Time, indeed, flies by quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was August 14th. Prince An was returning to the capital today. However, he was merely a prince, and his arrival did not warrant any grand fanfare.
After the guards were removed from He'an Hall, the Empress Dowager visited Nanzhi Yun more frequently. On the other hand, Yujing Chen had not visited again. He had not returned to He'an Hall since that day, but that was only on the surface. In secret, Yujing Chen would visit almost every night.
However, in the eyes of the public, although Yujing Chen had not visited He'an Hall, the rewards he sent were numerous. Every day, various items would be sent into He'an Hall, ranging from small things like fruits and snacks, storybooks and entertainment, to larger items like gold and silver jewelry, and silks and fabrics. He even scoured the palace for interesting curiosities to send over specifically. Knowing that Nanzhi Yun was bored and kept to herself in her rooms, Yujing Chen would also hire storytellers and performers from outside the palace to entertain Concubine Shu.
Initially, many were shocked by Yujing Chen's actions, but as time passed, everyone grew accustomed to it. Yet, how all of this had come to pass remained a mystery to most.
Furthermore, Nansu would also frequently enter the palace. Although he had handed over his military power to Yujing Chen, his years of loyal service and accomplishments meant that Yujing Chen had not directly stripped him of his titles. Nansu continued to reside in the Nansu residence, still holding the title of General and enjoying his original treatment. However, he was free to leave at any time if he so wished.
It was clear, though, that Nansu could not possibly leave now, for Nanzhi Yun was still in the palace, and he could not bear to abandon her.
The next day, the Mid-Autumn Banquet
Yujing Chen sat at the head of the table. Nanzhi Yun was not present.
Looking at the laughter and joy below, and the clinking of glasses, Yujing Chen suddenly felt a sense of loneliness. Since when had he also begun to feel alone?
Yujing Chen picked up the wine cup beside him and smiled, but his smile was tinged with bitterness. He looked at the wine in his cup and drank it all in one go.
The Empress Dowager was present today. Seeing Yujing Chen's demeanor, she said nothing. Some things were different now, and the outcome was bound to be different as well. Everything was already fated, and the result could not be changed, especially not when it came to a late realization.
Yujing An sat at the lower end of the table. Many people came up to toast him. After seeing them off one by one, he looked at Yujing Chen seated above. He hid the contemplation in his eyes, that position was truly very tempting.
Halfway through the banquet, Yujing An claimed to be a little too drunk and wished to go out for some fresh air, thus leaving the banquet. Yujing Chen agreed. Today, he seemed more unusual than usual. He downed cup after cup of wine, and before long, his face was flushed, and he began to show signs of intoxication.
"Your Majesty, please take care of your health. You have drunk a lot of wine today and cannot continue." Xing Lai reminded him from the side. His Majesty had never been like this before; why was he so out of character today? It was likely still because of Concubine Shu...
"It's nothing," Yujing Chen replied, without anger or any other emotion. Xing Lai watched with concern, but there was little he could do. Apart from uttering those few words, he had no other recourse.
However, Yujing Chen today had truly lost all sense of proportion; no matter how much he drank, he still felt unfulfilled.
As the banquet was nearing its end, a commotion suddenly erupted from outside. The guards inside the hall instantly drew their swords and aimed them at... Yujing Chen. Some officials and their families were also terrified by this sudden turn of events and cried out.
Yujing Chen looked up and saw someone rush in: "Your Majesty, the outside has been surrounded! It's Prince An! Prince An has rebelled!"
Upon hearing this, the entire hall erupted in uproar. Prince An's rebellion? How could this be so sudden, without any prior warning?
At this very moment, the person who had just delivered the message was struck from behind and died on the spot.
"Ah!" Screams erupted from inside the hall. Yujing Chen appeared dazed.
Yujing An walked in from outside: "Your Majesty," he called out.
"Prince An, what is the meaning of this?!" Xing Lai shouted.
"Eunuch Xing, what are you talking about? Isn't it obvious what I intend to do?" Prince An replied indignantly.
"To speak of such treason so righteously, Prince An, you are truly remarkable! With all the officials present, do you still intend to rebel?" Xing Lai said.
"Heh, what about it? The wise know when to submit. If I succeed, I believe all the esteemed officials present will know how to make the right choice, won't they?" Yujing An spread his hands, seemingly indifferent to the gazes of others.
Yujing Chen looked at him, his expression unmoving. Yujing An felt uncomfortable under his gaze and grew displeased. He detested Yujing Chen's condescending demeanor the most.
"Yujing Chen, my men are all over outside, and I have made arrangements at the banquet. If you abdicate now, I might consider sparing your life and grant you a princely title, ensuring your wealth and prosperity for the rest of your days," Yujing An boasted.
