Chapter 287 (1/2)

Suddenly, Yan Xun felt a little nervous. He took his seat beside Nalan Hongye, but had the intention of avoiding her. Frowning, he said, ”Don't poke me.”

Nalan Hongye raised her eyebrows in reply. ”You've been on the battlefield before. Are you scared of such a small needle?”

Yan Xun remained silent and skeptical towards her craftsmanship as he continued to frown. However, he realized that she was actually good at embroidery as she used her fingers to seemingly bring the needle to life.

She was frail. From Yan Xun's point of view, he could only see a fair, white neck. As the sunlight shone on her body, giving off a serene aura, the smell of medicinal herbs lingered around the room. The sand in the timekeeping pot slid to the base, grain by grain. The rustling sounds of the needle brushing through the clothes could seemingly be heard.

Suddenly, Nalan Hongye's hands trembled as she began to cough lightly. Initially, she tried to suppress her cough. However, it soon spiraled out of control as her coughing grew louder. Yan Xun frowned and reach out his other hand to pat her back lightly as he called out, ”Bring some water here, quick.”

Wen Yuan rushed forward. Yan Xun received the cup of water and fed her one mouthful. As her breathing stabilized, her face remained red as the look in her eyes grew increasingly fatigued.

”Are you alright? Do you need a physician?”

Nalan Hongye shook her head weakly and replied, ”No need, it's just an ailment. I'll be fine after a little rest.”

”Don't fix this outfit anymore. Wait until you're feeling better.”

Nalan Hongye nodded as she felt tired.

Yan Xun removed his outer coat and handed it to Wen Yuan as he ordered, ”Wait till she's better. Don't give this to her in the next few days.”

Wen Yuan nodded her head in joy as she thought to herself Five years. Finally, the heavens have opened their eyes. His Majesty finally knows how to dote on his wife.

Yan Xun put on another cloak and said to Nalan Hongye, ”I'll take my leave. Rest well.”

Nalan Hongye nodded. Yan Xun turned to walk out of the room, lifting the curtains in the palace. As his shadow faded, Nalan Hongye suddenly began to feel anxious out of the blue. Loudly, she exclaimed, ”Your Majesty?”

Yan Xun froze as he turned his head back.

From afar, they looked at each other just like that. Time seemed to flash across them. One year, two years, three years, five years… All that he did not know, tens of years, many, many years.

”I'll tell the kitchen to prepare more delicious food tonight. Your Majesty, will you come?”

Yan Xun stood at the center of the palace and continued to look at the woman on the bed, from afar. That was his wife, a person that he had never acknowledged or paid attention to, but had helped him practically in many ways.

He stood there, looking at her, as he tried to recall what she looked like in the past. However, other than the sight of her sporting expensive jewelry and flamboyant outfits, he was unable to recall anything else. Presently, she was dressed in a plain, white outfit without any accessories on her head, no makeup on her face. Her lips were pale, her figure appeared frail, and it was uncertain how long she would continue to live for.

Forget it… Yan Xun sighed to himself. Although she had monopolized Xuan Mo's military power, although she might have found out about his relationship with Xuan Mo, although she might have destroyed Xuan Mo's last letter to him while he was still alive…

Forget it. From afar, Yan Xun nodded and said, ”Rest well first. I'll visit you later.”

The refreshing wind blew into the palace as the doors were opened.

Nalan Hongye sat on her bed as she watched his shadow fade. Her expression was gentle and calm.

”Madam…” Wen Yuan smiled in joy, not knowing what to say. Finally, she said, ”I'll go and prepare the necessary.”

Nalan Hongye took a deep breath as she leaned into her soft blanket. Suddenly, she reminisced about that evening many years ago. He was on his horse, catching up with her. Finally, he stood on the other side of the bridge and faced her as he shouted, ”I've buried a jar of fine wine under the pear tree. Will you come next year?”

Will you come next year?

Will you come next year?

Will you come?

It had been many years, but she could still hear his voice whenever she closed her eyes. It seemed like only yesterday that this had happened.

”Yes! Wait for me!” she poked her head out of the horse carriage and shouted back in response as his shadow slowly faded into a small black dot.

Yes! Wait for me!

However, she never went back.

Upon the demise of her father, she was left with only her sickly mother, intellectually disabled brother, and the other relatives of the royal family who coveted her power. The responsibility of upholding her empire fell solely on her shoulders.

As for him, he lost his family and home. The pampered child who lived his life in luxury turned into a prisoner overnight.