Chapter 491 – Extra: Farewell

Chapter 491 - Extra: Farewell

After the New Year, she accompanied the consorts to a suburban retreat outside the capital.

It was the place Helian Jingenli had mentioned after the Southern Garden was demolished, but unfortunately, he never visited due to his failing health.

Everything about the place was pleasant, except that it was rather small.

Yun Li's return to the palace was not a difficult experience for her.

She remained detached from all matters within its walls.

After enduring the scorching summer, they returned to the capital in August.

Yun Li was sixty-two years old that year.

Yet, she still appeared to be in her thirties or forties.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, with a bright moon hanging high in the sky, the entire family gathered in the Imperial Garden to celebrate.

A gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers, and Yun Li, having had a few cups of wine, was escorted by Xiao Jiu for a stroll.

They reached a corner of the imperial garden, where under the moonlight, a vast expanse of pink blossoms greeted them.

Though not as dazzling as in daylight, they were exquisitely vibrant, possessing an enchanting allure of their own.

Those were... Ten Varieties of Brocade.

"Son knows that Mother doesn't love this flower alone, but... seeing these blooms is like seeing you," Xiao Jiu shared.

After a long silence, Yun Li smiled and said, "I don't like this palace, but I've long grown accustomed to it. This is home."

As she spoke, she lowered her head to pluck a pink blossom. "I don't indeed love this flower solely, but it suits me well. It suits your father even more. If only his life had been longer."

"Mother..."

"Yes? Mother was just expressing a sigh. You, my dear, are no longer young either."

"Indeed, I have more wrinkles than you do..." Xiao Jiu's words held a hint of complaint.

Yun Li couldn't help but laugh, patting his arm. "If anyone hears you, your imperial prestige will be gone."

How beautiful this bed of Ten Varieties of Brocade was under the moonlight.

Everyone in the harem knew that Empress Dowager adored this flower. Hence, His Majesty had planted a vast array of it in the imperial garden.

Many of the junior concubines also loved to wear this flower and even had their seamstresses create garments with the Ten Varieties of Brocade pattern.

But they didn't understand; it was a symbol.

When Xiao Jiu saw this flower, he saw Yun Li, but it was impossible for him to transfer that affection to someone else who wore the same blossom.

Everything should be unique.

No one could borrow someone's traits to reminisce about another person.

On this point, the mother and son always agreed.

After the banquet dispersed, Yun Li returned to Yuzhu Palace.

The following day, Yun Li summoned Qi Xiaoming. The siblings no longer met frequently, and traces of white hair were now visible at the corners of Qi Xiaoming's temples.

No one knew what was discussed between them, but when Qi Xiaoming left, his eyes were rimmed with red.

From that day on, Yun Li bestowed many of his belongings upon the Empress and princesses. He also gave all his jewelry to the consorts.

Yun Li had a premonition.

On the final day, he spoke privately with Little Nine.

"I suppose it's time for me to meet your father. There's no need to give any instructions about my passing; just follow your father's wishes. After I'm gone, my elderly attendants can choose where they wish to reside. I've left them with sufficient funds. As for the Qi family, you'll have to handle that yourself. I am at ease knowing that you and the Empress will be taken care of."

"Mother..."

"Be obedient," Yun Li smiled. "Death is an inevitable part of life, and I'm content to depart with clarity. Aren't you happy for me?"

Tears instantly welled up in Little Nine's eyes, rendering her speechless.

"I've placed so much trust in you that I have no parting words to offer, except to urge you not to harm yourself for my sake. Reflecting on my life, it's been rather good. My parents doted on me as a child, and even though there were intrigues in the palace, your father treated me well. I didn't suffer any great injustices. Giving birth to you is the pride of my life. And having Ziqi as a daughter-in-law brings me joy."

"Seeing you both with children fills me with contentment. I have friends too – my teacher from my youth, Empress Yuanzheng, Grand Empress Dowager Guizhou, and Chen Jing."