"Do you know why I killed so many people back then, yet spared you?" Yujing Chen finally spoke, his tone laced with mockery, as if he did not consider his opponent worthy of his attention.
"Because you are foolish. Among all the princes, everyone was shrewd, yet you alone were so foolish it was pitiful. That's why I specifically let you live," Yujing Chen said, rising from his seat.
"If not for that reason, do you think I would have allowed you to run rampant for so long? If you had stayed peacefully in your fiefdom, nothing would have happened. But you insisted on courting death, so you can't blame me." Yujing Chen spoke these words with such nonchalance, as if today's events were of no great consequence.
Before Yujing An could react, Yujing Chen gave a look to those around him. The people who had previously pointed their blades at Yujing Chen immediately turned their weapons towards Yujing An.
Yujing An was momentarily bewildered by this sudden turn of events, and then he heard Yujing Chen say, "Where did you get the confidence to think you could control the Imperial Guards?" If he had been in a better mood today, he might have played along with Yujing An for a while. But unfortunately, his mood was exceptionally foul, and he had no inclination to waste his time with him.
Even Yujing An, slow-witted as he was, realized what was happening, but... how could it be so easy?
"Even if you control the palace, so what? Outside the palace, the capital is full of my men. What dare you do to me?" Yujing An clearly was not giving up, clinging to a sliver of hope.
"Heh, I'm not that stupid." Yujing Chen said. Shortly after, at his gesture, someone entered, reporting that the situation outside had been brought under control. Upon hearing this, Yujing An could not believe it and became agitated.
"Yujing Chen, you are despicable!" Yujing An roared.
"Everyone knows who is who. Let's end this for today." Yujing Chen truly had no mood for games today, which was why he wanted to finish this quickly. But at the next moment, Yujing An's words made his expression completely change.
"Nanzhi Yun of He'an Hall is in the hands of my men. If you dare to touch me, I will kill her!" Yujing An was clearly at his wit's end.
"What did you say?" Yujing Chen was clearly enraged by this statement.
"Don't believe me? Then go and see for yourself," Yujing An provocatively looked at Yujing Chen.
Yujing Chen had no intention of doing so initially, but this matter concerned Nanzhi Yun, so he dared not take any risks. Thus, he immediately left without concern for the scene, heading towards He'an Hall.
As he left, he said, "Bring him along!"
Perhaps it was due to his haste, but Yujing Chen failed to notice that Nanzhi Yun had shown no reaction upon hearing that she was captured by Yujing An's men.
He rushed to He'an Hall. Indeed, many people were gathered there, and they were not his men. Nanzhi Yun was held with a knife to her throat, standing in the courtyard. Upon seeing this, Yujing Chen's heart constricted.
The next moment, the black-clothed men beside her attacked Yujing Chen. It was clear that these men were targeting him.
Nanzhi Yun watched as Yujing Chen fought the black-clothed men. She did not react much, but a complex emotion could be seen in her eyes.
Yujing Chen had no energy to observe these details at the moment. He looked at Yujing An: "Let her go!" Yujing Chen roared.
"Let me go, and I won't harm her. But if you can, go and save her yourself," Yujing An said with a smile.
Yujing Chen wished he could tear Yujing An to shreds, but he did not dare to do so yet. He could not understand how, when everything seemed foolproof, he had still managed to find a loophole.
Yujing An watched from the side. The surrounding guards dared not step forward, as Yujing Chen feared that it would provoke Yujing An into a cornered frenzy.
As Yujing Chen was fiercely engaged with these men, Yujing An seized the opportunity and shot a hidden weapon from his sleeve. Yujing Chen, though occupied, was not so incapacitated that he could not spot the projectile. But just as he was about to dodge, Nanzhi Yun, for some reason, managed to break free from her captors and block the projectile.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment. Yujing Chen stared in disbelief at the scene unfolding before him. Nanzhi Yun collapsed into his arms, the projectile having pierced her heart. Yujing Chen was momentarily stunned, unsure of how to react.
"Let me go... I don't want to die in the palace..." Nanzhi Yun told him. Yujing Chen remained frozen, completely at a loss in the face of this scene.
"Nanzhi Yun... why did you run over here?!" Yujing Chen's eyes were bloodshot, but his voice was filled with more anger.
"Seeing that you would be hurt, I came over..." Nanzhi Yun said.
"Are you stupid?!" Yujing Chen was clearly angry.
"What are you all standing around for?! Summon the imperial physician! Take all these people down!" Yujing Chen suddenly lost control. If one looked closely, they would notice that the hand holding Nanzhi Yun was trembling.
