Chapter 132 – The Final Chapter

Chapter 132 - The Final Chapter

In the Governor's Mansion, the Clear and Bright Courtyard was equally illuminated by lanterns.

Outside, Liu Wei stood guard, while servants and maids were on call inside. Chunyue had gone several days without proper rest, constantly praying for her mistress to regain consciousness.

These days had been excruciating. She wished with all her heart that the lady would be safe and sound.

Since the lady fell into a coma, the Grand Duke had become more intimidating each passing day. If not for her knowledge of his genuine affection for his mistress, she would have been terrified to death.

As she sighed, she sensed a figure accompanied by a chill sweeping into the room. The icy aura made her shiver uncontrollably, forcing her to step back slowly towards the entrance.

Gongye Chu approached the bedside step by step. Pei Yuanxi remained unconscious, like a sleeping beauty, unaware of everything around her, her complexion normal and breaths slow and steady.

He silently clasped her hand, holding it tightly in his palm, unwilling to let go. A bitter sadness spread within him. Despite knowing that she might not hear anything, he found himself unable to utter a single word.

Chong'er is gone.

If Yuanxi knew, could she bear it?

Having experienced the devastation of losing his family, he might now face the sorrow of being separated from his wife and child. Life's vicissitudes were unpredictable, and even his hardened heart could be corroded by such grief. The empty wind penetrated his broken soul, dispersing the last remnants of warmth.

If he was fated to be alone, why had he been allowed to taste the joy of a loving family? The heavens were cruel indeed, exacting revenge in a manner more painful than any blow to himself.

He recalled Master Diviner Ye's words – everything has its cause and effect. If he had known years ago that this day would come, he would have put aside all his hatred and lived as a benevolent man. But if he were such a person, how could Yuanxi have come into this world?

Without her, he would have become the tyrant Master Diviner Ye foretold. So which was the cause, and which was the effect?

"I... I am still to blame for this," he mourned, burying his face in their entwined hands.

"A Chu... A Chu..."

The voice was so soft, he wondered if it was merely an auditory hallucination. He lifted his head in disbelief, tears glistening in his usually cold eyes. "Yuanxi... You... You're awake..."

Pei Yuanxi looked at him, forcing a smile. "Why are you crying? Did you think I wouldn't wake up? Look at yourself... You're so ugly."

"Yuanxi." Something seemed to be choking his throat, making every word a struggle. "Chong'er... He... He's gone."

She sensed his pain, and silent tears began to stream down her face. They seemed endless, quickly dampening the pillowcase. Her silent sorrow was suffocating, amplifying the despair.

"While I was unconscious, I saw him. Such a tiny, charming, and mischievous creature. As he grew older, he became even more playful, and it's a wonder Liu Ze had the patience to cajole him."

"Did you go back?" he asked.

"Yes, I did," she confirmed. During her coma, she had indeed revisited that realm. "He looks so much like you, but with a much brighter smile."

Chong'er had mentioned resembling his father, and she had fantasized about his appearance countless times. He was even more adorable and handsome than she had imagined.

Similar to Gongye Chu, yet surpassing him in his own way.

"As the blue is derived from the green, he surpasses you in beauty," she said.

Gongye Chu looked down. "Then... have you seen what he looks like as an adult?"

No further words were needed for her to grasp his meaning. If Chong'er existed in this world, would his counterpart in another still be there?

She tightened her grip on his hand. "Let's not be sad, Chong'er has returned home. Naturally, he grows taller each day, perhaps even taller than you. With your protection, he will surely become a ruler of great virtue and wisdom."

Indeed, in any timeline, their son would be an enlightened monarch.

"That's good." His voice was rough, filled with emotion. "That's good."

He helped her sit up and held her tightly in his arms.

They remained in each other's embrace, as if they could sense the faint scent of flowers. Servants' voices drifted in from outside, discussing how a peach blossom in the garden had unexpectedly bloomed again.

"A second bloom after withering, a tree revives in spring—it's a good omen."

"Master Diviner... is blind."

"How can that be?" She choked back tears. "Isn't he a recluse sage? How could this happen to him... because of me? Chong'er is gone, and now he's blind—was it all for me?"

She didn't need confirmation; she knew her intuition was right.

Their sacrifices had brought her back to consciousness.

The tolling of the funeral bell echoed throughout the city, causing an uproar.

The people panicked, asking each other if the bell truly came from the palace. The emperor was only nineteen, in the prime of his youth. He had been healthy and free from illness; why would he suddenly pass away?

The courtiers were hastily summoned to the palace, only then did they believe that the emperor had indeed passed away. There had been no prior signs, and no indication during the early morning court session. How exactly had the emperor died?

None dared to inquire.

Gongye Chu ascended the throne with the abdication edict in hand, changing the state name to Chu.

No one was surprised; some even felt it was as it should be. Ever since he purged Tai Ling Palace, it seemed everyone knew this day would come. Perhaps his harmonious relationship with Emperor Shangxing over the years led some to believe he was content as a supporting minister. Now that he had taken the throne, it all seemed inevitable.

