Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Final Chapter (Part Two)
—The Two Beauties of the Meng Family—
Three days after the birthday banquet, Mu Lian and his family visited a quiet residence in the west of the city.
The one who opened the door was Meng Yuan. Five years had passed, and she had matured from a spirited young girl into a refined and elegant woman. Upon seeing Mu Lian, she was taken aback for a moment before revealing a sincere smile: "Sister Mu, you've come."
Inside the courtyard, Meng Luan was pruning the flowers and plants. Five years hadn't left any marks on her; the little monkey was still by her side, squeaking and jumping around. Hearing the sound, Meng Luan looked up, her smile as bright as ever: "Sister Lian!"
Since choosing to stay in Kyoto five years ago, Meng Yuan and Meng Luan have lived a secluded life. The Empress, grateful for their contributions to the Court of Judicial Review, bestowed this residence upon them, where the two have been living a semi-secluded life.
"Aunt Yuan! Aunt Luan!" Chang Le ran over with her short legs and was picked up by Meng Luan.
Mu An bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings to my two aunts."
Meng Yuan patted Mu An's head and looked at Mu Lian: "The children are growing up so well."
After everyone entered and took their seats, Meng Luan served tea and snacks. Chang Le and Mu An were attracted by the little monkeys in the courtyard and were taken to play by Ye Yiqing, leaving only Mu Lian, Li Peixuan, and the Meng sisters in the hall.
"You don't need to pay attention to the rumors circulating in the capital." Meng Yuan poured tea, her tone calm. "Those storytellers love to embellish your stories, adding their own versions every day."
Lee Bae-hyun raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What versions are there?"
Meng Luan laughed and said, "Some say that the three of you worked together to solve the Jiangnan salt case, some say that you wiped out the bandits in Taihang Mountain, and the most outrageous one is that you received guidance from an immortal in the South China Sea and mastered unparalleled martial arts."
Mu Lian shook her head and chuckled: "There's some truth to it. The salt case is real, the bandits are real, but the immortal is gone."
The group exchanged smiles. The sounds of children playing could be heard from time to time in the courtyard, a scene of peaceful tranquility.
"How long do you plan to stay in Beijing this time?" Meng Yuan asked after thinking for a moment.
"Once Princess Chang Le's residence is completed, we'll attend the ceremony and then return to Jiangnan." Mu Lian took a sip of tea. "That house is by the water, and the children love it."
After a moment of silence, Meng Yuan suddenly said, "If you don't mind, Luan'er and I can help take care of the children. It's always inconvenient for you to travel the world with two children."
Mu Lian was taken aback: "How can this be?"
"Why not?" Meng Luan interjected. "We have no ties and love children the most. Besides, Chang Le and Mu An are well-behaved and we can take care of them."
Li Peixuan and Mu Lian exchanged a glance, both seeing the emotion in each other's eyes.
“Yuanmei, Luanmei…” Mu Lian held Meng Yuan’s hand, her fingertips trembling slightly, “You’ve all worked so hard these past years.”
Meng Yuan's eyes reddened: "If it weren't for Sister Mu back then, my sister and I would have died in the judiciary long ago. We can never repay this kindness in our lifetime..."
It turns out that when Mu Lian resigned from her position as head of the Judicial Council, she had protected the Meng sisters. The Empress originally intended to punish the two for knowing too many secrets, but Mu Lian exchanged all her merits for their safety. This matter was unknown to the outside world, but it was a secret shared by all four of them.
—Drinking under the moon—
A month later, Princess Chang Le's residence was completed. Although the Empress did not attend the ceremony in person, she sent the Crown Prince to observe on her behalf, demonstrating the importance she placed on it. The people of the capital flocked to the princess's residence, all eager to catch a glimpse of this legendary princess.
Inside the mansion, Li Chang Le, dressed in a tiny princess's court dress, was held in Mu Lian's arms, looking around curiously. Ye Mu An, holding Ye Yi Qing's hand, stood quietly to the side.
At the banquet after the ceremony, the Crown Prince went up to Mu Lian and raised his cup to toast her, saying, "Miss Mu, the Empress often mentions you, saying that you are a model for women of the Great Xing Dynasty."
Mu Lian bowed in return, saying, "Your Majesty flatters me. I was merely following my heart."
“Follow your heart, something many people yearn for but cannot attain…” A hint of envy flashed across the young Crown Prince’s face. “My mother said that if all the ministers in the court were as upright as you, the world would be at peace long ago.”
