A life of two souls traveling through time

Although the assassination attempt at the purification ceremony by the river was successful, Empress Rong was still frightened and fell ill after returning to the palace. Emperor Yan Qiaolongyan of Xiyue was furious about this incident and was always concerned about his wife's condition. Even though he was busy with government affairs in the imperial study, he did not forget to instruct Eunuch Qin to visit her at Changqiu Palace every half an hour. The deep love between the emperor and the empress became a good story and spread among the people. People from all walks of life were amazed when they heard about it.

A few days later, Qi Guang and Park Eul, the peace envoys sent by Jingsong, arrived in Sanggyeong City. Because Yan Qiao had ordered the assassination attempt to be blocked in advance, the envoys of Jingsong were not aware of it and entered the palace to pay homage as usual.

"Announce! Envoys from Jingsong, come to see me!"

As the eunuch's sharp voice broke the silence, Qi Guang and Park Yi quickly straightened their clothes and entered the majestic Dragon Palace under the guidance of the palace servants. The atmosphere in the palace was solemn and murderous. All the officials of Xiyue were angry and gnashing their teeth. Seeing this, the two envoys of Jingsong Kingdom trembled all over and became more and more uneasy. The peace talks had not yet begun. Why was the whole court of Xiyue so hostile?

Compared to Park Eul who was frightened and sweating profusely, Qi Guang, as an important diplomatic official of Jingsong, still remained somewhat calm. He only regarded it as a show of force from the Xiyue Kingdom, so he quickly pretended to be calm and continued to walk slowly towards the Xiyue Emperor who was sitting on the high throne.

Qi Guang and Pu Yi came to the high level and were about to raise their hands to pay their respects when Yan Qiao suddenly slapped the dragon throne with his palm. His pair of eyes were as cold as frost and showed murderous intent: "What a sinister country Jingsong is. They are so vicious under their well-dressed clothes! They are seeking peace talks on the surface, but secretly sending people to assassinate us. Do they really think that our Xiyue country is easy to bully!"

The angry voice of the West Moon Emperor resounded throughout the Dragon Palace. The envoys from Jingsong were all stunned when they heard the words, and froze in place as if struck by lightning. Park Yi, who was a new envoy to the West Moon Kingdom, was so frightened that his legs went weak. He shivered a few times and then fell to his knees with a thud, cold sweat dripping down his cheeks.

"Assassination? Your Majesty, what are you talking about? We know nothing about the assassination attempt, and Jingsong would never send someone to assassinate us when they are willing to negotiate peace. Someone must be trying to alienate the friendship between Jingsong and Xiyue. Your Majesty, please understand!" Qi Guang had been a diplomatic envoy for more than ten years and was very experienced. Although he was also frightened by the anger of the Emperor of Xiyue, he still pretended to be calm and stood in front of the hall. He hurriedly saluted and explained to the Emperor of Xiyue who was on the high step.

"No clue?" Yan Qiao sneered, then waved his right arm, and the leader of the imperial guards, Fan Chong, strode in front of Qi Guang, showing the token of the Xining camp of Jingsong State, and asked coldly:

"This item was dropped from the assassin. How does Lord Qi Guang explain it?"

"This... This is absolutely impossible!" Qi Guang was shocked to see the token. He took two steps back, but soon he turned to Emperor Xiyue and said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, it is not clear where this token came from. Someone must have framed Jing Song. Please ask Xiyue to find out for me..."

"Come on! Take off the heads of these two men and return them to Jing Song. From now on, Xiyue and Jing Song will be irreconcilable!" However, before Qi Guang could finish his words, Yan Qiao stood up in anger, his dragon robe fluttering behind him, and his majestic and stern voice once again resounded in the Dragon Palace.

Seeing the overwhelming rage of Emperor Xiyue, the two envoys from Jingsong Kingdom became so desperate that their eyes turned black and they fainted on the ground. However, no one in the hall cared about their life or death. The guards entered the hall and dragged them out.

Changqiu Palace, with its red walls and red tiles, is magnificent and solemn. There are phoenixes perched on carved beams, cloud patterns carved on jade steps, and copper bells on the eaves that make pleasant sounds in the wind. The courtyard has winding corridors, red carps play in the lotus pond, and peonies are about to bloom. The round buds are wrapped in green and radiant, like shy girls who are about to bloom. The palace servants, led by Eunuch Qin, are quietly waiting outside the bedroom door. Inside the palace, behind the rosewood screen, thin smoke is curling from the gilded incense burner, and the gauze curtains are hanging with jade hooks. Queen Rong is lying on the warm couch in front of the window. She has been sick for these days, and her graceful and elegant face has lost its former luster, like a peony that is about to wither. She also looks listless when facing her husband who comes to visit her.

