The Same Coffin, The Same Burial (1)

Indeed, what was the point of worrying that much. She was already a great-grandmother at this point, so should start enjoying her retirement. Alright, she was actually more or less already in retirement mode this entire time.

Towards the imperial power, not everyone was the same as Li Hong Yuan, not having it taken seriously. At least, Li Tian Lin right now was still sitting on the throne. Even though back then when Li Hong Yuan had the throne passed to him, he had thought of imitating his old man, throwing the pot to his son early, but it was obvious that he was just thinking about it. At present, he has already been on the throne for thirty-one years. From the looks of it, as long as he was willing, perhaps he can still be on the throne for another twenty to thirty years. His eldest son was nearing thirty, and his youngest son was also already sixteen-seventeen, all already opening their own manors and conferred into wangs. His second son and third son in fact have long established themselves in court. Under his high pressure, they didn’t do anything that they shouldn’t do, but it didn’t mean that they didn’t have thoughts inside. Moreover, becoming muddle-headed when approaching old age, it’s not like there weren’t this kind of emperor.

Jing Wan thought of a lot, but how it will be in the end, Jing Wan felt that as long as there’s no mishap, she probably won’t be able to see, because there was no reason for her son to die before her. After all, he has always paid attention to his health, also not having a messy imperial harem, so his body has always been well.

However, it was also just thinking about it, very quickly just tossing aside.

After selecting the fuma for Ning Guo, Jing Wan just thoroughly let go of everything.

“Ah Yuan, let’s go find a place in Jiangnan to stay for a few years.”

Li Hong Yuan originally was studying a chess layout. Upon hearing, he lifted his head and glanced at her, reaching out to caress the still not very obvious wrinkles by the corner of her eyes, “Alright.”

Jing Wan grasped his hand, revealing a gentle smile. The thing she was the most satisfied about was that they for the most part have always been healthy. Even though right now, their body functions were already declining, it was still just changing little by little, so the feeling wasn’t obvious. That’s why, there wasn’t anything she can’t accept, and right now while they still can move, she wanted to go out again.

The things Li Hong Yuan decided naturally didn’t have any way of turning around.

But, for the others, it was without a doubt another bolt from the blue. It’s true that the Retired Emperor and Empress Dowager’s body have always been healthy, but age, this thing, no matter what, can’t be opposed. Regardless of what, they all can’t compare with youngsters. This long distance trip, spanning thousands of miles, what if they fall ill due to not being accustomed to the environment? No matter how they thought about it, it was all very worrisome!

Li Tian Lin and Ning Guo went to look for Jing Wan. They knew that imperial father won’t listen to others, but imperial mother’s words, he will definitely listen. As long as they convince imperial mother…….

Yet, as a result? Jing Wan just admitted first thing that she was actually the ‘main culprit’, “That’s why, you all also don’t need to urge. If something were to happen on the road, then that is also fate. Imperial mother right now also doesn’t have anymore worries. Even if closing one’s eyes, it’s also fine. All say, the elderly are like children, the older one got, the more one regressed. You all can just treat imperial mother the same way, reaching this age, being willful for once. If you all are worried, then the accompanying personnels, you all can arrange.”

Jing Wan was easy to talk to, but once she made up her mind, aside from a single person, no one can stop her. Yet, it just so happens that the person that can stop her was the one that has always indulged her the most.

Since the matter was already set in stone, they can only go make preparations. Not just the accompanying personnels, everything on Jiangnan’s side also needs to be appropriately put in order.

Because she didn’t plan on going sightseeing along the way, and for the sake of letting them not worry, Jing Wan also didn’t stop them from ‘wasting manpower and resources’.

After staying in the palace for another half month or so, they just set out on their way. In any case, this trip of theirs certainly won’t be quick, so on Jiangnan’s side, things can be slowly arranged.

Since birth, Ning Guo has very rarely cried, yet this time, when sending off Jing Wan and them, her tears fell like rain, unable to control herself, “Imperial mother, imperial mother, take this daughter with you, alright? Let this daughter fulfill one’s filial duty under you and imperial father. This daughter can’t bear to part with imperial mother and imperial father.”

TN: All

“What nonsense are you saying, you will be marrying next year.”

“Imperial mother means that even when this daughter marries, imperial mother and imperial father all won’t return?”

“You have your imperial brother and sister-in-law. The elder brother like a father, the elder sister-in-law like a mother. Ever since birth, you have been raised by their side. Having you entrusted to them, imperial mother has nothing to worry about.”

“Imperial mother.”

“Don’t cry, if you really miss imperial father and imperial mother, then after you marry, you can come see us.”

To the side, the empress and them also wiped their tears as well.

“What are you all crying for, what is there to cry about? This emperor and your imperial mother still haven’t died yet. Once we’re dead, you can cry however you want.” Li Hong Yuan somewhat impatiently said to the side.

Never mind Ning Guo, the others all ruthlessly choked, forcibly holding back the tears, not daring to cry anymore. They already got scolded as crying like at a funeral, so who would still dare to cry.

