Chapter 175 Extra Chapter: The Crown Princess
August 16th.
Today is the wedding day of Prince Jing, Qin Mu, and Princess Huyan Yu'er of Northern Yan.
The wedding was lively and grand.
The Prince Jing's Mansion was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the atmosphere was filled with joy.
Qin Mu was dressed in a bright red wedding gown, and it was rare for him to shed his usual cold demeanor; his eyes and brows were filled with undisguised joy.
Hu Yanyuer, dressed in a floor-length wedding gown embroidered with gold phoenix patterns, walked slowly with the help of her maids.
Beneath the veil, a shy yet bright smile could be faintly seen.
Yun Si held the one-month-old Yi Huang in her arms as they sat at the table. The little one opened her big, dark eyes and curiously looked around at the festive red decorations filling the room.
"First bow to Heaven and Earth..."
As the officiant chanted, the newlyweds performed the proper rites.
When Qin Mu lifted Hu Yanyu'er's veil, all the guests present were full of praise.
What a perfect couple!
At the wedding banquet, Qin Ye raised his glass to congratulate the newlyweds: "Fifth brother, you've finally settled down. Congratulations!"
Qin Mu smiled sincerely: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Huyan Yu'er gently stroked her still-flat stomach and exchanged a smile with Yun Si.
The secret they've been keeping together will be the most surprising gift after the wedding.
As the banquet reached its climax, A-Wu went to the courtyard alone to admire the moon.
Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind: "Long time no see."
She turned around and saw Qin Yan standing under the osmanthus tree, holding an exquisite wooden box in his hands.
"I brought back rouge from Jiangnan, thinking... it might suit you."
The moonlight shone on the two of them, seemingly casting a shadow of regret over their stalled romance.
"Thanks."
Awu took it and looked at Qin Yan's face: "You've lost weight and gotten darker."
"Have you become uglier?" Qin Yan asked with a smile.
Awu shook her head: "No, it's just matured."
After they finished speaking, they both fell silent.
In the end, they didn't say anything more, just stood quietly in the moonlight, the two figures far apart.
The wedding is over.
Back at the East Palace, Yun Si noticed that A Wu seemed somewhat distracted the whole way. Her gaze fell on Xiao Yi Huang, and it was unclear what she was thinking.
“A-Wu”.
Yun Si looked at her seriously and asked, "Have you been hiding something from me lately?"
A-Wu pursed her lips, shook her head and said, "Sister, I'm not hiding it from you, I just don't know how to tell you."
"It's okay, go ahead."
"Do you remember what I told you before? The last time I saw that charlatan, she said her time was coming to an end. I thought she was just saying it, but actually, it's probably true. She's already dead, and..."
As she spoke, A-Wu's gaze fell on Xiao Yihuang once again.
Yun Si followed her gaze and looked at her daughter.
A bold guess instantly flooded her mind.
She looked at Awu in disbelief, only to see Awu nod gently.
"The mark on Huang'er's forehead is exactly the same as the one on her forehead, with slight differences. Didn't you notice that it shows Huang'er special reverence?"
Hearing what A-Wu said, Yun Si finally remembered.
That seems to be the case.
"So I guess that when she said she wanted Your Highness to pay a price, it might have been this: she wanted to be reincarnated in your bodies so that you could protect her as she grew up."
Although she had already guessed what A-Wu was going to say, Yun Si was still shocked when she actually heard it.
Her gaze fell on her daughter again, and her expression was complicated for a moment.
Xiao Yihuang smacked her lips in her sleep, then suddenly grinned.
Yun Si's heart immediately softened again.
Regardless of the child's origins, it is her flesh and blood, born after ten months of pregnancy.
It's her and Qin Ye's child.
This will never change.
Moreover...
If it weren't for Xiao Yihuang, she wouldn't have been reborn, allowing her to take revenge and enjoy her current happy and fulfilling life.
Everything she has achieved is thanks to her daughter.
From pregnancy to birth, Xiao Yihuang never caused her any worry.
Even when she was in his womb, he was unconsciously protecting her, not letting her suffer at all.
This was simply the most precious treasure bestowed upon her by God.
What else could she say?
Yun Si kissed Xiao Yihuang's soft cheeks, her heart filled with gratitude and happiness.
Seeing this, A-Wu finally felt relieved after all these days of worry.
Originally, A-Wu was a little worried that Yun Si wouldn't be able to accept it, but it turned out she was overthinking it.
“A-Wu”.
Yun Si only started talking about other things after handing the sleeping Xiao Yihuang over to the wet nurse.
"I wasn't originally planning to ask about your personal relationship issues, but I've noticed you've been looking downcast lately. Why don't you tell your sister what's on your mind?"
"No."
Ah Wu's expression suddenly changed, and she said somewhat awkwardly, "I didn't think about it much."
"Just tell me directly, do you like Qin Yan or not?"
"Why would I like him? He's just a little kid."
