It was as if I had finally found a solid harbor after drifting in the vast ocean, and landed completely without any hindrance.
Her face, as delicate as mutton fat jade, instantly blossomed into a radiant, bright, and captivating smile, like spring flowers in full bloom.
Her lips curved upwards gracefully, revealing a row of pearly white teeth, and the smile spread from her mouth to her eyes.
Those eyes were filled with a gentle light, a blend of relief and peace of mind, like a clear spring shimmering under the warm spring sun, a sight to behold.
The Emperor and Empress were immersed in this warm, tranquil, and loving atmosphere, and lingered intimately for quite some time.
They spoke in hushed tones, their words filled with concern and love for each other.
Sometimes, the Emperor would gently smooth the stray strands of hair that had fallen by the Empress's ear, his movements tender and affectionate.
Occasionally, the Empress would gently wipe away a bit of rouge from the Emperor's cheek with a handkerchief, her eyes filled with deep affection and longing.
They smiled at each other, as if in this complex and chaotic palace, each other was the entirety of their world at that moment.
Then, the Emperor gently took the Empress's slender, delicate hand and kissed the back of it, a kiss filled with endless tenderness and reluctance.
Then, he slowly stood up, straightened his dragon robe, which symbolized supreme imperial power, and walked with steady and powerful steps toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, candlelight flickered gently in the breeze, and the dim yellow light danced wildly on the walls, as if telling untold stories of the palace.
The emperor slowly sat down at the ancient, heavy desk that had weathered the vicissitudes of time, and the mountain of memorials piled on the desk came into view.
He took a deep breath and began to unfold the memorials, attempting to devote all his attention to the complex affairs of state and fulfill his duties as the ruler of the country.
However, the densely packed text written in tiny characters gradually blurred in his increasingly hazy vision.
His thoughts, like a runaway horse, drifted freely, traversing the mists of time and space, returning to those bygone years that had faded into the past.
Unbeknownst to him, Qin Qianluo's figure appeared in his mind like a ghost, so clear that it was as if she were right in front of him.
He frowned slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of confusion and contemplation as he fell into deep recollections of the past.
When exactly did I begin to feel that ever-present and persistent sense of wariness towards Qin Qianluo?
The gears of memory begin to slowly turn backward, making a "creaking" sound.
Scenes from the past unfolded before his eyes like vivid paintings, every detail as clear as if it had just happened yesterday.
That must have started when my father frequently compared him to Qin Qianluo.
At that time, whether in the solemn and dignified court, the ministers sat upright, listening to the emperor's instructions.
Still within the warm confines of the palace, family members sat together, enjoying the bliss of family life.
Whenever the Emperor mentioned Qin Qianluo, his eyes would always gleam with a special kind of praise, a bright and ardent light, as if Qin Qianluo possessed endless shining qualities.
In his words, he spared no praise for Qin Qianluo, from her intelligence and quick wit to her decisiveness.
Then there's her accurate assessment of the situation; her father's praise flowed like a never-ending river.
Then, his tone shifted abruptly, becoming stern and sharp as he relentlessly berated him, complaining that he was far inferior to Qin Qianluo in many ways.
Those words, like incredibly sharp daggers, pierced straight into his heart. Each word seemed to carry immense force, causing his heart to ache faintly.
"Look at Qianluo, so insightful at such a young age, while you, as the Crown Prince, are always so indecisive!"
"Qianluo handles matters so decisively and efficiently, but you always drag your feet and are incapable of achieving great things!"
His father's rebukes struck his pride like a heavy hammer.
At that time, as the crown prince, he was surrounded by an enviable halo, regarded as the future hope of the entire empire, and enjoyed supreme honor and glory.
In everyone's eyes, he was the chosen one of heaven, the future ruler of the world.
However, she faced her father's unreserved favoritism towards Qin Qianluo.
A strange, inexplicable jealousy arose in his heart towards Qin Qianluo, who had just become a princess.
Now, as the dust of time settles, looking back, this jealousy seems so absurd and laughable under the reflection of time, like a ridiculous farce.
At that time, he was filled with resentment and confusion, like a caged beast struggling and roaring in his heart.
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