Chapter 101 - Their relationship had indeed started as calculations, but their sentiments were real, and those experiences were also real.
Song Yuan had booked a seaside village.
It was already spring. The island had passed its peak tourism season and was ushering in its off-season period. Song Yuan picked up her phone and checked the local weather–right now, the local temperature was above 30 degrees1. She went back to her room in the villa and joyfully put on a beautiful dress. It really had been such a long time! When she came out of her room and went downstairs, both father and son were sitting on the sofa, their backs upright. Both were wearing long sleeves and long pants. Rong Ting couldn't bear the heat, so after a psychological struggle, he took off his jacket.
The dress Song Yuan was wearing was something she bought last summer, and its design and tailoring was similar to a cheongsam. She was originally very skinny, but she'd put on some meat over the winter, and now she looked even better in the cheongsam-style dress. The skirt reached above the knee, revealing pale and slender legs. As she came down the escalator, father and son looked over in unison–
Two pairs of eyes reflected the same astonishment.
Yes, there was no amazement2.
Ancient people really couldn't appreciate this kind of dress.
"Does it look good?" Song Yuan twirled in front of them, in a good mood. "I really love summer. But why haven't you two changed? Aren't you hot?"
Rong Ting still couldn't break through his inner defenses. In the hot spring and the swimming pool, he had no choice and no alternative. But he was not in water now. Exposing his arms and legs, wasn't it too inappropriate? He shook his head, stubbornly insisting, "Not hot, I'm not hot."
Song Yuan could see through the thoughts in his heart with one look. But she didn't want to force him. Once they walked around once under the hot sun, and he was hot and sweaty, this child would naturally raise the white flag and surrender obediently.
She turned to Rong Heng. "What about you, aren't you hot?"
In her impression of him, this person was very afraid of heat.
Rong Heng was more cunning than Rong Ting; he knew how to assess the situation. If at this moment he said he wasn't hot, then when he was forced to change into summer clothes, wouldn't his face be slapped swollen? He resolutely spoke nonsense with wide-open eyes. "I don't have summer clothes."
Song Yuan gave an 'en' and glanced at the clock. "It's still early. Let's go to the nearby shopping mall and buy you two sets of summer clothes. You can wear them when we come back from the cruise."
"Okay."
Rong Ting glared at his Emperor Father with resentment...
He had his own thoughts. Emperor Father, as the ruler of a nation, could expose his arms and legs. He was still a six-year-old child; what was the use of insisting on regulations? In any case, Emperor Father was his role model; what Emperor Father did, he would do too. Since Emperor Father was preparing to change into summer clothes, what did he have to be squeamish about?
Therefore, Rong Ting raised his little paw without any psychological pressure and spoke crisply. "Empress Mother, I was not hot just earlier, but now I am hot. I will go up to change clothes. Will we go to the beach after?"
"En, we'll go to the beach."
Rong Ting immediately pitter-pattered upstairs and returned to his room. Soon, he changed into a short-sleeved black shirt Song Yuan had previously bought for him. Paired with wide leg plaid pants and a fisherman hat, he was just like a little male god.
He also had idol baggage. After hesitating for several minutes in the room, he fished out a pair of sunglasses from his backpack and put them on. He felt that this black eyewear was much like the masks from ancient times, and no one would recognize him when he wore them.
After changing into summer clothes, Rong Ting felt much cooler. Of course, when he heard his Empress Mother blowing nonstop rainbow farts, he couldn't control the upward curve of his lips.
Although he still couldn't appreciate the clothes from here, hearing Empress Mother saying he was very cool, he thought that it must be true. But he still had to be humble. Hearing these compliments, he pursed his lips and responded in a mild and easy tone, "Not at all, not at all."
Song Yuan was well prepared. Not only did she book a seaside villa, she also rented a car. Song Yuan wasn't a high-profile person, but for the sake of giving Rong Ting some happy vacation memories, she specially rented a luxury convertible car, something cool and trendy.