"Your Majesty is very busy, so please don't worry about me anymore. I will let you do these things."

Queen Rong was delighted to see her husband's thoughtfulness, but she did not forget her duties as a queen and gave him gentle advice.

"I have a rare moment of leisure in Changqiu Palace today. Zhao'er, do you really want to drive me away?" Yan Qiao was still as beautiful as jade. He smiled gently, then scooped half a spoonful of medicine, blew it cool, and then continued to bring it to Queen Rong's mouth.

Hearing her husband suddenly call her maiden name again, she couldn't help but be moved. A little light flickered in her dim eyes. She couldn't help but think of how loving they were when they were newly married. Time flies, and ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. Now they are the emperor and empress of Xiyue Kingdom, shouldering important responsibilities and performing their respective duties. They have long downplayed matters of love. The long-lost affection at this moment made Queen Rong sigh secretly.

"What are you thinking about?" Seeing the queen in a daze, Yan Qiao called her affectionately.

Empress Rong came back to her senses, lowered her eyes and drank half a spoonful of medicine, then smiled shyly and said, "It has been a long time since I heard Your Majesty call me by my maiden name."

Yan Qiao was also slightly startled, and looking at his wife's haggard face due to illness, he couldn't help but hold her hand and sighed self-reproachfully:

"It's my fault. Since I ascended the throne, I have been busy with government affairs and cannot accompany Zhao'er like before."

"Your Majesty, please don't say that. It is the king's duty to work hard for state affairs and benefit the people. As the queen, I should share your majesty's worries. How dare I have such inappropriate private thoughts?" Upon hearing this, Queen Rong sat up straight and said seriously.

"I am both a king and a husband. It is important to work hard for state affairs, but my duties as a husband cannot be neglected." Yan Qiao disagreed and continued to smile.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Princess Han is here." At this time, the Queen's personal maid walked in and reported.

"This girl is very thoughtful. During the time I was ill, she came to visit me every day." Upon hearing that her sister-in-law had come, Queen Rong smiled and said to her husband.

"You have been so kind to her, so she should be grateful." Yan Qiao also smiled at the queen, and then ordered the maid, "Let Princess Han come in."

The maid responded and retreated. Soon, Luoying walked in, followed closely by her personal maid Helian carrying a food box.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty." Luoying came before the Emperor and Empress with her eyes lowered and bowed respectfully.

"Get up. It's rare that you're so thoughtful and come to visit the Queen every day. It was not a mistake to form this sisterhood." Yan Qiao put down the empty medicine bowl and glanced at Princess Han in front of him. She was dressed in plain clothes, still with that fairy-like appearance, which made people intoxicated. However, in front of the Queen, he pretended to be cold and distant with her.

"Yes, I have had no sisters since childhood. Now I have a caring sister, which makes up for the regret in my youth." Queen Rong also smiled with relief.

"Thanks to the Queen's kindness, Tumi has the honor of becoming the Queen's adopted sister. I will always remember this kindness." Luoying smiled at the Queen, then took out a celadon cup from the food box in Helian's hand and placed it on the table. She turned her head and continued to the Emperor and Queen:

"This is the Eight Treasures Porridge that your sister specially prepared for the Queen today. It has the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach, replenishing qi and blood, and calming the mind. Your Majesty is here, why not try it too?"

"I'm happy that you're here, so why bother making the medicinal porridge?" Queen Rong glanced at her husband first, and then spoke again when she saw that he remained calm.

"If it can help the Queen get better soon, I will be happy to cook this Eight Treasures Porridge every day."

As she spoke, Luoying had already brought a bowl of Eight Treasures Porridge to Yan Qiao. Yan Qiao took the bowl, his eyes half lowered and he didn't look at her again. He didn't eat it, but scooped half a spoonful and fed it to the queen.

Queen Rong felt a little embarrassed to show her affection in front of others, but when she saw that her husband was determined to do so, she changed her mind and thought that Princess Han was her adopted sister and not an outsider, so she gladly accepted it.

At the Queen's instruction, Luoying sat quietly aside, watching the deep love between Emperor and Queen Xiyue. A trace of pain flashed in her cold eyes. Her sister-in-law was as dignified and gentle as Queen Rong. Unfortunately, when her eldest brother was alive, he never cherished his sister-in-law so much, whether in front of others or behind their backs.