Yao Hua Palace had been thoroughly cleaned. Although Chi Ying wasn't officially the empress yet, all servants addressed her as such. A eunuch stepped forward: "Madam, I served Empress Dowager Xiaoling previously and later worked in the archives. Prince assigned me to manage Yao Hua Palace, ensuring your comfort. Any requests can be handled by me."
Chi Ying nodded: "Understood. Arrange rooms for Zhong Lüping and others, prepare four kinds of snacks, brew some Mao Jian tea, and inform His Majesty that I will visit Wan Sheng Palace after bathing and changing."
The eunuch left, and Cheng Fengyi smiled: "Sister, despite being away from the capital for years, your authority remains intact. You handle subordinates impressively, almost like an experienced empress."
Chi Ying smiled, inviting everyone to rest inside. Soon, fruits and tea were served, including four types of desserts: red date lotus paste sugar, lotus flower peanut cake, lotus root flour bean yellow pastry, and honeyed plums. Seeing the treats, Xiao Cui Xian eagerly grabbed a pastry.
"Xian, wash your hands before eating. Don't forget what Mama taught you," Chi Ying gently scolded.
Zhong Lüping helped wipe Xiao Cui Xian's hands: "Hearing that, Princess, you need to learn manners to uphold your parents' reputation."
Wang Shi defended the child: "Princess is young and hungry, naturally impatient. She'll learn gradually."
Cheng Fengyi, restless since entering the palace, kept glancing outside, thinking of her daughter. Seeing Xiao Cui Xian devour the pastry reminded her of her own child, wondering about her growth, preferences, and if she remembered her mother.
"Don't worry, Da Ge and Shu Ping will arrive soon," Chi Ying reassured, though she knew they wouldn't come. "Try the lotus flower peanut cake. It's unique to Yao Hua Palace, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Delicious."
Zhong Lüping showed interest: "Sister seems knowledgeable about Yao Hua Palace's delicacies. What does red date lotus paste sugar signify? Red dates and lotuses… Does it mean bearing sons early?"
Chi Ying nodded: "Correct. These four desserts represent wealth and prosperity, early births, abundant blessings, and sweet happiness, all auspicious and tasty. Try them."
Cheng Fengyi remained distracted, picking at her food. "When will Zi Cheng arrive?"
Before Chi Ying could respond, a eunuch reported: "Madam, Miss Zhai has arrived." Cheng Fengyi leaped up, and Chi Ying instructed: "Bring her in."
Cheng Fengyi rushed outside, seeing a plain-dressed nursemaid holding a toddler approaching. Tears welled up: "Ping!"
Little Shu Ping, separated from her mother for too long, cried in fear, shrinking into the nursemaid's arms. Cheng Fengyi froze, her outstretched hands stopping mid-air.
Seeing Shu Ping cry, Chi Ying consoled: "After being apart for so long, it's natural for her to feel distant. Blood ties are strong, and with time, she'll remember you."
Cheng Fengyi tried to smile through tears, gently touching Shu Ping's head: "Ping, it's Mama. Don't you remember me?"
Shu Ping trembled, scared, and hid further. Cheng Fengyi's heart broke, evoking sympathy from those watching.
Though Shu Ping didn't recognize her, seeing her safe brought relief. But noticing Zhai Rang and her father, Cheng Hu, absent, she asked: "Where's Father? Where's Zi Cheng? Why is only Ping here?"
The nursemaid bluntly replied: "Master Cheng passed away last year, and Master Zhai resigned and returned to Gong County. Hearing you returned, he refused to come, sending only the child."
Cheng Fengyi nearly fainted, supported by others.
Chi Ying, seeing Shu Ping crying and Cheng Fengyi distraught, tried to reassure her: "After being apart for so long, it's understandable for her to be unfamiliar. But blood ties are strong, and with time, she'll remember you."
Cheng Fengyi nodded, wiping her tears, trying to smile, touching Shu Ping's head: "Ping, it's Mama. Don't you remember me?"
