Chapter 62 Epilogue

Chapter 62: Epilogue

Amidst lush foliage, summer cicadas sang.

After Fu Anyian had been away on an assignment for several days, Yu Xi enjoyed two peaceful days. However, beneath this tranquility, her heart felt hollow. She was distracted all day, either sitting in a daze or lacking energy.

Assuming it was due to the sweltering heat, Dong Ling instructed the kitchen to prepare mung bean soup and asked De Shun to chase away the cicadas both inside and outside Jinghua Palace. De Shun and a few junior eunuchs were busy outdoors for the entire afternoon, managing to bring some calmness.

Despite this, Yu Xi's heart remained restless, unable to find solace. Dong Ling brought her a few storybooks, but Yu Xi carelessly tossed them onto the table. Ever since she regained her memories, she found no interest in reading such books, deeming them dull, and unable to tolerate the romantic entanglements within.

Her own love affairs were already perplexing enough, let alone those in fiction.

Sitting in the pavilion, Yu Xi's table was laden with chilled fruits, all the freshest of the season. Leaning against the stone table, she lounged lazily with half-closed eyes, slowly savoring grapes and watermelon slices.

A moment later, Dong Ling served the mung bean soup, placing it before her, "Princess, have some to cool off."

She glanced over, catching sight of De Shun and the junior eunuchs approaching, their foreheads beaded with sweat, faces flushed from the heat, and breathing heavily, clearly exhausted.

Yu Xi sat up straight, gesturing for them to come closer, "De Shun, you all should have some too."

De Shun stooped as he approached, wiped his sweat, and smiled. "I dare not, Your Highness."

"Enough with that. Just don't get heatstroke."

Seeing Yu Xi's determination, De Shun nodded and downed the bowl of mung bean soup in one go. He then flattered her, "Oh, Princess, your mung bean soup is indeed more delicious than anyone else's."

Yu Xi frowned and waved him off, urging him to rest in the afternoon to avoid falling ill from the heat.

Once he left, she yawned, feeling sleepy. The sultry summer heat made her drowsy. Without a nap in the afternoon, she'd be exhausted for the rest of the day. Rubbing her waist, she walked straight into her room.

While she slept, Zhao Yunzhou paid her a visit but left when he saw she was asleep.

Now that she was temporarily living in the palace, her encounters with Zhao Yunzhou and her aunt had become scarce. Recalling her aunt's preference for Yu Xi to live outside the palace, her heart ached. If not for avoiding Fu Anyian, she would have preferred to reside outside too.

After waking up, Yu Xi sat on the bed for a moment before deciding to leave the palace to visit her aunt and cousin.

As they were familiar with her, they had already noticed her regained memories during their last meeting. There was no need for Yu Xi to hide it, so she told them the truth.

On this visit, Zhao Yunzhou asked her seriously, "Have you thought it through, Cousin?"

Her mind elsewhere, she didn't respond immediately, "What?"

Zhao Yunzhou winced inwardly, suppressing the sour ache in his chest. He tried to sound casual, "Although my marriage to Fu Anyian is unrelated to you, I hope, as your cousin, that you make a thoughtful choice - whether to proceed with the wedding or part ways."

After a soft sigh, Zhao Yunzhou continued, "With the wedding drawing near, have you given it sufficient thought?"

He was eager to know.

Yu Xi's dazed thoughts returned, and she averted her gaze from Zhao Yunzhou. After a moment of silence, she spoke softly, "I don't know."

She truly didn't know. Logic and experience told her not to marry, but her heart...

It still couldn't help but hold a small glimmer of hope.

Hope for Fu Anyian.

"I understand."

Zhao Yunzhou took a deep breath and suddenly felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. Gazing at Yu Xi's alluring face, he smiled warmly.

-

In the dozen days since Fu Anyian's departure, Yu Xi's life had been peaceful but also empty, leaving her with an abundance of idle time that sapped her vitality.

The previous night, rain had fallen, and the morning air was cooler, yet it induced drowsiness. Yu Xi yawned as she fed the fish, quickly losing interest.

Handing the remaining snacks to Dong Ling behind her, she prepared to return to the palace. However, just as she turned around, she noticed De Shun rushing over, his demeanor indicating urgency.

She halted her steps, listening to De Shun's anxious words, "Princess, Lord Fu has returned from his mission."

A flutter stirred in Yu Xi's chest, but her face remained composed. "Well, he's back then." It wasn't a significant matter; missions would eventually end, and he would return.

