Reincarnated as the Abandoned Daughter of a Marquis's Mansion: I Take Control of My Life

Chapter 314 May Each Be Well

Inside the palace, red walls and yellow tiles create a magnificent and resplendent scene.

Because of her status as the Princess Protector of the Nation, Su Yinyin was taken directly to the Imperial Study without needing to be informed.

When the emperor saw her enter, he put down the memorial in his hand, looked her up and down, and blurted out, "You've gotten darker. You must have suffered a lot on this trip."

Su Yinyin was taken aback at first, then shook her head helplessly and smiled gently: "Your Majesty, your focus is really unique. Although the journey has been somewhat arduous, it has also been very fruitful."

The emperor laughed heartily: "I wanted to reward you, but you ran away so quickly. Are you so afraid of trouble and unwilling to help me with more affairs? With you gone, the court will be much less lively."

Su Yinyin smiled slightly and said unhurriedly, "Your Majesty, you have many talented people under your command, each of whom is a pillar of the state. You don't need Yinyin to share the burden."

Besides, Yinyin is a woman, and women shouldn't worry too much, otherwise they'll age quickly. Yinyin wants to stay young for a few more years.

The emperor waved his hand, looking helpless, but with a hint of doting in his eyes: "I can't argue with you. Now that you're back, what are your plans regarding Zhou Yuan?"

Seeing that the emperor had finally gotten to the heart of the matter, Su Yinyin's expression turned serious, and she said solemnly, "Yinyin and he are no longer a possibility. Your Majesty, please invalidate that imperial edict! Yinyin simply cannot overcome that hurdle."

However, Yinyin is willing to let him co-parent the baby, giving the child a complete environment to grow up in.

Su Yinyin learned from Tai Hui that Zhou Yuan was not born to the Empress of the Great Yan Kingdom and had no relation to Su Jianguo.

But she decided to keep this secret deep in her heart and not tell anyone.

She once had feelings for Zhou Yuan and tried to fall in love with him wholeheartedly and spend her life with him.

However, as many things happened, their relationship went through many tests, and their affection gradually faded.

When Taihui told her the truth, she was unusually calm. She felt neither the joy she had imagined nor the urge to rush to find Zhou Yuan.

At that moment, she knew for sure that she had let go of Zhou Yuan and no longer harbored romantic feelings for him.

She was unwilling to compromise herself and force herself to maintain a loveless marriage just to give her child a seemingly complete family.

So on the way back, she had already made up her mind to raise the baby with Zhou Yuan and accompany the child as a family member.

After hearing this, the emperor sighed softly: "Alas, since Yinyin cannot overcome this hurdle, then I will not force her. Matters of the heart cannot be forced."

"But if Yinyin takes a fancy to any young master, just tell me, and I'll issue a decree to find you a good marriage."

Su Yinyin said half-jokingly, "Your Majesty, Yinyin doesn't want to hang herself on one tree."

Yinyin doesn't plan to get married in her life, but she wants to keep male lovers and live a carefree life.

The emperor's eyes widened, and he pointed at her, both angry and amused: "You! You... If I listen to your nonsense any longer, I'll be driven mad with anger. Get out! I really can't do anything with you."

After Su Yinyin left the Imperial Study, Zhou Yuan slowly walked out from behind the screen, looking dejected and gloomy, as if he had lost all his vitality.

His eyes were filled with disappointment and pain, and his lips trembled slightly: "Your Majesty..."

The emperor looked at him and earnestly advised, "Zhou Yuan, you heard what Yin Yin said. If she can't get over that hurdle, how can you?"

How will you face it when the baby finds out in the future? It's good that you and Yinyin live separate lives and raise the baby together.

Let go of your obsession! Time heals all wounds, and you will gradually find peace.

The emperor's tone was like that of a loving father; he looked at Zhou Yuan with a heart full of helplessness and pity.

Although he wanted to help the two of them get together, Su Yinyin had already made her stance clear, and he couldn't force her to issue a decree. He could only hope that Zhou Yuan could let go of the past and start a new life as soon as possible.

