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From Heavenly Origin to Great Xia, the journey took ten days. Le Yao Yao spent each day inside the carriage, only stepping out to stretch her legs when the carriage stopped for a break, assisted by the two sisters, Xue Ping and Xue Li.
After the incident with the Evil One Sect, Xue Ping and Xue Li had only sustained minor injuries. Once Le Yao Yao returned home, they resumed their attentive care for her.
At this moment, Le Yao Yao was over four months pregnant, and her waistline was gradually expanding. She found herself less agile than before.
Though she was not yet unable to walk on her own, both Xue Ping and Xue Li were overly cautious, fearing that if they failed to take proper care of her, something might happen to Le Yao Yao, who was the apple of Leng Junyu's eye.
Thus, throughout the journey, they attended to her every need. Wherever Le Yao Yao went, the two sisters followed closely behind her, never leaving her side.
Le Yao Yao found their perception of her as a fragile doll both amusing and exasperating. However, understanding that it was their duty, she accepted their kindness without protest.
As the days drew closer to Great Xia, Le Yao Yao's heart began to race with anxiety. After all, she was not the real Lulu; that Lulu had long since passed away.
The one inhabiting this body was her—Le Yao Yao.
It was said that the Great Xia Empress treated Lulu like a beloved daughter. This meant that the Empress would undoubtedly be familiar with Lulu's habits.
Le Yao Yao couldn't help but wonder if, upon returning to Great Xia, the Empress would notice anything unusual given her knowledge of Lulu.
Thinking of this, Le Yao Yao began to feel increasingly anxious.
Moreover, it had already been nine days since she last saw Leng Junyu.
After being apart from him for nine days, Le Yao Yao finally understood what it meant to miss someone so much that a day felt like three years, and time dragged on endlessly!
During these days away from Leng Junyu, Le Yao Yao's mind was filled with thoughts of him.
His tall figure, handsome face, his serious demeanor, and the way he smiled mischievously at her made her miss him to the point of madness.
Right now, she really wanted him so badly that it felt like her heart was about to break.
In the past, when she was with him, Le Yao Yao felt that time flew by in the blink of an eye. However, without him, every second felt particularly slow.
It was as if her heart ached just thinking about him; she wished she could sprout a pair of wings and fly right to his side.
Unfortunately, that was simply impossible.
With this thought, Le Yao Yao let out a heavy sigh, her face clouded with deep disappointment.
This expression did not go unnoticed by the two sisters, Xue Ping and Xue Li, who were watching from the side.
After exchanging glances, Xue Li and Xue Ping couldn't help but smirk and tease her.
"Princess, this is the ninety-ninth time you've sighed today. If you sigh once more, the leaves on the trees will all fall off because of you."
Xue Li teased Le Yao Yao cheerfully.
Now that they knew Le Yao Yao was about to marry Leng Junyu, they all began to address her as Princess.
Hearing Xue Li's playful remark, Le Yao Yao snapped back to reality. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she shot a glare at Xue Li, unable to hide her annoyance.
"You only know how to make fun of me. Be careful or I'll peel your skin off!"
"Hehe, the princess is so fierce; it makes this servant scared to death."
Xue Li pretended to be frightened, but her smiling eyes betrayed her.
Seeing this, Le Yao Yao could only pretend to be angry and ignored her.
At that moment, Xue Ping happened to come over with a cup of freshly brewed tea and offered it to Le Yao Yao with a gentle smile.
"Here, Princess, have some tea first!"
"Thank you, Xue Ping."
After accepting the fragrant tea from Xue Ping, Le Yao Yao expressed her gratitude and then shifted her beautiful eyes from Xue Ping's face to Xue Li's, shaking her head helplessly.
If it weren't for the fact that the two sisters looked almost identical, one might really doubt whether they were siblings, given how their personalities were like night and day.
Xue Ping was gentle, while Xue Li was lively. Perhaps this was what it meant to complement each other!?
Le Yao Yao thought to herself, and then as if recalling something, she looked up and asked Xue Ping, "By the way, how much longer until we reach the palace?"
"If we continue on our current path, we should arrive by tomorrow," Xue Ping replied after a brief pause.
"Oh, tomorrow..."
That meant she would be meeting the relatives of this body soon.
Although, those relatives were all long gone.
It was said that this Lulu was the orphan of the Great Xia National Guardian General. Later, when the Great Xia Empress saw her and took a liking to her, she brought Lulu into her palace to raise her, and that had continued until now.
The Great Xia Empress's affection for Lulu was no less than that for her own biological son.
It seemed that the Great Xia Emperor also doted on Lulu very much! Love for one’s own extends to all associated with them!
As soon as Le Yao Yao thought about meeting the Emperor of Great Xia and the Queen the next day, her heart raced with anxiety.
