“Ordinary people with damaged foundations are difficult to treat, but you are the sovereign of a nation. Dongning’s finest physicians are all at your command—how could they fail to treat your old ailments?”

Song Wan walked to Shen Qianyu’s side and gently grasped his hand: “In the past, your disposition was obstinate and you lacked the patience to cooperate with the Imperial Physicians in using acupuncture and medicinal meals to restore your health. Now that your age has caught up with you, you finally realize the severity of this matter?”

Song Wan teased: “The blade never hurts until it cuts your own flesh—you’ll never know the pain otherwise.”

“From today onward, I’ll have Imperial Physician Xu administer acupuncture to you daily and have Imperial Physician Fu formulate medicinal meals for you. With several years of such care, you should improve considerably.”

“Will I truly?”

“Naturally.”

Holding Shen Qianyu’s hand, Song Wan lowered her eyes: “Where there is life, there must be death. Lifespan is something that cannot be forced. Set your mind at ease and don’t dwell on matters of longevity day after day.”

In his early years in Nanqing, his body had been severely damaged, and the Battle of Su River had added many new injuries. These past few years, the symptoms of his physical discomfort had become increasingly obvious. She saw this in her heart and was anxious about it as well.

But Song Wan knew that human birth, aging, illness, and death were both unavoidable and inescapable, so she was not fixated on having Shen Qianyu pursue some path to immortality.

“Rather than worrying about your health day after day, why not release the worries in your heart and give your body and spirit freedom?”

“When a person is free, their body will improve considerably as well.”

Smoothing out the creases in the robes before Shen Qianyu’s chest bit by bit, she smiled: “Moreover, I know you cherish me and won’t bear to leave me alone and depart first, so I never worry about such things. You needn’t worry either.”

Shen Qianyu was timid and possessed a clingy disposition. These past few years, he had become increasingly obsessed with her—if he didn’t see her for even a moment, he would search throughout the entire rear palace.

Thinking of his appearance, Song Wan’s heart filled with bitter sorrow, yet her affection for him grew even deeper.

In his childhood, with no one to care for him or love him, his temperament had been resilient and self-reliant. Who would have known that upon nearing forty, he would instead develop more and more of a childlike nature?

Occasionally, she even felt he seemed more like a child than Shen Shiyan or Shen Shixiao.

“I won’t. In this life, I absolutely will not abandon Wan’er and depart first.”

Having spoken these words, Shen Qianyu’s heart seemed to summon up a surge of energy, no longer as listless and weak as in days past.

“In this life, I have never failed to accomplish what I set my mind to. Wan’er, just watch—I will certainly hold on and follow after you.”

Shen Qianyu stood up, as if returning to his youth in Nanqing when he was isolated and helpless.

He was precisely that sort of person whose fighting spirit grew stronger the more difficult the road ahead became.

From that day forth, Shen Qianyu followed Song Wan’s arrangements daily, having the Imperial Physicians administer acupuncture to his knees morning and evening, while his meals consisted mainly of warming and nourishing medicinal dishes.

Whether it was because the Imperial Physicians’ treatments were taking effect or because he possessed that surge of vital spirit within his heart to sustain him, Shen Qianyu’s body truly gradually grew more robust.

When Shen Shiyan was just past ten years old, Shen Qianyu had constantly kept him by his side to cultivate him. Now that Shen Shiyan had just reached his coming-of-age, he hastily abdicated the throne to his son and peacefully took up the role of Retired Emperor.

On the day the new Emperor ascended the throne, the happiest person was not Shen Shiyan but Shen Qianyu, who had finally obtained his freedom.

“The responsibilities of my life are now complete. From this day forth, I can finally peacefully spend my days with Wan’er, smelling the mundane world’s smoke and fire, tasting the five grains, and becoming a person of supreme contentment and leisure.”

Tossing the soft pillow he had grown accustomed to using on the phoenix couch in Changle Palace into a trunk, Shen Qianyu then reached out to remove the bed curtains hanging on the canopy.

Song Wan watched his actions and spoke helplessly: “What will you do with this thing after taking it down? That villa has limited space, and its dimensions don’t match the canopy bed in the room either. Even if you take it there, you won’t be able to use it.”

