My Moonlight
Song Lingshan looked at the two people holding hands and smiling at the coronation ceremony, and the guilt and depression that had been accumulating in his heart for many days finally dissipated a little.
A long time had passed since the coup. But perhaps because what happened that day was unforgettable, every time I think of it, everything is still so fresh and vivid.
That night, Li Huan had just been treated when Song Tiao Tiao was in critical condition due to the onset of the poison. He was extremely anxious, and when he was distracted, Song Tiao Tiao disappeared from everyone's sight.
He looked at Gu Chengjue's empty arms for no reason, at a loss, and instinctively looked up for answers, but he only saw blood oozing from the corners of Gu Chengjue's lips.
At this moment, Song Lingshan felt dizzy and his eyes were dark as if his eyes were about to burst.
When he was about to fall, he was supported and brought into the hall amidst panic and noise.
Inside the hall, the once vigorous and powerful emperor of the Southern Dynasty seemed to be holding on to his last breath, but he was already on his deathbed, half-lying on the blood-stained dragon throne with his head drooping.
His usually clear eyes were now cloudy like a moon halo. He glanced at the important minister in front of him and said intermittently: "If Prince Ning wakes up, I will pass the throne to him immediately. If he doesn't wake up..."
At this point, his dim eyes wavered, and he rasped, "Gu Chenglang... Chenglang is still alive." He fixed his gaze on Song Lingshan, whose expression was gloomy. "Although he disobeyed me earlier because of his marriage, he is indeed a useful person who will not let his family and country down."
There might be someone in the palace who was wholeheartedly supporting the Third Prince. When he heard that the succession was finalized, his heart was burning with anxiety. He didn't care about standing firm and said palely, "Your Majesty, the Third Prince has now found a good medicine, and the poison is gradually being cured. He is still young and strong. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider..."
The old emperor swept a cold glance at the disgruntled crowd before him. His breathless voice completely extinguished the last shred of hope in their hearts: "Chengcan had long ago told me that he had no interest in politics... Moreover, he has been weak since childhood, and now he has been harmed by a traitor. It is even more unsuitable to worry about him...Zhen Guogong..."
Hearing this, Song Lingshan forced himself to concentrate, but he couldn't hide his sorrowful trance. "I'm here."
Seeing this, the old emperor's eyes gradually became empty due to his peace of mind. "I remember that Chengcan once liked to pester you to teach him martial arts. Unfortunately, he was born with deficiencies, and learning was just a matter of effort. But you have watched him grow up, so you can be considered half a master... I dragged my last breath to say this, and I do have selfish motives... From now on, Chengcan will be in your hands... Brother Song..."
As he spoke, his breath faded, his eyelids drooped. As he reflected on his life, he sighed, "I know I was wrong..."
"Father! Ahem...Father..."
As the mournful calling came closer and closer, and the emperor, whose consciousness was gradually fading, listened to the familiar voice of his young son, he could not help but gather all his strength, forced open his misty eyes, and took another look at the world.
Looking at flowers in the mist, the youngest son's face grew paler as he wept. He wanted to wipe his tears, but his hands were too weak to lift, and they continued to be wet with tears.
Helpless for the last time in his life, the old emperor had no intention of being stubborn. At this point, he said in a hoarse voice, "Chengcan, don't cry... I just need to go see your uncle and Cheng'an... I don't know if they will, as you said, refuse to recognize me..."
At this point, all the worries were settled and the emperor passed away.
When the palace door was opened again, the cry of "Your Majesty, the emperor has passed away—" announced to the world, and the ceremonial officer's loud shout pierced the dawn. The civil and military officials outside the palace who were anxiously waiting for the final decision all prostrated themselves on their knees, and the sound of mourning, like the rise and fall of waves, resounded throughout the heavens and the earth.
…
Ever since the death of the Southern Dynasty emperor who had ruled the country for twenty-one years, the solemn and dignified white has become the only background color in the capital of the Southern Dynasty.
Several days had passed since the news came from the palace. After a brief period of mourning, the new emperor, whom everyone had longed for, became the central topic of conversation among the people.
