Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Madam Kangping and her entourage stayed in the capital for over half a month. Not a single civil or military official dared to speak up or remind the emperor to send them back to Kangping Town to resume their duties.

Initially, You Nan and Madam Kangping conversed with ease and laughter, but in recent days, they have been increasingly uneasy.

General Kangping noticed that all the other generals who had attended the banquet had already returned to their posts, leaving only them still in the capital, which meant he had to wake up early every day to attend court.

General Kangping was used to a carefree life; even after becoming a general, he disliked getting up early. He sought out his wife to inquire about the situation, "Is it that Little Nan is reluctant to part with you and wants you to stay in the capital for company?"

General Kangping had met his biological son from his wife a few times.

However, given their similar ages, he always felt awkward when meeting You Nan.

Thus, they did not address each other as father and son. Instead, Madam Kangping mediated and suggested they call each other brothers.

Madam Kangping could not explain it clearly, "Little Nan is also anxious. This must be the emperor's plan. I will have Little Nan ask the emperor tomorrow."

Hearing his mother’s concern, You Nan went to ask Chen Mingzhou the next day.

"Does the emperor still need my mother and General Kangping's assistance?" You Nan was puzzled.

Chen Mingzhou kissed him on the lips, "No, since your mother has finally reunited with you, you should spend more time together."

You Nan pressed further, softening his voice towards Chen Mingzhou, but the man remained firm, refusing to divulge any information no matter how You Nan tried to pry.

You Nan was resigned. Since Chen Mingzhou had spoken so decisively, he would not press the matter further.

After You Nan left, Chen Mingzhou let out a sigh of relief. The chief eunuch, who served him, entered from the door. The eunuch, with his white hair, bent figure, and wrinkled face, walked unsteadily.

He was one of the young palace eunuchs who had followed the young Chen Mingzhou away back then. Now, though older, he still requested to remain by Chen Mingzhou's side, continuing his loyal service.

"The Prince Consort is sharp. Your Majesty’s surprise may not stay hidden much longer."

The elderly eunuch chuckled.

Chen Mingzhou set down his pearl-inlaid brush used for reviewing petitions. "It wouldn’t be so bad if he figures it out. I’d very much like to see how he reacts."

The elderly eunuch said cheerfully. "Your Majesty has such deep feelings for the Prince Consort. Surely the Prince Consort will be grateful to you."

You Nan returned and told General Kangping and his wife about it. Since it was Chen Mingzhou’s wish, they exchanged looks and felt reassured about staying in the capital.

During this time, You Nan and his mother often went out for casual walks. As days passed, You Nan began to realize that Madam Kangping had noticed that something was different about him.

Yet, Madam Kangping never brought it up with him.

She continued to interact with him just as before.

Unaware of what Madam Kangping was truly thinking, You Nan simply pretended to know nothing.

Only Madam Kangping held a heart full of love and concern for her child.

Unaware that such a thing as soul transference could occur in this world, she attributed all his unfamiliar behaviors and temperament to the trauma left from years of struggling alone.

The more she thought this way, the more guilt she felt toward her child and the more compassion she had for You Nan.

As You Nan and Madam Kangping explored more places in the city, they naturally came across members of his former master’s family.

His original body’s father was not dead.

Perhaps it was not his time to die; he clung to life the whole way there until the whole family was settled in the capital, and only then did he gradually recover.

The large family rented a small run-down courtyard in the capital. The former young masters went out during the day to work manual labor jobs out in public, and in the evenings, they borrowed books from shops to copy and earn some money.

The lady of the house and her daughters took on needlework.

Now without servants, the once high-born ladies had to handle household chores, such as cooking.

You Nan and Madam Kangping only watched from a distance for a short while before leaving.

Everyone has their own path to walk. Since the past is behind them, there's no need to dwell on it—they are no longer walking the same path anyway.

Two months later, You Nan moved into the palace, and Madam Kangping could no longer easily reach him for conversation.

