Chapter 121 - 120: The Substitute Bride Eldest Miss 36

Chapter 121: Chapter 120: The Substitute Bride Eldest Miss 36

It was no wonder Ji Xiaosong’s mind was racing. With her influence in the country, it would have been very easy for her to learn the details of the Grand Emperor and Empress Dowager’s travels over the past few years.

However, she had always believed the Royal Family was exceptionally harmonious, both internally and in its foreign affairs. Things like internal power struggles seemed highly unlikely.

But now, considering the Grand Emperor’s words, coupled with the fact that he had deliberately relied on her influence to travel far and wide all these years, she couldn’t help but be more vigilant.

Though her mind was racing, her expression remained serene.

"Now that Father and Mother have returned, Qingyun’s burden will be greatly eased."

Ji Xiaosong poured a cup of tea for the Grand Emperor and handed it to him.

The words had barely left her lips when the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

Immediately after, Chu Qingyun strode into the hall.

The moment he saw the Grand Emperor and Empress Dowager, he rushed forward and knelt on both knees. His voice trembled slightly. "I have come to pay my respects, Father, Mother. It has been many months. I have thought of you day and night."

The Grand Emperor quickly rose and helped Chu Qingyun to his feet. He clapped him firmly on the shoulders, his eyes full of pride. "Qingyun, stand up. Let your father get a good look at you. You’ve worked hard all these years, shouldering the burden of this nation."

The Empress Dowager came forward as well, taking Chu Qingyun’s hand and looking him up and down. "You’ve gotten thinner," she said, her voice full of concern. "And tanner. No matter how busy things are at court, you must take care of yourself."

Chu Qingyun smiled and nodded. "I am well. I apologize for making you worry, Father and Mother. When I heard you had returned to the Imperial Palace today, I couldn’t wait to see you. I just finished a meeting with the Cabinet and rushed right over."

As they all took their seats again, Chu Qingyun began to recount the affairs of the court, both large and small, and the country’s development over the past few years for the Grand Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

The Grand Emperor would occasionally offer his own insights and suggestions, and Chu Qingyun listened intently, nodding along.

The Empress Dowager, sitting to one side, watched the father and son discuss state affairs with a gentle smile on her face. She would occasionally chime in with a question about Chu Qingyun’s personal well-being.

During the meal, the Grand Emperor took a bite and immediately praised it. "This food is wonderful. It’s quite different from the flavors I grew accustomed to among the common people."

Chu Qingyun quickly agreed. "If you stay in the Imperial Palace, Father, you can have it whenever you wish. Song grew all of these herself. Most of the palace grounds were unused, so Song converted them into farmland."

"The Empress is virtuous and has a deft touch. She is truly worthy of being an Immortal’s disciple. After eating this, I feel as if the fatigue from my long journey has vanished completely."

Hearing the Grand Emperor say this, Chu Qingyun beamed with pride.

"You may not know this, Father, but the only reason I have the energy to manage the affairs of the state day after day is because of the food Song provides. Barring any accidents, it’s not impossible that I could live to be a hundred."

At these words, the Empress Dowager’s hand trembled, a flicker of fear rising in her heart. However, only Ji Xiaosong noticed.

Ji Xiaosong gave the Grand Emperor an apologetic smile. "Father, please don’t listen to him jest. My vegetables have no such magical properties. It is only because our family is harmonious and Qingyun is in good health that everything seems so wonderful."

The Grand Emperor listened to Ji Xiaosong, his smile never wavering, but a sharp, imperceptible glint flashed in the depths of his eyes. He slowly set down his chopsticks and said meaningfully, "The Empress is being too humble. I have experienced the wonder of this food for myself. If it can truly prolong life, that would be a blessing for our Royal Family."

The Empress Dowager forced a smile and raised her teacup for a sip, trying to conceal her panic, but her faintly trembling hand revealed her inner turmoil.

Ji Xiaosong discreetly observed the Empress Dowager’s reaction, her own suspicions deepening. ’What secret could be behind this,’ she wondered, ’that would make the Empress Dowager so terrified?’

