Chapter 145· Extra 3
That happened a very, very long time later.
because.
Qi Ye was a long-lived emperor.
The old emperor lived to the age of eighty-eight, passing away two years after his abdication. It was the fifty-fifth year of Qing'an, or actually the second year of Tianming.
It was also the second year after Song Jin and Qi Zheng became emperors.
The late emperor died.
To say there was chaos and disorder would certainly not be the case, after all, they had been the Crown Prince and Crown Princess for thirty years and were very familiar with matters large and small, but to say they were adept at handling them would be an exaggeration.
Qi Zheng: "Prime Minister Song, thank you for your concern."
Song Jin: "Big brother, is the charter ready yet?"
The couple still couldn't decide what to do, so they went to their older brother.
Since Song Xingzhi became Grand Secretary at the age of forty and successfully succeeded Song Shang, Song Jin and Qi Zheng, the former Crown Prince and Crown Princess, have had this tacit understanding.
Neither of them is cut out for politics. With someone helping them, why should they work themselves to death?
Thus, at a young age, Song Xingzhi shouldered this heavy burden that he shouldn't have had to bear, and he carried it for twenty years.
He was a handsome man who cared about his image. He dyed his hair black every ten days. Even at sixty, he still had a straight posture without any hunchback. Although his face was full of wrinkles, he was still a vigorous old man who looked only fifty. He was even younger than Yan Sheng, a younger generation man.
When Song Jin was young, she looked down on him and would roll her eyes at him. But as she got older, she would look at him every day to feel at ease, afraid that he might get sick or in pain, or accidentally kick the bucket, and that her son would not be able to find such a good person to assist him in the future.
Even though Song Jin had become Empress at the age of fifty, she was still a greedy person.
She looked at her face in the mirror, which was already quite young, touched the wrinkles that couldn't be hidden when she smiled, and still couldn't help but pout. Then she tilted her head and leaned against her mother's lap, wailing.
"Oh no, Mom, your daughter looks older than you! I'm going to die before you every now and then!"
Slender fingers gently tapped her forehead.
Niu Tielan lowered her head. She didn't look much different from back then. Her skin was still fair and firm. However, compared to her elegant and quiet demeanor back then, she was now more composed and gentle. Her eyes were filled with undisguised love, and her voice was soft.
"Nonsense, what do you mean by death at such a young age?"
Song Jin turned her head to look up at her mother, Nian, and stretched out her hand to count on her fingers, muttering, "Look, I'm already fifty. According to the late emperor's age, if we count him as ninety, I only have forty years left."
"Um?"
"Forty years?"
She started talking to herself, and as she spoke, her phoenix eyes lit up, and she suddenly jumped up again, her eyebrows and eyes full of pride: "Forty years to go? That's still a long way off. Let me think, by then Mother will be a hundred years old. Wow, if you live to be two hundred, won't you be able to have five, eight, or ten generations living together? When you come out with that face, it will definitely scare the little brat's little brat."
Niu Tielan's lips twitched as he poked her forehead: "Then he was captured and his blood was used to make pills."
She has to pretend even when she goes back to Yong'an City now. In a few years, how could she dare to do that again?
Song Jin laughed heartily, squeezing her mother's hand, her eyes crinkling: "If that's the case, it's time for the country to perish. A bunch of little brats deserve to be crushed to death."
Niu Tielan chuckled, "Youyou will cry if she hears this."
Song Jin scoffed, "How old are you? Why are you crying? You coward."
Niu Tielan: "Yes, yes, your grandson is a coward."
Song Jin put her arm around her waist and couldn't help but laugh. After a while, she stopped laughing and looked at her with bright eyes: "Mother, wait for me for two more years. Then we'll travel together."
It's still a bit short.
The late emperor has passed away, and Qi Zheng has only been on the throne for two years. It would be too early for him to abdicate now; three to five years would be just right.
As for why they would go through all this trouble to be emperors for several years when they were already thinking of abdicating, it's still a different story.
This is the throne!
Having served as the crown prince and crown princess for thirty years, if they weren't made empresses and emperors, who knows how history would record them in the future.
However, after ascending the throne and becoming Empress from Crown Princess, Song Jin didn't feel much different from before. She still interacted with the same people, only now she had moved from the Prince Qi's residence to the palace, and no one dared to boss her around anymore.
When she was the Crown Princess, there were still some old fogies who would gossip about this and that, talking about heaven, earth, the emperor, and parents. Although they couldn't control her, they were still annoying to listen to.
Now she is the empress.
According to the principles of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, and Parents, whether from the perspective of affection or propriety, she can interfere in the marriages of these old folks' mothers, wives, daughters, and sons. The old folks are more sensible than anyone else.
Years have passed, and her three sons and one daughter have given her twenty grandchildren. Every Lunar New Year is the most depressing time for her.
Listen to him, he's the eldest son and also the crown prince. He used to have a childhood sweetheart, the crown princess, but unfortunately, she was in poor health and passed away after giving birth to two children. After his beloved passed away, he simply followed the ways of the world and remarried a few years later, taking a concubine and maids. Now he has a total of eight children.
