"So that's how it is."
After hearing this, Yun Zhourong couldn't help but sigh.
She harbored some resentment towards the emperor; anyone would feel uncomfortable being treated so abruptly by a stranger.
However, after hearing Song Shuyi's words, she suddenly stopped caring so much.
The people of the Great Sheng Dynasty are now able to live in peace and prosperity thanks to the current emperor, who has lost his wife and children in the process, paying a heavy price.
"Moreover, His Majesty has always been a man of integrity. Although he has held many imperial concubine selections over the years, the noble ladies who enter the palace are just going through the motions. Except for a few people with vested interests, they are basically all rejected."
Song Shuyi continued, "Furthermore, the position of Empress has been vacant for many years. The highest-ranking Empress is Consort Chen, the mother of the current eldest princess, and Consort Xian, the mother of the eldest prince. There are only five concubines left. This makes him the emperor with the fewest concubines in history."
“I know Consort Chen. I heard that before the current emperor was born, a wandering Taoist priest gave a prophecy that he was destined to be an emperor, but the country would not last long. However, if he could protect his first daughter, she would be a lucky star and lead the country to unprecedented glory.”
Yun Zhourong continued, "Therefore, even though this eldest princess is now acting eccentrically and domineeringly, and I've heard that she keeps quite a few male lovers, the emperor still dotes on her quite a bit."
“That’s right, exactly.” Song Shuyi nodded, his eyes clearly showing his disdain.
He couldn't see any extraordinary qualities in that eldest princess and didn't believe she could bring good fortune to the Dasheng Dynasty.
On the contrary, after spending these days together, he learned that Yun Zhourong had been helping the people along the way after being exiled, which made him seem more like a lucky star of the Dasheng Dynasty.
However, he only thought about it and dared not say it out loud.
"Forget it, the Emperor's family affairs are none of our business. Although his actions today are understandable, Ruan Ruan doesn't want to enter the palace as a concubine. It would be safer for us to leave first," Ji Minxiu said calmly.
"Miss Yun, the late Empress held an extraordinary position in the Emperor's heart. He even thinks you resemble her, so you must really look very much like the late Empress. If you enter the palace, you will surely be favored!"
Song Shuyi looked at Yun Zhourong and said seriously, "In this way, you will no longer need to return to that barbaric land of Qiongzhou, and you can enjoy wealth and honor in the palace. Are you really unwilling?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Minxiu's expression turned extremely ugly, but he didn't say anything more. He simply looked at Yun Zhourong quietly, waiting for her to make a decision.
Indeed, becoming a favored concubine in the palace was the pinnacle of honor for women of that era.
Yun Zhourong was so resistant at first because she was suddenly offended by an older man.
But she didn't know who the other person was at the time.
Later, it was his wishful thinking that he wanted to help Yun Zhou Rong stay away from the emperor, but he never asked her what she thought.
Perhaps, after learning that the other party was the emperor, she had the idea of climbing the social ladder?
Thinking of this, Ji Minxiu couldn't help but feel nervous, his fists clenched tightly.
If the young girl really chooses to enter the palace, what should he do?
"No!"
Fortunately, the girl did not disappoint him. Her voice was clear and soft yet firm: "I already have someone I love, and I will only be with him for the rest of my life. Wealth and glory may be an irresistible temptation for others, but for me, they are just icing on the cake. If I cannot share them with the one I love, then they will be meaningless."
These words instantly made Ji Minxiu's eyes appear as if they were filled with autumn water, so gentle that they could melt away everything.
The girl he set his sights on was indeed extraordinary.
After a moment of stunned silence, Song Shuyi also showed an expression of admiration, "As expected of someone who could be chosen by Lord Snow Demon, Miss Yun's character is truly admirable!"
"Actually, it's not as great as you all say. I just don't have much ambition."
Yun Zhourong felt a little embarrassed by the praise, and secretly glanced at Ji Minxiu before quickly lowering her head again.
For her, life is just about three meals a day. She doesn't have too much money to spend, and enough is enough. As long as she can be with Ji Minxiu, that is the happiest thing.
Ji Minxiu knew what she was thinking, and his heart softened again under her gaze. If Song Shuyi hadn't been right in front of him, he would have held the girl tightly in his arms.
His little girl is the best girl in the world!
After expressing his determination, Song Shuyi did not insist any further. At Ji Minxiu's request, he led the two to offer incense to Old Master Song before taking his leave.
"Sister Yun is such a good woman, it's just a pity that you, brother, are not worthy of her." Watching the two figures leave, Miss Song couldn't help but say.
A hint of disappointment appeared in Song Shuyi's eyes. He nodded and smiled bitterly, "Yes, I knew from the beginning that I was not worthy of someone as talented as Miss Yun. I hope she and her beloved can be happy forever."
Ji Minxiu took Yun Zhourong on a helicopter and returned to Qiongzhou Prefecture overnight.
However, it was already late at night, so the two of them didn't disturb anyone and instead found a place outside the city to set up a tent and rest.
This tent has a starry sky roof, so when you lie down, you can see a sky full of stars.
"So beautiful!"
Yun Zhourong stared at the stars in the sky and said with amazement, "It's been such a long time since I've seen stars. It seems that the cold disaster has really passed."
"Yes, things will get better and better in the future."
After Ji Minxiu finished speaking with certainty, he pointed to the stars in the sky and said, "Did you know that in the future, those stars in the sky were actually named as many constellations?"
"Hmm, constellations?" Yun Zhourong became interested and waited for Ji Minxiu to explain.
"Look at that brightest star in the sky, that's Sirius, and the constellation it forms is Canis Major."
As Ji Minxiu spoke, he stretched out his hand and slowly gestured towards the sky, "Look, when these stars are connected, doesn't the shape look like a dog?"
"Oh my god, it really is! How come I never noticed before?"
Yun Zhourong excitedly grabbed Ji Minxiu's sleeve and recalled, "When I was a child, almost no one paid attention to me. Besides reading medical books, I would look at the stars when I was bored. I have seen Sirius before, but I never noticed this dog."
Yun Zhourong spoke calmly, simply narrating a story, but to Ji Minxiu, it evoked a deep sense of heartache.
A picture flashed through his mind.
That was when Yun Zhourong was a little girl who had lost her mother and lived alone in a remote corner. No one could talk to her, so she could only sit at the door and look at the stars in the sky.
His little girl really suffered a lot.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but reach out and hug Yun Zhourong tightly.
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