Chu Qingyun, however, remained completely oblivious to the subtle shift in the atmosphere. He continued proudly, "Father, Song has many other wondrous abilities. You’ll discover them all in time."

As he spoke, he placed a piece of food on Ji Xiaosong’s plate, his eyes full of love and trust.

Just then, Chu Yuzhe, who had been quiet the entire time, suddenly asked the Grand Emperor, "Grandfather, do you want to become an Immortal, too? Do you want to live forever?"

Hearing Chu Yuzhe’s question, the Grand Emperor was stunned for a moment, then a fiery light ignited in his eyes. He answered without any attempt to hide his feelings. "Yuzhe, of course your Grandfather wants to live forever. There is so much splendor in this world I have yet to enjoy, and this country... I want to watch it prosper for a long, long time. How wonderful it would be to become an Immortal and possess endless years."

His voice trembled slightly, filled with a desperate longing for immortality.

Chu Yuzhe blinked his large eyes and said in a small but earnest voice, "But Grandfather, Immortals have to live very, very far away. They can’t be with their families. I don’t want you to become an Immortal. If you go away to be an Immortal, then there will be no one to play with me or tell me stories."

As he spoke, a pained expression crossed his little face, and the rims of his eyes began to redden.

Only then did Chu Qingyun belatedly sense the strange shift in the atmosphere. He frowned, looking from Chu Yuzhe to the Grand Emperor, his mind filled with confusion.

Ji Xiaosong, meanwhile, secretly clenched her fists. She realized things were spiraling out of control and quietly observed everyone, preparing to handle any sudden developments.

The Empress Dowager gripped her teacup so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She forced a smile, wanting to say something to ease the tension, but she didn’t know where to begin.

"Yuzhe, your Grandfather is just thinking aloud. I won’t leave you."

Seeing the boy’s distress, the Grand Emperor’s heart softened. He reached out and stroked Chu Yuzhe’s head, but the craving in his eyes did not dissipate.

He turned to look at Ji Xiaosong, his gaze probing. "Empress, since you are the disciple of an Immortal, do you know of any way to attain eternal life?"

The question made the atmosphere in the room freeze. All eyes turned to Ji Xiaosong.

Ji Xiaosong’s heart tightened, but she quickly composed herself. With a graceful curtsy, she began to speak slowly.

"Father, cultivating the path to immortality is no simple matter. The hardships and dangers are beyond imagination. Though I have been fortunate enough to become an Immortal’s disciple, my understanding is merely superficial, so I dare not speak recklessly. Furthermore, I have heard that those who try to force longevity often disrupt the delicate balance between heaven and earth, inviting great calamity."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over each person in the room. Seeing that she held their attention, she continued.

"Once that balance is broken, the world will fall into endless darkness. The seasons will fall into disarray, crops will fail, plagues will run rampant, and the people will become displaced and destitute."

As she said this, Ji Xiaosong’s tone grew somber, her face etched with worry.

"All things in this world have their ordained course. To defy the heavens is to invite divine retribution."

Ji Xiaosong’s words were sincere. "Our nation is currently prosperous, and the people are living in peace. If we were to invite disaster for the sake of pursuing eternal life, would the loss not far outweigh the gain?"

Chu Qingyun listened, startled. He couldn’t help but nod in agreement. Looking at the Grand Emperor, he said, "Father, what Song says is absolutely right. The stability of the nation and the well-being of the people are paramount. The matter of immortality requires careful long-term consideration."

The Empress Dowager quickly added her support. "Indeed. A peaceful life is the greatest blessing. We cannot bring disaster upon the nation and its people because of a moment’s greed."

A flicker of disappointment crossed the Grand Emperor’s eyes, but faced with everyone’s persuasion, he could not press the issue. He could only force a smile. "What the Empress says is reasonable. I was being reckless and failed to consider these consequences."

On the surface, he conceded, but deep in his heart, the desire for immortality grew like a stubborn weed, impossible to easily uproot.