Yan Yan is the second oldest, a dashing prince and a romantic playboy. He has seven children, a whole bunch of Calabash Brothers.
The third son, Kai Kai, is a good boy who marries his childhood sweetheart and nemesis. The couple bickers and has two children.
The fourth princess, An'an, is a rebellious girl who has had three husbands and three children.
Having been ripped off once again, Song Jin returned to the palace and leaned on Qi Zheng's shoulder in frustration, counting on her fingers: "How can you be so prolific? Looking at it this way, it must be because your father was bewitched back then. If you weren't his only biological child, this position really wouldn't have been yours."
When Qi Zheng was young, he used a cold face to avoid many problems when he was traveling the world. Later, he returned to the royal family, and he still had to maintain his dignity. However, as he got older and his position became more and more stable, he seemed much more amiable and smiled more often.
He exclaimed, "Thinking about it this way, I'm actually pretty lucky?"
Song Jin chuckled and said, "Otherwise what? If you're unlucky, how could you possibly run into me? Don't you even remember how many times I've shielded you from all these years?"
As long as you don't care about empty fame, there are advantages to being wild.
No matter the year, good people always suffer some losses.
Song Jin snorted: "I've taken the blame for a lot of things."
Qi Zheng took her hand, turned his head, and saw strands of white hair among her jet-black hair. He said softly, "You've had a tough time all these years."
If she hadn't married him, she would have been traveling all over the world all these years, instead of being trapped within these small city walls.
Song Jin raised her eyebrows, beaming with pride: "Of course, if I don't work hard, who will?"
She has to meet with the minister's wife soon, then have afternoon tea, and tomorrow some little brats will come to visit. Day after day, her abs have softened a bit. It's really tiring.
Qi Zheng loved her smile the most—bold, triumphant, full of energy and freedom. He couldn't help but laugh, leaning over to touch her eyebrows and eyes, his voice hoarse: "Wait for me tonight?"
Having been grandparents for many years, they are naturally not as energetic as they were when they were young.
The last time, it seems, was about half a month ago?
Song Jin looked at his eyes, which had suddenly become filled with desire, and her gaze shifted. She also recalled her youth, and licked her lips meaningfully: "The moon is full today, and the mountain scenery is beautiful."
Qi Zheng's eyes darkened: "I'll finish dealing with the memorials earlier today, then we'll leave the city."
"Then we'll have to see who's faster. If you lose..."
Song Jin raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping down his face, revealing nothing but ill intent.
Qi Zheng: "If you lose."
The couple exchanged glances before turning and leaving.
Finish the work as soon as possible so we can rest and recuperate.
...
The moonlight is like water, and the birds are singing.
Two figures darted through the foliage like eagles, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Although they have lived a life of luxury over the years, they have not progressed as quickly as those who fight in the martial world. However, it is impossible for them to have regressed, especially in terms of internal strength. Thirty years ago, the two of them were already among the best. They have been cultivating their internal strength for many years and have reached the pinnacle.
It's no exaggeration to say that when the emperor and empress went out, everyone, including themselves and their ministers, felt at ease.
The two of them didn't go too far, after all, they weren't going out to run away.
The leaves rustled, and the bright moon, like a curtain, covered the silvery waterfall, concealing its gentle breaths and its entwined figures.
The wind moves, the water moves, and my heart moves too.
When the full moon quietly hid behind the branches, the shimmering water also ceased to move.
The two stepped on the stones and went from the bottom of the waterfall to the top of the mountain. They sat on a flat rock and looked at the full moon in the sky. The evening breeze in the forest was cool, accompanied by the chirping of insects and birds, which was particularly melodious.
Song Jin leaned against Qi Zheng, touching his ever-firm chest, and chuckled.
Qi Zheng looked at her: "What are you laughing at?"
Song Jin turned her head away, shifting from leaning to lying down, her chin rubbing against his firm chest. Her phoenix eyes were bright and lively, filled with emotion: "I never thought of today at the beginning. Back then, I thought that maybe in a few years, we would get a divorce, and then I would wander the world with my mother and my dead father."
Little did they know that this marriage would last for thirty years. During these thirty years, the two had some conflicts and arguments, but never because of beauty, whether it was female or male.
Qi Zheng hugged her tightly, stroking her smooth black hair with his large hand. After a while, he said, "Actually, I never thought we would come to this."
Instantly, Song Jin raised her head, narrowed her eyes, and gripped his neck: "What do you mean?"
Does this person have ulterior motives?
Qi Zheng chuckled, his chest trembling as if electrified, leaving his hands slightly numb.
Song Jin grinned, flipped over and pinned him down, grabbing his neck and saying fiercely, "What are you laughing at? Talk to me."
Compared to the arrogant and flamboyant princess of the past, she is now the Empress of Dayan, exuding power with every frown and movement. Even Qi Zheng rarely sees her in such a taunting and aggressive state.
