I insist

Chapter 290: It's all in the past

"Your Majesty, I regret it." The Empress Dowager pulled her hand away from the Emperor, her eyes red with tears as she struggled to stay upright.

"I regret it. I should have agreed to go with you in the first place!"

The Empress Dowager's thin lips uttered the words that had been buried in her heart for a long time.

The Emperor looked at the Empress Dowager silently, unsure how to respond.

"Your Majesty, for so long, this matter has been a hurdle I find hard to overcome."

"It's all in the past... I don't want to look back."

The emperor could only shake his head helplessly; it was too late to say anything now.

"It's in the past for the Emperor, but it will never be in the past for me."

The Empress Dowager excitedly grabbed the Emperor's sleeve and coughed repeatedly. Seeing how excited she was, the Emperor quickly patted her back.

"As long as you behave yourself, I will not treat you unfairly."

"Behave yourself. Does His Majesty really think I like to stir up trouble? Can't you see that there's something wrong with that Song Miqiu?"

The Empress Dowager's face showed a slight anger when she saw that the Emperor had told her to behave herself.

"Whether it is true or not, I know it in my heart! You should take good care of your health."

The Empress Dowager saw that the Emperor was somewhat protective of Song Miqiu and that it was a rare occasion for him to come and visit her. She knew that it would be a loss if she angered the Emperor and made him leave.

"Your Majesty, thinking back, we also had a very beautiful time together."

The Empress Dowager used past memories to ease the atmosphere.

The emperor was also pulled back to his memories.

"Your Majesty, could you stay with me?"

The Empress Dowager spoke in a weak voice.

Seeing the Empress Dowager's expression, the Emperor couldn't bear to refuse.

"Alright, I'll stay with you."

The Emperor laid the Empress Dowager down, and she closed her eyes slightly. The Emperor then remained seated beside her.

皇陵

"News has come from the palace that the Empress Dowager's illness is quite serious this time," Qingzhi told Song Miqiu.

Song Miqiu raised an eyebrow and said, "Is he faking it? He really is seriously ill."

"It's true, His Majesty felt sorry for her and stayed overnight at Ciming Palace to take care of her."

Song Miqiu was busy with his work and only casually asked whether the Empress Dowager was seriously ill.

"Okay, I understand. You can go now. I still have some things to do."

"Imperial Physician Song, we are very grateful to you this time, all the guards here are thanking you."

The leading guards showed Song Miqiu even more respect, and Song Miqiu, busy with his duties, did not look down on the guards at all, and wholeheartedly gave them a branch.

Song Miqiu forced a smile: "The main reason is that the guards here are all in good physical condition."

"You are the most honored in our imperial mausoleum."

"Not at all, this is what I should do as an imperial physician."

The head guard respected Song Miqiu even more for his humility.

"You're feeling better now, so don't get up and do any work." Yu Huailin looked at the old eunuch in front of him and brought him a cup of tea.

Yu Huailin looked reproachful. At her age, she should be enjoying life. She was already so old, why did she need him to serve her?

The old eunuch was a little embarrassed, but he could see that Yu Huailin still couldn't help but want to be nice to him. Even though he wasn't the person he was looking for, he felt very comfortable with him and wanted to serve him.

"It's alright, I'm used to it. Young Master looks like a young master I used to know. If he were here, he would be just like you."

As the old eunuch spoke, he wiped away his tears with the corner of his robe.

Upon hearing the old eunuch's words, Yu Huailin turned his head away, not daring to meet the eunuch's burning gaze. He couldn't bring himself to look at someone so old and so loyal.

"Sit down quickly. Take good care of yourself, and you'll meet the person you want to see." Yu Huailin could only comfort the old eunuch, not wanting anything to happen to his health.

The old eunuch, with tears welling in his eyes, said, "Really?"

Yu Huailin didn't want to disappoint him, so he nodded in agreement.

Seeing how serious Yu Huailin was, the old eunuch felt at ease and sat down.

“Huai Lin, I heard from the leading guard that there are many precious medicinal herbs on the mountains here. Will you come with me to collect some so I can bring them back?”

Song Miqiu heard that there were precious medicinal herbs, and since the poor people did not receive guests, he wanted to go and buy them, hoping to find some rare and valuable herbs.

Yu Huailin was naturally delighted, having spent so many days alone with her without ever having a proper time together.

Song Miqiu and Yu Huailin headed towards the back mountain. The trees were lush and green, and the mountains were covered with wildflowers. The sky was clear and the wind blew, carrying the scent of the flowers.

Along the way, Song Miqiu enjoyed the scenery, while Yu Huailin admired Song Miqiu. Seeing Song Miqiu's happy expression, Yu Huailin's heart also calmed down.

With a small hoe in hand and a basket on her back, Song Miqiu deftly worked on the herbs on the ground.

"I never imagined there would be so many medicinal herbs in this place," Song Miqiu said excitedly.

The more they dug, the more excited they became.

Yu Huailin followed behind, constantly helping Song Miqiu.

"We've gathered enough, haven't we?"

Yu Huailin saw the sweat on Song Miqiu's forehead and gently wiped it with his sleeve. Song Miqiu instinctively tried to dodge, but Yu Huailin pressed him down. Unable to avoid it, Song Miqiu let Yu Huailin wipe her sweat.

Song Miqiu said awkwardly, "Thank you..."

"There's nothing to thank me for!"

“Let’s go rest for a while, I’ll carry you on my back?” Yu Huailin said, bending down.

Song Miqiu, her face pale, stepped back and said, "I'm not tired. Although I have the face of an old woman, my body is still very young. I don't need you to carry me."

Song Miqiu quickly refused, fearing that Yu Huailin would carry her on his back.

"Get on, I'll carry you."

Yu Huailin said to Song Miqiu with a serious expression.

Before Song Miqiu could react, Yu Huailin carried her on his back, and Song Miqiu's face immediately turned red.

Clearly smelling Yu Huailin's refreshing scent, his unique fragrance, Song Miqiu's face turned even redder.

“Hold me tight…” Yu Huailin turned to Song Miqiu’s blushing face and said.

Song Miqiu was startled and quickly wrapped her arms around Yu Huailin's neck, tilting her head to rest on Yu Huailin's shoulder.

Yu Huailin could clearly feel the warm breath exhaled by Song Miqiu on his neck, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

After carrying him for a while, Song Miqiu pushed Yu Huailin and said, "I'm not tired anymore, put me down!"

Yu Huailin also took the initiative to put Song Miqiu down, after all, there is a difference between men and women, and it would not be good for others to see.

Song Miqiu felt as if he had been granted a new lease on life after coming down.

“There’s a stream ahead, let’s go and have some water before we continue,” Song Miqiu said, pointing to the crystal-clear stream.

Upon closer inspection, it's indeed easy to see the stones inside at a glance.

Yu Huailin shook the kettle from side to side, filled it to the brim, and handed it to Song Miqiu.

Song Miqiu took the water bottle and drank from it.

"It's so sweet."

The two drank some water and sat by the stream, gazing at the shimmering water. A breeze blew by, and Song Miqiu unconsciously squinted her eyes.

Yu Huailin leaned against the tree, thinking about the past, and felt an involuntary throbbing pain in his heart.

"We've rested enough! Shall we go back?" Song Miqiu stood up and patted the dirt off her clothes.

Yu Huailin also stood up and calmly nodded to Song Miqiu.