“No matter. I’ll cut and alter it.”

“Mother, just let Father do as he wishes. Father has finally unloaded the burden from his shoulders and is currently in high spirits.”

“Shixiao speaks reasonably.”

Shen Shixiao wore a faint smile on his face, standing to the side watching his Imperial Father bustle about.

He had now grown into an elegant young man. Simply standing there gave people a sense of tranquility at the sight of him. Though young, one could rarely sense in him the vigor and spirited confidence characteristic of youth.

Shen Qianyu often said that Shen Shixiao took after Song Wan—at such a young age, he was already permeated to the bone with scholarly refinement.

“Imperial Elder Brother still hasn’t arrived. He must be feeling aggrieved.”

“With your elder brother absent, you’ve begun speaking ill of him before Father and Mother?”

Shen Shiyan entered from outside, arms folded as he leaned to one side.

He stood tall and upright with a willowy figure, actually half a palm taller than Shen Qianyu.

Shang Rong had once said that the child they had all cultivated together should be a person of exceptional talent and vigorous spirit. Who would have thought that the more Shen Shiyan grew, the more he exuded that sinister edge that only Shen Qianyu had possessed in his youth?

He had been fine in childhood, but after ascending the throne, his eyes held more cold severity and sharpness—quite different from his childhood self and rather frightening.

Zhao Nanzhang had said this was the natural bearing of an Emperor, but Song Wan felt that Zhao Nanzhang doted too much on Yan’er, to the point where she saw nothing but good in him.

“Is Imperial Elder Brother not aggrieved then?”

Shen Shixiao smiled faintly, and seeing this, Shen Shiyan let out a light snort.

His Imperial Father and Mother were set on moving out of the palace to live in a villa. Only after he refused no matter what and had a relatively quiet courtyard opened in a secluded part of the rear palace, and after persuading them for a long time, did the two finally decide to remain in the palace to spend their retirement years.

Shen Shiyan knew that Imperial Father wanted to completely relinquish power.

Having already left the pinnacle of power, Imperial Father had no intention of interfering in court affairs again. He also wanted to set Shen Shiyan’s mind at ease as Emperor.

But to Shen Shiyan, he was the Emperor, but he was also Imperial Father and Mother’s child. How could this Emperor’s identity overcome the bonds of flesh and blood?

Thinking of this, Shen Shiyan said: “Naturally I’m aggrieved, but thinking that grievances won’t earn Imperial Father’s affection, I can only swallow this grievance and secretly grieve alone.”

Shen Qianyu’s hand paused as he organized the trunks. He turned his head to look at Shen Shiyan with distaste.

Seeing this, Shen Shiyan and Shen Shixiao both immediately laughed.

The brothers had always been deeply affectionate, and the two had grown to this age without ever developing any discord.

Shen Shiyan’s unwillingness to have Shen Qianyu and Song Wan move out of the palace also carried the meaning of reluctance to part with his younger brother, Wan Xiao, and several of the old Imperial Dowager Consorts in the rear palace.

The two brothers had been raised by all these people watching over them. If they all went to a separate palace, he truly would become a solitary person.

With Imperial Father and Mother remaining in the palace, he had the feeling that the family remained intact.

Who says Emperors are heartless?

If he were to speak of it, the Imperial Family also had those who valued sentiment deeply.

Moving the items to the small courtyard, Shen Qianyu held Song Wan’s hand as they leisurely walked behind.

Rooms had been reserved in the small courtyard for Shang Rong, Shen Shiyan, Shen Shixiao, and others, but those who could live there long-term would likely only be Wan Xiao, Ji Rong, and Heng Zhi.

“This subject pays respects to—”

Just as they entered the small courtyard, Wan Xiao and Ji Rong were about to kneel in salute when Shen Shiyan quickly stepped forward to help them up.

“I cannot accept such courtesy from you two elders.”

He and Shen Shixiao had been doted upon in these two people’s palms—they were both teachers and friends, both masters and servants. How could he accept their formal courtesies?

Ji Rong wanted to kneel again, but Shen Qianyu said: “Within this courtyard, let us dispense with these ceremonial formalities.”

They were all a pile of old bones—truly couldn’t endure such exertions.

“Leave these trunks to this servant. This servant has prepared hot water for the masters. Masters, please go rest.”