These words were quite harsh, and the surrounding ministers all bowed their heads. Mu Lian, however, remained calm: "The imperial court has its rules, and the martial world has its code of conduct. When everyone performs their duties and lives within their bounds, there will be peace."
After listening, the Crown Prince seemed to be deep in thought, and raised his cup again in a toast.
After the banquet, Mu Lian and her family returned to their residence. The two children were tired and went to bed early. The three of them sat in the courtyard, drinking wine under the moon.
"Your Highness, you seem to admire you greatly?" Ye Yiqing asked as she poured wine, her gaze tracing the woman's face before her.
Li Peixuan chuckled: "It's not just the Crown Prince; nowadays, countless women in the capital take our Lady as their role model. I heard that the Women's Academy has recently enrolled 30% more students, which must all be due to our Lady's influence."
Looking at the two who were full of praise, Mu Lian shook her head helplessly: "I just did what I wanted to do."
“It’s this ‘do it if you want’ attitude that’s the most precious thing…” Ye Yiqing held the woman’s hand. “Lianlian, thank you.”
"Thank me for what?" Mu Lian asked knowingly, having already finished her drink.
"Thank you for choosing us back then..." Ye Yuqing's ears turned slightly red, "for giving me a life I never imagined."
Li Peixuan also said seriously, "I should thank you too. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would still be suffering from that poison, living in a daze..."
Looking at the two most important men in her life, Mu Lian felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She laughed and raised her glass: "Then let's drink to ourselves, to the children, and to this rare moment of freedom!"
The moonlight, as gentle as water, bathed the three of them, softening the passage of time.
——High Mountains and Flowing Water——
With the matters concerning Princess Chang Le's residence settled, Mu Lian decided to leave the capital in three days.
On her last day, she went alone to the observatory outside the Imperial City. This was her most frequented spot, offering a panoramic view of Kyoto.
"I knew you'd be here." A familiar voice came from behind.
Slightly startled, he turned around and saw the Empress, dressed in casual clothes, accompanied only by two maids, ascending the steps.
"Your Majesty..." Mu Lian was about to bow when the Empress stopped her.
"No need for formalities in private." The Empress walked to her side, gazing at the myriad lights of the city. "Are you leaving?"
"Yes. The house in Jiangnan has been prepared."
The Empress paused for a moment: "Back then, when I allowed you to have two husbands, there was widespread opposition in the court. Now it seems that it was one of the best decisions I ever made."
Mu Lian chuckled: "Is Your Majesty not afraid that the common people will follow suit and disrupt the social order?"
"The social order is determined by people..." The Empress's gaze was far-reaching. "When I ascended the throne, they said that a woman becoming emperor disrupted the social order; when you had two husbands, they said that disrupted the social order. But look now, is the world in chaos? On the contrary, because of your example, women dare to study, dare to do business, and dare to do what they want to do. This is the kind of atmosphere a prosperous age should have."
Touched, Mu Lian bowed deeply: "Your Majesty is wise."
"Whether she is wise or not, let future generations judge." The Empress turned to look at her. "My dear Mu, do you know what I envy most about you?" The Empress's expression was serious and full of longing. Mu Lian seemed to sense something, but still shook her head slightly.
Looking once more at the myriad lights below the observatory, the Empress's voice seemed to carry a hint of weariness. "My life, from the moment of my birth, was predetermined. Even if I ultimately triumphed in the battle for the throne, it was not my own choice. After that, as Empress, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world, every step had to be flawless. But you are different. You could choose to leave the Court of Judicial Review, choose to roam the world, choose to stay with your beloved, and even choose a lifestyle that shocks the world. So I envy you, I envy your ability to choose!"
It was never easy for a woman to become empress. Mu Lian seemed to understand the woman before her now. The resentment and grudges stemming from past suspicions and manipulation seemed to have lessened somewhat. Gazing at the empress's slender yet resolute back, Mu Lian looked up and whispered, "But Your Majesty bears the weight of the world on your shoulders..."
“Yes, the world…” The Empress laughed, her voice cheerful and expectant. “That’s why I can’t be as carefree as you. But seeing you live like this, I feel that there is still some hope for the world.”
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The two stood side by side, speechless for a long time.
Night deepened. After an unknown amount of time, the Empress took out a blood-red jade pendant from her sleeve: "This is my personal seal. Seeing this seal is like seeing me. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, or if the children need anything, you can use this seal to ask for help."
"Your Majesty bestows this gift; I cannot refuse." Mu Lian solemnly accepted it, kneeling and bowing, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Take care." The Empress patted her shoulder and turned to leave. The night was still and clear, and her slender figure appeared even more resolute.
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