There weren't many locals around; the tourist season had passed, and there weren't many cars on the road. Everyone was very leisurely. This place was close to the sea, and one could hear the sounds of waves crashing against the rocks. There were blue skies and white clouds above their heads, and even the hot-as-a-dog Rong Heng had a rare expression of relief on his face.
The air conditioning in the mall was on, and Rong Heng sighed in relaxation as soon as they walked in.
Facts proved that buying summer clothes for men could be very quick. Rong Heng was a natural-born clothes rack3, but in about ten minutes, they bought two sets of summer clothes from the same store. He himself was satisfied. Exposing his arms was his limit. Not like that man he'd spotted in the shopping mall parking lot who wore shorts that went above the knee... he was absolutely unacceptable.
Originally, their trip to the shopping mall was just to buy Rong Heng two sets of clothes, but for some reason, Song Yuan couldn't control her two feet as they honestly led her to the women's clothing store. That was when the father and son began to doubt life.
What happened to buying men's clothing?
What happened to only buying Kangkang sandals?
What happened to buying sandals and a hat and that's all?
Rong Ting's expression collapsed. "Why is Empress Mother like this! Emperor Father, what did I say, I said we can't come to the mall. If Empress Mother comes to the mall, she won't be herself!"
He'd worked so patiently, advising Emperor Father not to come to the mall, advising Emperor Father not to be too naive, advising Emperor Father not to believe Empress Mother's words, but Emperor Father didn't listen!
Rong Heng was helpless as well. "Your Empress Mother was not like this before."
In ancient times, they did not go shopping together. At that time, she didn't want to shop. At rouge shops, she would stay for a while before coming out. She would stay for a bit longer in jewelry stores, but she would still come out quickly...
How could he have known she would be like this in modern times. He only feared that she was itching to rent a booth in the shopping mall and spend the night here.
When Song Yuan emerged from the shopping mall with a bountiful harvest, the trunk and back seat of the sports car were almost filled with shopping bags.
The sun was setting now. The three of them had the in-flight meal on the plane, then lightly padded their stomachs at the airport. They weren't too hungry now, so they went to the seaside for a stroll as originally planned.
The island climate was pleasant. When Rong Ting saw the wide sea, his eyes were fixed straight ahead. He had grown up in the palace in the five years since he was born, and he had one or two opportunities to go out with his Emperor Father, but he had not seen much of anything new. Following his transmigration, he had seen many things. He'd originally thought that he was no longer a little country bumpkin, but when he kicked off his shoes and stood on the sandy beach, letting the waves sweep towards him, he couldn't control himself. He bent down and scooped up a handful of sea water to taste. Shocked, he swiveled his head, showing a mouth of small white teeth, and shouted in surprise towards Song Yuan, "It's true! Sea water really is salty!!"
Not to mention Song Yuan, even Rong Heng was amused by his childish and adorable behavior. The two of them revealed the affectionate expressions of old parents.
Rong Ting was just like a wild horse breaking free...
He played until his little face was flushed red. Sometimes he would pile up the sand, then he would compete with the waves to see who was faster. At this time, he was more like a six-year-old child.
Song Yuan had always felt distressed for Rong Ting. Children's happiness was very simple, and his happiness seemed to be even simpler.
She knew that his future was brighter and his vision was wider than she could imagine. He would definitely become a wise ruler in the future. But every time she thought of this, she would feel extreme heartache. When he went back, could he still be a child?
Rong Ting was very happy today. Probably exhausted from playing, after eating a simple dinner at a seafood restaurant and returning home, he perfunctorily took a shower and knocked out.
Song Yuan covered him with a thin quilt and, taking advantage of his slumber, leaned down and kissed his forehead.
As she closed the door, she spotted Rong Heng coming over, holding two glasses. He had also just finished taking a shower and was wearing pajamas. "Drink together?"
"Sure."
The second floor balcony had a large swing chair, large enough that seating two people wasn't an issue. The owner of the villa delivered a bottle of wine, leaving a note that said it was made in-house and had a mellow taste.
The island at night was at a comfortable temperature, and the sea breeze was not cold.
Since their reunion, this seemed to be the first time it was so relaxed and comfortable with just the two of them.
