A life of ups and downs is pure joy

"What did you say? There's no blood on the handkerchief?" Liu Ji asked in a low voice.

"Yes, Luo Yun collected the handkerchief himself." Liu Rong said.

"So...they just sat there like that the whole night. Yi'er..." Liu Ji said helplessly, "But given Yi'er's personality, she wouldn't do that...How long will my dream of holding my grandson last?"

"Don't worry, we have already married a wife, and we will have children sooner or later." Liu Rong found it really funny to see her elder sister like this.

"You have taken Huan'er's pulse. How is her health now?" Liu Ji asked softly again.

"Don't worry, elder sister. The child is almost recovered after taking the medicine. As long as the two of you...you will definitely be able to get pregnant." Liu Rong said as she took off the hairpin on Liu Ji's head.

"You mentioned Huan'er and Yu'er... I must have been overthinking it." Liu Ji was used to daydreaming. She was a very gentle woman, spoke in a soft voice, and never made things difficult for her concubines.

"Eldest sister, an informant reported that the young emperor of Yan is seriously ill. If he doesn't survive, the Sixth Prince will naturally become the emperor, and he has only Yu'er as his legitimate son." Although Liu Rong couldn't bear to mention this child in front of Liu Ji, there were some things she still had to let her know.

"Yu'er, what he disliked most in the past was the affairs of the court, so the affairs of the Xiao family have always been managed by Yi'er, and Fan'er also knows a thing or two. Now that he has returned to Dayan, he has no choice but to do things his own way. I wonder how the Sixth Prince treats Yu'er." Liu Ji still felt a pang of pain in her heart when she thought of Xiao Yu.

"It's his fate, there's no escaping it." Liu Rong muttered to herself.

In Luoyi Pavilion, Lin Qinghuan lay on the table in the middle of the soft couch, holding the black piece in one hand and the white piece in the other, recalling the scene of playing chess with Xiao Yu in Suheju.

Chuxia and Lixue had come with her on the day of her return visit. With these two girls by her side, Lin Qinghuan no longer felt as distressed as she had at the beginning. Yunxiang and Luhua were also serving in the inner room like Chuxia and Lixue.

"Miss, I heard that the master and concubine He have arranged a marriage for the fourth young lady, but we don't know which family it is." Chu Xia said in detail while skillfully making the bed for Lin Qinghuan.

"Fourth sister is so outstanding, she must be from a famous family. Is Mother Huang still living in Suheju?" Lin Qinghuan asked with concern.

"Well, the second young master is used to his mother's cooking, so he still goes to Suheju for three meals a day." Chuxia said.

"This silly boy, the small kitchen in his yard is probably about to be covered with cobwebs." Lin Qinghuan couldn't help laughing when he thought of Lin An who went to Suheju to eat at a certain time every day.

"Ever since Chuxia and Sister Lixue came, Madam has been more cheerful than before." Yun Xiang walked in with a basin of water, and couldn't help blurting out the words as he looked at Lin Qinghuan, who was smiling like a flower.

"Madam is as pretty as a fairy, and she looks even prettier when she smiles." Lu Hua said from behind.

"Where is Li Xue?" Chu Xia turned around and extinguished the candle on the bedside table, then smiled at the two of them and asked again.

"It seems like she is giving Madam a cold soothing soup. She said that every sip of medicine Madam has drunk since she was a child was brewed by her own hands, and she would cool it down and then serve it to her." Lu Hua said.

"Well, she is particularly careful in taking care of girls." Chuxia said as she took the face towel from Luhua's hand.

Yun Xiang had recently observed that this lady and her two personal maids were like family members, not like master and servants at all. He felt both envious and uncomfortable looking at her and Lu Hua.

"Young...Master." Li Xue saluted Xiao Yi at the door while holding a cup of calming tea.

Lin Qinghuan was so frightened by the sound that the chess piece in her hand fell down. Chu Xia hurried forward to support the poor girl.

"Young Master..." Yun Xiang, Lu Hua and Chu Xia, three maids, bowed to Xiao Yi.

It has been a year since the two got married. Lin Qinghuan remembered that except for the wedding night, Xiao Yi seemed to have almost forgotten what the gate of Luoyi Pavilion was like. Coming here today really made Lin Qinghuan at a loss.

"Playing against yourself?" Xiao Yi glanced at the chessboard and asked casually.

"Well. Find...find something interesting...to do...to pass the time." Lin Qinghuan stuttered, his hands nervously rubbing the belt of his clothes unconsciously.

"All of you go out. I want to talk to my wife." Xiao Yi could see Lin Qinghuan's panic at a glance, and then said to the maids who were stunned beside them.

"Yes." Several maids bowed and then walked out. Chuxia looked back as she walked, very worried. Yun wanted to quickly step forward and hold her back. It had been a year, and it was finally possible for the eldest master to come and see the lady.

