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墨書 Inktalez
The heart has died, and nothing matters anymore. The loneliness and desolation of being high above can only be endured by one person alone. In the days and nights to come, facing the cold palace, the sycophantic smiles, and the trembling individuals around him.
Dugu Hao suddenly felt that life was meaningless. The lifeless palace had no hint of vitality. Although he was only in his twenties, he felt like an old man nearing the end of his days.
Only when he secretly watched Liu Qingxi did he feel a bit better inside.
Although this feeling of excitement was built on unbearable heartache, it was still better than a calm and unruffled existence with no ripples.
From snippets of conversation, he knew that Liu Qingxi was pregnant, her belly had grown, and that Yang Yichen had made her delicious food and taken her out to play.
He knew when she felt unwell and worried for her health.
However, what use was it? The one who could do all these things for her was not him but someone else.
Sometimes he wondered what would have happened if he hadn't chosen that path back then. Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs."
Later on, some woman in the harem became pregnant or perhaps another woman gained favor.
But regardless of how favored they were or whether they bore a dragon son, they were all just consorts.
Time flowed quietly; autumn passed into winter, and the air grew increasingly cold. When the Yang Family moved in, they installed heating in their rooms, making it warm and cozy during winter.
Liu Qingxi lived a life of eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating, resting after meetings.
As the weather grew colder, her belly swelled like a balloon.
Liu Qingyan, who had taken a year off, stayed with the Yang Family. Whenever she had free time, she would check on her future nephew and occasionally compete for favor with Yang Yichen, arguing now and then, which delighted the Wen Family immensely.
This kind of life had been long desired and had finally become a reality.
In such a warm and sweet atmosphere, the family spent a New Year filled with laughter and anticipation.
By the time spring arrived, Liu Qingxi's belly had grown to seven months, round and heavy like a ball, making her walk carefully.
Yang Yichen was the epitome of a devoted husband, reluctant to leave her side for even a moment.
He insisted on overseeing every little detail, which made Liu Qingxi feel overwhelmed and frustrated.
"You should go do your own things. I'm fine by myself; I'm not that fragile. The doctor said that exercising is good for childbirth in the future."
However, even at this point, Yang Yichen refused to leave.
He insisted on waiting until she finished her walk and returned to their room to rest before attending to his own matters.
This made Liu Qingxi feel like a national treasure, akin to a giant panda.
Well, in the Yang Family, she truly was treated that way, with everyone revolving around her.
Now, as her pregnancy progressed and her belly grew rounder, everyone's concern deepened.
Then, amidst these ordinary yet happy days, the time for another Imperial Examination and Provincial Examination arrived.
Last year, due to an additional examination by the court, Liu Qingyan had passed and become a Scholar. This year, Dugu Hao aimed to develop the Western Moon Kingdom by recruiting talented individuals and continued with the Imperial Examination; he wanted to give it a try.
If last year was about seeking steady development, the incident of Liu Qingxi's disappearance had been a significant blow to Liu Qingyan.
This year, there was no need to hide one's talents; showcasing one's abilities was of utmost importance.
Having studied for many years and gained experience in the outside world, he was not like the deep-seated women of the Wen Family, believing in the nonsense fabricated by Yang Yichen. He was well aware of the ins and outs of the situation.
This incident made him realize the harsh reality: in a world dominated by imperial power, positions and authority were meaningless; everything paled in comparison to the words of those in power.
Thus, perhaps they needed another force to counterbalance them, so they wouldn't have to rely on anyone else's favor.
Before his examination, Liu Qingxi repeatedly advised him, "Don't worry too much; it doesn't matter whether you succeed or fail. I don't expect you to become an official or make a fortune. If you don't pass, just come back and find something you enjoy doing."
Following a ruler like Dugu Hao, along with her own entanglements, she didn't think that Liu Qingyan pursuing an official career was a good choice.
Once the child was born and grew a bit older, their whole family could live leisurely, go wherever they wanted, see the sights they wished to see, travel through mountains and rivers, and enjoy a lifetime of beauty.
Liu Qingyan nodded confidently.
By the end of March, the Imperial Examination officially began. Liu Qingyan was arguably the oldest candidate in the examination hall and also the most confident.
At the same time, as the weather warmed and the ice melted, Liu Qingxi's construction projects were back on schedule.