"The servants around me have always been pleasing to have. Even the sheep I raised was more intelligent than others."

"Though there were troubles with my family of origin, those times have passed. In this life, I have no regrets."

Xiaojiu nodded continuously but found himself at a loss for words.

"Ziqi will be deeply saddened. You must take care of her. As for my grandchildren, I may not have been the best grandmother. I hope they won't hold a grudge against me."

"No... No, they won't..." Xiaojiu hurriedly reassured.

Yun Li wiped away his tears. "Mother still remembers when you were little, clinging to my legs and pretending to cry for attention. Now, look how grown up you are. Don't cry. Aren't farewells a part of life?"

Xiaojiu nodded, but his tears continued to flow.

He had always known his mother was different. Even though he felt she could still receive treatment, with her words, he could only believe her.

Yun Li's health took a sharp downturn, deteriorating rapidly within just a few days. However, she didn't seem to feel much discomfort, merely exhausted.

The Empress and Xiao Jiu stayed by her side day and night.

Coincidentally or perhaps by fate, at this time, Fu Gui stopped eating grass as well.

Zhi Fu and the others didn't mention it to Yun Li, fearing it would sadden her.

The sheep wasn't old, but it was no longer young. Every day, it found a quiet spot to rest, lying there for the entire day.

At night, it returned on its own to sleep. Even livestock possess a certain sensitivity, perhaps wanting to accompany its owner until the end.

After seven consecutive days, Fu Gui couldn't rise from its spot. It passed away before Yun Li did.

Let Yun Li take the golden lock with her in the end. As for Fu Gui itself, it should be buried with dignity.

On the last day of August, Yun Li said early in the morning, "It's time to help me change my clothes. Your father passed away in autumn, and now I am also leaving in autumn. How coincidental."

"Mother!" Xiao Jiu called out.

Yun Li smiled at him. "Don't be like this. Let Mother leave with ease."

"No... I... Mother, please stay and have a meal with us," Little Nine requested.

Yun Li nodded with a smile. "Sure."

Thus, a simple meal was prepared in the Jade Channel Palace, just for the three of them.

The queen wiped away her tears and served Yun Li a bowl of soup.

Yun Li was unable to consume anything substantial. She could only manage to drink some soup.

The breakfast was a solemn affair, with everyone trying not to show their sorrow, yet all of them were deeply affected by it.

Having finished the meal, Yun Li smiled and said, "Come, it's time for me to change clothes."

Xiao Jiu rose to assist her into the inner chamber, then withdrew quietly. The Empress did not call for him to enter.

It was Zhi Fu, Juyu, and Reeds who attended her.

All three had tears brimming in their eyes.

"You can live wherever you please, even outside the palace. I've set aside enough silver to sustain you for decades. You've been sisters your whole lives, so continue on together."

They all nodded through their tears.

"I won't see Zhi'er again. Tell him to finish the capital chapter well," Yun Li said.

Reeds wiped away her tears. "Your Highness, rest assured, he will fulfill his duty."

"Fucai has been with me through thick and thin. Find a place to keep him, don't let him end up in a pot," Yun Li said with a smile.

"Aye, Your Highness, we'll take care of it," Juyu assured.

After Yun Li changed into her formal attire and finished her grooming, she had no strength left.

She smiled and said, "That's enough. Lay me down, and let me disappear."

In reality, outside, Xiao Jiu and the Empress were already kneeling at the entrance.

Yun Li closed her eyes, bidding farewell to this world forever.

Arriving with memories but without attachment, she left without any lingering concerns.

Her life had reached its conclusion.

There would be countless records in future generations, but who could truly comprehend the magnificent grace of the woman she once was?

In her final moments, Yun Li saw no visions nor heard any sounds.

She departed in tranquility.

That luminous piece of glass eventually vanished beneath the dust of history, yet its brilliance once shone so vividly.

How could it be so easily forgotten?

Farewell, the Great Jin Dynasty.