Although she had sent word to the Great Xia Empress explaining that she had lost her memory upon arriving in Capital City, this was a lie. It was the only explanation she could give for not remembering her past.
However, even if someone forgets their past, their habits are unlikely to change drastically.
She could only hope that her habits were similar to those of Lulu, so that the Great Xia Empress and others wouldn’t notice anything amiss.
Le Yao Yao sighed inwardly and after a long moment, reassured herself.
Well, whatever will be, will be. She didn’t want to overthink it.
Since she was here, she might as well make herself comfortable!
…
Last night, Le Yao Yao and her companions arrived at the Great Xia inn in the evening. After freshening up and resting well, they woke up early the next day.
With the help of Xue Ping and Xue Li, Le Yao Yao got out of bed and took her time to groom and dress herself.
Since she was going to meet the Emperor of Great Xia and the Queen today, she naturally needed to dress more formally.
Thanks to Xue Ping's skillful hands, she was dressed beautifully.
Wrapped in a white palace gown embroidered with plum blossom patterns, the sleeves and collar were adorned with pink silk threads, adding an air of elegance and grace.
A plain belt cinched her waist, complemented by an exquisitely crafted Jade Pendant that highlighted her noble demeanor.
Her long, black hair cascaded like a waterfall, now styled into an intricate bun, decorated with a Magnolia hairpin. The delicate Sheep Fat Jade tassel dangled down, chiming softly with her movements, enhancing her graceful yet lively presence.
Her delicate little face was lightly dusted with rouge, making her skin appear fair with a hint of rosy glow, as if it could be easily broken by a gentle touch.
Her dark eyebrows arched gracefully over a charming nose and cherry lips, while her beautiful eyes sparkled with brilliance as they moved.
Looking at the woman in the mirror, she was truly breathtaking, a beauty beyond compare!
Satisfied with the elegant and refined image reflected back at her, Le Yao Yao couldn't help but admire herself in the mirror several times.
Then she turned to Xue Ping and Xue Li and said, "Hehe, your skills have improved even more."
"Hehe, that's because the princess is stunningly beautiful. We merely made slight adjustments; we wouldn't dare take credit," Xue Ping replied with a gentle smile.
"Yes, the princess is truly beautiful. No wonder the prince dotes on her so much. We can only envy her."
"What’s there to envy? You will definitely meet a man you like too."
In response to Xue Li's words, Le Yao Yao smiled.
"Xue Li, aren't you interested in Xing? Then go after him boldly! As the saying goes, 'A man pursues a woman, there's a mountain in between; a woman pursues a man, there's a veil in between!' As long as you put in the effort, you will surely win Xing's heart!"
Knowing Xue Li's feelings, Le Yao Yao spoke directly.
Upon hearing Le Yao Yao's words, Xue Li's pretty face instantly flushed with embarrassment, and a rosy hue quickly spread across her cheeks, making her look like a perfectly ripe apple, adding to her charm and cuteness.
However, Xue Li and the others understood Le Yao Yao's personality. Although their statuses were different, they were of similar ages and got along like friends. So after feeling shy for a moment, Xue Li let out a gentle sigh and revealed her thoughts.
"Sigh, I used to think that way too, but now..."
"But now what?"
Seeing Xue Li's sorrowful and helpless expression, resembling that of a lovesick girl, Le Yao Yao found it amusing yet couldn't help but feel curious.
"Sigh..."
Hearing Le Yao Yao's question, Xue Li sighed once more, her brows furrowing with a hint of sadness that was not fitting for her age. She then softly spoke.
"I think there is someone Star likes."
"What!? Star has someone she likes?! Who is she?! Do you know?"
Upon hearing Xue Li's words, Le Yao Yao was somewhat surprised.
After all, Star usually smiled cheerfully, but she had never seen any woman by his side.
In the Wang residence, aside from her and Xue Li and Xue Ping, there were only a few Aunts in the kitchen.
Could it be...
Thinking of this, Le Yao Yao was startled, and her gaze unconsciously fell on Xue Ping, who was tidying up some cosmetics nearby.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Xue Ping turned her eyes over, momentarily taken aback. Then, as if recalling something, she immediately spoke up.
"Star's crush definitely isn't me."
"Uh..."
Hearing Xue Ping's words, Le Yao Yao felt a bit speechless.
She hadn't even asked yet, and Xue Ping already knew what she wanted to say. What a thoughtful girl!
But if it wasn't Xue Ping, then who did Xing like!?
Le Yao Yao was curious in her heart, but perhaps only Xing herself knew the answer!
As Le Yao Yao pondered this, she didn't notice Xue Ping's thoughtful gaze resting on her...
...
