Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family-Chapter 1089 - 1088: Entering the Capital Again

"Princess Ruyu is lucky to have a life where she could say the same words of praise as His Majesty,"

Liu Sisi’s words were indifferent, her gaze towards Zhao Yuanlang especially cold.

Zhao Yuanlang disagreed and put down the teacup in his hand, raised his eyebrows and looked at her, "Ruyu, Father Emperor knows you have many misunderstandings about Father Emperor. However, you are also a mother now. Can’t you see the helplessness and choices Father Emperor had to make?"

"Father Emperor jests, how dare Ruyu misunderstand Father Emperor? You worry too much," she replied.

Zhao Yuanlang looked deeply at Liu Sisi, "Ruyu, actually Father Emperor envies you, for you can live freely, unlike Father Emperor, who, even having someone he loves, doesn’t dare to let go and pursue love and chase after it..."

As Zhao Yuanlang spoke, his expression became more and more melancholic, and finally, he picked up a nearby wine cup and began to drink.

"Life is full of imperfections, eight or nine times out of ten, and many injustices, disappointments, envy, jealousy, and resentment follow."

Liu Sisi looked out the window calmly, her words equally serene, "He envies my freedom, I envy his constraints; he envies the person I love, I envy his solitude; he envies my daring to love and hate, living carefree and unbridled, I envy the life planned out for him by others... Living in the admiration of others, yet overlooking the happiness within easy reach. Why bother?"

"Are you advising me?"

Zhao Yuanlang raised an eyebrow.

"No! Ruyu is speaking to herself."

Liu Sisi shook her head, smiling, "When I envy your fine clothes and food, there are countless people on the street who envy me for having meals to fill my stomach. When I envy you riding on tall horses, surrounded by followers, there are countless people who envy me for being able to walk with my own two healthy legs. When I stand atop that high tower to view the scenery, those admiring the scenery are looking at me on the tower."

"Father Emperor, human desires are endless. How to feel happiness and joy ultimately depends on one’s own heart! Happiness and joy need to be felt by oneself, not given by anyone else! If others really want to give you happiness, it may turn into your sadness. If others give you happiness, it may become the source of your pain. Why bother?"

The room suddenly fell silent.

Wasn’t Liu Sisi’s words comforting Zhao Yuanlang while also comforting herself?

Zhao Yuanlang didn’t speak, but he held the wine cup and drank cup after cup, and eventually simply picked up the wine pot, drinking directly from the spout while hummed an unclear tune.

Until he finally passed out there.

Three days later, Liu Sisi set off to return to the capital with His Majesty.

Of course, Chou Chou and Di Ying were also coming along. Di Cheng and Feng’er, who had just finished her confinement period, stayed behind. Before Di Yelei went off to war, Di Hongyuan had discussed with Di Yelei and Di Cheng. In the end, Di Cheng was adopted by Di Hongyuan and became the eldest son of the main family branch, the future clan leader of the Di Family line.

Feng’er, holding her one-month-old child, came to send them off, "Third Aunt, please rest assured about home here. With Di Cheng and Feng’er here, we will definitely make the Di Family prosper and will not tarnish Third Uncle’s reputation!"

Liu Sisi gently patted Feng’er’s hand and, after a while, sighed softly, "Do your best, that’s enough."

Having seen all the splendor, what she truly wanted was nothing more than the safety of her family members, a complete reunion!

"Feng’er understands,"

Feng’er looked at her sincerely, her face full of reluctance to part.

Even Chou Chou and Di Ying had a hint of sorrow, leaning against the carriage window listlessly.

The imperial entourage returning to the capital had just left the city center of Macheng County when Liu Sisi released Feng’er’s hand, "After accompanying you a thousand miles, a parting is inevitable. Go back! We will meet again."

"Third Aunt..."

Feng’er couldn’t help but start to cry.

Ever since she had married into the Di Family, she had always followed Liu Sisi closely. The sudden prospect of separation now made her so unbearably sad that she couldn’t help but weep aloud.

Her tears caused Chou Chou and YingEr to start crying too.

This, in turn, made everyone beside them frequently wipe away their own tears.

"Don’t cry! No more tears, my dears..."

Liu Sisi was choking up with emotion.

Before everyone could recover from their sorrow, another orderly procession approached from the opposite direction.

To her surprise, at the forefront were both the Dean and Vice Dean of the academy, leading their students quickly towards where Liu Sisi stood.

Vice Principal Xu and Principal Xia led the way, paying their respects to Liu Sisi, "Princess! As you make your way to the capital, we have nothing much to offer you, but our many teachers and students have thought it through and written this petition. It contains all the heartfelt sentiments of the entire academy. We present it to you, Princess, as a keepsake; please do not dismiss it."

Liu Sisi extended her hands to receive it, her hands trembling slightly as she held the petition, "Back then, when I, Liu Sisi, was determined to establish the academy, it was in order to benefit the talented but impoverished students from the countryside, unwilling to let them miss out on the chance to continue their education due to their family’s poverty. Now the academy offers the opportunity to exchange labor for the chance to study, which has received mixed feedback. With my limited personal ability, all I can do is provide the best possible learning environment for everyone."

"Whether you can stand out and how many of you can make it out of the mountains depend on your own efforts! I, Liu Sisi, will be waiting in the capital for your arrival! When that time truly comes, I will definitely prepare light wine and clean the ded for your visit! Do you all have such confidence?"

"We do! We do! We do... Princess Ruyu! Princess Ruyu! Princess Ruyu..."

Cheers and joyous shouts filled the air, as countless students waved their arms, shouting till their voices reached the skies!

Zhao Yuanlang walked ahead, silently lifting the carriage curtain to look back a few times before letting it fall. Soon, a eunuch hurried off, and not long after, he had reported back to His Majesty.

His Majesty’s gaze was complex as he looked up to the heavens and heaved a long sigh. In the end, he said nothing, and the imperial procession continued moving on toward the wharf.

The journey for Liu Sisi and her party was not as straightforward.

On the short distance from outside the city gate of Macheng County to the wharf, she and many fellow villagers said their farewells over and over, and with many teachers and students she waved goodbye and shed tears several times until, by the time she finally boarded the ship, a full four hours had passed.

"The ship is departing——"

The boatman called out, and the ship slowly departed from the shore, with Liu Sisi waving her farewells to the people on land. Not until the figures on the bank had shrunk to the size of ants and finally disappeared from her line of sight did she let out a wistful sigh.

"Princess, come inside the cabin! It’s getting windy out here!"

Ms. Gao draped a cloak over her and whispered softly.

"Yes! It has started to get windy outside!"

Liu Sisi drew her cloak tighter about her, lifting her head to gaze at the green hills on both banks slowly receding into the distance, her thoughts already miles and miles away.