Extra three
Three days later, when the Southern Barbarian King opened his eyes, he saw Princess Yulang sitting by his bedside, looking at him coldly.
“Your Highness the Eldest Princess,” the Southern Barbarian King coughed twice, clutching his chest as he straightened up. He always addressed her as Your Highness the Eldest Princess in a strange tone, as if that would lessen the hatred between them.
"Your Majesty," Princess Yulang called out to him, unmoved by his disheveled state.
"Do you know what happened in the palace while you were unconscious?" Princess Yulang gave a strange smile.
"You..." The Southern Barbarian King looked around in disbelief. Seeing that the hall was empty, he understood. "You pretended to gain my trust just for the throne? But you are a princess of a fallen kingdom. Do you really want to emulate the Empress of Jing Kingdom and ascend the throne?"
"King of the Southern Barbarians need not worry. With me here, your master's wife will surely have her wishes fulfilled." Chu Chan, concealed and clad in golden armor, walked in from outside the palace, his gaze fixed on Princess Yulang: "Master's wife, your disciple has come to take you home."
Princess Yulang nodded slightly, stood up and looked down at the Southern Barbarian King: "Your Majesty, you should never have tried to imitate Xie Lang's past ways. Every time you do, you remind me of why Xie Lang died."
"He's been poisoned and won't last much longer. Your men have already surrounded the Southern Barbarian palace. What are you planning to do next?" Princess Yulang turned to ask Chu Chanyin.
"Naturally, it's to present a gift to Nianwan," Chu Chan said with a slight smile.
“Indeed, it coincides with my original plan. Xiao Cong, please do not harm the people in the city; they are all innocent.” Princess Yulang said, lowering her eyes.
Chu Chanyin naturally agreed.
Princess Yulang turned to leave, but the Southern Barbarian King reached out and grabbed her sleeve.
"Yulang!" This was the first time he had called her that. His eyes were red and swollen, like a puppy abandoned by its owner. "Was it all a lie when you told me you admired me?"
Princess Yulang shook off his hand without hesitation. "You don't believe me, do you? My brother and husband died at the hands of you southern barbarians. As a princess of a country, it is even more impossible for me to fall in love with the king of an enemy country."
The Southern Barbarian King stared at her in disbelief, tears welling up in his eyes: "No! I don't believe it! Back then... back then you were in the palace sketching my portrait, you drew so many of them, how could you not have a single trace of true feeling?"
Princess Yulang had no desire to argue with him any further, while Chu Chanyin, standing to the side, narrowed his eyes, clearly harboring murderous intent.
Princess Yulang lowered her eyes, drew her sword from her waist, and pointed it at the Southern Barbarian King.
This southern barbarian king came from humble origins and climbed to the throne through underhanded means amidst the treachery and intrigue of his brothers. He longed for true love more than anything else in his life. He once thought that she had at least a sliver of sincerity towards him, even if it was only because he resembled her late husband.
Unexpectedly... no matter how similar they were, it couldn't change her heart of stone.
The Southern Barbarian King closed his eyes in anguish, tears falling onto the sword pressed against his chest: "Can you call me Jiulang as you used to?"
Princess Yulang's hand trembled almost imperceptibly. The Southern Barbarian King opened his eyes and met her sword without hesitation.
Blood gushed out, and the Southern Barbarian King smiled, his gaze lingering on Princess Yulang. "In my next life, I want to be born not so much like him. If possible, let me meet you first, okay?"
Princess Yulang did not speak, but simply watched him slowly lose his breath.
"Master's wife..." Chu Chanyin felt an indescribable sorrow surrounding her. He opened his mouth, but in the end, he couldn't say anything.
Princess Yulang gently shook her head, as if murmuring, "No, in the next life... don't meet me."
In the second year of the Zhenyuan era, Regent Chu Chanyin led an army of 300,000 to break through the southern barbarian border defenses and directly attack the southern barbarian capital. In the same month, the southern barbarian king died of poisoning, and his concubine, Princess Yulang, disappeared without a trace.
At this point, the Southern Barbarians submitted to the Jing Kingdom, and the Jing Kingdom's territory expanded to Jianan Pass. Seeing its immense power, the Liang Kingdom feared being annexed and thus submitted to the Jing Kingdom.
