Qin Yining smiled as she stood up, taking a handkerchief to wipe away the three women’s tears. “Isn’t it good that everything has been prepared properly for you? Come now, don’t cry anymore – be careful that your eyes will be swollen tomorrow when you board the bridal sedan, making you look unsightly.”
Bingtang sobbed: “I have eye cream to reduce swelling – I’m not afraid.”
Lian Xiaozhou also said: “I’m not afraid either.” She choked up and came forward to embrace Qin Yining. “Sister, I don’t want to leave you.”
But they all understood clearly that in the future, Ji Yun and Bingtang would still have many opportunities to meet with Qin Yining, but Lian Xiaozhou was going back to Tianji Valley. Unless there was some major matter, their chances of meeting would be very few. With the temperament of Tianji Valley disciples, they truly weren’t the type to casually come out and move about.
Qin Yining patted her back, her voice also becoming somewhat choked: “I don’t know whether betrothing you to Fang Hailing was right or wrong. When I originally asked for your help, I feared I was harming you.”
Lian Xiaozhou shook her head repeatedly: “If sister hadn’t saved me back then, I would have starved to death in the mountains sooner or later, or been eaten by wild beasts. I know all the kindness sister has shown me, and I believe sister will protect me.”
Qin Yining felt warmth in her heart and smiled as she nodded. In this world, there were still trustworthy feelings. She wouldn’t betray Lian Xiaozhou, and Lian Xiaozhou had always believed in her – this was truly precious.
Ji Yun and Bingtang also gathered around, and the four of them embraced and cried together for a good while.
If not for Qin Yining still maintaining her composure, not wanting to delay tomorrow’s auspicious day, she would have wanted to keep all three of them to sleep beside her.
The next morning, before dawn broke, Qin Yining rose and had people help her wash and dress. The palace was holding a joyous occasion – the three dowry maids of Her Majesty the Empress were leaving to marry, and the empress had even acknowledged the three as sworn sisters. Even His Majesty placed considerable importance on this matter, so the palace servants naturally took it very seriously. From early morning, the atmosphere in the palace was different.
Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er both wore red little jackets, dressed exactly like New Year picture dolls, accompanying the brides together with Sun Shi, Madam Ma, and Zheng Shi.
Early in the morning, Qin Yining first went to Ci’an Palace to pay respects to Empress Dowager Yao. Knowing there was a joyous occasion today, the Empress Dowager rolled her eyes and snorted coldly: “They’re just palace maids of lowly status – are they worth the empress placing such importance on them? The empress is a person of noble status, no longer an ordinary lady of the past. Your conduct should have proper measure. Making such a grand affair of palace maids marrying – aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”
Qin Yining was too lazy to argue back and forth with the Empress Dowager, silencing her with just one sentence: “What the Empress Dowager says is correct. This subject-wife is merely following His Majesty’s edict. This subject-wife is just a woman – how could I make such decisions? If the Empress Dowager feels it’s improper, should this subject-wife go request His Majesty to cancel this matter?”
“…You! Stop using Dafu to pressure this dowager! Do you think this dowager was raised on intimidation? Even if Dafu becomes the Jade Emperor, he still crawled out of this dowager’s belly!”
Qin Yining became even more impatient: “Empress Dowager, please calm your anger. This subject-wife will return immediately to reflect on her mistakes.”
She performed a bow and quickly left with Zi Yuan and Han Xiao, leaving Empress Dowager Yao stamping her feet in rage with no recourse.
Go to Pang Xiao? It would be strange if Pang Xiao would help her.
Returning to Kunning Palace, Qin Yining busied herself going to the side hall to chat with the brides.
The entire day was filled with wedding ceremony procedures, and the three dowries Qin Yining had prepared were already placed in the courtyard, topped with red silk flowers.
As evening approached and the sky had darkened, the bitter cold wind couldn’t dispel everyone’s enthusiasm. When the large red lanterns were hung high and the sounds of urging the bride’s toilette began outside, the wedding matron quickly checked the three women’s wedding attire and carefully placed matching red veils on their heads. Fearing mistakes, she cautiously helped the three brides exit.
Qin Yining quickly followed, walking on the red carpet behind them all the way, constantly whispering instructions: “…From now on you’re all mistresses of your households. Live your own little lives well. If you encounter any difficulties, come find me. When you’re free, you can come see me anytime. If they treat you poorly or make you suffer grievances, come tell me…”
Bingtang’s voice came through the red veil, somewhat choked: “Your Majesty, rest assured. I’ll often come see you in the future.”
“Yes, sister.” Lian Xiaozhou’s words were complaining, but her voice was trembling: “You’ve been nagging all day – my ears are getting calluses. I don’t want to marry anymore.”
Qin Yining’s tears swirled in her eyes as she smiled: “Alright, alright. I won’t nag anymore. I’ll only escort you to the gate of Kunning Palace – from there you’ll each go to your own homes. Your bright futures lie ahead. I bless you all to have harmonious unions with your beloved for a hundred years, growing old together with white hair.”
These words made all three brides shed tears again.
The three were helped onto bridal sedans by the wedding matron. Standing to the side, Qin Yining said no more.
The sounds of music drew near, and with the crackling of firecrackers, the three bridal sedans were carried away.
Kunning Palace, which had been bustling all day, suddenly became quiet.
Qin Yining stood at the palace gate for a long time. Only when the sedans could no longer be seen did she sigh softly and turn back.
