Zheng Wei looked at Shen Xiaoyan in confusion, only to see Shen Xiaoyan say, "No hurry, there's plenty of time later. Since he suddenly said such a thing today, it means he has something to ask of us. Otherwise, if he wanted to tell us about Father's whereabouts, why would he have kept us locked up for so many years?"
Zheng Wei was stunned and then gave a helpless bitter smile.
They all say that those involved are often blind, while observers see clearly. He was now one of those involved.
Shen Xiaoyan squeezed Zheng Wei's hand and comforted him, "Ah Wei, don't rush. He will definitely come again before long. And if you can't wait, we can go to Prince Duan's manor tonight."
As for what they would do at Prince Duan's manor, she didn't need to say it. Zheng Wei would understand.
Zheng Wei shook his head. Even if he wanted to question him, now wasn't the time. At least he had to wait until after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
He figured Zheng Xiang had counted on this, which was why he had been so smug just now.
With a sigh, Zheng Wei pulled Shen Xiaoyan into his embrace and fell into deep thought.
Yi Zixie and the others exchanged glances, all thinking at the same time, was it that their presence was too low, or were these two too engrossed in each other?
Was it really appropriate to be showing off their affection so openly in front of them?
But seeing that Zheng Wei and Shen Xiaoyan didn't seem to notice them, Yi Zixie and the others could only shake their heads and get up to leave.
Watching Yi Zixie and the others depart, Shen Xiaoyan's lips curved slightly. "They are quite observant, knowing they should withdraw."
Zheng Wei couldn't help but laugh.
His mood had indeed lightened somewhat. Shen Xiaoyan was even in the mood to joke, which indicated she had truly put the previous incident behind her.
In the days that followed, Sima Han rarely appeared before them. He had to make thorough preparations for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The day before the Mid-Autumn Festival, the sun was bright and there was no wind. The temperature was just right.
Shen Xiaoyan and Yue Qingxin took the four children, along with their maids and wet nurses, for a stroll in the fruit orchard, enjoying the sight of the budding flowers that had yet to fully bloom.
Watching the four children toddle about, Shen Xiaoyan and Yue Qingxin exchanged a knowing glance and smiled.
Time seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye. It was as if, in just a moment, the children had all grown so big.
"Elder Sister, are you worried?"
Shen Xiaoyan suddenly said. The words were abrupt, but Yue Qingxin understood what she meant.
"How could I not be worried? Anytime there's a change of dynasty, it's always a river of blood, with countless casualties. I worry for the common people of this world, and I worry for Ah Han."
"However, no matter how worried I am, I can't stop him from going, because that wouldn't be good for him or for the world."
"The current emperor is incompetent and muddle-headed, and the Grand Emperor is watching from the sidelines like a tiger. Now, Grand Princess Zande and Lin Xiaowei also want to get involved. I don't care what they do, but I fear for the common people of this land."
"Since the throne must be passed to someone else, I hope that person is Ah Han. At least I know he will govern diligently and love the people, and strive to be a good emperor."
Shen Xiaoyan listened quietly to every word Yue Qingxin spoke, feeling immense emotion.
For two kindred spirits, sometimes, there was no need for extensive communication. A glance, or simply observing from the side, was enough to know what the other was thinking.
"Then, Sister, do you like life in the Forbidden City?"
Shen Xiaoyan asked this question for a reason. Although she and Yue Qingxin had only known each other for two or three years, she could sense that Yue Qingxin preferred a life of such uninhibited freedom.
Compared to her life after arriving in the capital, she definitely preferred her time on Baiyun Peak.
But this was different from life in the Forbidden City.
If Sima Han truly became emperor, Yue Qingxin would undoubtedly be the Empress. This was undeniable.
However, as an emperor, there would be a harem with many concubines. Could Yue Qingxin accept that?
Although Shen Xiaoyan didn't ask directly, Yue Qingxin knew what she was asking.
This was a question she had asked herself many times.
If she hadn't experienced these two or three years of life, she thought she wouldn't have minded at all.
Because the upbringing she had received since childhood was like that. Whether she became Empress, married any prince as a consort, or married any noble, even a minor official, the expectations were the same.
Men of this era were like that.
Three wives and four concubines.
Even if they couldn't afford many wives and concubines, they would still have a few maidservants for intimate relations.
She herself had grown up watching her father have many concubines, so she was naturally very familiar with these matters.
Although she had read about the sentiment of "one lifetime, one person" in books, she had never held any such hope.
From the moment she knew she was to marry Sima Han as the fifth prince's consort, she had further recognized her identity. As a prince's consort, especially a prince who might become emperor in the future, her role was to assist him and bear him offspring.
Naturally, arranging marriages and taking concubines for him was also necessary.
Unfortunately, plans could not keep up with changes. Before she could help Sima Han take a concubine, Sima Zhu suddenly ascended the throne, Sima Han was instantly demoted, and the two of them fled the country.
From then on, with problems of food, clothing, and shelter, who would think about marrying wives and concubines?
Especially after meeting Zheng Wei and Shen Xiaoyan, and witnessing their interaction, her own relationship with Sima Han had also undergone subtle changes.
Later, they had children, and she thought things would continue like this. Such a simple life was actually very good.
But who would have expected that the snow disaster would suddenly occur? Sima Han, for whatever reason, could not stand by and watch the suffering of the people.
He stepped forward, and the subsequent events were no longer within their control.
Upon their return to the capital, if not for Yi Zixie, they would have long since become pawns in the Grand Emperor's hands, and how could they have enjoyed such leisurely days?
Even their Yongge might have been taken by the Grand Emperor to better control Sima Han.
Thinking of this, Yue Qingxin couldn't help but feel grateful.
Grateful to have met Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei, allowing her and Sima Han to have such a happy period of time.
Grateful to have met Yi Zixie, under his protection, they were still living freely in the capital.
But the road ahead was still long. Whether it was Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei, or Yi Zixie and Na Muzhong, they all had their own things to do and could not stay in the capital with her and Sima Han forever.
It was exactly as the saying goes, "there are no eternal banquets."
Even without this current matter, they would have to part ways sooner or later.
Since that was the case, she and Sima Han could not afford to be complacent.
Whether it was for herself, for Yongge's future, or to provide help when Shen Xiaoyan and the others needed it, she and Sima Han could not only act based on their own happiness.
These days, seeing Sima Han working tirelessly day and night, even in his sleep, his brows were always furrowed.
How could she not feel heartbroken?
Facing such a Sima Han, how could she still only think of her own happiness?