C131 (2/2)

”Yes, Your Majesty. Rong'er understands.” Rong'er nodded in agreement.

After a while, they finally arrived at Rong'er's home. In ten years, she had been in the palace for ten years, but she had never been in this house again. The house she was once familiar with had become somewhat unfamiliar to her, and the white silk cloth that fluttered in the wind above the door indicated that there was a funeral going on in the house. Although it was close to noon, it was a bit cold, and Rong'er felt an intense pain in his heart.

”Consultant Guild, please announce your orders.” Xuan Ye said softly.

”Your servant obeys the decree!” The advisor responded, raised the imperial edict with one hand, and shouted at the top of his lungs, ”The imperial edict is here!” At the same time, Xuan Ye, Rong'er, and Cao Yin raised their heads and walked into the mansion.

Rong'er lowered her head and sneaked a peek, only to see a haggard look on her face. Rong'er's heart trembled uncontrollably as she wanted to throw herself into her mother's arms, but she could only endure. The people she saw were all her father's cousins, dressed in mourning, causing her heart to ache violently. She tried her best to hold back her tears as she looked at everyone.

The few men from the Palace kneeled in the yard, waiting to receive the decree.

The counselor walked to the head of the court and opened the imperial report, then read out loud: ”With the blessing of the Heavens, the Emperor has decreed that when the Minister of Rites, Gao Shan Xian, passed away, I am greatly saddened, because I have been serving as an official for many years, and have observed his position, and am respected by my colleagues, and my daughter, Gai Rong'er, has been in the palace for ten years, and has been bestowed the title of nobility, stately and virtuous, filial piety and filial piety, and has given birth to four princes and a princess.

”This subject shall be grateful.” Madam Gai stood up to receive the decree, and everyone thanked her.

When Rong'er heard that the emperor had given her parents a grateful look, Xuan Ye flashed him a gentle smile.

The counsellor handed the imperial edict to Madam Gai and said softly, ”Madam Gai, we still have some things we wish to say to Lady Gai in private. May I take a step forward to speak with her?”

Madam Gai heard the words of the consultant and quickly nodded her head, saying, ”Senior Cao, these few eunuchs will be invited to the study room.” Madam Gai led Xuan Ye and the other two to the study. After the door closed, Rong'er couldn't hold it in any longer. Tears welled up in her eyes as she called out, ”Madam.”

Ah!” Rong'er! ”No, Venerable One!” Madam Gai also looked excitedly at her daughter, tears flowing uncontrollably down her face.

”Madam, you can just call me Rong'er. I secretly left the palace because I missed you.” Rong'er rushed forward to hug her mother. The tears that she had been holding back ever since she arrived at the door finally flowed down.

”Rong'er, this … you stole it and left the palace. How about you let the people in the palace know about this?” Mrs. Gai hugged her daughter worriedly.

The consultant stepped forward and said, ”Madam Gai, this household has already been arranged. You do not have to worry, please think of a way to clear out the people in the mourning hall and have Young Master Rong pay his respects to Lord Gai.”

Madam Gai hurriedly wiped away her tears and nodded. ”En, alright. You all stay here. I will go and arrange it.”

In the spiritual hall of the mountain covered with incense, Rong'er kowtowed as the tears continued to flow down his face. Xuan Ye stood to the side and watched with a pained expression as Rong'er got up and walked to the coffin.

”Mother, what disease is Ama suffering from?” Rong'er asked softly.

”The imperial physician sent by the palace said that it was an intestinal tumor that had been growing in his body for a long time, but he didn't think that it was his intention. It caused a sudden illness that was treated for nearly half a month and still not cured.” Madam Gai said faintly.

”Ama has always been healthy.” Rong'er murmured softly.

”Sigh …” ”I don't even know how to live anymore. I thank the emperor for his kindness towards me, for bestowing upon me a title lady so that I can receive a salary, but since you're no longer here, I don't know how long I can live on my own.” Lady Gai murmured softly.

”Madam, Ama is no longer here, please don't let anything happen to her. You are my closest family members in this world. You must live well so Ama can be at ease and Rong'er can be at ease. Granny …” Rong'er nervously held her hands.

”Rong'er, your eldest mother will be strong and live. She will be able to protect you and make you feel lonely.” Mrs. Gai looked fondly at her daughter and nodded bitterly.

Xuan Ye stood at the side and watched this scene. He couldn't help but feel sad. Young Master Qing Xuan Ye gave the consultant a wink and lightly sighed.

When the consultant saw the look in Xuan Ye's eyes, he stepped forward and said, ”Noble Lady Rong, it's been a while. It's time for us to head back.”

Madam Gai held Rong'er's hand and said softly, ”Rong'er, quickly return. It isn't good to be found out while sneaking out of the palace. The Emperor has been treating you well all these years since you entered the palace.”

Rong'er nodded slightly, ”Mother, I'm going back. Please take care of yourself and promise me, okay?” Madam Gai nodded her head lightly, and Rong'er looked reluctantly at his mother. ”Esteemed wangfei, I'm pregnant again. Today's time is too short. A few days later, the empress dowager and I will request for your permission to enter the palace. We'll have a good talk.”

Rong'er, you've really lived up to your expectations. Now that you have a dragon heir, you should cherish him. Serve the emperor well, filial piety, and harmony with the empress dowager and empress dowager.” Lady Gai looked at Rong'er with a gratified expression. ”Rest assured of my first mother. My husband is a strong man, and my daughter is also a strong man. So I must be strong as well, right?” Madam Gai said with a light nod of her head.

”Mother!” Rong'er held Lady Gai gently, tears streaming down her face. Xuan Ye lightly nodded from the side. As the saying goes, a daughter must have a mother. Madam Gai must also be a very virtuous woman.

In the carriage heading back to the palace, Xuan Ye lightly held Rong'er's hand. ”Rong'er, don't be sad. I'll be by your side.”

Rong'er lifted his head and looked at Xuan Ye, his eyes filled with sincere emotion. ”Your Majesty, thank you!” Thank you so much! ”

Xuan Ye looked at Rong'er, his eyes filled with warmth. ”Rong'er, don't thank me. Everything I've done for you is what I should do. I don't know if I've given you enough, but I've really done my best.”

”Your Majesty …” Two streams of clear tears fell from her eyes. The Emperor was the Son of Heaven, this was already a great deal to her …