Dawn.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The morning light envelops everything.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Meng family awakens early.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Meng Qingshe starts exercising his body early in the morning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He loves the Green Dragon Broadsword most, long with copper rings attached. When he swings it, the rings tter noisily.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It''s quite impressive.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He practices with utmost precision.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Afterpleting a full set of martial arts moves, his entire shirt is soaked through.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But he feels invigorated.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After resting for a while, he goes to change his clothes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Madam Meng is also exercising. Her familyes from a lineage of officials in the Ministry of Justice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She holds an iron ball, spreads her legs, and swings it between them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">3
The movement looks a bit unseemly, requiring a half-squat with both hands gripping the swinging iron ball, but she persists. She feels her waist bing stronger, her leg lines looking better, and her marital life more harmonious (????).<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Perhaps it''s also because she''s given up on having children, it''s be purely enjoyable.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In recent years, although she hasn''t met her daughter-inw, they''ve been corresponding regrly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At first, when she saw the letters, Madam Meng felt a bit nervous.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Although her natal family was also considered an official family, not all such families are the same. She couldn''t stand overly formal writing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
All that back-and-forth, "As the sages say," - it would bore her to death.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But upon opening the letters, she found straightforward, everydaynguage, no obscure characters, and even illustrations. Though the drawings were a bit crude, they warmed Madam Meng''s heart.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She hadn''t met the girl yet, but just from the style of the letters, she liked this daughter-inw. No wonder her son fell for her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Life must be quite lively with her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
During various holidays throughout the year, gifts would arrive from Jingzhou.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
They weren''t particrly expensive, though asionally there were valuable items. Most were practical.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Once, when sheined in a reply letter about feeling old, with an aching waist and ufortable legs,<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
her daughter-inw specially sent her an iron ball with handles, along with strange little diagrams showing her how to exercise with it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Surprisingly, it actually worked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Of course, Madam Meng kept it hidden and didn''t show it around.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But thest time she went out for a gathering, someone asked how her waist had be slimmer, eyeing her with envy and admiration.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Since acquiring a daughter-inw, she had repeatedly be the center of attention at gatherings.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Sometimes it was her more attractive headdress, sometimes her more stylish clothes, winter hand warmers, summer fans - all sorts of innovative items that made her stand out.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Every time, she would boast proudly, "My daughter-inw sent it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Rumors spread outside that her daughter-inw was more bewitching than Daji.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">3
She wouldugh heartily when she heard this, without exining. Her son had told her that the girl was round-faced and straightforward, certainly nothing like Daji.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But when she heard people say the Meng family always loved beauties, unable to resist a pretty face,<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
wasn''t that including her in the praise? She was quite pleased.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Ho ho ho, she loved it most when people scolded her, "You''re just good-looking!" "You just married well!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Meng Family Grandmother was also in good health.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She ate heartily.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Having lived a rougher life, she enjoyed gardening.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In summer, the gourd-growing season, the Meng family''s diet suffered a bit.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Gourds at every meal.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Fortunately, they still had some pickled vegetables to go with it, making it quite refreshing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At breakfast, seeing gourds on the table again, Meng Qingshe''s face turned as green as the gourds.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">3
Old Madam Meng saw her son''s face and scolded, "You little brat, if you don''t want to eat it, then don''t."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Meng Qingshe: ...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He missed when his son was around; at least then, there was a younger generation to be called "little brat" instead of him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As the family was eating, a messenger arrived.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Nowadays, letters from Jingzhou were delivered immediately upon arrival.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Meng Qingshe quickly wiped his mouth, put down his chopsticks, and went to read the letters.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He found several letters just for his son, sent together.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There was also a separate letter for the child''s mother.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Meng Qingshe felt a bit jealous - why did the child''s mother and grandmother get special letters, but not him as the father-inw?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But since it was written by his daughter-inw, he didn''t dare to peek.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Seeing several letters, he quickly opened them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Meng Qingshe finished reading swiftly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He burst intoughter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Meng family had an heir on the way.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
His daughter-inw was pregnant.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Madam Meng and Old Madam Meng were also reading the letter from their daughter-inw, saying she felt nauseous all the time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Madam Meng was both excited and worried.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Some women suffer greatly during pregnancy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She wished she could go to Jingzhou right away to take care of her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Then she thought how wonderful it was - in three years when they next saw their son, they might have grandchildren already.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Such efficiency!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This day, the Meng family was full of joy, with even the sounds of things being dropped seeming more melodious.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Madam Meng and Old Madam Meng went to search the storerooms together, hurrying to send things over. Anything useful would be sent.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"My son will have a son, how wonderful. We deserve to prosper."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In the pce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor was having his breakfast.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor rarely attended morning court in person these days; for the sake of his health, he had begun to prioritize sleep.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Servants attended to him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Surprisingly, Eunuch Yan was also eating with him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The two had a close rtionship, not physically intimate, but conversing and chatting casually.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At the Emperor''s age, he relied on medicinal pills for his interactions with women. At first, he was interested, but after a few times, hearing from the master that it was bad for his health and depleted his essence, he gradually lost interest in femalepany.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z css-x61atf"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">4
There were many interesting things in this world, and he was someone who loved to y and knew how to enjoy himself. If not ying with pce concubines, he could have other hobbies.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Eunuch Yan had be his new mealtimepanion and ymate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Wenxin was very pure, never minding the intricacies of court officials, wholly immersed in art, loving to sing and dance, very much to the Emperor''s liking.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As they were eating and discussing yesterday''s musical piece, the Emperor felt thest line was a bit awkward. He thought it should either be removed or modified.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Eunuch Yan thought seriously and said, "If Your Majesty feels it''s awkward, we could remove it. I also think adding that line was a bit superfluous. I didn''t think much when writing it, but when sung, it does seem a bit out of ce. Your Majesty is truly perceptive."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperorughed heartily, epting this routine ttery.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just as they were eating, a Little Eunuch entered with a pale face.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor hated such situations the most.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Not even able to eat in peace.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But he also knew that matters interrupting his meals must be urgent.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After all, quite a few who had casually disturbed his meals had been dragged out and executed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He frowned slightly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The little eunuch knelt trembling, and though reluctant, he forced himself to say, "Your Majesty, the Former Crown Prince has passed away."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor surprisingly showed no reaction.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He let the little eunuch kneel there, shaking all over.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He continued eating and drinking his soup.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As he finished thest sip of soup, suddenly the spoon slipped from his hand and fell to the ground.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor''s eyes filled with tears.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Over a decade ago, when I started hearing news of ministers passing away, I began seeking immortality, wanting to live forever. I refused to ept it. I wanted to be as eternal as the heavens. I am the ten thousand year emperor, the eternal emperor. Today, my son has also left. The son I bore has gone."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0