Chapter 161 This is a regret I could never have had in my past life

"She's awake?"

Yun Si nodded: "Okay, when?"

"It depends on your situation."

Qin Ye's primary concern was Yun Si's health.

"I'm fine."

Yun Si was both amused and exasperated by his level of anxiety: "I'm just pregnant, not terminally ill, why are you acting like this?"

Qin Ye: "...Don't talk nonsense."

"Okay, okay."

Yun Si hugged his neck and said softly, "Then after we finish eating, I'll go after my afternoon nap, okay?"

"Then I'll take you there."

Every time Yun Si softened her tone, Qin Ye would give in.

Except for a few special or dangerous situations, it works almost every time.

"good."

The lunch was indeed quite appetizing; Yun Si had finally had a full meal today since she was diagnosed with pregnancy.

Qin Ye watched her lie down for her afternoon nap before leaving, feeling relieved.

As soon as he left, Yun Si quickly got up, ran to the side, and vomited up all the food she had just eaten.

Tears streamed down my face as I vomited.

"Master!"

Hearing the commotion, Lu Yu pushed the door open from the outside and came in. When he saw Yun Si vomiting like that, he was so frightened that he dropped what he was holding and rushed in to help her up.

"What's wrong? I'll go and fetch the imperial physician!"

"etc."

Yun Si stopped her and said after a moment's hesitation, "Morning nausea is normal. Don't make a sound and don't let His Highness know."

"oh."

Lu Yu was deeply worried.

Although morning sickness is normal, if it continues like this, the body will not be able to handle it.

Yun Si saw through her thoughts at a glance and comforted her with a smile: "You couldn't help eating too much today. Eat less next time and you won't throw up."

"My lord, you're already in so much pain, yet you're still trying to comfort me..."

Lu Yu pouted, looking like she was about to cry, but she immediately stopped herself, helped Yun Si to the bed, and quickly cleaned up the room.

"Master, are you still feeling unwell? Would you like to eat something to calm your stomach?"

"I want to sleep for a while, you can leave now."

"good."

Lu Yu went out, and Yun Si fell into a deep sleep shortly after lying on the bed.

When I woke up, I found Qin Ye sitting on the edge of my bed.

"What time is it?"

Seeing that it was already dark outside, Yun Si was startled and quickly sat up: "How come I slept for so long?"

"Slower."

Qin Ye looked at her unhappily: "What's wrong with sleeping a little longer? It's not like it's anything urgent."

"..."

Yun Si was preoccupied with Hu Yan Yu'er, but Qin Ye, apart from Yun Si, didn't care about anyone else at all.

If it weren't for Prince Jing mentioning that he wanted Yun Si to visit Hu Yan Yu'er, Qin Ye would never have told Yun Si that Hu Yan Yu'er wanted to see her.

Seeing that Yun Si hadn't spoken for a while, Qin Ye remembered that he had promised to take her to the Prince Jing's mansion after she woke up.

"It's too late today, let's go tomorrow."

"I'm so bored being cooped up in the palace every day. Can you take me out for a walk and let me see her while we're at it?"

"…good."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ye readily agreed.

After putting on thick clothes and a hooded cloak, covering herself up completely, Qin Ye pulled her out the door.

Once outside the palace, Yun Si felt much easier to breathe.

I have to say, it's better outside the palace; there's a sense of unrestrained freedom.

"You're this happy just leaving the palace?"

Inside the carriage, Qin Ye saw Yun Si crack open the window and keep looking out.

He sat behind her, his arms encircling her, his deep voice coming from above her head: "You've only been in the palace for a short time. What will you do if you have to live here permanently?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Si turned her head in his arms, met his deep, dark eyes, and asked, "Then will you restrict my freedom?"

Qin Ye was taken aback, then shook his head: "Of course not."

"That's good. Once you've gained power, you won't restrict my freedom. What's the difference between living in the palace and living outside?"

"..."

A long silence fell over the carriage.

Qin Ye did not refute Yun Si's words.

He certainly wouldn't restrict her freedom, but he... didn't want to give her too much freedom either.

Because he has too much freedom, they'll definitely leave him alone in the palace anytime, anywhere...

From this perspective, being an emperor has absolutely no advantages.

Qin Ye is seizing power now in order to break free from the control of the previous ruler. Once he is free from control, this power will be nothing but a shackle, a burden, and also... a responsibility.

"What are you thinking about? You haven't said anything for a long time."

Yun Si asked him, but instead of answering, he asked, "What kind of life do you want to live in the future?"

"As long as you're here, I'll accept any kind of life."

"real?"

"You still doubt me?"

"Um...no."

The two chatted casually for a few minutes before the carriage arrived at the gate of Prince Jing's residence.

Qin Mu was already waiting at the door.

