Xiaoqiu followed Chiyong's orders to find Nanny Zhang in the imperial garden, but instead of bringing them back to Yaohua Palace, she took Shujin to Lan Yue Terrace.
Outside Lan Yue Terrace, the maidservant sent by Zhong Lüping had been waiting. Upon seeing them approach, she turned inside to report.
Zhong Lüping received the message and used the excuse of needing fresh air to leave early. Emperor Cui Yi knew the timing was right and said, "It's getting late, everyone should go back to rest."
Everyone rose to leave, but before they dispersed, Cui Yi added, "Gong Qi, stay behind." Yang Qiong didn't understand but responded with a nod. After everyone left, he stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty kept me here, is there something more you wish to say?"
Cui Yi got straight to the point, "What are your plans for the future?"
Yang Qiong remained silent. Cui Yi continued, "Originally, I hadn't planned to send you on the western expedition to quell the remnants of the former dynasty. You volunteered, perhaps planning to never return to the capital or hoping to die in battle and end it all?"
"Your Majesty," Yang Qiong's voice was bitter, "Your Majesty sees clearly, I beg Your Majesty to grant my wish."
Cui Yi sighed, "Gong Qi, I always thought you were a loyal and righteous man. But loyalty and righteousness are not the entirety of life. While a gentle woman can be a hero's downfall, without her, a hero buried in the desert is even more tragic. You bind yourself too tightly, always cautious, fearing mistakes that would tarnish your ancestors' names."
"But have you considered that ancestors are dead? The best thing about the dead is they won't jump out of their graves to scold you when you make mistakes."
Yang Qiong: "…" His lips twitched, unable to help asking, "That last part wasn't taught by Her Majesty, was it?"
Cui Yi glared, "Yang Gongqi!"
Yang Qiong quickly bowed his head, "I overstepped, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Cui Yi exhaled, "Sometimes I think Bai Li Wenyu isn't a decent person, saying things that provoke anger and death, yet he's often right. I have to admit, though his words are hard to swallow, they're correct. I have to follow his advice. In this aspect, you should learn from him. A great man does what he must and avoids what he shouldn't. Some seemingly unconventional actions may not be bad. Sometimes, unexpected turns lead to beautiful stories. Like when I rebelled, you opposed it, but in the end, I became emperor, and you became a meritorious official, leaving your name in history. This shows that right and wrong in the world are not absolute."
Yang Qiong drew a sharp breath, feeling a surge of emotion.
"Bad deeds done well can turn into good ones. I'm the best example."
Cui Yi waved his hand, "That's all I wanted to say. Go back now. If you can't sleep during this long winter night, think about what I said."
Yang Qiong felt a wave of sorrow, clasped his fists, bowed deeply, and turned to leave.
A small eunuch waited at the door, leading him away. Near Lan Yue Terrace was Tingshangfang, where a clear stream flowed, and red plum blossoms dotted the banks, adding beauty to the winter scene.
In the plum grove, Zhong Lüping held Shujin, admiring the plum blossoms. Since returning from Gongshe County, Zhong Lüping visited Cheng Fengyi's home daily to care for her and Shujin. Shujin, being young and innocent, naturally grew fond of Zhong Lüping, even more than her own mother.
"Look, how beautiful the plum blossoms are." Zhong Lüping shook a branch in front of Shujin, who laughed happily and reached out to grab it.
Yang Qiong passed by Tingshangfang with the eunuch and saw them playing among the plum blossoms. He couldn't help but stop.
He hadn't seen Shujin before, but the child Zhong Lüping held must be Cheng Fengyi's daughter. Driven by some inexplicable emotion, he walked into the plum grove to see Cheng Fengyi's and Zhai Rang's daughter.
Zhong Lüping heard footsteps and pretended casually, "Let's go see over there," turning around a blooming plum tree, facing Yang Qiong.
"Why are you here, General Yang?" Zhong Lüping asked with a smile.
Yang Qiong didn't answer, only looking at the child in her arms. Zhong Lüping explained, "This is Cheng Fengyi's daughter, Shujin. Shujin, say hello to Uncle Yang."
Shujin, wrapped in an orange fox fur coat, holding a plum branch, said softly, "Uncle Yang."
Yang Qiong couldn't help smiling and gently touched her face.
Zhong Lüping continued, "Shujin, my hands are tired. Can Uncle Yang hold you for a while?"
Shujin blinked, hesitated, then nodded. Zhong Lüping handed her over.
Yang Qiong hurriedly waved his hands, "I've never held a child before…"
"Nobody is born knowing how to hold a child," Zhong Lüping chuckled, "General Yang, please watch her for a moment. I'll be back soon."
