Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 136 Extra 9
It was already past midnight.
Lu Yan had yet to awaken, and the Princess of Jing’an was increasingly uneasy. She summoned the physician.
The physician took Lu Yan’s pulse. The Princess of Jing’an, her face grave, asked, “What exactly is wrong with him? Before he fainted, I saw him clutch his chest. Could it be some heart ailment?”
After a moment, the physician withdrew his hand and gently shook his head. “The young master is in good health. I detect nothing unusual. Perhaps…”
“Perhaps what?” the princess pressed anxiously.
The physician replied, “Perhaps… he was simply overwhelmed with joy.”
The princess frowned. “Then when will he wake up?”
As soon as the words left her lips, the man on the bed slowly opened his eyes.
Seeing this, the princess let out a long breath. “So you do know how to wake up.”
Lu Yan sat up, still holding his chest.
His brows were tightly furrowed, his eyes deep and clouded. Looking at the princess, he asked in confusion, “Mother?”
She scoffed, “You truly are something, Lu Shiyan. All of Chang’an wouldn’t be able to find another man like you—collapsing right after fathering a child!”
Lu Yan remained silent for a long moment.
A child? What did she mean?
“If you’re fine now, go see her,” the princess said, rubbing her temple.
A nearby maid chimed in, “The whole night’s been chaotic. Since the young master is unharmed, Princess, you should get some rest.”
The princess let out a nearly inaudible sigh. “Yes, I should go rest. Let’s go.”
After she left, Lu Yan touched his chest—and promptly removed his robe.
Why were the scars from his arrow wounds gone?
Just then, a maid entered with medicine. The moment she pushed the door open and saw his bare back, she dropped the bowl in shock. “Forgive me, I’ll brew a new one—please excuse me!”
Lu Yan turned his head coldly. “Where is Yang Zong?”
The maid didn’t dare lift her head. “The Guard Yang is outside.”
“Bring him in,” Lu Yan ordered.
Soon, Yang Zong entered, grinning, “Master, you’re finally awake!” He bowed deeply. “Congratulations, my lord—on the birth of your son!”
Lu Yan’s body froze. Then he spoke slowly. “Yang Zong… what year is it?”
Yang Zong blinked. “What did you say, master?”
“I said—what year and month is it today?” Lu Yan asked, voice tight.
“The nineteenth year of Yuanqing, the twenty-eighth day of the first month.”
Lu Yan sank back onto the bed, hands resting on his knees, staring at his clenched fists.
Nineteenth year of Yuanqing…
Wasn’t that the year he was poisoned?
He rubbed his brow. What was going on?
And this child—whose was it?
Yang Zong spoke softly, “Master, won’t you go see the madam?”
Lu Yan looked up. “Madam?” There’s a madam too?
Now it was Yang Zong’s turn to look bewildered. “Yes, of course—she’s waiting for you.”
“Do you mean Xu Yiqing?” Lu Yan asked instinctively.
At that, Yang Zong’s eyes widened in shock. “Master! What nonsense are you talking about?! Xu Yiqing? Do you want me to summon the physician again? If the madam hears that…”
Lu Yan cut him off. “Where is she?”
“In beiyuan. It’s just been cleaned and she’s resting there.”
“I’ll go now,” Lu Yan said coldly, deciding it was better to see for himself.
He got dressed, donned his cloak, and strode out of Suning Hall. Snowflakes fell on his shoulders as he passed the frozen pond. Standing before beiyuan, he drew a deep breath.
He turned to a maid. “Announce me.”
The maid hesitated. “Yes, sir.”
Behind him, Yang Zong was stunned. When has the master ever had to announce himself before entering the madam’s room??
Moments later, the maid bowed and opened the door. Lu Yan stepped in, looked up, and in that instant, his blood boiled.
He murmured, “Shen Zhen?”
Didn’t you leave Chang’an?
Lu Yan saw Shen Zhen sitting quietly, smiling as she played with the child beside her.
“You’re awake, my lord?” Tang Yue appeared at the door with a warm towel.
Shen Zhen looked up and saw Lu Yan standing stiffly, arms behind his back, face cold.
“Husband,” she called.
His breath caught. He couldn’t meet her eyes. He turned the white jade ring on his finger. He had wanted to speak, but found himself too timid to approach.
“What are you doing, just standing there?” Shen Zhen waved him over. “Come here.”
Lu Yan slowly walked over and sat beside her, staring at the child who hadn’t yet opened his eyes. “Have you named him?”
Shen Zhen raised an eyebrow, laughing. “What’s wrong with you today, Lord Lu?”
He met her gaze, voice low and serious. “Why?”
“You picked the name yourself—Lu Chang’an,” she said, flicking his chin playfully. “How could you forget?”
Lu Yan clenched his hand. “I must’ve been groggy from sleep.”
Shen Zhen leaned forward, kissed his cheek. “I was the one who gave birth and didn’t faint but why did you pass out?”
Looking at her lovely face so close, Lu Yan instinctively kissed her on the forehead. “You seem to have gained a little weight.”
At once, Shen Zhen’s face darkened with mock sorrow.
Lu Yan pinched her cheek gently. “You look better with a little more weight.”
