Guan Zhiyue returned to the Cold Palace.
All the servants in the Cold Palace rushed out and surrounded Guan Zhiyue, laughing and crying as they looked her up and down.
"Your Majesty, we've finally waited for you! Cuijuan has been waiting for you for so long."
"Yes, yes! This servant has been waiting for you for a long time too," Shiliu quickly added, crying.
Xiao Dezi, standing to the side, was also crying incessantly, his eyes red-rimmed. However, being a man, he didn't let the tears fall; instead, his eyes were so red they looked as if they were bleeding.
Liu Debao slung the whisk over his shoulder, his hands clenched tightly, not daring to approach Guan Zhiyue, afraid that he might accidentally hurt her.
He was pacing back and forth nearby, his eyes red and wet as he looked at Guan Zhiyue.
"Old Liu, what are you doing! Aren't you going to come and see your mother?" Guan Zhiyue said, looking at Liu Debao, who was standing at the back of the crowd, wanting to go forward but not daring to.
Upon hearing the Empress call him, Liu Debao rushed to Guan Zhiyue's side, trembling as he grasped her hand. Tears welled up in his eyes instantly; he had waited for her for so long!
"Your Majesty, you're finally back! This old servant has managed the Cold Palace very well, and the land in the back hills is also in good condition."
"I haven't missed a single thing that needed to be done each quarter."
"You must be tired from your journey, let's go inside and rest!"
"Okay!" Guan Zhiyue let Liu Debao help her into the house.
As soon as she entered the backyard, she felt the warmth. Guan Zhiyue turned her head and glanced at Liu Debao. "Did you heat up the kang (a traditional heated bed)?"
"Yes, this old servant heard that Your Highness would be arriving in the capital today, so I lit the kang (heated brick bed) early this morning. It's just in time for you to come in now."
Guan Zhiyue was very satisfied. She originally thought that once she left, the palace servants in the Cold Palace would probably start to become more undisciplined.
I didn't expect them to be the same as before, and they even seemed to have lost a lot of weight.
"Why do you all seem to have lost a lot of weight?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Debao was overjoyed. Their mistress still remembered what they looked like back then!
"Yes, we heard that Your Majesty is pregnant at the border and can't eat anything, and has lost more than ten pounds. We just want to stay with Your Majesty."
So he lost some weight, and became much thinner. Liu Debao didn't hide anything and told him directly.
After hearing Liu Debao's words, Guan Zhiyue glanced at everyone in the Cold Palace and then said, "You all, it's because of this unworthy belly of mine."
"You can't eat? How could you forget our principles for eating?"
"Don't do it again next time. I can eat, drink, and sleep well now, so you all need to take good care of yourselves too! Get back everything you've lost."
"Yes, Your Majesty's teachings will be followed!" The group of people clasped their hands in greeting again.
Guan Zhiyue said with a smile, "Alright, you can all go and get busy. I'm a little tired, so just go and do what you need to do!"
After Guan Zhiyue dismissed the person, she went to sleep. What could she do now? She could only eat when she was sleepy and when she was awake.
This is the Cining Palace.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live a thousand years," Li Qiji said, bowing with clasped hands.
Empress Dowager Xin stood up from her seat, grabbed Li Qiji with both hands, and large tears streamed down her face, leaving her well-maintained cheeks stained with tears.
"Your Majesty, you've suffered so much. This journey has been so arduous for you." Empress Dowager Xin gently patted Li Qiji's hand.
Li Qiji's eyes were a little red, and he said, "Your son is unfilial and has caused Your Majesty worry. Please do not blame your son!"
Empress Dowager Xin burst into tears, shaking her head repeatedly, "I don't blame him, I don't blame him, I only blame that restless scoundrel for making my son suffer so much!"
"Your Majesty, I heard from Qi Shang that a palace coup has occurred. Why didn't you write to me? I was completely unaware of such a major event."
Li Qiji was somewhat shocked; while he was at the border, a palace coup had actually occurred.
Empress Dowager Xin shook her head. "It's alright, it's alright. Your mother just doesn't want you to worry. If your affairs in the border city still cause you concern..."
"Wouldn't that mean facing both internal and external troubles? That would distract you. Now that the world is at peace, there will be no more rebellious ministers or traitors. My greatest wish is for my son to return safely."
The two chatted for a long time, talking about things at the border and asking about Guan Zhiyue's health. She was satisfied now, as her son finally had offspring. Now she had to worry about Qi Shang's marriage.
Turning to Li Qishang, she said in a somewhat heavy tone, "Qishang, now that your elder brother has started a family and has offspring, when do you plan to marry the princess?"
Will Mother be able to see you marry and have children before she dies?
Instantly, this pressure was applied to Li Qishang, who was still watching the show, and before he could even take off his teacup, he knocked it over.
He coughed awkwardly for a while, then said, "Mother, I think this matter depends on fate, fate."
Empress Dowager Xin stopped speaking, shook her head, and then waved her hand, saying, "Go down, all of you go down! I'm tired, you all go ahead and do your work. Remember to come to my palace for a reunion dinner tonight."
The two quickly and respectfully clasped their hands in greeting and left in a flash. Li An then came out from behind.
Looking at Empress Dowager Xin, he said, "Peilin, the children are all grown up, and children and grandchildren have their own blessings. You should worry less. Come, let me take you to rest."
Empress Dowager Xin looked at Li An, as if she had returned to those years ago, when she said to him, "An'er, let's go, your sister-in-law will take you to rest." That scene was still vivid in her mind.
After Li Qiji and Li Qishang came out, the two brothers walked slowly on the road to the palace. For the first time, Li Qishang revealed the secret he had been hiding in his heart.
"Brother, how is Yue'er? Seeing how happy she is now, I know I have no chance. I sincerely wish you both well."
You two must stay together and love each other dearly. Big brother, you absolutely must treat her well, otherwise I won't let any opportunity to take her away slip by.
Li Qishang mustered his courage and finally said those words.
Li Qiji said calmly, "You will never have that chance."
The two brothers exchanged a smile but didn't say anything.
Cining Palace at night.
"Come on, cheers! May we always be happy, blessed, and safe!"
A large group of people raised their glasses in unison, expressing their joy, and a sense of reunion spread throughout the room.
Li Qiji reached out and grasped Guan Zhiyue's hand, softly saying, "From now on, we will only be separated by death, never by life! I will be by your side for all eternity."
Upon hearing this, everyone else at the table collectively made a vomiting gesture!
Guan Zhiyue glanced at the people present, then turned to look at Li Qiji, and softly echoed, "From now on, there will only be death, no more separation in life!"
The Guan family, Empress Dowager Xin's maternal relatives, the Li brothers (Li Qiji and Li An), and Xiao Tuantuan were all present.
They all rolled their eyes in unison. This display of affection was so disgusting, they couldn't even stomach it. They should go show off their love somewhere else! It was utterly repulsive.
Everyone's face was filled with joy. I wish time could stand still at this moment, so that all my emotions could remain here.
"Yue'er, I love you!"
"Li Qiji, I love you too!"
Amidst the noisy atmosphere, the two gently expressed their feelings for each other, wishing that all lovers in the world could be united in marriage!
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