Reluctantly, Yang Qiong held Shujin. The three-year-old girl's body was soft and light. Afraid of making her uncomfortable, he stood still. Shujin, however, seemed content, sitting on his arm, offering the plum branch, "For uncle."
"Thank you," Yang Qiong took it, stroking her head tenderly.
Zhong Lüping giggled inwardly, "I'll get you some red date honey cakes. Play with Uncle Yang for a bit."
Shujin nodded, "Okay."
Zhong Lüping completed her task and happily left.
The eunuch also disappeared, leaving Yang Qiong and Shujin alone under the plum trees.
Yang Qiong had never taken care of a child and didn't know what to say or do, standing stiffly. Shujin, noticing something interesting, tugged his collar, "Uncle, let's go there."
Several lotus lanterns floated upstream, short candles flickering in the water, adding warmth to the quiet, cold winter night.
No doubt, this was arranged by Chiyong beforehand.
"Alright, let's go see," Yang Qiong, relieved to have something to do, carried Shujin upstream.
The floating lanterns emitted pink light, captivating Shujin. "So beautiful!"
Yang Qiong plucked some plum petals and scattered them in the wind, decorating the lanterns. Shujin cheered, "Me too! Me too!" Yang Qiong lifted her high, letting her pick petals.
At that moment, Chiyong and Cheng Fengyi strolled through the imperial garden.
"Sister, you should come out more often…"
Cheng Fengyi remained listless, walking slowly along the stone path. Chiyong subtly led her to the water's edge, feigning surprise, "Oh, who made these lotus lanterns?"
Several lanterns drifted by, Cheng Fengyi looked upstream, "They seem to be coming from there."
Following the current, they entered the plum grove. Cheng Fengyi admired the vibrant plum blossoms, "These plum blossoms are beautiful." Chiyong agreed, "There's such a beautiful spot in the palace, I didn't know."
Suddenly, laughter and a man's voice came from ahead. Cheng Fengyi walked forward curiously, pushing aside the plum branches, and froze at the sight before her.
Shujin, clutching handfuls of petals, laughed joyfully, throwing them into the flowing lanterns. Yang Qiong, rarely smiling, held Shujin, lifting her to reach higher branches, playing intimately like a father with his young daughter.
They ran around the plum grove, playing hide-and-seek. Shujin fell several times but laughed and screamed happily. Yang Qiong chased her, pretending to almost catch her each time. They played joyfully, unaware of anyone watching.
Cheng Fengyi stood silently, tears welling up unnoticed.
"Sister…" Chiyong approached, but Cheng Fengyi gestured for silence.
Tired from running, Shujin was finally caught by Yang Qiong, laughing and crying. He lifted her high, letting her ride on his shoulders.
Chiyong embraced her shoulder, whispering, "Look, Shujin and General Yang are having fun. You shouldn't avoid her anymore. She's your flesh and blood, separated for too long, which caused the estrangement. Spend more time with her, and she'll grow closer to you."
"Pick some nice plum blossoms for your mother…" Yang Qiong's voice faded as they disappeared into the plum grove.
Cheng Fengyi nodded tearfully, "Okay."
Back at Yaohua Palace, Shujin returned with the nanny, holding plum branches. Under the nanny's urging, she hesitantly entered.
Chiyong greeted her warmly, "Shujin, you're back? What's in your hands?"
Shujin shyly approached, looked at Chiyong, then stood in front of Cheng Fengyi, offering the branches, "Mother…"
Cheng Fengyi slowly squatted, her eyes filled with complex emotions, gazing at her young daughter. Shujin stuttered, "Uncle Yang… told me to pick flowers… for Mother…"
Cheng Fengyi smiled faintly, gently touching her cheek, "Do you like Uncle Yang?"
Shujin nodded eagerly, "Yes."
"Do you want Uncle Yang to play with you more?"
Shujin beamed, "Yes! Yes!" But her smile quickly faded, "Daddy used to play with me, and Grandpa too… Mother, did Daddy die?"
Cheng Fengyi was startled, "Shujin, don't say that. Your daddy is fine, why would he die?"
"But Daddy doesn't play with me anymore, nor does he visit," Shujin's eyes welled up, "Grandpa didn't play with me either, then he disappeared. Daddy said Grandpa died, so he won't come back…"
Cheng Fengyi felt overwhelming sadness. Chiyong softly said, "Last February, when I returned, I heard Cheng Laoye was ill. I had medicine prepared according to your old prescription, hoping he'd recover, but he passed away for us…"
Shujin wiped Cheng Fengyi's tears, "Mother… don't be sad…"
Cheng Fengyi smiled through tears, "I'm not sad. I have Shujin. These plum blossoms are beautiful. Let's take them home and put them in vases, okay?"
Shujin nodded, leaning into her embrace, hugging her neck, comforting her silently.