Chapter 484 – Extra: A Life of Fulfillment

Chapter 484 - Extra: A Life of Fulfillment

When Ran Ziqi was on her deathbed, she felt that she had lived a blissful life.

She was born into a reputable family with upright morals.

Her father was an upstanding gentleman, and her mother was gentle and virtuous.

Despite having several concubines in the household, their rivalries were never malicious; they all had decent dispositions.

Everyone got along well.

Her elder and younger brothers were also wonderful.

When her grandparents were alive, they doted on the younger generation.

When she came to the capital city Ningjing at the age of ten to participate in the imperial selection, she didn't have much confidence.

But for some reason, Empress Xiaoxian's mother-in-law, who was not yet an empress back then, took a liking to her.

At that time, Zi Qi was both fearful and astonished, yet also secretly delighted.

She was happy that someone so exalted and outstanding saw her in a favorable light.

Being appointed as the Crown Princess was unforeseen, but thinking of Empress Xiaoxian, she felt confident that she could fulfill the role well.

Initially, she had pondered countless possibilities about how to interact with the Crown Prince.

How to be a good Crown Princess.

During the northern expedition, their brief time together had lessened her reverence for him.

The Crown Prince...was someone doted on by his parents. He had a temper and could be childish at times.

But he was reasonable.

Her mother-in-law had said that if a man was reasonable, things would be easier for women.

Zi Qi held onto those words dearly.

Upon officially entering the Eastern Palace, she realized that her mother's teachings over the past year had not been in vain.

As she delved into the reality of palace life, she suddenly discovered that it was not as challenging as she had imagined.

Only then did she comprehend the extent of her good fortune.

Growing up, she often heard stories of young brides facing difficulties with their mothers-in-law, leading to unhappy lives.

Her own mother, worried for her future, mentioned the importance of finding a family with a simple dynamic.

She, too, had harbored many concerns.

After all, when a woman marries, if her mother-in-law dislikes her, it can mean enduring half a lifetime of hardship.

She had thought about this extensively, especially since she was to become the Crown Princess.

Back then in the palace, the Empress Dowager was still there.

But she wasn't anymore.

She never imagined that her mother-in-law was such a person. Like a beam of light, illuminating every aspect of her life.

She had studied all her life, but never quite mastered it.

Yet, the benefits she gained were immeasurable.

She often found her mother-in-law's wisdom guiding her in the midst of her responsibilities.

As an Empress, her burden was heavier than that of a Crown Princess, yet she never felt intimidated.

Even when she gave birth to several princesses and felt deeply disappointed, she didn't let fear consume her.

For her mother-in-law had taught her that holding onto justice is the foundation of strength.

Indeed, though she did not bear an imperial prince, the Emperor's affection for her remained unwavering.

The respect from her royal kin was considerable as well.

She remained the unyielding Empress.

It was then that she realized it wasn't just the Emperor's favor that sustained her; it was also the path she had walked herself.

Her mother-in-law often said that women in this world relied on men to survive, but ultimately, women were not solely dependent on them.

She fully grasped the weight of the title 'Empress'.

It surpassed the status of any concubine in the harem.

Now, she even felt that her life was sufficiently blessed.

Yet, the heavens seemed to have showered her with profound affection.

At the advanced age of thirty-five, she conceived and gave birth to the Eighth Prince.

From that point on, everything became complete.

Looking back, she could hardly recall any unhappy moments.

It was only the passing of her mother and the emperor, those helpless tragedies, that truly grieved her.

But everyone must pass on, and she was about to join them soon, wasn't she?

Thus, Ziqi wore a smile in her final moments.

Her illness hadn't lingered too long, only a few months.

The emperor, the princesses, and Pearl were all kneeling by her bedside.

Pearl's sobs choked her voice, preventing her from even calling out to her mother.

Ziqi reached out and held Pearl's hand, "Though you weren't born to my mother, she raised you as her own since you were little. It's the same. Live well in the future, no more mischief. You're not young anymore. Control your temper, do you understand?"

After all, her future would be spent living before her cousin. It wouldn't be the same.

Pearl nodded.

Behind them, the firstborn prince of the Duke of Yi hurriedly reassured, "Don't worry, Mother."

The four legitimate princesses were all weeping bitterly. Zi Qi consoled each of them in turn.

Finally, she held the emperor's hand and smiled. "Be a good emperor. Your father's harem was clean, so yours should be too. As your father mentioned, Yu Qu Palace can be left for anyone who wishes to live there. Your grandmother, we will always keep her in our hearts."

"I understand," the emperor replied, tears streaming down his face continuously.

Zi Qi looked at them one last time, smiled, and finally closed her eyes.

In the history of Great Jin, there had been many empresses.

Some had suffered greatly, some had endured hardships before finding happiness, and some had been unfortunate throughout their lives...

But none had been like Ruan Zi Qi, a beloved daughter since childhood, cherished by her family.

Entering the palace, she gained the affectionate guidance of a mother-in-law who was both mentor and friend.

And she received the support of an emperor who respected and loved her all his life.

The children played boisterously, yet they were filial and sensible.

Even the most rebellious, Pearl, in this life, her biological parents would come second to her dearest, Ziqi.

To live such a life was indeed a fulfilling journey.

----

Upon Ziqi's passing, it would naturally be a national mourning.

In the residence of Vice Minister Li, the old madam fell silent upon hearing the news of the Empress Dowager's impending death.

"Old Madam, what's the matter?" asked the maid, perplexed.

Madam Lu gently shook her head. "Time has flown by so quickly. The Empress Dowager is no longer with us."

"The Empress Dowager wasn't young anymore…" the maid commented.

"Yes, she wasn't. Tell someone to prepare the carriage and horses. Tomorrow, I'll visit the Taoist temple," said Madam Lu.

The maid was still young and naive, unaware of the deeper implications.

The following morning, she knelt before the statues of the Three Pure Ones, offering incense.

Those who had initially served her were either aged or had left the palace.

Thus, no one truly understood her at this moment.

Back when Empress Qi was still Concubine Xian, she too had the chance to become the Crown Princess.

However, she was too young then, and her true nature was easily seen through by Concubine Xian.

Empress Qi was indeed a rare woman in this world. She saw through her and made the best of her own situation.

She married into the Li family, gave birth to three sons and a daughter, and spent her life without concubines or secondary wives. Her household was harmonious, and everything went smoothly. It was just that her husband had passed away before her.

Now that she was old, memories from her childhood often resurfaced.

That year, she stood before Concubine Xian and listened as she said, "This palace wishes you and your husband a long-lasting marriage until old age."

Indeed, she had grown old with her husband, fulfilling their matrimonial vow.

At the time of her grand wedding, she imagined that Nuan from the Nguyen family, becoming a princess consort, must have been an incredibly fortunate woman.

With Empress Qi as her mother-in-law, she would not face any difficulties.

Due to Li's family not holding high enough ranks, Lady Lu was unable to enter the palace these years.

Yet, she always heard news about Nuan.

From giving birth to princesses consistently to finally bearing the crown prince, time flew by in a blink.

In a few more years, it would be her time to go.

When she thinks back to their youth, both being anxious about their futures, and how they encountered Empress Qi—how fortunate was that?

Lady Cao, later on, married the Seventh Prince and led a blissful life.

Each of us has gotten what we desired. How wonderful.