Drips and drabs of Ji Ling Xue's interactions with Mo Xiang floated in her mind, she was the last gift left by her mother, she had accompanied her through her youth, when she got married, survived through the most tortuous time at prince Chens' residence, through the times Ji Qing Yu and her mother plotted against her, if it wasn't for her, she wouldn't be here.
She promise Mo Xiang before, when she returned from Dayan, she would find her a good family to marry into, but she broke her promise.
"Xue Er?" Seeing Ji Ling Xue not say anything, Xiao Yi Chen called out to her gently.
Ji Ling Xue uttered: "Do you know, I already prepared a dowry for Mo Xiang...I wanted to personally tie her hair and send her off for marriage, I was going to see her have children and become a mother, become related by marriage in the future...but I didn't expect...I carried on waiting...to hear of her death..."
Xiao Yi Chen gently held Ji Ling Xue in his arms, lightly patting her shoulder to comfort her: "You and I never imagined this would happen, the world is always changing, we couldn't predict this, just as <Zhengfa Yanzang> says: `Flowers only wither when treasured, weed only overgrow when left alone.` We hope flowers will continue to bloom, but it will always fall gently with the wind, we hope weed doesn't grow, but it is always everywhere. There are many things in the world that can only come by chance not by wishing, you can only have it once, but once the opportunity passes, it won't reappear in front of you. Xue Er...don't be heartbroken, you still have me, and our children, oh right, we still haven't thought of names for the children..."
Ji Ling Xue nodded, her gaze fell on the two children by her hand, the grief in her eyes gradually changed into love, "That's right, what name should we give these two children?"
Xiao Yi Chen thought about it: "Princess is called Xiao Xiang, prince is called Xiao Mo, what do you think?"
Ji Ling Xue nodded, "The names are good, if Mo Xiang knew she would be so happy..."
At this moment, Chi Feng's voice came from the door, "Your majesty!"
Xiao Yi Chen turned his head: "Come in."
Chi Feng was acting in a businesslike manner, he bowed to Ji Ling Xue and Xiao Yi Chen: "This official greets the emperor, empress, little princess, little prince!"
Ji Ling Xue's lips twitched, Chi Feng's words were very sweet, even greeting the just born princess and prince who were still in the land of dreams.
Xiao Yi Chen said: "Since you've given your greetings, have you prepared red envelopes for your first meeting?"
Chi Feng's lips twitched, feeling around his pockets, "That...I'm embarrassingly short of money, please forgive me your majesty...that, this official didn't come here for that..." He was working on something urgent, in passing he saw the faces of the newly born princess and prince, he had forgotten about the red envelopes.
Xiao Yi Chen nodded, "That is true, did you discover the identities of the assassins?"
Chi Feng nodded, "It's been found out, they're the remaining people left by the former empress, they patiently waited until now to act during the empress's labour, they had thought of taking the prince to negotiate with your majesty, they didn't expect the empress to give birth to twins of mixed sex, and didn't imagine Mo Xiang would be so stubborn...oh right, about Mo Xiang, your majesty still doesn't know something..."
Ji Ling Xue tilted her head, looking confused at Chi Feng, "What?"
Mo Xiang and her were like sisters, what could she not know.
Chi Feng said: "Ever since your majesty and the former imperial uncle had your grudges, the former empress once bribed Mo Xiang, only Mo Xiang has always been grateful to you, she never acted against you."
Ji Ling Xue shook her head: "She's already dead, no matter what she did in the past has been forgiven, no matter if Mo Xiang did anything towards me, I would forgive her."
Ji Ling Xue turned her head to look at the quietly sleeping Xiao Xiang, her finger touching her little face.
Chi Feng cupped his hands together, "Empress is magnanimous, this official is impressed!"
Ten days after Ji Ling Xue's labour was Mo Xiang's funeral, Ji Ling Xue got nanny Rong to wrap a thick bandage around her stomach, wearing plain white clothes she personally saw Mo Xiang off.
The weather was actually hot, Mo Xiang's body was frozen in an ice coffin so it was naturally still in good condition after ten days.
Ji Ling Xue was helped by nanny Rong, she said through the ice coffin to Mo Xiang: "Mo Xiang, I came to send you off!"
Nanny Rong sighed: "Mo Xiang, this old servant and the empress came to see you off together, Mo Xiang, you've lived a life of hardship...I think her happiest moments in life were with the empress, the thing she wanted to do the most is look after the little prince and princess for the empress, sadly...don't worry, I will help you fulfil your wish, rest in peace, I hope in your next life you end up in a good family then you won't go through so much in your life."