Shu Ping shrank back, terrified, making Cheng Fengyi's heart ache. Despite her daughter's fear, knowing she was safe brought some comfort. But the absence of Zhai Rang and her father weighed heavily on her mind.
Lady Wang promptly supported her to prevent her from falling.
"My father is dead?!" Cheng Fengyi let out a piercing cry of sorrow. "How did he die? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Chi Ying stammered, "It's my fault. I just learned about Elder Cheng's passing. Master doesn't know much either and intended to have Brother Zhai inform you personally..."
Cheng Fengyi was weeping so hard that she almost collapsed to the ground. Lady Wang and Zhong Lvping held her up from both sides to keep her from falling.
She looked up, wailing loudly for her father. Several people in the courtyard felt heartbroken hearing her cries, their eyes reddening as they tried to console her. Zhong Lvping sobbed, "Sister Cheng, don't be too sad. Take care of yourself and don't scare Xiao Shujin."
Cheng Fengyi regained some composure upon being reminded of her daughter. She looked at her through tear-filled eyes.
Xiao Shujin, not understanding what was happening, stared at her mother's crying face with a stiff expression, her eyes filled with fear.
"Father! Unfilial daughter... I couldn't even see you one last time..." Cheng Fengyi bent over, covering her face in anguish.
Chi Ying gave a signal, and Lady Wang and Zhong Lvping escorted her back into the palace hall. The nanny followed with Xiao Shujin in her arms. A maid brought warm water for Cheng Fengyi to wash her face. After washing, although still deeply grieved, she had calmed down somewhat and asked hoarsely, "Where is my father buried?"
The nanny couldn't answer. Cheng Fengyi then asked, "You mentioned earlier that Zhai Cheng didn't want to see me. Why?"
The nanny's eyes darted around. Earlier, when Cheng Fengyi was crying, Chi Ying had already warned her with a look, so she dared not speak rashly now. Cheng Fengyi had a vague suspicion but refused to believe it. Pushing away the maids beside her, she staggered towards the door, "I want to see him."
"Sister Cheng!" Chi Ying hurried after her.
Cheng Fengyi's steps were unsteady, swaying left and right. Feeling timid, Chi Ying turned to instruct, "Send two people to accompany Lady Cheng and prepare a carriage to take her to Gong County."
Zhong Lvping volunteered, "Let me accompany Sister Cheng. If anything happens, the maids might not be able to stop her." Chi Ying agreed and nodded, "Thank you for your trouble." Zhong Lvping then went to support the unsteady Cheng Fengyi as they left Yaohua Palace.
After they left, Lady Wang tactfully excused herself, citing fatigue from the journey. Chi Ying wasn't in the mood to entertain her anyway and let her go rest, entrusting the children to Xiao Qiu and others before heading to the hot spring to relax.
The hot spring was still the same, but her memories of enjoying it during her past life were blurry. However, the memory of nearly being sold by her own sister remained vivid. Chi Ying nervously ordered all incense burners to be removed and carefully checked for any abnormal substances before finally soaking in the pool.
Hot water was the best remedy for fatigue. Leaning against the edge of the pool, Chi Ying closed her eyes, trying to rest and relax. Yet, she couldn't help worrying about Cheng Fengyi. How would she react upon seeing Zhai Rang's new wife in Gong County? Would she cry, make a scene, or end her life as she once said she would? How would Zhai Rang explain his actions—was it because he couldn't bear loneliness, pressure from his parents, or simply a change of heart?
As her thoughts drifted between wakefulness and dreams, there was a creak, and the door was pushed open without permission again.
Crown Prince Cui Yingrong, the future emperor, entered in casual attire. He was greeted by the future empress, who looked as if she had seen a ghost. His face fell immediately, "Why do you look like you've seen a ghost? What's wrong with your expression?"
Chi Ying smiled awkwardly, recalling how she had fled the capital, fearing he might misunderstand. She only told him about the Empress Dowager's scheme to use her unborn child to achieve her dream of becoming an Empress Dowager, omitting the part about the Changsun family's attempt to offer her to Cui Jie. Now, she certainly couldn't say her reaction was due to lingering trauma from that night.