"..."
I almost forgot.
Ah Wu's physical age is only sixteen or seventeen, but her mental age is probably old enough to be Qin Yan's grandmother.
No wonder she felt awkward.
“Awu, one lifetime is one lifetime. You are still just a young girl. It’s normal for you to like him. Don’t feel guilty. Besides, the situation is different now. His Majesty has even made the Crown Princess. How could he not accept you?”
Yun Si had considered all of her concerns, and seeing that her expression softened, she knew that she had struck a chord with her.
However, matters of the heart cannot be rushed; she needs to figure it out herself.
Three days later.
Yun Si officially began treating Emperor Jiaqing's leg ailment.
Emperor Jiaqing appeared unhurried, but in reality, he had been waiting for this day for a long time.
In truth, he didn't dare to have any hope.
After all, Yun Si had never said that his leg could definitely be cured.
But he still kept it in his heart.
Yun Si crushed the specially prepared herbs and had the imperial physician apply them to Emperor Jiaqing's legs.
The herbs had a faint fragrance and felt warm to the touch.
The imperial physician carefully applied the herbs to his legs and covered them with a thin blanket before Yun Si entered from the outer hall.
"It will sting a little, just bear with it."
As Yun Si spoke, she channeled her inner energy and slowly injected it into her acupoints.
The Jiaqing Emperor pursed his lips, thinking to himself, "He's already completely numb, so what need is there for him to endure anything..."
As soon as Yun Si finished speaking, he jolted, a look of disbelief flashing in his eyes: "It hurts... my leg..."
Yun Sipo glanced at him speechlessly: "Your Majesty, the medicine hasn't taken effect yet. How much pain can it cause? If you want to stand up completely, please bear with it a little longer."
"..."
When Emperor Jiaqing was criticized for the first time, he was not angry at all, but rather very excited, so excited that he couldn't speak for a long time.
"Princess."
Others may not understand Emperor Jiaqing, but Eunuch Xu does.
Emperor Jiaqing's exclamation just now brought tears to his eyes: "His Majesty didn't mean he was afraid of pain; he meant that he could feel his legs again!"
Is it because you're just conscious that you're so agitated?
Yun Si chuckled to herself.
So even emperors can get excited sometimes.
The subsequent treatment went exceptionally smoothly.
Yun Si administered acupuncture and medicine to the emperor daily, using her internal energy to unblock his meridians.
In just three days, the pain in those legs, which had been numb, became increasingly clear.
One month later, one morning, Emperor Jiaqing, supported by Eunuch Xu, stood up shakily.
Although he only managed to take a few steps, it was enough to make the entire Imperial Hospital excited.
"I can walk now!"
Emperor Jiaqing's voice trembled with excitement as he tightly grasped Eunuch Xu's hand: "Haha...hahaha."
Eunuch Xu was even more excited than Emperor Jiaqing: "Heaven has eyes! Crown Princess, you are truly a divine physician of our Great Qin!"
"Princess."
Emperor Jiaqing looked at her, his eyes filled with heartfelt gratitude: "Father... I have wronged you in the past, thank you for not holding a grudge."
Yun Si was taken aback.
Then, he smiled with relief.
Qin Ye carried Xiao Yihuang in.
When the little guy saw his grandfather standing there, he happily waved his little hands and giggled.
Emperor Jiaqing's eyes welled up with tears as he took his granddaughter from Qin Ye's hands: "Is Huang'er happy for her imperial grandfather?"
Even more surprisingly, Xiao Yihuang reached out her little hand and gently touched her grandfather's leg, the flame mark on her forehead glowing slightly.
Emperor Jiaqing immediately felt a warm current flow through his legs, and the original soreness was greatly relieved.
Once he was able to walk again, Emperor Jiaqing quickly took over the reins of government. After several busy days, he found that he was not quite used to having to get up early every day to attend court and review memorials, after being a hands-off ruler for most of the year.
What kind of life is this, worse than that of pigs and dogs?
Surprisingly, the days when he couldn't move his legs were the most comfortable and happy days of his life.
That afternoon, as he watched Qin Ye skillfully handle the backlog of government affairs, he suddenly said, "I intend to abdicate ahead of schedule."
Qin Ye paused, his hand holding the pen still, and looked up in surprise: "What makes you say that, Father?"
"Over the past six months, you have handled state affairs in an orderly manner, and I am very relieved."
Emperor Jiaqing looked out the window and said, "At my age, it's time for me to enjoy my retirement."
The next day.
An imperial edict that shocked the court and the public was issued.
The emperor abdicated and became the retired emperor, Crown Prince Qin Ye succeeded to the throne, Crown Princess Yun Si became empress, and Crown Princess Qin Yihuang's status remained unchanged.
The Imperial Household Department was immediately thrown into chaos, as it had to prepare for both the new emperor's enthronement ceremony and the empress's investiture ceremony.
