A peasant girl travels through time with a hospital, rising to become an empress.

Qiu Niang understood, turned around and left quietly, slowly closing the door behind her. But she didn't go far or go back to her own room. Instead, she secretly sat on the stone steps outside the door, covering her mouth to suppress her sobs.

Inside the room, Jiang Lingyang took off his coat, carefully lay down beside Wei Susu, gently took her hand and placed it against his warm chest, feeling each other's heartbeats.

His voice choked with emotion, filled with endless guilt: "This past year, you've suffered. I've repeatedly petitioned His Majesty to come see you, but I haven't been able to..."

“Lingyang.” Wei Susu gently interrupted him, her fingertips applying slight pressure to soothe him, “I naturally understand that you have your difficulties, there’s no need to feel guilty, I’ve never blamed you.”

She paused, her voice choked with emotion, "For the past year or so, although I've been alone without you all by my side, staying in the provincial capital, I always felt very close to Nian'an. I could feel that she was still alive in this world!"

Jiang Lingyang tightened his grip on her hand, his tone firm: "I also believe she is still alive! I will spare no effort to search for her, and one day, I will definitely find her."

A hot tear slid down Wei Susu's cheek, soaking her pillowcase.

She said softly, "If you find her, you must tell her that she was not abandoned back then, but that it was an unexpected event that no one could have predicted. We have never given up on her."

"I understand." Jiang Lingyang nodded emphatically, his eyes already red-rimmed.

Wei Susu was immersed in her memories, her voice as gentle as water: "During this time, I often think of her. I think of her cute appearance when she was little, her fair and tender little face, her chubby little hands and feet, so soft that I didn't want to let go of her."

"I remember her nestled in my arms, drinking milk. She was a girl, and not very strong. She would often drink until her face was flushed, but every time she finished, she would have a satisfied and happy expression. At that moment, my heart was filled with immense happiness."

“Her personality is so different from Zheng’an’s. Zheng’an was lively and active from birth, always causing trouble, but Nian’an is exceptionally well-behaved. Every day she stares at you with those big, dark eyes, which melts your heart.”

Her voice was filled with nostalgia, "And that little birthmark on the back of her neck, like a blooming phoenix flower, so unique. You even joked back then that our daughter would definitely be extraordinary when she grew up..."

At this point, she could no longer continue; tears welled up in her eyes, and her shoulders trembled slightly.

Jiang Lingyang tenderly wiped away her tears and gently comforted her, "Susu, don't dwell on the past anymore. For the children, and for me, live well, okay?"

Jiang Lingyang felt that 20 years had passed in a flash, the world was rolling forward, while Wei Susu seemed to be trapped in the night 20 years ago when she lost her daughter.

Wei Susu stared blankly at the bed curtains, muttering to herself, "Don't force me..."

She suddenly thought of Jiang Muxin, her voice filled with guilt: "Lingyang, do you know that when you first brought Muxin here, I actually really disliked this child?"

“Because whenever I see her, I think of Nian’an. When I take care of her, I can’t help but think, who is taking care of my Nian’an? When I dress her, I wonder if An is warm enough; when I feed her, I wonder if An is hungry… I’m sorry to Mu Xin.”

“She looks knowledgeable, gentle and generous, but I can feel that she is actually very sensitive. She knows that I, her mother, do not love her that much.”

Jiang Lingyang gently patted her back, comforting her, "No, don't think like that. Muxin has been well-educated by you. She is sensible and filial. The whole family dotes on her, and she knows that."

Wei Susu nodded, but tears continued to stream down her face: "I've always had a knot in my heart, and it wasn't until you told me about Muxin's father that I was able to completely let go of my resentment and truly care for Muxin."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lingyang sighed silently. Mu Xin's father was from his hometown; the two had grown up together and shared a deep bond.

Later, his fellow villager passed the imperial examination with top honors and became an official in the capital. He then took his poor brother into his household and made him a steward.

On that trip, he was worried about Wei Susu, so he accompanied her to protect her. But unexpectedly, something happened along the way, and he never returned.

He was the one who, at the last moment, used all his strength to break through the encirclement with Wei Susu, but ultimately died protecting her.

Speaking of this old friend, Jiang Lingyang was filled with guilt: "He was the most mischievous kid in our village. He loved playing with knives and guns since he was a child. When he grew up, he learned kung fu from the martial arts school in town. If I hadn't taken him to the capital, he could have opened a small martial arts school in town and lived a peaceful and happy life. He wouldn't have ended up like this."

Wei Susu's heart clenched as she recalled the image of her deceased friend, covered in blood, shouting "Run!" at her.

"Yes, he saved our lives, but I didn't truly take care of his daughter, which was really wrong. Only after that did I truly accept Muxin and treat her like my own daughter."

She wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and suddenly said, "Master, let's set off back to the capital in a few days."

Jiang Lingyang was stunned, his eyes filled with surprise: "Susu, you... why do you suddenly want to go back to the capital? Your health..."

"I know I'm not a good mother."

"I lost Nian'an; I failed to love and care for Muxin wholeheartedly. If I leave, according to the rules, Muxin cannot marry for three years, but she is of marriageable age and it is time for her to get married. I was exhausted before and failed to properly arrange her marriage."

A hint of determination flashed in her eyes. "I plan to return to the capital and personally arrange things for her. I know she has feelings for that boy from the Chu family, so when I go back, I will discuss with the Chu family and arrange this marriage for her."

Jiang Lingyang felt a pang of sadness and pain in his heart, and comforted her, "How can your body withstand such a long journey? I will take care of Muxin's marriage. She is a child I have watched grow up, and I will plan carefully for her. Don't worry."

“What kind of logic is it for a father to arrange a marriage for his daughter?” Wei Susu shook her head, her tone carrying an unyielding insistence.

"Didn't Qin Jichuan say that I still have a year left? I will use this last year to give her a stable future."

The word "one year" felt like a needle piercing Jiang Lingyang's heart; it was the word he couldn't bear to hear.

With red eyes, he earnestly advised, "Did you hear what Qin Jichuan said? You already have a heart condition. If you could calm your mind, you would definitely live longer. But you are always burdened by the past, and your heart is wounded every day. Your heart condition will only get worse. Susu, let it go. I'm begging you."

Wei Susu's voice was always soft and gentle, but upon hearing these words, she finally couldn't hold back and burst out, shouting loudly, "I can't let go! I can't let go!"