Rong Heng swirled the wine in his glass. He suddenly turned his head to look at her. "I don't think I've told you about my Imperial Father and Imperial Mother, right?"
Song Yuan had drunk half a glass of red wine, and both her body and spirit had completely relaxed. She was stunned by the topic that was suddenly brought up. Then she smiled and shook her head. "You haven't. I only remember that while I still didn't know your identity, I asked you about your parents. You said that you lost your father and then your mother in your childhood and that there was no one else in your family4."
Looking back now, this person really was...
Rong Heng smiled with some embarrassment. "At the time, the general's wife seemed very happy, because the chances of me marrying in5 was greater."
Song Yuan was amused by his words.
"But it's not untrue. I indeed have no one else in my family.
"My Imperial Mother died of illness." Rong Heng's expression was calm, as though he was discussing someone else's matter that had nothing to do with him. "She had always liked my Imperial Father. I don't know exactly what part of that man she found attractive, but he was the one she longed for until she died.
"The imperial physician said that she had a knot in her heart, exhausting all her energy. Maybe the imperial physician was wondering, what was the knot in her heart? What worries did she have? She had a noble birth, became the emperor's wife, and birthed the crown prince. Her life could be said to have endless glory, wealth, and power.
"I always thought she was ridiculous. She was concerned about nothing else but that her husband did not love her."
Song Yuan listened quietly. She had only vaguely heard her mother say that the empress's passing had aggravated the previous emperor's illness... but now, that didn't seem to be the case?
"Everyone thinks that my Imperial Father's grief over losing his first wife led to the onset of his illness. But actually, that's not true. He knew his body was failing, and he was afraid of leaving behind rumors that he was addicted to medicinal pills. He could take advantage of my Imperial Mother's death to give himself a reputation for deep affection." Rong Heng laughed mockingly. "He was so obsessed with that throne that he actually wanted to prolong his life. After taking so many medicinal pills, his body was long hollowed out. My Imperial Mother's death didn't affect him at all; he didn't even shed a single tear.
"I used to have an older half-brother. I heard my Imperial Father used to dote on that concubine very much. If it weren't for the ministers of the court doing everything they could to oppose it, I fear my deceased older brother would have been the crown prince.
"A little prince born to that concubine died when he was one year old. Nobody knew the specific reason. That concubine also died of depression. Imperial Father probably suspected that it was my Imperial Mother, but he thought too highly of her. She was a very cowardly person; if there was such a method, how could she have a heart knot?
"She was pregnant at that time. Imperial Father suspected her, blamed her, and even wanted to abolish her. Since then, Imperial Mother cried all day long6. As for the child in her stomach, she didn't care about it at all.
"I was never in good health since I was a child. When I was very young, Imperial Mother would occasionally miss Imperial Father and intentionally make me ill. Later, I read medical texts and found that having..." he was probably too embarrassed and didn't say the word, "too early wasn't good for my health, so I never touched the side consorts given to me by Imperial Father and Imperial Mother. I didn't lie to you about that."
So it was like that??
When he said he had never touched those women, she'd thought he was talking nonsense.
Rong Heng's lips twitched. "I've been lying since I was a child. I am used to this kind of environment. No matter who I see, my first thought is to assess the value and use of that person. When I first met you and got to know you, I did indeed have some calculations in my heart, but later, I truly..."
"I know." Song Yuan's gaze on him was gentle. "I know it all."
Their relationship had indeed started as calculations, but their sentiments were real, and those experiences were also real.
The one blessing was that neither of them doubted that their relationship was not genuine. That was enough.
The author has something to say:
The impact of one's natal family is much bigger than we think.
Chapter 102 - Rong Ting grew interested. "What are the terms of the bet?"
Song Yuan did not feel uncomfortable in her heart.
Before they had gotten together and while she was still unaware of his identity, she had heard that he was an orphan and felt heartache for him. Later, when she realized his true identity, those soft emotions were taken back in the wake of their wide disparity in status.
Thinking of it carefully, how could it be possible she wasn't even one bit at fault for their relationship reaching this point?
Their identities had stood between them. By that time, it was basically impossible to have a happy ending. But if she had tried harder, maybe... maybe after she returned to her time, he would have been able to have no regrets.
