Given Wen Jingshan’s damaged voice, it was rare for her to speak so much in one go.
Gu Jianli immediately found her idea excellent. She brought a few memorials over, sat down beside Wen Jingshan, and asked her about some other unresolved matters.
To Gu Jianli’s surprise, Wen Jingshan’s insights were sharp and concise, quickly resolving several issues Gu Jianli had been uncertain about.
Gu Jianli couldn’t help but genuinely praise, “Sister Jingshan, you really know a lot!”
Wen Jingshan smiled faintly, but her eyes showed a hint of melancholy. She said, “Ah Chong started dealing with court affairs when he was young, and he didn’t hide it from me. I saw and heard a lot from him, so I naturally learned some things.”
Gu Jianli paused, suddenly remembering something—
It wasn’t realistic for her to stay in the palace for long. Wen Jingshan was Ji Xinglou’s biological mother and the Empress Dowager of the Great Ji Dynasty. Ji Xinglou was still young, and if Wen Jingshan were to govern from behind the curtain, with Chen He assisting in the palace, the Prime Minister in the court, and her father in the military, they could train new ministers for Ji Xinglou over the next few years. Once Ji Xinglou grew a bit older, everything would stabilize.
It was clear that Wen Jingshan was naturally much better at handling court affairs than Gu Jianli, who had never been involved in such matters.
Gu Jianli had been anxious for a long time, but now she felt a sense of clarity and relief, her mood greatly improving.
The date for the enthronement ceremony was carefully chosen to be on the fourth day of the second month, roughly a month after the coup. Gu Jianli was once again busy preparing for the ceremony.
Ji Xinglou sat on the steps, sighing.
The guards dared not speak.
Ji Xinglan came running over with a small bunch of wildflowers, calling out, “Brother, brother! Look! Flowers are blooming even in this cold weather!”
Ji Xinglou glanced at the flowers indifferently and then looked away listlessly.
Ji Xinglan thought for a moment, then sat next to Ji Xinglou on the steps. She placed the wildflowers on the ground, picked the prettiest red flower, and tucked it behind her ear. Resting her chin in her hands, she tilted her head to look at Ji Xinglou and asked, “Why are you unhappy, brother?”
Ji Xinglou was silent for a long time before he said in a muffled voice, “Both of those women are so busy!”
…busy because of him.
Ji Xinglou sighed again.
Ji Xinglan blinked and asked blankly, “What can we do about that?”
Ji Xinglou muttered, “It’ll be better when I grow up!”
“Mm! Then grow up quickly, brother!” Ji Xinglan nodded vigorously, and the little red flower behind her ear fell to the ground with her movements.
Seeing this, Ji Xinglou picked up the red flower, blew off the dust, and carefully placed it back in Ji Xinglan’s hair. Watching her smile with her eyes curved from the flower, he couldn’t help but smile as well.
Ji Chong was posthumously honored as Emperor Shengming, and Wen Jingshan was given the title of Empress Dowager Zhengxian.
Ji Xinglou tilted his head and asked Wen Jingshan, “Does that mean you’re now higher ranked than Gu Jianli?”
Ji Wujing, lounging lazily to one side, lifted his eyelids to look at Ji Xinglou.
The Minister of Rites kept his head down, not daring to speak.
Gu Jianli was momentarily taken aback, then she smiled and patted Ji Xinglou’s head, saying, “That’s not how it works.”
Wen Jingshan pondered for a moment and said, “Your Majesty calls her mother, and she has protected you well. She should also be conferred a title. Gu Jianli, as the Princess Shengyi, should now be called Princess Zhengyi.”
The Minister of Rites looked up in surprise and hesitated, “But it might be inappropriate.”
“Why would it be inappropriate? Filial piety is paramount. The Emperor’s filial heart is a blessing for the Great Ji. In my opinion, not only should the Emperor’s adoptive mother be conferred the title of Empress Dowager, but a special title of National Father should also be established, and a residence for the National Father should be built to proclaim filial piety to the world.”
Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Rites was stunned by Wen Jingshan’s words.
“This… this… this has never been done in any previous dynasty…” But he quickly remembered how Ji Xinglou ascended to the throne and immediately nodded in agreement, praising the Emperor’s filial piety.
Ji Xinglou’s eyes darted around, and he smiled secretly at Wen Jingshan.