“Clearly the first part was your honest opinion,” Shen Zhen teased. She looked at the baby. “Mother says you looked like him when you were young. Do you think so?”
“If Mother says so, then it must be true,” Lu Yan murmured.
“Want to hold him?” she asked.
“You mean… me?”
“Who else?” she chuckled softly. “What’s gotten into you today…”
“Do you think he’s good-looking?” she asked.
Lu Yan glanced down and replied without hesitation, “He is.”
He held the child for a long time. Shen Zhen gently touched under his eyes. “Have you been too tired lately?”
Lu Yan waved over a wet nurse and handed the baby to her. “You’ve worked hard today. Get some rest.”
Then, he took off his cloak.
“You’re not going back tonight?” Shen Zhen asked.
“I’ll stay with you.”
She kissed his chin.
The candle was extinguished. The two lay down. Shen Zhen, exhausted, quickly fell asleep against his shoulder.
The cold wind rattled the windows. Lu Yan tucked the blanket tighter around her.
Suddenly, he remembered what she’d said before she left for the north:
“My lord, I heard the skies in the northern desert are very blue, and the clouds hang so low you could almost touch them. I want to see them for myself.”
“The marquis has treated me very well.”
“Being with you… wasn’t originally my choice.”
He turned his head and kissed her ear. Shen Zhen… if only this were real.
She snuggled closer in his arms and murmured, “My lord, I’m sleepy…”
Hearing that familiar title, he smiled in the darkness.
She called him husband.
She bore him a legitimate son.
All of this… perhaps it was only a dream.
Lu Yan wrapped an arm around her waist and finally fell asleep.
—
The next morning, Lu Yan woke and rubbed his aching temples. He sat up and looked around—the bed beside him was empty.
Suddenly remembering something, he asked Tang Yue, “Where is the madam?”
Tang Yue replied, “The wet nurse is feeding the baby. Madam went with them.”
She handed him a cup of water.
Lu Yan took a sip. Not long after, Shen Zhen pulled aside the curtain and walked in, holding the baby. “You’re awake?”
He stood, first looking at her, then the baby.
“It’s still winter, and you just gave birth. Why are you dressed so lightly?”
“This isn’t light.”
“Be good.”
“If I wear more, I won’t be able to walk…”
She touched the baby’s hand. “Why do I feel like he looks even cuter than yesterday?”
Lu Yan smiled faintly. “It’s only been a day—what could possibly change?”
“You said he was cute yesterday,” Shen Zhen shot back.
Yesterday…?
Lu Yan froze. Flashes of memory surfaced. He raised a hand to his forehead.
Shen Zhen grew concerned. “What’s wrong with you lately?”
“I’m fine…” he murmured.
That evening, they moved back into Suning Hall.
As usual, they washed up, blew out the candle, and laid down together.
When midnight came, Lu Yan finally felt drowsy. As his eyes drifted shut, thick black mist once again clouded his vision…
Late Autumn, nineteenth year of Yuanqing
White mourning drapes were hung at the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence.
Princess Jing’an knelt in the center of Bai’an Hall, shoulders hunched in despair, covering her face in tears. Her once-black hair had turned half-white overnight.
Nobles of Chang’an came to pay their respects.
No one could have imagined that the youngest Prime Minister in Great Jin’s history would pass away so quietly…
In Suning Hall, Yang Zong packed up Lu Yan’s belongings.
According to Lu Yan’s final instructions, everything in the room was to be removed, so as not to cause the princess further grief.
While organizing, Yang Zong came upon a letter Lu Yan had left behind.
It read: To Shi Yan.
For three years, Yang Zong had never dared mention Miss Shen before Lu Yan. But now… it didn’t matter.
He opened the letter and read it—his eyes turning red.
His heart felt as if a wall had risen within it.
He sat alone in the hall all night, and eventually, against all orders, burned the letter to ash.
A gust of wind rose…
To Shi Yan —
Like the stars and the moon, we drift apart. If you read this letter, I may already be in the northern desert.
There’s so much to say, yet the words won’t come. Thoughts heavy as fog, memories ever present.
Your joy and anger live in my thoughts. I wonder—are you frowning or smiling as you read this?
The calamity that befell the Shen family feels like yesterday. Nightmares still wake me. The memories remain vivid.
With a ruined nest, how can the hatchlings survive?
I know that I and my siblings only survived because of your protection.
Penniless and desperate, I had nothing to repay you with. When you didn’t abandon me, I longed to serve by your side forever.
But when I learned of your engagement to Xu Yiqing, I knew my hopes were gone.
I know this wasn’t your choice, but fate is cruel.
Now, parting ways, I am filled with regret. Even if I devoted my life, I couldn’t repay a fraction of what you’ve done.
There’s one more thing I must say.
One night, I dreamt of another life. A world like no other. You were a wise minister at a young age. We had children—Chang’an, Jing Shu.
Their laughter still echoes in my ears.
Though it was but a fleeting dream, it lingers, making me wonder if that world was real.
As time passes and memories fade, I do not expect we’ll meet again. Please take care of yourself.
If there is another life, may you smile as you did in that dream, and may everything go your way.
— Yours, Shen Zhen.
(The dream continues…)
Uwwww, Shen Zhen dreamed of this current timeline!!!!