The colorful and exquisite lanterns illuminated the entire Forbidden City as bright as daylight, and the more dazzling and colorful the night was, the more it showed off its luxurious grandeur.

  Meili sat in the long corridor where every beam was hung with lanterns, and the ladies of the imperial family had arrived today, it was an honor to be summoned by the emperor to enter the palace to watch the lights, which was a rare privilege. Everyone was chatting and laughing, the light and laughter, brought the prosperous and peaceful scene to the extreme.

  Meili gazed at the charcoal fire swaying in the wind beside her, but didn't feel a hint of warmth. The Eight Trigrams diagram clutched to her chest felt like an icy stone that was suffocating her.

  These days she has been summoned to the palace to accompany the old emperor, and has always carried the map with her. However, every time there is an opportunity to present it to the emperor, she always misses it in confusion. When presenting the map, what should she say, what should she ask for?

  This feeling is as if she has countless times wanted to express her sincere respect to Jingxuan.

  Always on the verge of speaking, suddenly despairing.

  This painting is indeed the emperor's dream, but what can she exchange for it? Become a legitimate son? Become a crown prince? Become King Qing? Even she herself feels that these demands are slim hopes.

  If... the Emperor knew that Cheng Yi had deceived him, she had deceived him for so many years, what would the Emperor think, how would he decide? Jing Xuan, if he knew that the formation map he had been searching for was right next to him, in her hands, what would he think, what would he do?

  She is not afraid of death, nor is she afraid of losing everything, for she has already lost everything. It's hard to guess the emperor's mind, if he gets angry at their repeated deception and blames Yunkai as well, then it would be like she personally destroyed Yunkai's future!

  Jingxuan had a knot in her heart towards Yun, she bypassed her husband's authority and went directly to plead with the emperor, would he still support Yun?

  This is a life-and-death gamble, a bet on fate. She hesitates, she fears, because she can't afford to lose, her stake is (allowing) a lifetime of hard work.

  The lanterns hung in the courtyard were all carefully selected and many of them had riddles and couplets attached to them. The emperor led a group of princes and nobles to admire them one by one, discussing and guessing the answers. Meili watched from afar as the emperor took Taizi Yin with him, and the riddles on the lanterns always asked questions about the current crown prince first, while the other princes followed behind like decorations. One riddle stumped Taizi, and Eighth Brother was anxious to give the answer, but was secretly stopped by a eunuch following closely behind.

  This scene, she saw it so clearly!

  Even the royal family, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children is so cruel. All the glory belongs to the eldest son, the crown prince, anyone else who wants a share is stealing, it's usurpation!

  Before the banquet began, the Empress went to the rear chamber to change her clothes and rest. This was her only chance to meet with the Emperor without startling others.

  She handed over the baby to the wet nurse and, taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, slipped into the rear palace. The eunuchs and palace maids were all busy rushing back and forth, and Meili hid in the narrow passageway between the palace buildings and the wall, and by nightfall, no one had discovered her.

  She leaned against the cold wall, closed her eyes, as long as she presented the map to the emperor, as long as she said what she wanted to say, the rest... could only be left to fate!

  Just as she was about to slip out, she heard the emperor's voice coming from inside the palace, "Come and take a look together, Zhamulang."

  She stiffened all over, "Zhamu Lang? Su Ying's Ama?"

  Is he also in the back?

  The sound came from the gate of the palace, Kangxi's tone was majestic and confident, "You see, after twenty years of Qing dynasty being in my hands, there is such a scene!"

  Zhang Yongzhao nodded and said with a sincere heart: "Your Majesty is wise, it is the great fortune of our Qing dynasty for generations to come."

  The emperor suddenly sighed, "This prosperity... is for the world to see, is for neighboring countries to see, my difficulties, you have managed the Ministry of Revenue for so many years, how can you not know?"

  Zhang Lang said with fear: "I deserve to die."

  "How can you betray my trust and retire at a time like this?"

  "Your Majesty..."

  "After all these years, you still don't trust me?"

  Meili leaned tightly against the wall, feeling the blood color on her face fading away, and she felt a chill.

  The Emperor actually said such things to Zamu Lang?

  "Damn it...!" Zamulong's voice trembled.

  "I ascended the throne at a young age, pacified three rebellions, and repelled foreign barbarians... These are not what I desire, nor am I satisfied! What I desire is a heavenly dynasty that shakes the universe, and achievements that will be praised for centuries to come. For this, I do not mind exhausting myself, I do not mind dying!"

  "Your Majesty!"

  "And you, Zamulong?"

  "This humble servant... is also willing to die for Your Majesty and fulfill his loyalty!"

