"I, your son, will definitely live up to your father's trust!"
A few days later, Xuanyuan Che officially abdicated and Xuanyuan You ascended the throne as emperor.
After abdicating, Xuanyuan Che took Chen Xiaoru out of the palace and began the life of traveling and sightseeing that they had longed for.
Spring in the south of the Yangtze River is misty and picturesque.
Xuanyuan Che and Chen Xiaoru were riding a small boat, slowly sailing across the rippling West Lake. Inside the cabin, Chen Xiaoru nestled in Xuanyuan Che's arms, the two of them quietly admiring the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains.
In the distance, the green mountains were shrouded in mist, looming indistinctly. Nearby, the lake was crystal clear, a gentle breeze creating ripples. A few wild ducks frolicked in the water, breaking the tranquility.
Chen Xiaoru stretched out her hand and gently touched the lake water, feeling the cool touch. She turned her head and looked at Xuanyuan Che, a happy smile on her face.
Xuanyuan Che put his arm around Chen Xiaoru's shoulders, kissed her lightly on the forehead, and said softly:
"Xiao Ru, thank you for your hard work over the years."
Chen Xiaoru shook her head and said softly:
"I am not tired. As long as I can be with Your Majesty, I feel very happy."
The two smiled at each other, and the love in each other's eyes was as gentle and beautiful as the scenery of the lake and mountains.
They visited the ten scenic spots of West Lake, strolled along the Su Causeway, and admired the beauty of the Broken Bridge covered in snow. They also visited Lingyin Temple and prayed devoutly for peace and prosperity for the country and the people.
After leaving Jiangnan, they went to the grasslands in the north.
On the vast grassland, green grass is everywhere, and herds of cattle and sheep roam in groups. In the azure sky, white clouds float, and eagles soar with their wings spread.
Xuanyuan Che and Chen Xiaoru rode their horses, galloping freely across the grassland, the wind blowing their clothes, making a rustling sound.
Time passed by like a white horse, and the two of them traveled quietly. It was not until Xuanyuan Che's steps faltered and he could no longer support the long journey that they decided to return to the palace.
Back at the majestic and imposing imperial palace, the red walls and golden tiles that symbolized supreme power now seemed exceptionally cold. Xuanyuan Che's health was deteriorating, his once vigorous figure emaciated by illness.
Chen Xiaoru stayed by the bed day and night. The worry in her eyes turned into crystal tears, which slid down her cheeks silently and dripped onto the quilt, leaving a wet mark.
Inside the bedroom, flickering candlelight illuminated the solemn faces of the people. Xuanyuan You and his brothers knelt before the bed, their hearts filled with anxiety and grief.
"You guys go away first," Chen Xiaoru's voice was choked with sobs. She suppressed her grief and waved her hand to signal everyone to leave.
"I have a few words to say to your father alone."
After everyone left the bedroom, Chen Xiaoru turned around and looked at Xuanyuan Che, who was breathing weakly on the sickbed, and her heart felt like it was being cut by a knife.
"Xiao Ru,"
Xuanyuan Che raised his hand with difficulty, trying to hold Chen Xiaoru's hand. His voice was hoarse and weak, and every word seemed to be uttered with all his strength.
"I...I'm sorry, I can't...stay with you until the end."
Chen Xiaoru could no longer suppress her inner grief. She rushed to the bedside and tightly grasped Xuanyuan Che's withered hand. Tears welled up in her eyes, soaking his clothes.
"Xuanyuan Che, who said you can't stay with me until the end?"
She spoke word by word with a trembling voice, then carefully lay down on her side and held the weak Xuanyuan Che in her arms, as if cherishing the most precious treasure in the world.
"His Majesty"
Chen Xiaoru pressed her cheek against Xuanyuan Che's chest, feeling his weak heartbeat, and spoke in tears.
"I don't want to live alone without you. This time, I'll go with you. You... please don't leave me."
"system"
Chen Xiaoru closed her eyes and said silently in her heart, "Let's go."
As soon as he finished speaking, the candlelight in the bedroom suddenly went out, plunging the room into darkness. Xuanyuan Che and Chen Xiaoru's embrace grew cold, their breaths finally fading into the silent air as they departed this world together.
Outside the bedroom, the originally clear sky suddenly became overcast, and the wind was howling, causing the trees outside the palace to sway and make a series of harsh noises.
The raindrops as big as beans poured down, hitting the window frames with a quick and heavy sound, as if it was a elegy played between heaven and earth for the departure of the lovers.
Xuanyuan You was waiting outside the bedroom, feeling increasingly uneasy, and an ominous premonition came over him.
He could no longer care about anything else, and suddenly pushed open the door of the bedroom and rushed in. What came into his sight was his father and mother hugging each other tightly, but they were already dead, their cold bodies no longer showing any sign of life.
"Father! Queen Mother!"
Xuanyuan You let out a heartbreaking cry, threw himself on the bed, and tightly grasped his parents' cold hands, tears streaming down his face. His grief was like a flood that instantly drowned all his rationality.
The people who came in right after him were also stunned by the scene before them. They fell to their knees and burst into tears. Their sad cries echoed in the bedroom for a long time.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
