The weather in Jiankang has been cold these past two years, and the cold wind blows the snowflakes in the garden, making a swishing sound.
Shuangyue carried the freshly made pastries from the small kitchen, walked around the long corridor, and entered the palace.
The person in front of the imperial table was already asleep. She sighed, walked over, draped the cloak over the person's back, and carefully tidied up everything on the table.
Last year, after learning of His Majesty's tragic news, the Empress fell seriously ill and remained bedridden. However, with the court in turmoil and border wars raging, everyone was eyeing the throne.
That night, when she went in to serve as usual, she found that the person lying on the couch was gone. After searching for a long time, she found the Empress under the acacia tree in the back garden.
Night had fallen, and the moon overhead illuminated the entire garden. Albizia julibrissin seeds were scattered on the ground beneath the trees. A woman dressed in white leaned against a tree, quietly gazing at the bright moon in the sky.
She was startled and rushed over to call for help, "Your Majesty—"
Hearing the sound, the Empress looked up at her. Her face was fair and slender, but her eyes were so clear, flowing with a light that she couldn't understand. "He is not dead."
She paused slightly, unsure of what to say.
But from then on, the Empress was supposed to eat and sleep as usual, and she took meticulous care of the two little princes every day.
The little prince is very mischievous, always making a ruckus and babbling. But only at these times will the Empress show a happy smile, not a superficial calm, but a genuine smile from the heart.
It's thanks to the two princes by the Empress's side that the palace isn't so desolate.
The Empress would often read through the battle reports and memorials sent from various places.
At night, he would always be writing something by lamplight. When she was serving him, she glanced at his notes and saw that he had written a thick stack of things, including water conservancy policies, land reclamation and construction, and the building of arsenals.
She asked a few more questions, and the Empress said that in this chaotic world, local government and private industries are declining, people cannot live in peace, and the economy is not prosperous. When His Majesty returns, these policies can be vigorously implemented, and grain can be stored and cultivated on the border to maintain military supplies.
-----
It was September, and in the afternoon, it snowed again. The north wind swirled the snowflakes under the eaves of the hall, creating layers of white snow.
When Chu Changning woke up, she saw the nanny run in and say with difficulty, "The little prince is crying again and is making a fuss about finding the Empress."
She got up, put on a fox fur coat, and hurried to the warm pavilion next door.
Ayu has moved to the nearby Qingzhi Palace, so this warm pavilion has been vacated for her younger brother to live in.
The child was very mischievous. As soon as he woke up, he wanted to find his mother. When he saw someone come in, his eyes lit up instantly, and he tried to jump off the bed.
Chu Changning had a headache. He rushed over like a gust of wind, caught him, and held him in his arms.
The little prince is very attached to his mother. As soon as he hugs her, he babbles and calls out to her, covering his face with drool while giggling.
A while ago, Mr. Liang came to Jiankang and brought her some bottles and jars of medicine. She didn't use them often, so she put them in a drawer.
The little kid, I don't know how he found it, was very excited. He smelled it, poured some hallucinogenic drugs into the pond in the garden, and it bewitched all the fish in the pond.
Later, she became very interested and always looked for them to play with. Fearing something might happen, she hid them all in a high tower, but somehow the child found them all again.
She glanced at the bottles and jars on the small couch, then instructed people to tidy them up before carrying her son back to Xuanming Palace.
The little prince is mischievous but also very clever. Despite his young age, he knows how to cling to his mother's neck and act cute. Every day when his older brother comes home, he holds his brother's hand and babbles, which makes everyone love him.
At the time, the child was too young for Chu Changning to leave, but now that he is over one year old and very close to his grandmother, she plans to send the child to Jianzhang Palace to be raised for a few months while she goes to the north.
When Cui Linyuan heard that she wanted to go to Tongguan in the north, his expression paused slightly.
Qingzhi Palace covers a vast area, with numerous pavilions, waterside terraces, and towers. Chu Changning stood under the waterside corridor on the second floor, smelling the fragrance of Du Ruo wafting from under the trees, and spoke softly.
"Tongguan is the last and final pass of the Great Qi. Regardless of whether the Northern Capital or the Western Regions wins, they will attack Tongguan."
"Once Tongguan is breached, the troops from the Western Regions will trample the city of Jiankang. The officials in the court who are indulging in a life of pleasure and the people under the emperor's nose will be crushed by the powerful iron cavalry, and the Great Qi will end up with the destruction of the country and the destruction of the family."
Cui Linyuan looked at the snow on the railing and said calmly, "Xie San is at Tongguan, Tongguan will not fall."
Chu Changning's voice remained unchanged, "With you taking care of Ayu, I'm not worried."
The blinding white light shone on the stone steps, casting dappled shadows. The cold wind rustled through the thousands of pavilions and towers, causing the wind chimes under the imperial eaves to tinkle.
Cui Linyuan's eyes narrowed like a fox's. "Has Your Majesty made up your mind?"
"yes."
"Are we going to see His Majesty?"
The air was heavy, and a strong wind swirled leaves onto the corridor. The magnificent hall seemed to be filled with the roars of wild beasts, but her voice was too faint to be heard, as if it were about to be carried away by the wind.
"He's not dead---"
The general from the north held Tongguan to the death, and there was no news from the north for a whole year. She wanted to go to find him, to go to Lichuan where he died, and to see him alive with her own eyes.
"Doesn't Prime Minister Cui also disbelieve in the death of a person?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Cui Linyuan suddenly chuckled, a rare smile appearing on his usually indifferent face.
"He's incredibly cunning."
Chu Changning remained silent, gazing quietly at the sycamore tree in the courtyard.
"Who does Your Majesty need to accompany you?"
"No need, I will take Xiao Yan with me."
Ayu stood outside the hall, listening to the sounds inside, her face serious, remaining silent.
Only a few people knew that Chu Changning had set off for the North. The little prince was making a fuss, so she dared not let him know. The night before she left, she sent her sleeping son to Jianzhang Palace. The Dragon Army's men were guarding the child, and with Shuangyue watching over him every step of the way, she felt at ease.
As for Ayu, with Cui Linyuan personally watching over her and Ye Ying guarding her, she will definitely be fine.
An'an had never left her side since birth, and she couldn't bear to part with her, so she kissed her again and again.
Ayu sat by the bed, holding her mother's hand tightly, without saying a word.
Chu Changning glanced at his son, who had grown up almost overnight, and felt a pang of sadness. He kissed his son's forehead and instructed him, "Don't keep anything to yourself. If anything happens, tell Prime Minister Cui."
Ayu nodded, looked at her sleeping younger brother, and assured her mother, "I will take good care of my brother."
Chu Changning felt a lump in her throat, but smiled and patted his head. "Take good care of yourself. Your mother will be back soon."
Will you come back with Father?
"---"
She forced a smile and said in a broad voice, "Yes, Father said he would bring A-Yu warhorses from the north, and he won't go back on his word."
No, he won't break his promise.
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