Additionally, Wen Jingshan posthumously honored Ji Xinglan’s biological father, Kang Wenyian, with first-class merit. Ji Xinglan was also reinstated into the family registry under the Kang surname but continued to be raised by Ji Wujing and Gu Jianli as their adoptive daughter.
On the fourth day of the second month, Ji Xinglou rode in a grand carriage from the palace to the ancestral temple. Following his carriage were two others side by side. Wen Jingshan sat in one, and Gu Jianli and Ji Wujing sat in the other.
The people rushed out of their homes, trying to catch a glimpse of the Emperor through the layers of guards. News of the palace coup had spread outside, but the versions of events varied greatly from the actual situation. There were many rumors, but one thing remained constant—everyone wanted to see this suddenly appeared young emperor.
Before leaving the palace, Gu Jianli pinched Ji Xinglou’s cheek and said, “Today, you have to behave, but you don’t have to pretend to be obedient. Just act a little angry.”
Ji Xinglou rolled his eyes.
However, once outside the palace, Ji Xinglou put away all his childishness. Though only a five-year-old child, he sat upright in the carriage, looking straight ahead, ignoring all the gazes and noise.
This behavior astonished and impressed the people, reminding many of Ji Chong’s glory days. For a moment, the people remarked how much Ji Xinglou resembled Ji Chong, saying, “Like father, like son…”
From a distant second-floor pavilion, Sun Yilan opened the window and looked at the long procession, sighing silently.
The commotion woke Yuge’er, who started waving his little fists restlessly.
Sun Yilan quickly closed the window and looked down to soothe Yuge’er in her arms.
“Sister?”
“Come in.” Sun Yilan didn’t lift her head, keeping all her attention on Yuge’er.
Sun Yinzhu pushed the door open and entered. Seeing Yuge’er fussing and Sun Yilan soothing him, she also kept silent, waiting quietly to the side. After Sun Yilan managed to get Yuge’er back to sleep and carefully placed him on the bed, Sun Yinzhu finally whispered, “Actually, Yuge’er is already quite a well-behaved child.”
“Yes.” Sun Yilan carefully tucked the small blanket around Yuge’er.
“Sister, have you made any plans?” Sun Yinzhu asked.
Sun Yilan let down the bed curtain, walked to Sun Yinzhu’s side, and sat down. She said softly, “What plans could I have? Naturally, I plan to leave the capital. There are too many people I know and too many sad memories here. It’s better to go far away and raise Yuge’er well.”
Sun Yinzhu grasped Sun Yilan’s hand urgently, saying, “Sister, come with us! Shaotang and I are also planning to leave the capital, to find a place where no one knows us and start a new life.”
Sun Yilan hesitated, “It doesn’t seem very convenient…”
“What’s inconvenient about it? You are my dear sister, and now we are both estranged from our family, relying on each other. Are you worried about Shaotang? He was the one who sent me to persuade you to come with us.”
Seeing her sister’s reassuring expression, Sun Yilan felt a bit more at ease. Although she had the guards and maids left by Ji Yan, she was still alone with a small child. If her brother-in-law didn’t mind the trouble, she would certainly prefer to stay with her sister.
“If it wouldn’t be a burden to you, that would be wonderful.” Sun Yilan smiled.
“Of course not. We have no family left, just the two of us sisters.” Sun Yinzhu sighed. “Father sent me to the palace against my will. I should hate him for it, but there are other siblings at home. I didn’t want to drag them down, so I faked my death to avoid implicating the family. In the future… I don’t want any ties with the family. Let them think I’m dead.”
Sun Yilan nodded, recalling the heartlessness of her family when trouble arose.
Sun Yinzhu observed her sister’s expression and tentatively asked, “Do you still think about him?”
“Why would I think about someone I married under such circumstances?” Sun Yilan said offhandedly.
“That’s good!” Sun Yinzhu was relieved.
Sun Yilan lowered her eyes, her gaze suddenly darkening.
Ji Yan had many faults and caused much harm. But to Sun Yilan, he was the one who never let go of her hand during their escape, who shielded her with his own body when danger came.
That night, Sun Yilan watched Yuge’er sleeping peacefully. The child’s features were still developing, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he would resemble Ji Yan when he grew up.
Sun Yilan turned over, staring blankly at the ceiling.
If there is a next life, she hoped to meet him again. As for this life, she would live well as he had told her to, making every day a good day…
In the palace.