The two of them sat opposite each other beside the chessboard for a long time without saying a word. Lin Qinghuan didn't even dare to raise her head. During the days when Xiao Yi hadn't come, she had forgotten that she was already the wife of the man sitting opposite her. Now that he came, it was like a reminder to her, and her heart was instantly filled with mixed feelings.

"You will go out of the house with me tomorrow. The East Palace is going to hold a banquet for the Sixth Prince Ning Sijue. Mother has personally selected some silk and pearl shoes for you. They will be delivered tomorrow morning. You can take two maids with you." Xiao Yi said as he rearranged the chessboard in front of him.

"Sixth...Sixth Prince, why haven't I heard of you before?" Lin Qinghuan asked curiously.

"He was sent to Dayan as a hostage when he was nine years old and only came back a year ago." Xiao Yi said lightly.

"Nine years old... He passed away at the age of nine. He must have suffered a lot over the years." Lin Qinghuan's eyes showed regret. She had heard her father say that the exchange of hostilities was a ceasefire agreement between countries.

"He is the prince born to my aunt. When he was a child, he was closest to Yu'er..." Xiao Yi mentioned Xiao Yu casually, and then stopped talking.

"Yeah." When Lin Qinghuan heard Xiao Yu's name, her heart skipped a beat and she suddenly felt uncomfortable.

"Go to bed early, I'll pick you up tomorrow." Seeing Lin Qinghuan with his head down, Xiao Yi got up and left Luoyi Pavilion.

"Miss, the... the eldest master has left? I thought he would stay tonight." After seeing Xiao Yi leave, Chu Xia sent everyone away and came in alone to accompany Lin Qinghuan.

"I... I feel so sad." Lin Qinghuan raised her head and looked at Chuxia with tears in her eyes.

Chu Xia walked forward and hugged Lin Qinghuan tightly with heartache. She knew that her daughter was just forcing herself to smile every day, but she was extremely lonely and uncomfortable in her heart.

"Girl, my dear girl, Chuxia feels so sad when you cry." The little girl said with a sob.

"Why does Brother Xiao not want me anymore? What did I do wrong? What did I do wrong? Why does he treat me like this?" Lin Qinghuan didn't know the inside story. She felt both love and hate for Xiao Yu and thought that he had abandoned her before the wedding.

"Miss, Mr. Xiao must have his reasons. He loves you so much, it is impossible for him to leave you for no reason. Moreover, now the entire Xiao family does not mention this person. There must be a reason." Chu Xia was unwilling to believe that Xiao Yu would not love Lin Qinghuan from beginning to end. She watched the two of them love each other all the way.

"Does he really have his own difficulties?" Lin Qinghuan looked at Chu Xia with a wronged expression, and her pitiful look was extremely pitiful.

"But Chuxia, I'm married to Xiao Yi now. Even if he comes back, it's impossible for us." Lin Qinghuan said, closed her eyes, and tears of despair flowed down again.

"Miss, you can't cry anymore. Your eyes are swollen. Don't you have to attend the banquet tomorrow? If you are discovered..." Chu Xia felt that Xiao Yi was a cold and frightening man. She was worried that if he knew Lin Qinghuan's thoughts, he would definitely not treat her girl well. They were now isolated and helpless in the Xiao Mansion, with no one to protect them.

"Please wash up for me. Aunt He said this is my fate." Lin Qinghuan said with a dead heart. This life is only a few decades long. Anyway, Xiao Yi treats him with courtesy. He might as well die in this Luoyi Pavilion. It will be the best explanation to the Lin and Xiao families. Xiao Yu will live in his heart from now on, and he will live out his life with the sweet memories of the past.

Liu Ji treated Lin Qinghuan very well. It could be seen from her carefully selected clothes and jewelry that they were all made of the finest silk in Kyoto. And those headdresses and jewelry were obviously gifts from the Empress in the palace. After all, Lin Qinghuan was the legal wife of the eldest son of the Xiao family, so her treatment was naturally the best. Especially Liu Ji, who was looking forward to holding her grandson day and night, was even more eager for the couple to give her a well-behaved grandson tomorrow, so that she wouldn't be jealous of Aunt Chen who had children and grandchildren around her. Unfortunately, it had been more than a year, and there was no response at all.

Lin Qinghuan wore a white feather-colored short shirt with a snow-blue half-length fairy skirt, and a peach-colored short jacket embroidered with butterflies and peonies lace. Accompanied by Yun Xiang and Chu Xia, she left Luoyi Pavilion. The golden butterfly and emerald-studded single-step hairpin on her head swayed vividly with her slow steps. Xiao Yi had just finished drinking a cup of tea in the courtyard of Luoyi Pavilion when this fairy-like beauty was ready. He looked at the beauty in front of him, who was like a secluded orchid in a deep valley. In a trance, she seemed like a fairy in the clouds that was out of reach. Now she was only seventeen years old, but she was so charming, and she had a charming look with a frown on her face, which made people feel pity for her at first sight.