In the Great Xia Kingdom, the people lived in peace and prosperity, with a vast territory that rivaled that of Heavenly Origin.
Moreover, Great Xia and Heavenly Origin had always coexisted peacefully, without infringing upon each other.
Historically, there had been numerous royal marriages between the two nations, so it would not be surprising to say that Great Xia and Heavenly Origin were like one big family.
Additionally, the Seventh Prince of Great Xia and Prince Rui of Heavenly Origin were sworn brothers, and their deep friendship was well-known.
At this moment, Le Yao Yao and her luxurious convoy were grandly making their way through the bustling streets of Great Xia's capital, drawing the curious and envious gazes of the common people as they headed towards the Great Xia Imperial Palace.
At a quarter past noon, they finally arrived at the gates of the Great Xia Imperial Palace.
By that time, there were already eunuchs and guards waiting there.
For Le Yao Yao, Great Xia was still unfamiliar territory.
All the way, Le Yao Yao kept lifting the curtains of the carriage, taking in the stunning scenery along the journey.
She felt that Great Xia was economically prosperous, and the common people rarely engaged in fighting or begging. Along the way, there were many soldiers patrolling, keeping everything in Great Xia well-organized.
Just from these observations, it was evident that Great Xia had a good emperor!
But she couldn't help but wonder what kind of person this emperor truly was.
As Le Yao Yao pondered this, they had already passed through the crimson palace gates and were heading towards the inner palace.
Once inside the inner palace, Le Yao Yao stopped thinking about other matters; her gaze was captivated by the beautiful scenery surrounding her.
The Great Xia Imperial Palace was grand and magnificent, towering impressively.
Underneath the high Red Brick High Walls, luxurious palaces were deeply enclosed together.
The red walls shimmered with dazzling golden light from the Glazed Tiles under the sunlight, making the entire palace even more splendid and majestic.
The resplendent palaces, including the Jade Tower, rose in varying heights, layered upon one another endlessly.
The rooftops were adorned with Glazed Tiles edged in green, with flying eaves and jade walls standing proudly against the sky.
White marble steps led to pathways that branched out in all directions.
The intricately carved beams and painted rafters, the winding corridors, the Rockery and Flowing Water—every scene and object was so pleasing to the eye, exuding an air of luxury and grandeur.
There were also the Imperial Guards, stationed every five steps and every ten steps, clad in iron armor with long halberds in hand.
Amidst this, eunuchs and palace maids dressed in court attire moved gracefully, each step measured and composed.
As she quietly observed the sights of the Great Xia Imperial Palace, Le Yao Yao did not feel out of place. Perhaps it was because this body had lived here since childhood; everything felt somewhat familiar, as if she had returned home.
While Le Yao Yao was lost in thought, they were led by a eunuch to the Phoenix Morning Palace, where the Great Xia Empress resided.
On their way to Great Xia, Xue Ping and her sister had mentioned that the Phoenix Morning Palace was the residence of past Queens.
Looking around, Le Yao Yao saw that the floors of the Phoenix Morning Palace were paved with white jade stones, and the towering palaces radiated opulence.
Inside, there were Rockeries and Flowing Water, with winding corridors arranged in a pleasing manner.
However, what surprised Le Yao Yao the most was that a vast expanse of Camellias was planted within the Phoenix Morning Palace.
These Camellias came in various species, their forms elegant, with dark green glossy leaves and vibrant flowers.
They displayed a range of colors—red, purple, white, yellow—each hue more dazzling than the last, captivating her senses with their beauty!
As she gazed at these blooming and resplendent Camellias, an inexplicable sense of familiarity welled up within Le Yao Yao's heart.
Because Camellia was also her mother's favorite.
She still remembered their backyard, filled with her mother's beloved Camellias.
Moreover, there were many varieties, no less than those here. Her mother was so infatuated with Camellias that many times when she traveled abroad, it was because she had her eye on the Camellias of that country.
Thus, her father often joked that her mother loved Camellias even more than she loved him. There was an underlying hint of jealousy in his words.
The thought of her father being jealous of Camellias made Le Yao Yao feel both amused and nostalgic.
However, a faint sorrow also welled up in her heart.
Because she had inexplicably arrived in this era and could no longer return to the past.
She truly wondered how her father and mother were doing now, whether they were saddened by her death.
Or perhaps this Lulu had crossed over into her body and was being filial to her parents!?
As Le Yao Yao pondered these thoughts, she unconsciously stopped beside a Camellia plant.
She then reached out with her delicate fingers and gently caressed a blooming red Camellia.
Bending slightly, she leaned in to take a gentle sniff of the flower.
Feeling the faint and pleasant fragrance of flowers wafting through the air, Le Yao Yao couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.