"Why are you telling me this?" Song Yuan felt uncomfortable and couldn't help but wonder, "You didn't say anything before."
Rong Heng placed his wine glass on the table in front of them and leaned back, hands placed behind his head. He glanced at her, smiling. That smile was bright, just as it was back then. "I read in a book that men and women are different. Compassion will arouse women's feelings. I was thinking that if I told you these things, maybe you would have a bit of pity for me."
Song Yuan was speechless once again.
But she also knew him. If he really had these thoughts, then he wouldn't be him. Perhaps if she really did show pity for him, he would be furious.
"Fine, I'll be honest." Rong Heng chuckled softly. "My thoughts are rather bad; I hope we can be equal on this matter. I won't love another person, nor will I stay together forever with someone else, so I hope you can be the same, so that even if we aren't in the same time and space, you will never love another person. We will both be mutually alone."
This was the truest thought in his heart.
In this lifetime, he would never accept her liking another person, marrying that person and having his child.
Before leaving, if he told her all the most secret, most unbearable things in his heart, would he then become the number one person in her mind? Even after knowing he deceived her, if she still liked him, and was not so undisturbed anymore, would that imply that he was the person she loved most in all these years? Now that he even got rid of this shortcoming, would there be anyone like him in the future?
Song Yuan: "... I don't think my mom and dad will agree."
Rong Heng was amused by her words. He looked at her very seriously. "Listen well. You've returned to modern times from ancient times, so you must live happily and freely. No matter what you do or say, everything must be done happily, or else... how could it be worth it?"
Song Yuan understood what he meant. Her eyes reddened quickly, but she nodded gently. "Okay."
Finally, Rong Heng gently hugged her. He whispered in her ear, "Be happy."
"En."
The days on the island passed quickly. Rong Ting was happy every day. Song Yuan also took him diving and went to see marine wildlife. Of course, he also became quite tanned. The main reason was that he was too much of a straight male and didn't want to put on sunscreen. Every time, Song Yuan would have to talk until her mouth went dry before he would reluctantly give in.
Almost all the meals these days were seafood, and Rong Ting quickly got sick of it. When they returned, Song Yuan brought him out to many local specialties.
Song Yuan hoped that Rong Ting could say farewell to all the people who cared about him and appeared in his life.
As the day to go back approached, Song Yuan's initial panic and reluctance to part shifted to calm acceptance.
Maybe she wouldn't get used to the days Gugu wasn't there, but she would definitely be happy again. She made a promise, not just to Gugu, but also to Rong Heng.
From ancient times to modern times, and the separation of mother and child, if she didn't live well in the future and wasn't happy, wouldn't she be losing too much?
Chen Linjing and Song Haiping knew that Rong Ting was leaving, and both of them cried. Song Haiping hugged Rong Ting, reminding sadly, "You say, you, there's been so many years of progress from ancient times to modern times. You won't say in modern times and insist on going back to that backwards and feudal era. Aren't you a smart kid? How can you drop the ball here?"
Rong Ting didn't know whether to laugh or cry at that. "But if a dynasty has no leader, the common people will suffer greatly."
"If not you, someone else will. Everything will turn out fine!"
"If even I do not, who would think to step forward?" Rong Ting was now the one comforting Song Haiping. "Grandfather, I am the crown prince, so I should assume the crown prince's duties."
Song Haiping was also a man, and even now he sometimes enjoyed reading novels about conquering the stars and seas, so he also understood Rong Ting's ideals and ambitions. It was just that he felt a bit uncomfortable now.
"The crown prince should have a crown prince's responsibility, and a man should have a man's responsibility." Rong Ting said this baffling sentence.
Song Haiping: "..."
Why did he feel like this stinky kid was hinting at him?
Song Yuan later took Rong Ting to the learning academy. She had already told Helen laoshi that Rong Ting was going to study abroad. Helen laoshi submitted an application to the learning center to hold a farewell party for Rong Ting.
When Rong Ting found out, he specifically asked, "There won't be a part where everyone surrounds me singing the birthday song?"