Nonetheless, De Shun's following words made her heart race, "I've heard that Lord Fu was injured, quite severely."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Xi's complexion paled, her rosy lips turning a few shades whiter. She lifted her skirt and hurried forward, only to pause mid-step, realizing her loss of composure.

Not only that, but her expression revealed genuine concern and anxiety, emotions she couldn't suppress despite herself.

Taking a deep breath, Yu Xi admitted to herself that she cared for him. Still, she didn't wish to make her feelings too obvious.

Regaining her composure, she spoke calmly, "If he's injured, send royal physicians to attend to him."

De Shun glanced at her and exchanged a meaningful look with Dong Ling behind him before nodding respectfully, not mentioning Fu Anyian's injury again.

Despite his silence, Yu Xi couldn't shake off her concern. She barely touched her dinner, her mind preoccupied with Fu Anyian. She hadn't seen him since the incident; how severe was his wound?

As twilight fell, Jinghua Palace shone bright as daylight, its corridors illuminated by swaying lanterns whose shadows danced gently in the breeze.

Yu Xi was sipping tea when Song Mingyin arrived. Upon hearing the sound, she lifted her gaze but continued drinking, remaining still.

"Empress Sister."

Song Mingyin dismissed everyone with a wave, leaving only the siblings in the room. Without the usual formalities, they were like ordinary siblings sharing casual conversation.

"Would you like some tea?"

Pouring him a cup, Yu Xi knew he wouldn't have come just to chat. She waited for him to speak.

After a moment of silence, he broke the quiet with a sip of tea, "Fu Anyian has returned, slightly injured. Would Empress Sister like to see for yourself?"

Back in the afternoon, hearing about Fu Anyian's injury had unsettled her. Now, reflecting on it, something didn't seem right. She had witnessed Fu Anyian's martial arts skills – how could he have been so easily wounded? Could it be a ploy, a sacrifice to gain sympathy?

Unsure of the truth, she kept the matter in her heart and didn't inquire further.

Now, Song Mingyin was asking her about the severity of the injury. Yu Xi replied calmly, "I won't go. Let the imperial physicians attend to it."

Song Mingyin gazed at her. Initially, he thought that the issue between her and Fu Anyian should be settled by them alone. However, it seemed that the outcome wasn't as desirable.

Her Royal Highness was indecisive.

Contemplating this, Song Mingyin felt compelled to ask, "Has Your Royal Highness made up your mind?"

Yu Xi's movements paused, and she fell silent, unwilling to answer this question. Seeing her reaction, Song Mingyin understood fully. He asked what had been on his mind, "What is your concern? Or, what are you afraid of?"

The air grew tense, heavy with an oppressive silence.

Yu Xi's chest felt constricted, making it hard for her to breathe. She recalled the moment when her father, the emperor, had arranged her marriage. It had come as a sudden surprise, leaving her at a loss. Yet, deep down, she had been thrilled and excited.

She knew of Fu Anyian, the only son of General Fu, rumored to have accompanied his father in military training since his youth, mastering both literature and martial arts – a rare talent. When they first met, he had appeared gentle and courteous, strikingly handsome with an aristocratic grace that rivalled even imperial princes. Her heart had been captivated.

She should be happy to marry such a husband.Moreover, the Fu family can help Song Mingyin secure the throne, which is a good thing that kills two birds with one stone.

Yet, he was always taciturn when facing her, his thoughts an enigma.

Over time, she lost the desire to decipher him. Hence, when Fu Anyian proposed a divorce, she agreed without hesitation.

Recalling this, Yu Xi let out a soft sigh. Her eyelashes fluttered as she spoke, "If Father Emperor hadn't arranged our marriage, would there have been a chance for us? I often wonder if, without that arrangement, he could have married the woman he truly loved instead of being bound by imperial edict and forced to take me as his wife."

After a self-deprecating smile, she couldn't shake off her resentment towards the arranged marriage.

Song Mingyin understood at once. His elder sister believed Fu Anyian had married her solely due to the imperial command. He chuckled softly and clarified, "Elder Sister, you might not know this, but Fu Anyian's request to go to Lin'an was his own choice, not mine."

Seeing Yu Xi's wide-eyed astonishment, Song Mingyin continued without pause, "Back then, he was the one who requested the imperial marriage."

Her eyes shimmered with disbelief. Gazing at Song Mingyin's earnest expression, she opened her mouth but remained silent.

