Princess Qi Yuandong's eyes once shone like stars, and her smile was as radiant as spring flowers. However, since losing the one she loved, the light in her eyes has gradually dimmed, and her smile has become strained.
Within Princess Qi Yuandong's palace, the sounds of string and wind instruments and the faint aroma of wine often echoed. She spent her days drinking and making merry with her maids and eunuchs, as if only in this way could she temporarily forget the pain in her heart. Her zither music carried a touch of melancholy, and her songs concealed endless sorrow.
"Fill it up again!" Qi Yuandong raised her jade cup, her voice tinged with a hint of drunkenness, her face flushed with the effects of the wine.
The palace maids exchanged glances. They knew the princess's sorrow, but they were powerless to offer any comfort. They could only silently continue pouring wine for her, their hearts filled with worry for her health and future.
As night fell and the banquet ended and the guests departed, Princess Qi Yuandong sat alone in the silent palace, her gaze vacant as she stared at the flickering candlelight, her heart filled with memories of the past and uncertainty about the future.
"Why...why did he leave me?" she murmured to herself, tears welling up in her eyes but never falling.
The chief eunuch, Eunuch Li, entered the palace and felt a pang of sorrow upon seeing the princess's condition. He softly comforted her, "Princess, life is full of joys and sorrows, just as the moon waxes and wanes. You are a princess of Qi; you should take care of your health, for the sake of the country, for your own sake, and for... that person."
Princess Qi Yuandong raised her head, a resolute glint in her eyes: "Eunuch Li, I know you mean well. But my heart has already gone with him. I can't live like before; I need time to heal."
Eunuch Li sighed. He knew he couldn't persuade the princess, so he could only silently leave the palace, leaving her to face her inner pain alone.
Emperor Qi Jingxuan was filled with worry upon learning that Princess Qi Yuandong was sinking deeper into despair after losing her beloved. Although Qi Yuandong was not his biological sister, as the ruler of the country, he regarded all members of the royal family as his own and bore an inescapable responsibility for their well-being.
The Emperor's footsteps echoed along the corridor leading to Qi Yuandong's palace, his eyes revealing a hint of anxiety and deep thought. The palace maids and eunuchs, seeing the Emperor's arrival, bowed and made way for him.
Upon entering the palace, one could see Princess Qi Yuandong sitting alone by the window, toying with an empty wine cup in her hand, her figure appearing exceptionally lonely.
"Yuan Dong," Qi Jingxuan called softly, his voice filled with tenderness and concern.
Princess Qi Yuandong raised her head, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes before dimming again: "Your Majesty, what brings you here?"
Qi Jingxuan walked to her side, his gaze falling on the wine glass in her hand, a hint of heartache flashing in his eyes: "I have heard that you have been drinking too much lately, and I am worried about you. Yuan Dong, I feel your sadness, but if this continues, your health will suffer."
A hint of stubbornness flashed in Princess Qi Yuandong's eyes: "Your Majesty, I know you mean well, but my heart is already broken, so what is the pain in my body?"
The Emperor sighed softly, sat down, and took Qi Yuandong's hand, his tone even gentler: "Yuandong, life is always full of surprises and challenges. I understand your pain at losing your loved one. But life must go on, and your future still holds infinite possibilities."
A flicker of doubt finally crossed Princess Qi Yuandong's eyes, and her voice trembled slightly as she asked, "But Your Majesty, how can I continue?"
A sharp glint flashed in Princess Qi Yuandong's eyes, and her voice suddenly became shrill: "Your Majesty, you can't even protect your own Consort Mu, how dare you try to advise me?"
Emperor Qi Jingxuan's expression changed; he hadn't expected Qi Yuandong to so directly touch upon his sore spot. The fate of Consort Mu was an unspeakable pain in his heart, and also a dereliction of duty on his part as a monarch.
A hint of guilt flashed in the Emperor's eyes, and his voice was deep and powerful: "Yuandong, you are right. I did fail to protect Consort Mu. But it is precisely because I have tasted the pain of losing a loved one that I can better understand how you feel now."
Princess Qi Yuandong's lips curled into a sarcastic smile, her heart breaking: "Understand? Your Majesty, do you truly understand my pain? Your Consort Mu at least once had your favor, but I... I never even truly possessed his heart."
A complex emotion welled up in the Emperor's heart. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down: "Yuandong, I know the pain in your heart. But I hope you can understand that drinking and merrymaking cannot bring you true happiness, nor can they bring your beloved back."
A flicker of doubt crossed Princess Qi Yuandong's eyes. Her sarcasm faded, replaced by a deep sense of helplessness: "Your Majesty, I...I don't know what to do."
The Emperor's eyes were filled with sympathy as he gently took Qi Yuandong's hand: "Yuandong, I will accompany you to find a way out. You are not alone; you still have me and your family throughout the entire Qi Kingdom."
A tear finally glistened in Princess Qi Yuandong's eyes, though her heart was still filled with pain.
Princess Qi Yuandong's emotions grew even more agitated, her eyes flashing with a defiant light, her voice tinged with sarcasm: "Your Majesty, you have no idea what love is. You have three thousand beauties in your harem, how could you possibly understand the pain of losing the one you love?"
Emperor Qi Jingxuan's face turned pale; Qi Yuandong's words struck him to the core. He opened his mouth, but found himself unable to immediately refute. As the ruler of a nation, he indeed carried too many responsibilities and burdens in his heart, responsibilities that prevented him from loving someone wholeheartedly like an ordinary person.
The Emperor was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, his voice heavy with emotion: "Yuandong, you are right. I may not be qualified to talk about love. But I know that true love is not just about possession, but also about responsibility and sacrifice."
Princess Qi Yuandong sneered, her heart filled with disdain: "Responsibility? Sacrifice? Your Majesty, where are your responsibilities and sacrifices? Where is your Consort Mu now?"
A flicker of pain crossed the Emperor's eyes, and his voice was low and powerful: "Yuandong, I have too much helplessness in my heart. But I can assure you that I will do everything in my power to protect and care for everyone I care about."
A flicker of doubt crossed Princess Qi Yuandong's eyes; she realized she might have gone too far. But her heart remained filled with pain and confusion: "Your Majesty, can your promise bring back everything I've lost?"
Emperor Qi Jingxuan stood up, his gaze firm and sincere: "Yuandong, my promise may not be able to change reality immediately, but I will prove it with my actions. I will find Consort Mu and help you get out of your grief."
A tear finally glistened in Princess Qi Yuandong's eyes, and her voice choked with emotion: "Your Majesty, I... I'm just in so much pain."
The Emperor gently patted Qi Yuandong's shoulder, his eyes filled with understanding and sympathy: "Yuandong, I know your pain. But please believe me, let us work together to embrace new hope."
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