All Has Settled

Hearing that an ‘old acquaintance’ came looking, Li Hong Yuan actually didn’t have any reaction. After all, it has already been several decades. He wouldn’t go as far as to still cling onto this matter and make himself unhappy. However, generally speaking, even if meeting them here, Min Xiao Yuan probably won’t voluntarily come looking. Presumably, it was just because Sun Yi Lin wanted to meet Jing Wan. But, would a fool like Sun Yi Lin think of Jing Wan? Then, there was just one possibility left: Sun Yi Lin has awakened. And there was only one situation where Sun Yi Lin would wake up, when nearing death.

Min Xiao Yuan probably also sensed it, else while clearly aware that Sun Yi Lin wasn’t liked, and has also recovered his mind, they should further hide far away. Only when knowing that he was approaching his end would she no longer have any misgivings.

In reality, when Gong Jiu had Sun Yi Lin turned into a fool, it wasn’t with what the great majority had thought, gu, but rather poison.

Min Xiao Yuan once, through great difficulty, took Sun Yi Lin to look for the Baiyi clan. Of course, after Li Hong Yuan swallowed Southern Qi, Baiyi clan’s location also became a part of Qi Yuan.

Perhaps her efforts really moved the heavens, she actually ended up finding them. However, the final outcome naturally was fruitless. She had been full of hope, experiencing thousands of hardships, riddled with scars, finally reaching the destination, yet her joy wasn’t able to last long, instantly sinking into despair again. Min Xiao Yuan at the time really nearly broke down. However, fortunately, she was able to stand up again. Just, during that period, her mental state was very bad, constantly feeling despair, pain, hatred, and pessimistic. Even towards Sun Yi Lin, her attitude was also occasionally good, occasionally bad, first having all her negative emotions vented out on him, and afterwards, holding him while loudly crying, apologizing in all kinds of ways.

It took Min Xiao Yuan about a year to finally walk out from this kind of situation. In a certain sense, it was already quite hard to come by. One has to know, this kind of situation, often times, was just sinking deeper and deeper, the negative emotions accumulating more and more, and at a certain point, probably just go insane.

Min Xiao Yuan, for Sun Yi Lin’s sake, gave up too much, and also sacrificed too much, but she was ultimately someone with a pretty good nature, not having the fault pushed onto others, also not blaming the heavens, knowing that it was all her own choice, and no one forced her. Even if because of the gu, she can no longer return home, she still was unable to really hate Sun Yi Lin. Furthermore, it was her that had him forcibly kept in the world. Since that’s the case, then she should take responsibility for him and not leave him to perish on his own, living like the other fools that have no one taking care of them, getting bullied and humiliated.

(T/N: Min Xiao Yuan had gotten beauty gu planted in her back then, see chapter 579.)

That’s why, after working up her spirit, and through many twists and turns, in the end, she settled down in Cang Jin’s royal city. This place was indeed her best choice.

Jing Wan didn’t summon them, instead because she was also idle, just lowered her status and scaled their gate, perhaps also somewhat wanting to see what kind of environment Sun Yi Lin lived in. Why did she want to see? Probably, it was still because of Sun Yi Jia. Towards Sun Yi Lin, she really didn’t have anymore thoughts.

Min Xiao Yuan previously had already seen Li Hong Yuan and Jing Wan before among the crowd. This while, when facing, she also wasn’t that shocked.

As for Min Xiao Yuan, from Jing Wan’s view, she was a bit better than she’d thought, her appearance for the most part matching her age. Just, probably because of experiencing too much, needing to do everything herself, that former noble family daughter that had once lived a life of luxury was already gone. She was ordinary to the point where she couldn’t be more ordinary. In the past, perhaps even with a table full of delicious delicacies, and endless streams of magnificent garments that one can’t even finish wearing even if changing several times a day, one was still lacking in interest. But now, perhaps one will because of having a meat dish, or finally tailoring a set of new clothes after several years just brim with joy.

When facing Li Hong Yuan and Jing Wan, the upbringing and etiquette that have been integrated into her bones since childhood came back again, “This commoner greets your Majesty and your Highness.”

“You may rise.” Before coming to meet Min Xiao Yuan, Jing Wan had already let someone clearly investigate their situation.

Towards the outside at least, she and Sun Yi Lin were husband and wife. From their inquiries, the people that knew Min Xiao Yuan all had a pretty good evaluation towards her, having her fool of a husband taken care of very well, neither leaving nor abandoning. They didn’t have children of their own, but adopted two, both more or less at the age where they can establish a family of their own.

