Chapter 113 The Koi Returns in Human Form, Still a Foodie at Heart (Final Chapter)
After the golden rain, all things revive.
Chu Chongjin emerged from the underground chamber, his body still enveloped in a purified, milky-white aura. He looked up at the national destiny cloud sea, more dazzling than ever before, and his heart sank.
He couldn't sense Xiao Yu'er's presence.
In front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Mu Fang, Xiao Beichen, Yan Ziche and others had already eliminated all the remaining forces and were anxiously looking around.
"Where's Xiaoyuer?" Mu Fang grabbed Chu Chongjin's shoulder, his eyes wide and his voice filled with barely suppressed panic.
Chu Chongjin was unable to answer.
In the end, it was Yan Ziche who found the little red koi skirt that Mu Yu often wore, which was covered in mud and bloodstains, by the lotus pond.
The dress is still there, but the person is gone.
Mu Fang's tall frame swayed. This iron-willed man, who shed blood but not tears on the battlefield, instantly had tears welling up in his eyes. With trembling hands, he picked up the small garment and hugged it tightly to his chest.
"No... my little Yu'er will be alright..."
Seeing his distraught state, Chu Chongjin's heart clenched. He walked to Mu Fang's side and solemnly said, "General Mu, she did it for the Great Chu, for all of us. I promise you, no matter where I go, I will find her."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried the promise of an emperor.
...
Twelve years later.
The Great Chu Kingdom, in the twelfth year of Cheng'an.
The devastation of the past has long been covered by prosperity. The new emperor, Chu Chongjin, is working diligently to govern the country, bringing peace and prosperity to the land and attracting tribute from all over the world, thus creating the most prosperous era in hundreds of years.
The former heroes who helped quell the rebellion have all risen to high positions.
Marquis Xiao Beichen of Zhenbei is now a great general in charge of the army. His youthful vigor remains undiminished, but he has become more composed.
The child prodigy Yan Ziche is now the youngest prime minister in the current dynasty, strategizing and winning battles from afar.
The genius physician Xie Zhiwei, who was in charge of the Imperial Medical Academy, saved countless lives with his medical skills and was revered by the people as "a living Hua Tuo".
Mu Fang, the Duke of Protector of the State, was revered as the only "King of Martial Peace and Protection" in the Great Chu, holding a position equivalent to a prince and enjoying unparalleled glory. However, he resigned from all real power and spent his days in the Anguo Princess's mansion, which had long since changed beyond recognition.
For twelve years, not a single blade of grass or tree in that mansion has changed. It's as if the master has only gone on a long trip, and at any moment he'll come bounding in with his little legs, calling out, "Daddy, I'm back!" and rushing into his arms.
This day is Mu Yu's birthday.
Or perhaps, it was the day she disappeared.
Every year at this time, Chu Chongjin would take off his dragon robe, put on ordinary clothes, and come to the Princess's Mansion to have a small gathering with Mu Fang, Xiao Beichen, and the others.
The stone table remains by the lotus pond.
But the little figure who used to clamor for osmanthus cake is no longer at the table.
The atmosphere was somewhat somber.
Mu Fang kept drinking one cup of wine after another, Xiao Beichen was unusually silent, Yan Ziche gently stroked the jade flute in his hand, and Xie Zhiwei stared blankly at the lotus flowers in the pond.
Chu Chongjin picked up his wine glass and said softly, "Uncle Mu, don't drink too much."
Mu Fang raised his head, his temples already etched with the marks of time, his eyes filled with an unyielding longing. "Your Majesty, do you think... Little Yu'er... could she already be..."
"No." Chu Chongjin interrupted him, her tone incredibly firm. "She just went to a very far place, and one day, she will come back."
The words had barely left his mouth.
"Thump!"
A clear splash broke the tranquility by the pool.
Everyone turned to look.
In the center of the lotus pond, the water rippled, and a figure slowly rose from the water.
"An assassin!" Xiao Beichen reacted the fastest, instantly standing up and placing his hand on the sword at his waist.
Several accompanying guards immediately appeared and surrounded the stone table.
The figure in the water seemed startled by the commotion. She parted the large lotus leaves and slowly stood up.
The pool water only reached her waist, and her soaked white clothes clung tightly to her body, outlining the girl's exquisite curves. Her black hair, like a waterfall, cascaded wetly over her shoulders, and water droplets slid down her smooth chin.
She looked up, her exquisitely beautiful face showing a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
When they saw those pure, clear amber eyes that took up a large proportion of the face, all the men present were struck dumb, frozen in place as if by lightning.
Those eyes...
It's all too familiar.
The girl's gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Mu Fang's face, which was filled with shock and disbelief.
She tilted her head, as if trying to identify something.
After a long pause, she tentatively spoke, somewhat uncertainly. Her voice was clear and melodious, like a mountain stream, no longer childish, but carrying a familiar tone.
"Father?"
boom!
Mu Fang's mind went blank.
Seeing that he didn't react, the girl wrinkled her delicate nose slightly, rubbed her flat stomach, and spoke with a hint of the righteous grievance she had twelve years ago.
