Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

Yun Chu looked at the Emperor in surprise. Just moments ago, he had been looking down on her, as if he wanted to force her away from Gu Ruoxiao. Why was he smiling so happily now?

"Come in," the Emperor said.

Yun Chu turned her head in confusion and saw the Empress and Gu Ruoxiao return and come in.

"You?" Yun Chu couldn't help but ask.

"I didn't mean to," Gu Ruoxiao quickly explained.

"I arranged it," the Emperor said frankly.

Flashback

After Gu Ruoxiao finished speaking, she hurriedly walked out, followed by the Empress.

He hadn't taken more than a few steps when the Empress stopped him.

He turned around in surprise, and the Empress pulled him back to the door, gesturing for him to be quiet.

Gu Ruoxiao was puzzled.

Then, the Emperor's voice came from inside, questioning Yun Chu.

"Brother, you've gone too far," Gu Ruoxiao said, pulling Yun Chu aside.

"Hahahaha." The Emperor laughed heartily, "I am very satisfied with this sister-in-law."

Yun Chu was taken aback. Had she passed the test with the elders?

"Someone, prepare a feast! It's time to eat!" the Empress said happily, making the arrangements.

Perhaps due to consideration for the Emperor's illness, although it was the eve of the Lunar New Year, the dishes that should have been abundant and delicious were instead extremely simple, presenting a unique freshness and simplicity. Even so, the Emperor didn't eat much, spending most of his time watching Ruoxiao eat. His gaze was gentle and deep, filled with memories of the past and expectations for the future. His eyes fell on Ruoxiao, who was engrossed in her meal, his eyes filled with doting affection and感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both affection and reflection).

The Empress was busy serving food to the Emperor, who patted her hand and said, "You eat too."

The Empress gestured for Yun Chu to serve herself some food, smiling gently. "It seems that the imperial decree has come true. You are, after all, a member of the royal family. It seems that fate has its own design."

Yun Chu smiled.

Seeing that Yun Chu was a little uncomfortable, the Emperor said, "Yun Chu, don't be so reserved. Today is a family banquet. Ruo Xiao is my younger brother, so we are his older brother and sister-in-law. There is no royal dignity involved."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Yun Chu replied hastily.

"Tsk, you forgot as soon as you said it." The Emperor was displeased.

Yun Chu looked at Gu Ruoxiao, who smiled and put a piece of food into Yun Chu's bowl. "Call him Imperial Brother and Imperial Sister-in-law."

"Royal brother, royal sister-in-law," Yun Chu said somewhat shyly.

"Oh!" It's clear that His Majesty is genuinely pleased.

"Although I am fifteen years older than Ruoxiao, he was very attached to me when he was a child. Don't let his handsome appearance fool you, he was quite mischievous as a kid. He was always climbing on the roof and tearing off tiles. Even Father Emperor had a headache, so he left him to me to raise." The Emperor began to reminisce about the past, his face losing its imperial majesty and revealing the warmth of an elder brother.

"Brother, please don't talk about my embarrassing moments. Have something to eat." Gu Ruoxiao reached out and ladled out a bowl of soup, handing it to him.

"Alright, alright, you won't let me say anything more, you rascal," the Emperor said with a laugh. The Empress picked up the soup and fed it to the Emperor.

The family dinner was a joyous occasion. Yun Chu envied their brotherly bond, unlike the Ye family of the past, where intrigue and ruthless rivalry were rampant.

"Father, Mother!" A voice came from outside the palace.

The eunuch Cao, who was beside the emperor, quickly said, "It should be the Eighth Prince."

"Let him in."

Gu Chenglin walked in with a light step, carrying an exquisite food box, his face beaming with a vibrant smile, as lively as ever.

"Uncle, you're here too. Oh, Ye Xingchen, what are you doing here?" Gu Cheng asked, sitting down in the chair next to Yun Chu. "I didn't come to see you before because I was tied up with many things," he explained.

When Yun Chu was released from prison, the Eighth Prince was confined to his quarters for three months due to a family scandal within the royal family. Later, because his studies had fallen behind, he was also restricted from leaving the palace. When he was finally allowed to leave, Yun Chu had already gone to the Northern Region. The two thus missed each other by a twist of fate and never saw each other again.

"No respect for elders! This is your imperial aunt," the Emperor said. If this child were half as clever as Ruoxiao, he would be secretly pleased.

"Royal Aunt?" Gu Chenglin asked in surprise, instinctively grabbing Yun Chu's arm. "When did you get together with the Royal Uncle?"

Yun Chu smiled awkwardly. She wanted to pull her arm back, but dared not make any big movements.

Gu Ruoxiao stood up, walked between Yun Chu and Gu Chenglin, pulled Gu Chenglin's hand off, then pulled Yun Chu up and made her sit in his seat. He then sat down in Yun Chu's seat and continued eating.

Gu Chenglin looked at his actions with a blank expression.

The Emperor and Empress on the opposite side exchanged a glance. The Emperor shook his head with a smile, while the Empress covered her embroidered handkerchief and chuckled.

Looking at his uncle, who seemed different today, Gu Chenglin couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, don't you love me anymore?"

Gu Ruoxiao replied without looking up, "I have someone I love more."

Yun Chu blushed instantly upon hearing this. She felt ashamed. What was Gu Ruoxiao saying? How could he say such things in front of the Emperor and Empress? She lowered her head and didn't dare to look up.

Gu Chenglin, however, did not understand his implied meaning. He stretched his neck and shouted to Yun Chu, "I recently found two more luminous pearls. I will send them to you another day."

Yun Chu listened but dared not respond.

This time, Gu Ruoxiao put down his chopsticks and turned to face Gu Chenglin, saying, "I will personally deliver the things that this princess likes."

Gu Chenglin stood there dumbfounded, looking completely bewildered.

The Empress was already secretly laughing uncontrollably. She said, "Alright, alright, let's eat first. Lin'er, what brings you here?"

"Oh right." Gu Chenglin seemed to have just remembered the purpose of his visit and hurriedly placed the food box he had brought on the table. "I heard that people eat rice cakes on the Little New Year, so I asked the imperial kitchen to make some and brought them for Father and Mother to try."

The round and plump rice cakes served symbolize family reunion and happiness. They are often topped with ingredients such as red dates, lotus seeds, and osmanthus flowers, giving them a soft and glutinous texture and an appealing color.

"It's rare to see such filial piety in you. Cao Ze will share some with everyone," the Emperor said with a smile.

Grandpa Cao hurriedly took the rice cakes and shared them with everyone.

The Emperor examined Gu Chenglin's studies again. Although there were some shortcomings, it was clear that the Emperor was in a good mood today and did not punish him. Gu Chenglin was secretly pleased with himself.

At the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), the Emperor was feeling tired, so Gu Ruoxiao took her leave with Yun Chu.

"Brother, it's getting late. I'll take Yun Chu back and come to see you at the palace tomorrow."

"It's alright, it's nothing. Your Majesty is in a good mood today. You two should get along well and discuss any issues that arise." The Emperor said kindly, turning to Yun Chu, "If Xiao Ruo bullies you, just tell me, and I will teach him a lesson for you. This is the power I have given you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Go ahead, be careful on the road." The Emperor nodded in satisfaction.