Yu Jingchen remembered that as a child, after he gained consciousness, the Empress Dowager was exceptionally beautiful and spirited in his memory. When she held him, her eyes would always be full of smiles, and she would try to make him happy. If he stumbled, bumped himself, or fell, she would hold him in her arms and comfort him.
Later, as he grew a little older, he perceived his Empress Mother as being high and mighty, extremely dignified, and very strict with him. He was actually afraid of her then and dared not approach this so-called mother. She would check his homework every day, and if she was not satisfied, he would be beaten.
Moreover, at that time, some people with ulterior motives were always whispering in his ear, telling him she was not his birth mother, that she had framed his birth mother, and that she was merely using him.
As he grew even older and became the Crown Prince, he felt annoyance and resentment towards the Empress Dowager. She still checked his homework daily, and he had to inform her before doing anything. He felt as if he were being controlled by her, like a puppet.
After ascending the throne… the Empress Dowager and the Nan family had always been his greatest threats. At that time, the Empress Dowager controlled state affairs and even forced him to name Nan Zhiyun as Empress. His apprehension deepened, and his resistance, even his hatred, towards the Nan family and the Empress Dowager grew.
However, in his heart, the Empress Dowager had always been the image of a strong woman, no matter the time or place. Her only vulnerability… was Nan Zhiyun.
Seeing the Empress Dowager like this now, Yu Jingchen’s heart was filled with a bitter ache. How many foolish things had he done?
Just as Yu Jingchen was lost in his thoughts of the past, a palace servant announced, "Your Majesty, Lord Gu has arrived." Lord Gu, Gu Yin.
As Yu Jingchen turned to look, Gu Yin had already entered. Gu Yin looked… how had so much white hair appeared?
Gu Yin glanced at Yu Jingchen but made no move to bow.
"If Your Majesty cannot be of assistance, perhaps you should step aside," Gu Yin said, his tone unfriendly.
"You have a way? What is wrong with the Empress Dowager? Do you know the reason?" Yu Jingchen did not bother with Gu Yin’s rudeness.
"Otherwise, why would Your Majesty think he had this chance to relive his life?" Gu Yin looked at Yu Jingchen and gave a sarcastic smile.
Yu Jingchen was stunned. What did it have to do with him? But in an instant, he understood.
"Did the Empress Dowager make a deal with you?" Yu Jingchen asked, disbelief in his eyes, along with a tremor he himself did not notice.
"Everyone withdraw," Gu Yin said, looking at An Xin and the others. An Xin knew that Gu Yin and His Majesty had matters to discuss, and with Gu Yin here, the Empress Dowager would be fine.
"Yes," An Xin replied, leading the others away.
Yu Jingchen also gave Xing Lai a look. Xing Lai understood and also led his people out. After everyone had left the room, Gu Yin looked at Yu Jingchen.
"Your Majesty, you are truly unworthy. Unworthy of the Empress Dowager, or of Nan Su, or Nan Zhiyun. Who among them has not suffered because of you?" Gu Yin's anger was palpable, and Yu Jingchen frowned slightly.
"Explain yourself clearly!" Yu Jingchen had a strong intuition that this had a great deal to do with him.
Gu Yin looked at Yu Jingchen and found it somewhat laughable. Why was he in such a hurry now? If it weren't for him, how could his Yin'er have become like this?