Though he was not adorned in the imperial dragon robe, his regal aura permeated his being. His mere glance carried an innate authority, as if he was born to rule the world and the world had always been under his control.

No one would forget the river of blood in Tai Ling Palace, nor the mass graves of bones outside the city walls. The Shangxing lineage was extinguished, leaving the throne to the capable.

As emperor, none dared to question his legitimacy.

Amidst the echoing cries of "Long live the emperor," fear, awe, and submission filled their hearts as they prostrated themselves.

Tai Ling Palace remained eerily calm, with funeral arrangements proceeding smoothly. In Qinghe Hall, the eunuch's shrill voice announced the proceedings, while the officials bowed in obedience, none daring to object.

In a single night, the heavens and earth seemed to have flipped, yet for the common folk, it was as if nothing had changed. Early morning cries of vendors echoed through the streets, and the sleepy servants opening shops yawned leisurely, unhurried by the upheaval.

If not for the actual change in the country's name, people would have thought this day was no different from the previous one. The great noble households remained silent, as if they had been waiting for this day all along.

Despite its seemingly calm appearance, the Eastern Capital City was rife with whispers and rumors behind closed doors.

Shangxing's death had become a taboo subject; no one dared to openly discuss it. As a result, the most common topic of conversation in the streets was Pei Yuanxi's story – from her decade of foolishness to her destiny of great wealth and prosperity.

There were those who envied her, and naturally, there were also many who felt jealous. Some admired how the Marquis Xuanping's household had raised such an excellent daughter, while others begrudged the fact that the Marquis had gained prestige through his daughter.

The noble families in the Eastern Capital City had deep roots and complex relationships, having survived the rise and fall of numerous dynasties. With each new emperor came a new court, and the cycle of prosperity and decline persisted for centuries. Today it was your family's turn, and tomorrow it would be someone else's.

Marquis Xuanping was a man of both literary and martial prowess. His initial rise to prominence was not due to nepotism. However, those who were envious paid no heed to this, insisting on attributing all his accomplishments to having a remarkable daughter.

If it were anyone else, they might have felt indignant, but he took it all in stride. When others praised him for raising an excellent daughter, he would enthusiastically share stories about how exceptional his Yuanxi truly was.

General Hong, a close friend and relative, held little regard for those who spoke with sour grapes. "If you had the ability to raise a fine daughter, you wouldn't be envious of others," he remarked.

The person who had spoken ill of them pondered these words. It was customary for a new emperor to select concubines for his harem. Everyone knew that the daughter of the Pei family had not conceived after three years of marriage. The future was indeed uncertain.

Many shared this line of thought and began to ponder their strategies accordingly.

Before these individuals could put their plans into motion, Gongye Chu effectively dashed their hopes.

In the eyes of the world, Gongye Chu's ascension to the throne was through Shangxing's abdication, and Gongye Chu was also Shangxing's foster father. When a son passes away, how could the father not grieve? A grieving father would have no heart for selecting concubines; he would undoubtedly observe a period of mourning to honor his son's memory.

Upon the announcement of the imperial edict to confer the Empress title, the servants in the household moved about with even greater discretion, mindful of their steps. Kang Shi had sternly warned everyone not to exhibit the slightest hint of arrogance.

She turned her Buddhist prayer beads and repeatedly chanted "Amitabha," her lips moving continuously.

Phoenix Destiny.

It indeed fulfilled the prediction of that phoenix oracle.

She had a premonition from the early morning that the fortune and glory of the Marquis's residence would inevitably be intertwined with Er Niang's fate. Now that the dust has settled, she sternly commands everyone in the household to refrain from reckless actions and, even more so, to avoid sullying Er Niang's reputation.

Having once worn the crown as empress, being either Lady Gongyao or empress was merely a change of residence for Pei Yuanxi. Ren'an Palace held memories of her past life, and as the scenes from two lifetimes intertwined in her mind, tears involuntarily trickled down her cheeks.

The fish in the aquarium swam joyfully, playing without a care in the world. Everything here was so familiar, it was almost intimidating in its intimacy.

The palace remained unchanged, but the young man who once brought her joy was no longer there. There was nobody to share hotpot with her, nor was there anyone to introduce her to the diverse cuisines of the land.

Her gaze lingered on a corner of the palace wall in prolonged silence.

Doctor Gong entered with his medical case, taking her pulse with a profound sense of awe. When he first treated her, she was merely a concubine's daughter in a marquis's household.

Who could have foreseen that this very lady would rise to become the legitimate daughter of the marquis, that she would wed the feared Grand Commander, and even less expected, that one day she would ascend to the throne in Ren'an Palace as the mother of the nation?

While the world speculated on the late emperor's demise, he knew well that the late emperor and Empress held an extraordinary bond. Not only the Empress, but the current emperor also held the late emperor in high esteem.

As an imperial physician within the palace, he vaguely knew that the late emperor was astrologically afflicted by water. Rumor had it that the late emperor passed away after taking a bath. He also heard that when the current emperor learned of the late emperor's death, he was overwhelmed with grief, holding onto the deceased emperor for a long time without letting go.

