Chapter 683 The two prepare to fake their deaths
The two of them are now gradually taking over palace affairs, and are even busier than Zhou Ruiyuan and Du Wanchun.
Du Wanchun got up and asked Granny Zhuang to set out bowls and chopsticks for the two of them.
Cheng Wan'er bowed respectfully to Du Wanchun and Zhou Ruiyuan, saying, "Your daughter-in-law greets Father Emperor and Mother Empress."
Du Wanchun waved to her, "We're family, no need for formalities. Since no one's around now, you can call us Father and Mother."
Cheng Wan'er was very polite, having developed a cautious nature since childhood, but she was also poised and generous. Without any hesitation, she bowed again to Du Wanchun and the others, saying, "Father, Mother."
That cry of "Father" and "Mother" touched the hearts of Du Wanchun and Zhou Ruiyuan.
The two men exchanged a smile, making no attempt to hide their affection for their daughter-in-law.
Yi'er and Wan'er are not old, and although they married early, they are both capable of handling things on their own.
Du Wanchun was very pleased that the two of them had such a good marriage.
Mianmian turned her head to the side and poured Wan'er a cup of peach blossom wine.
This was brewed by her own hands.
Cheng Wan'er doted on her sister-in-law very much. Although she didn't drink alcohol, she finished her drink in one gulp.
With the whole family gathered, the family dinner became lively.
The four children seemed to be just like they were back then, playing and frolicking in the yard.
Zhou Ruiyuan put his arm around Du Wanchun's shoulder and said slowly, "Unconsciously, the children have grown up."
Du Wanchun turned her head and looked at Zhou Ruiyuan's newly grown white hair. "Yes, we're getting old."
Zhou Ruiyuan quickly replied, "You won't get old."
Du Wanchun laughed and said, "Who said I won't get old? You've forgotten, we promised to grow old together. How can I let you grow old alone?"
Zhou Ruiyuan's heart skipped a beat, and he hugged her tighter, speaking slowly in a voice only the two of them could hear: "But I hope even more that you can live a long, long life."
Du Wanchun did not reply, her face full of gentle smiles.
Zhou Ruiyuan held her hand tightly and poured her some peach blossom wine as well.
“Wanchun, I heard from Mianmian that she learned how to make peach blossom wine from her grandmother. Why don’t we go and learn it too?”
Du Wanchun's eyes lit up. "Okay."
Mianmian and Yu'er were eating and joking around, completely unaware of their parents' decision.
Three months later.
Yu'er officially became the head manager of the Zhou family and the wealthiest merchant in the capital.
From that day on, his residence outside the palace was almost constantly visited by matchmakers.
However, Yu'er rejected them all.
He's focused on making money right now and doesn't seem interested in marriage. Besides, he's young and hasn't yet grasped the complexities of romantic relationships.
Du Wanchun and Zhou Ruiyuan were not in a hurry.
Their most important task now is to step down.
When Yi'er heard Zhou Ruiyuan mention this, she wasn't very shocked, but she kept trying to persuade him to stay.
"Father, Mother, how about we wait another two years before leaving?"
Zhou Ruiyuan patted his shoulder and said, "Yi'er, you are more suitable for this position than your father. I think if you become the emperor, the people will be able to live and work in peace and contentment."
He spent most of his life trying to clear the name of the Lu family, and now that he has succeeded, he no longer has any attachment to power.
He now has something more important.
Zhou Ruiyuan turned his head to look at Du Wanchun beside him.
He wanted to spend the rest of his life on Du Wanchun.
Upon hearing this, Yi'er hesitated, her eyes deep in thought.
Zhou Ruiyuan thought he was still unwilling, so he continued, "Don't worry, we will still come back to see you and Wan'er in the future."
Yi'er nodded.
More than his father's abdication, he was reluctant to part with them.
We can see each other every day now, but in the future we may only see each other once every year, two or three years.
No matter how sensible and intelligent he is, he is still a child who has only recently left his parents.
Du Wanchun approached him and said, "If you miss us, write to us and we will come back."
Yi'er wiped the gloom from her face and nodded, "Father, Mother, I understand."
Du Wanchun smiled with satisfaction.
Although she plans to retire and live in seclusion with Zhou Ruiyuan, she will still protect these children, just as her parents are protecting her now.
After explaining things to Yi'er, Zhou Ruiyuan began to plan how to abdicate.
He is in his prime and cannot abdicate directly. Doing so would only cause unrest in the court and make some ministers resent Yi'er's rule.
Finally, he came up with an idea: to fake his death.
This method was approved by Du Wanchun.
The two of them immediately informed the children.
A month later, as the weather gradually warmed up, Zhou Ruiyuan took Du Wanchun to the imperial palace to escape the summer heat.
It was a seemingly ordinary trip, and no one had any doubts about it.
On their second night at the palace.
A fire broke out in Zhou Ruiyuan and Du Wanchun's bedroom.
"Fire!"
"The Emperor and Empress are still inside!"
"Fire! Help!"
The fire caused panic among the ministers, who were rushing to put it out.
Zhou Ruiyuan and Du Wanchun had already boarded the carriage and were heading to Cheng'an County with their luggage.
Du Wanchun opened the sedan chair and looked up at the capital city behind her, saying slowly, "We came here in this carriage with the children, but now it's just the two of us returning."
Zhou Ruiyuan, driving the carriage, chuckled slowly, "Who said there were two people?"
Du Wanchun turned her head and looked at him in confusion, "Ruiyuan, what do you mean by that?"
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