Without Ji Yun and Bingtang by her side, she felt extremely uncomfortable, but she also knew she had to gradually get used to it. All human encounters are brief – parting is what lasts. To have had such a period of sisterly devotion was precious. Now they all had their own happiness and were heading toward their own lives. Though she felt melancholy, she was also happy for them.
At the same time in the Imperial Garden, Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu had also dismissed others and walked one after another on the quiet stone path in the winter night. Grand Eunuch Liu Anfu led a group of inner servants and imperial guards, following only distantly without approaching.
Pang Xiao smiled: “Those two rascals Huzi and Tang Xiu are getting married and are so excited they can’t find north. A’lan, I should also find you a good girl. Your lifelong matter should be settled.”
Ji Zeyu raised an eyebrow: “This subject is apprehensive. An imperial marriage isn’t necessary.”
Pang Xiao laughed heartily and patted Ji Zeyu’s shoulder: “There are no outsiders here – you needn’t be so constrained. We’re just brothers talking.”
Ji Zeyu smiled, but his refined brows unconsciously furrowed.
Pang Xiao said: “I plan to change your temporary title to hereditary and irreplaceable. From now on, your descendants will all be Duke Dingguo. Tell me, shouldn’t you marry quickly? Having descendants to play with his older brothers and sisters?”
Ji Zeyu’s smile was faint, his peerlessly handsome face showing no excess emotion. His eyes flickered, and he finally spoke: “Your Majesty, actually, this subject came today wanting to resign from office.”
Upon hearing this, Pang Xiao immediately froze, his steps also stopping: “Resign? Is there something unsatisfactory about court affairs? Or have I done something improper? A’lan, between us brothers there’s no need for so many complications – you can speak of any dissatisfactions. Why resign?”
“Your Majesty…” Ji Zeyu turned around, looking up at Pang Xiao.
The long cloak with snow fox fur collar draped loosely over his shoulders, revealing the snow-white cross collar underneath. When he raised his head, the beautifully curved lines of his neck and throat below the collar were displayed in a completely unguarded posture.
“Your Majesty, how could I have any dissatisfactions? I just… can no longer control my own thoughts.”
Pang Xiao was stunned, momentarily confused.
Seeing Pang Xiao’s expression, Ji Zeyu smiled again. He possessed a beauty that even ordinary men lacked, but rarely smiled. Today his smiles were more frequent than usual.
He walked forward two steps with hands behind his back, as if contemplating something. After a moment, he suddenly let out a long sigh, as if something had suddenly been released.
“In a person’s lifetime, how long can the best years last? This subject’s first half of life was spent striving for this country. Now that the realm is stable, the Tatars in the north dare not invade again, and the Southern Yan in the south are as quiet as quails – crushing them is merely a matter of time. This country has nothing left requiring my concern. I also want to return to farming, to do things I want to do while still young.”
“A’lan, don’t you want to stay by my side to help me?” Pang Xiao’s tone inevitably carried some anxiety as he grasped Ji Zeyu’s wrist, looking at him carefully: “People say establishing a dynasty is easy but defending the realm is difficult – the hard days are still ahead. You and I, brothers who have fought side by side until today, with so many obstacles ahead, I need someone trustworthy, and among everyone, I trust only you most.”
“That His Majesty trusts this subject is this subject’s honor. But after all these years, this subject is truly tired.” Ji Zeyu’s voice carried indescribable melancholy: “Now that the realm is stable and Your Majesty’s position is secure, with wife and children for company and no external enemies, with Your Majesty’s abilities and those of capable ministers, governing this country in perfect order is achievable within just a few years. I’m no longer needed here.”
“But…”
“Your Majesty, I don’t want everything in the future to become unrecognizable. Please grant your approval.”
Ji Zeyu respectfully bowed to Pang Xiao.
Pang Xiao quickly reached out to help him up.
He naturally understood what Ji Zeyu was saying. When they originally sworn brotherhood with Li Qitian, initially they had genuinely given their hearts to each other. During the campaign for the realm, saving each other’s lives was commonplace – at least half the blood they’d shed was for each other.
But how were the three of them now? Li Qitian was imprisoned in the underground chamber. Ji Zeyu wanted to leave court over some insignificant matters. And thinking of Qin Yining’s family…
This imperial throne truly wasn’t something everyone was willing to occupy. At least if he weren’t emperor, Qin Huaiyuan wouldn’t rack his brains to leave Qin Yining an escape route, and Ji Zeyu wouldn’t politely tell him about resigning.
Pang Xiao clenched his teeth tightly. After a long while, he squeezed out: “A’lan, have you truly made your decision?”
Ji Zeyu looked into Pang Xiao’s eyes. After a long time, he nodded and smiled with relief: “Yes, I’ve decided.”
People have their own aspirations – Pang Xiao knew he couldn’t stop him. But his heart truly felt blocked as if by a large stone. He patted Ji Zeyu’s shoulder, unable to speak.
The two walked for a while longer before Ji Zeyu took his leave.
“A’lan, I’ll keep your official position and title for you. Whenever you want to return, you can do so anytime.”
Pang Xiao escorted Ji Zeyu to the corner gate of the Imperial Garden.
Ji Zeyu smiled and nodded. But in his heart, he knew that if he left, he could never return to office in this lifetime.
He could assist Pang Xiao in fighting for this realm, but he simply couldn’t be Pang Xiao’s subject. Better to part ways from here – that would be more peaceful for his heart.