However, at that moment, a gentle yet excited voice suddenly rang out, leaving Le Yao Yao stunned as if struck by lightning. Her beautiful eyes widened, and her heart seemed to leap into her throat upon hearing that excited voice.
The reason was simple: that excited voice was so familiar. She had heard it for eighteen years; it was the unique voice of her mother...
After the initial shock, Le Yao Yao's body moved like a machine as she slowly turned around. When she saw that familiar face, her nose tinged with a sudden ache, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes.
The thick mist of emotion swirled in her eyes before finally spilling over in shimmering droplets.
"Mom!?"
Le Yao Yao trembled her lips, whispering in disbelief.
At that moment of overwhelming shock, a woman who looked exactly like her mother rushed toward her, supported by two palace maids who were equally excited.
During this time, Le Yao Yao could hear the two maids exclaiming anxiously as they helped the woman.
"Your Highness, be careful! Don't walk too fast; you might fall..."
But the woman paid no heed to their warnings and quickened her pace even more.
Seeing this, Le Yao Yao slowly came to her senses and immediately took a step forward, rushing towards the Noble Lady.
"Mother, no, Empress Mother! Empress Mother!"
As Le Yao Yao regained her composure, she exclaimed excitedly and then threw herself into the woman's embrace.
The faint, pleasant scent of Camellia filled her nostrils, so familiar and comforting; it was the smell of her mother...
In that moment of excitement, the woman, who was the Great Xia Empress, also burst into tears of joy, tightly holding Le Yao Yao as if afraid she would disappear again.
Her tone was filled with both excitement and a hint of sorrow.
"You little girl, you have made Empress Mother worry sick! Where have you been these past few months?! You have never left my side for a day since you were little, and this time you dared to leave the palace. Did you intend to make Empress Mother sad?"
Hearing the Great Xia Empress's words, Le Yao Yao felt a bit wronged and guilty.
Although it wasn't her fault for leaving the palace, now that she was in Lulu's body, she naturally had to bear the consequences of her actions.
However, Le Yao Yao also understood that the Great Xia Empress wasn't truly angry with her. So she sniffled and said with a choked voice,
"I'm sorry for making Empress Mother worry. I truly am unfilial..."
Le Yao Yao spoke sincerely.
She called the Great Xia Empress "Empress Mother" because Lulu had always referred to her that way.
The Great Xia Empress had long regarded Lulu as her own daughter, and with thoughts of Lulu returning home to her precious son when she grew up, it was only natural for Lulu to call her Empress Mother.
Upon hearing Le Yao Yao's words, the Great Xia Empress cried even harder.
Her tears flowed like pearls that had broken free from their string, quickly soaking Le Yao Yao's shoulder.
Seeing this, Le Yao Yao tightly embraced the Great Xia Empress, treating her as if she were her own biological Empress Mother from the twenty-first century, pouring out all her grievances and longings.
"Empress Mother, I really miss you so much, I truly miss you..."
"My child, Empress Mother misses you dearly as well. From now on, you must not act recklessly anymore, do you understand?!"
"Yes, I understand."
Hearing the Great Xia Empress's words, Le Yao Yao nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, the Great Xia Empress finally felt satisfied and relieved. She then took out a handkerchief to wipe away Le Yao Yao's tears.
Le Yao Yao immediately pulled out her own handkerchief to dab at the tears on the Great Xia Empress's face.
However, just at that moment, a slender voice suddenly rang out—
"His Majesty has arrived—"
Upon hearing that voice, everyone turned to look in the direction it came from.
A figure clad in bright yellow was striding towards them with purpose.
Seeing this, the crowd knelt down and bowed in reverence.
Le Yao Yao's gaze shifted to the bright yellow figure, and when she clearly saw the man hurrying towards her, she was once again struck like a thunderbolt, completely stunned.
With a 'boom,' Le Yao Yao felt her mind go blank for a moment.
Then, disbelief spread across her face, her mouth curling into a wider smile until it blossomed into an ecstatic grin. Unable to contain herself any longer, she dashed towards the bright yellow figure.
“Father, Father! Wuwu, it's you! It really is you!?”
“Uh…”
Caught off guard by Le Yao Yao's sudden leap, the middle-aged man, tall and sturdy, only took a small step back before regaining his balance.
Looking down at Le Yao Yao, who had thrown herself into his arms and was crying uncontrollably, a kind smile spread across his round face as he affectionately said, “Silly girl, you’re finally back! Your father has missed you so much!”
Like the Great Xia Empress, the Great Xia Emperor had always been fond of Lulu since childhood, showering her with affection that surpassed even that of the princesses born to his concubines.
So, seeing his 'Lulu' return now filled him with immense joy.
A bright smile never left his face.