Ji Ling Xue tilted her head to look at nanny Rong muttering by her side, "Nanny..."
Nanny Rong wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, "Empress, this old servant over spoke!"
Ji Ling Xue shook her head, "Nanny, please tidy up Mo Xiang for me."
"This servant will follow your order!" Nanny Rong bowed, she dressed Mo Xiang up in a wedding gown and bridal crown, Mo Xiang quietly laid in the ice coffin in them, after nanny Rong finished dressing her she took two steps back, soon after the master of ceremony ordered people to place items in the ice coffin to be buried with her, finally it was covered and buried.
Xiao Yi Chen wearing white entered a temporary imperial residence, before the lotus pond, Xiao Yi Mo sat fishing idly, hearing footsteps, Xiao Yi Mo didn't mind at all: "What day is it today, you actually came to find me?"
Xiao Yi Mo sat next to Xiao Yi Chen, looking at the fishing rod he said: "You're so carefree, you seem to have gotten rather fat over the last year at the residence, middle age prosperity!"
Xiao Yi Mo tilted his head to glance at Xiao Yi Chen who was teasing him, "Why are you making fun of me, did you come to find me for a reason? Why are you still wearing white, you look like you're hurrying to a funeral."
Xiao Yi Chen who was looked down upon shrugged, "You're right, there is indeed a funeral in the palace."
Xiao Yi Mo was startled, looking at Xiao Yi Mo's complexion, "I heard the empress gave birth to twins of mixed sex, a daughter and son in one go, you're really blessed."
Xiao Yi Chen raised his head and opened his mouth to pour a mouthful of wine: "I now know the principle revenge breeds revenge, will there ever be an end to it, recently I've been thinking a lot, being emperor is so dull, I came here today to tell you, I don't want to be emperor."
Hearing what was said, Xiao Yi Mo's hand trembled, the fish which was about to take the bait was scared away and disappeared, he didn't quite believe his ears, he asked: "What did you say?" Was he drunk and babbling nonsense?
He was the one who forced an abdication, now he was the one holding a jar of wine and saying he didn't want to be emperor, did he think this was a child's play house, he can just be emperor and not be emperor if he wishes?
Xiao Yi Chen said: "You heard correctly, I'm not drunk, please don't look at me like a madman."
Xiao Yi Mo's lips twitched, "Can you tell me why, why you suddenly can't take it?"
Xiao Yi Chen laughed twice, picking up the fish food beside him he tossed it into the pond, there was suddenly ripples in the water, a lot of fish came from all directions, swallowing up the fish food.
Xiao Yi Chen said: "A year ago, I stole the throne from you to revenge Ji Ling Xue, that way you won't be caught in the middle, now the former imperial uncle and former empress' henchmen have been eliminated, I also dealt with quite a few corrupt officials for you, it's time for me abdicate, I will issue an imperial edict, immediately you'll be the emperor."
Xiao Yi Mo looked at Xiao Yi Chen like he was a madman, "Are you serious?"
Xiao Yi Chen nodded, patting Xiao Yi Mo's shoulder: "This is the throne left to you by imperial father, I'll return it to you, when I abdicate don't miss me too much."
Xiao Yi Mo asked: "Where are you going after abdicating, can you tell me?"
Xiao Yi Chen said: "Asking this, what do you want to do...you can't be thinking of taking revenge right..."
Xiao Yi Mo laughed loudly, "You like to gauge the heart of a gentleman with one's own mean measure, I'm worried about the country, I won't be as petty as you."
Xiao Yi Chen: "It's fine if I tell you anyway, my beloved wife doesn't like being locked up in the palace, she wants to travel the world with me, I'm going to give her the life she wants, husband and wife, one daughter and son, the world is large, everywhere will be home..."
Xiao Yi Mo still looked at Xiao Yi Chen like he was mad, "I think you're a madman."
Xiao Yi Chen spread out his hands, "A person is only alive on this world around a hundred years, why not be a bit crazy, treat yourself well, take your time fishing, I'll go arrange everything, when it's time someone will come to invite you out of exile..."
Xiao Yi Mo followed Xiao Yi Chen's back with his eyes as he disappeared, he shook his head, "Speaking so confidently and at ease, walking away bluntly, it really is admirable!"
