On the first day of the fourth month of the following year, Qin Shuying emerged from her month of confinement.

A month earlier, she had given birth to a daughter—fragrant, soft, and tender. Liang Zhe held the child every day, never tiring of gazing at her.

Now, Liang Zhe had been transferred back to the capital. Not only did he wield great power, but he was also a trusted confidant of the new emperor. It could be said that he was riding high on success, with everything going smoothly.

Every day when he returned home from court, the first thing he did was rush straight to Qin Shuying’s bedroom, pick up the child, and examine her from left to right, completely enamored.

The weather in April was exceptionally warm. Qin Shuying had washed her hair and bathed, feeling refreshed all over. She sat in the sunlight while Hong Juan combed her hair, and the maids chatted and laughed, filled with relaxation and contentment.

Liang Zhe watched the child under the eaves, playing with her.

Nanny Fu said, “Master, look at the young miss’s eyes—they truly resemble yours exactly.”

Liang Zhe rubbed his face against the child’s clothes, his face full of intoxication. “Of course! My daughter, Liang Ziyu’s child, naturally resembles me. Niuniu, when you grow up, Papa will make you many beautiful clothes to wear.”

Nanny Fu laughed, “Master, the young miss is a fortunate child. In the future, she’ll have more beautiful clothes than she could ever wear!”

The maids also chimed in with flattery, chattering away, not one of them afraid of Liang Zhe.

No one had expected that the master who was once rumored to be like the King of Hell, who maintained a cold and stern expression outside, would become no different from an ordinary household official when he returned home and saw his wife and daughter.

Especially whenever he saw the young miss, the master’s eyes would light up—he looked as if he wanted to devour her entirely.

While everyone was chatting happily, Liang Yanjun rushed in urgently. “My lord!”

Liang Zhe was startled. For Liang Yanjun to be so urgent, there must be momentous news.

Before Liang Zhe could say anything, Liang Yanjun spoke: “Someone has come from the palace—Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has passed away!”

“What?”

Qin Shuying couldn’t help but stand up abruptly. Her hair was pulled painfully, but she seemed to feel nothing.

How could this be possible?

The last time she had seen the Empress Dowager, she had been in good spirits and didn’t look ill at all. Later, she had heard that the Empress Dowager rarely received court ladies, but her influence could still be felt throughout the court.

Immediately, a thought flashed through her mind: the Empress Dowager had taken her own life.

Eight months had passed since the new emperor’s ascension. Just as the Empress Dowager had said, the new emperor was not only benevolent but also quite capable. Although he didn’t possess Zhou Li’s shrewd competence, the new emperor had his own strengths and methods, and everything in the court was well-ordered.

The Empress Dowager must have felt at peace and followed the late emperor in death…

When she had met with the Empress Dowager that last time, she must have already harbored thoughts of death. It was just that she couldn’t bear to leave the new emperor, so she had waited until today.

Today was the day when the Empress Dowager and the late emperor had first met.

On the first day of the fourth month, many years ago—where had they met that day? Wherever it was, the weather must have been clear, flowers fragrant all around, everything so beautiful…

It was such a pity that she was his stepmother, and she had even borne a princess. He also had a princess consort and wives…

But he had fallen in love with her at first sight. From then on, he did everything for her. Between them, there had been entanglement, love, hatred, misunderstandings, and pain…

In the end, she had understood him, but he was no longer long for this world…

She should go to see him now, to continue their love story…

…

For a period after the Empress Dowager’s burial, Qin Shuying remained somewhat dazed.

When the Dragon Boat Festival came around again the following year, Princess Yongjia finally returned to the capital. Qin Shuying immediately went to see her.

Princess Yongjia had lost considerable weight, but she looked more spirited.

Qin Shuying repeated in person the message the Empress Dowager had asked her to convey—words she had already mentioned in letters.

Princess Yongjia remained silent for a long time before saying, “Everything is fate. She had no choice in the matter, and neither did I. However, she was right—it’s never too late for anything. I saw Yongxing, and she’s living very happily and freely. I was previously confined to the capital and didn’t know how vast the outside world was. After some time, I plan to continue traveling far, to see mountains and waters I’ve never seen before, to meet people I’ve never met, to taste foods I’ve never tasted.”

