice by helping the Empress eliminate the remnants of the Prince of Ruyang's power, he was granted special permission to come and go freely.

The two were several feet apart and did not speak, only occasionally their eyes met before they looked away.

"Is the third-ranked scholar also here to wait for her?" After a long while, Li Peixuan finally spoke first, his voice carrying his usual languidness.

Nodding slightly, Ye Yuqing looked up into the distance, her eyes filled with a beauty that seemed to flow like a mountain stream. "I have heard that Miss Mu is exceptionally beautiful and talented, and I admire her greatly."

"Heh..." Li Peixuan raised an eyebrow, toying with the short knife in his hand. "He submitted his resignation last month? He's giving up his position as censor to wander the world with her?"

"Also?" Ye Yuqing turned her head and looked at the man in black opposite her, smiling calmly: "Then it is the same as Brother Li. Besides, in this life, one should always live for oneself at least once."

The short knife he was toying with paused slightly. Li Peixuan chuckled, saying nothing more. He secretly rubbed his chest—the pain was long gone, and the scars left by the mother Gu had faded to almost invisible. Yet, every fifteenth of the lunar month, a faint discomfort would still linger, a reminder of the past when he had been used as a pawn by his own father. Fortunately, he had met the one who would redeem him. Therefore, he would never let go in this lifetime!

As the sun rose higher, a man and a horse finally appeared on the official road.

A woman rode in on a white horse, her red robes fluttering in the wind, her black hair cascading like a waterfall. Sunlight shone on her stunningly beautiful face, and her once icy eyes now held peace and tranquility. From this journey, mountains and rivers stretched far and wide, the seas and skies boundless. Even without true liberation, she already smelled the scent of freedom.

Mu Lian reined in her horse and stopped. Her clear gaze swept over the two men before her, and she smiled faintly as she bowed. "Young Master Ye, Young Master Li, were you waiting for me?" The woman before her had a clear and melodious voice, unparalleled beauty, and a captivating aura of both tranquility and untamed spirit. They both steadied themselves and replied in unison, "Yes, greetings, Miss Mu."

Mu Lian dismounted, her fiery red robes and ink-black hair fluttering in the wind. The glow of the rising sun illuminated her face and body, as if draping her in a dreamlike veil. The once infamous female demon and ghoul of the capital had removed her mask and was now a stunningly beautiful woman renowned for her beauty.

Facing the sunrise and rosy dawn, Mu Lian gazed into the distance and said with a faint smile, "Now I have no official position or post, and I only want to wander the world. I have never been a quiet and gentle lady, nor do I care about worldly opinions. Have you two thought it through?"

Two people? Could it be...?

Without further thought, Ye Yiqing stepped forward, her eyes gentle: "My Ye family is not exactly a law-abiding family in the capital. Since my three elder sisters can find husbands to stay at home, I, Ye, can naturally follow you to wander the world..."

"The third-ranked scholar has quite the arrogance..." another retorted. Li Peixuan crossed his arms and sneered, "Miss Mu may not have agreed to take you as her son-in-law, but she did enter the gates of my Ruyang Prince's Mansion. If we're talking about being called 'Madam,' I, Li, am far more qualified than the third-ranked scholar..."

"Alright." Interrupting their argument, Mu Lian pointed her riding whip in the air: "I've heard that there's a three-courtyard house for sale in Jiangnan, built by the water with excellent scenery. I'd like to go there myself. Would you two like to come along?"

Traveling together? Does that mean the three of you are together?

Shocked, Ye Yuqing and Li Peixuan exchanged a glance, but neither of them backed down.

"Of course we are willing," the two said in unison again.

"Alright, let's set off together!" Mu Lian was the first to mount her horse and ride off. Under the morning sun, the woman in red was vibrant and radiant, her smile unrestrained, her demeanor both dashing and untamed. Since His Majesty had allowed her to appear before the public, she might as well be high-profile and do something as shocking as no one else dared to do.

