Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Chapter 915: Chapter 915: Heaven and Earth as Witnesses

It wasn’t just Zhao Dun who was melancholic!

After leaving the main hall, Zhao Yuanlang stood still with silent steps, looked up at the sky, and forced the tears that had reached his eyes back inside.

Di Yelei appeared beside him soundlessly, neither speaking nor paying respects, as if he had never left.

“Back then I was still young, and the one I admired the most was my Elder Imperial Brother. He lived so boldly and willfully, so true to himself. Yet, under the supervision of my Concubine Princess Mother, I had to study the tedious art of governing in secrecy, day after day, and try harder to please the Father Emperor. I felt stifled, yet even more envious of him. He was the dream I pursued all my life.”

Zhao Yuanlang seemed to be talking to himself, as though he was confiding to the little tree in front of him.

The eunuch Xiao standing by his side didn’t make the slightest movement, still bent over with a bowed back, as if he hadn’t heard a single word.

Di Yelei also stood quietly in place, without uttering a word.

“Using Xin’er in a beauty trap wasn’t a plan from the start. In fact, I met and liked Xin’er first, and fell for her gentle, water-like tenderness. Then, my Concubine Princess Mother found me and even forced Xin’er to leave me. That was the first time I defied my mother and even gave up my prince’s identity, just hoping to stay with Xin’er forever. When I finally escaped from the Palace to find Xin’er, she gave me a cup of drugged wine. By the time I woke up again, the world had changed colors, and she had become Zhao Jiong’s woman! And I was imprisoned deep in the palace by my mother…”

Zhao Yuanlang’s voice was unusually heavy: “I often think, if I hadn’t drunk that drugged cup of wine back then, if I had been more decisive, and simply taken Xin’er and left the Capital City, would all that followed never have happened? Could she and I have stayed together forever, loving and growing old together, as an ordinary husband and wife?”

Di Yelei slightly raised his head and glanced at Zhao Yuanlang, then lowered his head again.

“But there are not so many what-ifs! Haha! In fact, I later understood that Xin’er came for revenge, burdened with a vengeful, profound hatred. How could she share her life with me? All of this was nothing but my wishful thinking!”

After speaking, Zhao Yuanlang started to laugh, his laughter gradually growing louder until he was laughing out loud, tears streaming down his face.

Eunuch Xiao was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground.

Di Yelei also didn’t dare to hesitate, silently kneeling on one knee without a word.

After a while, once Zhao Yuanlang’s laughter had subsided and tranquility was restored, he strode forward.

“So, the most precious thing in this world is for lovers to finally be together. I was unable to fulfill my wish, but I hope my Princess Ruyu is lucky.”

Di Yelei hurriedly knelt down: “I, the minor official, swear that my heart for Princess Ruyu is as clear as heaven and earth!”

Zhao Yuanlang stared at the top of his head with hands behind his back, standing for a long time before coldly snorting and flicking his sleeves. I hope you remember what you said today.

“Let’s go! The palace banquet over there is ready. Let’s head over.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Di Yelei hurriedly expressed his gratitude and stood up to follow quickly, unable to stop his back from getting soaked with sweat.

At that moment, he felt as if there were thorns in his back!

And he clearly sensed that His Majesty had murderous intent towards him.

–

In Marquis Yongping’s Mansion.

Since returning from outside the imperial court, everyone’s expressions had been gloomy.

Within a short time, not only had Zuo Xingyu and Zhang Peng come, but even Guihua and Zhang Yun had arrived. Of course, Di Hongyuan, who had resigned from his post, was also among them.

Only Liu Sisi carried on as if nothing had happened, continuing to handle the miscellaneous affairs of the manor.

But unexpectedly, around 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Old Cheng came looking for Liu Sisi in a fluster, hesitating as though he wanted to say something but couldn’t.

“Princess…”

At the moment, Liu Sisi was chatting and laughing with Guihua when she saw Old Cheng’s expression, subconsciously furrowing her brows before relaxing them again.

“Is there a problem?”

“Yes! Yes, yes… there is a problem,” Old Cheng stammered.

Liu Sisi had no patience for this, and with a stern voice, she scolded, “Speak!”

“Yes, Princess. The Third Young Master and Young Master Gao have both disappeared together. Mrs. Gao sent servants to inquire, and I had people search carefully, but there’s no trace of the two. It’s not just that, but the Second Young Miss has also disappeared, leaving only their maids and followers behind. So…”

Slap!

Liu Sisi slapped the table and stood up abruptly.

“When did this happen, and why are you only reporting it now? What kind of housekeeper are you!”

Her anger was almost at the breaking point.

On the surface, she seemed calm, but how could she stay collected after such an incident? The only reason she could remain seated was because of her understanding of Di Yelei! She trusted him, he wasn’t the kind of man to do something to betray her.

Of course, if he truly betrayed her, Liu Sisi was no pushover!

But the children were her life and soul!

With a sudden incident, on top of the old matter with YingEr, how could she not be anxious?

“Old servant admits to incompetence, for failing to supervise properly. Please, Princess, punish me.”

Old Cheng did not deny the accusations, instead, he immediately knelt before Liu Sisi.

Fortunately, Liu Sisi managed to hold on to her last bit of reason: “Get up! What’s the use of kneeling? If that could bring the children back, you could kneel until daybreak. Now go and search! Wherever there is a commotion, that is where we should focus our search!”

“Yes, Princess.”

Old Cheng dared not hesitate any longer and quickly took his leave.

Di Hongyuan, who was standing beside her, also started to panic, “What’s going on? How could the children just disappear? Could they have followed someone out of the imperial court to watch the commotion? Send more people to look for them.”

“Right, sister-in-law, don’t panic. We will send people to search for them immediately. The more people we have, the more help we’ll get,” Zhang Peng hurriedly replied before giving orders.

Zuo Xingyu was even more straightforward; he left the Marquis Mansion in quick strides to go and find people. Di Hongyuan followed him out of the manor.

In a short time, the originally gathered crowd had scattered, making Liu Sisi’s already empty heart ache even more.

She swore to herself that once these little bastards were found, she would definitely punish them severely!

They would learn why the flower is so red!

While a few were searching for the trio inside and outside the imperial court, the three little ones had already left the capital city and were racing towards the Qingfeng Temple.

At this moment, the three of them were completely unaware of the huge trouble they had caused, instead, they appeared relaxed and comfortable.

Niuniu asked curiously, “Do you think Xiao Xiao will be happy to see us looking for him? I haven’t seen him for so long, I really miss him.”

“I miss him too. But, I brought him lots of tasty snacks, he’s sure to like them,” Chou Chou said, smiling with his eyes squinted and holding up a big bag of treats.