Was rejected

The willow buds of Yu'an City glowed light yellow at the foot of the palace wall, and the red wall behind the Daqing Palace was filled with the smell of freshly painted tung oil.

Fuyao stood under the eaves of Muning Palace holding the little prince, watching the palace maids standing on tiptoe to hang wedding silks on the pillars, which were prepared for her coronation ceremony.

The phoenix embroidered with gold thread fluttered in the wind like a burning fire, which made her eyes sore.

"My Lady, it's time to feed the little prince."

The wet nurse came over with a heater, but Fuyao held the child closer to her arms.

She looked at the child's small arms that looked like lotus root nodes, and suddenly remembered that two months ago in the side hall of Daqing Palace, the emperor held her hand and said,

"I will have someone prepare a grand ceremony for you to be crowned queen."

The wound on his head was still bleeding at that time.

"My queen?" the wet nurse called softly.

Fuyao turned around as if awakened, and the jade bracelet on her wrist knocked against the carved railing, making a crisp sound.

She had long been tired of the joyous atmosphere in the palace, tired of the palace servants' respectful address to "Empress", and even tired of the little prince's even breathing.

This voice constantly reminded her that she was the daughter-in-law of the royal family and the emperor's soft spot.

Song Chenyu only recently noticed something strange.

After he finished dealing with the salt and iron account books handed over by the Ministry of Revenue, he went to Mu Ning Palace to have lunch with Fu Yao.

But laughter could be heard from afar, and Fuyao was holding the little prince and teasing him.

Shao Hansu was standing in the corridor, holding a fluttering butterfly in her hand, and teaching the child how to catch it.

The sunlight shines through the newly green willow branches, casting mottled light and shadows on them, making them look like a vivid painting.

He paused.

I used to think that these two people got along well, but now when I look closely, the look in Shao Hansu's eyes when he looks at Fuyao is too soft, and the curve at the corners of Fuyao's eyes when she smiles is too real.

"His Majesty has arrived."

The eunuch passed the message.

Fuyao looked up and saw him standing at the door, and Shao Hansu on the side hurriedly saluted.

Song Chenyu waved his hand and walked over to take the child.

The little prince immediately grabbed his nose, but he didn't get angry, he just stared at Fuyao.

"I'm in the mood today."

"Commander Shao said this butterfly is new to the Imperial Garden and the children like it."

Song Chenyu looked down at the butterfly that was squeezed half to death, and suddenly said,

"Commander Shao has been quite free lately, and I often see you in Mu Ning Palace."

The air froze instantly.

Shao Hansu's Adam's apple moved, and he was ready to leave.

"Your Highness, I will take my leave."

"No need."

Fuyao suddenly spoke,

"Didn't Commander Shao say he would have dinner at Mu Ning Palace later?"

Looking at the official's sullen face, Shao Hansu couldn't stand it any longer.

"I suddenly remembered that I had something else to do, so I won't bother you any more."

After saying that, he left in a flash.

Seeing this, Fuyao said nothing more and turned to walk into the hall.

Song Chenyu looked back at her leaving, then hurriedly followed her with the little prince in his arms.

The palace maids prepared lunch and left on their own accord. Chao Yue took the child away from the official's arms.

Fuyao sat motionless on the couch. Song Chenyu turned his head and looked over.

"Didn't we just say we were going to have dinner?"

"I don't have much appetite."

Fuyao lowered her head and flipped through the book in her hand.

Song Chenyu frowned slightly, then stood up and walked to her side.

"Do you have no appetite or do you not want to dine with me?"

Fuyao didn't say anything and continued reading the book in her hand.

Song Chenyu leaned over and took the book from her hand, looking at her unhappily with his eyes flashing.

"What is your majesty doing?"

She looked up and remained motionless.

"What do you think?"

Song Chenyu suppressed the anger in his heart and reached out to hold her wrist.

"I came to Mu Ning Palace specifically to have dinner with you, but you ignored me.

Fuyao, what happened to you?

Fuyao turned her head to look to the side, and at the same time stood up and broke free from his palm.

