Chapter 338: The Grand Finale
Chapter 338: The Grand Finale
On the first birthday of the triplets, the event was very grand. Madam Gu brought valuable gifts, truly treating Gu Qingli like her own child now.
No matter if her soul had changed, her body was still the flesh and blood she gave birth to after ten months of pregnancy. You can't just choose to disregard it.
Gu Qingli was of course happy, and her relationship with Madam Gu became even closer.
In the blink of an eye, the three princes reached the age for enlightenment. Xiao Yunjin directly brought Gu Xicheng into the palace, appointing him as the tutor for the three princes.
Gu Xicheng was naturally willing. He had long since wanted to stop working and yearned to enjoy family life with his little grandson every day.
This was perfect, allowing him to be with his little grandson daily and teach them personally.
As winter passed and spring came, the little princes matured into men.
"Li'er, how have you not aged all these years? Look at me; I'm almost an old man."
Xiao Yunjing, returning from court, lamented as he saw Gu Qingli basking in the sun in the garden.
Gu Qingli glanced at him casually, "Are you calling me an old but immortal being or praising me?"
Xiao Yunjing stepped forward, hugged her, and kissed her forehead: "Of course, I'm praising you."
Then he sat down and added, "Li'er, I have something to tell you."
"Go ahead, I'm listening."
Gu Qingli replied while keeping her eyes closed, as usual.
Xiao Yunjing: "Look, the three little ones have grown up, and the court has stabilized. I want to pass the throne to the eldest and then accompany you to explore and have a look around."
Upon hearing this, Gu Qingli suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Xiao Yunjing with delight, "Are you serious?"
She had long wanted to leave this place; the palace felt like a cage, confining her to this spot, driving her almost mad.
She didn't like the palace at all; she longed to see the great landscapes of the Great Chu Country and live a life of wandering.
Xiao Yunjing nodded firmly. He knew she loved going out and had long disliked staying in the palace. It was only because the three children were young and couldn't yet shoulder great responsibilities that they remained restrained in the palace.
He exhaled deeply, "Yes, I plan to pass the throne to the eldest in a month."
"Great, that's great."
Gu Qingli jumped up joyously, hugged Xiao Yunjing's neck, and kissed him around his face.
"Xiao Yunjing, you're truly wonderful."
Gu Qingli couldn't be happier, and seeing her lively demeanor, Xiao Yunjing felt like his Li'er had returned.
A month later, Xiao Yunjing decisively passed the throne to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince had no choice but to begrudgingly accept the rule of the Great Chu Country.
He did not want the throne, but as the eldest, he had to take it; the second and third wouldn't want it even if it was given to them.
He had to accept because the kingdom of Great Chu couldn't be handed over to another.
A month later, at the city gate, three identical faces watched their parent's carriage disappear from their sight.
The newly crowned Emperor Chengqi patted the shoulders of the second and third: "Stop looking, let's go back. There's plenty to do in court today."
His parents would not spare him, so he certainly wouldn't spare the second and third either. They must laugh and cry together; he believed in sharing both adversity and prosperity.
The second and third sobbed, wondering if they could not go back.
The thought of being dragged into work by Emperor Chengqi made the second and third long to run away with their parents.
On the other side, Gu Qingli, feeling like a bird escaped from its cage, chatted incessantly in the carriage.
Xiao Yunjing lovingly looked at her: "Do you miss the children?"
Gu Qingli gazed into the distance and said softly, "Children will ultimately grow up. They need to live their own lives and cannot be under parental protection forever.
So whether you want to let go or not, you have to. One must give up something to gain something."
Gu Qingli was very assured about the twins. Over the years, she had taught them everything she knew.
They grew well, strong in mind and rich in knowledge, and would live well even without their protection.
The eldest would also manage the country well.
Xiao Yunjing sighed deeply. His heart was not as carefree as Gu Qingli's. They hadn't even gone far, yet he was already worrying about the three kids.
As a father, he was prone to worry, but since they had left, they couldn't turn back, and his Li'er wouldn't allow it either.
A year later, they stepped onto the territory of the Beijiang Kingdom.
About twenty years had passed, and the Beijiang Kingdom hadn't changed much. The people were still struggling to eat and stay warm.
Xiao Yunjing shook his head. Over the years, he had annexed other countries, only leaving the Beijiang Kingdom.
He didn't expect it to be managed so poorly by Xiao Mo's people; they were rural folks, and their abilities were clear.
Gu Qingli sighed, "Forget about them, let them be. Anyway, our sons are watching over things."
With the Great Chu Country keeping an eye, other countries wouldn't dare to act recklessly, so let them be. They could last as long as they could.
Xiao Yunjing nodded, no longer in the mood to visit the capital of Beijiang Kingdom. They just toured the borders, then returned to the Great Chu Country to continue their travels.
They traveled the great landscapes of the Great Chu Country, leaving their footprints everywhere, as well as their tales.
Wherever they went, they would put a stop to corrupt officials and wicked landlords.
Their actions gained them the deep affection of the people.
Those saved by them referred to them as the "Celestial Couple."
Winter passed, spring came, and ten years quietly slipped by.
Xiao Yunjing, though aged over fifty, looked like a young man in his thirties, with not a single gray hair on his inky black head.
Gu Qingli was similar; almost fifty, she appeared as a woman in her twenties.
In these years, they even had another pair of twins, a boy and a girl.
The twins stayed with them all the time and never left their side.
One day, a very large ship was anchored by the sea.
"Mom and Dad, let's get on board."
The twins excitedly ran down from the ship, calling out to Xiao Yunjing and Gu Qingli.
This was the ship they had built themselves, taking four years to complete.
They planned to set sail to see if the end of the sea held humans or other kingdoms.
Gu Qingli went forward to embrace her little daughter, who ran to her, saying indulgently, "Is everything ready?"
The little girl nodded, her bright eyes curving in smiles.
They could finally set sail.
Thus, the family of four boarded the ship and set the sails.
The ship began to move, slowly heading into the sea; its speed gradually increased until it vanished on the horizon.
The End!