"It's alright, good girl, don't be afraid. I've sent for the imperial physician, and he'll examine you shortly. You'll be fine once you're bandaged," Yujing Chen said, his grip on Nanzhi Yun tightening.
Nanzhi Yun said nothing. She was tired, her eyelids felt heavy, and she wanted to sleep.
"It hurts so much..." Nanzhi Yun murmured, reaching out to touch Yujing Chen's lips.
"It's alright, it won't hurt for long. Hold on a little longer, okay?" Yujing Chen felt a surge of panic. He couldn't lose Nanzhi Yun... It was only now that he realized he could not do without her.
"Your Majesty... I forgive you, but I don't want to love you anymore." Nanzhi Yun let go of her resentment and lay peacefully in his embrace.
"I don't want your forgiveness. It's okay if you continue to resent me. Don't sleep, please?" Yujing Chen looked at Nanzhi Yun's pale face, his unease growing.
Nanzhi Yun did not speak. Held in Yujing Chen's arms, a slight smile curved her lips, and tears trickled from the corners of her eyes. Then... there was nothing more.
Feeling Nanzhi Yun's body go limp, Yujing Chen's eyes welled up with tears. Xing Lai knelt down upon seeing this. Everyone around them also knelt. The imperial physician, upon seeing the scene, instinctively felt that something was wrong.
"Quick... Concubine Shu is injured. Come and examine her..." Yujing Chen's voice was soft, as if saying it aloud might frighten the person in his arms.
The imperial physician walked over and looked at Nanzhi Yun in Yujing Chen's embrace. He felt a sense of foreboding. When he took her pulse, he was so terrified that he immediately withdrew his hand and crawled on the ground.
"Your Majesty... Her Highness has passed away..." the imperial physician said, trembling with fear.
"Execute him." Yujing Chen did not hesitate.
The imperial physician pleaded for mercy but Yujing Chen remained resolute. However, Xing Lai...
"Your Majesty, Concubine Shu would not approve," Xing Lai said.
Indeed, Yujing Chen's eyes flickered upon hearing this, and he changed his mind: "Take him away."
The imperial physician, having saved his life, quickly expressed his gratitude and retreated.
Yujing Chen remained kneeling, cradling Nanzhi Yun, silent. Xing Lai wanted to speak several times but didn't know where to begin.
It wasn't until the Empress Dowager arrived...
The Empress Dowager looked at the scene and walked over. Without a word, she slapped Yujing Chen: "Are you satisfied now?" she asked in a hoarse voice.
Having just heard that Nanzhi Yun had shielded Yujing Chen from the hidden weapon, she had almost fainted from shock. The plan had clearly not included this...
Looking at the young girl in Yujing Chen's arms, her face pale, the Empress Dowager staggered. She pointed at Yujing Chen, her hand trembling, but could not utter a word.
"Empress Dowager..." An Xin had also not anticipated things would escalate to this point.
Yujing Chen, after being slapped, stood frozen in place, the mark clearly visible on his face.
"This Dowager wishes to take Yun'er out of the palace," the Empress Dowager finally said after a long pause.
Yujing Chen finally reacted: "No..."
"Yujing Chen, are you still unwilling to let Yun'er go? You know she doesn't want to stay in the palace, don't you?" the Empress Dowager questioned.
Yujing Chen fell silent. He opened his mouth, looking like a child who had made a mistake, innocent and lost. She didn't want to stay in the palace...
Yujing Chen desperately wanted to deny it, but Nanzhi Yun had said it herself. Her very first words had been... "Let me go, I don't want to die in the palace."
Suddenly, Yujing Chen felt those words pierce him like a knife, causing his heart an unbearable pain. The next moment, he spat out a mouthful of blood. Before his consciousness faded, he seemed to grasp at something, but it vanished like a fleeting white steed, leaving nothing behind.
In the first year of Tiansheng, on the fifteenth of August, Nanzhi Yun, daughter of Nansu and Concubine Shu of the Yuan Dynasty, departed...
However... after Concubine Shu's death, His Majesty decreed that her freedom be restored. Miss Nanzhi Yun was then taken back to her hometown by the former Great General Zhen Guo, Nansu, accompanied by the Empress Dowager... Kuaishu Pavilion
Yujing Chen sat in Zichen Palace, his expression numb. Xing Lai watched anxiously from the side. After Concubine Shu's departure, His Majesty would spend his days sitting in a daze.
"Xing Lai, I regret it..."
This was the sentence His Majesty spoke most often, but... what use was it now? Clearly, it was of no use.
It was known throughout the land that after Nanzhi Yun's departure, His Majesty seemed to transform into a different person, both violent and gentle...
