Chapter 5 Epilogue 4 Family and Loved Ones
Afternoon sunlight streamed through the carved wooden windows, casting warm shadows on the polished floor of the Taiji Hall.
Yuezhi spent the morning arranging the novelties from the Western Regions that Pei Yao had given her, then scattered some flower seeds in the Imperial Garden. Before she could even catch her breath after returning to the palace, two small figures came running up to her, one after the other.
"Mother! Mother!"
Like a lively little rabbit, Yunxi hopped and skipped to Yuezhi's side, hugged her skirt, and looked up with her rosy cheeks, excitedly shouting, "I can recite it now! I can recite the Thousand Character Classic! I'm as smart as my big brother!"
Yan Qing followed behind, his steps steady and composed, already displaying the calm demeanor of an older brother despite his young age. He walked up to Yue Zhi, standing quietly, his bright eyes filled with a longing for attention.
The two children are five and a half years old this year. They are equally cute and beautiful, but their personalities are completely different.
Yuezhi smiled and squatted down, touching Yunxi's face, then stretched out her hand to Yanqing: "Come, all of you, come to your mother."
She led the two children into the east side hall, sat down on the soft couch by the window, let Yunxi sit in front of her, and then pulled Yanqing to her side.
“Great! Mother loves listening to Yunxi recite her lessons. Yanqing will also listen to her sister study hard with Mother.”
Yunxi immediately straightened her back, cleared her throat, and began to recite: "Heaven and earth were dark and yellow, the universe was vast and boundless..."
Her voice was clear and crisp, but she stumbled over her words, frequently pausing, her little brows furrowed tightly. Whenever this happened, Yan Qing, sitting next to Yue Zhi, would subtly purse her lips and mouth a prompt to her.
Yunxi was very clever. She noticed the hint and was able to continue. In this way, she memorized the Thousand Character Classic completely.
"Yunxi is so great!" Yuezhi praised happily, hugging both her children into her arms, giving Yunxi a big kiss on the forehead, and not forgetting to kiss Yanqing as well.
Yunxi giggled with delight and winked at her brother triumphantly.
Yuezhi then turned to Yanqing and asked gently, "Yanqing, look, your sister can recite the entire Thousand Character Classic. How have you been adapting to studying with Grand Tutor Liang these past few days?"
Yan Qing nodded obediently: "Grand Tutor is very knowledgeable, I will study hard."
At this moment, Yunxi squeezed in front of Yuezhi and muttered, "My tutor is always smiling and is such a nice person. My brother's tutor, Liang, is so serious and always has a stern face. He's a bit scary."
Yuezhi was amused by her daughter's words and patiently explained, "Grand Tutor Liang used to be an official in the Dali Temple. He was the most just and strict, upholding the law and managing his family well. He was a respected elder. It is a blessing for you to be able to learn from him."
The two children seemed to understand but not quite, yet they could sense the seriousness in their mother's words, and they instinctively snuggled closer into her warm embrace.
Yunxi fumbled with the gold bracelet on her wrist and secretly gave Yan Qing a wink. Yan Qing received the signal, hesitated shyly for a moment, and then spoke, with a hint of anticipation in her voice.
“Mother… the cloth tigers and little rabbits you made for my younger brother and sister are so beautiful and exquisite. The ones for me and my sister… are a bit worn out.”
Yunxi immediately chimed in, "Yes, yes, our dolls are all ugly now!"
Yuezhi was taken aback, recalling the complex emotions she felt when she received the dolls years ago. Now, as the years have passed, those dolls still keep her two children company by their beds, but the stitches are crooked and the colors are faded. When the children were two or three years old, they were very noisy and had worn the dolls out quite a bit. The ones she sewed for Pei Yao more than ten years ago are still kept in the Taiji Hall. Because they were carefully preserved, they are still brand new.
She hugged the two children tighter and said gently, "Your dolls were sewn by your father. Although they look a bit strange, the sentiment behind them is unique in the world. When you were little, you used to fight over the dolls, which is why they look like this."
Seeing the children's surprised and enlightened expressions, Yuezhi smiled and said, "However, since you want dolls made by your mother, I will make them for you, one for each of you, okay?"
"Great!" The two children cheered immediately, their faces beaming with bright smiles.