Xiao Yi Chen walked to the corner, suddenly he turned his head: "Xiao Yi Mo, be good to my officials, don't remove all my people as soon as you return to power, you'll regret it." Having spoken he waved his hand, together with his figure, he vanished around the corner.
Xiao Yi Mo's lips twitched, "Is he threatening me?"
Three months later, the Dayan emperor Xiao Yi Chen and empress died, they were on the throne for only a year and a half, the most short lived emperor in history, all the officials knelt at the temporary imperial residence, asking the former emperor Xiao Yi Chen to ascend the throne.
The same year and day, a simple carriage headed towards Beiling, Ji Ling Xue held Xiao Xiang in her arms asking Xiao Yi Chen beside her who was holding Xiao Mo, "Leaving so sharply, won't you regret it?"
Xiao Xiang had a strange poison in her, Ji Ling Xue had already planned to take her to see all the doctors on earth, she didn't expect Xiao Yi Chen to just throw his throne away to Xiao Yi Mo, taking her out of the palace together.
Xiao Yi Chen held Ji Ling Xue's hand, "You accompanied me in ruling over the country, I let you make the four corners of the world your home, now I have no responsibilities, I can roam far and wide with you, wife, are you happy?"
Ji Ling Xue nodded, looking at her son and daughter sucking on their hands with happiness.
Xiao Yi Mo walked out of the residence, he raised his head to the sun, reaching out to cover up his eyes, only a year and a half had passed but he felt he had lived half a lifetime.
Xiao Yi Chen really did what he said, once again returning the throne to him, the country was the same, the officials had changed, the throne was still gold and bright, only there were no concubines in the harem.
Chi Feng still wore the prime minister attire, with a smile on his face he bowed to Xiao Yi Mo, Xiao Yi Mo walked over, helping him up.
"When did he leave, did he leave a message?" Xiao Yi Mo asked.
Chi Feng shook his head, then nodded, cupping his hands towards Xiao Yi Mo: "He told me to serve your majesty well!"
Xiao Yi Chen's lips widened into a smile, patting Chi Feng's shoulder, "Prime minister, walk with us." As he spoke he walked towards the throne room.
Chi Feng was a pace slower walking behind him, the gold dragon robe shone brightly under the sun.
Drips and drabs of Ji Ling Xue's interactions with Mo Xiang floated in her mind, she was the last gift left by her mother, she had accompanied her through her youth, when she got married, survived through the most tortuous time at prince Chens' residence, through the times Ji Qing Yu and her mother plotted against her, if it wasn't for her, she wouldn't be here.
She promise Mo Xiang before, when she returned from Dayan, she would find her a good family to marry into, but she broke her promise.
"Xue Er?" Seeing Ji Ling Xue not say anything, Xiao Yi Chen called out to her gently.
Ji Ling Xue uttered: "Do you know, I already prepared a dowry for Mo Xiang...I wanted to personally tie her hair and send her off for marriage, I was going to see her have children and become a mother, become related by marriage in the future...but I didn't expect...I carried on waiting...to hear of her death..."
Xiao Yi Chen gently held Ji Ling Xue in his arms, lightly patting her shoulder to comfort her: "You and I never imagined this would happen, the world is always changing, we couldn't predict this, just as <Zhengfa Yanzang> says: `Flowers only wither when treasured, weed only overgrow when left alone.` We hope flowers will continue to bloom, but it will always fall gently with the wind, we hope weed doesn't grow, but it is always everywhere. There are many things in the world that can only come by chance not by wishing, you can only have it once, but once the opportunity passes, it won't reappear in front of you. Xue Er...don't be heartbroken, you still have me, and our children, oh right, we still haven't thought of names for the children..."
Ji Ling Xue nodded, her gaze fell on the two children by her hand, the grief in her eyes gradually changed into love, "That's right, what name should we give these two children?"
Xiao Yi Chen thought about it: "Princess is called Xiao Xiang, prince is called Xiao Mo, what do you think?"
Ji Ling Xue nodded, "The names are good, if Mo Xiang knew she would be so happy..."
At this moment, Chi Feng's voice came from the door, "Your majesty!"
Xiao Yi Chen turned his head: "Come in."
Chi Feng was acting in a businesslike manner, he bowed to Ji Ling Xue and Xiao Yi Chen: "This official greets the emperor, empress, little princess, little prince!"
Ji Ling Xue's lips twitched, Chi Feng's words were very sweet, even greeting the just born princess and prince who were still in the land of dreams.
