Chapter 59 He is not alone
Back at the Prince Jin's mansion, Ye Xunyang felt utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally.
He dismissed his attendants and sat alone behind the desk where Lou Jin usually sat. The air seemed to still carry the cool medicinal fragrance and reassuring aura of that man.
His fingertips brushed across the smooth tabletop, and he recalled the nights he and Lou Jin had spent here together.
Those ordinary moments, when recalled now, are all indescribably precious.
That night, Ye Xunyang slept very restlessly, his dreams filled with his mother's weeping face, his father's unconscious countenance, and Lou Jin's resolute departure before a thousand troops.
The following day, in the afternoon.
Ye Xunyang changed into the attire of a prince's principal wife, his dark hair tied up, which made his handsome face even more striking, but his eyes held an undisguised weariness and worry.
He took a deep breath and boarded the carriage bound for the palace.
Inside the Cining Palace, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, creating a solemn and tranquil atmosphere.
The Empress Dowager did not meet him in the main hall, but in the side hall's warm pavilion.
She was dressed in a dark purple casual outfit, leaning against a soft couch, her expression calm and unreadable. Only her eyes, which had seen through the vicissitudes of life, held a clear understanding of the world. When they fell on Ye Xunyang, he couldn't help but feel nervous.
"Your subject Ye pays respects to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, and wishes Your Majesty good health." Ye Xunyang knelt and bowed in accordance with etiquette, trying his best to keep his voice steady.
"Rise, please take a seat." The Empress Dowager's voice was devoid of emotion.
The eunuch brought over an embroidered stool. After expressing his gratitude, Ye Xunyang carefully sat on one side, his back ramrod straight, awaiting the expected reprimand.
However, the Empress Dowager remained silent for a moment before slowly asking, "After Jin'er left, were you well in the capital? Has General Ye's health improved?"
Ye Xunyang paused slightly, then cautiously replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Things in the capital are still stable. My father's poisoning has been brought under control thanks to the imperial physicians, but he still needs time to rest and recover."
The Empress Dowager nodded, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment before she suddenly sighed softly.
"I heard that you had some unpleasantness with your mother when you returned to the General's Mansion yesterday?" The Empress Dowager asked tactfully, but it was clear that things outside the palace had not been completely hidden from her.
Ye Xunyang's heart tightened, and he lowered his eyelashes, unsure how to answer. Family scandals should not be aired in public, especially something so difficult to discuss.
Seeing his silence, the Empress Dowager did not press him further. Instead, she changed the subject, her tone becoming more profound: "I summoned you here today not to make things difficult for you. The day Jin'er was here, the things he said to me about taking a concubine... I'm sure you know what he meant."
Ye Xunyang's heart was in his throat. Was it finally coming?
But the Empress Dowager continued, "I watched Jin'er grow up, and I know his temperament well. Once he's made up his mind, not even nine oxen could pull him back."
She paused, then looked sharply at Ye Xunyang, "Tell me honestly, is your relationship with Jin'er truly sincere?"
Ye Xunyang suddenly raised his head and met the Empress Dowager's eyes, which seemed to be able to see through people's hearts.
He hadn't expected the Empress Dowager to ask about their relationship so directly.
He pursed his lips, his mind flashing back to every moment he had spent with Lou Jin, from their initial awkwardness to their eventual mutual understanding and appreciation, from his bedside care for him to their passionate embrace on the eve of his departure for battle…
All the hesitation and fear transformed into unwavering courage when I thought of that person.
He knelt down again, his voice clear and firm, filled with undeniable sincerity: "Your Majesty, the Prince and I are truly in love. It was not a momentary impulse, nor a temporary expedient. To have won the Prince's heart in this life is my greatest fortune, and I have no regrets!"
After he finished speaking, he held his breath, awaiting the Empress Dowager's verdict. Would it be a rebuke? Or a more direct rejection?
The anticipated storm did not materialize.
The Empress Dowager simply watched him quietly. After a long while, she gestured to Granny Gui beside her.
Granny Gui understood and took out a letter sealed with wax from a locked sandalwood box, respectfully handing it to Ye Xunyang.
"This was sent to me by Jin'er overnight before he went to war," the Empress Dowager said calmly. "He anticipated that you would face a lot of pressure alone in the capital. Take a look for yourself."
Ye Xunyang was filled with doubts and took the letter with trembling hands.
Unseal the wax, unfold the letter, and you'll find Lou Jin's familiar and vigorous handwriting.
The contents of the letter caused Ye Xunyang to suddenly stop breathing and his eyes to instantly well up with tears.
Lou Jin did not mention any political or military affairs in his letter; the entire letter was only about Ye Xunyang.
He blamed himself for all the inappropriate behavior between the two of them.
He stated that he had forced Ye Xunyang, that he had used his illness to blackmail him, and that he had disregarded human ethics.
He wrote that if it weren't for Ye Xunyang's help, he would have died long ago. Ye Xunyang was his savior and the love of his life. She was the light that he begged to stay by his side.
"Grandmother, I, Lou Jin, swear that my heart and soul will be devoted to Ye Xunyang for the rest of my life. No matter how the world criticizes me, no matter how harsh the patriarchal laws are, my heart is as clear as heaven and earth, and will never waver until death! If, because of this, the royal family is tarnished, and I am deprived of the opportunity to ascend the throne, I will accept it willingly, without regret!"
Willing, without complaint or regret...
For him, Lou Jin was even willing to give up that supreme position!
Ye Xunyang's hand holding the letter trembled violently, and tears, which he could no longer control, rolled down his cheeks, splashing onto the letter and blurring the ink.
He never imagined that Lou Jin had shouldered all the pressure alone behind the scenes, and even paved all the escape routes for him!
He thought he was bravely protecting this relationship, but little did he know that the other person had already provided him with a safe haven, even at the cost of their own future!
"Now, do you understand?"
The Empress Dowager's voice rang out again, this time with a gentler tone than before, "My grandson is determined. What can I do if he's so resolute? Do I really want to force him to become estranged from the royal family and from me?"
Looking at Ye Xunyang, whose face was streaked with tears, the Empress Dowager slowly said, "Before he left, his biggest worry was you. He was afraid you would suffer, afraid you wouldn't be able to handle it. Now it seems that you did have some sincerity towards him."
She paused, her tone carrying a royal authority and a promise: "Since you two have made up your minds, I will no longer play the villain. From now on, you will be the rightful Princess Consort of Jin. As long as Jin'er does not betray you, I will acknowledge you."
"As for the emperor, it goes without saying. He issued the imperial decree to grant the marriage, so he had no choice but to agree."
"As for the Ye family..."
The Empress Dowager's gaze narrowed slightly. "If you are blamed or put in a difficult position because of your affair with Jin'er, you can come and tell me. Although I haven't left Cining Palace for a long time, I can still put in a good word for you."
Ye Xunyang bowed down and kowtowed heavily, his voice choked but clear: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness! I will certainly live up to Your Highness's deep affection and will do my duty to never disappoint Your Highness and Your Majesty!"
Ye Xunyang knew that he was not alone in facing all of this.
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