However, from Jing Wan’s view, Min Xiao Yuan and Sun Yi Lin probably didn’t have the intimacy between husband and wife, and for her to be able to achieve this much, not just a few days, a few months, nor a few years, but rather several decades, truthfully speaking, Jing Wan really quite admired her. In this world, afraid there weren’t many that can go this far.

The two children that Min Xiao Yuan adopted got raised quite well, but on normal days, they ultimately just interacted with ordinary people, so to suddenly meet noble personages, it was inevitable for them to be somewhat helpless and reserved.

TN: All

Towards these of the younger generation, Jing Wan’s temper has always been pretty good. After giving the greeting gift, she just let them go off on their own. After all, today’s main focus was still Sun Yi Lin.

Sun Yi Lin having gotten poisoned, Jing Wan naturally didn’t know, but when finally meeting face to face, she knew that he’d awoken.

Sun Yi Lin, because of having become a fool, didn’t know anything at all. His basic needs all got meticulously taken care of, and he himself also didn’t need to waste any thoughts, so naturally just aged slower. In terms of appearance, he was actually able to compare with Li Hong Yuan. Of course, in terms of health, Sun Yi Lin certainly was unable to compare.

Sun Yi Lin originally was sitting on the rocking chair. Upon seeing Jing Wan and them, he wanted to get up. Min Xiao Yuan hurriedly went forward to have him supported up.

“Just sit, merely some empty etiquette, no need to mind.”

“Many—thanks—your—Highness—” Sun Yi Lin wasn’t reserved either, lightly patting Min Xiao Yuan’s hand and sitting back down again.

Perhaps because of having not spoken for many years, Sun Yi Lin’s voice was both low and hoarse, his talking speed also quite slow, just like those that were naturally born mute and deaf, after going through long term training, finally able to speak.

The two sides both sat down. Li Hong Yuan from beginning to end didn’t say a single word, his face also not revealing any emotions.

“To be able to meet in Cang Jin’s royal city, it can also be considered fate.” Jing Wan looked to Sun Yi Lin, “You wanting to meet me, is it wanting to learn about sister-in-law’s situation?” She didn’t believe that Sun Yi Lin would still harbor thoughts towards her even now. Even if because of having become mentally handicapped for several decades, his mind was still stopped at before becoming like this, believe that he also won’t show it. And aside from this, the only thing that he still cared about was probably just Sun Yi Jia.

Sun Yi Lin nodded. It can be considered acknowledging Jing Wan’s words. In reality, looking for Jing Wan, it was actually Min Xiao Yuan’s idea. He’d woken up in that period prior to Jing Wan and them reaching Cang Jin’s royal city. The past several decades, although he didn’t know anything at all, but after waking up, he actually still has memories of that time. Even though his activity was limited, and even though looking at those memories, it was just like watching someone else, and perhaps the humiliation from getting mocked and looked down on by others, he all didn’t care, but he was still deeply aware of Min Xiao Yuan’s hardships. Even if having a heart of stone, it was still impossible to be indifferent. Furthermore, towards Min Xiao Yuan, Sun Yi Lin wasn’t really completely without feelings. “Really a foolish girl……”

Although, Min Xiao Yuan long wasn’t some girl.

His own body’s condition, Sun Yi Lin also wasn’t completely unaware of. For him to be able to wake up again, in a certain sense, it can be considered ‘a dying flash’. After all, he’d been poisoned. Even if it mainly targeted the mind, towards the body, it also wasn’t completely without influence. In reality, he seemingly appeared pretty good. However, he already didn’t have the ability to stand up on his own. His body was rapidly declining. Waking up everyday, he all might not be able to see the next day’s sun.

Under this kind of circumstance, how could Sun Yi Lin still think of the people and matters from several decades ago.

However, several days ago, Min Xiao Yuan suddenly told him, Yuan Qi Emperor and Empress came to Cang Jin’s royal city.

Who was Yuan Qi Emperor and Empress? He simply didn’t know. It was only after Min Xiao Yuan explained did he finally understand, blanking for a moment, finally recalling some things from the past. Perhaps because of this, it instead made Min Xiao Yuan mistaking believe that he seemingly was still thinking of Jing Wan.

And towards his body’s situation, Min Xiao Yuan naturally was also clear. Unknown as to what kind of feeling she harbored, she wanted to fulfill Sun Yi Lin’s last ‘wish’. Moreover, in her eyes, Li Hong Yuan and Jing Wan just happening to appear in Cang Jin’s royal city at this time, how was it not necessarily a kind of ‘fate’.

Presumably, for Min Xiao Yuan, it was probably also nothing more than just ‘no greater sorrow than a withered heart’. Despite all her effort all these years, this man was still thinking of someone else in his heart. No matter what, it should also come to an end.