"I just suddenly lost my appetite."

Song Chenyu behind him suddenly sneered,

"What are you running away from?"

Fuyao bit her lips and looked back.

"I want to leave the palace and leave Yu'an."

"Why?"

Obviously, this answer was beyond Song Chenyu's expectations.

“I want to leave, I want to be free.

I don't want to stay in this cold palace with high walls, living the same life every day.

I want to walk on the street without restraint and enjoy the bright sunshine and melodious bird sounds outside without any burden.

Look at me now, wearing the most luxurious clothes and enjoying the most expensive food, but I am not happy, not happy at all. What’s the difference between me and a bird in a cage?

Her tone became more and more excited.

"Song Chenyu, I'm not your canary in a cage.

I am a human being, a living person with flesh and blood who loves freedom!

My name is Fuyao, can you tell me what it means?

Have you forgotten everything?"

"Even for me, can't you?"

He walked quickly to her, lowered his head with an almost pleading tone, and tried to reach out to touch her lips.

Although Song Chenyu knew her yearning for freedom, he also knew that the red tape in the palace was a constraint for her.

But even after hearing her speak so clearly, he was still shocked.

"You don't understand."

Fuyao turned her head to the side to avoid him, tears falling on the back of his hand.

"I don't want to be your woman, I want to be myself."

She couldn't help but sigh softly, as if she was afraid that the wind would hear it.

Song Chenyu raised his hand with heartache to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and then held her in his arms. At that moment, his arms tightened unconsciously, as if he was afraid that she would suddenly disappear.

The pale blue moonlight sprinkled on the bluestone steps, and also echoed in Song Chenyu's troubled heart.

He had just finished dealing with the memorials for the day, and Fuyao's words today kept echoing in his mind, making him feel very uncomfortable.

Under the moonlight, he walked towards Mu Ning Palace as usual.

But as soon as I arrived at the palace gate, I found that it was closed.

The eunuch hurriedly reported,

"Your Majesty has arrived."

But there was no movement inside.

Seeing this, Ma Chong hurried forward and pushed the door, but found that it did not move at all.

He turned around awkwardly and saw that the official's brows were tightly furrowed, with anger in his eyes, but suddenly his eyes seemed to have lost some of their energy and were filled with tears.

Like a crumpled silk scarf, it has angry wrinkles but also a soft feeling that is hard to tear apart.

"His Majesty."

"Go to Yongning Palace."

Song Chenyu's lips were pursed into a stiff line, and even his breathing trembled with resentment.

This was the second time his Fuyao had been turned down.

For three consecutive days, Song Chenyu continued to be rejected.

On the fourth day, he deliberately went to Mu Ning Palace earlier than usual and just happened to see several palace maids closing the palace gate.

Seeing the officials coming, they were in a dilemma whether to close the door or not.

The eunuch hurried forward and scolded him.

"Your Majesty is here, hurry up."

Hearing the sound, they hurriedly stepped aside.

Song Chenyu took a glance and walked in.

At this time, Fuyao was half lying on the couch reading a book. She didn't even lift her eyelids when she heard the noise.

"Why have you always turned me away these days?"

He lowered his voice.

"Your Majesty, have you figured it out?"

Fuyao spoke in a gentle tone.

He took a step forward, his face ashen.

"Does it have to be this way?"

Fuyao calmly turned the page of the book, his tone cold,

"If Your Majesty doesn't agree, I can only do this.

Besides, Your Majesty is busy with all sorts of affairs every day, so there is no need for him to come to Mu Ning Palace anymore."

Watching her speaking cold words to him without even raising her head, and thinking about how she had been staying at home for the past few days without even giving him a chance to talk.

Song Chenyu suddenly felt a surge of anger in his heart. He quickly stepped forward and lifted her up from the couch by the arm, his eyes filled with resentment.

"You don't even want to look at me?

Fuyao, do you still have me in your heart?"

Fuyao dropped the book in his hand, looked up and smiled.

"What do you think, Your Majesty?"

