Chapter 277: Joy in Dreams

Chapter 277

In the capital city of Kyoto, at the former residence of the Ning family,

Under the clear afternoon sun, Ning Wanshuang sat on the warm seat in her chamber, propping up her chin and eagerly gazing towards the towering structure in the east of the city.

That building, adorned with glazed tiles, appeared as a tiny speck in her eyes,

But she recognized it as the Chaoyang Palace, the place where the emperor resided.

"Ying Xiang, what do you think the emperor is doing right now?"

"Miss! You've mentioned the emperor again!"

Ying Xiang quickly made a hushing gesture to Ning Wanshuang, lowering her voice. "Master has informed the court that you have an undisclosed illness, preventing you from serving in the palace. He also forbade you from mentioning the emperor at home. If he hears you speaking like this, he will be displeased."

"Hmph, what does it matter if Father is displeased?" Ning Wanshuang retorted, displeased. "I'm tired of his worn-out excuses. Why isn't it a good outcome to marry into the imperial family? If it's not good, why do noblewomen from prestigious families throughout the land compete to enter the palace? Besides, I'm not seeking wealth and status by entering the palace. The emperor genuinely likes me!"

She held Ying Xiang's hand, her eyes sparkling. "You saw it that day too, didn't you? Among all those distinguished young ladies, the emperor only spoke to me. I don't understand why Father won't let me marry the emperor."

Ying Xiang tried to persuade her. "The position of empress has already been set, so if you enter the palace now, you can only be a concubine. Master doesn't want you to suffer such grievances."

"That's not true," Ning Wanshuang pouted and shook her head. "Wasn't Mother also Father's concubine back then? The legitimate daughter of the Nanyuan Duke admired Father and begged the late emperor to arrange a marriage. But Father refused and insisted on taking Mother as his wife. When the late emperor forbade it, Father first took Mother as a concubine. And later, he never married again, forcing the late emperor to acknowledge Mother's status as his legal wife. Mother didn't feel wronged at that time, so why should I feel wronged?"

Ying Xiang said, "But the situation is different now..."

"What's different?" Ning Wanshuang argued. "It's still about mutual affection and genuine liking. What's different just because he is the emperor?"

Unable to persuade her, Ying Xiang changed the subject. "Let me prepare some food for you secretly. Master won't know."

"I won't eat!" Ning Wanshuang stubbornly declared. "I said I would starve myself, and if Father won't let me marry the emperor, then I won't eat for the rest of my life!"

-"Wan'er~"

Ning Xiuqi, the eldest son of the Ning family, called from the courtyard,

At first, Ning Wanshuang couldn't help but smile, but soon her expression turned serious as she ignored him.

"Wan'er? Are you still angry?"

Ning Xiuqi walked over with a playful smile, deliberately pulling her hair bun. "Turn around and see what your brother has brought for you."

"Father and brother, you must come back early. And brother, don't forget that you promised to buy me a magnolia hairpin! The Emperor likes that flower, and I like it too!"

Ning Xiuqi indulgently ruffled Ning Wanshuang's head and laughed heartily.

"Of course."

---

"Empress? Empress?"

Familiar voices called out near her ears, urging Empress Chen to slowly lift her heavy eyelids.

She saw herself still lying in her familiar chamber, with everything arranged just as before.

But the maid accompanying her had changed from Ying Xiang to Liu Yue.

"Empress, you've finally awakened!"

Liu Yue's eyes were red as she helped Empress Chen sit up and lean against the headboard.

"Empress, you had a high fever and remained unconscious for five days. I was so worried..."

Empress Chen felt a wave of dizziness in her head.

As he furrowed his brows, Ning Xiuqi caught sight of a xiānyí flower hairpin resting on the bedside table. He picked it up and clenched it in his hand, asking,

"What is this...?"

Liu Yue cried and replied, "It's an item found on Young Master's person... The Imperial Executioner sent it, returning it to Your Ladyship."

Ning Xiuqi's mind was wholly preoccupied with thoughts of defending the country on the battlefield, and at the age of twenty-three, he had yet to marry, his memory failing him.

He had once promised to give a gift to the Imperial Consort Chen, and after five years had passed, it finally landed in her hands.

Imperial Consort Chen tightly grasped the hairpin,

The sharp tip of the hairpin pierced her delicate palm,

As if it had also pierced her heart.

"Brother... Father..."