The one speaking was a young eunuch following beside Ji Rong, named Liu Yao. He was a close attendant by Shen Shiyan’s side and also a disciple personally trained by Ji Rong.

He was clever and quick in his movements. Even as he spoke, he had already taken the trunks and placed them securely in the rooms.

Wan Xiao and the others entered the rooms. Shen Qianyu looked at his and Song Wan’s bedchamber and smiled faintly.

Looking at this room, one could tell Shen Shiyan had put his heart into it.

His Imperial son knew his health was poor and he feared cold and chill. Therefore, heating channels had been built beneath this small courtyard’s floor. With the underfloor heating burning now, the room was warm as spring. The cold qi accumulated from walking all the way from Changle Palace quickly dissipated upon entering this room.

“This room is good—small yet refined, and won’t be cold in winter either.”

Song Wan looked at Shen Shiyan with an affectionate smile.

Her features no longer possessed the beauty of her youth, and fine lines had appeared between her brows and eyes, yet when Shen Qianyu looked at her, his heart still stirred.

“You young ones all stay for a simple meal together. After today, don’t always come here to disturb us.”

Pointing at the several young people in the room, Shen Qianyu spoke lightly.

Shen Shiyan and Shen Shixiao showed no reaction, but Liu Yao and Cui Xing, the adopted son Wan Xiao had taken in years ago, respectfully acknowledged.

After the group finished their meal, they left one by one. Shen Qianyu and Song Wan returned to their room to rest, while only Cui Xing stood beside Wan Xiao, his voice carrying worry: “It’s still rather cool outside. Why doesn’t Foster Father go rest in the room?”

Wan Xiao reclined in a lounge chair, eyes closed as he sunned himself.

After a long while, he said: “The second son of the Li Family went to Nanqing some time ago. Has he arrived safely?”

“He has arrived and established himself in Nanqing.”

“Does Foster Father want this child to secretly provide some assistance?”

“No need.”

“No need anymore…”

Hearing this, Cui Xing raised his head slightly, not understanding why his Foster Father today no longer extended protection to the Li Family.

Since Wan Xiao had brought him to his side to take over Dong Chang, Cui Xing could often hear words concerning the Li Family from his mouth.

Sometimes it was offering a helping hand to smooth Li Chengzu’s official path, sometimes seeking a renowned teacher for the eldest son of the Li Family, or handling other trivial matters.

He had secretly investigated this family—they had no connection to the great clans in court, nor any relationship with his Foster Father.

As far as he knew, his Foster Father had not left the palace for many years, nor had he met anyone from this Li surname family. Yet from time to time, he would receive one or two directives from Wan Xiao to handle matters related to this family.

What most puzzled him was several years ago when he had just arrived at Wan Xiao’s side, one day his Foster Father suddenly had him deal with a Guard Commander of the Capital Camp.

That Guard Commander’s background showed no abnormalities. After handling the matter properly and returning to the palace to report, his Foster Father merely waved his hand dismissively, indicating he had no patience to listen.

“What of Li Shi Zhenniang?”

“Li Shi Zhenniang…”

Cui Xing was startled by Wan Xiao’s question, momentarily unable to answer.

That was the first time Cui Xing had heard the name of the Li Family from Wan Xiao’s mouth.

“Investigate, then properly settle her.”

Wan Xiao left only this single sentence before having him go settle Li Shi Zhenniang.

He hadn’t understood his Foster Father’s meaning at the time. Only after carefully investigating did he learn that the Capital Camp Guard Commander was Li Shi’s husband. Outwardly, he was generous and righteous, seemingly a supremely virtuous person, but in reality, he was addicted to gambling and utterly despicable.

Not only had he secretly used Li Shi’s dowry to repay gambling debts, he had also forced Li Shi to demand silver from her maternal relatives.

Li Shi’s mother, feeling for her daughter, gave several times, even providing half a box of pearls.

But not only did that Guard Commander show no gratitude, his appetite grew ever larger. He often beat and kicked Li Shi—truly vile behavior.

Later, Cui Xing secretly dealt with Li Shi’s husband. Not long after, Li Shi was divorced and sent home, bringing two young daughters with her.

