She sat on the high swing, her laughter and smile like jade bells blending into the wind, leaving a bright and shimmering afterglow.

  He suddenly remembered Qu Youlian, the university scholar who was ordered to teach her poetry and literature, who after seeing her jump off a swing in autumn, was shocked by her beauty and wrote a poem with one stroke of his brush.

  The jade loom weaves a double brocade of light silk, the colored ropes lead to the secluded green willow smoke. The wind blows the immortal sleeves fluttering and rising, the jade face flies down from the nine-layered heaven.

  The wind blows and the immortal's sleeves flutter, her jade-like face descends from the nine-layered heaven.

  Many times, he thought so too.

  Is it not the mother in heaven who cannot bear to leave him alone in this world, so she sends this beautiful and lovely child to be the only bright color and warmth in his silent and enduring years.

  Still remember, the first time I saw her, she was under the white tiger's sharp claws, in a helpless and weak posture.

  Still remember, after he woke up, the face that was etched in his eyes, was one that was both crying and smiling.

  Years later, they met again. He was a convict, while she remained the high and mighty princess, the precious gem in the emperor's palm, who could command the moon to not give stars.

  Brother Yao, don't leave again, stay with Qianer forever, okay?

  So he became her personal bodyguard.

  Brother Yao, don't worry, as long as I'm here, no one will dare to treat you wrongly again, absolutely not.

  So in the Zi Jing Palace and the General's Mansion, everyone treated him with utmost respect and deference, their inner resentment and discontent hidden deep within, not daring to show even a hint of it on their faces.

  Brother Yao, I will go ask Father Emperor, and keep asking him until he agrees to our marriage, because Qinger's whole life, she will only marry you.

  So when that marriage edict was promulgated throughout the land, he looked at her delicate and lovely smile like a flower, and told himself in his heart to treat her well for all eternity.

  At that time, he didn't understand that a lifetime is so long, and variables and losses are inescapable.

  Brother Yao, higher, even higher...

  His lips carried a faint smile, and his hands also increased their strength.

  She turned back to look at him when the swing was about to reach its highest point, her clear eyes reflected the snow, but there was no longer the gentle smile of old times. Suddenly, she let go of the colorful ropes in both hands, and her skirt drew a fluttering shadow in the air.

  His heart suddenly tightened, and he didn't have time to think of anything, but rushed towards her figure in big strides.

  She was in his arms, her lips a deep crimson, her changing face, but at that moment, it struck him hard in the heart, the most vulnerable and soft spot.

  The tension in his eyes gradually transformed into fear, the air was thin, and what filled his chest cavity was suffocating pain.

  He held her tightly, as if letting go would make her disappear and his world would collapse with it.

  His fingers kept trembling, almost convulsively, yet he couldn't wipe away that one streak of bright red.

  That's not blood, it's life.

  Hers, or is it his?

  And on her lips, a faint smile suddenly forced its way out.

  He stared blankly at her, knowing what she was going to say. He also knew he was trapped in a nightmare, and that even in the long months ahead, this would be his only companion.

  But unfortunately, unable to do anything about it.

  He couldn't stop, and he couldn't even bear to refuse, because at this moment, she seemed to be by his side again. He was greedy for that fleeting illusion and numbness, even though the pain had already invaded every limb.

  He sat up straight from bed, supporting his forehead with one hand, and was covered in dense cold sweat.

  And yet those gentle words seemed never to have left him, from that day on for the rest of his life—

  I will never forgive you until I die

  Will never... forgive you...

  His lips curled up into a self-mocking and desolate arc, while Qin An's voice quietly echoed in the empty hall.

  "Your Highness, it's already 3 am, you should get up."

  Qin An bowed his head, covering the hint of heartache in his eyes. He didn't know what he had dreamed about, but he had seen too many times the look on his face after waking up from a dream, that long and silent emptiness and desolation.

  This child he had watched grow up since childhood, he once thought that he had finally walked out of the years when nightmares always accompanied him, but did not expect that a brief calm was just for a more profound and painful continuation.

  He followed behind him, passing through the Taiji Gate decorated with Danbi Daeak and Jungheung Soyeo orchestras, passing through the long queue of flags, umbrellas, and other ceremonial equipment, to Dingqian Palace, in front of the spirit tablet of the previous emperor, performing three kneels and nine knocks, reporting the news that the new emperor is about to ascend to the throne.

  This was a routine courtesy, but after he knelt down, he didn't get up for a long time.

  Seeing the auspicious moment approaching, the eunuch who was in charge of the ceremony on the side looked slightly anxious, but did not dare to urge him, and could only constantly make eye contact with the one following behind him for help.

  He looked at his back in white mourning attire, and didn't know what he was thinking about at this moment.

  Is it regret?

  Is it guilt?

  Or perhaps just one sentence of eternal melancholy——

  In the next life, be born as flesh and blood relatives, don't enter the homes of princes and nobles.

  He felt a pang in his heart, just as he was about to say something, but saw the figure in plain clothes slowly standing up in front of him, turning around, with an expression calm and even indifferent, with a glimmer of light in his eyes that had finally dimmed, unreadable.

  In the herald's obviously relieved declaration, he followed behind him, along the original path back, watching as he was served by a crowd of palace maids and eunuchs, removing his white mourning attire and changing into a bright yellow embroidered dragon-patterned ceremonial robe.

  With a sweep of her sleeve, she stepped into the grand hall, the pearl curtain fluttering as that one bright yellow figure sat in the high position, majestic yet aloof.

  The grand ceremony was shrouded in the atmosphere of the late emperor's funeral, with a solemn and mournful air. Although the traditional music ensemble "Shao Yue Da Yu" was set up, it did not perform.

  Civil and military officials, in the faint light of dawn, on the silent and cold air, all knelt down, performed three kneels and nine knocks, and the sound of "Long live my emperor" echoed through the sky.

  His lips always had a faint smile, with a hint of fatigue and loneliness. His gaze passed over the long ceremonial procession and the kneeling crowd, looking towards the distant horizon, some unknown corner, a clear and cold patch.

  "Imperial Decree—"

  He slowly opened his mouth.

  This was his first will after ascending to the throne, with the demeanor of a heavenly son, right on this grand ceremony of ascension, so inappropriate yet not to be doubted.

  The officials kneeling on the Taiji Temple Square all looked up at him in unison, and his voice was extremely faint.

  "Murong's daughter Qing is virtuous and gentle, wise and intelligent, chaste and dignified. She should be the model of a mother for all nations. Now, with this imperial seal, she is established as Empress."

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