He remembered that day a little classmate had her birthday, and everyone in the room sang happy birthday... it really made him choke.
"Why would you think that? It's not your birthday, so who would sing happy birthday? It's just playing with friends. I've already told Helen laoshi about buying pizza and desserts then. Gugu, I know that for you, those little classmates aren't your friends, but you've studied together, after all, so give them a proper goodbye. Maybe you'll miss them in the future."
Rong Ting vehemently expressed his denial. "I will not miss them."
Song Yuan laughed. "Then let's make another bet? I bet that you will miss them."
Rong Ting grew interested. "What are the terms of the bet?"
"The terms of the bet is, if you win, you will be Mom's child in your next life, okay?" Song Yuan looked at him and pointed to her stomach. "Okay?"
Rong Ting suddenly felt sad when he heard this. He hung his head, letting out a nasally 'en.' "Whether I win or lose, I will be your child in the next life. At that time, I will not leave you, and you will not leave me."
Mother and son arrived at this topic and became happy again.
After transmigrating from ancient to modern, and again from modern to ancient, Song Yuan felt that nothing was impossible!
"Will you recognize me?" Rong Ting asked again.
Song Yuan thought about it. "Moms are the first to recognize their children, so I should."
After making a promise for the next life, Song Yuan wasn't sad anymore, and neither was Rong Ting. The mother and son happily left for the learning academy.
Helen laoshi prepared a small gift for Rong Ting, an English version of The Little Prince. Rong Ting liked it very much. He quietly said to Helen laoshi, "Helen laoshi, I think you will be very happy in the future."
He had remained worried about the matter of Helen laoshi's ex-fiancé's change of heart.
He relaxed after seeing her happy again during this period of time.
Helen laoshi was stunned briefly before nodding vigorously. "En, I think so too. When I get married in the future, be my ringbearer if you have time, okay?"
Rong Ting hung his head. "I may not have time."
He had too many things he had to do, and he would be leaving soon.
Smiling, Helen laoshi knelt down and gave him a hug. "It's okay, I've still received your blessing. Thank you."
Song Yuan had always worried that her son would lead a lonely life in the future. She never expected that several little girls in the class liked him!
When the little girl who often sat behind Rong Ting heard the news that he would be going abroad and might not return, she was so sad that her eyes were red.
Rong Ting felt his scalp go numb when he saw her, reminded of the horror of being dragged into this little chatterbox's talks.
"Lance..."
Rong Ting saw the girl look like she was about to cry and felt a little flustered and scared. He took a step back, not knowing where to put his hands. "You don't need to call me that. I don't really like that name."
"Lance, I super like you!"
Without warning, the little girl suddenly stepped up and hugged Rong Ting. Her strength wasn't small, and it left Rong Ting dazed.
It was fine being hugged by his mother and grandfather and Helen laoshi! How can he hug girls of the same age!
When Rong Ting snapped out of it, he tried to push her away. The state of one person pushing, one person hugging continued for some time until the little girl took the initiative to let go of Rong Ting. She smiled, her eyes bright and clear. "Lance, I super duper like you! When I grow up, I will go look for you. But you have to be as good looking as you are now. If you become ugly, I won't like you."
The corners of Rong Ting's mouth twitched. He thought, your like is skin deep. If you don't like me, then forget it.
He had no psychological burden and even said coolly, "Then don't come looking for me in the future."
"I'll look for you!" The little girl became stubborn. "I have to look!"
"I won't recognize you even if you find me."
"It's enough if I recognize you."
Rong Ting was helpless. "I'm not talking to you anymore."
Rong Ting was very happy today. Knowing that he would never see these little classmates again, he made an unprecedented commitment to eat pizza and play Lego together... it was the equivalent of him graduating from here.
Helen laoshi posted a picture of him on the wall and gave him a colored pen to write whatever he wanted. Maybe it would be a special memory when he returned to the country in a few years and saw it again?
Rong Ting held the pen and stood on the small stool, staring at the wall in thought. Finally, he left a sentence in English–
Mommy, I love you.