When he saw Yun Si arrive, a hint of gratitude flickered across his usually stern expression.

"How is the Fourteenth Princess?" Yun Si asked.

Qin Mu shook his head: "Not good. Since waking up, he has locked himself in his room and hasn't eaten."

"Don't worry, I'll go take a look first."

The group arrived at the courtyard where Huyan Yuer was temporarily staying.

It is a fresh and elegant little courtyard, with many plum blossoms planted in it. As the cold wind blows, a faint fragrance wafts through the air.

The scenery itself reveals Qin Mu's attitude towards Huyan Yu'er.

"You all go to the study and wait a while, I'll go in by myself."

Upon reaching the door, Yun Si dismissed Qin Ye and Qin Mu before gently knocking and entering the room.

When Huyan Yu'er's personal maid saw her, she was about to bow when Huyan Yu'er quietly stopped her and gestured for them to leave first.

Yun Si walked to the bedside, looked at Hu Yan Yu'er who looked like a broken doll, and gently called her, "Princess."

Hu Yanyu'er's previously empty eyes suddenly fluttered when she heard Yun Si's voice, and tears silently slid down her cheeks.

"Princess."

Her extremely weak voice was filled with grief and despair: "I was abandoned in this strange country by my dearest family. They don't want me anymore. I can't go home..."

"Just because they don't want you, does that mean you don't want yourself either?"

Yun Si's voice was very soft, yet it was like a pebble thrown into a still lake.

Hu Yanyu'er's tears flowed even more fiercely, her shoulders trembled slightly, and she bit her lip tightly, remaining silent.

Yun Si sat down by the bedside, not rushing to comfort her, but simply keeping her company quietly.

After a long while, he slowly spoke: "Princess, you think being abandoned by your closest relatives is a devastating event, right?"

Huyan Yu'er closed her eyes, her tears soaking her pillow.

"But have you ever considered that perhaps this isn't abandonment, but rather... liberation?"

Yun Si's voice was calm and clear: "A brother who can treat his own sister like a commodity, a motherland that sees you as a pawn and a tool, is such a place really worthy of being called 'home'?"

Her words were cruel, without any beating around the bush, a stark reality: "What good will it do to go back? To continue being used until you're no longer of any value?"

Huyan Yu'er opened her eyes wide, a look of confusion and shock flashing in them.

Yun Si continued, "Now that you are in the Great Qin, you should know how His Highness Prince Jing treats you. He is very worried about you, searching everywhere for doctors and medicines for you, and even defying His Majesty to protect you."

She grasped Huyan Yu'er's cold hand, looked into her eyes, and said, "Isn't this sentiment more precious than those who betrayed you?"

"I……"

Hu Yanyu'er's lips moved, her voice hoarse: "But I... I am, after all, a princess of Northern Yan. My seventh brother wasn't like that before. I don't understand why..."

"If you choose what benefits you and harm your family, then you are not family."

Yun Si has become exceptionally tender-hearted lately, probably because of her pregnancy.

She said in an almost gentle voice, "Princess, the Great Qin is not your prison. If you want to leave, I can help you once you have recovered."

Hu Yanyuer suddenly looked up at her, somewhat incredulous: "Crown Princess, why...why are you so good to me?"

"Then why did you think of seeing me at a time like this?"

“I don’t know. I don’t know anyone else. I only saw you once at Prince Xiao’s residence. I thought… I thought you were very nice.”

Therefore, the seventh prince liked her very much, so much so that he was willing to give up his own sister.

As Hu Yanyu spoke, the light in her eyes gradually faded.

"Princess Yu'er, if you believe in me, please cheer up and never give up on yourself, no matter what."

Yun Si said sincerely, "Once you've recovered, you can stay if you want. Your fate should be in your own hands, not a bargaining chip for anyone, and it shouldn't end like this."

With teary eyes, Hu Yanyu looked at Yun Si, her voice hoarse and weak: "Really...is it possible? Do I...still have a choice?"

"sure."

Yun Si patted her hand and looked at her with firm eyes: "Only by living can there be infinite possibilities. Once you die, you have nothing. Dying for those who don't cherish you is the most foolish thing to do. You should live for yourself."

Hu Yanyu stared blankly at Yun Si, then looked through her at the tall figure standing vaguely at the door.

Although she was under house arrest at Prince Jing's residence, Prince Jing never mistreated her; on the contrary, he protected her in every way.

Even when she was at a loss, he would clumsily find some trinkets from the Central Plains to cheer her up.

A cold and desperate heart, abandoned and betrayed by its loved ones, was warmed by Yun Si's words.

She closed her eyes, and the tears flowed even more fiercely, but it was no longer a cry of utter despair.