At this moment, Le Yao Yao was tightly embracing the man before her, crying uncontrollably, tears flowing freely.
Moreover, her heart was overflowing with happiness.
Oh my!
Is this real!?
Or is she dreaming!?
She had thought that after crossing into this unfamiliar dynasty, she would never see her beloved parents again. Who would have guessed that heaven would be so kind to her and bring her parents back?
Although they were not her biological parents, Le Yao Yao believed that this was destined by fate.
Right now, she truly felt incredibly happy.
Beside her were her parents, and soon, she would be marrying the man she loved.
In this life, what more could she possibly ask for!?
...
After reminiscing with the Emperor of the Great Xia and the Queen during the day, Le Yao Yao felt a complete sense of relief and joy.
The atmosphere was very harmonious during their conversation, and from their expressions, Le Yao Yao could tell that Lulu's personality was likely quite similar to her own. She didn't see a hint of doubt in their eyes.
Thus, the high hopes that Le Yao Yao had initially held were now entirely set aside.
At this moment, it was night!
The moonlight was enchanting, and the stars sparkled brightly as the Evening Breeze gently blew.
The pure moonlight softly cast a layer of faint silver glow on the eaves, creating a dreamlike and classical scene.
If it weren't for her current pregnancy, Le Yao Yao would have loved to climb up onto the roof and experience what it felt like to lie there.
Lying up there, gazing at the night sky must be quite wonderful!
Ideally, she would have her beloved man by her side, a pot of wine, and some small dishes to enjoy!
Thinking of this, a faint smile appeared on Le Yao Yao's lips, her eyes filled with longing.
She truly wished that Leng Junyu was by her side right now.
She wondered if, on such a picturesque night, he was also standing by the window, gazing at the moon and missing her.
Just as Le Yao Yao was lost in her thoughts, she suddenly heard the sound of someone pushing the door open. Immediately after, a warm and familiar voice reached her ears.
"I knew you wouldn't be resting yet."
"Empress Mother, why are you still awake at this hour?"
Le Yao Yao turned to see the Great Xia Empress in her palace attire and couldn't help but ask in surprise.
After entering, the Great Xia Empress dismissed the eunuchs and attendants with a gentle smile and slowly walked over.
She then took Le Yao Yao's hand and sat down on a stool.
"Because you have returned, I am so happy that I can't sleep. I came to see you."
"Empress Mother..."
Hearing the Great Xia Empress's words made Le Yao Yao's nose tingle with emotion.
Although she was not the real Lulu, from the moment she saw the Great Xia Empress, she was willing to wholeheartedly be a good daughter and honor her properly.
Because in her previous life, before she had the chance to properly honor her mother, she had crossed over. She thought that in this life, she would never be able to fulfill the duties of a daughter. Unexpectedly, fate granted her another opportunity, how wonderful!
Thinking of this, Le Yao Yao gently leaned her head against the Great Xia Empress's embrace, holding her tightly with both hands, just like she used to do at home with her own mother.
"Empress Mother’s embrace is truly warm," Le Yao Yao sighed.
"Hehe..." The Great Xia Empress smiled gently at her words, extending her delicate white hand to lightly stroke Le Yao Yao's soft long hair. With a loving smile, she said, "In a few months, Lulu will also become a mother. It's hard to imagine! I remember the first time I saw you; you were just a little child who had just learned to walk. In the blink of an eye, you've grown so much..."
The Great Xia Empress sighed as she looked at Le Yao Yao in her arms, feeling a sense of 'my daughter has just grown up.'
Hearing the Great Xia Empress's words, Le Yao Yao couldn't help but reach down to touch her slightly protruding belly.
Here, she was nurturing the child she and Yu were expecting!
Thinking about how in just a few months, her baby would be born made Le Yao Yao feel joyful.
Moreover, she had already returned to Great Xia, and preparations for their wedding were well underway in the palace.
Now, it was only a matter of days before she would grandly marry into the family.
Just the thought of becoming Leng Junyu's bride made Le Yao Yao's heart feel sweet.
It felt as if she were completely immersed in a whirlpool of happiness.
Thinking of this, Le Yao Yao's lips curled into a slight smile, her face radiating an indescribable sense of joy and contentment.
Seeing this, the Great Xia Empress couldn't help but sigh and said, "Seeing you so happy puts my heart at ease. In the past, you insisted on marrying Xi Er, and I was happy for you to be with him. After all, you have been by my side since you were little, never leaving me. I was always worried that if you grew up and married any man, you might suffer some grievances. I just couldn't bear the thought of you leaving my side. Now, although life is unpredictable, perhaps it means you and Xi Er are not meant to be together. That's alright; as long as you are happy, I will be satisfied..."
"Empress Mother..."
