The war lasted less than expected.
She didn't know what method Yunwen and Yunhe had used, but she had heard that Yunjiang's injuries were not serious.
King Yunjiang surrendered with almost no resistance. Perhaps Yunwen told King Yunjiang his intentions, or perhaps King Yunjiang knew that his forces were no match for Tianyuan's, so he did not put up a stubborn resistance.
Yunwen, still the Crown Prince, has already expanded the territory of Tianyuan, so he must be praised.
As a general, Yunhe won a victory in his first battle, and he certainly received a lot of praise.
After this battle, the story of the two brothers spread like wildfire.
Gu Jiangli and the emperor often heard praise for the two of them in the harem.
With the war over, a huge weight was lifted from her shoulders.
Seeing Yunwen's outstanding abilities, the emperor abdicated, making Yunwen the true emperor, while he himself retired to the position of retired emperor and no longer concerned himself with the affairs of the court.
Neither Gu Jiangli nor Yunwen objected to this.
Yunwen's abilities have long been recognized by the public, and no one in the world would question him if the throne were given to him.
Gu Jiangli also knew that the emperor's health was deteriorating day by day, and he wouldn't last much longer.
In the emperor's mind, it was better to see Yunwen wearing the dragon robe while he was still alive than to let Yunwen ascend the throne after his death.
Everything was done according to his wishes.
After Yunwen ascended the throne, the emperor no longer lived in Jing'an Palace, but moved to Yongning Palace with Gu Jiangli.
The year after Yunwen became emperor, his family had a meal at Yongning Palace during the Spring Festival.
As the children grow up, the time they spend together becomes less and less, making each family reunion dinner all the more precious.
That night, the emperor was not as tired and weak as usual, but appeared to be very energetic.
He personally lit the firecrackers and played with several children.
Later, I talked to each of them individually and gave each of them a few earnest words of advice.
Finally, they arrived at Gu Jiangli's place.
Gu Jiangli has witnessed many deaths and understands best what a "last gasp before death" is.
The emperor sat beside her as always, letting her head rest on his shoulder, holding her hand tightly, his gaze fixed on the children in the courtyard, and said softly:
"Li'er, time flies. It feels like just yesterday that you performed a dance to celebrate my birthday."
His gaze wandered, as if lost in memories.
Gu Jiangli also answered gently:
"Yes, time flies. My child with His Majesty is already so big."
The emperor smiled and said, "Ke Li'er, you haven't changed at all. You are still as radiant as when you first entered the palace. But I have grown old and have gray hair."
Gu Jiangli raised her head slightly and looked at the emperor's face.
Actually, his appearance hasn't changed much; he just has a few more fine lines at the corners of his eyes and a few more gray hairs at his temples.
He wasn't old at all; if it weren't for those poisons, the emperor's lifespan could have been even longer.
"Your Majesty has not aged; you are as handsome as ever."
The emperor's smile widened. "Li'er always knows how to say things that make me happy. I used to be a fierce and ruthless man. How could I be handsome? Well, even if it's against my will, I'm still happy to hear it."
"I'm not lying. Your Majesty is handsome. I felt that way the moment I saw you."
The emperor's eyes flickered, and he slowly lowered his head to meet Gu Jiangli's bright, star-like eyes.
The reluctance and longing in his eyes made Gu Jiangli's heart ache.
Even emperors cannot calmly face their own death.
Especially in front of the person you love.
The emotions in the emperor's eyes were so intense that one could easily sense his sorrow.
"Li'er, I originally wanted to grow old with you."
His words sounded like a farewell before his death.
"I have no regrets about being able to accompany Your Majesty to the last moment of your life."
"But I always feel I owe you something. I should have accompanied you back to your hometown..."
Gu Jiangli slowly shook his head, "Yunjiang is Tianyuan, this is my home."
The emperor looked grief-stricken and held her even tighter, whispering in her ear again and again, "Thank you, Li'er... thank you for coming to my side."
Gu Jiangli remained silent, only gently patting his back.
She knew the emperor's life would soon fade away, and all she could give him was gentle companionship.
The emperor left early the next morning.
He passed away peacefully in his sleep, without pain or torment, as if immersed in a beautiful dream, leaving this world quietly.
As Empress Dowager, she and Yunwen jointly conducted the emperor's funeral.
The entire nation observed a month of mourning.
A month later, the system started reminding her and giving her choices.
She can live here as Empress Dowager until she dies of natural causes, or she can leave directly.
Gu Jiangli hesitated for a long time before choosing to leave.
She could have asked the system what happened next, but she didn't.
She was well aware of her children's abilities; she knew that during Yunwen's lifetime, he would inevitably conquer two countries to the west and a large country to the north.
He will unify the world and become an emperor whose name will be remembered for thousands of years.
Yunhe, as a young general who fought on the battlefield, will surely be remembered by future generations.
The two women, Ruyue and Ruming, were able to change the status of women in Tianyuan Kingdom even in their teenage years; they will surely be even more astonishing after they grow up.
Gu Jiangli could imagine their future with her eyes closed.
Leaving here is the best option.
"Zizai, let's go, my mission is over."
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