Liang Shuyan looked surprised: "Could it be that you were the one who overheard my conversation with your grandmother at the door that day?"
Chunyan nodded: "Yes, yes, Auntie, I overheard it by accident, it wasn't intentional!"
"You didn't overhear on purpose, but you deliberately spread rumors in the teahouse, didn't you?"
Chunyan was momentarily unable to explain herself and suddenly knelt down on the ground: "Auntie, please, I, I just wanted to show off, I didn't expect this to escalate to such a serious level."
Soon, the news reached the Emperor's ears, and he was puzzled: "What? Niu Niu isn't Lady Ru's biological daughter?"
At this moment, the Empress, who had rushed over from the other side of the courtyard, stepped forward and stopped him: "What is it? Your Majesty, is it also about this Niu Niu?"
The Emperor glanced at her and said, "Even though Niu Niu wasn't born to the Lady, does that mean she has nothing to do with the royal family?"
"How can it not be related? Your Majesty, have you forgotten? It was you who gave me that jade pendant, and I gave it to the child. If Niu Niu had such a jade pendant, wouldn't she know?"
The emperor frowned slightly: "How could this be? How could such a coincidence happen?"
Liang Shuyan followed, hesitated for a moment at the door. "Niu Niu used to have a piece of jade, but it was accidentally broken in half. Worried it might hurt Niu Niu, we didn't bring it with us!"
Liang Shuyan held a purplish-red box with a line of warm, jade-like characters written on it. When she opened the box, she found a jade pendant that had been broken in two. When put back together, it formed the character "正" (zhèng).
Liang Shuyan clutched the purplish-red box tightly, her palms sweating slightly. She hesitated, her gaze shifting between Niu Niu and the jade pendant. The jade pendant, warm and smooth as jade, had once been Niu Niu's most cherished treasure, but unfortunately, it had been broken in two. Liang Shuyan worried that the incomplete pendant might harm Niu Niu.
"Mommy, is this my jade pendant?" Niu Niu asked curiously, pointing at the box.
Liang Shuyan swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice calm, "Yes, Niu Niu, this is your jade pendant. But it's broken, and I was afraid you'd get hurt, so..."
Niu Niu took the box and carefully picked up the two halves of the jade pendant, a hint of disappointment flashing across her face. But quickly, she raised her head, smiled, and said to Liang Shuyan, "Mother, even though the jade pendant is broken, it can still protect me. I will take good care of it."
The Empress walked over curiously and found that the jade lying in the brocade box was indeed the same piece of jade. Although it was broken in two, when put back together, it formed a perfect character!
The Empress's gaze was fixed on the jade, her eyes flashing with surprise and curiosity. She approached the brocade box lightly, the jade's warmth and luster filling the air. The Empress gently picked up the jade from the box and carefully held it in her palm.
The jade shattered into two pieces, yet they resembled a pair of lovers embracing, forming a perfect upright character when put together. A knowing glint flashed in the Empress's eyes; she seemed to see the man's heroic figure wielding his sword in the rainy night, and also his deep affection for the woman.
A complex mix of emotions welled up within her—a mixture of gratitude, relief, and a touch of melancholy. This piece of jade seemed to carry too many stories of the past; all the joys and tears of yesteryear were perfectly encapsulated in that single character.
The Emperor's eyes lit up, and he stared in astonishment: "I can't believe it, Your Highness, where did this come from?"
The woman stammered, "Your Majesty, it was something left by Niu Niu's parents. It was accidentally broken, so I specially prepared an exquisite box to put the jade in!"
The tea lady carefully held the exquisite box, her hands trembling slightly. Her face was pale, and her eyes held a hint of fear. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her inner tension.
“Your Majesty, this is something left behind by Niu Niu’s parents; it’s a jade pendant.” Lady Cha’s voice trembled slightly. She knew that this jade pendant was of great significance to the royal family, and she also understood the seriousness of the mistake she had made.
"I accidentally broke it..." Her voice trailed off, as if she were even afraid of her own voice.
The tea lady knelt before the Emperor, presenting the exquisite box with both hands. She closed her eyes tightly, silently reciting words of apology. The Emperor took the box, opened it, glanced inside, and his expression changed slightly.
The Emperor's eyes reddened, and he wept with joy: "Really? So, Niu Niu really is the child we've lost for so many years?"
The air in the hall seemed to freeze instantly, leaving only the Emperor's voice echoing in the empty space. The faces of the ministers were filled with astonishment. Niu Niu, the princess they had thought had been dead for years, was actually alive!
Tears streamed down the Emperor's aged face as he excitedly grasped the hand of the minister who had brought the news. "Really? Is this truly my and the Empress's sweetheart princess?"
Tears streamed down the Emperor's aged face. He excitedly grasped the hand of the minister who had brought the news, repeatedly asking, "Really? Is this really my and the Empress's sweetheart princess?"
The minister nodded solemnly and said, "It is absolutely true. I saw the princess's portrait from a thousand miles away. Although it was only for a moment, I can confirm that it is Your Majesty and the Empress's princess."
A glint of light flashed in the Emperor's aged eyes. He grasped the minister's hand tightly, as if he had found a long-lost treasure. He murmured, "Sweet Princess, you've finally returned." Tears welled up in his eyes again, as if he wanted to pour out all the longing and pain he had endured over the years.
Liang Shuyan felt empty inside. She couldn't believe that her beloved daughter, who had lived with her for so long, had suddenly become the emperor's darling. She felt a pang of heartache and reluctance to part with her, and tears streamed down her face.
She watched her youngest daughter's petite figure recede into the distance, her heart filled with mixed emotions. That little girl who once nestled in her arms was now about to soar to the highest peak of imperial power. Tears streamed down Liang Shuyan's face, dripping onto her clothes and leaving deep stains.
She remembered her little girl's innocent laughter, and her bright eyes—eyes that once belonged only to her. Now, those eyes would gaze upon a wider world, a world she could never reach.
The Emperor glanced at Liang Shuyan, then burst into laughter: "What a coincidence! I never imagined I would meet my beloved princess here. It's all thanks to you, Lady Liang! Reward her! She must be richly rewarded!"
Upon hearing the Emperor's words, a shy joy flashed in Liang Shuyan's eyes. She lowered her head bashfully, her fingers gently fiddling with her dress, her blush making her even more captivating. The surrounding ministers echoed the Emperor's words, and for a moment, the hall was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.
The Emperor looked at Liang Shuyan with eyes full of affection. He stood up, walked to Liang Shuyan's side, gently put his hand on her shoulder, and said with a smile, "Sweet Princess, do you know? You have always been in my heart and have never left."
Liang Shuyan raised her head, her eyes filled with emotion. She smiled gently, a smile as warm and bright as the spring sunshine. The Emperor looked at her, a deep love welling up in his heart. He held Liang Shuyan's hand tightly, as if time had stopped at that moment.
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