In the end, Xiao Changqi and Steward Zhou simply found an open space nearby and buried Wen Cai Ren.
Later, before leaving the capital to gain experience in the army, Xiao Changqi instructed Chief Steward Zhou to move his birth mother's cenotaph to another auspicious location.
Every year around this time, before Xiao Changqi returned to the capital, Steward Zhou would visit Consort Wen's grave on Xiao Changqi's behalf to pay respects. Later, when Xiao Changqi returned to the capital, Steward Zhou would personally come to pay his respects.
Hearing the old steward recount these past events, Yuan Dan felt both heartache for Xiao Changqi and inexplicable sadness.
The little bird tilted its head in confusion. Why did she feel sad?
On New Year's Day, I thought: Maybe I'm too kind.
The little bird stayed obediently in the man's arms, not bothering him as usual, but gently patting his sleeve with its short, chubby wings, as if comforting him.
Xiao Changqi finally noticed the little chubby bird's mood, and pinched her little claws, asking, "What are you unhappy about, little one?"
The little bird raised its head: "Chirp chirp."
I'm not unhappy.
Xiao Changqi quietly watched the little pink bird for a while, then took the bamboo fruit from the small table, peeled it, and fed it to the bird.
On New Year's Day, however, she only ate two bites and then stopped eating, snuggling in the man's arms and rubbing her bird head against his fingers, chirping.
I want to sleep.
Can you call me when we get there?
Xiao Changqi gently stroked the little bird, then lowered his eyes and watched it close its eyes, soon falling asleep.
...
I had a dream on New Year's Day.
A dream about modern times.
"Master, what's wrong with my daughter?" A man in a suit asked a white-bearded Taoist priest in a Taoist robe with a serious expression.
"Your daughter is fine, but she is still a little troubled by nightmares. I will draw a peace talisman for her, and that will ensure Miss Yuan's safety."
A woman in a long dress sat to the side, holding a little girl in her arms, gently patting her daughter who was crying in pain with a worried expression.
At the same time, she coaxed softly, "It doesn't hurt anymore, it doesn't hurt anymore. Isn't our Yuanyuan the bravest?"
"It hurts..." The little girl's face was pale, her forehead was covered in cold sweat, and her small body trembled, whether from pain or something else.
Hearing her daughter say she was in pain but felt helpless, the woman couldn't help but shed tears. She hugged her daughter tightly and choked out, "Yuanyuan, can you bear it? It won't hurt for a while. Yuanyuan is the best girl."
Seeing this, the man walked over and embraced his wife and daughter, patting his wife's shoulder and reassuring her in a deep voice, "Yuanyuan will be alright."
Yuandan watched all of this as if she were an outsider, but she recognized that the little girl who kept crying out in pain was her.
Yuan's father and mother had been in love for many years before getting married, and then she was born. Yuan's father, who loved his wife dearly, did not want her to suffer from pregnancy and childbirth again. Moreover, his daughter was a sweet and considerate daughter, so they did not have a second child.
After graduating from university, Yuan Dan's father started his own business with the help of his wife, who was then his girlfriend. As the only daughter in the family, Yuan Dan was truly pampered.
It is said that a daughter is her father's sweetheart from a past life, and this saying is perfectly embodied in Yuan's father.
From a young age, Yuan Dan could have almost anything she wanted. If her mother hadn't stopped her, her father would have wanted to build her a castle so she could truly be a little princess.
Yuan Dan was also very lucky, especially in terms of public image. Her father doted on her, but he didn't really spoil her. When Yuan Dan made a mistake, her father would take her out for a walk. The two of them would walk and chat, just like friends.
Even when realizing their mistake, they are not ashamed and will readily admit it to their parents.
But the good times didn't last long. When he was seven years old, he contracted some strange illness and kept crying out in pain, but he couldn't say where it hurt.
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