Chapter 1610: Chapter 1603: Offering Rong Yun A Piece of Tranquility
After the entire Li family was executed, it rained heavily for several days.
In the capital, the air seemed to still be tainted with the scent of blood, which belonged not only to the Li family but also to the soldiers who died in battle and the innocent civilians who perished.
Such a stench of blood could not easily dissipate in a short time; the scars this war left in the hearts of the people of the Great Wei Dynasty could not be healed quickly either.
After Qin Muyan ascended the throne, there were innumerable duties to attend to, including dealing with the Li family. He then had to restructure the royal court.
The Marquis Xieâs Mansion, which played a pivotal role in exposing the Li family, was greatly rewarded by Qin Muyan. The Marquis was entrusted with significant responsibilities, and an imperial edict was issued to bestow the title of empress upon the legitimate daughter of the Xie Family, Xie Qingyi.
The entire Xie Family basked in imperial favor.
Su Yingxue and Chu Yihan stayed at the Xie Familyâs residence for several days. Su Yingxue, looking at Rong Yun in the courtyard playing with the child, was full of regret, "I thought my cousin would come to fetch her soon and make her his empress."
But she did not expect that Xie Qingyi would be the one to become Qin Muyanâs empress.
Nor did Qin Muyan come to fetch Rong Yun so swiftly. By now, both Rong Yun and the child had almost fully recovered.
Chu Yihanâs face was calm, as if he had anticipated this outcome. He wrapped an arm around Su Yingxueâs shoulder and whispered to her, "Rong Yun canât bear the heavy responsibility of being the empress of the Great Wei Dynasty, and Qin Muyan also wants to give her peace."
"Peace? But he loves Rong Yun, and she loves him too. Now to have Rong Yun become an Imperial Consort, subordinate to the empress, itâs unfair to her." As an empress herself, Su Yingxue felt pity; Rong Yun was supposed to be the rightful wife, Qin Muyanâs most beloved, yet now she can only be an Imperial Consort.
Though it sounds prestigious, she is ultimately placed in the position of a concubine.
"Do you think for Rong Yun, the title of empress matters more, or her and her childâs happiness and well-being?" Chu Yihan raised his eyebrows.
Supporting her chin with her hand, Su Yingxue thought for a moment, "Rong Yun is gentle and sweet; having been a distinguished princess since childhood, she probably never harbored the ambition to compete for the empressâs position."
"Thatâs just it, if she herself doesnât wish to compete, why should Qin Muyan forcefully take this title and thrust it into her hands?"
Chu Yihan lowered his head to touch Su Yingxueâs forehead, lightly scraped her nose, and looked at her with eyes full of affection, "Not every empress can be like my wife, having the same capabilities, to stand beside me on the same heights."
"Hmph!" Su Yingxue lifted her lips proudly, Chu Yihanâs sweet nothings were nevertheless quite effective at cheering someone up.
"Princess, Prince Consort, the emperor has arrived."
Behind Su Yingxue, came the gentle voice of Xie Qingyi. Now titled as the empress, her demeanor became even more upright and elegant. A noble and composed air emerged with her every smile and frown, commanding reverence from those around her.
"Now, I should also address you as âcousin-in-lawâ," Su Yingxue received Xie Qingyiâs respectful greeting, treating her courteously in return.
Xie Qingyi smiled lightly, "Princess, youâre too kind. I am only the empress, and âcousin-in-lawâ is a title that suits Jingjing more appropriately."
She lifted her gaze, looking at Rong Yun with eyes full of compassion, as if looking at her own sister.
She instructed the maid beside her to take the wet nurse and some food to see Rong Yun, who turned back and flashed a sweet and charming smile.
Qin Muyan was waiting in the front hall.
After Xie Qingyi led them there, the Marquis Xie announced the preparation for the evening meal and left with Xie Qingyi.
In the simple and elegant hall, waves of pleasant fragrance reassured the heart and mind, Qin Muyan sat opposite Su Yingxue and Chu Yihan, his face undisguised with fatigue. He looked up, envy apparent as he gazed at the couple before him, "I must thank you both this time. Without your assistance on this trip, who knows how long the chaos within the court would have lasted, and the lives of Jingjing and the child might not have been saved."
"Why is my cousin being so formal? I was fortunate to save my little nephew, and our Hengâer will have a little brother in the future!" Su Yingxue smiled.
"How old is Chu Heng now?" Qin Muyan rested his forehead on his hand and pondered. He recalled that not long after the eradication of Wu Dao, Su Yingxue was with child, and now...
"Heâs four years old," Chu Yihan informed him.
He was a few years older than Qin Muyan, yet Qin Muyan seemed to carry a maturity that belied his age, losing the unbridled arrogance that once characterized his features. Chu Yihanâs mouth curved into a mocking smile, "It seems to me that after your defeat by Yingxue, youâve fallen and couldnât get up."
"Chu Yihan, what nonsense are you talking about!" Qin Muyan suddenly yelled, right in front of Su Yingxue, Chu actually provoked him.
"Hmm? Still got some fire, not quite dead yet," Chu Yihan said with satisfaction as he nodded.
"You..."
Qin Muyan clenched his fists, a trace of helplessness in his eyes, "Watching me in such a miserable state, you still kick a man when heâs down. We havenât had enough of the battlefield yet."
"Iâve undergone a craniotomy now, so I would definitely lose to you on the battlefield. But you, youâve won your battles yet appear like a defeated man, drained of vigor, like a puppet to be scorned," Chu Yihanâs gaze at Qin Muyan held no pity, only the disdain between men.
He had been rivals with Qin Muyan for many years, and while their relationship wasnât as good as brothers, they were the men who understood each other the best.
Now, to see him like this, Chu Yihan couldnât help but look down on him.
"Scorn if you will." Qin Muyan couldnât be bothered to argue with him any longer, heâd wait for his moment, and then heâd have a proper battle with him!
However, Su Yingxue informed him about Rong Yun and Qin Yuâs situation. He listened very carefully, memorizing everything, including how to take care of them and how to regulate their health.
Su Yingxue smiled with satisfaction, "I wish cousin and cousin-in-law a safe and smooth life from now on."
"Good, Iâm going to see Jingjing, you two, if you have the time, should enjoy the capital for a few more days," Qin Muyan deliberately touched Su Yingxueâs head in front of Chu Yihan, and when he left, he also gave Chu a provocative look.
Chu Yihanâs eyes instantly turned cold and sullen.
The sky wasnât completely dark yet, in the quiet courtyard, one could occasionally hear the laughter of children.
Qin Muyan stood by the door and heard Rong Yun talking to the child inside, "Shunshun, be good, mom is going to change your diaper."
"Ah woo~~ Achoo! Waahâ"
The childâs crisp and soft voice came through, causing Qin Muyanâs heartstrings to tremble fiercely.
"Shunshun."
This name, he still hadnât gotten used to saying it up to today.
He always felt that for his son, who ought to have a vigorous spirit, this pet name was somewhat awkward.
But Rong Yunâs repeated calls of Shunshun softened his heart to an extreme degree.
Rong Yun sensed someone behind her and immediately jumped onto the bed to cover the child, turning around with a wary expression, "Whoâs there?!"
"Itâs me, donât be scared," Qin Muyan carefully moved forward, extending his hand towards her, but Rong Yun reflexively shrank back in fear, her gaze filled with terror, "You... donât come any closer!"
Qin Muyan stopped in his tracks, his body stiff, "I... will not harm you."
"But you donât believe me..."
Rong Yun looked at him, tears welling in her clear, bright eyes.
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