Niu Niu was reluctantly dressed up, wearing a bright red dress, and was helped by two maids to get into the carriage while crying. Only then did the procession leave in a grand manner.
Niu Niu's carriage left the manor, the sound of its wheels rolling particularly jarring in the morning silence.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the carriage curtain, dappling Niu Niu's tearful eyes; her face was as pale as paper.
Wearing a bright red dress, she looked particularly striking; the intense color resembled blood, stinging her eyes.
Two maids carefully supported her as the journey was bumpy. Her small hands were clenched tightly, and her nails dug deep into her flesh.
The carriage moved slowly along the country road. In the fields beside the road, the newly sprouted rice seedlings shone brightly green, and beyond the fields lay villages shrouded in the morning mist. Everything seemed so peaceful and serene.
However, Niu Niu's heart was filled with unease and fear. She looked at the scenery flowing outside the window, and tears silently streamed down her face.
Her heart was filled with helplessness and despair, like a rice seedling blown by the wind, unable to control its own destiny.
As the carriage drove further and further away, only dust swirled on the country road, as if it were Niu Niu's helpless weeping and sorrow.
Liang Shuyan's voice was a little hoarse. She stepped forward and gently helped Grandma Jin up, as if trying to soothe the old woman's grief with her warmth. Her voice was soft but tinged with helplessness, as if telling an unchangeable truth.
“Mother, don’t be sad.” Liang Shuyan’s eyes were slightly red. “Niu Niu is a sensible child. She would never want you to be so sad. From now on, she will be the Sweet Princess, the princess we can only hear about in stories. She will fly high and perhaps fly far. We may never see her again. Even if we do, we must treat her as a princess and never call her by her name.”
The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the two of them, casting a golden glow over this sorrowful moment.
Grandma Jin leaned silently on Liang Shuyan's shoulder, two lines of clear tears sliding down her deeply wrinkled cheeks.
In the distance, Niu Niu, the little girl next door, has now become the princess in people's eyes. Her figure appears so lonely and resolute in the sunset.
Jin Dashan held his mother's hand tightly, his body trembling, his voice trembling. He looked up at the sky, as if he could see his sister Niu Niu smiling in the clouds. His eyes were filled with love and longing.
“Mother, don’t be sad,” Dashan said softly. “Look, Niu Niu is a sweet princess now. She’s wearing the most beautiful dress and the most dazzling crown. She must be very happy now.”
He paused, took a deep breath, and continued, "Although she has left us, I believe that Niu Niu becoming a princess will bring good luck to our entire village. Look, the children in the village are smiling so happily and innocently every day now. This is the most precious gift Niu Niu left us."
Liu's worries hung over everyone's hearts like dark clouds.
Jin Erniu and Jin Sanwang remained silent, watching Niu Niu's small figure gradually disappear into the distance, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.
They understood that Niu Niu's departure might be the beginning of a new chapter in her life, but it also left them with a faint sense of loss.
Zhang and Liu huddled together, their eyes filled with worry and reluctance. They feared that the Empress's unpredictable mind would bring unforeseen disaster to their family.
Liang Shuyan stood to the side, her eyes gleaming with determination and resolve.
She knew that no matter what the future held, she would protect this family and her loved ones.
Behind me, the clatter of horses' hooves broke the morning's tranquility.
Su Ling rode a swift horse at breakneck speed. His gaze was unwavering, fixed on Liang Shuyan, as if he wanted to etch her image deeply into his heart.
"Madam, this is something from the Emperor, along with an imperial edict, thanking you for your kindness in treating Princess Sweetheart as your own daughter. Rest assured, the Huang family will always be grateful to you, to Daling Village, and to Jing'an County!" Su Ling handed a yellow brocade box to Liang Shuyan. His voice was low but full of strength.
Liang Shuyan took the brocade box, her hands trembling slightly.
Su Ling has been in Daling Village for so many years and has gotten to know Liang Shuyan. There is no distinction between them in terms of rank, but who can guess the Empress's feelings?
Liang Shuyan took the brocade box, her hands trembling slightly, as if this small box carried a heavy burden.
Su Ling looked at her, a sense of respect welling up in her heart.
He knew that although this woman was just an ordinary peasant woman, she had a tenacious and unyielding heart.
Her love and care for Princess Sweetheart was not only because she was the emperor's daughter, but also because she was Liang Shuyan's darling.
"Your Highness!" Liang Shuyan's voice trembled slightly.
“Although I, Liang Shuyan, am just a country girl, I understand His Majesty’s meaning. I will take good care of Princess Sweetheart and ensure that she does not suffer any injustice.”
Liang Shuyan hugged Sweetheart Princess tightly, her eyes filled with determination.
She looked up at Lord Su, her voice trembling but full of strength, "Your Highness, I know why you have come. Although I, Liang Shuyan, am just a country girl, I understand His Majesty's intentions. I will dedicate all my efforts to taking care of Princess Sweetheart and ensure she suffers no injustice."
The scene shifts to Liang Shuyan's small house, where she carefully wipes away Princess Sweetheart's tears, gently pats her back, and softly comforts her.
The sunlight streaming through the window fell upon them, warm and peaceful.
Liang Shuyan's eyes were filled with the light of maternal love. She told the sweet princess in her own way that this was her home, and she would always be surrounded by love and warmth.
"Madam, although you call yourself a commoner, with your official rank, you are at least a low-ranking official of the ninth grade. Why do you call yourself a commoner? Rest assured, after I return to the palace, if there is any trouble on the Empress Dowager's side, I and Princess Sweetheart will take care of it. Farewell!"
Su Ling rode his white horse, his figure gradually disappearing in the afterglow of the setting sun.
The fields stretched out in the twilight, a vast expanse of desolation. A gentle breeze swept by, carrying a hint of coolness, yet also an overwhelming sense of hope.
Su Ling's heart was firm; he knew his choice was right, and he believed he could bring a better life to the people of this land.
He looked up into the distance, his eyes shining with determination.
He knew the road ahead was long, but he was confident he could keep going. As the sound of hooves faded into the distance, his figure disappeared into the horizon, leaving behind only a silent field and endless anticipation.
Liang Shuyan walked slowly, as if a piece of her heart was missing. She struggled to take her first steps and walked slowly toward Daling Village.
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