Because they didn't know how many more years they could spend together, they cherished every fleeting moment even more.
Yu Wanyin said, "Xiao Tiancai mentioned he'll return next month to check your pulse."
After the Crown Prince's case was settled, Yu Wanyin still informed Xiao Tiancai about Xie Yong'er's death.
Xiao Tiancai was heartbroken for several days. Yu Wanyin thought he would leave, but he continued to appear as usual, faithfully keeping his promise to care for Cen Jintian until the very end.
It wasn't until after Cen Jintian's passing that Xiao Tiancai came to bid farewell.
Yu Wanyin felt guilty, believing she owed him much, but Xiao Tiancai comforted her instead: "I served Her Ladyship loyally, which was Consort Xie's wish. Now I leave to see the mountains and rivers she longed to visit."
Yu Wanyin couldn't help but ask, "What did she say in that letter?"
Xiao Tiancai's ears turned red again: "...She said that once matters in the capital were settled and she found a new place to settle down, she would wait for me to find her."
After a few seconds of silence, he smiled. "There's no need for Your Ladyship to grieve. As long as these lands remain peaceful, her spirit will have a place to rest, and we will meet again someday."
After that, he set off alone, occasionally sending letters back to share glimpses of the lives of people in the places he visited.
Xiahou Dan remarked, "He comes and goes like the wind."
"I heard he became a traveling physician, saving lives wherever he goes." Yu Wanyin recalled their conversation, her mood still somewhat somber.
Xiahou Dan glanced at her and casually mentioned, "By the way, A Bai also sent a letter."
"What did it say?"
"Nothing much, just catching up and checking on us." Xiahou Dan snorted. "Included a sappy poem."
Yu Wanyin laughed. "Let me see it."
"Nothing worth seeing."
"Come on—"
Xiahou Dan pushed aside his teacup and stood up. "Since we have some rare free time, how about a game of ping pong?"
Yu Wanyin was distracted. "Sure."
The harem had long been disbanded—most of the concubines left with expressions of relief—but the ping pong table remained.
After the Emperor won two games, the Empress threw down her paddle and refused to continue, declaring that swinging on a Qingming Festival day would be more fitting. So the Emperor sent someone to fetch ribbons and a swing board.
As Li Yunxi walked down the corridor with memorials in hand, he spotted from afar a splendidly dressed figure swinging back and forth under the tall willow trees in the Imperial Garden, accompanied by what sounded like the Emperor's laughter.
Li Yunxi, immersed in the melancholy of a lonely ruler, couldn't bear the sight. It took him a while to compose himself before he requested a palace attendant to announce his presence.
Moments later, the Empress stopped swinging, and the Emperor approached alone. "What is it?"
Li Yunxi presented the memorial. "For Your Majesty's review."
Even though it was a day of rest, since the minister had chosen to work, Xiahou Dan couldn't ignore him.
He led Li Yunxi into the Imperial Study, listening to the report while flipping through the memorial. Li Yunxi spoke diligently, but he couldn't shake the feeling that the Emperor was only half-listening, occasionally smiling and zoning out. Yet every time Li Yunxi paused, Xiahou Dan could respond fluently, leaving him no opening for a stern remonstration.
Half an hour later, a eunuch knocked and entered, bowing as he presented a note. Li Yunxi, sharp-eyed, immediately recognized the messy handwriting.
"Barbecue tonight?"
Xiahou Dan glanced at it, rested his chin on his hand, picked up a brush, and wrote a "1" in reply.
Li Yunxi: "?"
The eunuch, seemingly accustomed to this, took the note and withdrew.Xiahou Dan looked at Li Yunxi and asked in a dismissive tone, "Any more questions?"
Li Yunxi: "...No."
He bowed and took his leave, but had only taken two steps when Xiahou Dan called out, "Stay a moment, my dear minister."
Pointing at his memorial, Xiahou Dan said, "Your writing is quite eloquent. I wonder how your poetic talent fares?"
"Poetry?"
"You could write a couple of sentimental poems when you have time," Xiahou Dan suggested earnestly. "Since you have no one to send them to anyway, why not let me borrow them to make a gift of Buddha with another's flowers?"
"..."
The words Li Yunxi had been holding back all day finally burst out: "What kind of behavior is this between you two?!"
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