Just as she was about to instruct the workers to start construction, a grand procession that had spent an unforgettable Spring Festival in their hometown set off again towards the capital city—a place filled with dreams and hopes.
They arrived in the capital just before construction officially commenced.
Upon reaching their destination, Zhang Wuliang brought several managers to report to Liu Qingxi: "Madam Yang, we are back! Ready to work hard with you."
"By the way, we have quite a few more people this time. When we returned home for New Year’s, those who didn’t come were so envious when they saw what we brought back."
Recalling that scene, their cart was filled with unique souvenirs and gifts for their families that dazzled everyone’s eyes, causing them to lament their earlier hesitation.
As soon as Zhang Wuliang set down his things to catch his breath, someone came knocking, asking, "Are there still many positions available for Miss Liu next year?" After some back and forth, he finally understood that they wanted to join in.
Zhang Wuliang thought to himself that, in order to complete the project within two years, along with the subsequent renovations, time was tight. Having more people wouldn't hurt, so he took the initiative to add another group.
Sure enough, as soon as it warmed up after the New Year, they hit the road.
"Great, thank you for your efforts, Village Chief. Rest assured, tell everyone that all are welcome; I couldn't ask for more."
Hearing Liu Qingxi's warm welcome, the newcomers felt differently and were determined to work hard to repay Liu Qingxi's kindness in recognizing their potential and to justify the generous wages they received.
Next, Liu Qingxi gave each person who had traveled a long distance two days off to rest and recuperate before officially starting work.
Indeed, those who were well-fed and rested were full of energy and confidence as they began their tasks on the third day.
After a year, with another New Year in between, when construction resumed on the Suburbs houses, it once again caused quite a stir.
Compared to last year when most people were uncertain, this year saw a steady stream of buyers right from the start.
Who wouldn't want to buy a house near Liu Qingxi's designed Summer Resort, which boasted such a large-scale venue combining luxury and leisure?
Living here during the summer would mean leisurely strolls outside, resting in the Pavilion, or enjoying fishing, flower viewing, and chess playing—various entertainment facilities were available.
Residing here meant breathing fresh air, experiencing tranquility and relaxation, and achieving peace of mind; it would be hard not to feel comfortable.
In no time at all, the ongoing construction attracted numerous wealthy buyers eager to purchase homes, fearing they might miss out in the end.
Now Zhang Wuliang was counting money until his hands grew sore; he wished he could conjure up a Thousand-Handed Guanyin.
What should those who didn't manage to get it do? One by one, they tried to gather information from Liu Qingxi, while others asked acquaintances to help.
Sure enough, Ning Hong, who had a good relationship with Yang Yichen, became one of the guests.
"Madam Yang, given my relationship with Yang Yichen, you see, my brother wants to buy one of your houses, but when we went, they were all gone. Can you see if you can spare one?"
The implication was clear.
Liu Qingxi felt a pang of sympathy at Ning Hong's pitiful appearance, while Yang Yichen coldly stared at this so-called friend and snorted, "Handle your own matters; don't bother my wife!"
Uh~~~~~~ Ning Hong was speechless. If your wife is the big boss, shouldn't I be asking her instead of you?
Unfortunately, Yang Yichen couldn't understand his thoughts and looked ready to kick him out at any moment.
This left Liu Qingxi feeling quite awkward as he tugged at Yang Yichen's long and slender hand.
Instantly, Yang Yichen's gloomy mood brightened; he was delighted by that soft hand and felt much better, so he naturally didn't mind as much.
He no longer opposed Liu Qingxi handling these matters but chose to accompany him throughout, which made Ning Hong chuckle inwardly.
He hadn't expected someone who appeared so indifferent would have such a cute and clingy side. This was definitely a couple's display of affection; even someone married for years like him felt a bit overwhelmed.
Fortunately, with Liu Qingxi, the big boss stepping in, Ning Hong's problem was resolved in minutes and even received a ten percent discount.
Joyfully holding the contract he obtained, he nearly forgot to greet anyone as he hurried back.
Once home, Ning Hong proudly presented his gains to Ning Ze: "How about it, big brother? I handled things pretty well, right?"
That tsundere expression and lively demeanor were completely unlike someone who had already become a father.
On the other hand, Ning Ze remained expressionless, as always wearing a blank face, and replied as briefly as possible, "Fulfill your wish."
