Dethroned the Crown Princess? Then she became your mother

In the early morning, a gentle dawn light appeared on the horizon. Although it was not bright yet, it indicated that today would be a sunny and cloudless day. The breeze was blowing gently, bringing a bit of spring comfort.

Zhang Tianai slowly spread out her palms and stared at the scar that was almost healed. A night of rest and the care of medicine had alleviated the pain a lot.

Chunmei observed carefully from the side, her eyes full of concern: "The girl's palm is really much better. It seems that the ointment is quite effective."

Zhang Tianai nodded lightly, a faint smile on her lips, and then changed the subject: "What about your foot? Does it still hurt?"

Chunmei frowned slightly when she heard this, as if she remembered the hardships of her journey home last night: "Last night, I tried to persuade you to either let me carry you or find someone to help you, but you insisted on walking by yourself."

"Although the mountain road is not far, it is a torture for your injured feet. I was so nervous all the way, worried that you would suffer. After returning, I was busy giving you hot compresses, but you still kept enduring it..."

Zhang Tianai interrupted Chunmei's chatter, her tone carrying a hint of stubbornness: "Walking by myself shows that I, Zhang Tianai, am not such a delicate person. Even if my feet hurt a little more, it's worth it."

She then asked about Chunmei's physical condition, and after learning that Chunmei was fine, the two continued on their way.

"Miss, are you going to the temple again?" Suddenly, Liu Pozi and her group appeared on the side of the road, their faces full of complicated emotions.

Zhang Tianai stopped and looked calmly at Granny Liu: "Madam Liu, why are you here? Are you here to see me off? But it doesn't seem that simple."

Granny Liu hesitated for a moment before finally speaking: "Yesterday I heard that the Emperor did not summon the former Crown Princess. You've been waiting for most of the day. Are you still going today? I'm afraid the Emperor still won't see you."

Zhang Tianai smiled slightly: "Of course I will go, I still have something to say."

Liu Pozi and others looked at each other and finally chose to remain silent.

Zhang Tianai said no more and continued on the journey to the temple with Chunmei.

Chunmei reminded softly, "Miss, Mrs. Liu and the others have come out and seem quite surprised by your decision."

Zhang Tianai smiled calmly: "What do their thoughts have to do with me? I just need to be myself and have a clear conscience."

The two of them walked away, leaving Liu Pozi and her group behind.

The imperial guard's gaze swept over them with a bit of confusion and scrutiny: "Former Crown Princess, why are you here again?" His eyes were full of confusion.

Zhang Tianai smiled slightly, motioned Chunmei to pick up the food box in her hand again, and whispered softly, "I am only here to offer today's breakfast to His Majesty and wait here quietly. May His Majesty pray for his good health. As for my coming here, I think there is no need to ask any more questions."

Her tone was calm and firm, just like yesterday.

Chunmei nodded silently.

Upon hearing this, the guard frowned slightly, as if recalling something. He then whispered a few words to his companion beside him and walked into the inner hall.

Soon, he appeared again, followed closely by Eunuch An with a serious face.

As soon as Eunuch An came out, he started to blame: "Former Crown Princess, His Majesty sent someone to tell you last night that you don't need to come again. Since you have already agreed, why do you go back on your word and come again?" His tone revealed obvious dissatisfaction and blame.

Zhang Tianai appeared remarkably calm in the face of Eunuch An's questioning: "Please calm down, Eunuch. I understand the Emperor's intentions, but I cannot suppress this feeling."

"Although this breakfast is light, it carries with it my sincerity and care. I hope you can convey it to me, eunuch. I will not disturb the Emperor's solitude. I only wish to express my sincere gratitude by praying silently outside."

Seeing this, Chunmei hurriedly stepped forward and gently raised the food box in her hand.

However, Eunuch An remained unmoved. He gently waved the whisk in his hand and spoke in a harsher tone, "Former Crown Princess, are you determined to disobey His Majesty's will? His Majesty's orders are not to be taken lightly. You have already agreed on the surface, but you are acting in private. This is truly disrespectful!"

The atmosphere suddenly became solemn and tense.

Zhang Tianai shook her head gently, a hint of helplessness and persistence flashing in her eyes: "Eunuch, you have misunderstood. I have no other intentions. I only wish to use my humble efforts to pray for the Emperor. If the Emperor does not wish to see me, I will obey and just wait outside to not disturb His Majesty's peace."

Chunmei also looked at Eunuch An anxiously, hoping that he could understand her master's painstaking efforts.

"Hmph, you're hell-bent on contradicting His Majesty!" Eunuch An snorted coldly, his tone filled with displeasure and determination. "His Majesty's majesty, how can you tolerate provocation? Please return, or you'll get into trouble!"

Faced with Eunuch An's firm opposition, Zhang Tianai simply smiled faintly, her eyes firmly fixed on the tightly closed palace door. She said softly, "Don't worry, Eunuch. I will abide by the rules. I only wish the Emperor good health and the people happiness."

After saying that, she turned and walked to the side, found a quiet place, sat down quietly, and began to pray for the emperor.

Seeing this, Chunmei hurriedly followed and waited silently by the side.

Although they failed to deliver the breakfast into the inner hall as they had wished, their thoughts had already drifted away into the distance along with the rising incense.

Zhang Tianai lowered her head and repeated softly, "I really didn't mean that." Although her voice was small, it revealed a persistence that could not be ignored.