Amidst their laughter and conversation, familiar footsteps echoed from the palace entrance.
Pei Heng is back.
The two children, like joyful little birds, flew over, each grabbing one of their father's legs, and eagerly reported the news.
"Father! I recited my lessons for Mother!"
"Mom is praising us!"
Pei Heng, dressed in casual clothes, had just returned from discussing matters with important officials in the East Warm Pavilion. His brows still held a hint of coldness, but upon seeing his wife and children, the icy glint in his eyes melted into flowing warmth.
He bent down and patted the two children's heads. His gaze passed over them and met Yuezhi's smiling eyes. A silent warmth flowed through the air.
He gently coaxed the children, "Good children, it's time for you to have your meal. You also need to go to the study this afternoon, so don't be late."
Yan Qing obediently responded and turned to walk out.
Yunxi clung to Pei Heng's leg and wouldn't let go, saying in a spoiled tone, "Father, I don't want to study this afternoon. I want to go to the martial arts arena to learn horseback riding and archery from my master!"
Pei Heng was somewhat surprised. He bent down to pick up his daughter and asked with satisfaction, "Oh? Why did you suddenly want to learn this?"
Yunxi's eyes sparkled as she exclaimed, "I heard that Fourth Aunt has returned to the capital after winning a battle! I want to be like Fourth Aunt, a female general, and serve my country!"
Upon hearing this, Pei Heng's eyes flashed with admiration, and he laughed loudly, "Good! That's ambitious! Father grants your permission. You can go to the martial arts arena anytime you want. But remember, listen to your master, be careful, and don't be reckless."
"Thank you, Father!" Yunxi was overjoyed. She slipped out of her father's arms, ran over and took her brother's hand. The two siblings happily left the palace.
Yuezhi then slowly walked to Pei Heng's side, her tone slightly reproachful: "You're too indulgent with the child's temper. Yunxi is so short, she can't even climb onto the smallest foal, how could she possibly draw a bow?"
Pei Heng turned around and put his arm around her voluptuous waist.
After having four children, her figure was no longer as slender as when she was a young girl, but she had gained a more rounded and graceful charm. Her skin was radiant and her complexion was excellent. She was like a piece of warm jade that had been nourished just right. She exuded a calm and soft maternal glow, which made him feel at ease just by looking at her.
He smiled and squeezed her hand. "What's the rush? Let her practice at her own pace. I started learning martial arts at this age too. Even if the horse is shorter and the bow is lighter, she can still learn. As her parents, we naturally support her because she has this ambition."
Yuezhi leaned against him, listening to his eloquent explanation, and no longer felt that it was "spoiling".
The two went to the main hall to have lunch with the children. After Yunxi and Yanqing left, the nanny came to report that the Third Prince and the Fourth Princess had woken up from their afternoon nap. Only then did the two go to Jinghezhai behind Taiji Hall.
As soon as the two entered the courtyard, the curtain of the main house was suddenly lifted, and a figure wearing a light blue shirt ran out whimpering and pounced on Yuezhi.
"Mother! Father!" It was three-year-old Jiyuan.
He hugged Yuezhi's leg tightly, buried his face in her skirt, and said in a trembling voice filled with grievance, "Mother, you've finally come..."
Yuezhi bent down with heartache, picked up her son's soft little body, held him in her arms, and gently patted his back: "Yuan'er, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Her figure became increasingly full and graceful, and when she bent over, the lines of her neck and arms were rounded and beautiful, gently enveloping her uneasy son.
Ji Yuan looked up, his little face round and chubby, his eyes a little red, and he mumbled in his childish voice, "I'm not feeling unwell... it's just that the bugs in the yard are making such a loud buzzing sound, I'm scared..."
Pei Heng reached out and rubbed his son's head, his voice steady: "The chirping of insects in summer is normal. They are singing for Yuan'er, not trying to scare you."
Ji Yuan nestled comfortably in his mother's warm embrace, inhaling her reassuring fragrance. He mustered his courage and whispered, "Mother... Father... Can I sleep with you tonight?"
