After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Empress suddenly felt like taking a good walk. She stayed in the Jingren Palace for several months, rarely venturing outside.

Whether it was the depletion of her vital energy after the serious illness or simply the passage of time, the Empress felt that she had truly aged.

He told everyone else to follow at a distance, leaving only Jianqiu by his side.

A cold wind, carrying a sharp chill, blew, and the Empress couldn't help but cough twice.

But seeing the withered branches beside her already tinged with green, the Queen felt much better.

Jianqiu advised, "Your Majesty, it's very windy and cold right now. Your body can't take it. Let me help you back."

"If you want to see the new green leaves on the branches, Jingren Palace has them too. Or I can have the flower room send over more, you can see them whenever you want."

The Empress waved her hand and said, "No need, I'm in a good mood right now."

"The sky above the inner palace was originally square, and Jingren Palace was even smaller, like a well with a limited view of the sky."

The Empress strolled leisurely, carefully observing everything in the Imperial Garden.

Suddenly, a fawn darted out from the side and walked to the Queen's feet. It tilted its head back, stuck out its tongue, and licked the Queen's hand in a fawning manner.

The Queen stroked the fawn's head; its fur was fine and soft, and would harden as it grew in a few months.

"The rare and exotic animals in the Imperial Garden should have lived in the mountains, but now they can only be kept in the garden for people to watch and enjoy."

"Like this deer, when it is small it can be raised in the Imperial Garden, and when it grows up it will be sent to the Imperial Kitchen."

"The antlers are sawed off to make antler glue, the deer blood is drained to make deer blood wine, and as for the venison..."

Jianqiu said, "If Your Majesty can't bear it, you only need to give a word to have someone take good care of her."

The Empress said, "I have no reason to be heartless. I am just thinking about people like myself who have committed many evils."

"Will I be reborn into the animal realm, like this deer, to be slaughtered by humans to atone for my sins in the past?"

Jianqiu said in a panic, "No, no, Your Majesty, you had no choice back then."

"Besides, you have already regretted it and are now trying your best to make amends. It is said that one can become a Buddha by laying down the butcher's knife. Your Majesty has already let go, and the Buddha is merciful and will surely forgive you!"

"And there's more..."

Besides, there's Prince Honghui, who has been atoning for her sins.

Jianqiu stopped abruptly, lowering her head guiltily. Although she didn't say it aloud, she knew that the Empress would understand what she meant.

A deep pain flashed in the Empress's calm eyes; she was unworthy to be Honghui's mother.

"You say you've let go, but I just realized that I've never been able to let go?"

"I knew all along that the person I should hate the most is the Emperor, but I just couldn't do it."

"And it was because of his own selfish desires that he vented all of this on innocent people."

"Now I can hate him, but I can't bring myself to do anything to him."

The Empress had also considered dying together with the fat orange cat, both as revenge and to fulfill their years of marital vows, thus bringing these grievances to a close.

But she also knew that if anything happened to Big Fat Orange, the world would be thrown into chaos. Countless people would lose their lives as a result.

She wasn't afraid of retribution, but she was afraid it would fall on Honghui; that child was too foolish.

Why bother with that useless Empress Dowager?

The Queen wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. Although she couldn't do it herself, wouldn't it be fine if someone else did it?

Jianqiu shivered and looked around several times.

Fortunately, the people following were far away, and the trees and flowers around were still just withered branches, and there were no artificial hills or anything like that, so they couldn't hide anyone.

Jianqiu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Your Majesty, this is not our place after all. Let's talk about some things when we get back."

The Queen said, "This place has an unobstructed view; not even a rabbit can hide within twenty paces. What is there to be afraid of?"

"Walking openly on the street, even if someone sees you from afar, they won't suspect anything. But in the palace, with the doors and windows tightly closed, you have to worry about being overheard."

Jianqiu said, "Your Majesty is wise; it is this servant who is foolish and did not think of these things."

"Didn't Your Majesty say that chanting Buddhist scriptures can make you feel better? If you are upset because of the Emperor, I will chant Buddhist scriptures with you a few more times, what do you think?"

"His Majesty..."

Jianqiu really didn't know what to say. The Empress had given her whole heart to the blind man. Did the Emperor really not see it or did he not want to see it?

Jianqiu said firmly, "You still have me, and I will always be with you."

"Whatever you ask me to do, I will do. If, if you really can't swallow this insult, I'm willing to do even the most difficult things for you!"

The Empress held Jianqiu's hand tightly, "These past years, I am so grateful to have you by my side."

"How could I bear to let you take such a risk? Don't worry, I promised Honghui that I would never do anything to harm others again."

“There are many shrewd people in the palace. We just need to keep an eye on things from the sidelines, and if anyone asks for help, we should just tell them the truth.”