They Are Different (1)
Yuan Qi Emperor was still young and vigorous. All these years, he for the most part never even had an ordinary cold before. In addition, his work efficiency was very high, and also had the empress by his side assisting in handling governmental affairs. Moreover, Qi Yuan’s development was progressing methodically. The various projects all had their own set of execution method. That’s why, he, this emperor, really was quite leisurely and carefree, probably also just a bit more busy than those licentious muddled rulers that ignored governmental affairs, or those puppet emperors. For such a ruler, what reason is there to retire this early?
The court officials already haven’t this earnestly persuaded Li Hong Yuan in a very long time. This time, they once again collectively knelt down to plead, asking Li Hong Yuan to reconsider.
Truthfully speaking, Li Tian Lin also didn’t want to continuously just be the crown prince, getting suppressed by his by his old man, but it also didn’t mean that he liked jumping into the ‘fire pit’ this early. Going out in the early years made him addicted to the outside world. In his plans, he was even planning on continuing to go out. As such, even if his old man were to be the emperor for another thirty-forty years, it also didn’t matter. At worst, when time comes, just directly let his son, or even his grandson ascend the throne. But now, he just got singlehandedly kicked into the ‘fire pit’ by his old man, making all his wonderful plans die prematurely in the stomach.
“Imperial father really won’t reconsider?” Li Tian Lin asked, unwilling to give up, like as if struggling one last time on the deathbed.
“You really want to be the crown prince for a lifetime?” Li Hong Yuan expressionlessly said.
“Not necessarily undoable.” Li Tian Lin very genuinely said.
“Heh.” Li Hong Yuan sneered, “What you need to do right now is prepare for your ascension. Don’t sway around in front of this emperor, annoying.”
Because annoyed, those court officials pleading on their knees also got thrown out of the palace by Li Hong Yuan, not leaving the least bit of face.
Li Tian Lin dejectedly hung his head. It was obvious, he was very clear, this matter already didn’t have any leeway of turning around. Even if looking for imperial mother, it will also useless.
The court officials didn’t want to give up, wanting to breakthrough on Jing Wan’s side. Unfortunately, after Li Hong Yuan made the decision, Jing Wan just stayed in the inner palace the whole time, not once revealing her face. What this meant, it was clear and easy to see. Sure enough, regardless of who, all were unable to change his Majesty’s mind. The things he has decided, others can only just follow accordingly.
And Jing Wan’s mood these days were also a bit restless, because the reason for Li Hong Yuan’s retirement———
“This husband knows, compared to being confined to such a small place, you further yearn for the vast world outside. You’ve already done enough for Qi Yuan. Tian Lin right now is also more than enough qualified to take on the responsibilities of an emperor. That’s why, it’s time for you to enjoy the days you want.”
Jing Wan actually had long predicted that her husband would retire early, but this reason still made Jing Wan’s heart tremble. She’d married him when she was fifteen. Now, she was thirty-six. They’ve been together for more than twenty-one years. All say between husband and wife, the initial love in the beginning will gradually evolve into familial love, but this wasn’t the case for them. That strong and passionate love, from beginning to end, never once changed, not just for him, but for her, it was also the same. That familial love was just added in, and there further wasn’t the so-called ‘seven year itch[1]‘. Even though this man actually has a lot of problems on him, and they would also bicker from time to time, but it has never really evolved into a quarrel. She once didn’t believe that a man would be able to go this far, but he has continuously been using his actions to prove to her.
“Ah Yuan doesn’t have the slightest reluctance towards the throne?” Jing Wan nestled in Li Hong Yuan’s arms, softly asking.
“Towards the throne, actually, having it in the past life was already enough. For me, whether or not I sit onto the highest position, the highest power will always be mine.”
In the beginning, Li Hong Yuan had thought about not sitting onto the throne. These absolutely weren’t just empty words. The throne, for him, really was irrelevant.
“Then, does Ah Yuan not have days that one wants?”
TN: All
“Wherever you are is where my heart belongs. When out in the past life, it was always at war. And in this life, the times where one went out was also just a pitiful few times. Going to see the world that Wan Wan, you, yearn for, it’s not necessarily undoable. Not needing to bother with anything, just living carefreely, probably not that many people won’t like. Moreover, right now, we’re both still young, climbing mountains and treading water, this kind of thing, naturally can’t wait until we’re old. That’s why, this timing right now is perfect.”
“En.” Jing Wan had Li Hong Yuan’s waist held even tighter.
Things were already set in stone. That’s why, it can’t be helped. It was best to quickly prepared for the new emperor’s ascension ceremony.
Originally, according to Li Hong Yuan’s plan, it was preparing to directly leave. It was still Jing Wan that stopped him, needing to wait until their son ascended the throne. They’ve already taken ninety-nine steps, so naturally need to finish the last step to draw a perfect conclusion.
Li Tian Lin already gave in to his fate. It was best to just obediently carry on as he should, secretly contemplating, perhaps he can also give birth to a son early to groom for his position, and afterwards, imitate his imperial father. At that time, his imperial father and imperial mother certainly will still be healthy. Although going over, he might get disdained, but to be able to stifle that irresponsible imperial father of his, it seemingly would also be quite interesting.
Compared to Li Tian Lin who has already calmed down, starting to handle various matters, having the awareness of an emperor, the crown princess, Xie-shi, was nevertheless still dumbstruck. She originally was also prepared to be the crown princess for several decades, or even a lifetime. Her father-in-law really looked too young. Although already over forty, but solely looking at his outer appearance, he still just looked like twenty-some year old. Her mother-in-law was also the same, seemingly loved by the heavens. Her body practically didn’t have any marks left by time. Just a glance, one could tell that she will live a very long time. That’s why, her awareness was also high very high. Moreover, after getting along for more than a month, her mother-in-law was a good-tempered person, very easily to get along with, completely not needing to worry about getting bullied. Moreover, she was also quite busy, so didn’t have that much time to waste on her.
Prior to marrying, Xie-shi had been nervous before. After all, her mother-in-law wasn’t just the empress, but even someone that shared power with her father-in-law. That dignified might, not a single court official didn’t submit to, having her treated the same as the emperor. Although she had a bit of talent, she didn’t dared to be put on the same level as her mother-in-law, let alone those various things that her mother-in-law has done.
However, in reality, compared to the image she’d imagined, someone that had a stern look and looked down on people from above, able to make others tremble with a glance, she was completely different.
Her mother-in-law was warm and gentle, graceful and magnificent, having extraordinary bearing. Although she didn’t say much, she would always consider for her and defend her, teaching her quite a few things.
In Xie-shi’s eyes, her mother-in-law was practically just the most perfect woman in the world.
Towards this kind of person, even if continuously residing below her, it also wasn’t anything bad.
But, the ‘big mountain’ that one originally thought would press above one’s head for a lifetime, in just a month, it just prepared to fly away on its own, so how can one not be dumbstruck?
[1] It’s the notion that the chance of divorce reach the highest around the seven-year mark of a marriage.