He laughed and reached out to touch her cheek: "I thought you would leave with your mother and the others."
It's often said that the eldest child is raised by the book, while the second child is raised like a dog; this applies to grandchildren as well.
When he was born, everyone, including the couple, Niu Tielan and Qu Maoze, was extremely worried and concerned, wanting to give him the best of everything.
For the sake of this child, Niu Tielan and Qu Maoze stayed in the capital for ten years. When the child grew up and became sensible, and their foundation was established, they packed their bags and began their own journey.
The two traveled from south to north, from Dayan to Xisa, visiting countless places. They spread the word about Dayan and brought back things from the outside world. They wrote travelogue after travelogue and brought back new crops and products.
The prosperity of Dayan was inseparable from their repeated explorations outside the region.
Even Qi Zheng felt envious, let alone Song Jin.
Over the years, he had always worried that she would leave.
Song Jin leaned down again, wrapped her arms around his neck, and chuckled, "What will you do if I leave?"
Qi Zheng, with a stern face, said, "Listen to them, they're all grown up now, and with their older brother's help, they can stand on their own."
Then he left too.
Song Jin glared at him and poked his chest: "Are you trying to coax me? You have to turn into a puppy to coax me."
Qi Zheng: "If the Great Yan is in turmoil and the people are uneasy, I will do my best. But my father is long-lived and wise. Listen to his composure and uprightness. The officials in the court are capable. Whether I am here or not, there is not much difference."
Song Jin lay on top of him, gently poking his chest for a while, then asked, "If it's really that good, why did you force me to abdicate?"
Qi Zheng's smile froze: "You know?"
Song Jin leaned over and gently touched his thin lips, letting out a soft hum: "Do you really think I'm stupid?"
If Emperor Qi Ye were truly as wise as ever, he wouldn't have remained in that position for so long, leaving the couple stuck in a limbo. He lived a long life, and he wanted it to last even longer.
Niu Tielan and Qu Maoze are ready-made examples.
The person he once called his brother and who he supported and trusted had ultimately become a thorn in his side.
However, the couple's whereabouts were unknown and their skills were unpredictable, making them difficult to capture. He turned his gaze to his daughter-in-law, which also alerted his usually silent and respectful son.
Qi Zheng recalled his father, the wise and powerful emperor who had once doted on him, and the fearful look in his eyes after his abdication. His expression darkened, and his voice became lower and hoarse.
“Father has gone down the wrong path, and I cannot watch him continue down that wrong path.”
The former ruler of the world watched helplessly as he gradually came to his end, while his former friend still stood at the crossroads of the past, with an infinite future ahead. In the end, greed took hold of him.
But what good is greed?
There has never been a shortage of long-lived people in this world. If it were truly possible to make up for one’s own lifespan with another, there wouldn’t have been so many dynasties rising and falling.
He stroked his smooth, black hair and said, "Let's just leave it to fate. Whether we're fifty or a hundred, being like my father-in-law and mother-in-law isn't suitable for everyone."
However, despite this, given their internal strength, they would likely live much longer than ordinary people, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Song Jin clicked her tongue: "You're quite open-minded. You're still young. Wait until you're eighty."
Qi Zheng: "That's enough. You're eighty years old and can't even walk anymore. What's the point of continuing?"
Song Jin raised her lips, her eyebrows dancing with excitement: "That's you. When I was eighty, I could still fly. With my high level of internal strength, I should live to be a hundred, right?"
Qi Zheng smirked: "A toothless, 100-year-old woman who drinks porridge every day?"
Song Jin bit his nose and gritted her teeth: "You're the toothless old man."
"Is that so?" Qi Zheng's eyes darkened. He pulled the person up by the waist, then took a bite, sucking through the fabric and grinding the flesh.
Song Jin tugged at his hair: "Ouch, be gentle?"
The night wind rises again, reigniting the sparks, which dance and leap amidst the pattering waterfall, uncovering those little secrets hidden in the past.
"And what about you? You like that little niece so much, why don't you make her your daughter-in-law?"
"Hmph, I'd rather."
"Really willing?"
"Otherwise what?"
"No regrets? The world is vast, I can live a carefree life."
"You're so annoying! I'm not dead yet, I'll be gone sooner or later. And you? You have a harem of beauties, countless lovely ladies, don't you regret it?"
"I'm not dead yet."
I think you're about to die!!!
...
[Author's Note]
A long, long time ago.
The couple said: Son, your mother and I are leaving now. Do you want to travel the world?
Song Jin: You mean, in temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius, you can't take a shower for ten days or half a month, you eat raw insects, and then you eat frozen raw fish in temperatures of minus 30 degrees Celsius?
The couple: ...occasionally
Song Jin: (Sincerely) Freedom is indeed precious, but wealth is blinding.
Not long after.
The couple, both seemingly indifferent, said: "Wait a minute, wait a minute, I haven't finished harvesting the vegetables yet."
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