Chapter 678 Mother and Daughter Reunited! Mother and Son Separated!
Duan Rongshi did not deny it.
He asked, "Did you suddenly get involved in the struggle for the throne, or had you been planning it for many years?"
Mentioning this secret, a hint of hatred flashed in Duan Xiyue's eyes.
"If I said... it was a sudden impulse, would you believe me, my elder sister?"
Duan Rongshi nodded: "I believe you."
Xi Yue's eyes instantly reddened.
She lowered her head and wiped her eyes. "When I was young, if it weren't for your mother's genuine care for me, I, Xiyue, would probably never have had even a few moments of happiness in my life."
“Back then, my mother was forced to her death by them. I survived by begging for my life, and that's how I managed to live under that vile woman’s thumb.”
"Father is such a selfish and hypocritical villain, haven't you known all these years, Fifth Brother?"
"It was clearly because he wanted the power of the Gao family that my mother, whose family background was not prominent, was killed by them in collusion."
"This way, my mother can relinquish her position as the Crown Prince's principal wife, allowing him to marry a woman from the Gao family and gain a greater chance of succeeding to the throne!"
"But isn't my mother pitiful too?"
"Back then, my grandfather doted on the Imperial Concubine Dowager and even considered changing the heir apparent. The Imperial Concubine Dowager even framed my father, who was imprisoned in the Eastern Palace for a whole year to reflect on his actions and could not be released."
"That year, the Crown Prince's Palace couldn't even get a pot of decent charcoal."
"Sometimes we can only eat rotten vegetable leaves, and we don't see any meat for three to five days."
"If it weren't for Mother and me accompanying Father through those hard times, he would have died from a plague long ago!"
"But he took the opportunity to kill his mother... just like he killed Consort Yue back then."
"So how could I not hate him all these years?"
"I finally managed to marry the prince consort I loved with the help of Consort Yue. Because I didn't marry that纨绔庶子 (spoiled illegitimate son) of the Gao family, the Gao family hates me."
"So later, because of her instigation and framing, our family displeased the Emperor and was exiled to the Northwest for nearly ten years!"
How could I not hate them both?
"When he returned, even though the place was bustling with activity and adorned with flowers, the prince consort was being targeted by the Gao family at every turn, and the emperor turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to it."
How could I not hate it?
"Fifth brother. After Duan Rongyin died, you originally held great power, and your elder sister was very happy that you got that position."
"Because I know that if you ascend the throne, you will not mistreat me, and I will be able to hold my head high and have a few truly happy days."
"But you suddenly left, you suddenly disappeared."
"I was completely flustered, knowing that no matter who came to power, I would not be able to get what I wanted!"
"I, Duan Xiyue, naturally didn't want them to have an easy time either, which is why I brought that witch doctor from the Western Regions here, and the thought arose that I couldn't rule the world!"
"I, Duan Xiyue, no longer need to rely on or expect anything from anyone. I will avenge myself!"
"Coincidentally, our cowardly father thought he could control the imperial power and wanted to use me to check the third prince."
"So I held his life in my hands, while he thought he was still using my ambition."
"As for the Gao family, I agree with the third brother on this point. The entire Gao family was eradicated. I tortured the Gao family for three whole months before finally killing her with a single blow in front of my mother's grave."
"It's just a pity that Father didn't die by my hand; instead, my third brother and I were both severely injured..."
Hearing this, Duan Rongshi finally spoke, saying, "He did indeed die at your hands."
"The sandalwood from the Western Regions that your witch doctor used on him prolonged his life, but as soon as the incense was stopped and removed, he died in less than half an hour."
"Your Majesty, you avenged yourself."
Upon hearing this, Duan Xiyue finally burst into a few hearty laughs.
"good!"
"Mother... Your son has not failed you."
"It's just so pitiful for my husband. He was always devoted to me and loved me deeply. And my three children with him, I couldn't save any of them..."
"What kind of wife am I? What kind of mother am I?"
"I'm the one who killed them..."
Xi Yue covered her face and broke down in tears.
Until a small hand gently pulled Xiyue's finger.
"aunt?"
"Auntie, don't cry. Wipe your tears—"
Her delicate white hands wiped away the tears on Xi Yue's face.
Seeing the lively and adorable Fangfang, Xiyue couldn't resist hugging her tightly.
"I regret it—"
"I truly regret it—I shouldn't have sent my Nanping to the Western Regions—"
"I shouldn't have impulsively entered the palace without properly settling my husband and two children."
"It's all my fault."
"I thought I could win."
"I thought if I won, my family could be reunited—"
"It was my arrogance that ruined my family who loved me the most..."
Li Qingluo couldn't bear to look at the heartbroken princess.
She told her the truth: "Nanping is not dead."
Xi Yue: "You don't need to lie to me."
“Those people from the Western Regions locked her in a sheepfold; how could she possibly survive?”
"After I kill Duan Rongjue, I will go down to find them... Our family will finally be able to reunite down there."
Li Qingluo handed Duan Xiyue a handkerchief: "It's true, Princess."
"I personally rescued Nanping."
