Reminded by someone, Su Jin clenched his fists tightly. The palms of his hands were reddened by the pressure, yet he still had to force a smile.
Su Jin swallowed his pride and said, "I've come here today. Firstly, I want to see Her Majesty the Empress Dowager one more time. Secondly, I'd like to take Her Majesty back with me."
Hearing this, Tang Youyou remained calm. In everyone's eyes, being personally fetched by the current emperor was a blessing that took several lifetimes to earn.
However, Tang Youyou wasn't swayed. She still held her head high and said with a smile, "It's kind of Your Majesty to come and visit this old woman. After all, it was also Your Majesty who sent this old woman here."
Tang Youyou's words were full of mockery towards the man in front of her. Meanwhile, those who had been scurrying around earlier had now stopped in front of Beishan Temple.
Sure enough, the curiosity of onlookers was something that would never change.
Taking advantage of the situation, she continued, "Your Majesty knows that this old woman has been here for several months, if not half a year. So my body has gradually adapted to this place from the initial discomfort."
At this point, she paused for a moment.
"However, this old woman is now a criminal. What's the point of going back? It was Your Majesty who sent this old woman away in the first place."
In just a few short sentences, Tang Youyou pointed out the problem directly in front of everyone. Su Jin's patience had reached its limit. Just as he was about to speak, Tang Youyou said again,
"Now that Your Majesty has shown filial piety by coming back, this old woman is grateful. As for going back to enjoy the blessings, this old woman can't go back for now. My status is different."
Her meaning was clear. In the end, she just wanted the emperor to admit his mistake and give her a legitimate reason, so as to avoid being treated unfairly once she entered the palace.
Judging from this man's actions, basically the moment she entered the palace would be the time for her execution.
What Tang Youyou wanted was an amnesty.
Seeing this, the emperor finally understood what Tang Youyou meant. He slowly said, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has saved countless people. She is the reborn mother of the whole world. By my order, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is hereby granted the title of Founding Empress Dowager."
After his words fell, the ministers behind him immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed, saying in unison, "Your humble servants pay respects to the Founding Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager enjoy eternal good fortune! Long live, long live, and may she live ten thousand years!"
The voices of the crowd rang out in unison, but Tang Youyou remained calm. She said coldly, "In that case, this old woman would like to thank Your Majesty for his kindness. After this long journey, this old woman just wants to take it easy. I don't want to go back in a hurry. After three days, this old woman will personally return to the Empress Dowager's Mansion. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness."
Once again being stalled by Tang Youyou's words, Su Jin had nothing more to say. At this moment, besides being helpless towards Tang Youyou, he had no other thoughts.
"In that case, I won't disturb the Empress Dowager's tranquility. The war on the border has been pacified, and I should go back. The imperial city can't be without an emperor for a single day. So, prepare the carriage back to the palace!"
Then, the crowd who had come in a hurry left in a hurry.
Tang Youyou hugged the chair at the door and walked into the courtyard with a sway. The weather outside was fine, and the sun was shining brightly. However, she was already a bit tired.
Rong Xun, who had been hiding in the room, noticed that something was wrong with Tang Youyou. He reached out his hand to catch her exhausted body and gently placed her in his arms.
In a hazy state of consciousness, Tang Youyou fell into a deep sleep.
Rong Xun stayed by her side and quietly watched her sleeping face. He couldn't help but frown. He also noticed that Tang Youyou had been acting more and more strangely recently.
Even in her sleep, Tang Youyou was still frowning unconsciously. Seeing this, Rong Xun quickly sat down beside her and gently pulled her into his arms.
"Xiaoyou'er, I've made you suffer a lot these days. But better days are coming soon."
He whispered softly and then lay down beside her. Looking at her sleeping face, his heart finally settled down.
As long as Xiaoyou'er was still here, he had hope for everything.
The next day, when the sun was high in the sky, Tang Youyou slowly woke up. Looking at the man in front of her, she asked in confusion, "Rong Xun, why are you leaning here? Did you stay up all night?"
Thinking of this, Tang Youyou carefully looked at the dark circles under Rong Xun's eyes.
"You didn't really stay up all night, did you? Did I burp, grind my teeth, or fart last night, or..."
As she was talking, she saw a pair of very beautiful jade bracelets on the table beside Rong Xun.
He picked up the bracelets and carefully put them on Tang Youyou's wrists. Looking at her slender hands, they were really extremely beautiful.
Seeing the bracelets on her wrists, Tang Youyou said in surprise, "How did you get these? They're so beautiful."
Rong Xun rubbed Tang Youyou's fluffy hair and said gently with a smile, "These bracelets have always belonged to you. It's just that I'm giving them to you now."
Hearing this, Tang Youyou tilted her head slightly and looked at the man beside her. For some reason, she could see a hint of expectation in his eyes.
Could these bracelets have a special origin?
Thinking of this, Tang Youyou stared intently at the bracelets on her wrists. Compared with the ones from Bai Qi, they were much more delicate.
"These jade bracelets shouldn't be yours, right?" Tang Youyou asked.
"Indeed, they're not mine. But they were left by my mother as a token of love for me."
These words instantly stunned Tang Youyou, who had been guessing. Looking at Rong Xun's serious expression, she was finally in a daze.
"What did you say? These bracelets belong to the late empress!"
Rong Xun nodded slightly. "Yes, they do. I've given them to you. I left a few days ago just for these bracelets."
"You abandoned the lofty throne just for these bracelets? Are you crazy!"
Tang Youyou shouted angrily in a hurry.
She didn't care about Rong Xun's expression at all. But he just kept looking at Tang Youyou secretly, afraid that any of his actions would make Tang Youyou think too much.
"Husband has always loved you very much. Husband also knows very well that everything has its destiny."
Hearing this, Tang Youyou frowned again. "Do you think this price is worth it?"
Rong Xun smiled and said, "Of course it's worth it. These bracelets were meant for you. As long as you wear them, it's definitely worth it."
While they were talking, there came a series of knocks on the door from outside.