A few years later.
The Dynasty Emperor abdicated, after thinking it over, he unexpectedly ca to the village looking for Ji Xiaoyuan and Su Zhiruan.
The villagers had developed a resilient heart over the years, unfazed by changes.
After all, which village could manage like theirs—frequently visited by the Pri Minister, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Emperor of Wan Dynasty, and others?!
Decades ago, the Dynasty Emperor was gravely ill but managed to endure; now abdicating to the original Third Prince, he joyfully moved down to the village to live.
To ensure a comfortable stay, the Dynasty Emperor generously built new houses for every household in the village, and his built house was right next to Ji Xiaoyuan and Su Zhiruan’s ho.
From then on, the village’s reputation spread far and wide, outsiders dared not provoke the villagers; when villagers went out, they walked with pride.
"What has Aunt done, it slls so good!"
The Dynasty Emperor ca wandering again.
Behind him followed his original Empress, who smiled apologetically at Su Zhiruan.
Ji Xiaoyuan was the Dynasty Emperor’s uncle, hence Su Zhiruan rose in rank, but the Dynasty Emperor quickly accepted it, calling her Aunt with ease.
Su Zhiruan hadn’t done anything; she was in a rocking chair eating sunflower seeds, seeing them, she gestured towards the kitchen, "It’s not , it’s Ji Xiaoyuan."
Dynasty Emperor’s eyes brightened, "Even more reason to check it out!"
Ji Xiaoyuan, while cooking, had guessed he might co, so he made extra. Su Zhiruan picked so vegetables in the courtyard and blanched them in hot water to make a cold dish.
The Dynasty Empress, a sowhat shy woman, quietly sat in Su Zhiruan’s previous spot peeling peanuts.
Only the Dynasty Emperor lurked sneakily around the chicken coop.
Ji Xiaoyuan brought out the food and saw this scene, warning, "You’ve already stolen eight of our chickens this month, you were an emperor after all."
The Dynasty Emperor grinned, "So what, I’m just worried Uncle might not finish them, trying to ease Uncle’s burden."
Su Zhiruan brought out the cold dish, along with freshly braised ats and offal, she raised an eyebrow, "No matter, dear nephew, take what you want, once done we’ll co over to your place for a al."
With the food ready, the four sat down to eat.
After dinner, the nephew and niece volunteered to wash the dishes, Ji Xiaoyuan and Su Zhiruan lay in rocking chairs watching the stars, reflecting.
"I wonder how Ming Xi and Ming Yi are doing?"
"Don’t worry," Su Zhiruan held his hand, "Neither of them are ones to be bullied, and there’s also Jingyi."
Before the Dynasty Emperor ca, Ming Yi and Ming Xi had both found their beloveds, got married one after another.
The Little Emperor also married an Empress, and all three led happy lives.
Ji Mingyi rose to Pri Minister, becoming a close confidant to Su Jingyi; Su Mingxi remained the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, creating many useful gadgets, often sending them to Su Zhiruan; she married the young General who followed her back then, who cherished her dearly after marriage.
Everyone’s life was happy and wonderful.
Decades later.
Su Zhiruan felt her life was nearing its end. She lay on the bed, reaching out to Ji Xiaoyuan.
"Accompany to watch the sunset one more ti."
Ji Xiaoyuan cried uncontrollably; he too was aged, but he couldn’t accept Su Zhiruan leaving before him. Hearing her request, he swallowed his sobs, tightly hugged her, simply replying, "Okay."
They climbed the mountain for a long ti, feeling as if destined, Ji Xiaoyuan walked very slowly.
The sunset, like a golden lotus in full bloom, manifested its utmost beauty and exerted its last effort to cast a golden glow upon the earth.
"Fulfilled."
Su Zhiruan smiled tenderly.
Ji Xiaoyuan couldn’t take his eyes off; he stared blankly for a long ti. Since they t till now, his life had always included her, her many facets swiftly passed through his mind, he could even hear his heart’s unceasing clamor.
It had never changed throughout his life.
Su Zhiruan sat long until the sun completely disappeared over the horizon. Ji Xiaoyuan noticed her eyes quietly closed.
Holding her hand, he too drifted into dreams.
The path always has an end, you and I shall et again.
When the children found them, they only saw Ji Xiaoyuan holding a large bouquet of brilliant peonies, the two intimately nestled together, never to be parted again.
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