When Min Xiao Yuan left, how could Sun Yi Lin not sense her thoughts, but in his current state, he was unable to stop her, and also unable to immediately explain clearly.

Afterwards, Sun Yi Lin also couldn’t find an opportunity to explain, due to Min Xiao Yuan deliberately avoiding.

Having no other choice, he could only temporarily give up, and in the end, end up in this current situation. And now, he also could only follow along Jing Wan’s words. And in reality, he indeed wanted to learn too.

“Sister-in-law is quite well, having a daughter and two sons with third brother. Third brother also doesn’t have others by his side, and their relationship have always been pretty good. The three children also already have their own families, each also all having their own children.” Jing Wan neither quickly nor slowly explained. She roughly could only say this much. After all, in the twenty years in front, she lived in the palace. Even though at the time, the people of her maiden family also frequently entered the palace, but it was also just relatively. And in the several decades afterwards, she was traveling around outside, so further didn’t see them. That’s why, the specifics, she really wasn’t clear.

(T/N: Actually, in the s, when selecting the crown princess, it had been mentioned that Jing Wan’s third brother had a second daughter. However, the author not remembering this kind of super minor detail isn’t that strange either.)

“The–Luo–family, naturally–have–nothing–to–worry–about.” With her suppressing, the men of the Luo family won’t be fickle.

Jing Wan smiled, declining to comment, “In Yuan Qi’s first year[1], third brother once got sent to an outer post. At the time, did you two run into them?” Jing Wan asked soon after, and looked towards Min Xiao Yuan.

Min Xiao Yuan originally was somewhat absent-minded. Getting asked by Jing Wan, she suddenly returned to her sense, reacting a moment slower. Her complexion instantly turned a bit pale, “Replying to your Highness, indeed.”

At the time, when meeting that ‘sister-in-law, from their simple conversation, she could tell that the other party was completely unaware of her brother’s matters. Thus, it was easy to see that it had been kept from her. Just, by the time she realized this, everything had already gotten fished out by the other party. Even though at the time, that ‘sister-in-law’ didn’t have any particularly intense reaction, that long silence still made one unbearably stifled. After all, for that ‘sister-in-law’, on one side it was her older brother, and on the other side, it was her extremely close friend, so she would certainly feel very unwell.

Jing Wan nodded. As such, everything just made sense. When her grandmother had passed away, they’d all directly returned to Qi’an Fu to observe mourning, and her sister-in-law Sun Yi Jia further stayed in Qi’an Fu for three years, returning to the capital together with the elders three years later. When entering the palace after returning, she was a tiny bit unnatural. At the time, Jing Wan didn’t think too much of it, but recalling now, it was having learned Sun Yi Lin’s matter, feeling troubled on both sides, not knowing how to face.

Some things actually shouldn’t be said. Min Xiao Yuan was worried that Jing Wan would be angry, but seeing Jing Wan not having the intention of pursuing this matter, she finally relaxed a breath.

Li Hong Yuan suddenly stood up, staring at Sun Yi Lin for a moment. He originally should be an illustrious individual for a generation, a pillar of the country. This current way now, Li Hong Yuan felt neither sorrow nor joy inside. A moment later, he turned towards Jing Wan, “When you’re done, let’s just go.” He directly turned and left.

Jing Wan also stood up along with, not only because of Li Hong Yuan. In reality, she indeed didn’t have anything to say, “Take care…”

Min Xiao Yuan had them sent out. When she came back, she saw Sun Yi Lin with a blank look staring at the sky. Sensing her presence, he extended his hand towards her, “Xiao Yuan, come here.”

Min Xiao Yuan hesitated for a moment, but in the end, still went forward. He didn’t have much time left, so she was unable to be indifferent towards him.

Sun Yi Lin held her hand, “Not anymore, didn’t think of, seeing her, already, forgotten. You, believe me. Here.” Sun Yi Lin pointed to his own heart, “Just have, you.”

Setting aside whether it was true or not, Min Xiao Yuan’s tears instantly just tumbled down. Seemingly, after waiting for several decades, her efforts were finally reciprocated.

Towards Sun Yi Lin’s specific situation, Jing Wan didn’t know, but she can also roughly guess. Afraid, he won’t be able to live for much longer. However, she didn’t have any reaction, and further didn’t care whether or not Sun Yi Lin’s condition was normal. According to her, he should’ve already died back then. Regardless whether these decades were considered earned by him or not, to be able to meet again, it was truly outside of expectation. However, whether they actually met or not, it was all the same. After this many years, who would still be at a loss over this. But if he dies, then things can also be considered to have thoroughly come to an end.

[1] Basically referring to the first year of Li Hong Yuan’s reign. Dates back then were marked based on the emperor’s title.