Looking into her son's timid yet expectant eyes, Yuezhi gently wiped away the moisture from the corners of his eyes with her fingertips and softly replied, "Okay, Yuan'er will sleep with your father and mother tonight. Your father and mother will watch over you, and you won't be afraid of any bugs."
Ji Yuan's face lit up instantly, and he nodded vigorously.
After comforting her son, Yuezhi hugged him and said to Pei Heng, "Let's go see He'er."
The family of three tiptoed into the east wing.
The room was decorated in a warm and cozy style. In the small, carved wooden bed, Luhe, who had just turned one year old, was lying on her back with her arms and legs in the air, playing by herself.
Unlike her older siblings who would chew on and throw toys when they were little, Luhe was exceptionally quiet and focused. In her chubby little hands, she was playing with a Luban lock, her big, dark eyes fixed on the object in her hands. She didn't cry or fuss. Occasionally, when she successfully moved a block, she would happily utter "ee-ee-ya-ya" sounds and kick her little feet a few times.
The little cloth rabbit that Yuezhi had made was still clean and intact beside her pillow.
Seeing her parents' and brother's faces appear before her, Luhe grinned, revealing her few teeth, and held up the Luban wood in her hand as if showing off her achievement.
Pei Heng's eyes lit up with a smile as he bent down and picked up his youngest daughter from the bed. Luhe was not shy at all, obediently resting on her father's broad and sturdy shoulders, her little hands still tightly gripping the wooden lock.
"What is our He'er playing that makes her so happy?" Pei Heng teased his daughter, his gaze falling on her hands, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. "Yuezhi, look!"
Yuezhi took a closer look and was also taken aback.
The intricately designed Luban wooden lock was being haphazardly manipulated by the youngest daughter, and most of it had been unlocked, with several key wooden blocks already out of place.
"This child..." Yuezhi was both surprised and delighted, "How did she do that?"
Pei Heng gently lifted his soft little daughter in his arms, his tone filled with undisguised admiration: "This little one is so clever. She can't even speak yet, but she can unlock this wooden lock. It seems our He'er is naturally intelligent and will definitely be a person with her own opinions and achievements in the future."
Ji Yuan, who was being held in his mother's arms, was looking at his younger sister with curiosity. But when he heard his father praising his sister like that, his little mouth pursed slightly.
Although he was young, he was very perceptive. He lowered his head silently and played with his fingers.
Yuezhi keenly sensed her son's emotional change, nudged Pei Heng with her elbow, and gave him a look.
Pei Heng was taken aback, then understood. He held Lu He in his arms, and with his other strong arm, he easily took Ji Yuan from Yue Zhi's embrace.
Suddenly embraced by his father's strong arms, Ji Yuan opened his eyes wide in surprise.
“Our Yuan’er is also a very good child.” Pei Heng looked at Ji Yuan, his tone serious and gentle. “Yuan’er is well-behaved and doesn’t worry his parents. He tells them everything obediently and is also good to his sister. Look how happy his sister is to see you.”
Ji Yuan felt a little embarrassed by his father's words, his little face flushed, and the slight disappointment in his eyes turned into shyness and joy after being recognized.
She whispered, "Yuan'er likes his little sister..."
“Father and Mother both know.” Pei Heng gently rubbed his cheek against his son’s cheek, making Ji Yuan giggle. He buried his burning little face in his father’s broad, warm neck.
Yuezhi stood to the side, watching Pei Heng's increasingly mature face and figure. He held his babbling little daughter in one arm and his delicate and sensitive son in the other, looking every bit the loving father.
This was a scene she had dreamed of for a long time.
So many family members, so much love.
Because of Pei Heng's thoughtfulness and care, and because the palace nannies and wet nurses were experienced and skilled, she felt at ease giving birth to these two children. She had previously given birth to Yunxi and Yanqing, and when she gave birth to Jiyuan and Luhe, she did not suffer much or worry. She recovered her health in a month or so.
Perhaps it was because Heaven pitied her for never having enjoyed a single day of parental love since childhood that it gave her such well-behaved children, allowing her to spend the rest of her life immersed in love.
She stepped forward, gently tidied Ji Yuan's messy hair, and then touched Lu He's rosy cheeks.
The family of four nestled together in the soft sunlight, warm and peaceful, as if time had stood still.