It was from that time onward that every year or so, he would hear his Foster Father inquire about this family—until today.

“Once in Nanqing, it’s beyond what we can manage. Even Dong Chang’s reach cannot extend so far.”

Wan Xiao stood up, and Cui Xing hurriedly stepped forward to support him, helping him into the room.

Shen Qianyu, Wan Xiao, and the others settled into this courtyard. These years, Song Wan had learned considerable medical knowledge from the Imperial Physicians to care for Shen Qianyu.

Ordinarily, she performed the acupuncture and massage herself. Shen Qianyu had initially felt reluctant, but as Song Wan insisted, he let her do as she wished.

After entering this small courtyard, time seemed to slowly come to a standstill.

The two would rise early to stroll in the Imperial Garden. When tired, they would return to the courtyard to rest, or dine together with Wan Xiao, Heng Zhi, and the others.

Occasionally, when Shang Rong, Zhao Nanzhang, and others came to visit, everyone would taste tea and play chess together, passing the time.

In the years living in the small courtyard, Shen Qianyu restored his health quite well, and Song Wan’s heart also relaxed considerably.

Shen Shiyan increasingly possessed an Emperor’s imposing authority. Occasionally, when he came to the courtyard to dine with them, he would sometimes reveal traces of gravity. Song Wan didn’t know if something had occurred in the court, but she and Shen Qianyu were both too lazy to inquire.

Having entrusted this realm to his hands, the husband and wife both trusted that Shen Shiyan could manage it well.

When Song Yuning passed away, Shen Qianbai had returned to Dongning once—both to report the death and with the intention of returning Nanqing.

Song Wan didn’t know how Qianbai and Yan’er had discussed it. She only knew that not long after, Shixiao returned to Nanqing together with Qianbai.

When learning of her aunt’s death and of Shen Shixiao’s departure from the capital, Song Wan hadn’t shed tears. But one autumn day when Shen Qianyu suddenly caught a chill and fell seriously ill, her eyes reddened for several days.

It had only been an ordinary cold, yet Shen Qianyu dragged it out for a long time without recovering.

Song Wan’s heart was anxious, yet her face never showed half a trace of it.

“Drinking medicine again today?”

“The last bowl.”

Shen Qianyu frowned: “You said the same thing yesterday.”

“Did I? I don’t recall.”

Even as she spoke, Song Wan brought the medicine bowl in her hand before Shen Qianyu and took a spoon to feed it to him mouthful by mouthful.

“Bitter…”

“Your young Imperial grandson doesn’t cry out about bitterness even once when drinking medicine. What are you crying about?”

Once again delivering the lukewarm medicine into Shen Qianyu’s mouth, Song Wan spoke no more.

Knowing she was angry that he hadn’t properly protected his health and was deliberately feeding him this bitter medicine spoonful by spoonful, Shen Qianyu dared say nothing more. He could only grit his teeth and swallow it down mouthful by mouthful.

“Will you dare again to drink wine in the courtyard wearing only your inner garments?”

“I won’t dare.”

“You’d better truly not dare.”

Song Wan used chopsticks to take a candied plum from a porcelain jar and placed it in Shen Qianyu’s mouth. Shen Qianyu held it with embarrassed downcast eyes, not daring to utter a single word of protest.

“Wan’er, you have white hairs at your temples.”

Shen Qianyu raised his head and suddenly noticed many silver threads appearing beside Song Wan’s temples. He stared blankly, as if greatly astonished.

“They didn’t just appear today. Why are you making such a fuss?”

“Moreover, we’re both at such an age—it would be more remarkable if we didn’t have white hair.”

Shen Qianyu watched Song Wan standing in the sunlight and said dazedly: “But in my heart, Wan’er has always been that cold and absolutely beautiful figure standing in the moonlight at the villa in the capital’s outskirts.”

“Before, it was so. Now, it still is.”

“Then hurry and recover. Once your body is healthy, you’ll take me back to the villa in the capital’s outskirts again. I want to go there to look around, to see the moonlight of that night once more, to hear you say again ‘smooth sailing and encountering a good person.'”

Shen Qianyu looked up, his eyes revealing traces of a smile: “Good. I will certainly take Wan’er back to the villa in the capital’s outskirts once more…”