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On the other hand, after meeting Tang Yueshan and Gu Changqing, the Emperor immediately went to Renshou Palace.
In the warm pavilion of Renshou Palace, he reunited with Princess Ning'an after many years. She was still dressed in attire from the borderlands. She just recognized Empress Dowager Zhuang and her eye sockets were red, with traces of glistening tears still lingering in her eyes.
Twenty years had passed. She was no longer the lively and charming young girl from before. She was now a married woman, and the years, along with the winds and sands of the borderlands, had mercilessly left their marks on her face.
Her countenance appeared exhausted, her figure thin.
The Emperor almost couldn't recognize her.
Where was that stunning Ning'an?
Where was that carefree and naive younger sister?
Where was that little girl who used to hold onto his arm, playfully chiding him for not spending enough time with her?
She was gone.
She had vanished.
The hardships she endured at the border were all etched on her face. If one didn't know she was a princess, they might mistake her for an ordinary woman from the common folk.
The Emperor's heart ached as if pricked by needles!
Even Empress Dowager Zhuang, who was usually composed, couldn't hold back her tears.
"Your Majesty..." Princess Ning'an choked as she bowed before the Emperor.
The Emperor held her up, preventing her from kneeling, "Get up!"
With tear-filled eyes, Princess Ning'an shook her head but insisted on kneeling, "This kneeling is necessary. Ning'an is guilty... Ning'an is blind and ignorant... marrying a non-human... inviting wolves into the house... bringing such war and calamity to the State of Zhao and the people on the border... it's all Ning'an's fault... Ning'an deserves to die a thousand deaths…”
Her tears fell heavily, landing on her wrinkled clothes and on the floor.
The Emperor tightly held her shoulders, feeling a pang in his throat, "Don't speak... Please don't speak.”
Princess Ning'an, unable to hide her self-blame, said, “Ning'an must speak! Imperial mother and Your Majesty repeatedly dissuaded Ning'an... It was Ning'an's stubbornness... Ning'an didn't listen to imperial mother and Your Majesty's words... Ning'an's death is not regrettable...'"
The Emperor looked at Ning'an's tears, feeling his heart wrenched. “You are Zhen's sister! Zhen forbids you to speak in this manner! The past is behind us, and you were also manipulated by others. It's not your fault... You must not blame yourself... Neither I nor the Empress Dowager have ever held any grudge against you... Don't belittle yourself... Please, get up quickly!”
The Emperor forcefully lifted Princess Ning'an.
Princess Ning'an sobbed uncontrollably.
The Emperor then glanced at the twelve or thirteen-year-old boy sitting on a wheelchair nearby. His gaze flickered slightly and he asked, "This is..."
Princess Ning'an turned, choked up, and said to the boy, "Xian'er, greet your uncle."
Compared to Princess Ning'an's breakdown, Huangfu Xian appeared much calmer. He didn't shed a tear nor display any emotional reunion. He just stared directly at the Emperor, seemingly unaware that such a direct gaze was impolite.
"Uncle."
He called indifferently.
His greeting was neither warm nor respectful. As an uncle and a monarch, the Emperor couldn't be satisfied with such a greeting. However, given the Emperor's endless tolerance for Princess Ning'an, he didn't dwell on Huangfu Xian's impoliteness.
The Emperor's gaze shifted to Huangfu Xian's wheelchair, asking, "What happened to Xian'er's legs? Is he injured? Have the imperial physicians been informed?"
"Heh.” Huangfu Xian sneered coldly.
"Xian'er!" Princess Ning'an's expression turned stern, "Don't be disrespectful to His Majesty!"
"No worries." The Emperor said nonchalantly, "Xian'er is still young."
He wouldn't go so far as to argue with a child. Otherwise, he would have been frustrated by his own chubby little guy countless times.
Besides——
The Emperor's gaze landed on Huangfu Xian's legs. He was in poor health, and it was understandable for his emotions to be unsettled.
"Lian'er, take Xian'er out to bask in the sun." Princess Ning'an instructed Lian'er.
"Yes." Lian'er respectfully complied, approaching cautiously behind Huangfu Xian's wheelchair and pushing him out.
"Your Majesty." Princess Ning'an explained, "I've spoiled Xian'er; I hope Your Majesty can bear with him."
"You still address me as 'Your Majesty'?" The Emperor gazed at her.
Princess Ning'an smiled bitterly, changing her address, "Imperial brother."
Eunuch Qin approached with a smile and reported, "Empress Dowager Zhuang, Princess Ning'an and the young master's chambers have been arranged properly."
"Imperial mother..." Princess Ning'an looked bewilderedly at Empress Dowager Zhuang.
Empress Dowager Zhuang said, "The Bixia Palace, where you resided before your marriage, has been kept for you. You and Xian'er can stay there for now."
"I..." Princess Ning'an's gaze flickered, lowering her eyes as she asked, "Can I still live in the palace?"
For an unmarried princess to return to the palace was unusual. In fact, ordinary princesses wouldn't have their own chambers. They usually resided with their birth mothers. Princess Ning'an was an exception, as Empress Dowager Zhuang and the Emperor had lavished special attention on her, constructing the Bixia Palace specifically for her.
The Emperor hurriedly replied, "Since it's imperial mother's intention, you may stay."
The Emperor also hoped Princess Ning'an could stay in the imperial palace, making it easier for him to care for her and her son.
The Emperor had many things to say to Ning'an, and he guessed Empress Dowager Zhuang felt the same. However, some words were difficult to express when the three of them were together.
"Zhen will accompany you to the Bixia Palace." The Emperor said.
Princess Ning'an nodded, bowing to Empress Dowager Zhuang, "I'll come back later to pay respects to imperial mother again." contemporary romance
Empress Dowager Zhuang nodded, watching as the Emperor and Princess Ning'an left Renshou Palace.
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