-

Their late father had been severely ill, and Song Mingyin was still young. He had witnessed firsthand in their father's chambers as Fu Anyian approached their ailing father, and those words were forever etched in his memory.

Father Emperor, too weak to rise from his bed, had eyes that pierced through, turning to Fu Anyian and asking, "Did your father send you?"

"Not at all," Fu Anyian knelt before the former emperor's bed, meeting his gaze with unwavering determination. "It was this subject who chose to come."

"Very well, Anyian, speak your mind without reserve," the former emperor replied weakly.

Fu Anyian's Adam's apple bobbed as he spoke earnestly, "This subject and the Fu family will exert our utmost effort to aid Second Prince in ascending the throne and securing the empire."

His voice echoed clearly within the chamber, heard by both the former emperor and Song Mingyin.

The former emperor forced a smile, perceiving the desire in Fu Anyian's eyes. There was something he coveted, something only he could provide.

Thus, the former emperor asked, "What do you want?"

Fu Anyian paused for a few breaths before boldly declaring, "This subject wants the princess."

The following day, the former emperor issued an imperial edict to arrange their marriage.

-

"Lord Fu has always had feelings for Imperial Sister," Yu Xi couldn't hear Song Mingyin's response. She clenched her fists, her sharp nails digging into her flesh, leaving visible marks. Her red lips moved, opening and closing for a moment before she said, "Imperial Brother, please return first."

She needed time to sort through her thoughts and reflect on the entire sequence of events.

Song Mingyin acknowledged her request and left, allowing her some solitude.

Yu Xi sat in her room for a long while, her feet going numb without her noticing. The words of Song Mingyin reverberated in her mind – he mentioned that Fu Anyian had requested the imperial marriage from their father.

It seemed her previous concerns were unnecessary.

Rising from her seat, Yu Xi walked toward the bed, but sleep eluded her. Gazing at the ceiling, she mulled over many things, and suddenly, the issues that had troubled her began to unravel.

The following morning, after breakfast, Yu Xi, accompanied by De Shun and Dong Ling, exited the palace and headed for Fu's residence.

Upon seeing the princess's arrival, the servants of the Fu household promptly opened the gates to welcome her and hurriedly informed Fu Anyian.

As Yu Xi entered the room, she caught him in the middle of changing his bandages, half of his body exposed, revealing a toned and muscular physique. His mature form exuded strength and an impending sense of power.

Her eyes flickered, and her expression became uneasy. She suspected he had intentionally taken off his clothes. Before he could speak, Yu Xi approached him and said, "I heard you were injured. I came to check on you."

Yuxi raised her hand, and there were only two of them left. Wang Quan, who changed his dressing, also went out. He had to do it by himself.

"How is it?" Yu Xi observed the wound on his left arm – the same limb injured during Song Mingxuan's attempt on her life, in the exact spot.

"It's not fatal, but changing the dressing now is rather inconvenient."

Yu Xi chuckled softly and sat beside him. She picked up the porcelain jar, applied some ointment on her finger, and gently smeared it across his wound.

"The cut isn't deep. It should heal in a few days."

Noticing his gaze, Yu Xi looked up and smiled. "Lord Fu is no weakling in martial arts. How did you get injured? It seems deliberate."

Deliberately injuring himself to play the sympathy card.

Upon hearing this, Fu Anyian maintained his composure. Surprised that she had seen through his ploy, he didn't hide the truth. "I wanted you to come see me, to feel concern for me. This was the only way."

Ah, Yu Xi nodded, applying more pressure with her hand on his wound.

"Ahh, ouch." Fu Anyian's expression changed abruptly, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

"Like this, it looks more convincing and evoke more sympathy," Yu Xi remarked.

Yu Xi set down the medicine, shook her hands, and decided against tending to his wounds.

"You have a heart of stone, Princess," he said, feigning vulnerability.

He glanced at his crimson arm; Fu Anyian nonchalantly wiped it clean before applying medicine to himself.

"It's been over ten days since we last met. Have you missed me, Yu'er?"

Yu Xi scanned his room and noticed a bowl of medicine on the table, likely intended for him.

"Drink your medicine."

Combining internal and external treatment would hasten recovery.

Fu Anyian frowned at the medicine. He had inflicted the wound himself, with precise control, and didn't really need the medicine. Lin Xuanyi had advised him to play the part thoroughly, or else the princess wouldn't believe the act.

Little did he know, she had seen through his ruse, rendering his performance futile.