"She has forgotten some things. So, she is still with my grandmother and grandfather at the border, and my grandfather personally treats her."
Duan Xiyue was so shocked that tears welled up in her eyes.
"Are you... are you telling the truth?"
"Li, no, sister-in-law, are you telling the truth?"
"You really saved my Nanping?"
"My Nanping isn't dead?"
"She's still alive? She came back from the Western Regions alive?"
"Sister-in-law, is this true? You're not lying to me, are you?"
"If it's true, how can I possibly thank you for your immense kindness?"
Duan Xiyue was both nervous and excited, and for a moment she didn't even know whether to cry or laugh.
She became flustered, her words tumbling out incoherently and her expression shifting rapidly.
I was so overwhelmed with joy that I didn't know what to do.
Li Qingluo comforted her, saying, "I saved Nanping because of our bond."
"No need for thanks, Your Highness."
"If the Empress Dowager has settled matters in the capital and wishes to see her, we can arrange for you to go to the border to reunite with her."
"How you live your life from now on is up to you, my sister."
Duan Xiyue nodded repeatedly, wiping away the tears on her face.
"Okay, okay, whatever you say is fine."
She hugged Fangfang tightly in her arms.
"Fangfang, you're such a lucky star!"
"Auntie loves you so much."
"You have such wonderful father and mother, your aunt is truly grateful to them!"
Duan Xiyue was secretly sent to the imperial prison.
Upon seeing her, Duan Rongjue was scared half to death.
"What...what do you want to do?"
"I am, after all, the former crown prince of the previous dynasty; you cannot touch me—"
Duan Xiyue, long sword in hand and a cold smile on her lips, transformed into a demon and entered the prison cell...
When she emerged covered in blood, the people Duan Rongshi had arranged were already waiting to meet her.
She knelt down and kowtowed several times in the direction of Zhaoyang Palace.
"This sinful woman, Duan Xiyue, kowtows to thank Your Majesty and the Empress for their great kindness."
"With you as emperor and empress, it is a blessing for all people. I, Duan Xiyue, have no regrets in this life."
After speaking, she stood up, turned her back to the direction of the rising sun, and rode swiftly out of the imperial city, leaving behind Jinling, a place rife with power struggles and intrigues.
From then on, we were separated by vast distances and never saw each other again.
Upon learning that the Princess had left Jinling, Li Qingluo instructed her escorts to ensure her safety.
It wasn't until after spring had arrived that they received news that Duan Xiyue had already arrived in Mantuo City.
It is said that after Duan Xiyue and Nanping reunited, Nanping actually recognized the person in front of her as her mother.
But I still can't remember many things from the past.
Duan Xiyue cried and hugged her, calling her "my darling" repeatedly.
"It's good that you can't remember, it's better that you can't remember..."
"From now on, your mother will stay by your side and we'll live a good life together..."
Duan Xiyue settled down in Mantuo City.
However, Madam Pei and Luo Fan planned to visit the Kingdom of Lanhai.
I heard that the customs and traditions there are quite different from those in the Central Plains, and that Duan Rong passed the throne of Lan Hai to Fang Fang as soon as she was born.
Now, Duan Qingwu, the eldest princess of the Great Yue Kingdom, is only two years old, yet she is already a queen.
In the Kingdom of Lanhai, female rulers are a very common occurrence.
This made Madam Pei even more curious, so whenever she had a spare moment, she insisted on going there.
Duan Xiyue immediately agreed and took Nanping with her.
I heard they are having a great time in Lanhai.
Nanping even gradually regained his former intelligence.
Madam Pei also had plans to settle in Lanhai Kingdom.
Li Qingluo wrote several letters urging him to hurry up.
She missed her grandmother, so she wanted her grandmother to return to Jinling to enjoy her old age.
However, before they could even set off, Lanhai Kingdom was attacked by a small kingdom in the Western Regions.
Lan Hai, thanks to Duan Rongshi, is now famous throughout the land as the King of Lan Hai.
Who in the world doesn't know that there is a Kingdom of Lanhai?
Therefore, many small countries in the Western Regions wanted to test the waters and even take the opportunity to annex Lanhai.
Kelanhai is no pushover either.
With the help of Madam Pei, they launched a counterattack.
However, no one expected that the small kingdom in the Western Regions could be so audacious, because it was instigated and assisted by the former subordinates of the Luandi clan.
Therefore, this battle is not easy to fight, nor is it easy to win.
In one siege, Madam Pei was trapped on the battlefield until she was unable to escape.
Just then, to Madam Pei's surprise, Li Chaojing, who had gone to Lanhai with her, suddenly rode his horse and led his troops into the battlefield.
He seemed to have woken up at some point without realizing it.
When they were rescuing Madam Pei from the battlefield, a general from the Luan Di clan grabbed the mother and son and held on tightly.
In order to allow Madam Pei to escape, Li Chaojing gave her the horse.
"Mother, hurry!"
He slapped the horse's rump hard, sending Madam Pei out of the encirclement.
In an attempt to hold off the pursuers, he was pierced through by swords and spears and died.
Upon witnessing this scene, Madam Pei cried out in anguish, "Jing'er—"
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