Chapter 368: Beyond the Palace Walls, Hand in Hand with You, Growing Old Together

The familiar voice made Wan Tang jerk her head up, and she was slightly startled: "Why is it you?"

Qi Er smiled, bowed, and said, "A humble commoner is frightened; Empress Dowager, what hope do you have, whom do you wish to see?"

Wan Tang was choked by his question, a trace of unease flashing across her face.

At the same moment, a clear, mellow voice rose from behind Qi Er: "Having returned from the mountains, you let me seek young master Qi; Qiu Niang and he fell instantly in love."

"During the planning of great affairs, the two conveyed the Empress Dowager's orders, and at the same time, feelings quietly blossomed."

Wan Tang jerked her head up; Su Yanci was still in a white robe, his smile gentle, his gaze calmly fixed on her.

Years had passed, and he remained unchanged.

Even that gaze that looked at her was just as it had been before.

Wan Tang was somewhat stunned: "You've always been in the Capital?"

Su Yanci met her gaze, each word clear: "The heart is in the Capital; no matter how far the body travels, what meaning does it have?"

Wan Tang felt her ears flush red, and for a moment she was at a loss for words.

The atmosphere was delicate; Qi Qi walked out with steady steps, glared fiercely at Qi Er, clearly displeased with the arrangement.

He performed a grand salute to Wan Tang, saying, "Old Minister pays his respects to the Empress Dowager."

"Old Minister is guilty; it is because of this matter that I was also kept in the dark."

"Now the auspicious moment has arrived; please, Empress Dowager, take your seat."

A faint, lingering elegance faded, and Wan Tang regained the Empress Dowager's dignified authority: "I understand."

She moved forward; behind her, old friends only stared at each other from afar.

Inside, officials of all ranks gathered together; between Wan Tang and Su Yanci lay the affairs of state.

Another year passed.

Yangxin Hall was pleasantly warm.

Wan Tang leafed through the mountain‑high piles of memorials, their contents orderly, handling opinions and increasingly steady governance strategies, and felt at ease.

After several years, Wan Tang finally compiled the sound strategies mentioned in the Barrage.

She lifted her eyes to the dozen or so senior ministers standing solemnly before the prince.

Although Qi Qi was already aged, his gaze burned like a torch; Zhou Su remained straightforward and outspoken, and the newly appointed young officials were also full of fighting spirit.

Wan Tang felt a weight lift: "All these years, you have devoted yourselves to assisting the Emperor, watching him become increasingly steady, the court orderly; I am truly gratified."

"Now the nation prospers and the people are at peace; I, still a woman, should ultimately hand this realm completely back into the Emperor's hands."

When the words fell, the hall fell into an odd silence.

Led by Qi Qi, a dozen or so ministers suddenly knelt down in unison!

"Empress Dowager, think twice!"

Qi Qi's voice rang loudly, urgent: "Fengqi Kingdom's present stability and prosperity are entirely thanks to the Empress Dowager's tireless dedication."

"The Emperor is still young, his experience must be accumulated; at this moment, we cannot possibly be without the Empress Dowager stationed at the core!"

Zhou Su followed closely, his words earnest: "Empress Dowager! It's not that we distrust the Emperor; it's that although the four seas are calm, hidden currents remain, and the implementation of the new policies is also crucial."

"If the Empress Dowager were to let go suddenly, it could cause disaster!"

"Please, Empress Dowager, prioritize the realm and continue to pull the curtains!"

"Fengqi cannot be without the Empress Dowager!"

Opposing voices rose and fell, unusually unanimous.

Wan Tang looked at the thick stack of governance strategies, her resolve firm.

She calmly upheld central governmental decisions, handing them over to the Emperor and the various departments.

As she wished, everyone handled matters orderly and did not disappoint.

She watched the Emperor still reviewing memorials during the third watch.

Wan Tang said, half‑seriously, "Emperor, do you know that in the future you will have to bear the heavy burden of the realm?"

The Emperor's eyes were clear and firm: "Mother Empress, I, your son, know I must be independent. But independence does not mean being alone."

"Fengqi Kingdom needs me, and likewise needs you."

"You are not behind the scenes; you are forever in my heart, in the foundation of this realm."