The late emperor had few children, leaving only two princes at his death. The crown prince, a man of great intelligence, died of illness in exile, accused of treason. The third prince, frail since childhood, was predicted to die before his thirties, making him incapable of major service.
The new emperor, who was about to ascend the throne, had accompanied his father on campaigns from a young age, demonstrating his wit and bravery, and a record of military exploits. Later, he also saved the emperor, earning him great praise, and the late emperor even made an exception for him, promising him the title of First Prince of the Ning Palace.
After rumors in the palace spread several times that the late emperor intended to adopt a son of the royal family as his son, Chenghuan became very popular for a time.
Yet, though he stood out from the crowd, he suffered the pain of exile due to complications. Now, having been cleared of his grievances and returned to the capital, he has been granted two imperial decrees, both oral and handwritten, by the late emperor. He is truly a man of heaven, legitimate and well-deserved, and the people's choice.
Not long after, the dull tolling of 30,000 funeral bells was replaced by the solemn and majestic music of the coronation ceremony.
Under the watchful eyes of the public, the new emperor Gu Chengjue and queen Song Tiaotiao ascended the throne hand in hand.
On the high platform, the two performed the Ceremony of Heaven and Earth and were about to follow the ceremonial officer's instructions to walk down the platform.
"Fortunately it's almost over..." Song Tiaotiao murmured in an almost inaudible voice to Gu Chengjue who was walking beside her.
Hearing this, Gu Chengjue's gentle eyes moved on Song Tiaotiao, who was dressed in gorgeous clothes: "Tiaotiao, are you tired? I will ask the ceremonial officer to finish it as soon as possible." After he finished speaking, the red brocade he was wearing fluttered in the wind as he walked forward, reflecting thousands of rays of light.
Seeing this, Song Tiaotiao hurriedly pulled Gu Chengjue's sleeve.
Feeling the fingertips gradually climbing up to his palm, Gu Chengjue stopped and looked back suddenly with a faint smile.
At that moment, Song Tiaotiao gazed intently at the graceful young emperor before her, her heart and soul filled with approval. After a moment, she chuckled softly, "Seeing you so full of energy, all my fatigue has vanished. Your hair is a little crooked... Let me straighten it for you..."
Hearing this, Gu Chengjue nodded gently. However, just as he was about to let out a hopeful smile, he saw Song Tiaotiao's raised hand linger in the air.
Seeing this, Gu Chengjue frowned slightly, and his eyes were fixed on Song Tiaotiao's eyes which were still calm.
In a moment, he opened his lips slightly, his voice quickening with nameless worry. "Tiaotiao, there's no need to worry about those so-called worldly rules and regulations. Our marriage is between us... and there's no need for anyone else to interfere or meddle."
Listening to the whisper in her ear, Song Tiaotiao's eyes flickered for a moment, and under Gu Chengjue's gaze, she straightened his hair crown.
But the hand that was about to fall was intercepted by Gu Chengjue in mid-air and held back in his palm.
Feeling the familiar body temperature, Song Tiaotiao glanced sideways at Gu Chengjue and smiled.
Gu Chengjue looked at Song Tiaotiao, who was smiling brightly, his eyes flickering a little, and leaned down and said softly: "Tiaotiao, I want to hug you."
"Are...here?" Song Tiaotiao opened her almond-shaped eyes wide and looked quietly at the huge crowd below the platform.
"They can't see this place from below the stage, and no one will spread the news of our relationship." Just as he finished speaking, Gu Chengjue saw the ceremonial officer walk several dozen meters away, as if understanding his intention. His smiling eyes secretly turned back to Song Tiaotiao, and he said in a warm and hopeful voice, "I have been looking forward to this day for two lifetimes. On the stage of blessing, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth will merge into one, and we who have been together all the way can also embrace and become one here."
Hearing the voice, Song Tiaotiao's eyes sparkled. After a moment, her hands followed the guidance of Gu Chengjue's hands and gradually climbed around Gu Chengjue's neck.
The moment they hugged each other, Song Tiaotiao's eyes swept across the satisfied smile on the corner of Gu Chengjue's lips. Her eyes moved quietly for a moment, and before Gu Chengjue's lips were about to open and close again, she lightly kissed the side of his lips.
