Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

Gu Ruoxiao arrived at night.

Yun Chu placed the betrothal gift list in front of him and stated her conclusion directly, "Too much."

Gu Ruoxiao smiled and said, "Today, Uncle Cheng told me that you thought the betrothal gifts were too much. He even praised you, saying that no woman would complain about too much betrothal gifts."

“I don’t have any dowry. Shili Pu is for Nan Rao and the others,” Yun Chu said earnestly.

Gu Ruoxiao shook her head. "It doesn't matter. You are the greatest dowry."

Yun Chu wasn't going to argue with him anymore. She said seriously, "I have something to tell you. Since ancient times, women have always embroidered their own wedding dresses. I always thought I would never get married, so I didn't prepare a wedding dress at all."

Gu Ruoxiao smiled, "I thought it was something serious. I've prepared your wedding dress, and I'm arranging for someone to make it."

"Oh, wouldn't this be bad?"

"What's wrong with it? Don't you want to marry me?"

"I'm not."

"That's good then." Gu Ruoxiao flicked her forehead. "Don't overthink it." He pulled her to sit on his lap and said, "But I have something to tell you."

"Ok?"

"I am a member of the royal family, and the royal ancestral hall has a lot of etiquette and customs. I have already postponed those training rituals for you. It's just that the wedding date will probably be quite long," Gu Ruoxiao said somewhat nervously.

"When is the wedding date?" Yun Chu asked.

"It'll probably be spring at the earliest."

"It's already mid-November, so that means in two months?"

"Ah."

"Isn't this timing quite normal?" Yun Chu couldn't help but laugh.

"But I want to marry you right now," Gu Ruoxiao said affectionately.

Looking at the person in front of her, Yun Chu felt a warmth envelop her heart. She cupped Gu Ruoxiao's face, kissed his lips, and then said, "Didn't you say we have a long future ahead of us?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Ruoxiao's lips curved into a gentle smile, his eyes filled with deep affection. He reached out and cupped Yun Chu's head with one hand, while protecting her waist with the other, and kissed her.

Yun Chu responded, and this time she seemed certain; she was no longer afraid.

At this moment, their hearts were in sync, their minds were intertwined.

Time flies, and it seems like only a blink of an eye has passed, and we have quietly crossed the threshold of the season and arrived at the end of the year in December.

Red lanterns and various colorful decorations are hung under the eaves of houses in the streets and alleys. Every household is preparing for the New Year, and everyone is immersed in a busy yet harmonious atmosphere.

"Yun Chu, I'm afraid I won't be able to come here as often as I can in the future. My brother's illness has become increasingly serious lately, and my uncle has been staying in the palace all day." Gu Ruoxiao's mood was somewhat downcast.

"His Majesty's illness seems to be more serious than in his previous life," Yun Chu said cautiously.

“Yes, the matter concerning the Fourth Prince has dealt him a heavy blow, which has worsened his condition.” Gu Ruoxiao sighed. “Now the Empress is with him all day, Xiao Ba is often by his side, and other princes also visit him from time to time. He wants me to spend more time with him, and I agreed.”

Yun Chu nodded. She remembered that in her previous life, the Emperor had passed away not long after the Spring Festival. At that time, Gu Ruoxiao was leading troops to fight against Dongchi and missed seeing his brother one last time. Now, he certainly couldn't miss it again.

Yun Chu stood up and walked to Gu Ruoxiao's side, saying, "I'll accompany you to see the Emperor."

Gu Ruoxiao looked up at her, her eyes flashing with surprise mixed with delight.

“You heard me right. I said I will accompany you to see the Emperor,” Yun Chu repeated firmly.

Tears welled up in his eyes, and he hugged her waist, burying his face in hers.

The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year, which is as important as the New Year itself. On this day, Gu Ruoxiao came to fetch Yun Chu to the palace.

The palace remains the same as it was in the previous life, with its green tiles and red walls, where countless people have been imprisoned, and where countless others yearn to enter.

Gu Ruoxiao brought Yun Chu to meet the Emperor.

The Emperor was reclining on his dragon throne, looking completely different from how he had been seen at the autumn hunt last year. Though not yet forty, he already appeared aged, clearly suffering greatly from illness. The Empress was attending to him with meticulous care.

"Today's family banquet is all family, so please relax," the Empress said gently as she greeted the guests.

Yun Chu smiled and nodded.

"Sit closer," the Emperor said.

Gu Ruoxiao led Yun Chu to sit on the chair below the Emperor.

"The Imperial Kitchen has prepared some new tonics today. Ruoxiao, go and fetch two bowls," the Emperor instructed.

Knowing that the Emperor intended to distract him, Gu Ruoxiao said, "I'll have the eunuch go."

"What? Can't I order you around anymore?" The Emperor feigned anger.

"Royal brother!" Gu Ruoxiao said urgently.

"Your Highness, please accompany me to see the dishes and see if there are any that Yun Chu cannot eat," the Empress said with a smile.

Gu Ruoxiao remained unmoved.

"Go ahead, I was just thinking about taking some supplements!" Yun Chu said, smiling at Gu Ruoxiao and giving him a reassuring look.

"Brother, please don't make things difficult for her," Gu Ruoxiao had no choice but to say, then turned to Yun Chu and said, "I'll be back soon." He then hurriedly ran out.

Watching Gu Ruoxiao's departing figure, the Emperor said, "This is the first time I've seen him so nervous about someone."

Yun Chu smiled but remained silent.

The Emperor looked at her and asked, "Aren't you afraid that I will make things difficult for you while Ruoxiao is away?"

"Will the Emperor make things difficult for me?" Yun Chu countered.

The Emperor scrutinized Yun Chu. "I've heard that you were wavering between the Fourth Prince and the Eighth Prince, and now you've gotten involved with Ruo Xiao. What do you expect me to think?"

“My relationship with the Fourth Prince was due to youthful arrogance and ignorance, and it had nothing to do with the Eighth Prince. As for Ruoxiao,” Yun Chu raised her head and looked directly at the Emperor, “I like him, I like him very much.”

"You are an orphan girl, do you think I would agree to your marriage with Ruoxiao?" the Emperor said coldly. "There are plenty of people who like Ruoxiao."

"Although marriage has always been arranged by parents and matchmakers, the most important thing is mutual affection. Whether you agree or not is not important. What is important is what Xiao thinks?" Yun Chu replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"What if I ask you to give him up? You can't help him at all." The Emperor shook his head.

“I will not give up on him,” Yun Chu said firmly. “Of course, if he wants to give up on me, I will not pester him. I will only listen to what he says.”

"Whether or not you want to return to the Ye family, I can help you. Although the Ye family is not very powerful, it can still be an asset to Ruoxiao."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but I will not return. I have no connection with the Ye family."

"Even for Ruoxiao's sake, you're unwilling?"

“Yes, I am unwilling. If he really needs help, I will do everything I can to find it for him. If I can’t find it, I will help him myself. As for the Ye family, they are not suitable. Their corrupt family values ​​will ultimately harm him,” Yun Chu said frankly.

"Hahahaha." The Emperor laughed heartily, "You are exactly as Ruoxiao described."