"If you leave, a void will open in my heart, and this realm will become unstable."

Wan Tang felt an indescribable sourness in her heart.

The Empress Dowager's fate is bound to Fengqi Kingdom; her assets and influence behind her will increase in value as the Emperor grows older.

Wan Tang's gamble cannot win.

Even at a young age she already understood the Empress Dowager's ties to the Former Dynasty; later, she truly feared that she would become the Emperor's unwavering support that he would never relinquish.

Late at night, when all was quiet, Wan Tang called Minghui to her side.

She took out a pre‑prepared secret edict and gently placed it in Minghui's hand.

"Child, keep this edict safe. Remember, whenever the future comes, no matter what happens, you have the right to choose the life you truly desire. This is the final protection a mother can give you."

Minghui looked at the pale‑yellow scroll, feeling an inexplicable panic.

Her voice trembled: "Mother, what is this? Don't scare me…"

She instinctively refused to take it, let alone contemplate its deeper meaning.

Wan Tang would not allow her refusal, thrusting the secret edict into her bosom, turning her face away: "You may not read it now. Wait until the day you truly need it to open it."

"Mother." Minghui clung to Wan Tang, not letting go; in the tug, a small porcelain bottle fell out.

Minghui picked up the bottle, looked at the characters on it, and understood instantly.

She looked up in shock, staring at Wan Tang.

Wan Tang opened her mouth, but didn't know how to explain.

Her voice trembled slightly: "If you are unwilling…"

"Mother." Minghui suddenly spoke, cutting Wan Tang off.

He slipped the bottle in his hand back into Wan Tang's sleeve.

Stepping forward forcefully, he held Wan Tang tightly: "My mother hopes that her daughter can be free, can live her own life. Does your mother share the same hope?"

"Mother and I are both daughters,"

Wan Tang's eyes instantly reddened, a choke in her heart.

Minghui buried his face on Wan Tang's shoulder, tears soaking his collar: "Mother, your daughter has grown up. Inside and outside the palace, she sees clearly. Rest assured…"

Wan Tang stared blankly at her daughter, listening to her lucid words, and the tears she had stored for years finally burst forth.

She turned and embraced Minghui tightly; a thousand words turned into silent sobs and relief.

Just two days later, shocking news arrived.

The benevolent Holy Empress Dowager passed away, and the whole nation mourned.

The national mourning rites were unprecedented, and wailing shook the heavens.

On the day of the funeral, the young emperor lifted the coffin and wept, fainting several times. Yet the instant the casket left the palace gate, he wiped his tears, rose, his childishness gone, and calmly took charge of affairs.

As the coffin vanished into the distance, the youth already bore the mountains and rivers.

Jingjiao.

Spring warmth and blossoms.

Stepping out of the bustling city gate, outside was already a tapestry of blooming flowers.

Wan Tang shed her heavy palace attire, donning a simple goose‑yellow ruqun, her black hair loosely tied with a single wooden hairpin.

She had not dressed so lightly in a long time.

At this moment she rode alone in a simple carriage, leisurely traveling along a rural path.

The long‑missed freedom made her brows and eyes relax; on her fair face, time had never left a mark.

When she reached a seldom‑trodden forest fork, a few rough men wielding clubs suddenly sprang from the side, blocking the way.

"Little miss, leave a toll!" the leader of the bandits snarled.

Wan Tang's heart tightened; just as she was about to turn the carriage, a white blur darted forward like a startled swan.

The newcomer struck like lightning, moving gracefully; a few muffled thuds and cries were heard, and the thieves tumbled to the ground in a heap.

They moaned repeatedly, begging for mercy.

He turned, a pristine white robe unmarred by dust.

Wan Tang fixed her gaze, a smile lifting the corner of his lips.

No complex emotions could be read on his face, only a bright smile.

Su Yanci's clear eyes looked toward Wan Tang in the carriage, bowing his hands, his voice clear:

"Madam traveling alone, I fear it may not be safe."

"I have some skill in fists and feet; might you need a carriage driver?"

A wind rose, Yín xìng leaves spiraled down between them, and Wan Tang reached out her hand…

This time, her palm was no longer cold…

PS: The story ends with celebration! If you want a side story, I'll try my best to arrange it.