Cheng Simian walked along the long palace corridor towards the Qianyuan Hall.
The dawn was breaking, and the sun was about to rise in the eastern sky.
Everything seemed the same as usual, just an ordinary sunny winter day.
But at the same time, everything had changed.
Lu Sihong had ascended the throne, transforming from the crown prince to the emperor.
The former queen had become the empress dowager, and Cheng Simian had become the new queen.
The relationship between her and Lu Sihong had also changed to some extent.
The emperor and the queen were destined not to be able to get along like ordinary couples.
She wondered if it was because pregnant women tended to be sentimental, but along the way, she thought about a great many things.
Inside the Qianyuan Hall lay the spirit of the late emperor.
All the princes, Princess Lingyang, and the royal family and noble officials were kneeling in front of the spirit, covering their faces and weeping according to their respective ranks and status.
Lu Sihong was kneeling closest to the coffin, quietly shedding tears.
His features were deep and stern, with the calmness and majesty after a perilous battle, but there was deep sorrow hidden in his eyes, which he had to suppress.
He was a child who had lost his father, but the status of the emperor bound him, preventing him from fully releasing his emotions even in the face of great grief.
Cheng Simian suddenly realized that this was the first time she had seen Lu Sihong cry.
Her eyes also welled up with tears.
The empress dowager had fainted several times due to excessive grief. Even though the royal relatives had come to persuade her several times, she still insisted on keeping vigil.
When she reached the spirit, Cheng Simian knelt down. "Your servant pays respects to the emperor and the empress dowager."
Lu Sihong had ordered a thick cushion to be prepared early in the morning.
"Queen, please rise."
He helped the queen up himself.
But Cheng Simian was about to kneel down immediately.
As the queen and the eldest daughter - in - law of the late emperor, she had to set an example for all the royal relatives.
She couldn't be absent for a single day during the seven days of the vigil.
Lu Sihong was kneeling a little closer to the coffin than she was.
Cheng Simian lowered her eyes and suddenly saw Lu Sihong's hand reaching behind him.
She pursed her lips, a hint of sweetness rising in her heart. She looked around carefully on both sides before gently holding that hand.
The man's big hand wrapped around hers and held it tightly.
Their hands transmitted body heat to each other, warming one another.
They kept vigil in the first half of the day, and in the second half, Buddhist monks and Taoist priests chanted scriptures and performed rituals.
In the afternoon, the officials from the Ministry of Rites took charge, allowing Cheng Simian to take a break.
She first escorted the empress dowager back to the palace and accompanied her to have lunch.
All the dishes on the table were light vegetarian dishes.
Cheng Simian had little appetite. Only the pickled radish was crisp and delicious, and she ate a small portion of it.
The empress dowager looked at her slightly pale and tired face, as if understanding something, and a hint of joy flashed across her face.
"Mianmian, are you pregnant?"
"Your servant just found out a few days ago, reminded by Wan Chu. When I was in the Eastern Palace, I asked Yu He to feel my pulse. Yu He said the pulse was strong, and I'm carrying a very healthy baby."
Cheng Simian's eyes were gentle as she lovingly stroked her abdomen.
"This is wonderful news! This is truly great news! I'll go and burn paper for the late emperor myself later to tell him this good news."
The empress dowager's eyes welled up with tears. She hugged Cheng Simian tightly and gently stroked her head and back with her trembling hands.
"The mourning ceremony for the late emperor will last for another month, and there are many complicated matters. You can skip the unnecessary rituals. Hand over the tasks that can be done by others. A pregnant woman can't endure too much fatigue. Mianmian, you must take good care of yourself. The late emperor will understand."
"Thank you, mother, for your consideration."
The empress dowager suddenly thought of something else.
"Wan Chu! She risked her life and became Lu Siming's captive in your place. She did it for the bloodline of our Great Zhou!"
Cheng Simian nodded. "No one can match Wan Chu's kindness and courage."
Although she wasn't at the scene, after hearing Princess Lingyang's description, she also found it thrilling.
Lu Sihong had almost compromised with Lu Siming. It was Wan Chu who, by herself, stabilized the whole dangerous situation.
If it weren't for her heroic deed last night, history might have been rewritten.
"Wan Chu has always been very brave. She lives a more exciting life than anyone else."
The empress dowager praised sincerely. "I will reward her handsomely, and also Liang Xuguang and Liang Yuzhou, who killed the Gao father - son duo for the emperor on the battlefield..."
Cheng Simian just smiled faintly and said nothing more.
Wan Chu and Liang Yuzhou didn't need any rewards. They had each other, which was the best reward for one another.
...
Under the setting sun, the cold wind was howling.
Without his armor, Liang Xuguang didn't look as valiant as he did on the battlefield.
The wrinkles on his face had increased, and white hair had quietly grown on his temples. He looked like an ordinary, aging father.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked at Liang Yuzhou across from him.
Liang Yuzhou was energetic and extremely handsome. Wearing a Taoist robe, he had an otherworldly air.
Looking at him was like looking at his younger self.
In the past, he had doted on Liang Yuchuan and always tried his best to ignore, or even deny, the resemblance between Liang Yuzhou and himself.
By the time he realized how big a mistake he had made, it was already too late.
Liang Yuzhou was holding Song Wanchu's hand, his expression calm.
Liang Xuguang felt embarrassed and didn't know what to say.
It had been three years since he had had a good conversation with his son.
Seeing his embarrassment, Song Wanchu hooked the palm of Liang Yuzhou's hand with her little finger.
She signaled him to break the awkward atmosphere first.
Liang Yuzhou pursed his lips and said nothing.
"Wan Chu, you're as heroic and fearless as your father. You're a true hero."
Liang Xuguang had to praise Song Wanchu first.
This was also what he had planned to say.
"Naturally. Wan Chu has always been the bravest. Her character is the purest and most determined."
Liang Yuzhou finally spoke.
Song Wanchu frowned slightly.
If things continued like this, the topic would completely change.
"Duke, I'd like to go and visit the empress dowager and the queen."
Liang Yuzhou looked at her with a plaintive look.
Song Wanchu gritted her teeth and said, half - commanding and half - comforting, "You talk to the duke. I'll be back soon."
She quickly called Nan Zhi and Su Yue and headed towards the Yukun Palace.
Liang Xuguang and Liang Yuzhou were left facing each other in silence.
Liang Xuguang knew his son's temper, so he broke the silence first.
"At that time, the Gao family's army was advancing irresistibly and aggressively. How did you dare to kill Gao Zhao with a single sword and then take on an army of 50,000 alone?"
When he rushed into the palace and saw Liang Yuzhou surrounded by hundreds of people, his heart almost stopped.
It was just like the year when he led a large force and found Liang Yuzhou covered in wounds in the dense forest.
Around him lay the bodies of seven bandit leaders.
He kept shouting his son's name, his voice trembling with panic.
Liang Yuzhou looked at him, his eyes deep, but there was a warm glow in them.
"Not fearing the strong enemy was what you told me before you took me to the battlefield. I dared to take on an army of 50,000 because I was convinced that I would have reinforcements."
Liang Xuguang opened his mouth but said nothing. Tears were streaming down his old face.