Immediately, Ning Hong let out a joyful shout and bounced out with excitement.
Back in his own courtyard, he couldn't wait to share the good news with his wife: "Hahaha, I don't have to go to the Ministry of Works anymore!"
He was beaming with joy, his eyes sparkling, dancing around like a child.
It turned out that he had received a house from Liu Qingxi in exchange for one condition: to resign from his official position and not serve at the Ministry of Works.
You see, the Ning family had served in the military for generations. In this generation, due to their support for Dugu Hao's rise to power, they had gained the emperor's trust and did not need him to work hard at the Ministry of Works or rely on military achievements.
So, his elder brother was handling the family business, which had nothing to do with him.
He just wanted to live peacefully like Yang Yichen and do what he loved.
Now, he was finally getting closer to his goal. Just thinking about it made him happy.
Ning Ze truly found it hard to deal with his younger brother Ning Hong. "So be it," he thought, letting it go; let him do as he pleased without having to bear any burdens.
Shaking his head, he set down the official document in his hand and picked up the contract, leaving the General's residence quietly.
A moment later, in the Imperial Study, Dugu Hao's long fingers flipped through the pages, gently caressing the dark ink characters. Some of those words felt like lovers to him.
It turned out that this house was not what Ning Hong wanted for himself but rather what Dugu Hao desired.
Perhaps he couldn't find another way to get close to Liu Qingxi, but he wanted to use this method to have a house built by Liu Qingxi herself, hoping to retain even the slightest connection with her.
Unfortunately, Yang Yichen was very strict and didn't give him any opportunity to approach Liu Qingxi. The people he sent to buy the house were all sent back for various reasons.
Finally, he remembered that Ning Ze's younger brother, Ning Hong, was a good friend of Yang Yichen. He thought that if Ning Hong intervened, it would likely work out. After much difficulty and navigating a winding path, he finally managed to acquire such a house.
"Thank you!" Dugu Hao expressed his heartfelt gratitude.
Unlike the relationship between monarch and subject, Ning Ze was a brother he had grown up with; they could share everything, strategize together, and confide in each other.
"Your Majesty," Ning Ze wanted to advise him to let go, but the words stuck in his throat.
If matters of the heart could be resolved easily, there wouldn't be so many lovesick individuals in the world.
Even he himself wouldn't still be alone at this age.
The figure hidden in the deepest corner was their scarlet mark, a mark they dared not touch.
Both were lost souls, yet they shared a mutual understanding when it came to matters of love.
Looking at Yang Yichen here, if he knew that the house had changed hands several times before ending up with Dugu Hao, it would surely cause great chaos.
However, these had already become unspeakable secrets.
At the same time, the Provincial Examination was in full swing. If one could pass the Provincial Examination and become a Juren, they would have the opportunity to take part in the Imperial Examination in September and meet the Sovereign.
Liu Qingyan was prepared to continue pushing forward. Regardless of the outcome, he would not pursue an official career path; thus, he would give himself one last chance.
Liu Qingxi did not interfere too much with his choice.
Because Liu Qingyan was older and had the right to make her own choices, she needed to think carefully before deciding, ensuring she would not regret it later.
No matter what decision she made, the family would support her unconditionally.
The waiting time might be torturous for others, but for Liu Qingxi and the others, it was no different from usual.
Just do your best, and the rest is about believing in yourself. Then relax and live comfortably.
For example, right now in the yard, with a gentle breeze and soft light, Liu Qingyan held a storybook and read aloud lightly, telling stories to her unborn nephew, eagerly anticipating his arrival.
At that moment, the Wen Family quickly approached, holding a set of clothes made from blue silk fabric, smiling as they entered the yard.
“Qingxi, come take a look at this new outfit I made! Is it pretty? This fabric was specially brought over by Yichan from another country; it's comfortable to wear and won't be too hot in summer.”
Coincidentally, the baby was expected to be born around May or June when it would start getting hot. Silk clothing was perfect for babies; it wouldn't be too hot or too cool.
Moreover, the silk produced by the Ice Silkworms that thrive in extremely cold regions even has the miraculous effect of self-regulating temperature, making it a priceless treasure.
If others saw them using such precious material to make clothes, they would surely lament and cry out about the waste.
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