Chapter 340 Abandon this body in exchange for freedom
The six newlyweds were still wearing their wedding dresses and standing in front of the bed in Changqiu Palace, appearing to be a festive occasion. However, the atmosphere in the palace was extremely depressing, and many princesses had already begun to cry.
Perhaps it was because his wish to see them get married with his own eyes had been fulfilled, Xuan Shen'an's tense spirit relaxed. He managed to hold on until the end of the banquet, but then he fell ill and looked even more gloomy.
Several people knelt on the ground, grabbing her hands and the corners of her robe, trying to grasp the vain hope of life, but it was in vain.
Xuan Shen'an struggled to sit up and pushed Emperor Wen's arms away: "Your Majesty, I have never regretted marrying you and being your queen for half my life. I only hope that we will not meet again in the next life..."
He Zhaojun tried hard to squeeze out some space for Long Feibai and Doctor Sun to see the patients. The two looked at each other and shook their heads. Long Feibai said nothing but gestured towards He Zhaojun.
He Zhaojun breathed a sigh of relief. This meant she could be saved. However, she knew that Xuan Shen'an no longer wanted to be the empress, nor did she want to be caught between Emperor Wen and Concubine Yue and endure all kinds of suffering. She could save her body, but she could not save her soul.
The only thing that can bring her body and mind back to life is freedom.
That night, the Changqiu white flag was hoisted high, and the queen announced that Shen'an had passed away.
However, according to Xuan Shen'an's wishes before her death, the funeral was no longer held in a grand manner. Her body was kept for three days before she was buried. She would not be buried in the imperial mausoleum, but in a beautiful place chosen as her final resting place. Shao Shang would then escort her hair crown back to her hometown to end her regrets in this life.
"Zikun, Yuji, since this is what Shen'an meant before he died, then you two should set off immediately and take a boat to Jiaodong." Emperor Wen was also quite tired. He knew that Xuan Shen'an had prepared this matter a long time ago, and it seemed that he still couldn't let go of Zikun.
Wen Zikun and Jin Yuji exchanged a glance, then accepted the order and went to pack their bags. After the two had left, Emperor Wen coughed lightly and said, "Come out, they've already left."
He Zhaojun emerged from behind the screen and, just as she had done when she pleaded for Shao Shang and requested to go to Shouchun, she politely bowed to Emperor Wen and said, "Thank you, Father, for your help."
She knew that if she wanted Xuan Shen'an to go to Jiaodong with Wen Zikun and Jin Yuji and live a truly free and unrestrained life in the mountains and countryside, she had to fake her death and leave the capital, completely severing her connection with Emperor Wen.
All of this needed Emperor Wen's help. He would rather let Xuan Shen'an go free, shoulder the rest of the responsibilities himself, and never see the man he had been sleeping with for many years again.
"I have much to thank you for." Emperor Wen extended his hand and lightly supported He Zhaojun. "Ever since Shen An asked to be deposed, my guilt towards her has only deepened. If this can give her happiness for the rest of her life, that would be all the better."
He rubbed his brows and said, "Shao Shang is going to visit his homeland. He will not return to the palace. Instead, he plans to travel around, appreciate the spring and autumn, and understand the winter and summer. If there is a war, he will go to the border with Zisheng to guard it. Please see them off for me."
He Zhaojun obeyed the order and went out, only to find Shaoshang standing at the palace gate, as if she had heard everything they had said. "Sister Zhaojun, I never thought you had done so much for us without me knowing."
"Whether it was for me and Zisheng, or because you asked Long Feibai to help the Queen escape...for all of this, I still don't know how to thank you enough."
He Zhaojun just smiled and said: "There is no more Queen Xuan in the world. From now on, she is just Xuan Shen'an."
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