*
After a light rain, the summer heat was somewhat dispelled, and sunlight shone through the thin clouds, gilding the glazed tiles of the palace with a warm gold hue.
In the inner study, a painting of cranes and pines in the Southern Mountains hangs high; it had only recently been taken out of the storeroom and put up for display.
Yuezhi sat on the soft couch, sewing a small children's dress. The needle and thread moved between her fingers, her expression focused and gentle, occasionally squinting her sore eyes.
Pei Heng walked in and saw this scene. He walked quietly to her side, his brows furrowed slightly, and said with heartache, "Yuezhi, your eyesight is not very good to begin with. Why do these things yourself? There are plenty of embroiderers in the Imperial Wardrobe. Just leave it to them."
Upon hearing this, Yuezhi looked up and smiled at him, but her hands didn't stop moving.
“The little clothes that Yunxi and Yanqing wore when they were little were all sewn by me stitch by stitch. Now we have no worries about food and clothing in the palace and lack nothing, but as their mother, I can’t let Jiyuan and Luhe feel that I only love my older brother and sister and not them.”
She paused, her voice softening, "When raising children, they're all equally precious; you can't be biased."
Hearing her gentle words and seeing the determination in her eyes, Pei Heng's initial disapproval vanished instantly, and he felt that she was absolutely right.
He stopped trying to dissuade her, and instead lifted his robe and sat down beside her, silently helping her straighten the colorful silk threads strand by strand, occasionally handing her a cup of warm tea.
The hall was peaceful and quiet, with only the occasional chirping of birds and the soft sound of silk threads passing through the fabric outside the window.
As noon approached, Yuezhi continued sewing, her eyelids grew heavy, her head bobbed, and she eventually fell asleep against the soft pillow.
Seeing this, Pei Heng's eyes filled with tenderness. He carefully took the needle and thread from her hand, gently picked her up, and placed her safely on the bed, covering her with the brocade quilt.
A few days later, Yuezhi had finished making the new dolls and clothes she had promised for the children.
The children were overjoyed to receive the loving gifts made by their mothers, and their laughter filled the air.
One afternoon, Yuezhi had some free time and went for a walk in the Imperial Garden.
In recent years, under her careful management, the palace has reduced many unnecessary expenses for palace staff, and all expenditures have been kept within a reasonable range, making it appear more elegant and orderly.
In the Imperial Garden, the trees were more lush than ever before. She also ordered people to plant many fruit trees and carefully tended to the flower field that had grown from the flower seeds given by Pei Yao. These fruit trees would bear fruit in the autumn for people to enjoy, and the picked flowers could be used for decoration, which was both elegant and saved a lot of expenses.
Yuezhi loves the beautiful scenery she created herself.
In her youth, she was filled with fear of this deep palace, viewing it as a magnificent cage. Now, however, she has transformed it into a home where she can breathe freely through her own efforts.
Accompanied by palace maids, she casually trimmed the sprawling flower branches, surrounded by lush greenery and fragrance, almost forgetting the passage of time.
The Imperial Garden in late summer is at its most vibrant with life.
Flowers of all colors are in full bloom, and shades of green fill the field of vision. The Western Region flowers are in the best bloom, a patch of pink and white roses, layer upon layer, which, when the north wind blows, look like a pink wave.
With its delicate pink color and light fragrance, it's so beautiful that anyone passing by can't help but take a look and be attracted by its unique charm.
Pei Heng walked along the bluestone path, his brows furrowed with weariness from being entangled in complicated government affairs all day.
When his gaze passed through the lush flowers and trees and settled on the slender figure bending over the flowers, his tense nerves seemed to be gently stroked by a tender hand, and suddenly relaxed.
Yuezhi was intently pruning a withered rose branch. She was dressed in a light pink palace dress, her curvaceous figure soft and gentle. A simple jade hairpin adorned her dark hair, along with two crabapple blossoms and a gardenia flower. A few strands of hair fell beside her cheeks, swaying gently with her movements.
Against a backdrop of vibrant colors, she stands as the clearest moon, making even the most dazzling flowers seem pale in comparison.
Pei Heng was so engrossed in watching that the lingering frustration in the court vanished in an instant.
He tiptoed silently up behind her, stretched out his arms, and embraced her from behind.