"Master's wife, aren't you coming back with me?" Chu Chanyin asked incredulously.
Princess Yulang smiled slightly, her eyes calm: "Good child, I believe that under Xiaoyi and your rule, Jingguo will get better and better, and I, a princess of the former dynasty, will not go back to cause trouble."
Chu Chanyin was about to say something when Princess Yulang stopped him with a gesture: "Xiao Cong, I should have had my own life a long time ago, shouldn't I?"
Chu Chan nodded silently.
Princess Yulang smiled with relief: "Now that I have avenged my great enemy, I can be myself again. Before being the late emperor's sister and Xie Lang's wife, I must first be myself."
“I know you want to ask about the identity of the woman I sent to the palace. She was the same as me, so I helped her out. As for the rest… it doesn’t matter,” Princess Yulang said softly.
Chu Chan silently watched Princess Yulang walk out of the cage that had imprisoned her for so long, seeing her escape step by step.
In the ninth year of the Zhenyuan era, Zhao Youyi appointed Zhao Zhile as the Crown Princess and she moved into the Eastern Palace. In the same year, Chu Muqing requested to go on a study tour. Zhao Youyi and Chu Chanyin tried their best to dissuade him, but in the end, they could not dissuade him from going.
“Brother Mumu,” Zhao Zhile lifted her skirt and came to Chu Muqing’s side, her still childish face full of displeasure: “Why do you want to leave Shenjing?”
"Your Highness, I'm going out for a stroll." Chu Muqing bowed respectfully.
Zhao Zhile stomped her feet in anger: "I won't allow it! Chu Yuxuan! Don't you even listen to me anymore?"
Yu Xuan is his courtesy name. Chu Muqing is the nephew of the regent who has made great military achievements, and also the future heir to the throne of Chu Chanyin. He was named the crown prince early on and is also favored by Her Majesty the Empress. The only person in the world who can call him that is the Crown Princess Zhao Zhile.
“Your Highness, you’ve grown up,” Chu Muqing smiled slightly. “We should both have our own lives. I want to see the sights outside.”
Zhao Zhile tugged at his sleeve, utterly puzzled: "Is Shenjing not good enough? Why can't it keep you here?"
Chu Muqing gently shook her head: "Shenjing is very nice, but this is not my world."
"What about me?" Zhao Zhile asked instinctively.
"You... will always be the most respected Your Highness," Chu Muqing said respectfully, lowering his eyes.
Zhao Zhile was so angry that she grabbed his arm and bit him hard. "Chu Yuxuan! I hate you the most!"
After saying that, she turned and left angrily.
Chu Muqing tilted her head back and let the tears fall, then smiled silently.
Three years passed in the blink of an eye. In the year Zhao Zhile came of age, Zhao Youyi finally retired and was able to travel the world with her little fox spirit.
Two years ago, Chu Chanyin frequently visited the Valley of Divine Physicians as agreed, forcing the two to be separated. Finally, when Zhao Zhile was able to assume power, Zhao Youyi abdicated without delay and went straight to the Valley of Divine Physicians.
Inside the Imperial Palace of Shenjing, Zhao Zhile, dressed in magnificent robes, sat on the dragon throne handling state affairs. Every now and then, she would reach out and rub her temples. A few days ago, she had come of age, and her aunt immediately passed the throne to her. Then, she rushed to her uncle's place without stopping.
He really values women more than his nephew.
Zhao Zhile shook her head helplessly. The two had been deeply in love for ten years. This time, her uncle went to the Divine Doctor Valley to set up a new house. The two hadn't seen each other for a long time, and he probably had long forgotten about his poor little niece.
"His Majesty."
A voice, both unfamiliar and familiar, rang out.
Zhao Zhile subconsciously looked up towards the door and saw a person walking under the moonlight, almost blending into the night.
"you……"
Zhao Zhile subconsciously stood up, accidentally knocking over the inkstone, and ink stained her sleeve.
"Having heard of Your Majesty's ascension to the throne, I have come to offer my congratulations." The man knelt and bowed, his movements fluid and graceful, displaying utmost respect.
Zhao Zhile bit her lip in disbelief and walked forward step by step: "Why did you come back? Didn't you say that Shenjing couldn't keep you?"
