ebookland Chapter 319 Consort Liang is Gone
Chapter 319 Consort Liang is Gone
"It is true that she is my mother, but I do not want to live with her for a long time; it would suffocate me."
"So you're going to let her live outside the palace forever? Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you, the emperor, for being unfilial?"
That is a problem. Right now, no one knows that his mother lives outside the city, and there hasn't been any gossip circulating. But if people find out one day, even if he is the most brilliant emperor, he will still be criticized by the people behind his back.
After much deliberation, he reluctantly nodded.
"Okay, let me think about it some more!"
Seeing that there was finally room for the matter to ease, Lan Zhi felt a little relieved.
Three days later, Zhu Fangfei married Sun Wei as she wished. Wei Jianning and Lan Zhi attended their wedding ceremony and were very happy to see the two of them finally become a couple.
After attending their wedding banquet, Lan Zhi took Wei Jianning to the east of the city.
He hasn't seen Consort Liang since he ascended the throne. Even if he harbors resentment towards her, he should still go and see her!
Although Wei Jianning was unwilling, he was forced by her to put on plain clothes and head to the east of the city with Yuan Tianxiong and A Qi.
When they arrived at the residence of Consort Liang in the east of the city, Consort Liang was not there. The servants in the residence asked them to hand over a letter, saying that Consort Liang had asked them to deliver it to her personally.
Wei Jianning frowned, nervously opening the letter. Its contents sent a chill down his spine.
"Ning'er, seeing this letter is like seeing you in person. Please forgive me for saying goodbye to you in this way today. I am going to live in a quiet and peaceful place with mountains and rivers. Don't look for me, you won't be able to find me anyway. I originally wanted to say sorry to you in person, but I don't have the chance. I can only say it to you in this letter: Ning'er, I'm sorry. All along, it was my stubbornness that led to this result. And because of my stubbornness, I almost harmed you."
Mother truly acknowledges from the bottom of her heart that Lan Zhi is a good girl, but I just stubbornly insisted on separating you two. I now admit that I was too foolish. But things will be alright from now on. You are the Emperor and she is the Empress. You can work together to manage the Northern Wei Kingdom, and Mother can rest assured.
I'll say it one last time: please don't contact me. This is a decision I've thought about for a long time. I will live a good life, at least happier than I am now. Goodbye, Ning'er, Lanzhi, Zhuangzhuang.
Her letter, though only a few lines long, expressed everything she had wanted to say over the years.
No one knew that she wrote this letter with tears in her eyes.
No one knew that she actually set off the day after Lan Zhi came to see her.
She set off without any servants, only taking some gold, silver, and valuables.
Wei Jianning held the letter in her hand and slowly walked back and forth in the house where she used to live.
He looked at the neatly folded bed, the spotless table, the bronze mirror she had once used, and the rouge and powder she had discarded here.
He suddenly raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face. Seeing this, Lan Zhi rushed over to stop him.
Why are you doing this?
Two clear tears suddenly streamed down Wei Jianning's face. He then closed his eyes slightly and shook his head in frustration.
"I hate myself for not listening to you sooner and coming to see her. If I could have seen her, even if she's gone, I wouldn't be so heartbroken. Where could she go alone? What if she encounters danger?"
Lan Zhi looked at him with a serious expression, and said as if she had thought of something:
"Zhu Fangfei just finished her marriage ceremony, and then Zhu Kui left. Do you think it's such a coincidence?"
Her words reminded Wei Jianning. He frowned slightly, pondered for a long time, and then asked in return:
"You mean, they left together?"
Lan Zhi nodded.
"I heard that Zhu Kui spent a lot of money to dismiss several concubines in the Grand Commandant's mansion these past few days, and now Mother Consort has also passed away. Don't you think this is too much of a coincidence?"
"If that's the case, then that's good. With someone taking care of her, I can rest assured. I just don't know if your guess is true."
A composed smile immediately appeared on Lan Zhi's lips.
"They both know that if they stay in the capital, they'll have few opportunities to even meet and talk, let alone live together. So they chose to leave together. This way, they can save face for you, the Emperor, and they can also get what they want. My husband, I think this is a good thing. Today, two couples are finally getting married. It's a double celebration!"
Wei Jianning looked down at her, and seeing that she was speaking seriously, he could only nod.
"I hope what you're saying is true."
"Yuan Tianxiong, give the order that two servants remain in this residence to guard it, and the rest of you return to the palace! Also, tell everyone that what happened in this residence must not be mentioned to anyone. Anyone who disobeys will be punished for deceiving the emperor."
"Yes, I will give the order right away."
He turned back, took Lan Zhi's hand, and whispered:
"Since Mother wishes to live her own life, we will respect that and will not send anyone to look for her. We simply hope that she can live a happy life!"
"Will do."
Lan Zhi took his hand and walked into the courtyard.
The sun is shining brightly today; it's the best day since autumn began.
The two of them left the courtyard, but instead of getting into the carriage, they chose to walk.
Ah Qi and Yuan Tianxiong followed at a distance, and after a while, Ah Qi finally asked:
"Brother Yuan, is there really no possibility between you and Princess Yujie?"
Yuan Tianxiong has been in a bad mood for the past few days because in just over ten days, Yu Jie will be setting off to marry into the Tianwu Kingdom. He regrets it now, but it's too late.
He shook his head and gave a wry smile, pretending nothing was wrong.
"Princess Yujie is of noble birth, while I am but a mere warrior. How dare I presume to be worthy of her?"
"But she likes you. She's liked you for many years, longer than I've liked you."
Seeing that Ah Qi spoke so frankly, Yuan Tianxiong simply offered some advice:
"Ah Qi, I know you love me, but I can't be with you. After I escort Yu Jie to Tianwu Kingdom, I will serve the Emperor for the rest of my life and never marry..."
Upon hearing this, Ah Qi wasn't angry; instead, she looked at him with great pity.
"Is it for Princess Yujie?"
After hesitating for a moment, Yuan Tianxiong nodded.
"Yes, but it's all too late."
"It's not too late. Go and beg the Emperor to withdraw his order."
"The marriage alliance between the two countries was agreed upon by the emperors of both countries in person. How can it be destroyed so easily? Ah Qi, your thinking is too naive."
Ah Qi also felt that it was too late to break off the engagement now, but Yu Jie had married into the Tianwu Kingdom in a fit of pique, and he was determined to remain unmarried for the rest of his life. These two people who clearly loved each other were destined to suffer the pain of separation...
She felt sorry for them and saddened...
Although she was reluctant to part with Yuan Tianxiong, her love was unrequited. Yuan Tianxiong and Princess Yujie were in love with each other, and she couldn't compare to them!
She has now transformed her affection for Yuan Tianxiong into concern for her friend, and she hopes that Yuan Tianxiong and Yu Jie can be together and live a happy life.
But it seems that all of this really can't be changed.