Five years later.

The most talked-about event in Kyoto recently was the sixtieth birthday celebration of Prime Minister Ye. Not only was Prime Minister Ye's high position attracting countless dignitaries eager to attend the grand banquet, but even more exciting was the rumor that Ye's fourth son, former Imperial Censor Ye Yuqing, would also be returning to offer his congratulations. Recalling the momentous events of the past, Kyoto became even more lively.

On this day, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle. The Ye residence was brightly lit and decorated, and filled with distinguished guests.

Inside the main hall, Prime Minister Ye sat in the main seat, remarkably sprightly despite being over sixty. Madam Ye sat on the other side, also well-preserved despite being of advanced age, exuding elegance and grace, her demeanor that of a noblewoman. The three Ye sisters and their three husbands stood on either side, their affectionate gestures evident as they gazed at the children playing in the courtyard, dressed in new clothes; a harmonious atmosphere filled the space.

Suddenly, the steward outside announced loudly, "The Fourth Young Master has returned!"

The room fell silent instantly. The Ye sisters exchanged a glance, both seeing the excitement in each other's eyes.

Before the words were finished, a woman in a light blue dress entered the main hall. Her hair was simply styled, and she possessed an extraordinary air. It was Mu Lian. Five years had passed, and the sharpness in her eyes had faded, replaced by the gentle glow of motherhood. Though she wore only a single white jade hairpin, her beauty was still undeniable. Beside her, a man in a sky-blue dress held a boy of about three years old, while a step behind, a man with a dignified and imposing presence, held a girl of about two years old.

Together with Ye Yuqing, they walked to the presence of Prime Minister Ye and his wife. Mu Lian gracefully bowed and said, "Your son and daughter-in-law are unfilial, only returning today. We wish Father boundless happiness and longevity; and Mother endless joy and lasting blessings..."

With her eyes slightly reddening, Ye Xiang and his wife quickly gestured for the two of them to stand up: "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."

Stepping forward, Ye Yuqing gently set the boy down from her arms. The child had delicate features, resembling his father, but possessed bright eyes that closely resembled Mu Lian's. He bowed in a childish voice, saying, "Grandson Ye Mu'an greets his grandfather and grandmother."

The little girl in Li Peixuan's arms was not to be outdone. She struggled to get down and, though her steps were unsteady, she curtsied respectfully: "Li Changle wishes Grandpa Ye a happy birthday and pays her respects to Grandma Ye."

"Good, good!" Prime Minister Ye and his wife were overjoyed, each embracing one child. At sixty years old, what could be a better birthday gift than enjoying the bliss of family life? This was truly a perfect occasion.

The guests in the hall offered their congratulations. The once shocking "one woman, two husbands" incident has now become a celebrated tale and a beautiful story thanks to the three of them's chivalrous deeds and acts of upholding justice over the past five years. Moreover, even the high-ranking Minister Ye and his wife did not find anything wrong with it and accepted it gladly, so what room was there for others to object?

Halfway through the banquet, an imperial edict suddenly arrived. Besides congratulating Prime Minister Ye on his birthday, a female official from the Empress's entourage entered carrying the edict and read it aloud: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Li Changle, daughter of Li Peixuan, former heir apparent of the Prince of Ruyang, is intelligent and beautiful, and deeply admires me. She is hereby granted the title of Princess Changle, and bestowed with a princess's residence, a thousand taels of gold, and permission to marry into the family to continue the family line. This is the imperial decree."

The room erupted in uproar.

Mu Lian and Li Peixuan, accompanied by their daughter, received the imperial edict with solemn expressions. This was not merely a favor, but also the Empress's complete closure of the past, and her acknowledgment of their marriage—the bloodline of the Ruyang Prince's Mansion could continue, but it was no longer a prince's mansion, but a princess's mansion. Old grudges and new favors were all contained in this single edict.