Chapter 110

Chapter 110

After another ten or more days, Chen Yingchou and Jiang Mo returned to Shangjing City.

As soon as they entered the city gate, Jiang Mo heard the townspeople’s conversations mixed with words like "Empress" and "a lucky star."

"Husband… she started, then caught herself, 'Your Majesty,' it seems they are talking about me."

Chen Yingchou leaned closer to Jiang Mo. "You’ve called me 'husband' all the way here. Why switch to 'Your Majesty' now? Call me husband."

Jiang Mo shook her head. "No, we’re almost at the palace. We have to follow the rules."

Chen Yingchou looked earnestly into Jiang Mo’s eyes. "Everyone in this world calls me 'Your Majesty,' but you are the only one I don’t want to hear it from. I want to hear you call me 'husband.'" He stroked her forehead. "I am the Son of Heaven, so I make the rules. A Mo, I told you, I only want to be an ordinary husband and wife with you. I want to hear you call me husband."

Jiang Mo thought for a moment and said, "Then in the harem, I will call you husband, but in front of the court officials, I will still call you Your Majesty, so I don't tick off those old ministers. If Your Majesty disagrees, I will never call you husband again."

Chen Yingchou gently kissed her forehead. "Alright, I’ll listen to you."

Jiang Mo lifted the carriage curtain. "Husband, I’ve been away from Shangjing for so long. Do you know what the people are talking about?"

Chen Yingchou placed a veiled hat on her head, helped her down from the carriage, and casually entered a teahouse, ordering tea and pastries.

"A Mo, hear for yourself what they're saying."

When the server brought the tea and snacks, Chen Yingchou deliberately raised his voice. "I've been away for a few months. When I entered the city just now, I heard people discussing the Empress. May I ask what happened?"

As soon as he spoke, everyone around looked over.

Before the waiter could answer, a man at the next table said, "Sir, you should ask me about this. My second uncle is a fisherman on the moat. Over ten days ago, when everyone was fishing at dawn, they found a golden carp by the bank. In its mouth was a thin silk cloth embroidered with gold thread saying, 'Brought back to life—a blessing for Great Qi.' Tell me, has there ever been such a thing as resurrection from the dead?" The man slapped his thigh. "Well, it happened! The next day, the Flying Cavalry Army returned victorious from quelling the rebellion, saying the Empress had returned from the dead. Now everyone says the Empress is a divine maiden descended from heaven, the lucky star for our Great Qi."

A neighboring table added, "Do you remember the matter of Princess Rong? It’s said that the reason Princess Rong was plagued by evil spirits was that a divine maiden punished her."

Another person said, "I have a relative’s child in the Flying Cavalry Camp. He said that when His Majesty was still Prince Yu, he was originally to marry a woman from the Wei family. But a high monk said that woman’s fate was unfavorable to His Majesty, so she was replaced by a divine maiden who looked similar. That's why His Majesty's eyes got healed."

The waiter continued, "I’ve also heard that the rebel An Family Army was burned up by heavenly fire, which the divine maiden summoned to protect the Chen dynasty. After the divine maiden sent down the heavenly fire, she was about to return to heaven, but His Majesty’s deep love for her moved her, and she stayed."

Everyone kept jabbering, and no one even remembered who asked first.

Chen Yingchou placed some silver on the table, took Jiang Mo’s hand, and led her out of the teahouse and back into the carriage.

Jiang Mo was in shock, and didn't snap out of it until the carriage reached the palace gate. She could barely believe what she'd heard.

Chen Yingchou silently observed her expression, waiting for her to speak.

The carriage stopped, and Chen Yingchou reached for her hand. Jiang Mo’s face was grave. She said, "Your Majesty, to make the court officials accept me, isn't spreading these rumors a bit over the top? What have I done to deserve being called a divine maiden?"

Chen Yingchou sighed. "A Mo, if I told you that I only had someone put an embroidered silk cloth into the golden carp’s mouth, and this is the first I’ve heard of everything else, would you believe me?"

He only meant to make people believe Jiang Mo, who had returned from the dead, was the destined empress. He had no other intentions.

He shook his head helplessly. "I have no clue who made up the stuff about a divine maiden and heavenly fire, but it all fits together pretty neatly. Still, this isn’t bad. As a divine maiden, your status in the people’s hearts might even be higher than mine as emperor. Let's see anyone in Great Qi dare to disrespect you."

Jiang Mo didn't feel happy at all—just weighed down. "But I don't deserve such a label." She turned to look at the bustling crowd and the lively streets of Shangjing City, her look turning more determined. In an instant, she made a decision. Turning solemnly to Chen Yingchou, she said, "Since it's come to this, I have to be a good mother to the nation, to use the identity of the divine maiden to make Great Qi's skies clearer and its waters cleaner, to punish evil, reward good, and uphold justice. Only then can I meet the people's expectations."

Chen Yingchou looked at Jiang Mo and felt like she was glowing, like a real goddess who'd wandered into the human world. He knew his A Mo was kind, gentle, resilient, and courageous, but he didn't know she had so much compassion.