Xiao Yi Chen said: "Since you've given your greetings, have you prepared red envelopes for your first meeting?"
Chi Feng's lips twitched, feeling around his pockets, "That...I'm embarrassingly short of money, please forgive me your majesty...that, this official didn't come here for that..." He was working on something urgent, in passing he saw the faces of the newly born princess and prince, he had forgotten about the red envelopes.
Xiao Yi Chen nodded, "That is true, did you discover the identities of the assassins?"
Chi Feng nodded, "It's been found out, they're the remaining people left by the former empress, they patiently waited until now to act during the empress's labour, they had thought of taking the prince to negotiate with your majesty, they didn't expect the empress to give birth to twins of mixed sex, and didn't imagine Mo Xiang would be so stubborn...oh right, about Mo Xiang, your majesty still doesn't know something..."
Ji Ling Xue tilted her head, looking confused at Chi Feng, "What?"
Mo Xiang and her were like sisters, what could she not know.
Chi Feng said: "Ever since your majesty and the former imperial uncle had your grudges, the former empress once bribed Mo Xiang, only Mo Xiang has always been grateful to you, she never acted against you."
Ji Ling Xue shook her head: "She's already dead, no matter what she did in the past has been forgiven, no matter if Mo Xiang did anything towards me, I would forgive her."
Ji Ling Xue turned her head to look at the quietly sleeping Xiao Xiang, her finger touching her little face.
Chi Feng cupped his hands together, "Empress is magnanimous, this official is impressed!"
Ten days after Ji Ling Xue's labour was Mo Xiang's funeral, Ji Ling Xue got nanny Rong to wrap a thick bandage around her stomach, wearing plain white clothes she personally saw Mo Xiang off.
The weather was actually hot, Mo Xiang's body was frozen in an ice coffin so it was naturally still in good condition after ten days.
Ji Ling Xue was helped by nanny Rong, she said through the ice coffin to Mo Xiang: "Mo Xiang, I came to send you off!"
Nanny Rong sighed: "Mo Xiang, this old servant and the empress came to see you off together, Mo Xiang, you've lived a life of hardship...I think her happiest moments in life were with the empress, the thing she wanted to do the most is look after the little prince and princess for the empress, sadly...don't worry, I will help you fulfil your wish, rest in peace, I hope in your next life you end up in a good family then you won't go through so much in your life."
Ji Ling Xue tilted her head to look at nanny Rong muttering by her side, "Nanny..."
Nanny Rong wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, "Empress, this old servant over spoke!"
Ji Ling Xue shook her head, "Nanny, please tidy up Mo Xiang for me."
"This servant will follow your order!" Nanny Rong bowed, she dressed Mo Xiang up in a wedding gown and bridal crown, Mo Xiang quietly laid in the ice coffin in them, after nanny Rong finished dressing her she took two steps back, soon after the master of ceremony ordered people to place items in the ice coffin to be buried with her, finally it was covered and buried.
Xiao Yi Chen wearing white entered a temporary imperial residence, before the lotus pond, Xiao Yi Mo sat fishing idly, hearing footsteps, Xiao Yi Mo didn't mind at all: "What day is it today, you actually came to find me?"
Xiao Yi Mo sat next to Xiao Yi Chen, looking at the fishing rod he said: "You're so carefree, you seem to have gotten rather fat over the last year at the residence, middle age prosperity!"
Xiao Yi Mo tilted his head to glance at Xiao Yi Chen who was teasing him, "Why are you making fun of me, did you come to find me for a reason? Why are you still wearing white, you look like you're hurrying to a funeral."
Xiao Yi Chen who was looked down upon shrugged, "You're right, there is indeed a funeral in the palace."
Xiao Yi Mo was startled, looking at Xiao Yi Mo's complexion, "I heard the empress gave birth to twins of mixed sex, a daughter and son in one go, you're really blessed."
Xiao Yi Chen raised his head and opened his mouth to pour a mouthful of wine: "I now know the principle revenge breeds revenge, will there ever be an end to it, recently I've been thinking a lot, being emperor is so dull, I came here today to tell you, I don't want to be emperor."
Hearing what was said, Xiao Yi Mo's hand trembled, the fish which was about to take the bait was scared away and disappeared, he didn't quite believe his ears, he asked: "What did you say?" Was he drunk and babbling nonsense?
