When Lu Ziyuan returned, Xie Wanqing and Erqing were embracing each other, crying.
They were telling each other the events that happened in the past five years.
After the old emperor ordered the Pei family to divorce, Erqing returned to the Xie family with Xie Wanqing’s dowry.
This afternoon, as soon as she returned to the palace, the Xie family sent Erqing into the palace.
Thinking that their daughter had a long journey and it was getting late, Mr. and Mrs. Zheng decided to enter the palace to pay respects tomorrow.
At this moment, the master and servant both had red eyes, animatedly talking until he entered causing them to pause.
Erqing hurriedly stood up and respectfully bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Lu Ziyuan graciously accepted, saying she could forego the formalities.
But obviously, being known for his authority and as a supreme ruler, even though Erqing had seen much alongside her master from a young age, she still felt restrained.
Seeing this, Xie Wanqing said, "You go rest now, tomorrow we can talk properly."
Unlike in the previous life, Erqing had already gotten married in this life.
Mrs. Zheng felt compassion for her service to her daughter and, after asking her wishes, arranged a marriage for her.
It was with the manager of a Capital City tavern.
The tavern was an asset of the Xie family, and after the wedding, her indenture was returned to her.
At this point the couple had already left servitude.
With Xie Wanqing reborn and entering the Central Palace, Erqing wished to return to her master’s side for service.
She was turned down.
Xie Wanqing didn’t lack servants around her, and although Erqing was labeled a maid, she was actually no different from a sister.
Moreover, Erqing was already married, having a life of her own to live.
She could visit the palace regularly, but becoming a palace maid shouldn’t be considered.
The bedroom door gently closed, leaving only the two of them inside.
Seeing Erqing so suddenly, Lu Ziyuan felt somewhat uneasy.
The scene from their past life where Erqing was beaten to death and she angrily spat blood and died is an overshadowing memory they cannot forget.
Xie Wanqing pulled him to sit beside her and pouted, "You’re not seeing how close Erqing and I are and secretly thinking about how to kill her, are you?"
"..." Lu Ziyuan was at a loss for words, cautiously choosing not to engage with her comment.
Instead, he lowered his gaze to her swollen eyes and frowned, saying, "Why are you crying like this."
Xie Wanqing softly hummed, placing her head on his shoulder, "Such a thrilling separation, after five years, we finally see each other again, are we not allowed to cry?"
"..." Once again Lu Ziyuan was at a loss.
He reached out to embrace her shoulder, trying to suppress the bitterness in his heart.
This girl is wonderful in every way, kind to everyone, reluctant to hurt anyone.
But with him, she is the cruelest.
Ready to leave without turning back.
Xie Wanqing now could barely feel his pulse, knowing that the man had probably been wrestling with himself again.
She reached out for his neck, pecked at his chin, and before he could pounce, Xie Wanqing said, "Now summon the Imperial Physician to check for peace pulse, please."
She always remembered the man in the dream, who frequently coughed up blood.
Before he died from arrows on the battlefield, his body was actually already in severe chronic illness, showing signs of premature aging.
And in this life, having been apart for five years again.
She couldn’t believe this man in front of her was completely fine.
Clearly, five years ago, he had coughed up several mouthfuls of blood in anger caused by her.
At the time, she merely thought he might have suffered internal injuries and didn’t care.
Looking back now, she learned what regret means.
Perhaps he already had a heart condition, and when he awakened the memories of his past life, the heart condition returned to him along with those memories.
Yet she was oblivious, always wanting to stay away from him.
Time and again, provoking him, torturing him.
Moreover, in these five years since she left, has he experienced the same as his past life, having also damaged his lifespan now?