After a long while, she slowly opened her eyes. Although her eyes were still filled with sadness, there was a faint glimmer of light that belonged to her alone.

She nodded very, very slightly.

Yun Si knew that she had taken her words to heart.

"I'll have someone bring you some food."

After saying that, Yun Si got up to leave, but Hu Yan Yu'er grabbed her hand again and asked with expectant eyes, "In the future, if I want to see you, can I come to the palace to find you?"

"Can."

"Then... will you hate me because of what my seventh brother did?"

"Won't."

Yun Si replied almost without hesitation, “You are you, and he is he. You are two completely different individuals. If I disliked you because of him, I wouldn’t have come out of the palace specifically to see you.”

"Uh-huh."

Hu Yanyu breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"Your Highness, I have no friends here. I...can we be friends?"

"actually."

Yun Si smiled and told her, "I don't have any friends either. If you're willing, you'll be my first friend."

"Really?"

"More real than real gold."

Upon hearing this, Hu Yanyu'er finally smiled.

Seeing this, Yun Si also gently curled her lips.

Sometimes, friendships between women can be quite strange.

Yun Si felt a sense of kinship with Hu Yan Yu'er. If Hu Yan Yu'er could marry Prince Jing in the future, they would be both close friends and sisters-in-law, able to accompany each other forever, which would be wonderful.

Yun Si opened the door and went out.

As expected, King Jing was waiting at the door.

In this freezing weather, isn't he afraid of getting sick from the cold?

Yun Si glanced at him: "Do you want to go in and see her?"

"No, thank you."

Qin Mu was relieved to know that she had come to her senses and would not attempt suicide again: "I'll have someone bring her some food."

After saying that, he hurriedly left, but after taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped, turned around and sincerely said to Yun Si, "Fourth Sister-in-law, thank you."

Yun Si stood in the courtyard, watching Qin Mu's departing figure, and sighed softly.

The word "love" is the most difficult to understand.

Ultimately, Hu Yanyu'er's decision to stay or leave is up to her own heart.

"Finished talking?"

Qin Ye's voice suddenly came from beside her: "I think Fifth Brother isn't in the mood to care about us right now. I'll take you to get something good to eat."

Yun Si wasn't interested.

She wasn't hungry at all.

But in order not to worry Qin Ye, she nodded and said, "Okay."

Qin Ye took her to the most famous restaurant in the capital.

Zuixianlou (Drunken Immortal Pavilion)

He ordered the private rooms on the top floor to be emptied, and his bodyguards were stationed to protect the area.

The private room was warm and cozy, filled with a light, calming incense, a stark contrast to the cold outside.

This was the first time the two of them had eaten out alone.

Several delicate side dishes were laid out on the table, still mainly light and appetizing, but noticeably more down-to-earth than the imperial cuisine in the palace.

"Try this."

Qin Ye picked up a piece of crystal-clear osmanthus cake and placed it on the plate in front of Yun Si: "I heard that the pastry chef here was invited from Jiangnan, and his skills are superb."

Yun Si looked at the pastry but had no appetite.

I still feel nauseous.

However, seeing Qin Ye's anxiously observing gaze, Yun Si couldn't bear to refuse his kindness.

She picked up her chopsticks and took a small bite.

Osmanthus cake melts in your mouth; the sweet osmanthus fragrance mixed with the soft, chewy texture of glutinous rice surprisingly doesn't cause any aversion.

"tasty."

She smiled and took another bite.

Seeing this, Qin Ye smiled slightly and picked up his chopsticks: "I'm glad you like it. If you get tired of the imperial cuisine in the palace, I'll often bring you out to change things up."

Yun Si felt a warmth in her heart, knowing that he was trying his best to make up for the freedom and joy she had lost due to her pregnancy and life in the palace.

Even if it meant being confined to the palace for the rest of her life, Yun Si would be willing to be with him.

This is a regret that I could never have had in my past life.

My life is complete.

"No need for that," she said softly.

"It's no trouble at all."

Qin Ye interrupted her, his tone leaving no room for argument: "Whatever you want to do, whatever you desire, as long as I can provide it, it's no trouble at all."

The two ate their meal in silence, while outside the window, the bustling night view of the capital city unfolded, its lights twinkling.

The faint sounds of the bustling street market only served to accentuate the warm and tranquil atmosphere of the private room.

Yun Si ate a piece of pastry and a few bites of light vegetables before putting down her chopsticks.

She was afraid that if she ate too much, she would throw up again soon.

Qin Ye didn't insist, but pushed a bowl of warm almond milk in front of her: "Drink some more of this, it's good for your health."

Yun Si was sipping her almond milk when she suddenly heard a murmur of conversation coming from next door.

"Have you heard? It seems there's going to be a war in the north, apparently over a woman..."