Jing Wan was between laughter and tears. That’s why, this man inherently didn’t change at all.

Compared to last time when leaving the capital, this time, their entourage was clearly much greater in number, not just in terms of the guards and accompanying servants, but also the various things brought along.

Along the way, although it was also going and stopping, very rarely would they climb mountains and wade rivers. Every time arriving at a prefectural city or regional capital, there were always officials coming to welcome, but Jing Wan and Li Hong Yuan for the most part all never showed their face.

After spending four to five months, they finally arrived at their destination. The selected location was a villa, sitting upon verdant hills and limpid water, very much tranquil, yet it was near the prefectural city and not remote. There wasn’t a lofty palace, and all the buildings leaned towards the clean and elegant style, further suiting Jing Wan’s preference.

Everything was all prepared appropriately.

They very quickly just settled down, the days still very relaxing, occasionally even doing something ‘thrilling’, such as entering the forest and hunting, and whatnot. In Li Hong Yuan and Jing Wan’s eyes, it really wasn’t anything, but the servants were nevertheless alarmed and apprehensive. For the sake of not letting them age prematurely, Jing Wan didn’t constantly stimulate them either. In comparison, Jing Wan further liked going boating, but it was ultimately on water, the moisture heavy, so naturally can’t frequently carry out this activity for long durations.

The officials would come pay their respects from time to time. Especially during the holidays, they were further not shaken by thunder, even if nine times out of ten, they all won’t meet them.

Two three years later, on this day, the villa was particularly lively. Turns out, Ning Guo had come with the fuma.

And at this time, Ning Guo was already a mother.

After greeting, Li Hong Yuan left with his son-in-law, leaving behind the mother-daughter pair.

Ning Guo’s eyes couldn’t help but redden.

Jing Wan just patted her hand, “Don’t cry, if your imperial father were to see, he certainly will be unhappy again.”

Ning Guo had the tears quickly forced back, “In the future, this daughter will also live in the villa.”

“What nonsense are you saying. Fuma, on his first appointment, just got appointed as the local garrison general at such a young age. Others certainly will all think that he relied on the convenience of his status. Your imperial brother having him arranged here can be considered having given great consideration, but the difficulties brought about will also be even greater. Although on the surface, the others won’t do anything, but in the dark, this won’t necessarily be the case. To want to stabilize his footing, he will certainly be very busy in the beginning. To also let him be distracted, constantly coming to the villa, would you not heartache for him?”

Ning Guo’s cheeks slightly reddened, “Who cares about him.”

Jing Wan took it in, en, much better than expected. At least, this daughter finally opened up. She just feared that she would still be ‘indifferent’ like before. “Fine, no need to mind him, but your imperial father find you bothersome. Picking a fuma for you that early, letting you marry, isn’t it precisely find you annoying. If you want to live in the villa, he would need to agree first.”

Ning Guo opened her mouth, unable to respond. Really, whenever others mention that she liked pouncing on her imperial father when she was little, she would all be impressed by her younger self’s courage.

A little later, Ning Guo’s eldest son woke up from his nap, meeting his maternal grandmother for the first time. He could already speak and walk. In addition to having been taught before, his mouth was sweet like honey. Jing Wan held him, just she didn’t hold for long, afterwards just letting the wet nurse have him carried away.

After this little guy was born, he just got specially conferred into a junwang by his maternal uncle, enjoying the salary of a qinwang. Even though at present, just having the title of a qinwang while not having any abilities, that bit of thing also wasn’t considered anything, but it was just when comparing to the past. In reality, it was still quite a considerable sum.

During the afternoon meal, the three generations of a family sat without dividing the seats.

After the meal, they just got unhesitantly kicked out by Li Hong Yuan.

When leaving the villa, Ning Guo just complained to her fuma. When she was little, it was still fine, but now, just got disdained like this.

Fuma caressed her face, silently smiling. What kind of person was the Retired Emperor, fuma still knew a thing or two. Even though his time in the palace wasn’t short, the chance of meeting also very rare, but certain great feats, one just needed to use one’s ear to listen, needless to exaggerate, because even if endlessly exaggerating, it still won’t be too far from the facts. That was truly a legendary ruler for a generation! And the Empress Dowager was also someone that greatly matched him!

T/N: We are slowly reaching the end, the part is officially the last of this arc, and in my heart, the official end of this novel. For now, I’ve decided I won’t be translating the second after story arc, purely because the premise doesn’t interest me that much and not much happens in it. It’s a modern AU, where they return to Jing Wan’s original world. The only important thing is probably just meeting Jing Wan’s ex-boyfriend that was mentioned before. I also want a bit of a break away from this novel after translating it for this long. Perhaps in the future, I might come back to it.

Anyways, my next project is already in the works, the first few chaps will be posted along with the last part of this chapter. Thank you to everyone that has helped supported me and this project. I honestly wouldn’t have been able to last this long without the help.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com