Qi Ruyan arrived at the imperial mausoleum and met Chen Xiao and his group.
Upon seeing Qi Yanyun and Yuan Yin, she didn't have time for reminiscing before immediately kneeling before Chen Xiao and saying, "Your Majesty, I have something important to tell you!"
Chen Xiao didn't have any particular opinion about Qi Ruyan, and ordered Qi Yanyun to help Qi Ruyan up. "Madam Qi, there's no need for that. Now that we're in front of the Imperial Aunt, you can speak frankly."
Qi Ruyan brushed away Qi Yanyun's hand, remained kneeling, held up the token with both hands, and bowed her head to tell the whole story of her relationship with Chu Qianyun.
Finally, she kowtowed and said, "Before leaving Guangling, I made arrangements for Feng Li and left a letter of divorce. Now I believe that the life story of Qi Yuan has been passed down in Guangling."
Chen Xiao then realized why Chu Qianyun had adopted Qi Yanyun—it was out of kindness. Sigh, she didn't know how to judge it.
And then there's Qi Ruyan, who was definitely manipulated by Qi Yuan. Later, she had to compromise for the sake of her child, but thankfully she's come to her senses now.
"I already know what you have to say, but you have already dealt with the Qi Yuan matter. So why are you kneeling in the capital to beg me?"
Qi Ruyan continued to kowtow, "I feel deeply ashamed for revealing the past of the Grand Princess to the world. I only wish to stay here for the rest of my life to accompany the Grand Princess in order to express my gratitude."
Chen Xiao was surprised and immediately refused the request, saying, "But your actions have helped to quell the rumors that my aunt suffered during her lifetime. I believe my aunt will not blame you, and you do not need to feel guilty."
Moreover, you have a long life ahead of you, and two sons are still in my palace. Are you truly not worried about them? Consort Qi, go and help your mother up!
Qi Ruyan brushed away Qi Yanyun's hand again and kowtowed, "Your Majesty, I have no way to repay the kindness of the Grand Princess. Moreover, my sons are all grown up. I no longer need to compromise myself. Therefore, my mind is made up. I only ask Your Majesty to grant my request!"
Qi Ruyan persisted, and Chen Xiao had no choice but to agree, "I grant your request, but you may leave at any time if you no longer wish to guard the imperial tomb."
After saying this, he took Xu Ruyu and Xu Ruyan away, leaving Qi Yanyun and Yunyin behind to reminisce with them.
Qi Yanyun was adopted by Chu Qianyun when he was still a child. He later observed three years of mourning for Chu Qianyun. When he finally returned home, he was already 18 years old. He had only spent two years with his mother before entering the palace as a concubine, so he was not very familiar with his mother.
Only after learning these things did he truly understand his mother's difficulties. But having just begun to understand her character, he had to part ways with her. If his mother hadn't been guarding the imperial tomb, there would still have been a chance for them to meet again, but now…
Yuan Yin helped Qi Ruyan up and wiped the dust off her forehead. "Madam Qi, it's been a long time. I thank you on behalf of my mother, but you don't seem to care. My mother said she understands you."
Qi Ruyan looked at Yuan Yin, tears falling. "The Grand Princess treated me so well, but at the time, I didn't notice anything amiss while I was in the manor. Only after I returned to Guangling did I hear the news of her passing. I truly regret it..."
Yuan Yin quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, then took her hand and explained, "Madam Qi, please don't blame yourself. My mother already knew her fate, and my father and I also knew about it. Our family was prepared to spend this upcoming separation in peace."
But you came. It was your first time in Beijing, and my mother was especially happy that you were in good health. She had always treated you like a younger sister and a close friend. When she learned that you were unwell, she wanted to visit you, but her health did not allow it, so she wrote a letter to inquire after your well-being.
Ten years of silence left her deeply worried. Thankfully, she resolved this worry as her life drew to a close. Later, I heard that you erected a cenotaph for my mother at the site of the heroic martyrs in Guangling, and my father and I were deeply moved!
"Back then, when I was still a child, my brother came to this imperial mausoleum to observe mourning for me, which moved me deeply. Now that my father has passed away, I am all alone. If Lady Qi no longer wishes to guard the imperial mausoleum, then please move into the Princess's residence and live with me!"
Yuan Yin's heartfelt words deeply moved Qi Ruyan. Qian Yun was so wonderful, and her family was so wonderful. Meeting them was truly the greatest fortune of her life.
She agreed to Yuan Yin's request, saying she would definitely consider it.
Qi Yanyun, watching this heartwarming scene, felt like an outsider standing there as the two interacted like a mother and daughter, and sadly lowered her head.
Yuan Yin noticed Qi Yanyun's emotions, quickly reacted, and said goodbye to Qi Ruyan, leaving the place for them to talk.
For a moment, only Qi Ruyan and Qi Yanyun remained in the place. The two looked at each other, and a faint awkwardness filled the air between them.
Facing her second son, whom she was not very familiar with, Qi Ruyan was at a loss for words. She was afraid that saying the wrong thing would create a rift between Yun'er and her. Besides, she was powerless to protect them at the time, which led to their being sent to the palace and forbidden from leaving.
Qi Yanyun didn't know what to say, because he hadn't discussed it with his parents and had taken it upon himself to observe three years of mourning for Chu Qianyun in place of Yuan Yin, disregarding his mother and causing her to suffer all kinds of grievances at home. Now he didn't know how to make amends.
After a long silence, Qi Ruyan finally spoke first, confessing all her guilt.
"The person I feel most sorry for in my life is you, because I was unable to raise you myself. But the person I am most grateful to is Princess Qianyun. If it weren't for her, I might never have seen you again."
It was because I was too weak and incompetent that I didn't make up my mind to leave your father sooner. Because I couldn't bear to leave Shang'er, all of this happened. You must be very upset with me.
Since your birth, I have been unable to give you anything, but instead have implicated you and caused you to lose your freedom. Now that Qi Yuan is embroiled in rumors, the Qi family is bound to decline. Without the identity of the son of a wealthy merchant from Guangling, you will be walking on thin ice in the palace.
I've done something that has dragged you into this again, but I really have no other choice. I'm stuck with Qi Yuan for the rest of my life, thinking about others and the children, but I really want to leave Qi Yuan and live for myself for once.
Now all I want is to stay by Qianyun's side. I'm not worthy to be your mother, so just pretend I never gave birth to you!
After saying that, he turned and left.
Qi Yanyun's eyes were red, and he wanted to say something to persuade her to stay, but he didn't know how to start. Looking at Qi Ruyan's resolute back, tears fell and his hoarse voice rang out.
"But Mother, I have never blamed you!"
When I was ten years old, my adoptive mother told me the truth. For a moment, I felt that you were heartless, that you hadn't come to see me for so long. But later, my adoptive mother explained to me that I understood how hard you had worked. So I have been hoping that you would come to see me ever since.
When I was fifteen, you came to visit me. I was very happy, but also somewhat unfamiliar with you, and I didn't dare to speak to you. When I heard that you were being held captive by your father, I was very angry and wanted to apologize to you.
But I hesitated, because I didn't know if you still considered me your son. You've endured so much hardship for your elder brother's sake, and I dared not gamble with that…”
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