"Father, I'm hungry."
"...I want to eat your golden roasted chicken wings, the kind with extra honey."
Now, no one had any doubts anymore.
"Wow--!"
The first to burst into tears was none other than Xiao Beichen, who was already a great general. He rushed to the edge of the pool, pointed at the girl in the water, and was so excited that he was incoherent.
"Little Yu'er! It really is you! You... how have you grown up so much! And, and become so beautiful!"
The jade flute in Yan Ziche's hand fell to the ground with a "thud." He rubbed his forehead and muttered to himself, "Leaping over the Dragon Gate... So that's how it is... Soul reshaping, physical body reconstruction... This defies common sense, yet it makes perfect sense..."
Xie Zhiwei quickly stepped forward, and from a few steps away, she scrutinized her as if her professional instincts were kicking in: "Princess, do you... do you feel unwell? Do you need your pulse checked?"
Mu Fang, this tough and resolute man, stood frozen in place for a long time before finally staggering step by step toward the edge of the pool.
His lips trembled; he wanted to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.
The girl, now grown up as Mu Yu, stepped ashore from the water. Barefoot, she walked step by step onto the bluestone slabs and approached Mu Fang.
She raised her hands, wanting to hug her father's neck like she did when she was little. But she found that she had grown much taller.
She had no choice but to stand on tiptoe and gently hug Mu Fang's waist.
"Father, I'm back."
Mu Fang could no longer hold back. He tightly embraced his daughter, whom he had just regained, and hot tears instantly soaked his shoulders. The longing and pain that this man had suppressed for twelve years all turned into a deafening cry at this moment.
Chu Chongjin stood aside, quietly watching this scene.
His eyes were also a little hot, but more than that, they were filled with a sense of relief and joy.
It's been twelve years.
The girl he was waiting for finally returned.
...
After a chaotic scene, Mu Yu was finally wrapped in a warm blanket, holding Xie Zhiwei's specially made calming sweet soup, and sat down in the room.
She explained her experience in a few words.
It turns out that when she leaped through the Dragon Gate, she sacrificed all her good fortune and soul to the national destiny and dragon vein of the Great Chu.
Her power restored heaven and earth, while she herself slept within the dragon vein, slowly, over twelve years, reshaping a truly human body that had grown.
"So, are you a human now, or a koi fish?" Xiao Beichen asked curiously.
After finishing the last sip of sweet soup, Mu Yu smacked her lips and thought seriously for a moment: "Yes, I am a human! But I can also sense whether the nation's fortune is good or bad. For example, the nation's fortune is great right now, so I am in a good mood and have a particularly good appetite!"
She patted her stomach and announced again, "I'm hungry!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
No matter how much time has passed, no matter what she has become, deep down she is still that greedy little koi fish.
Three months later.
The new emperor, Chu Chongjin, proclaimed to the world that he had found Mu Yu, the daughter of the Prince of Zhenguo Wu'an, who had been separated from him for many years. Grateful for her merits in bringing blessings to the world and for her pure and virtuous character, he appointed her as his empress.
On their wedding day, the whole world celebrated.
Inside and outside the palace, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
At the wedding banquet, all the officials paid their respects.
The new emperor, Chu Chongjin, was dressed in a solemn dragon robe, his handsome appearance unparalleled. Beside him stood his new empress, Mu Yu, adorned in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, her beauty breathtaking. The two stood together, like a divine couple.
only……
The newly appointed empress seemed more interested in the delicious food on the table than in the tedious etiquette.
While everyone was toasting, she quietly finished off a plate of crystal osmanthus cake, half a plate of crab roe shumai, and a bowl of bird's nest and lotus seed soup.
Chu Chongjin looked at her chubby cheeks, his eyes full of doting smiles. He asked softly, "Is it delicious?"
Mu Yu nodded vigorously and said indistinctly, "Delicious!"
She swallowed what was in her mouth, picked up another piece of dragon beard candy, wrinkled her little nose, and whispered a complaint in Chu Chongjin's ear.
“Brother Chongjin, I think the pastries made by the imperial chef are not as delicious as those made by Brother Yan Ziche’s chef.”
"And this roast suckling pig is nowhere near as fragrant as the wild boar roasted by my father."
Chu Chongjin chuckled and reached out to wipe the crumbs from the corner of her mouth.
"Alright, I understand."
He took her hand, his gaze so tender it could melt hearts.
"From now on, I will have the cook from Prime Minister Yan's household make you snacks every day, and I will also invite your father-in-law into the palace so that he can grill meat for you all."
"Really?" Mu Yu's eyes lit up instantly.
A ruler's word is his bond.
"That's great!" She happily shook their clasped hands, her amber eyes brimming with starlight.
Not far away, Mu Fang, Xiao Beichen, Yan Ziche, Xie Zhiwei and others watched this scene with knowing smiles.
After many twists and turns, and through trials and tribulations.
Their country is peaceful and prosperous.
Their emperor reigned supreme over the world.
And the little koi fish they had cherished and protected for so many years has finally found her lifelong home.
very nice.
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