Read Novel Full Chapter 1692: Abdication
Chapter 1692: Chapter 1692: Abdication
The nation is prosperous and the people are at peace, with favorable winds and timely rain blessings from heaven, all because of the Emperor’s magnanimity.
Because he does not narrowly believe that only members of the Tan Family count.
Three years later, twenty-four-year-old Su Yuanyuan has been trapped in the Imperial Palace for nearly ten years.
She feels as though she has forgotten how to interact with people and has no idea what the outside world looks like anymore.
"Empress. The Emperor is abdicating."
Su Yuanyuan nodded. It makes no difference to her; even if she stays a few more years, what’s the point? The Emperor is fifteen years older, and to her, it seems he is in his prime, but Su Xing’s age is significant.
Although ten years is a long time, they have only met a few times, and from those few meetings, it was clear that he seemed to want to merely complete a task, not feeling any attachment to this place.
"Cui Shanggong, will we be able to leave once the new Emperor ascends the throne?"
"Empress, this depends on the Emperor’s decision, whether he wants to support the new Emperor for a while."
Su Yuanyuan nodded, she believes he certainly will not.
"Cui Shanggong, you should stay in the Imperial Palace."
"Empress, I want to serve by your side."
Cui Shanggong is also not young anymore.
"If you wish to retire, you can certainly do so."
"Empress, I will stay by your side as a companion."
Su Yuanyuan nodded. She is indifferent. If possible, she has already thought about how to live in the future.
The ten years of reading were not in vain. She has organized her future well.
Sometimes she wonders how, despite being a modern person, accustomed to freedom, she managed to be trapped here for ten years without feeling particularly uncomfortable.
She doesn’t care about the busy men outside; it remains the same. Only she knows she is waiting for the moment of freedom.
During the Emperor’s birthday celebration, he announced his abdication. The date was set for two months later.
Everything becomes busy now; there are opposing voices from outside, saying Su Xing does not have royal blood, not noble enough.
However, the common people acknowledge Tan Shaoting’s actions over the years to help Su Xing with the people’s livelihood, which is what truly matters.
Su Xing is exceptionally busy, joining Su Yuanyuan for a meal one day.
"Sister, aren’t you staying in the Imperial Palace?"
"No, I have been trapped here for ten years; I must go out."
"Sister."
"Su Xing, don’t ask me where I am going; I won’t stay with the Emperor."
"Sister, that’s absolutely not possible."
Su Yuanyuan smiled, "There’s no impossibility in it, Cui Shanggong wants to follow me. But I won’t take anyone with me; make arrangements."
"I won’t return to Father, but if I have the opportunity, I will visit."
"Sister, it’s very dangerous for you."
"Haha, what’s the danger, who will recognize me? Don’t say anything, I’ve already decided. For the rest of my life, I want to live for myself and to live freely."
Su Xing didn’t know what to say; sister was once capricious and only changed after trouble befell Father. Will she continue to be willful in the future?
If the Emperor had not abdicated, would sister have continued to endure here?
"Alright, you go ahead and be busy, no need to worry about me."
"Sister, can the Emperor agree?"
"Why wouldn’t he agree? We were never truly connected."
The ten years have been more than enough; who would still want to see him afterward? Or be controlled by him?
Su Xing didn’t know what to say; he also doesn’t know what the Emperor is thinking.
Now that he’s a father himself, he understands how sister has been these past ten years; she’s still young. He hopes sister can break away and find a stable and reliable man to marry; otherwise, it’s a great loss for her lifetime.
Su Yuanyuan doesn’t care what they think; she’s always in a good mood every day. She doesn’t want anything from the Imperial Palace; she can live by herself.
All matters ahead have nothing to do with her. Each day, she counts the days.
The Emperor’s abdication is a significant event across the nation, calling back Dukes and officials to congratulate.
Only Su Wanshan did not come; which is just as well.
Su Yuanyuan is completely indifferent to the previous grandeur. Dressed up, awaiting the new Empress’s arrival; after that, it no longer concerns her. Today, she can leave officially.
Cui Shanggong looked at the Empress Dowager at that time. She was certainly unmatched.
After accepting the bowing, she just smiled and let the new Empress rise.
There were no instructions. Su Yuanyuan stood, smiling, leaving; from now on, Kunning Palace would have nothing to do with her.
The Empress Dowager’s Cining Palace was already prepared; Su Yuanyuan waited there with the Supreme Emperor for one last meal together, then to leave the palace.
After lunch and a nap, she continued to wait.
An hour later, both Su Xing and Tan Shaoting arrived.
The new Emperor came to formally send them off.
Su Yuanyuan remained expressionless; God knows her heart had already flown away.
In reality, this is simply a statement, the Supreme Emperor yielding the Imperial Palace to the Emperor.
Everything outside had been arranged; Su Yuanyuan, accompanied by Cui Shanggong, boarded the carriage under the Emperor and Empress’s escort.
Over two hundred Imperial Army soldiers protected them, heading to the traveling palace for a life.
Even if Su Yuanyuan wanted to leave, she must wait until they arrive at the traveling palace.
The two continued to dine together, as silent as ever.
Su Yuanyuan felt she could be called a ninja turtle.
With several hundred miles to go, given the pace, it would take at least ten days.
The Emperor was quite capricious, sometimes deciding to stop and rest.
Now dressed in ordinary clothing, she felt more relaxed.
Twenty days later, they arrived at the traveling palace.
Su Yuanyuan looked at the boundless grassland, and found herself liking it.
She thought she could live here for a time.
The two had hardly exchanged words during the twenty-day journey.
After arriving at the traveling palace, they each selected their own residence.
At dinner, she directly refused to attend; eating alone is more comfortable.
The next day, she declined Cui Shanggong’s accompaniment and rode out.
Galloping freely over the grassland.
Tan Shaoting woke up from cultivation, hearing she had gone horse riding.
Actually, it’s nothing bad; living here is meant to be about freedom.
Without words or interference, Su Yuanyuan spent increasingly long hours outside.
A month later, when morning and evening were getting cold, Su Yuanyuan decided to leave.
One day, dining together, "Supreme Emperor. I’m leaving tomorrow. From now on, the sky is high for the birds to fly."
Tan Shaoting neither agreed nor refused.
Su Yuanyuan took that as agreement; the next day, she rode off alone.
In the afternoon, she arrived at a small village. It was the season of autumn harvest.
Now dressed as a man, finding lodgings was much easier.
The customs here were simple and honest. Watching the people retire with the sunset, that floating feeling was gone, and she felt grounded.
After three days, she left, not wanting to be too close to the traveling palace; since she broke away, there was no need to revisit. Not wanting to meet again, preventing any unhappiness.