Chapter 103 - The End
For the last time, Song Yuan took Rong Ting to get a health checkup. Rong Ting was in good health, and almost all of the vaccines that could be made up were made up in the past six months. Song Yuan wrote down Rong Ting's height, weight, and even head circumference. The doctors all praised Rong Ting–he was in excellent health, and all his data met the standards.If he could not be a picky eater, it would be best.
There was a height measure at home. With reddened eyes, Song Yuan wrote a note on the wall–Gugu's height, six years old.
Rong Ting silently watched her do all this and exhaled a soft sigh. He returned to his room and secretly placed the diary she'd previously bought for him and its key in her desk drawer. After he left, he wanted Empress Mother to read it.
Song Yuan gave Rong Heng her Buddha jade pendant. She still remembered what Rong Ting had said to her just after he transmigrated. Thinking about it now, maybe the jade pendant really did play a protective role; Rong Ting made it out unharmed, but Rong Heng was seriously injured and almost died.
Song Yuan could accept Rong Ting returning to ancient times and going back to his original place, but she couldn't accept watching him disappear in front of her. On this day, just as usual, she put on makeup and put on clothes. She hugged Rong Ting, saying in a soft voice, "Empress Mother is going out. You listen to your Emperor Father at home and be a good boy."
She acted as though she was going to work, as if... she could see him when she came back.
Rong Ting had changed into his robes. He clenched his fists with a look of reluctance, but he still nodded vigorously. "En, I will listen to Emperor Father. I will eat well and grow up well. Even if I don't like eating vegetables, I will eat some more. Try not to read at night to protect your eyes."
It wasn't that Rong Ting had never thought about staying, but the books found everywhere in the house revealed his heart.
He wanted to be a good emperor. He wanted to be an emperor who let the people suffer less.
Empress Mother, I'm sorry. This son cannot fulfill his filial duties to his mother.
Song Yuan held back her tears and smiled. "Do you remember the way back?"
Rong Ting nodded. "I remember."
"That's good." Song Yuan pursed her lips. "I will live a happy life. When you come back, let's be together again."
She was lying to Rong Ting.
She felt that in this life, she would never fall in love with someone else. She would never marry someone else or have more children.
The father and son walked her to the elevator doors. Rong Heng suddenly brought out two keys from his pocket and handed them to her, saying in a deep voice, "This one is the key to my current residence, and this one is for the study. I left something for you there. You should check it out when you have time."
Song Yuan took the two keys, letting out a low 'en.'
She walked into the elevator. As the doors slid shut, she could no longer control herself. She covered her mouth with her hand and sobbed, afraid that the sounds of her crying would be heard by Rong Ting.
Some people say that all the love in the world was for coming together, and only the love of a parent led to parting.
She didn't understand what it meant when she first saw it, but now she vaguely understood.
After all, she was just a passerby in Rong Ting's grand and glorious life.
If she was unable to accompany him, she shouldn't stop him.
What Song Yuan didn't know was, after the elevator doors shut, Rong Ting stared blankly at the doors, tears silently flowing from his eyes. Rong Heng squatted down and held him in his arms, clumsily but tenderly patting his back. His voice was also somewhat choked. "Alright, we have our own business to handle, and she has her life. Rong Ting, don't cry."
This person who coaxed his son not to cry also had a face wet with tears.
"Emperor Father, I hate you."
"En, okay."
Song Yuan wandered aimlessly on the streets. At one point, she accidentally touched the keys in her pockets. After some thought, she hailed down a cab and went to Rong Heng's residence.
When she opened the door with the key, his unique aura seemed to wash over her.
She sniffed carefully. In fact, there was no smell at all; the furniture and decorations in the house looked very cold and cheerless, just like him. There was almost no dust in the living room, but she still changed out of her shoes and made her way over to his study. She took out the key, unlocked the tightly shut door, and walked in. His desk was full of mounted and rolled up paintings and calligraphy scrolls, nearly piling up to become a small hill.
She made her way to the desk. Somehow, she vaguely knew that this was the thing he had left for her.
She hesitantly picked up one of the scrolls and slowly unfurled it. Gradually, she uncovered the woman in the painting.