His A Mo was indeed the star of fortune for Great Qi. A good mother makes the family thrive. His A Mo was meant to be the mother of the nation.

"If my A Mo doesn't deserve it, then who does? The people aren't wrong. It was you who made Princess Rong get what she deserved. You're the reason I decided to treat my eyes. And as for the An Family Army, if not for you, I wouldn't have turned their own trick back on them."

He took her hand. "Come on, my Empress. Let's go back to the palace."

Inside the palace gate, a bunch of people were waiting. Su Jiying ran up as soon as she spotted Jiang Mo, completely ignoring Chen Yingchou, and hugged her tightly. "I thought you were dead, and I was dying of grief. I thought you and Lin Mei had both dumped me." She sobbed, soaking Jiang Mo's shoulder with tears.

Jiang Mo patted her back. "There, there, don’t cry. I’m back alive, aren’t I?"

Su Jiying wiped her tears and sniffled. "You owe me for three months of heartache. I'm staying with you in the palace for three months. You can't refuse."

As soon as she finished, Xingchun stepped forward and curtsied. "Empress, Kunning Palace is under renovation. On Eunuch Qiao's orders, your belongings have been moved to Zichen Palace. Miss Su, I'm afraid you can't stay there."

Qiao Yun immediately added, "Yes, Your Majesty, it really isn’t convenient."

Su Jiying refused to give in. "I don't care. I haven't seen you forever. I need to drink with you for three days straight and have a good chat."

Jiang Mo smiled reassuringly. "Then wait till Kunning Palace is fixed. You can come whenever and stay as long as you like. How about that?"

Su Jiying knew she couldn't push it, so she nodded reluctantly.

Chen Yingchou looked at He Ji. "The Empress is worn out from the trip. It's not a good time to catch up today. Have someone take Miss Su back to the Su family home."

Su Jiying reluctantly let go of Jiang Mo’s hand. "Rest well for a few days first. I’ll come see you at Kunning Palace."

After seeing Su Jiying off, Jiang Mo looked at the others. Lanqiu's eyes were red from crying. Wangxia was hiding behind Lanqiu, probably scared her true identity was out.

"Wangxia." Jiang Mo walked up to Wangxia and patted her arm. "It’s all in the past. From now on, you can stay Wangxia, or you can choose to be Yanfei."

Wangxia looked up at Jiang Mo in surprise. The implication was clear: Jiang Mo had not told His Majesty about her identity.

She slowly knelt and kowtowed three times. "This servant thanks Your Majesty for your kindness. I can never repay your kindness in this life. In the next life, I will serve you as a beast of burden. I beg the Empress to let me leave the palace. I want to be Yanfei again."

Jiang Mo helped her up. "Alright. You may leave whenever you wish."

Seeing this, Xingchun also stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this servant also begs a favor. Since the Empress Dowager went to cultivate at Huguo Temple, her health has declined. I wish to go and attend to her. After I repay her kindness, I will return to serve you."

Jiang Mo turned to look at Chen Yingchou, her eyes questioning.

Chen Yingchou put his arm around her shoulder. "Mother requested to go to Huguo Temple to cultivate before I went on the campaign, saying she wanted to pray for Great Qi."

Jiang Mo could understand what the Empress Dowager had done to her, but she couldn’t forgive it. She nodded gently and said to Xingchun, "That’s as it should be. The Empress Dowager has been kind to you. Go ahead."

Xingchun curtsied. "This servant thanks Your Majesty for your permission."

Finally, Jiang Mo turned to Lanqiu. She stepped out of Chen Yingchou’s embrace and extended both hands toward her. "You’ve cried yourself into a mess. Come here."

Lanqiu cried even harder. Forgetting palace rules, she rushed forward and hugged Jiang Mo tightly. "Your Majesty, I thought I would never see you again."

Jiang Mo gently stroked Lanqiu’s head. "Lanqiu, you have suffered."

Knowing she shouldn’t be too forward, Lanqiu stepped back, wiping her tears and shaking her head. "No suffering. Being able to see Your Majesty again and continue serving you—any suffering is worth it." She looked at Xingchun, then at Wangxia. "Your Majesty, Hui Qing and Xiang Tong have both come to see me. Hui Qing took her deed of release and left. Xiang Tong didn’t leave; she’s staying at an inn outside the palace. She wants to enter the palace to serve you, and is only waiting for your word."

Jiang Mo stepped forward and wiped her tears. "From now on, you will be the head steward of Kunning Palace. You decide on this matter."

Lanqiu looked at Jiang Mo in surprise. "Your Majesty, I can’t. I’m afraid I won’t do well. I only want to stay by Your Majesty’s side forever. I don’t hope for anything else."

Before Jiang Mo could speak, Chen Yingchou said, "Lanqiu, don’t disappoint the empress’s trust in you." He put his arm around Jiang Mo’s shoulder again, pulling her closer.

Seeing Lanqiu still hesitating, Qiao Yun reminded her, "Better quickly thank His Majesty for his grace."

Lanqiu looked at Qiao Yun, who signaled with his eyes: Fool, if you don’t know something, just ask me. Hurry up and thank him.