He'an Hall was cleaned daily and remained as it was. The cleaners would be extremely cautious each time they entered, as any slight mistake would result in Yujing Chen dealing with them. Thus, He'an Hall became a forbidden area of the palace.
Yujing Chen would visit every day and stay for a long time. He would also sleep in He'an Hall at night. When Xing Lai helped him extinguish the lamp, he would say, "Don't extinguish the lamp, she's afraid of the dark." Xing Lai paused upon hearing Yujing Chen's words, then lowered his gaze and retreated.
He would also dine in He'an Hall. Yujing Chen would look at the table full of dishes and instruct, "From now on, do not serve fish. She is allergic and cannot eat it. Also... place an extra set of chopsticks." Xing Lai knew that it was for Concubine Shu.
In addition, Yujing Chen would often have people prepare candied fruits to carry with him. He would say, "She dislikes bitterness. Although she told me she doesn't like these candied fruits and is accustomed to the bitterness, I know that's when she's angry. How could she be accustomed to bitterness if she dislikes it so much?"
In the twelfth month of Tiansheng, Emperor Tiansheng, Yujing Chen, went on an inspection tour in disguise, reportedly heading south.
When he left, he entrusted the affairs of the court to a eunuch named Jiang Ji. He was a eunuch but very capable. Yujing Chen had already bestowed upon him the title of "Nine Thousand Years Old" and handed over Nansu's fifty thousand troops to him.
The traitor Yujing An was also ordered by Yujing Chen to be boiled alive, then dismembered and fed to wild dogs. It was said that on the day of Yujing An's execution, not a single piece of intact flesh remained on his body, not even his skin; he was barely clinging to life.
In addition, Princess Changle's son, Luo Yuncheng, was heavily relied upon by Yujing Chen, who even granted him military authority. The pretext was that he had fought alongside the former Great General Nansu on the battlefield, so he would surely be adept at leading troops. Thus, Yujing Chen entrusted him with the important task of eradicating bandits in the northwest region and quelling the floods in the southwest.
However, unexpectedly, while dealing with the flood, Luo Yuncheng was accidentally swept away by the rushing waters and went missing. He was found three days later, his body already beginning to decompose.
Upon hearing this, Yujing Chen merely issued a simple commendation.
Nanshui
As soon as they entered the city gates, Xing Lai stopped the carriage, and Yujing Chen alighted.
Nanshui... this was where Nansu had brought Nanzhi Yun back. He wanted to see the place where Nanzhi Yun had returned to rest in peace... He missed her.
Yujing Chen looked at the bustling market, the Jiangnan charm. This place was very gentle... Just as Yujing Chen was about to take a stroll, a woman brushed past him, her head covered by a bamboo hat.
She... Yujing Chen's eyes flickered.
"Nanzhi Yun..." he whispered her name, then immediately turned and grabbed the woman's arm.
"Sir, what are you doing?" The woman was somewhat annoyed, seemingly also a little frightened by the advance. A gentle breeze blew, lifting her hat, revealing a very unfamiliar face...
The fire in Yujing Chen's heart immediately extinguished.
"I apologize, I mistook you for someone else." Yujing Chen released his hand.
"Xing Lai, let's get in the carriage." Yujing Chen returned to the carriage. Recalling the scene just now, he gave a self-deprecating laugh. Nanzhi Yun was no longer here; how could she possibly be Nanzhi Yun?
Xing Lai drove the carriage away. Another carriage happened to pass by them. Inside the carriage.
Nanzhi Yun was held in the Empress Dowager's arms: "Aunt, where are we going now?" Nanzhi Yun asked.
"We're going to Jiangcheng, it's beautiful there, and Yun'er will like it very much," the Empress Dowager said, glancing at Gu Yin, who was sitting on the other side of the carriage. They exchanged a look, their eyes full of tenderness.
As for Nansu, who was beside them, he was truly radiant. He looked at the two of them and decided it was best to remain silent.
Nanshui Long Street
Two carriages passed each other, heading in two different directions, growing farther and farther apart.
Flowers fall, but the person has not returned. When they return, it will have long since passed.
In Nanshui in December, a heavy snow fell, whitening the hair of those walking on the road.
As time went by, Nanzhi Yun would gradually forget the feeling of taking the fake death pill and the sensation of applying it to her finger and touching Yujing Chen's lips. But for Yujing Chen, it was different. As time passed, instead of fading, those memories became even clearer. Many years later, as he lay in bed, his hair completely white, recalling the memories that had tormented him all these years, the regret in his heart brewed and intensified like wine...
The Rebirth of a Woman arc has concluded.