There were a total of 23 paintings, all of them paintings of her.
Her standing under the plum blossoms in a cloak, her sulking on a stone bench, her kicking a shuttlecock...
The painter seemed to have captured all her expressions and her appearance in his heart. Unknowingly, tears spilled from her eyes, dripping onto the painting.
This was what he had left for her? She seemed to see and understand all his thoughts of those five years. At this moment, she suddenly felt that all those things that estranged them back then seemed insignificant. All the resentment and blame, everything was meaningless.
She seemed to have returned to that year. In the beginning, she had liked him purely and simply, liked him so much that she wanted to stay and grow old with this person, even feeling willing to endure hardships. How could she have possibly stopped loving him later? If there was no love, how could there be Rong Ting? If there was no love, how could Rong Ting have been born? If there was no love, how could she be feeling a piercing heartache at this moment?
She stayed in the study for a long time. When she rolled up the paintings and prepared to put them away, she spotted a piece of paper, pressed under a photo frame.
At first, she thought it was for her and picked it up. What entered her eyes was a familiar handwriting. She glanced at the heading and realized that this letter wasn't left for her.
The contents of the letter were simple. It only said that if Mrs. Xie could see this letter, please read it.
Rong Heng introduced his origins in a few strokes. At the end of the letter he wrote: You once asked me if I had any wishes or requests. Now, Xie Heng is dead. I only wish to protect my wife for her whole life.
Song Yuan lowered her head and burst into tears.
Later, when she returned home, Song Yuan discovered the diary Rong Ting had left behind for her. This child, he didn't like writing in his diary. The contents were so halfhearted that it made people laugh–
Monday, light rain.
Empress Mother asked me to start keeping a diary and write down happy and unhappy things every day. My mood is the same every day. It can't be said to be good, but it can't be said to be bad, either. Actually, I don't like singing. I secretly sang a few verses in the bathroom, and it was really awful. Also, I don't know how to sing the songs here. The chicken wings made by Empress Mother today are very delicious.
Wednesday, fair weather.
I suspect that Emperor Father does not have amnesia, but I have no evidence. But I will find evidence.
Sunday, overcast to cloudy.
La la la la la la la la la, still not happy or unhappy, just okay! The lipstick Empress Mother put on today is really ugly, but I can't tell the truth. I can only say it looks good.
Wednesday, cloudy.
I hate Emperor Father!!! Hate!!! Emperor Father is sinister, cunning, and scheming. Empress Mother is not his match. Emperor Father seems to want to have me say good words in front of Empress Mother, but that is impossible! Liars do not deserve anyone's help.
Tuesday, fair weather.
I am more and more unable to understand Emperor Father and Empress Mother's relationship. Forget it, it has nothing to do with me. Don't mind it.
Thursday, heavy rain.
Women are really troublesome, including Empress Mother. How can they go shopping for several hours? Are they not tired? How mystical. In this life, I will never go shopping with a second woman. No one can make me compromise, except Empress Mother.
She turned to the last page, a poem. Beneath it, Rong Ting wrote in pencil: I did not write this poem. The Grand Tutor once told me that I am not good at composing poems. I admit it, but I like this poem very much because this is how I think.
"You asked me what I was doing before I was born, and I answered that I was in the sky choosing my mom. I saw you and felt that you were very good. I wanted to be your child, but I thought that I may not have that luck. Unexpectedly, the next day, I was already in your tummy."
Song Yuan saw this, and first, the corners of her lips curled up. Then she pressed the diary to her chest, uncontrollably bursting into tears.
She wasn't a good mom! She only brought him into this world and accompanied him for a few days. For a person like her to have such a good child, she must have saved the galaxy in her past life.
What should I do, Gugu? Empress Mother may never want to have a child other than you in this life.
Except for you, Empress Mother doesn't want to be anyone else's mom.
Under her parents' arrangements, Song Yuan chose to go abroad to relax. She'd lost a lot of weight during this period, spending every day looking at the clothes Rong Ting had left behind and feeling distraught. She had promised him she would laugh and wouldn't cry when she thought of him.