Hearing the gentle words of the Great Xia Empress, Le Yao Yao felt deeply moved.
She knew that even though she no longer had a blood relationship with the Great Xia Empress, the Empress truly cared for her.
At this thought, Le Yao Yao could no longer hold back her tears, which began to fall in streams.
The Great Xia Empress, watching from the side, couldn't help but feel her eyes redden as she hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe away Le Yao Yao's tears.
"Look at you, don't cry; it won't be good if your face gets all puffy."
"Empress Mother, I love you so much..." Holding the Great Xia Empress tightly, Le Yao Yao couldn't help but whine affectionately.
Upon hearing this, the Great Xia Empress's eyes curved into a smile filled with warmth and love.
"Ha ha, the Empress Mother loves you too. Be good and sleep now. You need to rest early since you have a body."
"But Empress Mother, tonight, I want to sleep with you."
Having finally met someone who looked exactly like her parents, Le Yao Yao felt that this must be a divine arrangement. She found it simply unbelievable and couldn't bear to let her Empress Mother leave.
The Great Xia Empress, seeing Le Yao Yao's pleading gaze, couldn't bring herself to refuse and said, "Alright then, the Empress Mother will sleep with Lulu."
"Empress Mother is so nice! But will Father agree?"
Le Yao Yao knew that tonight the Emperor of the Great Xia would be staying in the Great Xia Empress's palace. Although her 'dad' had more than just her 'mom' here, she could tell that her current father truly loved her mother.
Moreover, before coming here, Le Yao Yao had learned from Xue Ping and Xue Li that although the Great Xia Emperor had three thousand beauties, he spent most of his time in the Queen's Phoenix Morning Palace. Even those who had borne him princes and princesses could not compare to the Queen.
This was quite rare throughout history, demonstrating the Great Xia Emperor's deep affection for the Queen. Although the Great Xia Emperor could not achieve "Three Thousand Weak Waters, I Only Take One Ladle," being an emperor seated on high brought him many helplessness and constraints.
Le Yao Yao thought to herself as she heard the Great Xia Empress laughing beside her.
"Empress Mother's treasure, how could he possibly compare!?"
"Hehe..."
At this, Le Yao Yao couldn't help but smile.
That night, she slept particularly well.
And she had a wonderful dream.
In her dream, she was on a lush green meadow, where there stood a beautiful white house. Inside the house were her beloved parents and the man she cherished most. At her feet, a pair of adorable Dragon and Phoenix Twins wrapped around her legs, calling out to her with joyful laughter...
...
The next day.
Perhaps because she had slept so well the night before, Le Yao Yao woke up feeling refreshed. Her face was rosy and radiant; even without makeup, she looked stunningly beautiful.
She got up early and, with the help of Xue Li and Xue Ping, freshened up before heading to breakfast with the Great Xia Empress.
They dined in the grand hall of the Phoenix Morning Palace.
This was indeed the residence of the Queen, where everything was of the finest quality.
The gauzy curtains hung delicately, and beaded drapes cascaded down. On the walls were priceless ink paintings.
Beside them stood exquisite rosewood carved stools, while the table was adorned with antique vases and jade artifacts worth a fortune.
The floor was covered with a carpet embroidered with floral patterns, exuding an air of elegance.
However, the Queen had a fondness for Camellias, so every morning, the palace maids would rise early to pick some blooming Camellias to place around the grand hall.
Thus, when Le Yao Yao arrived at the Phoenix Morning Palace's hall, she could smell the faint yet delightful aroma of tea, which lifted her spirits.
At that moment, the Queen was already seated in the hall, waiting for her to join for breakfast.
"Ah, it smells so good! What delicious food did Empress Mother prepare for me today?"
"Hehe, you little glutton! If you're hungry, hurry over and eat."
Seeing Le Yao Yao enter and sniffing eagerly while holding her belly in anticipation made the palace maids nearby stifle their laughter behind their hands.
Le Yao Yao didn't mind their giggles; instead, she gracefully took her seat and began to enjoy breakfast with the Queen.
Due to her pregnancy, Le Yao Yao ate a lot. The Queen quickly finished her meal and, after wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, attentively served more dishes for Le Yao Yao.
"Come, these dishes are all your favorites!"
"Thank you, Empress Mother."
Savoring the dishes prepared by the Queen, Le Yao Yao felt completely satisfied.
After a long while, when Le Yao Yao had eaten her fill, she finally set down her chopsticks.
The palace maids, seeing this, quickly cleared away the leftover food and replaced it with fruits for dessert.
After enjoying some tea cakes with the Queen, Le Yao Yao took a leisurely stroll around the palace.
However, as the Queen was the mistress of the harem and had many matters to attend to, she soon returned to the Phoenix Morning Palace after accompanying Le Yao Yao for a bit.
