Chapter 589: Waking Up In Shock

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The Empress Dowager did know about the Shared Fate Gu, but she did not expect that the person who came to ask her about it for the first time after so many years was actually a little girl.

Looking at Qin Huai in front of her, no matter how much the Empress Dowager’s eyes and ears had degenerated, she knew that this child was probably the Empress’s son.

They had the same eyebrows and the same expression.

Speaking of which, this child called All Yu looked a little like one of the Empress’s former good friends.

However, the Empress Dowager quickly returned to her senses and told Ah Yu about the Shared Fate Gu.

“Just listen to what 1 have to say. After leaving this boat, pretend that you’ve never heard of it,” the Empress Dowager said. “If word gets out, 1 won’t admit to telling you.”

Ah Yu: “Got it.”

Hence, under the moonlight and light, the Empress Dowager slowly started talking.

The story was much simpler than they had imagined.

It was just an old matter from many years ago. At that time, the Eastern Desert Kingdom was still around and they had a good relationship with Great Chang, so they sent a princess to marry the Emperor of Great Chang.

That princess was Consort Ru, a concubine of the late Emperor of that time. Like many women in the harem, she was only paid some attention after marrying over and received some favor. Soon, there were no further news.

The late Emperor was a Crown Prince who inherited the throne. His father was the founding Emperor, and a ruler who maintained the achievements of his predecessors. He was considered a benevolent monarch who also promoted culture and education.

At the mention of the word benevolent monarch, sarcasm flashed across the Empress Dowager’s face. Seeing Ah Yu looking at her, she slowly continued.

“Regarding the past matters of the previous Emperor, 1 have to mention an influential figure in Great Chang—”

“Princess Yong Chang!”

“Princess Yong Chang!”

Ah Yu and Qin Huai spoke in unison and caught the conversation.

They didn’t know about Princess Yong Chang until they traveled to Yong Chang City and heard many stories about her.

Some said that she was an Immortal who had descended to the mortal world, some said that she was a reincarnated legendary figure, some said that she was a man who had disguised herself as a woman to participate in politics, and some said that she came from a Buddhist lineage.

In any case, many versions of Princess Yong Chang’s story had been passed down between the martial world and the people. Some busybodies had even written stories like “The Legend of Yong Chang”.

“It seems that you also know about Princess Yong Chang.” The Empress Dowager smiled. “She was about the same age as you back then, but she was a very rule-abiding person. When she was 12 years old, Yong Chang entered the palace…”

That was the year of extreme joy. The late Emperor back then had just ascended the throne and subdued two barbarian tribes.

At that time, the Empress Dowager was in a good mood and invited all the noble ladies to the palace to celebrate. Princess Yong Chang was among them.

At that time, the Empress Dowager was still the Empress. She was about the same age as the late Emperor, but she still had the temperament of a girl.

The Empress and Princess Yong Chang were many years apart in age, but they were as comfortable with each other as old friends at first sight. They became bosom friends that day and exchanged letters from then on.

It was unknown how the late Emperor found out, but he began to frequently go to the Empress’s Palace to laze around. As a result, something happened.

“There are rumors in the palace that the late Emperor went to my palace not to see me, but to see Princess Yong Chang’s letters. Actually, the person the late Emperor liked was Princess Yong Chang.”

Ah Yu’s mouth fell open. “But at that time, Princess Yong Chang was only 12 years old. How could she be chosen by the Emperor?”

Ah Yu thought about herself. She was only nine years old (actually 11 years old). If someone unrelated said that they liked her, she would only feel disgusted.

It would be fine if they were about the same age, but if they were seven or eight years older—

Eh, it was strange just thinking about it.

Ah Yu rubbed her goosebumps.

Qin Huai silently took out a handkerchief and wiped Ah Yu’s hands. All Yu took it and wiped her fingers before stuffing it back into Qin Huai’s palm.

The Empress Dowager pretended not to see it and continued, “I thought so too at that time. It’s possible that he was waiting for her to grow up. Not long after this news spread, Consort Ru was captured and it was said that the rumors came from her.”

Consort Ru was sent to the cold palace. In order to stop the further spread of the rumors, Yong Chang no longer communicated with the Empress. But the Empress liked her too much and went out of the palace to look for her several times.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for Yong Chang’s coming-of-age ceremony. Duke An Manor began to arrange a marriage for her.

At that time, Princess Yong Chang’s second sister was suddenly involved in a scandal. Duke An requested an audience with the late Emperor and asked him to arrange a marriage for her outside the imperial family.

The late Emperor directly bestowed her to a northern country known for its fierce and less civilized nature. According to rumors, the people of that country were said to be ferocious and uncivilized, engaging in brutal acts.

Her second sister refused vehemently. She even said that Princess Yong Chang had harmed her and wanted Princess Yong Chang to marry in her place.

“Is it really Princess Yong Chang’s doing? But I don’t think Princess Yong Chang is that kind of person.” When Ah Yu heard this, she couldn’t help but say, “Everyone in Yong Chang City likes Princess Yong Chang very much. No one badmouths her..”