"I understand, I understand, I take my leave." Zhou Yuan's voice was low, filled with endless disappointment and helplessness, each word seeming to be squeezed out from the bottom of his heart.

His steps were heavy, as if he were dragging a thousand-pound burden, as he slowly left the Imperial Study.

After Su Yinyin came out of the Imperial Study, she did not go far, but stood quietly not far away.

In fact, she had known all along that there was someone standing behind the screen, and she knew that the person was Zhou Yuan, and she understood Zhou Yuan's thoughts at this moment.

That's why she's waiting here, intending to end things quickly rather than suffer a long, drawn-out pain, and put an end to this relationship.

As Zhou Yuan emerged from the imperial study, he immediately spotted Su Yinyin in the distance.

His steps abruptly halted, a wave of panic washing over him. After hearing Su Yinyin's words in the Imperial Study, he felt as if his heart were being torn apart, as if countless sharp blades were slicing through it.

He was even afraid to face her. The sweet memories of the past and the resolute decision of the present kept intertwining in his mind, causing him great pain.

He originally thought that once everything settled down, he and she could reconcile and return to their happy past.

But reality was so cruel, like a bucket of cold water, completely extinguishing his hopes.

Su Yinyin looked at Zhou Yuan quietly, her eyes filled with complex emotions—past affection, present helplessness, and expectations for the future.

Zhou Yuan felt extremely uncomfortable under her gaze. His hands clenched unconsciously, his nails digging deep into his palms, as he tried to use the pain to mask his inner turmoil.

Finally, he mustered his courage and slowly walked towards Su Yinyin, each step incredibly difficult: "Yinyin."

Su Yinyin asked calmly, "Well, Uncle Li told me that the baby has gone to school and usually lives in the Prince's Mansion. Are you two getting along well?"

Zhou Yuan was slightly taken aback when he heard this, and then replied, "Baby is very smart and sensible. We get along very well. He calls me father."

The moment the baby was mentioned, Zhou Yuan's eyes lit up, and he became more energetic. The baby was the only bond between him and Su Yinyin, and the last warmth in his heart.

"That's good. The baby will stay with you when he's at school and stay with me during holidays. We can raise him together, okay?"

After Su Yinyin finished speaking, she stared intently at Zhou Yuan, her eyes filled with determination. She hoped to give the baby a loving environment to grow up in, even if she and Zhou Yuan could not be together.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if pierced by a sharp sword.

But he still refused to give up, his eyes filled with hope as he made a final struggle: "Yinyin, will you marry me? Let's start over, and pretend that nothing ever happened."

"This is not good. Although the outside world does not know our true situation, we know it ourselves."

With this relationship in place, we can't be together; I can't deceive myself.

Although we can't be husband and wife, we can be family. We have a child together, and we can watch him grow up together.

Su Yinyin said resolutely, each word like a heavy hammer, striking Zhou Yuan's heart hard.

Her tone was firm, without the slightest hesitation. She knew that a short, sharp pain was better than a long, drawn-out one. Only by thoroughly clarifying things could they both let go of the past and start anew.

Upon hearing this answer, Zhou Yuan felt a wave of dizziness and involuntarily took a few steps back, as if all his strength had been drained away.

His body swayed, almost unable to stand, and the pain in his heart was like a surging tide, completely overwhelming him.

"Okay, whatever you say. I have to go now."

After Zhou Yuan finished speaking, he walked away quickly without looking back. He was afraid that if he stayed for even a second longer, he would lose control of his emotions and break down in tears in front of Su Yinyin.

Shortly after this incident, Zhou Yuan requested permission from the emperor to travel to the border.

He wanted to leave this place full of memories and go to the remote border, where he could find peace of mind amidst the war and sandstorms, and let go of this unforgettable love.

When Su Yinyin found out, she simply smiled calmly.

She silently hoped that he could let go of this relationship during his time at the border, and that they could each find peace and happiness on their own separate paths in life.

Perhaps time really can heal all wounds, allowing them to let go of the past and embrace a new life.