Le Yao Yao, feeling energetic, decided to explore with Xue Ping and Xue Li.
After all, she had never been to the Great Xia Imperial Palace before!
Moreover, there were still several days until her wedding day, and the ceremonial attire had already been prepared in advance.
It turned out that the Queen had been thinking about Le Yao Yao marrying her son, so she had made sure everything was ready ahead of time.
Thus, Le Yao Yao didn't have to worry about trying on dresses or anything like that; she could simply wait for her wedding day.
Thinking about marrying Yu, Le Yao Yao wished for time to pass quickly.
It had been eleven days since she last saw Yu, and she really missed him so much!
"Yu, please come soon. I miss you..."
Le Yao Yao gazed at the sky in longing, while behind her, Snow Lotus and Xue Li exchanged glances and smiled gently.
...
The days of waiting always made one feel restless and anxious.
Le Yao Yao was now yearning with all her heart for the day of their wedding to arrive.
She wondered if he was thinking of her too during these days.
Le Yao Yao felt both hopeful and anxious inside.
Moreover, for some reason, every time she felt the happiest, a faint sense of unease would wash over her.
It was as if something was about to happen.
This unease felt like a thorn lodged in her heart—she wanted to remove it but found it impossible.
All she could hope for was that this time, there would be no more unexpected events.
Le Yao Yao kept praying in her heart, while time slowly passed day by day under her anxious anticipation.
Finally, the day she had been waiting for arrived—her wedding day.
As the orphan of the National Protector General of the Great Xia Kingdom and the beloved of the Empress, her wedding to Leng Junyu was celebrated with the grandeur befitting a princess, organized by the Great Xia Emperor himself.
The procession was adorned with ten miles of red decorations, and there was the exquisite Phoenix Crown and Cloud Robe, encrusted with jewels and worth a fortune.
In her hands, she held a Jade Ruyi, crafted from the rarest white jade, a treasure seldom seen in the world. Not to mention the silk and satin gifts from the Empress, along with gold, silver, and jewels.
The luxurious procession, with its ten miles of red decorations, was even more extravagant than a princess's wedding, making everyone envious!
On her wedding day, Le Yao Yao bid farewell to the tearful Great Xia Empress under the guidance of her matron.
The Queen looked at Le Yao Yao in her bridal attire, feeling both joy and deep reluctance in her heart.
Tears flowed like a bursting dam, unstoppable despite her efforts to hold them back, causing the Emperor watching nearby to feel an ache in his heart.
Finally, seeing that time was running short, the Queen managed to compose herself and stop crying with the Emperor's gentle reassurances.
At that moment, Le Yao Yao had completed all the complex rituals as instructed. With the matron's assistance, she climbed into the Flower Palanquin for her journey.
Returning to Heavenly Origin would take ten days, and on that day, she would marry Leng Junyu at Duke Rui's Residence.
Thinking about marrying the man she loved in just ten days, Le Yao Yao felt no fatigue.
After all, she had woken up early today, bathed, dressed, and adorned herself.
Now, she was no longer alone; after gaining her body, even a little activity left her utterly exhausted.
And then there was this wedding gown she wore, luxurious and exquisite as it was.
However, with each precious gem adorning it, the weight was overwhelming, almost causing her neck to snap.
At that moment, Le Yao Yao realized that getting married was such a laborious affair. Fortunately, she would only marry once in this life; otherwise, if it happened multiple times, she would surely be worn out.
Later, when she shared this with Xue Ping and the others, they immediately responded with several rounds of playful "puh puh puh."
"I say, Princess, how can you speak such ominous words on your wedding day? In this life and beyond, you will only marry the Prince once. How could there be multiple marriages!?"
"Exactly! Besides, the Prince promised you from the start: 'Three Thousand Weak Waters, I Only Take One Ladle.' He will only take one ladle; in the future, within your household, aside from you as the sole mistress, not even a fly will dare to enter. Look at how rare a man like the Prince is—he doesn't have multiple wives or concubines."
"Yes! If it were any other man with power and influence like the Prince, he would have already taken several wives and had a horde of women. That's why I say you are truly fortunate to meet such a good man. Ah, I wonder if I will ever encounter such a wonderful man for myself..."
At this point, Xue Li couldn't help but clasp her hands together, her face filled with anticipation.
Le Yao Yao couldn't help but chuckle at this and teased, "As long as you put in the effort, Xing will eventually be yours! Besides, I think Xing is a good man—he doesn't gamble, doesn't chase after women, and only drinks occasionally. Truly not bad!"
Following Leng Junyu's instructions, Xing had been escorting Le Yao Yao back to Great Xia. During her time in the palace, Xing stayed behind to protect her.