"you.."

Song Chenyu was about to lose his temper, but suddenly narrowed his eyes slightly and softened his tone.

“I’ve been working hard to do this all the time.

When everything is sorted out, I will accompany you to go out and do what you want to do.

Is that okay?

Fuyao lowered her head and her nose suddenly felt sore. Her nails dug into her flesh and she raised her head again stubbornly.

"As the ruler of a country, do you believe this?"

"Then I might as well give up this kingdom and leave with you..."

Song Chenyu looked at her resolute eyes and suddenly lost confidence at that moment.

"Leave? Your Majesty, would you rather watch this palace fall into chaos and the people of Lan Kingdom suffer?"

Fuyao interrupted him.

"Besides, I don't want to be a sinner for all eternity!

So please let me go."

At this time, Fuyao felt dizzy and her tone became light.

Song Chenyu slowly loosened his fingers, turned around a little staggeringly, and whispered back as he stepped out of the door,

"good."

His face looked expressionless, but his eyes were extremely dim.

"Your Majesty, stay."

When he was about to lift his other foot, Fuyao behind him suddenly shouted.

He looked back at her in surprise.

She suddenly knelt down, her slightly pale face looking at him with hopeful eyes.

"Your Majesty, please grant me one more favor, so that I can take Ning'er away."

"What did you say?"

His original hope was instantly shattered, and he was almost powerless.

"You want to take away even my last thought!"

"I know my request is excessive, but Your Majesty will have other concubines and princes in the future.

But I, but I will only have Ning'er."

She spoke the last few words softly.

Looking at her earnest eyes, he finally softened his heart and nodded helplessly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Fuyao knelt down and kowtowed, extremely pious,

"May your majesty be in good health, and may the country of Lan live in eternal peace."

Queen Mother Feng remained silent about Fu Yao's desire to leave.

Because she knew the hardships along the way, although she hoped she could stay to accompany her son.

But everyone has their own choices after all.

That day, Fuyao bid farewell to the Queen Mother, took Ning'er and her wet nurse, and was escorted to Ganzhou by Shao Hansu and his men.

Song Chenyu stayed in the Daqing Palace because he was afraid that he would lose control and would stop her at all costs.

"My Lady, are you really not going to take me away?"

Chaoyue stood in front of the carriage reluctantly.

Fuyao opened the curtain with a sad heart and spoke sadly,

"Silly girl, I have already reported to the Queen Mother, you can continue to go back there."

"My Lady."

Behind the carriage was Chaoyue sobbing sadly.

Although she didn't serve Fuyao for a long time, Fuyao treated her well.

She admired her bravery when she defended the city from the bottom of her heart.

In the carriage, Fuyao held Ning'er tighter in her arms with tears in her eyes. She listened to Song Chenyu talk about Chaoyue and Li Yishang.

She hoped that the two of them could make up for the regrets of Qing Ning and Ma Chong.

The carriage left the palace gate and just arrived at the gate of Yu'an City, suddenly Shao Hansu shouted outside,

"Xian Ning!"

Fuyao, feeling depressed, hurriedly got up and opened the car door, and saw her standing in front of the car with a smile on her face.

"elder sister!"

Looking at her with a slender smile,

"Since you call me sister, we will be sisters for life.

If you are my sister, I will always be with you."

As she said this, she got into the carriage and the two of them hugged each other and cried.

In Mu Ning Palace, Song Chenyu stood blankly by the window. All the familiar objects around him were enough to break his heart.

His Fuyao should have left Yu'an by now, and they will never see each other again.

He turned and went to the table, wanting to see the books that Fuyao had touched and the pens and inkstones that he had used.

There was a piece of paper on the table, with Fuyao's handwriting on it:

Meeting is already a good fortune, why should we waste our years in longing?

Even if we never meet again in this life, I feel at peace knowing that we were together.

At that moment he could no longer bear it, so he held the note in his hand, lowered his head and trembled all over.

The palace maids, eunuchs, and Ma Chong outside the house all had tears in their eyes.