The capital city's Guanfu.
Guan Zhiyue, leading a large group of children, stepped through the gates of the Guan residence.
Upon seeing this, the servant at the gate excitedly ran into the courtyard.
Soon, the whole family had gathered together.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress!"
Guan Zhiyue quickly stepped forward and helped the two elderly people up, her face full of reproach.
"Grandfather, grandmother, father, eldest sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, you are shortening my lifespan! We are all family, why bother with these formalities?"
"Grandson pays respects to his great-grandfather, great-grandmother, grandfather, aunt, and second aunt."
The young princes lined up and bowed to their elders, who accepted the bow.
Guan Shang said, "You little ones, it's rare for the whole family to come back together like this. Perhaps you can stay for a day or two before returning to the palace?"
Perhaps it's because of their age, but Guan Shang and He Shilian have developed a certain...
I want to keep Guan Zhiyue by my side and have a proper talk with her.
They didn't know if they were about to pass away, but they just wanted to have a good chat with Guan Zhiyue.
Guan Zhiyue smiled and said, "Okay, I'll do whatever Grandfather says."
"However, the children need to go home and can come back after school in the evening."
After hearing Guan Zhiyue's words, Guan Shang and his wife exchanged a glance.
They both saw satisfaction in each other's eyes before nodding and saying, "Okay, we'll do it your way."
So the group of people embraced and headed towards the hall; the children of the Guan family...
Adding to the group of children born to Guan Zhiyue, all the able-bodied ones joined together, chattering and eager to play.
When Guan Zhiyue got home, she specially took out a lot of snacks from her space, all of them unpackaged, and put them on a plate.
These days, the kids are all gathered together, eating spicy snacks with tears and snot streaming down their faces.
He even declared righteously, "The snacks my aunt brings are the best! I'm so envious of you cousins!"
The young boys from the Guan family looked at the eight little princes with envy.
However, their aunt was very kind to them, and would always bring them some of the good food she had.
With so many kids at home, we never get enough to eat. Now that we're suddenly getting to eat this, I'm really envious!
The Sixth Prince, Li Jingyu, said, "What's so special about this? We eat it often in the palace, and the Ninth Prince especially likes it."
"Isn't that right, Ninth Brother!"
The boy known as the ninth brother quickly nodded in agreement upon hearing his sixth brother's words.
"Yes, cousin, none of you have tried these. There are other options too."
The eighth brother chimed in, "That's right. But we heard that Mother is going to stay at Grandfather's house for a few days. So we'll bring you some good food from the palace after school."
The children of the Guan family immediately brightened up and cheered together.
The world of children is so joyful; all they need is a little snack.
A small agreement can bring joy and happiness for a long time.
Guan Zhiyue heard the children's laughter, and her heart filled with joy.
She glanced at her youngest daughter, who was being carried on Bilian's back, and instantly felt how wonderful it was to be alive.
As long as you're alive, there's endless hope.
"Yue'er, now that you and the children are the only ones living in the harem, doesn't it feel lonely?"
"I can tell you don't like to hold banquets, and you don't have anyone to talk to in the palace."
He Shilian looked at Guan Zhiyue with genuine concern.
Especially after hearing that Rosamund Kwan was in a coma for a month after giving birth to her baby princess, my heart ached!
It was like millions of ants were gnawing at her, but she, an old woman, was powerless to do anything about it!
She didn't even have the strength to go to the palace; she was truly old.
Seeing his eldest granddaughter now, his eyes are filled with light, as if his life has been fulfilled.
"Grandmother, don't worry, I'm doing well in the palace. The children are all grown up now."
They were all so noisy, it was giving me a headache. I was even afraid they would leave me.
I wanted to go out and make a name for myself, but then I thought about it...
Children should go out and see the world when they're older, experience different paths, and learn their own capabilities.
He Shilian nodded after hearing Guan Zhiyue's words, and then said, "Yue'er,
Your grandmother and grandfather are likely nearing the end of their lives. It's a great blessing to have you as their granddaughter.
"It's a blessing for your grandfather and me; we've both survived to this day, all thanks to you!"
Upon hearing this, Guan Zhiyue frowned. She should come back more often to spend time with them; she should fulfill her filial duties on behalf of the original owner of this body. She...
“Grandmother, I won’t allow you to say that. You and Grandfather will both be fine and will live for a very, very long time.”
Hearing Guan Zhiyue's words, He Shilian scolded playfully, "Hahaha, you silly girl!"
Then wouldn't I, this old woman, become an old monster? And live for a very, very long time?
These days, this old woman is already very content.
"No, Grandmother, you will live a very, very long time."
Guan Zhiyue felt an indescribable tightness in her chest; she didn't know how to comfort her.
She didn't know how to persuade her to stay; she knew in her heart that birth, aging, sickness, and death were inevitable.
This is the norm in the human world.
Now, the two elderly men, having consumed the spiritual spring water provided by her over the years, are the oldest living people in the capital.
Their fate is sealed; it was inevitable!
But she just didn't know how to comfort her or explain that things shouldn't be this way.
"Silly Yue'er, everyone will die eventually. Who can escape death?"
"Alright, you may all leave. I need to speak with Yue'er alone!"
When He Shilian finished speaking, she suddenly looked up and addressed the people inside the room.
The eldest and second granddaughters-in-law kept looking back, and He Shilian said irritably, "Go down, don't worry! It has nothing to do with the family property."
The two granddaughters-in-law were a little embarrassed. They had never imagined that their grandmother had asked her sister-in-law to stay because of the family property.
Everyone else in the room had left, leaving only He Shilian and Guan Zhiyue.
Suddenly, He Shilian looked at Guan Zhiyue with a surprised and scrutinizing gaze.
Then she slowly spoke, "Girl, thank you so much for all these years."
Although I am old and my eyesight is failing, my granddaughter still knows.
"That girl, she was pampered by me since she was little."
There are various ties between us.
Even though you have my granddaughter's body and even voice now, you are still not my silly granddaughter.
"This is all my fault. I couldn't bear to part with my granddaughter."
So I've always regarded you as my granddaughter, but now this old man is also leaving.
Please, young lady, tell me the truth: is my poor child still alive?
Guan Zhiyue was shocked. She never thought anyone would recognize her, but she still underestimated it.
She stood up from the bench and knelt down on He Shilian's face with a thud.
Then he said, "Yes, Madam, I am not your biological granddaughter. I am a wandering soul."
I don't know why I ended up in your granddaughter's body. When I came here back then...
Your granddaughter has already passed away.
"so...."
He Shilian raised her hand to stop Guan Zhiyue from continuing.
Then he said, "Alright, alright, I understand. This is fate."
"Now I'm an old man whose neck is half-buried in yellow earth."
"The young lady is still a member of the Guan family; let's pretend this never happened."
Guan Zhiyue wanted to say that she couldn't pretend nothing had happened, she... but in the end, she said nothing.
She nodded again, remaining kneeling on the ground for a long time without getting up. It was unclear whether He Shilian was doing this intentionally.
Still lost in her own sorrow, she didn't see that Guan Zhiyue was still kneeling on the ground...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com