I think my luck is turning around.

The emperor was stunned. Yi Yunhan was on the verge of a breakdown. Tears were streaming down her face and onto the ground. She loved her child, but didn't she love him too?

The emperor was also helpless. How should he punish her? It was understandable that the imperial concubine was like this; after all, she was his child! The emperor looked at Yi Yunhan. This was the first time he had seen such emotions in her. She was different from her usual self, and seemed like a completely different person.

"I remember when I first met you, you were so docile, but now you're always talking about freedom, that must be your true nature, Your Highness.

"What you want is a docile concubine, so I should just do that."

"What about the original you? What were you like before? We are husband and wife, you don't need to pretend in front of me."

“We are not husband and wife. You and the Empress are husband and wife. I am at most a concubine of a slightly higher status. If it weren’t for the fact that the Yi and Tang families needed someone to reside in the harem, I wouldn’t be here.”

"Oh!

Your uncle is Tang Qi, a high-ranking official! He handled the salt tax issue very well over the years, making a fortune from it. I really admire his work style.

But what does this have to do with you hiding your personality?

The emperor simply couldn't understand. She had been pretending for nearly twenty years; what was the real her like? The emperor walked to Yi Yunhan's side and helped her up. No matter what, she had been kneeling there for a long time, and her knees couldn't take it anymore.

"Get up, we should talk calmly."

Yi Yunhan stood up gracefully, and Feng Yuan, ever observant, brought a chair and placed it behind her. Yi Yunhan sat upright, her manners impeccable. Her face was expressionless as she looked helplessly at the emperor. Mingxi clenched his fist inwardly. How long had he been in this state? Five years? Ten years? Or even twenty?

"Your Majesty, is there anything else you wish to ask?"

Seeing her like this, the emperor lost interest in asking any more questions. He sighed heavily and loosened his grip. He simply told Yi Yunhan to go back and rest, as there were certain things he could handle.

Yi Yunhan rose and bowed, then walked out of the Imperial Study. She saw the Empress not far away. Although she was puzzled, she still went forward and bowed.

"Queen, Madam Ann."

"Get up quickly, you've been kneeling for so long. Are you alright?"

"It's okay, it's just kneeling for a moment."

"You've always been stubborn, never complaining about your hardships. You've remained silent all these years in the palace. If it weren't for Kang'er's birth, you probably would have lived in that most remote courtyard for the rest of your life?"

"You weren't like this before. Back then, you were the happiest girl, your eyes always sparkling." Yi Yunhan had a genuine smile on her face. The Empress's rambling showed her concern for her. The Empress then instructed the servants behind her to bring up the ginseng soup and give it to Yi Yunhan.

"I was originally going to use this ginseng soup to go in, but since you came out, I'll give it to you!"

"That guy doesn't deserve this. I made you kneel for so long. Come on, let me check your knees and put some medicine on them. Kneeling for so long must have hurt a lot!"

Seeing the Empress's caring attitude, Yi Yunhan felt no discomfort. This was her true self, unchanged. Yi Yunhan always felt more comfortable with the Empress.

This kind-hearted empress created a harmonious atmosphere in the harem, and Yi Yunhan was willing to stay with her for a while longer. Yi Yunhan looked at the empress, who was now personally applying medicine to her, very carefully, just like before.

"Thank you, Yu-kun."

Youjun is the Empress's given name, a name that hasn't been used in a long time, a name forgotten after she entered the palace, even her original name, Saiwen You, has been forgotten. This identity has imprisoned her for many years, ever since she left Mr. Ji's academy and entered the palace.

"It's been a long time since anyone called me that. How did you know my maiden name? Where did you get the information? From Le Si Fang?"

The Empress was naturally delighted and jokingly asked, but Yi Yunhan stared at Saiwen You without moving. She knew perfectly well that the little girl who was always by her side praising everyone was named Youjun.

Sai Wenyou looked into Yi Yunhan's eyes, and that feeling was familiar, unique to Yan Xu. The Empress quickly denied her thoughts; that sister was already dead, how could she possibly disrespect Yan Xu like that?

"Once Kang'er's matter is settled, I will leave the palace. I will do what Yan Xu should do, and what freedom should do."

Yi Yunhan's eyes were gentle and affectionate, a look rarely seen on her face. Sai Wenyou was stunned. She couldn't believe that her beloved older sister was right in front of her. Tears immediately welled up in Sai Wenyou's eyes and streamed down her face.

"Why didn't you speak up all these years? Why did you stay in this body for so long? If you had just spoken up, you wouldn't have been trapped here for so long!"

How could you be so foolish? We will all believe you, sister.

"There are many things that can't be said. I just don't want to stay here anymore. It doesn't matter anymore."