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"No need to worry," Empress Qi said with a gentle smile. "After entrusting the palace affairs to you, the Emperor and I will finally be free of responsibilities and able to do what we've always wanted but couldn't."

She looked at Rong Shu and smiled. "The Emperor and I agreed to spend some time living in the northern borderlands together."

Rong Shu lowered her eyes, her lips moving several times but ultimately saying nothing. She simply bowed deeply.

Empress Qi invited Rong Shu to have lunch at the Kunning Palace before sending her back to the Eastern Palace.

When Rong Shu returned to the Purple Imperial Palace, she soaked in the hot springs for an entire hour. Yingyue and Ying Que noticed her staring blankly at the water without speaking and dared not disturb her.

After changing her clothes and drying her hair, Rong Shu dismissed Yingyue and the others. She then held a crescent-shaped pillow and lay down on the couch.

Assuming it would take her a while to fall asleep, she was surprised to find herself drifting off as soon as her head touched the cotton pillow.

Half-awake and half-asleep, her lips suddenly felt warm and moist. Someone was nibbling on them, attempting to pry open her teeth.

Rong Shu thought she was still in the midst of battle drums and smoke-filled tents, so she relaxed her jaw and mumbled, "Gu Yunzhi, hurry in."

Chapter 127

Seeing Rong Shu's dazed state, Gu Changjin knew she was still half-asleep. He chuckled and gently bit her lips, saying, "Zhaozhao, we're not in Da Tong."

In Da Tong, they were always too busy, barely finding time for intimacy.

Occasionally, Gu Changjin would sacrifice his rare moments of rest to seek her out. Rong Shu missed him dearly and urged him not to waste any time whenever he visited.

Their lovemaking, without wasting a single moment, seemed like a mesmerizing Mandrake flower amidst the chaos of war.

The slight pain on her lips brought Rong Shu back to consciousness. Her sleepy eyes gradually cleared up.

She touched the slightly damp ends of Gu Changjin's hair and softly laid her hand on his neck, asking, "When did you come back?"

"Half an hour ago," Gu Changjin lifted her soft and fragrant body. "You were deeply asleep."

Rong Shu glanced at him and said, "I was very deep in sleep, yet you intentionally woke me up."

Gu Changjin pecked her lips and said, "It's time for dinner."

Only then did Rong Shu notice that the sky outside had completely darkened. "Empress Dowager mentioned that the Emperor will abdicate the throne to you in a few days. She instructed me to rest well these days to prepare for the upcoming grand enthronement ceremony."

Gu Changjin hummed in response. The imperial edict for succession had already been sealed with the jade seal. Today, every official in the court knew that he would soon be the new emperor of Great Yin.

Knowing that Rong Shu had more to say, Gu Changjin acknowledged her and watched her quietly.

Sure enough, after a moment's pause, Rong Shu asked, "How is His Majesty doing?"

Gu Changjin's gaze froze.

How was Emperor Jiayou doing?

Of course, he wasn't well, but compared to his previous life, he was better off.

Gu Changjin still remembered the last moment of Emperor Jiayou's life in his previous existence. As he lay on his deathbed, he passed the white chess piece in his hand to Gu Changjin and said, "As an emperor, one fears the influence of powerful relatives, the overshadowing of great achievements, the loss of military control, the uprising of the people's resentment, and the encirclement by external enemies. Governing a country is like playing a game of chess. You must learn to place each piece in its rightful position. Remember, balance is even more crucial than winning or losing."

At that time, Emperor Jiayou's face was gaunt, and his eyes held both hope and concern as he looked at Gu Changjin.

Even at the brink of death, he couldn't rest easy about the realm of Great Yin.

In this lifetime, however, that trace of worry in his eyes was gone. It was as if a traveler burdened with a thousand pounds had finally laid down his load, paused his steps, and lifted his head to gaze at the bright sun above.

"It's for the best," Gu Changjin brushed Rong Shu's hair from her cheek and softly said, "The Emperor mentioned that he had always wanted to accompany the Empress to the Northern Border. Now, his wish has come true."

Rong Shu lowered her eyes and softly acknowledged with an "mm."

After a pause, she said, "Yunzhi, hold me tighter."

Gu Changjin exerted more strength in his embrace, drawing her closer.

Rong Shu rested her chin on his shoulder and said, "I miss Mother."

Back at the beginning of the year when they traveled to Da Tong, Shen Yizhen and Lu Shiyi returned to Yang State Prefecture. The mother and daughter had planned to meet up in the capital.

Gu Changjin gently patted her back and said, "Liu Yuan mentioned that after the Ministry of Rites issued the imperial edict for the throne succession, someone from the Kunning Palace went to Yang State Prefecture. Presumably, it was to fetch Mother for your coronation ceremony."

Rong Shu was slightly surprised.

Today at the Kunning Palace, Empress Qi hadn't mentioned this matter at all. Reflecting on it, she suddenly understood why – it was likely because the Empress was afraid that any accident on the way would delay Mother's journey, causing her to be disappointed. That was why she didn't mention it.

Rong Shu fell silent for a moment before saying, "I've never hated them."

"Indeed, I understand." Gu Changjin replied warmly. "Zhaozhao, they wish for you to be at ease. So, accept everything with an open heart. That's the only thing you can do for them."

Rong Shu comprehended.

She was always a clear-minded and broad-minded person. Swiftly, she put aside her sorrow and said with a smile, "Did they mention when they'll depart? I'll make some fresh pastries and fruits for them to enjoy on their journey."

Gu Changjin replied, "They will leave the capital on the day of the Empress Consecration ceremony."

Time flew by, and it was soon the twenty-fifth day of May.

Emperor Jia You gathered all the officials at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, performed the ancestral tribute ceremony, and issued the decree to pass on the throne. He handed over the jade seal and golden sash, symbols of imperial authority, to Gu Changjin.

In the Ancestral Temple, Gu Changjin received the jade seal and golden sash, ascending to the throne on that very day. He changed the era name to Yuanzhao.

As the temple bells echoed, Rong Shu was in the small kitchen making longevity cakes.

Longevity cakes with the characters for 'blessings,' 'prosperity,' and 'longevity' were the favorite pastries and fruits that juniors would make for their elders. Every year on her mother's birthday, Rong Shu would prepare them for her.

She filled a large box with the finished longevity cakes and asked Zhu Jun to deliver them to the palace.

After two hours, Zhu Jun returned with an elegant and antique wooden chest in hand.

"This is a gift from Empress Dowager Qi. She asks me to convey her words of 'hard work well done' to you." Ever since Gu Changjin ascended the throne and became the ruler, Empress Qi no longer held that title; she was now known as Empress Dowager Qi.