"Qingyao, since childhood, my greatest desire has been for familial affection, to have someone treat me sincerely. But there was never such a person. Since meeting you, you've been like warm sunshine to me. My feelings for you have never been selfish, nor have I ever wished to possess you.
I am a person covered in scars and can no longer afford to love. Can I interpret the care you've given me as the affection of a family member?
Now, please allow me to call you sister. If I can do that, I will have no regrets in this life.
In the next life, I will surely wait for you. At that time, I will give you a completely new kind of love. Also, if you meet someone who loves you, please accept him sincerely, okay? Because I want you to be happy, and only then can I wait for you in the next life."
Reading this, Qingyao's eyes welled up.
Wuqing, you had already foreseen this, hadn't you? You foresaw my inner turmoil, my potential guilt, and that's why you left this letter? Thank you, Wuqing. Let us make a vow for the next life. In this life, I have debts of affection to repay.
Through tear-blurred eyes, she continued reading.
"Be happy, be truly happy with all your might. I won't reincarnate. I will wait for you at the Bridge of Helplessness. If you cry, I will be sad. If you are happy, I will be joyful."
The letter was signed Wuqing. Qingyao held the letter, speechless for a long time. She took a deep breath. How could she, Qingyao, be so fortunate to be loved by two men in this lifetime?
It turned out that in the grand scheme of things, everything was destined by fate. She had lost a love in her past life, and heaven had not been unkind, but had instead compensated her with the love of two men.
Regardless of which love it was, it was worth cherishing. Since she had made a promise to Wuqing for the next life, she would walk well with Liu Zun in this life. Whatever she should strive for, whatever she should have, she would have it.
Qingyao made up her mind, put away the letter, and quietly lit a candle, burning the letter. She hoped this letter would forever remain in her heart, not wishing to hurt anyone else. Whichever of them it was, she wished them happiness.
Qingyao stayed in the room quietly for half the day. No one disturbed her. When she finally emerged, she found a figure standing in the corridor. It was Shen Yu. She wondered why this man had come.
After more than three years apart, Shen Yu had shed his youthful immaturity, becoming more mature and steady. However, one thing remained unchanged: he was still as respectful upon seeing Qingyao.
"Greetings, Master."
Qingyao waved her hand. She already knew that Shen Yu had officially announced his allegiance to Xian Yue to the world. He was no longer an emperor, but merely an ordinary prince.
Yet, even as a prince, he had things to do. Why would he appear in Wuqing Valley out of the blue?
"Why have you come? Is there nothing to do at the prince's mansion?"
"Those who need to do things are being attended to by specialized personnel. I had nothing else to do, so I came to visit Master and?"
He said this while glancing at Mo Chou beside her. Qingyao suddenly realized she had forgotten about Mo Chou.
After more than three years, Shen Yu still liked Mo Chou. Some feelings were like aged wine, growing more mellow with time. What belongs to you cannot escape.
Qingyao smiled, reminded of the Emperor far away in the capital. It seemed they had come full circle and ended up together again. As for Xi Men Xin Yue and everything in the palace, she would eliminate any who stood in her way.
Qingyao's smile was radiant. The people standing in the long corridor, seeing their gentle and captivating mistress, simultaneously let out a sigh of relief. It seemed their mistress had come to terms with things and would likely emerge soon. Xiao Yu'er hopped over and pounced onto Qingyao's lap.
"Mother, can we go back to the capital now? This time, we'll live directly in the palace. I really want to see what the palace looks like!"
She genuinely wanted to see what ancient palaces were like. If her mother went back, she would get to see it.
"You!"
Qingyao rolled her eyes. What was so great about a palace? It was just a bigger, more luxurious house with more maids and eunuchs. If she had to stay in the palace, she would likely get bored quickly...
As the group was talking under the corridor, a servant from the valley walked over and respectfully bowed to Qingyao, speaking anxiously, "Miss Mu, someone outside the valley seems to have fainted. Should we rescue them?"
He had gone out of the valley to procure supplies today and unexpectedly saw someone collapsed outside the valley. He initially wanted to help but feared Miss Mu's reprimand, so he reported back first.
Qingyao's face was cast with a faint coolness. She looked towards Ming Yue and said, "Go bring the person in. If they are injured, treat them and bring them to me."
"Yes," Ming Yue nodded. Now, he and Qing Feng considered the young lady their master, just like their young master.
When their young master was dying, his dying wish was for them to take good care of the young lady. Previously, they had been too heartbroken to follow her, but as time passed, and coupled with this recent incident, they truly considered the young lady their master.
Ming Yue accepted the order and left. Outside the valley, there was indeed an injured, unconscious person, covered in dust, as if they had traveled a long distance, causing their vital energy to become unbalanced, leading to unconsciousness.
Ming Yue instructed a servant from the valley to take him back, diagnose him carefully, confirm there were no major injuries, write a prescription, and have him decocted. Ming Yue tidied up and went to report to Qingyao.
"They are fine."
"Who is he?" Qingyao narrowed her eyes slightly. How could it be such a coincidence that he fainted outside the valley? This Wuqing Valley was generally unknown to most people. Those who knew of it would not come here, as they couldn't enter. Yet, this man had collapsed outside the valley.
"I don't recognize him."
Ming Yue's handsome face was filled with confusion. He didn't recognize the person. He was tall and handsome, but they had never met.
"Mm, take good care of him," Qingyao waved her hand. Ming Yue retreated. Xiao Yu'er, naturally curious, had already followed Ming Yue to see the unconscious person. Upon seeing him, she was greatly alarmed and quickly rushed back to report to Qingyao.
"Mother. It's bad! I recognize that person. He seems to be an attendant of the Royal Uncle."
"Royal Uncle? Prince Nan'an?" Qingyao suddenly stood up, a chill instantly descending upon her face.
Had something happened in the capital? Otherwise, why would an attendant of Prince Nan'an appear here? Could it be the Emperor? Or Prince Nan'an? Could Prince Nan'an have defied the imperial decree, and the Emperor was dealing with him? Qingyao's expression turned cold as she strode outwards.
Xiao Yu'er quickly followed her. In the room, Mo Chou and Bing Xiao looked somewhat grim. Had something happened in the capital?
In the room, on a wide bed lay a man dressed in jade-colored robes, who had been cleaned up and was now lying quietly.
Upon seeing him, Qingyao recognized him as Geng Han, Prince Nan'an's capable subordinate. Why had Geng Han come here? If the Emperor had met with misfortune, it would be the Emperor's people who appeared. Could it be Prince Nan'an who had met with misfortune? How had the Emperor treated Prince Nan'an?
Qingyao's expression shifted several times. Bing Xiao behind her cried out in surprise, "Geng Han? How could it be him?"
Mo Chou and Bing Xiao simultaneously looked up at their mistress, noticing her cold and anxious expression. Geng Han had not yet woken up.
Although everyone knew something must have happened in the capital, otherwise Geng Han wouldn't have appeared here, and this matter must involve Prince Nan'an.
If the Emperor had met with misfortune, it would be his attendants who appeared, not Geng Han.