Chu Muqing raised his head slightly, his handsome face under the moonlight making him look pitiful: "Yes, but I have seen the world, yet I cannot find a place to belong. Would Your Majesty be willing to take me in?"
Zhao Zhile grabbed his hand with such force that it seemed to penetrate to the bone: "Is this really true?"
“Is that true?” Chu Muqing replied.
Under the moonlight, Zhao Zhile bent down slightly and pressed his forehead against Chu Muqing's. Tears cut into Chu Muqing's heart like blades. Chu Muqing tilted his head up slightly and caught the tear.
"Brother Huai Cong!" Zhao Youyi traveled through wind and rain, and finally arrived at the Valley of Divine Healers on the evening of the third day.
Dressed in white, Chu Chanyin stood at the entrance of the cave and stepped forward to embrace her.
"You've lost weight since I last saw you." Chu Chanyin gently stroked her eyebrows and eyes with affection.
Zhao Youyi smiled, stood on tiptoe and kissed him: "Yes, without you, who else would take such good care of me?"
Chu Chanyin reached out and gently pinched her nose: "Are you hungry? I've already prepared the meal. Today we have your favorite sweet and sour fish, and I've also brought out some plum wine from last year. Tonight, let's drink until we're completely drunk."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Youyi grabbed his hand and rushed inside. The disciples of the Divine Doctor Valley all knelt down and bowed to her, saying, "Your Majesty."
Zhao Youyi quickly waved his hand, signaling them to stand up: "Now that I have abdicated, you can call me whatever you like."
After a moment's thought, everyone remembered that she was the granddaughter of the Medicine King Shi Shui, and finally decided to call her Elder according to seniority. Zhao Youyi didn't care much and pulled Chu Chanyin to have dinner.
Chu Chanyin's culinary skills over the years have made Zhao Youyi's palate increasingly discerning. Especially with such a beautiful woman cooking for you, the feeling is indescribably satisfying.
"Did Mumu write to you?" Zhao Youyi asked, picking up a piece of fish belly.
Chu Chanyin nodded: "After all, it's Lele's coming-of-age ceremony. How could he not go back to see her? Over the years, he has come back to visit you and me from time to time, but he hasn't seen Lele. I'm afraid Lele has some resentment in her heart."
“You little ungrateful wretch,” Zhao Youyi shook his head. “He insisted on going on a trip back then. If he were here, he might have been able to help Lele with some of the administrative duties.”
Chu Chan smiled, suppressing his laughter: "That's something only the future queen can discuss. Does A-Wan intend to act as a matchmaker?"
"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings, let them worry about it themselves." Zhao Youyi hugged his arm and shook it, acting like she used to when she was a child. "These past few years, you and I have been busy, but they've had plenty of free time. Now it's our turn to enjoy ourselves. Brother Huai Cong, do you remember? You said you would take me to fly kites in the autumn."
Chu Chanyin raised an eyebrow in surprise upon hearing this. He had brought it up when they left Shenjing to go to Fuzhou. However, before the uprising, the two of them were busy with official duties, and after ascending the throne, they were busy with political affairs. They hardly had any free time throughout the year.
Chu Chanyin turned his head and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Remember, I'll take you there tomorrow."
“Then I’ll also want the kite you made by hand,” Zhao Youyi said.
Chu Chanyin softly replied, "Okay."
The following day, the autumn air was crisp and clear.
Zhao Youyi and Chu Chanyin rode their horses to the outskirts of the city. The wind blew through their hair, and the two, riding the same horse, had their hair intertwined tightly, inseparable.
“Brother Huai Cong, let’s fly kites here!” Zhao Youyi said.
The two dismounted, and Chu Chanyin handed her a kite he had made himself.
"A fox?" Zhao Youyi looked at the pattern in surprise.
"You release the fox, and I'll release the white wolf, how about that?" Chu Chanyin said.
Zhao Youyi thought for a moment and nodded, "Okay, foxes are fine too."
The fox and the white wolf floated in the air, their two threads intertwined tightly by a gust of wind.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
"It seems that our fate is so strong that even the wind cannot separate us."
"We'll come back here to fly kites again next year."
(End of article)
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