"You still say no!" Eunuch An's voice was filled with helplessness and anger. "This old servant has finally opened his eyes. Former Crown Princess, you are truly courageous! Do you think His Majesty will turn a blind eye to this? If you want to pray, it's not too late to return to the palace and pray."

After saying this, he pretended to step into the temple again, obviously angered by Zhang Tianai's attitude.

Zhang Tianai slowly raised her head. "I've never had such a thought, and I certainly don't dare to hope that His Majesty won't be angry. But there are things I must do, even if the road ahead is bumpy."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch An sighed heavily and finally turned and walked into the hall.

A low conversation was then heard in the hall, mixed with a bit of displeasure and helplessness.

Outside, the sky was changing rapidly. Soon after the morning light appeared, it was obscured by thick clouds. The sky gradually became gloomy, as if foreshadowing the coming of a storm.

Zhang Tianai stood quietly at the same place as yesterday, letting the cold wind blow on her face, her eyes penetrating the clouds.

Chunmei followed closely behind, clasping her hands together and praying silently, while the guards around her remained vigilant, their eyes constantly shifting over them.

Time passed quietly, and until noon, Zhang Tianai still had not eaten a single bite of breakfast.

Chunmei tried to persuade her several times, but she always declined with a smile.

Seeing this, Chunmei could only accompany him silently.

"At least eat something." Chunmei advised with concern, but she herself did not eat a single bite.

Zhang Tianai smiled slightly, with a cunning glint in her eyes, as if telling Chunmei that all this was part of her plan.

The smile hidden in her eyes was a response to the upcoming challenge and an affirmation of her own determination.

Finally, standing for a long time made Zhang Tianai's body a little tired. She shook deliberately, her face turned pale as paper in an instant, her hands clenched into fists, blue veins were visible, as if she would fall down at any time.

Seeing this, Chunmei hurried forward to support her and asked anxiously, "Miss, what's wrong with you? Are you unable to stand?"

Zhang Tianai shook her head slightly, suppressing the discomfort, trying to stand firm, suppressing all the fatigue and pain, and showing unprecedented stubbornness and persistence with her pale face.

She looked up at the sky again, continuing her unfinished prayer, and signaled Chunmei not to say more.

Chunmei was full of worries, but she could only wait silently by the side.

The guards in the distance were also deeply attracted by this scene, with curiosity and awe in their eyes.

As for Emperor Murong Shuo in the palace, no one knew whether he had breakfast as usual.

Eunuch An has not come out since he entered the hall. He seems to be busy dealing with the turmoil caused by Zhang Tianai.

Zhang Tianai's untouched breakfast lay there quietly.

Time passed quietly, and when the meal was quietly placed in front of the door again, she tried again, pleading with the guards beside her with her eyes wet with rain and fatigue, but was met with cold silence in return.

Zhang Tianai clenched her fists, her face as pale as paper, letting the afternoon wind blow wildly, carrying a damp coolness that not only blew away her hair but also seemed to penetrate her thin body.

Her skirt danced in the wind, like the last fallen leaves in autumn, helpless and desolate.

Chunmei and the guards also looked a little embarrassed in this sudden strong wind.

Eunuch An looked up at the gray sky, his brows furrowed, "I'm afraid the weather is going to change."

Upon hearing this, Murong Shuo raised his eyes slightly and exchanged a worried look with Eunuch An. The meal that was carefully prepared in the temple was once again coldly put aside.

The rain finally poured down without any warning, with great force. Every drop was like a heavy hammer, hitting the earth and people's hearts.

Eunuch An hurriedly reported: "Your Majesty, the rain has arrived." In Murong Shuo's ears, in addition to the sound of rain, he seemed to be able to hear the echo of his own heart.

He couldn't help but wonder if the former Crown Princess was still holding on in the storm?

"Is she still there?" After a long time, Murong Shuo's voice was low and heavy, with a hint of imperceptible concern.

Eunuch An quietly left the table and carefully investigated. When he returned, his eyes were full of helplessness and sympathy for the scene.

The rain became heavier, with lightning and thunder, as if it was going to swallow up the whole world.

Murong Shuo finally couldn't hold back anymore and stepped into the chaos.

The scene before him made his heart tighten - Zhang Tianai and Chunmei had become the most fragile scenery in the rain.

Their clothes clung to their bodies, and the rain slid down their cheeks, mixing with their tears to form a blur.

Especially Zhang Tianai, she stood there, calm but resolute, but more like a lonely boat, swaying in the strong wind and huge waves, her face was as pale as a ghost, and there was a heartbreaking beauty in her embarrassment.

Chunmei could no longer bear it and called out anxiously, but the guards' whispers seemed insignificant in the noisy rain.

Some people gave her strange looks, but Zhang Tianai ignored them.

It was not until Murong Shuo and Eunuch An appeared that she seemed to wake up from a dream. She looked up at the familiar figure, a light flashed in her eyes, and then her body softened, and she fell down powerlessly like a kite with a broken string.

Murong Shuo's body froze, and time seemed to freeze at this moment.

He slowly squatted down, his eyes falling on her pale but still resolute little face, and an indescribable emotion surged in his heart.

Why was this woman so stubborn? And why was she so heartbreaking? He frowned slightly, and slowly extended a slender hand, wanting to gently lift up the fragile body that was about to collapse.