Indeed, after two months, Princess Yongjia set off on her travels again.

This time, for a very long while, Qin Shuying received no letters from her.

But she knew that Princess Yongjia would live freely, and that was enough. She knew that Princess Yongjia still harbored deep feelings for Lin Yuan, and that was enough.

When Niuniu was six months old, Princess Fuping invited Qin Shuying to visit her residence.

Princess Fuping lived in the Princess Residence. Although the mansion wasn’t as magnificent as Princess Yongjia’s, it was refined with an air of grandeur, and within that grandeur lay wealth and nobility.

Princess Fuping was six months pregnant and would give birth in another month.

Princess Fuping was surrounded entirely by her own people—there was no trace of the Chen family anywhere. After her marriage, Princess Fuping had lived alone in the Princess Residence. Especially after becoming pregnant, she wouldn’t even see Chen Zhiyan, let alone other members of the Chen family.

Shortly after the new emperor’s ascension, Senior Minister Chen had retired from office.

Having lost Senior Minister Chen’s power and influence, and seeing that the new emperor harbored no prejudice against Princess Fuping, the Chen family immediately began trying to curry favor with her. However, no matter what they did, Princess Fuping simply refused to see them.

After all, Princess Fuping was a princess. Even as the Chen family’s daughter-in-law, she remained a princess. Although the Chen family members were dissatisfied and angry, they were helpless.

Princess Fuping dismissed everyone and gently caressed her belly, her face full of happiness and sweetness. “Do you know? She will have two moles on her palm.”

Qin Shuying understood her meaning. Princess Fuping’s daughter from her previous life had two moles on her palm, so she was certain this child would be the same.

“My Pei’er will grow up to be a beautiful girl, with dimples when she smiles. This time, I will never allow anyone to harm her. I want to give her a healthy life, the life of a normal person. Madam Liang, don’t you think so?”

Princess Fuping’s happiness and anticipation brought tears to Qin Shuying’s eyes again. “Your Highness, it certainly will be so!”

A month later, Princess Fuping indeed gave birth to a daughter.

Qin Shuying went to visit her and saw the little girl. Princess Fuping, with tears in her eyes, showed her the child’s palm—there were indeed two moles. “Madam Liang, I’m content now. She is my Pei’er! This time, I will protect my child, protect her! Over these years, my sincere heart has moved Heaven itself. From now on, I will maintain a vegetarian diet and recite Buddhist prayers, thanking Heaven for giving me another chance!”

A line of crystal tears flowed down Princess Fuping’s cheeks—tears of happiness.

The Liang residence.

When Liang Zhe returned home, he saw that Qin Shuying seemed somewhat absent-minded. He wrapped his arms around her body, his hands wandering as he asked curiously, “Shuying, you’ve been distracted these past few days. Is something troubling you? Tell your husband.”

Qin Shuying tried hard to open her eyes wide, forcing back the tears, not daring to turn around to look at Liang Zhe. She only asked, “Ziyu, do you think there are truly genuine feelings in this world?”

“Of course there are. My feelings for you are genuine, yours for me are genuine, and our feelings for Niuniu are all genuine.”

“Really?”

“Of course they are. Our life’s journey is still very long, Shuying. You must remember that at any time, I can do everything for you. Only when you are happy can I be happy. My future can only be called a future if it includes you.”

Only when you are happy can I be happy. My future can only be called a future if it includes you.

In this lifetime, she was happy, wasn’t she?

Not only was she herself happy, but she had also witnessed many different forms of happiness.

Therefore, she was the happiest person of all.

Wasn’t she?

(The End)

“Spring Chamber’s Cold Fragrance” has reached its grand finale.

Thank you, dear readers, for your constant support and companionship throughout this journey.

There are many things I want to say, but I find myself at a loss for words.

The ending is a happy one—life is full of various possible forms of happiness. I wish all of you dear readers happiness and fulfillment.

“Spring Chamber’s Cold Fragrance” still has many imperfections, and I hope to write better in the next book.

I will take a break for a while. When I start a new book, I welcome you all to come and support it again.