You Nan understood that these more than two months were time Chen Mingzhou had given him and his mother.

That evening, Chen Mingzhou arrived.

He also brought news to You Nan: "In two days, the imperial astrologers say it is a lucky day. On that day, we will formally marry, and you will become my one and only consort. Maomao will be our crown prince."

Upon hearing this, You Nan’s eyes went wide.

He reacted quickly and immediately realized something.

"Was this what you were working on all along?" You Nan asked, looking into Chen Mingzhou’s eyes.

Chen Mingzhou took You Nan's hand, speaking solemnly, promising: "Yes, I have always wanted to fulfill my earlier promise to you. I want you to be my consort."

"Xiao Nan, are you willing?"

Chen Mingzhou asked again.

The man’s heart was nervous, racing. The surroundings grew quiet, and You Nan could even hear the other’s heartbeat.

Seeing that Chen Mingzhou was even more nervous than himself, You Nan's surprise melted away.

You Nan’s eyes crinkled into a smile, and he agreed to Chen Mingzhou’s proposal: "Okay, I am willing."

Chen Mingzhou joyfully picked up You Nan, held him in his arms, and kissed him tenderly.

Chen Mingzhou had begun preparing for You Nan’s enthronement as consort ever since his own coronation. Everything had long been ready, waiting only for You Nan’s agreement.

Within three days of You Nan’s consent, everything was in place.

The generals and ministers from other cities who had attended the previous banquet once again answered the emperor’s summons and entered the capital.

They would witness this grand ceremony.

Not only them, but the common people of the capital could also catch a glimpse of the ceremony from a distance.

Madam Kangping held her son’s hand and personally delivered him into Chen Mingzhou’s hands. Her eyes reddened, filled with reluctance to part with her son.

"Don’t worry, Madam. From now on, you will be my mother, and I will take good care of Xiao Nan."

Chen Mingzhou made this promise to Madam Kangping on the spot.

Madam Kangping nodded in agreement. She believed that a promise from a gentleman was unbreakable, especially when it came from the emperor—such words were more valuable than gold.

.

You Nan and Chen Mingzhou thus became husband and wife in this world.

007 remained by their side and lived for a very long time.

It watched as You Nan and Chen Mingzhou gradually grew old, while Maomao inherited the throne and ascended as the new ruler.

As a system, 007 had a long lifespan. Even as You Nan and Chen Mingzhou aged, its body was still in its prime.

Yet, no rumors ever spread about it in the palace.

You Nan, Chen Mingzhou, and Maomao all cared for it.

007 lived in this world for a long time. It thought that after spending so much time here, it should finally be able to return for proper rest. But after just a few days, after merely sleeping on its small bed, it opened its eyes and found itself in a new world.

007 was stunned. Did this mean it had to keep working?

Did neither it nor its host, You Nan, have any time to rest?

007 wanted to curse.

But it restrained itself, afraid of eavesdroppers.

The little kitten glanced around. It was surrounded by barren mountains, devoid of any human presence.

The sky was growing dark, and in this desolate wilderness, it heard no sounds—there wasn't a single person in sight.

007 panicked. It had never been outside alone as a cat before.

It wanted to find You Nan quickly, but when it tried to use its positioning function this time, it discovered that it couldn't locate You Nan at all.

The little kitten was completely astonished.

It immediately submitted an error program alert to its superiors and the main system through its backend.

But after clicking the submit button, it found there was no response whatsoever.

It then realized it couldn't contact the main system or anyone else.

007 was alarmed.

What was going on? Where was You Nan? Could it be that it was the only system left in this world?

It can't be!

It was just a small kitten, defenseless in this desolate wilderness. How was it supposed to survive?

"Meow, meow, meow!" 007 nervously cursed under its breath and quickly raced down the mountain.

You Nan, where are you?

Tears streamed down the little kitten's furry face like wide noodles.