There were some matters that didn't require explanation to the masses, and some explanations would never be believed anyway. Besides, a person like His Majesty wouldn't concern himself with the countless opinions of the world.

Pei Yuanxi was familiar with him, so she remained casual.

He placed the pulse pillow down and respectfully took her pulse. Suddenly, his brows furrowed as he carefully examined her pulse repeatedly. His solemn demeanor caught Pei Yuanxi's attention.

"What's wrong with my body?"

"Your Highness, I'm not entirely certain," he deliberated. "It will take a few more days to be sure."

A flicker of realization dawned on Pei Yuanxi. A mix of joy and sorrow played across her face as she gently touched her belly, unsure whether to feel elated or distressed.

Three days later, Doctor Gong took her pulse again.

She was with child.

The news had been kept secret for four months, to be announced to the world only after her pregnancy became stable. The child had been conceived before the late emperor's passing, and the imperial physician's records were clear and unambiguous.

The couple felt a complicated mix of emotions towards this child.

In the meantime, the court proceedings ran smoothly, and there were no unusual disturbances among the common folk. However, with the Empress being with child, some officials submitted memorials requesting the selection of concubines for the emperor.

This time, Gongye Chu didn't even bother with an excuse; he outright declared that he would not take any concubines. He had always been known for his autocratic decisions, and no minister dared to risk their life by attempting to dissuade him.

As a result, those who had previously been envious of Marquis Xuanping became even more resentful. Yet, due to the circumstances, they had no choice but to curry favor with him, and even General Hong became an object of flattery for many.

Time flowed like water, but sorrow and longing only grew stronger with each passing day.

After Chong'er left, she never saw Master Diviner Ye again. He had departed without saying goodbye, and no one knew when he had gone or where he had headed. Nobody was aware of his lineage; perhaps he didn't wish to leave any traces in this mortal world.

He must dislike being sought after, she mused. Unless it was a matter of great importance, he might never descend the mountain for the rest of his life. A person like him, with his enigmatic comings and goings, cared little for fame and fortune; he had likely completed his mission and retreated back into seclusion in the mountains.

So be it, she thought.

When she felt the first stirrings of her second child in her womb, she was lost in thought for a long while. The bond between mother and child was deeply moving. She tried hard to find similarities between her two pregnancies, though even she herself wasn't sure what she was hoping to discover.

With Zhang Yinyin managing the shop, she felt at ease.

And with Master Scholar Xie at the First Academy, she was even more reassured.

Master Scholar Xie was Master Diviner Ye's elder brother by blood. Calculating the days, she realized that she hadn't seen Master Diviner Ye since Chong'er's departure. Just as she was contemplating sending someone to the Xie family with a gift, Madam Xie sent an invitation to meet her.

Madam Xie had brought a letter, written by Master Diviner Ye.

"Before he left, he instructed us to deliver this letter to Her Majesty if she were with child," Madam Xie said, her expression somewhat forlorn. Ideally, all family members should stay together. However, her younger brother-in-law lived beyond the ordinary world, and they couldn't force matters beyond their control.

Her younger brother-in-law had previously resided in the palace, but after the new emperor ascended the throne, he suddenly decided to leave. Before he went, he entrusted them with this matter, but said nothing else.

The letter was light, but it weighed heavily upon Pei Yuanxi's heart.

It was brief, with only a few lines inked upon it:

Karma and retribution are governed by the heavens, while right and wrong lie in the hearts of men.

In the era of a virtuous and enlightened ruler, even withering away would be without regret.

Amidst the distant mist-shrouded forest, a figure stood silently amidst fallen leaves and withered trees. His expression was serene, his composure unwavering as he gazed towards the Eastern Capital City before gently closing his eyes and collapsing onto a bed of dead leaves.

He had no regrets.

Several months later, Pei Yuanxi gave birth to a son.

Ignoring her weakened postpartum state, she motioned for the midwife to bring the child to her. Swaddled in a bright yellow blanket, the infant's eyes were already open.

His tiny, crimson face was scrunched up, and his unfocused eyes seemed to search for something. Upon meeting the expectant and cautious gazes of Pei Yuanxi and Gongye Chu, the newborn paused in surprise.

Such an expression was not common in a freshly born child.

"Chong'er?" Gongye Chu called softly.

The tiny infant tugged at the corners of their mouth, as if smiling.

Pei Yuanxi wept tears of joy. Her life was exchanged for Chong'er's. And Chong'er's reincarnation was made possible by Master Diviner Ye sacrificing his own life.

In this world, even if this body withers, there is no regret when the Sage and Righteous Ruler appears.

This was Master Diviner Ye's unwavering resolve, as well as that of their entire lineage.

"Chong'er, your given name shall be 'Bu Hui'."

The baby blinked, expressing their approval of the name.

She held her son tightly, vowing to cherish every moment with him in this lifetime. She would be actively involved in all aspects of his growth, leaving no more regrets behind.

Gazing at the two most important people in his life, Gongye Chu's eyes brimmed with tenderness. Perhaps, as the Master Diviner said, past and present lives were merely fragmented timelines.

How many lifetimes it may take, across vast mountains and rivers, through the depths of time and space, we shall reunite in the end.