The entire palace was busier and more lively than during the Lunar New Year.
The Imperial Household Department worked overtime to rush the production of the dragon robe and phoenix crown, and finally managed to complete them perfectly before the auspicious day.
On the day of his coronation, Qin Ye wore a black robe with gold dragon patterns, a jade belt around his waist, and a twelve-tassel crown.
The five-clawed golden dragon on the dragon robe was lifelike and shone brightly in the sunlight, making him look even more heroic and extraordinary, showing his imperial majesty.
Yun Si wore a bright red phoenix robe, with a phoenix in outstretched wings embroidered in gold thread on the robe, and the skirt trailed three feet on the ground, exuding elegance and nobility.
Wearing a crown with nine phoenixes holding pearls, the bright pearls hanging from the phoenixes' mouths swayed gently with her steps.
She held Qin Yihuang, who was also dressed in gorgeous palace attire, in her arms, and the two of them looked radiant together.
As the bells and drums resounded and the cannons boomed through the sky, the newly appointed emperor and empress walked hand in hand into the Golden Palace.
Qin Ye walked steadily forward, Yun Si was graceful and elegant, and the little Yi Huang in her arms was surprisingly quiet, only opening her big, dark eyes to curiously look at the kneeling officials.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Empress!"
Amidst shouts of "Long live the Emperor!", Xiao Yihuang suddenly stretched out her small hand and pointed to the sky outside the palace.
As everyone looked in that direction, they saw auspicious clouds gathering and purple aura rising from the east, just like the strange phenomena that occurred when she was born.
"May Heaven bless the Great Qin!"
The courtiers kowtowed again, this time with even greater devotion.
After the ceremony, the newly appointed Emperor Emeritus was strolling in the Imperial Garden with his granddaughter in his arms when he suddenly said to Yun Si, who was accompanying him, "This child is destined for greatness; you must teach her well."
Looking at the mark on her daughter's forehead, Yun Si said softly, "No matter what she becomes in the future, at this moment, she is just our daughter."
Upon hearing this, the retired emperor did not refute it for the first time.
After walking for a while, he spoke again: "I intend to leave the Phantom Guard to you. From now on, you will be their only master. They will only obey you, not even the emperor."
Yun Si looked at the Emperor Emeritus in surprise.
"What are you looking at? Is there something on my face?"
The retired emperor glared at her: "Aren't you going to thank me?"
The tone was one that brooked no refusal.
"Thank you... Your Majesty."
"It seems that I will never hear you call me Father Emperor again in this lifetime. Very well, I am tired, I shall return to the palace."
Emperor Jiaqing handed the child to the wet nurse beside him and left without waiting for Yun Si's reply.
There was a hint of melancholy in his voice.
Yun Si stood still, unable to utter the words "Father Emperor."
As night fell, red candles burned brightly inside the Kunning Palace.
Yun Si removed her heavy phoenix crown, her ink-black hair cascading over her shoulders.
Qin Ye gently embraced her from behind, resting his chin on her neck, inhaling her fragrance freely.
“Yun Si”.
He called her softly, over and over again.
Tender and affectionate.
"What's wrong?"
As soon as Yun Si turned around, he kissed her lips.
Domineering and fiery.
“I’ve said it before, I’ll get back everything that was owed to me before.”
"..."
Yun Si had a bad feeling.
really.
She didn't get any sleep all night, and the next day she couldn't even get out of bed.
Last night, Qin Ye was like a rabid, hungry wolf.
Tireless.
He tormented her again and again, as if it were never enough.
In a daze, Yun Si seemed to hear him say something.
"Fortunately, I believed her."
A sentence without any beginning or end.
Afterwards, Yun Si quickly forgot about it and never mentioned it to anyone.
Yun Si did not tell Qin Ye about what happened in his previous life, and Qin Ye... naturally will never know.
The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet three years later.
The Imperial Garden was brightly lit.
Little Yihuang can already run and jump, and is chasing butterflies. The flame mark on her forehead is faintly visible in the moonlight.
Qin Mu and Hu Yanyu'er brought their two-year-old son to the banquet. The little guy chased after his sister, babbling away.
A-Wu and Qin Yan sat side by side in the pavilion, seemingly discussing some private matter.
Both of them looked calm, and the atmosphere was unusually warm.
Yun Si glanced in that direction.
It's been three years. Perhaps, there's still a chance.
I hope Ah Wu can find happiness.
Xiao Yihuang ran to Yun Si, picked a small red flower, handed it to Yun Si, and said in a soft, sweet voice, "Mother, I like you so much, just like Father."
Upon hearing this, everyone laughed.
Yun Si and Qin Ye exchanged a glance, then gently stroked their daughter's hair: "Your mother and father love you too..."
Under the moonlight, the figures of a family of three clung tightly together.
All the mysteries are no longer important; what matters is being together in this moment.
The golden age of the Qin Dynasty had only just begun.
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