"Let's go." Xiao Yi looked at Lin Qinghuan for a long time, then relaxed his distracted mood and said softly.

"Yeah." Lin Qinghuan replied with his head down.

The two of them sat opposite each other in the carriage in silence, which was very awkward. Although they were nominally husband and wife, they seemed particularly unfamiliar with each other. The two maids beside them did not dare to breathe. The journey from the Xiao Mansion to the East Palace seemed like a lifetime ago.

Since ancient times, the appearance of the most beautiful woman has always been stunning, and her arrival at the Eastern Palace was no exception. From the whispers along the way to the look in Crown Prince Ning Jinyang's eyes once again struck by Lin Qinghuan, this opening was a testament to this. Lin Qinghuan saw the familiar Ning Junze in the crowd and smiled at him from afar. Xiao Yi's brows unconsciously furrowed, but then relaxed in an instant.

"It's still early for the banquet. You should accompany Madam to the backyard to appreciate the flowers first." Xiao Yi instructed the maids Yun Xiang and Chu Xia beside him.

Autumn is a season without any sentimentality, and only in the East Palace can one have the sight of exotic flowers and plants bathed in the autumn breeze. There are quite a few noble ladies in the backyard, probably all of them are the wives and concubines of the crown prince or other princes.

"Madam, the one in crimson clothes in the distance is the Crown Princess." Yun Xiang reminded her because he was afraid that Lin Qinghuan would not recognize her.

"Well, I've seen her in the palace. Let's go up and pay our respects." Lin Qinghuan nodded to her and said.

"My sister-in-law is here. She has become more and more beautiful. It's a blessing for Yi'er." Princess Su Yuefei helped Lin Qinghuan, who was paying her respects, to stand up and said affectionately.

"Huan'er is frightened." Lin Qinghuan said in a low voice.

"I remember that I saw you smiling in front of mother before. Why do you look so frowning and sad now? Could it be that Yi'er treats you badly?" Su Yuefei asked as she pulled Lin Qinghuan to sit down in the pavilion. She didn't know the relationship between Lin Qinghuan and Xiao Yu. She only knew that the marriage between Xiao and Lin was the idea of mother and uncle-in-law, Marshal Xiao. She also knew that this would help the prince ascend the throne smoothly.

"Brother Xiao treats me very well. It's Huan'er who is not feeling well today. I hope Princess Consort can bear with it." Lin Qinghuan looked up at Su Yuefei and said. The woman in front of him had been very kind to him in the palace, and now she was even closer to him than before.

"You still call me Brother Xiao, shouldn't you call me husband?" Su Yuefei said in surprise, and then the women around her also smiled.

Lin Qinghuan's face instantly turned red to her ears. She couldn't call Xiao Yi "husband" even if she pried her mouth open with a board. The husband in her heart was Xiao Yu from beginning to end.

"I...I..." Lin Qinghuan became incoherent.

"Okay, okay, you are all stopped from laughing. Huan'er is still young and is at her most shy age." Su Yuefei saw Lin Qinghuan's embarrassment and tried to smooth things over.

"Come on, sister-in-law will take you to see the most beautiful golden chrysanthemum in the mansion." Su Yuefei gently pulled Lin Qinghuan's white arm with her slender jade fingers, and the female relatives behind her also gathered to watch.

Lin Qinghuan, who had accompanied them in appreciating the chrysanthemums for a while, felt a little tired, so she found an excuse of being thirsty to go back to the pavilion to rest. She lowered her head to look at the cobblestone road and saw a piece of jade pendant on the ground.

"This... I don't know whose jade pendant this is and how it was lost." Lin Qinghuan picked it up and looked around curiously and said.

"Fortunately, it didn't break. It looks to be in excellent condition and priceless." Chu Xia also took a closer look and said.

"I don't know which noble person this is. He is so careless. The pattern of this Luoying seems to have been seen somewhere before." Yun Xiang said thoughtfully, but he couldn't remember it for a moment.

As he was speaking, he saw a man in moon-white clothes walking towards him in the distance as if he was looking for something.

"I guess the owner of the jade pendant is here." Lin Qinghuan looked at the two maids and said, she motioned Yun Xiang to go forward and ask.

"Did you lose something, sir?" Those who could come here were all royal relatives. Yun Xiang didn't know who the man who was looking for something was, so he asked.

When the man looked up at her, he had a bright and handsome look, with clear eyes and thin brows. Yun Xiang couldn't help but take a breath. This face looked very similar to that of her own eldest son, and even more like the Empress Xiao Yiqing from the Xiao family.

"Have you ever seen a jade pendant?" the man asked anxiously.

Yun Xiang then remembered why the Luoying flower looked so familiar. It was the favorite flower of Empress Xiao Yiqing, and the Luoying flower on his eldest son's waist also looked like this.

Lin Qinghuan and Chu Xia also came over with jade pendants.