In the few months since Rong Ting left, Song Yuan's mood had gradually settled down. She traveled to many places, met many people, and met many friends. There were also some people who pursued her, but she found that, just as Rong Heng wished, she seemed to be unable to fall in love with other people, and every time someone said they liked her, she would always think of him.
Time was a powerful force, and all the unhappiness was washed away. Now, when she thought of him, she could only remember all the beautiful and happy things.
No one would love her like he would ever again. They say that it takes a hundred days to heal a broken bone1. After experiencing so many things, after going through the agony of separation, could she still get better in this life?
But good or bad, she had to live earnestly and happily. That was the wish of the two people she loved, wasn't it?
During her time abroad, she came across a novel.
It was a very popular novel. Last year, it was adapted into a drama and also sparked a lot of discussion on Weibo. She also increasingly got the feeling that this novel was about the story between her and Rong Heng.
She read the ending of the book on the train.
There were two extras. One extra was about the male and female lead's son, written from the perspective of a eunuch by the crown prince's side.
The crown prince missed his mother, Empress Ren De. During times when he felt moody, he would go to Empress Ren De's Kunning Palace to be alone. Sometimes, he would stay overnight in Kunning Palace. This was completely unreasonable, but a pity that this crown [rince was the only child by the emperor's knees, and the emperor pampered him very much. The emperor didn't speak, so who would dare to nag to the crown prince's face?
Which of the ministers in the court did not know that Empress Ren De passed away of illness when the crown prince was still in swaddling clothes? This was another family's child who misses his Empress Mother–could they still stop it?
The crown prince was not adept at poetry, but ten of the poems he wrote were about Empress Ren De.
Once, when the crown prince fell ill, he called for Empress Mother in his dreams. His Majesty guarded him the whole night without sleeping. The eunuch quietly discovered that when the crown prince called for his Empress Mother, His Majesty buried his head in the quilt, his shoulders quaking. He seemed to be crying.
The most noble father and son, one missing his mother, and one missing his wife.
The strangest thing was that His Majesty gave the crown prince a little milk dog, and the crown prince unexpectedly named it Durian and loved it very much.
When Song Yuan read this, there was a deep smile in her eyes. She knew it–once this kid went back, he definitely missed everything here, including durians.
Now when she thought of Rong Ting, she was able to calm down.
How wonderful; she read in the book that her child was indeed growing up healthy.
The other extra was written about His Majesty, the emperor.
His Majesty was diligent in political affairs and never stepped foot into the harem. When the crown prince was thirteen years old, he collapsed from exhaustion and died of illness at the age of 37. After his passing, he was buried with Empress Ren De. Some people praised that before His Majesty ascended to the throne, his painting and calligraphy were unparalleled, but for some reason, following Empress Ren De's death, he never painted or wrote poems again.
The age of 37...
When Song Yuan saw this, her vision blurred. Died at 37? How could this be? Didn't he even cherish his own body?
Song Yuan initially thought that she could quickly accept their separation, that her mood would quickly settle down. But at this moment, her heart felt smothered. It seemed to have been seized and torn apart.
Song Yuan stood on the streets of a foreign country, lost and confused. She didn't even know when it had started raining.
When she came to, she quickly took shelter under a roof and crouched down. She quietly stared at a puddle on the ground. When it rained, she seemed to be able to clearly feel the passage of time.
She didn't know when this journey would end, nor where she would end up.
Didn't you say that even if we aren't in the same time and space, we would live well? Why did you leave so young?
She didn't know for how long she looked down at the ground in a dream, when a pair of black leather shoes appeared in her line of sight, standing very close to her. She unconsciously raised her head. The man holding the umbrella looked very handsome, his head of white hair extremely eye-catching. Two pairs of eyes locked gazes, and he smiled gently. "Long time no see."
The author has something to say:
The poem Gugu wrote in the diary exists in real life. It's 《I Picked Mama》2. The author is a little kid who wrote this poem at 6 years old. There may be many people who are dissatisfied with this ending, but this is the ending. It's the one decided when I first started this work, with no changes.
There are also extras. There should be a new chapter today about Gugu la.