"Oh!" Yuezhi exclaimed softly, almost dropping the silver scissors in her hand.
Feeling the scent of snow plum blossoms and the embrace, her tense body immediately relaxed, and she smiled with a mixture of helplessness and indulgence, "Aheng? You scared me."
She handed the pruning tools to the palace maids who stood with their heads bowed, signaling them to step back for the time being.
Once they were alone nearby, Yuezhi gently turned around to face him, raised her hand and stroked his back, gently and soothingly, her voice as soft as a breeze brushing against flowers and leaves.
Are you tired?
Pei Heng rested his chin on her soft shoulder, took a deep breath of her fresh, sweet scent, and mumbled an "Mmm": "The memorials will never be finished, one thing after another, there will never be an end."
“There’s always more to do,” Yuezhi said gently. “Take your time, there’s no need to rush.”
She lifted her hand from his embrace, gently pressing her fingertips against his temples, massaging them lightly. "Forget about those worries you haven't dealt with yet, take a good rest, and do it when you're fully recovered."
The perfect balance of force and gentle words flowed like a warm current into Pei Heng's weary heart, gradually dissolving his anxiety and frustration.
He felt his tense scalp relax considerably, and unconsciously pulled her closer.
His gaze lingered greedily on her beautiful face, filled with undisguised infatuation. He lowered his head and affectionately rubbed his cheek against her smooth, delicate face.
Yuezhi was amused by his childish behavior. She reached out and cupped his face, her eyes full of sincere admiration: "My Aheng is diligent in his duties and loves the people. He is a role model for all officials and a good example for our children."
As she spoke, she tiptoed slightly and planted a fragrant kiss on his cheek.
With this reward, Pei Heng immediately forgot his fatigue, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up, revealing a shy yet extremely satisfied smile.
He pointed to his other cheek, his eyes shining, with a hint of coquetry: "I want this side too."
Yuezhi readily agreed and smiled as she kissed his other cheek.
Seeing him squint his eyes in satisfaction, her heart overflowed with tenderness. Her gaze fell on his slightly upturned lips, and with a thought, she leaned forward and gently placed a kiss on his warm lips.
Overwhelmed by this unexpected joy, Pei Heng sighed softly, tightened his arms, and returned her kiss deeply.
Intense and deep, I felt her gentle breath and tasted the sweetness between her lips and teeth.
Yuezhi was startled at first, but when she saw the faint blue shadow under his closed eyes, the slight reproach in her heart turned into deeper pity. She relaxed, closed her eyes, and gently responded to him. As their lips intertwined, their breaths and scents became sweet and intoxicating.
After a long while, Pei Heng released her with a slight breath, his forehead pressed against hers, his voice a little hoarse: "I really want to pick you up... but unfortunately, I'm a little sleepy right now."
Looking at the pale blue circles under his eyes, Yuezhi felt a pang of heartache and said softly, "Then I'll accompany you back to your bedchamber to rest for a while?"
Pei Heng did not move. He looked into the gentle eyes of the person in his arms, and then looked at the colorful and romantic flowers around him. Suddenly, he put his arm around her waist and carefully pulled her down into the soft and thick pink ocean behind him.
"Ah!" Yuezhi exclaimed softly as she fell into his warm embrace. Blooming flowers surrounded her, and the blue sky was above her head.
Hearing the man's deep, pleasant laughter, her initial shock instantly turned into pure indulgence and doting, and she laughed along.
"Right here." He closed his eyes, his arms tightly wrapped around her waist, his voice heavy with weariness, "Let me hold you and lie here for a while... just for a bit."
Yuezhi stopped talking, lay in his arms, and gently stroked his hair with her fingers.
I looked up and saw him with his eyes closed, quickly sinking into a peaceful sleep. His gaze was soft, and my heart found peace.
The palace maids and guards waited at a distance, not daring to disturb the couple's peaceful time.
The Imperial Garden was quiet and still, with only the soft rustling of the wind through the flowers and leaves, and the sound of two steady breaths.
In the brief moments of leisure after a busy day, nestled in this vibrant garden she had personally cultivated, she and her loved ones found their worries lessened and their happiness increased.
An ordinary afternoon can become a most precious memory.
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