After the day’s intricate enthronement ceremony, everyone was exhausted. Ji Xinglou, in particular, had dozed off on the way back to the palace, trying hard to stay awake.
When the carriage stopped, Gu Jianli got up, walked to the front carriage, and picked up the sleepy Ji Xinglou.
Ji Xinglou tried hard to open his eyes and looked at Gu Jianli, mumbling, “Can I sleep now?”
“You can.” Gu Jianli patted his head.
Ji Xinglou let out a big yawn, wrapped his arms around Gu Jianli’s neck, and immediately fell into a deep sleep.
Wen Jingshan, supported by Xiao He, watched Gu Jianli holding Ji Xinglou with a hint of envy. She had once held Ji Xinglou when he was just born, but had not held him since. She wanted to be close to him, but stood at a respectful distance, not wanting to burden the child.
As long as he was fine, that was enough.
“Your Highness, shall I take him?” Nanny Lin approached Gu Jianli.
Gu Jianli signaled for silence, looking down to ensure Ji Xinglou was fast asleep before gently passing him to Nanny Lin.
After the day’s events, Gu Jianli was exhausted. Despite her fatigue, she instinctively worried about Ji Wujing’s health. She turned to look at him as he descended the carriage, suddenly realizing she had forgotten how much he had changed. No longer the frail, exhausted figure of the past, Ji Wujing moved with a relaxed grace, as if all the light of the stars and moon had gathered around him.
Ji Wujing felt her gaze and looked up, his naturally cold expression softening slightly.
Gu Jianli smiled, waiting for him to come closer.
Ji Wujing reached her side, saying nothing, but naturally taking her hand as they walked quietly back together.
Dressed in her elaborate palace attire, Gu Jianli’s long, wide sleeves concealed her hand. She subtly moved her fingers, intertwining them with Ji Wujing’s, and gradually tightened her grip.
Ji Wujing, looking straight ahead, had a slight smile on his lips. His thumb gently stroked Gu Jianli’s palm.
Back at the palace, the maids had already prepared hot water to help Gu Jianli relax.
Gu Jianli sank into the steaming hot spring, her eyes curving with contentment. She rested against the edge, dozing until a maid gently woke her to prevent her from catching a chill.
Refreshed after her bath and dressed in a loose, comfortable robe, Gu Jianli felt much more energetic. She returned to the bedroom and found Ji Wujing lounging on the luohan bed, flipping through something.
Gu Jianli sat beside him, leaning over to see what he was reading. “What are you looking at?”
Ji Wujing quickly closed the booklet and tossed it aside, clearly not wanting her to see it.
Gu Jianli caught a glimpse of densely packed text and some fabric patterns but didn’t press him. She straightened up, moved her wet hair to one side, and began to dry it with a cotton cloth.
Soon, Ji Wujing took the cloth from her hands and began to dry her hair himself. Gu Jianli sat quietly, enjoying the attention.
After a while, she yawned lazily.
With her hair nearly dry, Ji Wujing placed the cloth on a nearby table. Gu Jianli turned over, resting her head on Ji Wujing’s lap, wanting to fall asleep there.
Ji Wujing glanced down at her, picked up the booklet again, and continued reading.
After a long while, once Gu Jianli was comfortably asleep on his lap, Ji Wujing carefully closed the booklet, gently lifted her, blew out the lamps, and carried her to the bed.
Perhaps because Gu Jianli went to bed early, she woke up in the middle of the night. She turned over and, still groggy, slowly opened her eyes. Her reactions were sluggish, and she stared blankly for a while before she noticed Ji Wujing beside her.
Looking at Ji Wujing’s profile, she blinked slowly, gradually becoming fully awake.
Carefully, she sat up and leaned closer to his face, studying it intently. She reached out, tracing the contours of his cheek with her finger, but didn’t actually touch him, afraid of waking him.
As she gazed at him, a smile naturally curved her lips, and her eyes filled with joy.
After a while, her eyes grew puzzled.
The past month had been very busy, but one thing had been weighing on her mind, puzzling her. She couldn’t bring herself to ask him directly.
—Ji Wujing hadn’t initiated any intimacy. He hadn’t even teased her like he used to.
Gu Jianli tilted her head, her cloud-like hair cascading down, framing her fair, almost ethereal face. She looked at Ji Wujing’s sleeping profile and whispered silently: Don’t you want our little Nan Nan anymore?