Yanran certainly didn't leave the next day, mainly because Tang Zhuyun wouldn't allow it.
"Mother, what if he's gone?"
"You can't get married without your brother, what are you going to do?"
Yanran: "..."
She was speechless.
Suddenly, I wished that my grandfather could hold on a little longer, and hang the coffin after she was gone.
"Some of the things I've prepared will take a few more days, so please wait a bit," Tang Zhuyun said irritably.
"Okay, fine."
A few days later, Xiu'er brought Baoxuan into the palace.
"... The case is over, her adoptive mother has gone back, and I've brought her to you. You can make the arrangements now."
Yanran didn't take it to heart and said, "Then let her stay. Just give her an easy errand to run."
Baoxuan is too young and can't do much.
"I'll listen to Jiang'er from now on," Yanran said again.
Baoxuan, like a frightened bird, was panicked and nodded repeatedly.
Knowing her story, Tang Zhuyun sighed, "She's a pitiful one too."
If she could choose, would she want her birth mother to die, and her adoptive father and brother to die as well?
Xiu'er said, "Now that I can follow Yanran, it's like all the hardships have finally come to an end."
Baoxuan followed closely behind Yanran, her head bowed.
Just then, Yuan Yi arrived with Doudou and bowed to Tang Zhuyun as soon as she entered.
Tang Zhuyun smiled and beckoned Doudou forward, saying, "It's getting better every day."
Yuan Yi said, "It's all thanks to Your Majesty's miraculous healing."
She wanted to speak with Tang Zhuyun alone, so after exchanging a few pleasantries, she found an excuse to have the wet nurse take Doudou out.
Tang Zhuyun understood immediately and instructed everyone to leave.
Yanran said, "Come on, Doudou, let's go play football in the yard."
Tang Zhuyun laughed and scolded, "Do you have to raise them all to be wild children like you?"
Yuan Yi said enviously, "If Doudou were half as healthy as the princess, I would thank God."
It will be alright.
Some things, even if you know they're impossible, you can only offer comfort.
A mother's heart is both strong and fragile.
Even those who can withstand countless hardships in the world can often crumble because of a single word.
Yanran said proudly, "It's good that you're like me! Doudou, learn martial arts from me. I just beat your uncle to a pulp the other day."
Tang Zhuyun: "... If you're alright, why did you go and fight Yuan Han?"
"Let's have a friendly competition."
That bastard Yuan Han actually spoke ill of Cui Xiaoqiu. Humph, he deserves a beating.
Is Cui Xiaoqiu inferior to him?
Pooh!
She even made him cry!
Yanran took Doudou out.
Yuan Yi quickly composed herself and leaned closer, whispering, "Your Majesty, I heard that the Emperor Emeritus..."
"Mm." Tang Zhuyun nodded.
Neither of them mentioned the matter again, tacitly agreeing to keep quiet about it.
Yuan Yi continued, "I heard a joke, and I'd like to tell it to Your Majesty."
"Oh? I'm bored right now, tell me about it."
Have you heard of Ao Prefecture?
Tang Zhuyun: "Porridge? What kind of porridge?"
She can cook so many kinds of porridge, like rice porridge, millet porridge, shredded chicken porridge, preserved egg and lean pork porridge...
"Ao Prefecture is a place name," Yuan Yi said. "I heard that there was a woman there who was not intelligent from childhood, but was extremely beautiful. After the emperor ascended the throne, she accidentally saw a portrait of the emperor and miraculously regained her intelligence..."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
I don't understand, but I'm deeply moved.
So my man is actually better at treating illnesses than I am?
One look at him, and the extra chromosome in Down syndrome would disappear; the child with Down syndrome would instantly become a good person.
Wow, how amazing!
The main point is probably that she is extremely beautiful.
"Your Majesty, please have some refreshments," Yuan Yi said.
This woman is most likely destined for the capital.
This is just one example; in other places, those who fabricate stories and send gifts to women are certainly not to be outdone.
"Your Majesty, it's impossible to guard against!"
Tang Zhuyun said, "I'm afraid they're going to be disappointed."
After the death of the retired emperor, the emperor must observe a three-year mourning period.
Three years from now, they should have to bring in another batch of new people.
Yuan Yi looked at her with concern and sighed silently, "Your Majesty, some things cannot be prevented simply by the Emperor's concern for you. We can guard against one or two, but what we fear most is their omnipresence."
"I know," Tang Zhuyun said with a smile, "But what can I do? I can't just give up on life."
"Fortunately, we have a few years to catch up..." Yuan Yi added, "But we dare not relax. We are still afraid that others will use this as an excuse, and if problems arise during this period, His Majesty will also be severely punished."
"I know, thank you for reminding me. It's only because you're so considerate and thoughtful that others would speak so frankly," Tang Zhuyun said sincerely.
"Your Majesty is too kind. We can never repay the kindness you have shown to my mother and me."
If it were anyone else, knowing about her childhood crush—especially since that idiot Yuan Han made it public knowledge—who wouldn't feel uneasy?
But the Empress was a magnanimous woman; she not only didn't hold it against her, but also did her best to help her save her daughter.
Yuan Yi expressed her heartfelt gratitude.
"Look at you, here you go again. Let's go out and see what they're up to, climbing all over the roof and tearing off the tiles." Tang Zhuyun stood up and laughed. "And you, you're still young, don't just focus on her, think about your own affairs too."
Yuan Yi blushed.
I never thought about it before, but now... I'm used to it.
In the courtyard, Yanran was playing football with Doudou and Jiang'er. They were all sweating profusely and shouting themselves hoarse.
"Here, here, pass it to me!" Yanran shouted with a smile.
I originally wanted Baoxuan to participate, but she was too timid to do so.
Yanran didn't force them, so Baoxuan stood to the side, watching them play with envy.
Until Doudou kicked the ball to Baoxuan's feet.
Baoxuan bent down, picked up the ball, and wanted to give it to Doudou.
Just then, Yuan Yi came out and called to Doudou, "You're all sweating. Come here, let Mom wipe your sweat."
Doudou was about to reach out to catch the ball, but upon hearing this, she smiled, turned around, and ran towards Yuan Yi to show her her dirty hands.
"She looks like a mud monkey." Yuan Yi smiled broadly, took a handkerchief to wipe her sweat, and then asked for water for her to wash her hands.
The sunlight shone on Yuan Yi, giving her a golden glow.
That was the halo of a mother.
Baoxuan stared blankly, her eyes suddenly stinging with tears.
She once had a mother.
But her mother doesn't want her anymore.
Seeing her holding the ball blankly, Yanran came over and patted her little head. "Go wash your hands with Jiang'er. There will be some snacks later."
Yanran has always been fond of and gentle with girls.
Baoxuan nodded quickly and obediently followed Jiang'er to wash her hands.
Yanran will be setting off soon.
She thanked God that her grandfather had survived until the time of her passing.
After she left, the world was vast and boundless; calling her back wouldn't bring her back!
However, before leaving, seeing that Baoxuan had become extremely attached to her and Jiang'er over the past few days, Yanran decided to take her with her.
When Cui Xiaoqiu saw that a new person had joined her side, he asked her about the whole story before saying anything.
Ten days after Yanran left, a death knell tolled in the imperial city.
The retired emperor has passed away.