A life of ups and downs is pure joy

The layout inside the Hehuan Hall is unique, revealing the beauty of simplicity amidst its exquisiteness, forming a sharp contrast with the luxurious grandeur of the Empress's Chaoyang Hall.

At this moment, Wei Lan sat quietly in the front hall, her eyes following Gong Heyu's back as he walked farther and farther away until he disappeared outside the Hehuan Palace, and ripples of emotion arose in her heart.

The Albizia Julibrissin tree in the yard was once full of colorful and gorgeous flowers, but now it has withered and only tender green leaves remain.

Back then, Gong Heyu had cherished these albizzia trees like treasures, taking great care of them. However, since the palace welcomed a new owner, the trees seemed to have suddenly lost all their special meaning and emotional attachment, becoming just another tree.

When summer comes, it diligently provides a green shade to protect people from the scorching sun; when the cold winter comes, it transforms into a lonely and bleak scene.

This place is no longer a place for someone or some people to express their longing for each other, nor is it a place for women who want to rise to fame overnight and be promoted from palace maids to masters to weave their dreams.

The palace maid Yue'er looked a little anxious. She first looked towards the inner hall of the main hall, but still did not see the master of Hehuan Hall show up, so she hurriedly knelt on her knees and reported respectfully.

"Reporting to Her Majesty, the princess has been increasingly exhausted in recent days. After taking the medicine prescribed by the Lord, she falls into a long drowsy state every afternoon."

"Sister Wandong has gone to summon the princess."

Xing'er's delicate body trembled slightly, and her voice was slightly filled with fear. She knelt on the ground and spoke tremblingly.

When the emperor was still here, everything was relatively peaceful. However, now that the emperor had rushed to the Imperial Library to handle important matters, the only one left in this huge main hall was the Empress. This situation seemed a bit absurd.

The originally beautiful face of the senior palace maid He Ye was now tense, revealing a hint of coldness. Her beautiful eyes stared coldly at the palace maids from the Hehuan Palace, her eyes filled with complex emotions, including dissatisfaction, unwillingness and disdain.

The senior palace maid Wan Yi, standing beside her, formed a sharp contrast with the lotus leaf. Her expression was as calm as water, without a single ripple, and she seemed unconcerned about the scene before her.

As Su Jin walked, she complained to Wandong that he had woken her up so late.

"I can't let the Queen wait for me."

"It was the Lord who ordered you to get enough sleep so the medicine can take effect."

Wan Dong muttered to himself as he supported Su Jin and took small steps towards the main hall.

"Be more flexible next time, silly girl!"

Su Jin rolled his eyes at Wan Dong helplessly, and saw the queen's figure through the screen of the side hall, sitting on the seat of honor in the main hall.

"Your Majesty, forgive me for being late."

As these clear and loud words were spoken, Su Jin's graceful figure had not yet stepped into the main hall, but her sweet voice, like the singing of a nightingale, was the first to reach everyone's ears.

Su Jin hurried towards the main hall, muttering to herself: What's going on with this Empress? Why does she always wander into this small palace every now and then? Is she really that free?

But if you think about it carefully, it's not difficult to understand. By now, everyone in the palace knows that the extremely noble monarch, apart from attending court on time every morning, spends almost the entire day and night in the Hehuan Palace.

Those who want to see the Lord may only have the chance if they come here.

When Su Jin finally arrived at the main hall, she first respectfully performed a standard bow to the queen sitting above.

Then, the maid beside the queen waved her hand gently, signaling everyone else in the hall to leave with her.

In the blink of an eye, only Wei Lan and Su Jin were left in the huge main hall.

After everyone had left the hall, Wei Lan stood up with a smile and walked to Su Jin, then took Su Jin's hand affectionately and led her to the seat next to him.

Then, Wei Lan carefully took out a booklet with a cover carefully wrapped in yellow cloth from her arms, and gently placed it on the exquisitely carved sandalwood table in front of the two of them.

Seeing this, Su Jin couldn't help but nod slightly to express her gratitude. At the same time, her beautiful eyes were full of curiosity as she stared at the mysterious yellow booklet in front of her and asked softly, "What is this?"

Hearing Su Jin's question, Wei Lan smiled and replied softly, "These are all auspicious dates that I carefully selected for you. I brought them here today for you to review. If there's a date you like, we can use it first."

The blue sound is as gentle and pleasant as the gurgling water, as if it can penetrate the human soul.

Su Jin raised her head upon hearing the voice, and stared at her for a long time without looking away. This queen was so kind to her that she almost forgot the cruel reality that they would share a husband in the future.

