Yun Xiao's small face instantly flushed with pride and self-satisfaction. She reached out and took his hand, claiming ownership. No matter how handsome, how dashing, how breathtakingly beautiful this man was, he was hers, and hers alone.
Below the stage, Yu Fan, witnessing his parents gazing at each other with such deep affection, so tenderly, as if they might forget he existed, cried out.
"Daddy, Daddy, I'm here."
Though he was the Crown Prince, he spent much of his time outside the palace and was accustomed to calling Shangguan Yin "Daddy" and Yun Xiao "Mother."
Shangguan Yin extended an arm to embrace Yun Xiao, his form leaping down to his son's side. He reached out and scooped his son into his arms.
The two faces were astonishingly alike, both possessing an unparalleled, ethereal beauty that captivated all eyes. For a moment, time seemed to stand still, until Yi Yuxuan, accompanied by servants, approached and invited them to the separate courtyard.
Only then did the people at the martial arts competition site regain their senses and begin to disperse. However, within the hearts of those female martial artists, two figures of peerless grace were forever etched, their demeanor utterly incomparable.
In the separate courtyard, Yun Xiao stared at Shangguan Yin and Yu Fan, her face a mask of dark lines. She pointed at one, then at the other.
"The two of you, stay away from me from now on."
"Why?"
The two men asked in unison, both frowning in displeasure, their expressions strikingly similar.
Yun Xiao pouted and grumbled, "Being with the two of you puts too much pressure on me."
Yes, those women acted as if she had stumbled upon an immense treasure. While it was somewhat true, must they be so blatant about it?
Yun Xiao muttered to herself, glaring at the two men. The men exchanged a look. One burrowed into her embrace, while the other reached out to hold her. The three of them tumbled together in a heap.
In the flower hall, Yi Yuxuan was dumbfounded, wondering what on earth was happening. Liu Xing, Jing Yun, and Zi Jun were already accustomed to this.
The greatest pastime of this father and son was vying for the Empress's affection.
Finally, Shangguan Yin sat with Yun Xiao on his lap, while Yu Fan snuggled in Yun Xiao's arms. The woman's face was a picture of distress.
What was the meaning of this?
He looked up, his smile not quite reaching his eyes, and spoke, "Murong, why have you left the palace?"
Shangguan Yin laughed heartily, glancing at everyone in the hall before replying with ease, "I am now unburdened."
"You mean you've abdicated the throne to Lin?"
Shangguan Yin nodded affirmatively. After five years of diligent management, Dong Qin was now peaceful and prosperous. Many matters had already been streamlined by King Lin. He could finally relax. From now on, their family would roam the lakes and mountains, living as they pleased.
That evening, a feast was held at the separate courtyard. Shangguan Yin—no, from this point on, he would no longer be called Shangguan Yin, but Murong Chong—and Yun Xiao, along with their family, were seated in order. Following them were Yi Yuxuan, Zi Jun and Zi Yang, Liu Xing and Jing Yun, Zhui Feng and Zhui Yue, and finally Wan Wan.
Murong Chong glanced at everyone and raised his cup, "Come, let's all have a drink."
Everyone rose to drink a cup of wine, then sat back down. Yi Yuxuan surveyed the group, his gaze finally settling on Murong Chong, and he spoke slowly.
"What are your plans for the future?"
Murong Chong looked at Yun Xiao. Yun Xiao slowly put down her chopsticks and glanced at Yu Fan, who was nestled in Murong's arms. He had been traveling all day and had already fallen asleep in Murong's embrace.
Yun Xiao's lips curved with a mother's glow. She spoke, word by word.
"We plan to spend a year traveling the scenic mountains and rivers, exploring all eighteen prefectures of Jiuzhou. After a year, we will return here and establish a merchant guild that spans all four nations. Whether it's banks, banknotes, pharmacies, or jewelry stores, our assets will be spread to every corner."
Yun Xiao finished speaking and paused, turning to look at Yu Fan in Murong's arms, her gaze tender.