He was the one who forced an abdication, now he was the one holding a jar of wine and saying he didn't want to be emperor, did he think this was a child's play house, he can just be emperor and not be emperor if he wishes?
Xiao Yi Chen said: "You heard correctly, I'm not drunk, please don't look at me like a madman."
Xiao Yi Mo's lips twitched, "Can you tell me why, why you suddenly can't take it?"
Xiao Yi Chen laughed twice, picking up the fish food beside him he tossed it into the pond, there was suddenly ripples in the water, a lot of fish came from all directions, swallowing up the fish food.
Xiao Yi Chen said: "A year ago, I stole the throne from you to revenge Ji Ling Xue, that way you won't be caught in the middle, now the former imperial uncle and former empress' henchmen have been eliminated, I also dealt with quite a few corrupt officials for you, it's time for me abdicate, I will issue an imperial edict, immediately you'll be the emperor."
Xiao Yi Mo looked at Xiao Yi Chen like he was a madman, "Are you serious?"
Xiao Yi Chen nodded, patting Xiao Yi Mo's shoulder: "This is the throne left to you by imperial father, I'll return it to you, when I abdicate don't miss me too much."
Xiao Yi Mo asked: "Where are you going after abdicating, can you tell me?"
Xiao Yi Chen said: "Asking this, what do you want to do...you can't be thinking of taking revenge right..."
Xiao Yi Mo laughed loudly, "You like to gauge the heart of a gentleman with one's own mean measure, I'm worried about the country, I won't be as petty as you."
Xiao Yi Chen: "It's fine if I tell you anyway, my beloved wife doesn't like being locked up in the palace, she wants to travel the world with me, I'm going to give her the life she wants, husband and wife, one daughter and son, the world is large, everywhere will be home..."
Xiao Yi Mo still looked at Xiao Yi Chen like he was mad, "I think you're a madman."
Xiao Yi Chen spread out his hands, "A person is only alive on this world around a hundred years, why not be a bit crazy, treat yourself well, take your time fishing, I'll go arrange everything, when it's time someone will come to invite you out of exile..."
Xiao Yi Mo followed Xiao Yi Chen's back with his eyes as he disappeared, he shook his head, "Speaking so confidently and at ease, walking away bluntly, it really is admirable!"
Xiao Yi Chen walked to the corner, suddenly he turned his head: "Xiao Yi Mo, be good to my officials, don't remove all my people as soon as you return to power, you'll regret it." Having spoken he waved his hand, together with his figure, he vanished around the corner.
Xiao Yi Mo's lips twitched, "Is he threatening me?"
Three months later, the Dayan emperor Xiao Yi Chen and empress died, they were on the throne for only a year and a half, the most short lived emperor in history, all the officials knelt at the temporary imperial residence, asking the former emperor Xiao Yi Chen to ascend the throne.
The same year and day, a simple carriage headed towards Beiling, Ji Ling Xue held Xiao Xiang in her arms asking Xiao Yi Chen beside her who was holding Xiao Mo, "Leaving so sharply, won't you regret it?"
Xiao Xiang had a strange poison in her, Ji Ling Xue had already planned to take her to see all the doctors on earth, she didn't expect Xiao Yi Chen to just throw his throne away to Xiao Yi Mo, taking her out of the palace together.
Xiao Yi Chen held Ji Ling Xue's hand, "You accompanied me in ruling over the country, I let you make the four corners of the world your home, now I have no responsibilities, I can roam far and wide with you, wife, are you happy?"
Ji Ling Xue nodded, looking at her son and daughter sucking on their hands with happiness.
Xiao Yi Mo walked out of the residence, he raised his head to the sun, reaching out to cover up his eyes, only a year and a half had passed but he felt he had lived half a lifetime.
Xiao Yi Chen really did what he said, once again returning the throne to him, the country was the same, the officials had changed, the throne was still gold and bright, only there were no concubines in the harem.
Chi Feng still wore the prime minister attire, with a smile on his face he bowed to Xiao Yi Mo, Xiao Yi Mo walked over, helping him up.
"When did he leave, did he leave a message?" Xiao Yi Mo asked.
Chi Feng shook his head, then nodded, cupping his hands towards Xiao Yi Mo: "He told me to serve your majesty well!"
Xiao Yi Chen's lips widened into a smile, patting Chi Feng's shoulder, "Prime minister, walk with us." As he spoke he walked towards the throne room.
Chi Feng was a pace slower walking behind him, the gold dragon robe shone brightly under the sun.