The deafening heartbeat, at this moment, is like the countless fireworks dazzling in the night sky. The solemn rituals and music lingering around seem not enough to offset the intense throbbing sensation at this moment.
Song Tiaotiao felt the same way, and the person in her arms felt the same way.
After a moment of stunned silence, Gu Chengjue, who had rested his head on her neck, quietly rose from her embrace. He looked down at her, and in the blink of an eye, his eyes went from fluttering in bewilderment to a look of delighted excitement.
Their eyes met, and he gently stroked the place where Song Tiaotiao's lips had lingered with his fingertips. He seemed to be still immersed in the previous kiss, and asked with a faint smile: "Tiaotiao... did you kiss me just now...?"
Song Tiaotiao looked at the longing hidden deep in his eyes, held up Gu Chengjue's handsome face with both hands, and asked with a low smile: "Yes, is this enough? My moonlight."
…
Over the next six months, the new emperor, with a balanced approach of leniency and severity, knew how to employ people effectively, eliminating rebel factions and punishing corrupt officials, while externally quelling wars and recovering lost territory. The empress, compassionate and resourceful, initially addressed famines and provided disaster relief. Once the foundations were stabilized, she developed agriculture and trade and established a girls' school.
Across the country, officials are concerned about the country and the people, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. With everyone working together, the country is peaceful and prosperous.
As spring approaches, news of victory trickles in from the frontier. General Gu Chenglang of Fuyuan returns to the capital, and the new emperor abdicates, passing the throne to his brother.
Rituals and music shook the palace gates, changing dynasties and reaching the distant northern border.
"Tiaotiao! Look, you can see our newly built restaurants right here in your farmyard. I've been running the restaurants according to the instructions you gave me before I left, and we've made a killing. You'll see on your way back that our restaurants are now famous, if not world-renowned. Not only in the vast Northern Frontier, but also in major cities throughout the Northern Dynasty, dignitaries are vying for us to open restaurants in their areas!"
Song Tiaotiao listened to Jin Zhenjiao's joyful voice and smiled happily. "Isn't it all thanks to the great planning and meticulous management of the shopkeeper Jin, and the caravan of Brother Zhao who opened up trade routes for the restaurant and spread the word all the way? That's why I can see the Tiaotiao Restaurant today."
Hearing the familiar teasing, Jin Zhenjiao shook her head and smiled, "If it weren't for your superb culinary skills paving the way, no matter how many talents we have, they would be useless. By the way, Tiao Tiao, how long will you and Cheng Jue stay here this time? The villagers and the people who have received support from the food store miss you very much. People come to us from time to time to inquire about your family's situation."
Song Tiaotiao glanced at Gu Chengjue, who was chatting and laughing with Zhao Huaian in front of her, lowered her eyes and chuckled softly, "We want to stay longer this time... Let's open a restaurant in the Northern Dynasty."
Hearing this, Jin Zhenjiao thought about the affairs in the capital and had some thoughts in mind. However, because she knew that Song Tiaotiao and the others would not do anything without confidence, she did not ask too many questions. She just put her arm around Song Tiaotiao's shoulders, smiled softly at her face and said, "Well, well, it's been a long time since we last met. Now that we're meeting again, I have the ambition to expand the food shop."
…
Song Tiaotiao could feel that someone was in the dark, watching her silently.
The gaze was as warm as a lake, with a gentleness and tenderness that made people feel at ease. Therefore, she did not feel disgusted, but rather a little greedy.
Because... it looks like my mother's eyes...
This gaze has been there since the day Jingzhong regained consciousness.
However, whenever she asked the secret guards if they had noticed anything, everyone seemed unaware, as if she was the only one who could feel the watchful gaze.
To this end, Song Tiaotiao tried to shout "Mom" to the air, discussed with her master how to use points to bribe the neighboring system, and wrote a long letter to Chao Yue to express the strange situation she encountered...
Finally, on the sixth day after she insisted on calling "Mom" to the air, Song Tiaotiao received a bouquet of daylilies made with familiar techniques in the wild flower basket hanging in front of the courtyard gate.
It is bright and colorful, and is a flower that does not exist within a hundred miles.
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