Reborn Lady - Chapter 444

Wei Luo knelt by his father’s bedside, obeying his command, and instructed the palace attendants to fetch his younger sister, Wei Ying.

Wei Ying, waiting anxiously outside, had swollen eyes from crying. Upon hearing that her father wished to see her, she rushed in, tears streaming down her face.

“Father!” Wei Ying sobbed as she knelt beside the bed, unable to control her emotions.

In her heart, her father had always been a pillar of strength, towering and robust since her youth. She had planned to repay his care and affection by accompanying him on travels around the world in his old age. She had always believed there would be time and opportunities to express her filial piety to him. But unexpectedly, her father…

“Father, it’s all my fault. If I had accompanied you on the expedition, perhaps you wouldn’t have fallen ill,” Wei Ying lamented, her voice choking with regret.

Emperor Yongping gazed at his 34-year-old unmarried daughter with pity and remorse, weakly patting her hand. With a faint smile, he reassured her, “Don’t cry, listen to your Emperor.”

Wei Ying quickly covered her mouth, stifling her sobs, and nodded in acknowledgment.

“Of my three daughters, you are the one I cherish the most,” Emperor Yongping continued, his words causing Wei Ying’s suppressed tears to flow once more.

“But I haven’t been a good father. I’ve known all along who you truly care for, yet I’ve feigned ignorance to preserve my pride,” Emperor Yongping confessed, his voice tinged with remorse.

Wei Ying couldn’t hold back her tears, lifting her head in disbelief at her father’s admission.

Emperor Yongping offered a gentle smile to his daughter before turning his gaze to Wei Luo, who knelt beside him. “After I’m gone, you must find a way to ensure Ying’er and Yu Lang’s happiness.”

Emperor Yongping had been aware of this matter since the fourth year of Jinghe.

That summer, while Cui Yu was providing disaster relief in Emei and Leshan, his daughter remained in Emei as well.

Upon her return at the year’s end, when she spoke of the scenery of Mount Emei, Emperor Yongping found himself drawing a connection between the two children.

Though there was no concrete evidence, Emperor Yongping’s memory resurfaced various old occurrences. He recalled how his daughter used to cling to Cui Yu in her youth, and how she had once refused to marry into the Zhou family, stating that in her dreams, she would wed the most talented son in the capital.

Initially, Emperor Yongping had regarded his daughter’s dream as a mere auspicious sign. However, upon reflection, he realized that his daughter’s choice of words held deeper meaning. When considering talent and appearance, who could surpass Cui Yu?

If his daughter hadn’t foreseen the challenges of such a marriage, why would she have refused to wed?

Once he caught wind of a clue, Emperor Yongping discreetly observed his daughter and Cui Yu, seeing everything clearly.

Emperor Yongping harbored no dissatisfaction towards Cui Yu. If it weren’t for his status, he would have united this pair of star-crossed lovers long ago.

However, the question of familial titles lingered. If his daughter married Cui Yu, should his fifth son address his daughter as sister or aunt?

For this reason, Emperor Yongping feigned ignorance, and eight years swiftly passed.

Now, as he faced his imminent departure, certain concerns that once weighed heavily on his mind seemed inconsequential.

“Don’t cry, my dear. It’s your father who apologizes for delaying you for so long,” Emperor Yongping comforted his daughter, his words filled with regret.

Seeing his daughter rush to him, tears streaming like rain, Emperor Yongping longed to embrace her once more, but he lacked the strength even to lift his hand.

Finally, he turned his gaze to his son. As he departed, he knew that the future of the country and their family would rest on his son’s shoulders.

“Father, do not worry. Your son will surely fulfill your trust,” Wei Luo declared, clasping his father’s hand tightly and making a solemn vow.

Emperor Yongping nodded, his eyes closing peacefully.

—

In the first year of Taiping, spring arrived.

The new Emperor, donning common attire, went to plow the fields, accompanied by Cui Yu, the elder of the court.

Upon Cui Yu to his mansion at dusk, he was informed by the housekeeper that a visitor bearing his jade pendant had been waiting in the study for quite some time.

Recalling their parting at Qingliang Temple, Cui Yu arranged for a pair of jade pendants to be made—one for himself and one for Wei Ying. He instructed Wei Ying that if she ever needed to visit his mansion for any reason, regardless of her disguise, she should present the jade pendant to the housekeeper, who would then escort her directly to the study.

Even so, since Wei Ying only returned to Beijing at the end of each year due to her constant travels, the jade pendant could only be utilized twice annually, which seemed insufficient.

Since the passing of the late Emperor, this was the first occasion Wei Ying had come to visit, marking the first opportunity for the two to meet alone.

Cui Yu walked fast to the study.

Wei Ying had been waiting for over an hour, growing weary from sitting. Now, she lay listlessly on the couch in the inner room. Still clad in men’s attire, her chin bore a longer beard, and she absentmindedly turned the jade pendant in her hands.

Upon Cui Yu’s arrival, Wei Ying maintained her indifferent expression.

Seating himself beside her, Cui Yu gently grasped her hand and offered his condolences, “Princess, my deepest condolences.”

Wei Ying cast him a glance, tears welling up in her eyes before she flung herself into his arms.

Cui Yu lightly patted her shoulder as she wept.

After some time, when her tears had subsided, Wei Ying sat up, resting against him as she asked, “Do you know what my father said to me before he departed?”

Cui Yu was unaware of what the late Emperor had said.

Wei Ying, amidst sobs, revealed, “It turns out the Emperor knew all along, yet he didn’t hold us accountable.”

Feeling ignorant for harboring feelings she shouldn’t have, Wei Ying believed she deserved punishment from her father. However, her father chose to turn a blind eye, allowing her and Cui Yu to have their meetings.

Recalling the late Emperor’s benevolence towards him, Cui Yu’s heart filled with gratitude.

Once Wei Ying had cried her fill, Cui Yu spoke softly, “If you didn’t come to me, then I’d have gone to you. The Third Master has been on the throne for half a year now, and the court is stable. My presence here is inconsequential. Therefore, if the Princess is willing, I am prepared to follow you for the rest of my life.”