"Why are you here?" Chi Ying decided to change the subject, smiling, "Didn't I send someone to inform you that I'd come to pay respects at Wansheng Palace later?"
Cui Yi closed the door behind him, looking uncomfortable, "Pay respects? Pay what respects? I'm not the emperor yet, but you're already acting like the empress."
Chi Ying laughed again, getting up to dress behind the screen. Cui Yi sat on the couch, waving her over after she came out. With her hair still dripping wet, loosely tied, she sat beside him.
Cui Yi stared blankly at the rippling water in the pool, suddenly saying, "I don't want to be emperor anymore."
Chi Ying was momentarily stunned, "Huh?"
"Becoming emperor means reading more reports, worrying more, having to be cautious about everything. Enemies can't be killed, friends can't be saved. Even when you're in the capital, I can't come to meet you. To see you, I have to wait for you to pay respects," Cui Yi leaned forward, elbows on his knees, shoulders hunched, sighing, "I can't even pick you up when you arrive in the capital."
Chi Ying found it amusing, leaning against his shoulder, teasing, "My lord, these are unreasonable complaints. You don't want to ascend the throne, yet you blame me. Whether I pay respects or not, you'll still procrastinate."
Cui Yi turned to look at her, and Chi Ying returned his gaze with a smile.
He studied her face intently, as if trying to discern something or confirm something. He gently touched her eyebrows and eyes, as if caressing a reflection in water or a mirage in mist, afraid it might vanish at any moment.
"Your Highness?" Chi Ying could clearly read the insecurity Bi Liuzan had mentioned earlier. Ever since marrying into the Wu王府, Cui Yi had never been at ease, always worried she wasn't willing, felt wronged, or had feelings for someone else.
But none of these fears compared to the terror of losing her. It seemed as if he saw their time together counting down, making this fearless warrior tremble slightly.
Chi Ying took his hand, but Cui Yi pulled her into his arms tightly, overwhelming her senses with his erratic heartbeat and suppressed breathing.
"Don't leave me," Cui Yi clung to her desperately, almost suffocating her. He held her firmly, as if afraid she might run away. "Don't leave me, don't leave me..."
Chi Ying's eyes welled up with tears, wrapping her arms around his back. At that moment, she wished she could reassure him that she wouldn't leave, but this simple promise was something she couldn't give.
Cui Yi let out a desperate cry, "Don't leave me!"
Chi Ying felt her ribs about to break. In that instant, she realized if she died or disappeared, Cui Yi would not survive either. This seemingly fearless warrior was just as vulnerable as anyone else, afraid and powerless at times. Beneath his tough exterior was a soft spot reserved solely for her—only for Changsun Chi Ying.
"What are you talking about, Your Highness?" Chi Ying forced a smile, patting his back as if soothing a child, "I just arrived. How could I leave? Besides, I have no home to return to. Should I go back to Yanzhou?"
Cui Yi shouted wildly, "No matter where, you're not allowed to go! Stay by my side! No other place!"
Chi Ying felt a mix of warmth and bitterness, stroking his head, "Alright, alright, nowhere else. You become emperor, and I stay in the palace as your empress. Even if I want to go out, I'll go with you. Is that okay?"
Cui Yi still looked uncertain, "Nowhere else?"
Chi Ying found it amusing, thinking this nearly thirty-year-old prince acted like a fool in front of her, mentally stuck at age two despite being a father of two.
Nevertheless, her words provided some comfort, and he loosened his grip. Chi Ying's ribs still ached, deciding she'd need to apply some medicinal oil before bed.
"Will the emperor ascend the throne now?" Chi Ying teased.
Cui Yi looked woodenly at her, "I'm used to you calling me 'my lord.' Hearing you call me 'emperor' feels strange."
Chi Ying was speechless, "What should we do? Calling you 'my lord' is no longer appropriate. You feel it's not me because you haven't found your role as emperor."