"Ah?" Xingyuan's mouth fell open in surprise, and she reluctantly walked over.
She conceded, "Alright! I'll watch with sister."
Ning Yue chuckled and tapped Xingyuan's forehead with her pen, "You can't have me do everything, can you? It's very tiring."
Xingyuan pouted, already spoiled by Ning Yue's indulgence.
She gently massaged Ning Yue's shoulders, playfully whining, "The capable ones have more work! Sister is so amazing, everyone should know it!
Besides, sister knows I don't like reviewing memorials. Out of a pile of text, only three or four lines are important, and they're like a game of hide-and-seek that I have to find myself."
Xingyuan harbored deep resentment about this. She was already impatient with such large volumes of text, and the ministers always added useless things, making her even more annoyed.
Ning Yue smiled with a mix of helplessness and indulgence, then pondered how to make Xingyuan understand the true meaning behind the ministers' lengthy writings. However, she couldn't devise a method to make Xingyuan handle state affairs diligently.
Xingyuan was inherently childish, and Ning Yue couldn't bear to be too strict with her. Moreover, after years of their playful sparring, they had developed a unique way of dealing with each other.
Later, whenever she wanted to correct Xingyuan's misguided notions, she would use her trump card, and Ning Yue would always soften. Over time, she had become somewhat resigned.
With herself present, what did it matter if A'Yuan knew nothing? She would always protect her anyway.
Besides, Xingyuan was always very intelligent; she was simply taking advantage of having someone to unconditionally protect her, so she was being lazy. Was there anything wrong with that?
Spring turned to autumn, and time slipped away.
Due to the good relations between the two monarchs, trade began to flourish, and with no recent conflicts, the military had been largely inactive.
However, this was naturally a good thing. The clash of different cultures and customs prompted the people of both nations to reconsider their attitudes towards people from other countries.
The starkly different styles had a greater impact on them.
The people of both nations began to adopt influences beyond their own country, learning from each other.
But they didn't know that these developments were happening under the covert support of the monarchs of both nations.
Xi Feiyan's lifelong passion was medicine. Although he eventually ascended to the throne, his dream remained unchanged.
He believed that rather than letting the two nations constantly quarrel, leading to frequent wars and countless displaced citizens, it was more direct to simply engage in cultural assimilation.
This also seemed fairer, and the ultimate victor would become the sole power on the continent.
However, many years later, the two nations indeed became as they had wished, but there were no victors, as it completely transformed into one nation, a nation where men and women were equal.
This, as they say, is a story for another time.
Perhaps because Xingyuan showed rare leniency, some ministers began to set their sights on the imperial daughters at the Imperial Academy.
Now, who among these ministers didn't know that their Emperor had taken a woman as her consort? And two women, how could they possibly have offspring?
They didn't dare to suggest that the Emperor find someone to father a child, as if they did, the generals would have them beheaded before the Emperor could even act.
The reopening of the Imperial Academy also seemed like a signal that the Emperor intended to select the next heir from among them, so they implicitly began to make contact.
Of course, they wouldn't dare to take sides until the Emperor issued a clear decree, as the Emperor was known for her unreasonableness, and they all valued their lives.
Xingyuan did have this intention, but not for the grand reason the ministers assumed; she was simply lazy.
Although her sister now handled state affairs for her, it typically took at least five to six hours a day, reducing their time together.
If she could find someone to do the work for free, she would abdicate and become Empress Dowager. After all, the military power was largely in her hands, and whoever succeeded her would have to obey her. She would then take her sister and travel the world.
Ah, the thought alone was blissful!
Having made up her mind, Xingyuan dedicated a portion of her attention to the Imperial Academy, acting like a true emperor, regularly assessing the studies of her imperial sisters, striving to select the most suitable successor.
Ning Yue also fully supported Xingyuan's idea. If she had to focus on state affairs for over a decade, she too would inevitably feel restless. Xingyuan's current plan was deeply to her liking.
Six years later, in the Golden Palace, Xingyuan presented a challenge to her shortlisted candidates in front of all the ministers.
The task was: trade in border towns, but with constant conflicts. Whoever could devise a solution would become the Crown Princess of Fengnian Kingdom.
All the imperial daughters were filled with excitement. Years of effort, success or failure hinged on this moment.
They each voiced their opinions, arguing heatedly in the court. Xingyuan listened calmly, offering no commentary.
As Xingyuan remained silent, the court gradually quieted down.
Xingyuan surveyed them and said indifferently, "Practice yields true knowledge. Since you all have such confidence, you shall go yourselves!"
The journey to the border was, of course, not smooth sailing. Some imperial daughters, recognizing their inadequacy, felt their ideas were unlikely to succeed and used the influence they had accumulated to assassinate their sisters.
They believed that if all others were dead, the position would naturally be theirs.
But who could their intentions escape? Xingyuan had a "the best or nothing" mentality. It didn't matter if all these individuals failed.
There were so many people in Fengnian Kingdom! She could easily bring back an orphan to inherit, and with her accumulated prestige, who would dare to object.
Moreover, if these individuals were easily killed, it would prove they were not qualified to be Crown Princess. What was there to regret if they were gone?
However, these individuals did not entirely disappoint Xingyuan. Six imperial daughters left, and only three returned, one of whom was carried back in a near-death state.
After reviewing the answers they submitted, Xingyuan carefully considered and placed a red circle next to Feng Yunian's name.
This child had been intelligent since childhood, and her submitted answer was the most satisfactory. Although her intelligence could potentially threaten Xingyuan's position, it would also accelerate her own path to laziness.
Feng Yunian was established as the Crown Princess, but she remained unhurried and composed, never forming factions, always looking at Xingyuan with an open gaze.
Although Xingyuan wasn't sure if this was an act, she was pleased. At least she was making an effort to appear like a filial child.
Xingyuan began to assign people to tutor her, gradually delegating authority. Feng Yunian diligently carried out her duties, exhibiting exceptional performance.
In just half a year, Xingyuan, except for the military power in her hands, had taught her virtually all her knowledge regarding state affairs, both overt and covert.
On a clear day, Xingyuan announced her abdication, simultaneously informing everyone of the Crown Princess's succession. Then, she eloped with the general of Fengnian Kingdom overnight.
Later, she would return every few years to hand over a portion of the military power to Feng Yunian, until her dying day, when she finally relinquished everything.
Xingyuan refused to be buried in the imperial mausoleum. To her, the mausoleum was a nightmare, a symbol of her imprisoned life.
Although her foundation was weakened by poison in her youth, her noble status and the use of various precious medicinal herbs ensured she lived until Ning Yue closed her eyes.
In her heart, she knew she would meet Sister again, so her sorrow was not overwhelming. But if she were to leave first, how heartbroken would Sister be, seeing no hope?
May you have peace and joy throughout your life! In this way, she had not failed the life she had in this world.