Su Jin quickly responded respectfully, "Everything is entirely up to the Queen."

Wei Lan looked at the woman in front of him who was so respectful and polite to him, and couldn't help but sigh softly. Then he put down the booklet in his hand and said earnestly.

"Jia Ning, why are you still so distant from me? Now that you know you are my aunt's descendant, we are naturally as close as brothers and sisters."

Having said that, Wei Lan paused for a moment, as if recalling the painful experiences of the past.

Then she spoke again, her voice slightly lower.

"In truth, as the queen of a foreign land, I may appear glamorous to outsiders, but the bitterness and pain within are known only to myself. Back then, my mother tragically passed away when I was only six years old. From that moment on, my fate no longer belonged to me, but was completely controlled by the supreme imperial power. Everyone told me that from the moment I was born, I shouldered a sacred mission—to dedicate my life to the nation of Shenzhou."

Her blue eyes grew somewhat dim, but she continued to talk.

"In these long years, apart from my aunt who truly cherished and cared for me, no one else has ever cared about my joys, sorrows, anger, and inner feelings. If it weren't for my aunt's pity, support, and help, I'm afraid I wouldn't be standing in front of you right now."

"I've said all this simply to make you understand that in this palace, as deep and treacherous as the sea, since you and I are destined to be sisters due to our inseparable blood relationship, we must support and care for each other! Don't waste this precious blood bond with empty formalities."

As soon as he finished speaking, the woman in gorgeous clothes slowly stood up, her figure graceful and elegant.

Seeing this, Su Jin, standing nearby, quickly stood up and stepped forward, carefully supporting her. However, at this moment, Su Jin suddenly felt a warm and gentle hand gently covering hers. Startled slightly, she looked up and met the Queen's eyes, filled with concern and sincerity.

The queen just stared at Su Jin, and said word by word with sincerity what she wanted to say to her from the bottom of her heart.

At this moment, Su Jin felt a warm current surge in his heart, and his eyes became moist unconsciously...

"Jianing understands, sister."

"The Lord loves you and cares deeply for you. You must cherish his affection for you. In time, it will surely bring you great blessings."

"Sister, have you ever blamed me in your heart?"

After hesitating for a long time, Su Jin finally plucked up the courage to ask.

Wei Lan stared at the pretty face in front of her that was filled with sadness. After a brief pause, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a light and carefree smile.

"Why should I blame you? His Majesty has long loved you. This is a destined fate, and no one can change his inner thoughts and feelings. At this moment, my only hope is that you can rest assured and recuperate, and give birth to a child for His Majesty as soon as possible to continue the family line."

Su Jin looked at Wei Lan quietly as she spoke these words so calmly and frankly, as if everything had nothing to do with her.

"Don't you think my sister has any love for you, Lord?"

Su Jin was unwilling to give up and asked further.

"As a queen from a foreign land, marrying the Great Yan monarch is a long-standing tradition, and it is also my inevitable destiny. As for whether I truly love him, how can I even ask? However, the monarch has indeed treated me with great generosity and kindness, bestowing upon me the utmost respect and courtesy."

Wei Lan slowly lowered her eyes, her tone gentle but with a hint of indescribable loneliness.

"On the night of our wedding, he said that the position of Queen of Great Yan would be mine in the future, and he would treat me with the highest respect. However, the position of wife in his heart was promised to someone else when he was very young."

After Wei Lan finished speaking, Su Jin was shocked. If the listener had any emotions or hopes when speaking these words, he would probably only get resentment and dissatisfaction.

"From the moment His Majesty granted you this Hehuan Palace, I knew that woman was you. To be honest, I wasn't even a bit surprised. Perhaps it's because I've been used to it for so many years that I've already accepted everything."

After seeing off Queen Wei Lan, Su Jin sat alone in front of the dressing table, looking at the woman in the bronze mirror and fell into deep thought.

The Empress has a face like a fairy and a graceful and elegant temperament, but she can only suppress her emotions in this deep palace and struggle in the waves of imperial power.

"What is she living for in this life? Is it really for the so-called destiny?"

Su Jin shook his head and said in denial.

"Now that I've been asked to be your successor, I will definitely not waste my life in injustice like the Queen did."

"I only wish to find someone who loves me and will stay with me till we grow old together. That is what a fulfilling life is."

Su Jin picked up the jade hairpin on the table and inserted it diagonally into her hair bun. She raised her head and glanced at the hourglass in the distance. In another hour, the king would be back.