Thus, over these days, Xue Li seized every opportunity to sneak over to Xing whenever she had the chance.
Le Yao Yao was more than happy to facilitate this, allowing Xue Li to go out and play with Xing every day while only requiring Xue Ping to attend to her needs.
She couldn't help but wonder how far things had progressed between Xue Li and Xing during this time.
However, feeling so happy herself, Le Yao Yao wished for others to find happiness too.
Especially for Xing and Xue Li, both of whom she knew well. Although they were technically master and servant, she treated them as friends during their interactions.
Upon hearing Le Yao Yao's words, Xue Li understood that Le Yao Yao was trying to matchmake her with Xing. Unfortunately, it seemed that the feelings were not mutual.
"Ah, Xing remains indifferent towards me. I no longer have any expectations; I'll just let things unfold naturally!"
Though Xue Li thought this way, she couldn't help but lift the curtain of the Flower Palanquin and glance at the man riding at the front—dressed in a fitted outfit that showcased his heroic demeanor.
Le Yao Yao and Xue Ping exchanged knowing smiles at this sight.
However, at that moment, the wedding bells had already begun to ring. Le Yao Yao tightly gripped her Jade Ruyi and fell silent.
The wedding procession also started to move at that time.
Le Yao Yao, dressed in her bridal gown, sat inside the luxurious wedding carriage, peering through the curtains at the Great Xia Emperor and the Queen standing on the high platform, waving goodbye.
She sighed inwardly.
Not long ago, she had been anxious about not being the real Lulu and how she would face Lulu's family upon her return.
But now, she felt a deep sense of reluctance.
She wondered when she would see her 'Parents' again after this farewell.
Thinking of this, Le Yao Yao's nose tinged with sadness, and tears began to fall from her eyes once more.
Beside her, Xue Ping quickly took out a handkerchief and kept wiping her tears away.
"Don't cry, Princess. You'll come back again."
"Yes. I will come back again."
Today was supposed to be her joyous day, the day she married the man she loved. She should be happy.
In just a few months, she would become a mother, accompanied by the man she loved.
Thinking of this, Le Yao Yao happily held back her tears, a smile of happiness gracing her lips.
At that moment, she truly felt so incredibly happy.
Seeing Le Yao Yao laugh and cry at the same time, Xue Ping and Xue Li couldn't help but stifle their laughter nearby.
However, both of them offered their heartfelt blessings.
"The prince and princess will surely be very happy together."
"Wishing the prince and princess a long life together, united in heart and soul."
"Hehe, thank you! I wish both of you find your ideal partners soon," Le Yao Yao said with a smile.
At that moment, the carriage began to move forward.
As she watched the scenery slowly pass by, Le Yao Yao thought to herself how much she wished the carriage would go faster. If it did, she could return to Heavenly Origin sooner and be reunited with the man she loved...
With that thought in mind, an image of Leng Junyu in a bright red wedding robe filled her mind; he must look incredibly handsome!
As soon as she thought of this, Le Yao Yao couldn't help but smile lightly to herself.
However, at that moment, the carriage that had been slowly moving forward suddenly came to a halt.
A commotion erupted in front of the carriage.
Hearing the uproar, a wave of unease surged within Le Yao Yao.
Her stunning face turned pale with anxiety.
Beside her, Xue Ping and Xue Li quickly offered their reassurances.
"Your Highness, don't worry. It's just that the caravan has encountered some issues; they will be resolved soon."
"Yes, Your Highness. Should I go down now and see what's going on?"
Seeing this, Xue Li made a move to get off the carriage to check the situation.
Just then, a weary figure appeared in their line of sight.
The man was dressed in black attire, his hair slightly disheveled, looking exhausted and pale with a serious expression.
This man was none other than Mei, who had been following Leng Junyu closely.
This time, Le Yao Yao arrived at Great Xia, where Leng Junyu had assigned Xing and other guards to protect her, while Mei followed closely behind Leng Junyu, listening to his instructions.
At that moment, upon seeing Mei and his deep black eyes filled with sorrow, Le Yao Yao's heart raced with anxiety.
The unease within her grew stronger, causing her body to tremble slightly.
"Mei, how could you be here!? Did Yu send you to protect me on my way back!?"
Yes, it must be that way; it has to be!
Le Yao Yao reassured herself in her heart. However, after hearing her words, Mei suddenly fell from his horse. Yet, he quickly knelt on the ground amidst the commotion, his head bowed low as if he dared not look at Le Yao Yao's face.
Because Le Yao Yao's face was too pale, her gaze filled with expectation and anxiety.
It pained him to see her like this, but he still had to convey the cruel truth—
"Replying to the princess, the prince... has fallen off a cliff and died..."
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