She dropped to her knees. "This servant will not fail Your Majesty's trust."

Jiang Mo said, "Alright, please rise."

Chen Yingchou hadn't expected so many people at the palace gate; one thing led to another, and if he had known, he wouldn't have sent word to the palace.

The weather was freezing, and he worried about Jiang Mo's health but had held back from interrupting. Now that there were finally no more matters, he said eagerly, "A Mo, you must be tired. Let's return to Zichen Palace."

Jiang Mo was worried about the child. "Husband, I want to go see Yan'er first."

"Yan'er is also at Zichen Palace."

Qiao Yun stepped forward. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please take the palanquin."

Jiang Mo looked at the palanquin and immediately recognized it as the one the Empress Dowager had prepared for Chen Yingchou when she first entered the palace. She never imagined that, after all the twists and turns, the two of them would still ride together in this same palanquin.

When they reached Zichen Palace, before she could step down from the palanquin, she saw Chen Yingyun waiting at the foot of the high steps.

Chen Yingchou helped Jiang Mo down from the palanquin. Looking at her nose red from the cold, he pulled her tightly into his arms. "Tenth Brother, we can discuss whatever it is tomorrow."

Chen Yingyun, however, said, "Your Majesty, I have only one sentence."

Jiang Mo looked up at Chen Yingchou. "He looks very anxious. Let's hear him out."

Chen Yingchou pulled her closer. "What is it? Speak."

Chen Yingyun knelt. "I request permission to go to the Northern Frontier to guard the border, resist the invasion of the Li State, and protect the border people."

He had known his place since childhood and lived cautiously. He could feel that Chen Yingchou genuinely treated him as a brother, but he also knew that in the royal family, no matter how good the brotherly bond, it could not withstand the temptation of power and the emperor's suspicion. Just like their father and An Shengwu, or Chen Yingchou and An Zeyou—people who had once trusted each other had step by step become enemies.

During the time when Chen Yingchou was leading the expedition personally, there had always been people whispering in his ear that the Crown Prince was just a mere infant, and if something happened to His Majesty, Great Qi would have to rely on him. He did not find these words pleasing; instead, they felt like a death knell, making him fearful and uneasy.

He was self-aware and had never thought of the highest seat. Since there were people whispering in his ear, there would surely be people whispering in Chen Yingchou's ear in the future. He feared that one day his Ninth Brother would suspect him, so it was better to leave Shangjing to keep safe.

The Northern Frontier was the best choice. The general guarding it would surely be Chen Yingchou's trusted man, and he could just be a prince living in leisure there. However, he feared that Chen Yingchou already had someone in mind to govern the Northern Frontier, and he also feared that at tomorrow's court session, ministers might nominate someone else. That was why he waited early outside Zichen Palace.

How could Chen Yingchou not know what Chen Yingyun was thinking? It was said that in the royal family, brotherhood doesn't exist. He never expected it would come to this.

"I approve."

Chen Yingyun bowed. "I thank Your Majesty for your boundless grace."

When he raised his head again, he had resumed his former demeanor. "Ninth Brother, it's so wonderful that you've found Ninth Sister-in-law. On this trip to the Northern Frontier, I also hope to meet someone with whom I share mutual affection."

Chen Yingchou patted his shoulder. "You will." Anxious in his heart, he felt that the person in his arms would catch a chill. "Ninth Brother, I won't chat with you today. After the long journey, I am tired."

Chen Yingyun immediately said, "Then I'll take my leave."

Before Chen Yingyun had walked far, he who had just said he was tired suddenly scooped her up into his arms.

"Husband, I can walk on my own."

Chen Yingchou did not let go. Holding the woman, he climbed the high steps step by step. "A Mo, do you remember the first time you entered the palace and accompanied me up these steps? At that time, you grabbed my arm tightly and soaked my sleeve with sweat. I wondered then why you were so nervous. I never expected you were a substitute bride. Looking back now, I realize how terrified you must have been."

"And do you remember what you said to me before entering the hall? You said 'Don't be scared.' At that time, I felt that whoever was your wife, you would be a good husband."

Chen Yingchou paused slightly. "A Mo, you are wrong. If we had never met in this life, I would never have understood what it feels like to love someone. I would have married and had children to fulfill imperial commands and produce heirs, but they would only be princess consorts, empresses, and imperial consorts—identities granted for political balance, not the wife in my heart. And I would only be their prince and emperor, not anyone's husband. A Mo, only you are the wife I want to spend my life with."

Jiang Mo's eyes moistened. "You are also the husband I want to spend my life with."

"A Mo, I love it when you call me 'husband.'"

"Husband, husband."

"A Mo, in every lifetime, I will be your husband."

...

(The main text ends.)

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Author's note: Thank you, my dear readers, for over three months of company (bow). In this life, Mo'er and Chen Yingchou's ending is perfect, but the process of them being together was too bitter. The side story will depict Chen Yingchou being reborn on the wedding day, knowing from the start that Mo'er was a substitute bride, so that they can be happily together from beginning to end.