Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 1027 - 1029: Zhao Yang’s Innermost Feelings (6)

Madam Cui’s courtyard was newly constructed, opulent, and lavishly prosperous, the finest in the entire mansion. Previously, Aunt Yan had occupied the best courtyard, and Madam Cui was only given a small, leaky courtyard to live in. After Aunt Yan’s death, County Magistrate Shen proposed that Madam Cui move into Aunt Yan’s former residence. Madam Cui had scolded him roundly and then caused a huge scene, weeping and wailing.

Knowing he was at fault, County Magistrate Shen sheepishly retreated and immediately hired workers to tear down the mansion’s most spacious stage and to build what is now this sumptuous and expansive courtyard. He even moved out all the personal savings he had accrued over the years, sparing no expense to extravagantly decorate the courtyard, adorning it so lushly and luxuriously that it finally placated Madam Cui, who then agreed to move in!

This courtyard, how many times better than the one Aunt Yan stayed in, brought pleasure to Madam Cui, who gradually began to enjoy herself and stopped treating County Magistrate Shen with the disdain she had shown before.

Seeing Madam’s change in attitude towards him gladdened County Magistrate Shen’s heart, and from then on, he made an even greater effort to please her, hoping she would forgive him sooner, so that the husband and wife could put their resentment behind them and live harmoniously together!

At mealtime, County Magistrate Shen unexpectedly returned, which delighted Cai Wei immensely. She had been intending to find him and discuss some matters...

Outside the Shen mansion, several Liaodan men disguised as Han clung around the entrance, casting sidelong glances at the activity within the mansion grounds.

Ever since Housekeeper Daru had seen that woman at the Pear Blossom Brothel, he had ordered her to be closely watched. Daru had already rushed back to Xiaoyaoshan Manor and sent a pigeon letter to Great Khan Saknu with the news.

It was said that ever since ascending to the Khan’s position, Great Khan Saknu had been looking for this woman. If they could help the Great Khan bring her back to Shengjing, wouldn’t that be a great achievement for them?

However, this place was, after all, the territory of the Great Jin Nation, and she was a distinguished guest of County Magistrate Shen. To abduct her within Qing County seemed no easy feat, and they risked a complete fiasco. Hence, they could only wait for the right opportunity...

...*...*...*

The Imperial Garden of the Palace of the Great Jin Nation

Princess Zhao Yang carefully supported her Imperial Mother by the hand, walking beside the artificial lake, strolling leisurely while discussing intimate matters.

Since Princess Zhao Yang’s encounter with Saknu, she had changed considerably and was no longer the wilful and capricious princess she once was, who knew nothing of the world.

Now, she was listening to her Imperial Mother’s lessons with a bowed head and patience, not talking back or resisting, no matter what was being said.

"Since you left the Capital as the Royal Consort of the King of Liaodan, you cannot use the identity of Princess Zhao Yang upon your return. Imperial Mother plans to record you under Concubine Yao’s name, saying that Yao bore a daughter many years ago who, due to frail health from infancy and the fear that she might not survive, was raised outside the Palace, hidden from the public. After all, Concubine Yao miscarried a child many years ago, who would be about your age now—this could work perfectly in your favor," she explained.

"Yes, Daughter will abide by whatever Imperial Mother decides," Princess Zhao Yang answered with a submissive tilt of her head.

Seeing her daughter so docile and compliant brought a touch of heartache to Empress Mo, who comforted Zhao Yang by saying, "Rest assured, even though you will be recorded under De Fei’s name and will not be considered a legitimate princess, your bridal gifts and fief will still be arranged according to a legitimate princess’s standards. No one will be able to look down on you in your son-in-law’s home."

Mentioning marriage made Zhao Yang’s heart contract, and she subconsciously tensed the arm she was linking with Empress Mo, shaking her head reflexively as she said, "No, Mother, your daughter will not marry, your daughter will not marry in this lifetime..."

"Foolish child, when men come of age they should marry and when women come of age they should also marry – where is there a rule that a grown daughter does not wed!"

Empress Mo stopped walking, fondly touched the ornamental hairpin atop her daughter’s head, and said, "Imperial Mother has already discussed it with your elder brother, who has been visiting the Hanlin Academy frequently these days. Last year, The Emperor graciously allowed scholars to be recruited; the academy has welcomed many young talents, though most of these scholars come from humble backgrounds. But for a family like ours, do we need to care about a son-in-law’s origin? As long as his character is noble and he treats you well, your brother will ensure he advances by leaps and bounds!"

Zhao Yang raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears. She shook her head again, resolutely saying, "No, no Mother, your daughter will not marry, will never marry!"

How could those pedantic scholars, with their heads shaking full of these archaic expressions, be worthy of her? The moment Empress Mo mentioned marriage, a tall, upright figure suddenly flashed through her mind...

...

"Aunt, the reward I want is to be able to see Little Sister Zhao Yang every day..."

....

"Zhao Yang, you should not have beaten this poor palace maid without cause. You are born so beautiful; your soul should be as lovely as your appearance..."

The cousin, that man radiant as the bright moon, graceful and elegant, once lingered by her side for years. If she had merely stretched out her hand, she could have grasped him firmly for a lifetime.

Unfortunately, she missed the chance due to her foolishness and willfulness....

Empress Mo earnestly advised, "Yu’er, life is short, and a woman’s youth is even more fleeting. You are not young anymore; if you continue to be so willful and miss out on your prime, when you grow older and want to marry, you might not be able to. Alone, how will you endure the long journey of life?"

Nangong Yu bit her lip, stubbornly turning her head away, "Mother, your daughter is foolish, missing her best predestined match because of a beast. In this lifetime, your daughter is doomed to live in regret and self-blame. I no longer look forward to anything, Mother, please don’t worry about your daughter..."

Nangong Yu’s words were laden with meaning, and Empress Mo, as astute as she was, how could she not understand? Yet, she also knew which ’best match’ her daughter was referring to, feeling a pang of regret in her heart.

"Yu’er, there are plenty of good men in the world; it is not only your cousin. Now, your cousin’s heart belongs to another, and I cannot force him. You should... find someone else!"

If it were someone else, Empress Mo might have coerced or tempted him – in any case, she would have found a way to make him marry her daughter. But Mo Ziqi was different. He had been stubborn from a young age; his obstinate nature was in fact on par with her own son, set on his ways like a bull that could not be pulled back. Since he had set his sights on marrying the second daughter of the Mu Family, even if a knife were to be placed on his neck now, he would not agree to marry Zhao Yang.

Her daughter’s heart’s desire, it was fated that she could not fulfill it!

Zhao Yang took her handkerchief and silently wiped her tears, saying, "Mother, your daughter already knows he has someone he holds dear, and your daughter does not wish to force the issue. Matters of the heart cannot be forced, so please, Mother, don’t worry about your daughter anymore. Let your daughter live a quiet life..."