"Yu Fan should have been the Crown Prince. Although we have stripped him of his princely status, as a mother, I still feel indebted to him. I simply hope he can live a happier, freer life. Even without a throne, I will give him an underground kingdom that rivals any royal family, allowing him to live even more joyfully and true to himself."
After Yun Xiao finished speaking, those seated around the table held their breath, staring at her.
It was only then that Wan Wan's voice rang out, "Master, this is wonderful! We will follow you from now on."
Liu Xing and Jing Yun, among others, nodded repeatedly, in full agreement. "Yes, we'll follow you."
"Excellent. We will meet here again in a year. The name of our merchant guild will be 'First Pavilion.' By then, I hope we will have built it into the largest merchant guild on the Fengyun Continent."
"Good, cheers."
Even Yi Yuxuan was excited, rubbing his hands together. "Boss, it looks like I'll be following you again."
"Of course. From now on, we are brothers."
Murong Chong raised his wine cup high, and he and Yi Yuxuan clinked glasses.
Yun Xiao looked up at the subordinates by her side and spoke slowly, "This year, we will go out and travel. You should all also take some time to relax. We will regroup here in a year. However, I have a task for you all?"
Liu Xing, Zhui Yue, Zi Jun, and Zi Yang immediately widened their eyes and asked, "What task?"
"Within a year, each of you must find your other half. Bring them back when we meet, and then we can all work together with one heart and one mind."
Yun Xiao finished speaking and burst into laughter. The flower hall filled with the sound of laughter.
The joyous echoes flew far, far away.
The next day, on the clear and shimmering turquoise river, a small boat glided along. A man in white, fluttering like a painting, had a finely carved little child seated on his shoulder. Beside him was a beautiful and tender woman. The small boat slowly drifted from the shore. On the shore, several tall and handsome figures waved from time to time.
Wan Wan stood atop the bridge, calling out repeatedly, "Master, don't forget our one-year pact! We'll see each other again at First Pavilion."
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, clear drops sliding into the jade lake. An arm wrapped around her from behind, silently watching the small boat disappear like smoke.
"We shall part ways here as well."
Jing Yun withdrew the arm that held Wan Wan. The two of them had grown close during these final moments.
The silver bridge shimmered with golden light, and iron horses flew. Parting tonight, only for a longer tomorrow.
"See you in a year."
Amidst the flying dust, several figures parted in different directions, leaving behind a lingering glow.
On the clear river, the small boat moved slowly. On either side were lush green mountains, and the river water rippled invitingly.
"Daddy, Mommy, look quickly! Those mountains are so beautiful."
Yu Fan's joyous voice rang out, clear as a lark. The picturesque figures dissolved into the golden light and gracefully sailed away...
This story has ended. The following is another story, and the next one is even more exciting.
The Emperor, I will not marry.
The crisp words flew out from the Prime Minister's mansion, carrying a hint of playful defiance and unyielding resolve.
In the rear garden of the Prime Minister's mansion, seated in a pavilion with four corner carved beasts, was the Prime Minister Liu Wenjie, the Empress Dowager's younger brother and the Emperor's maternal uncle. His handsome face had not gained many wrinkles with the passage of time; on the contrary, it seemed even more charismatic.
Beside him sat Madam Liu, Lin Yuqiu, the daughter of the former Governor of Shuntian Prefecture. She was once a famous talented woman in the capital, and she and Prime Minister Liu were a perfect match.
Over the years, the couple had lived in harmonious respect, raising three children. Their eldest daughter, Liu Si, married the eldest son of the Minister of War. Their son, Liu Ting, held a position in the Censorate. Their youngest daughter, Liu Liu, was the one who caused them the most headaches.
Liu Liu, twenty years old and unmarried, was a constant source of worry for her parents. This was not because she didn't want to marry, but rather because of a blood-red birthmark on her face and her mischievous, unconventional nature. Suitors were few and far between.
Occasionally, a few individuals would come to propose, but they were mostly driven away by their daughter, as these men were clearly the ones who had no other prospects.