  Kangxi smiled, "I won't let you die! You understand, I understand, what you're doing now is a bloody job on the knife's edge. After so many years, can this knife of mine hurt you? The officials and nobles are all related to you, can they hurt you? Your son, I promised him high office and wealth, your daughter, I gave her noble titles and honors. Zamu Lang, how can you still ask to resign from me?"

  "This old slave deserves to die ten thousand times!" Zamulang knelt down, tears streaming down his face. "Your Majesty's kindness to this old slave and his family is as high as a mountain, but this old slave has erred and committed a crime. At the time of Your Majesty's grand plan, he actually thought of benefiting himself alone, truly deserving of death. This old slave knew that what he did would not end well, but thinking of his wife and children, he made this disloyal and unrighteous move. I hope Your Majesty will show mercy and forgive me."

  Kangxi fell silent for a moment. Since things have been said to this extent, there is no need to beat around the bush anymore. "Zhamulang, do you still have any concerns that are not at ease?"

  "Your Majesty, I am deeply aware of my own guilt and only ask that you grant me two things. If you do, I will die without regret and be willing to give my life for Your Majesty!"

  "Say."

  "If in the future, Your Majesty is unable to protect this old minister for a day, please spare the lives of my family members and let them live out their days in peace."

  "I will grant your request."

  "Lao Nu's daughter, Su Yan, has always been loved by Lao Nu like a treasure. Her marriage to King Qing is naturally the emperor's great kindness. However, King Qing... Lao Nu begs Your Majesty to ensure her wealth and safety, not to be humbled by others, and solely enjoy the honor of being a queen."

  Kangxi hesitated for a moment and finally nodded.

  Meili closed her eyes, no tears could flow.

  The Emperor promised Su Ying a life of wealth and honor, alone in her glory... but then all her hopes were shattered, changing her and Yu's fate into an empty fantasy.

  She didn't know how long she had been in that dark corner, and when she finally gathered enough strength to walk out again, everyone was gone, leaving only the duty eunuch staring at her like a ghost, even forgetting to greet her.

  The party in front of the hall has also dispersed, and everyone is free to enjoy the lanterns.

  She saw Yun in the midst of a crowd, anxiously looking around everywhere, and when he spotted her, his face lit up with joy as he rushed towards her, calling out "Elder sister! Elder sister!"

  Meili smiled at him, she could only smile at him. She was truly the most incompetent mother!

  Yun pulled her hand to a small grove far from the crowd, where many lantern riddles were also hung. Yun whispered to her with a smile, "Yu An's aunt secretly told him that the answer to the emperor's biggest reward riddle is written on the highest lantern in this grove."

  That lamp is very eye-catching because it's hung high up, but if you want to see the small characters on it clearly, you'll probably have to make some effort.

  Under the lantern-hung tree, there was already a group of people. Su Ying was leading Yun and Jue, who were accompanied by several servants, busy with something. Mei Li lowered her eyes, she and Yun Ke had been treated kindly by their ancestors, and Su Ying and Yun Jue also had.

  A tall and thin eunuch, with the help of others, let Yun Ju sit on his shoulders and slowly and carefully stand up. Yun Ju approached the lantern, laughing "ha ha", repeatedly saying that he saw it.

  Su Ying also saw Mei Li and her mother, she smiled, now it's harder for her to smile at them. "Let's go." She beckoned to her son and the servants.

  Under the tree, only the mother and son were left, relying on each other for survival.

  Yu Yun looked up at the lights on the high branches with some disappointment, he didn't have a large following, only his delicate and weak wife Jiao.

  Meili's legs suddenly went soft, she hugged the child and burst into tears, this was the first time she cried out loud in front of (Yun). "Mother wants to help you? Mother..."

  She really didn't know what else she could do for her child.

  "What are you doing?" Jingxuan quickly walked over and roughly covered Meri's mouth, "Crying here on New Year's Day will startle others, what do you plan to do?"

  Meili's mind was already in disarray, unable to make a sound, only sobbing and choking back tears, which flowed from his fingers like a torrent.

  "Stop, it's all spoiled! Grabbing her mother's hand and shaking her head repeatedly, "I don't want to look anymore, Mother. Don't cry. I won't look! There's nothing good to see! Mother, don't cry."

  Jingxuan frowned in concern and asked the child: "What's wrong?"

  Yu Yun was a bit anxious, "I want to see the words on that lamp, but Mother can't hold me up that high and I cried."

  Jingxuan didn't make a sound, he of course knew that things wouldn't be so simple. Mei Li had been missing for so long, and he was about to prepare to turn the entire Purple Forbidden City upside down. When he arrived, he even ran into Suyan and her mother...

  "Meili, don't cry. If you don't want to trouble Yun, then don't cry. Alright?" He tried his best to calm her down, whispering in her ear.

  She finally nodded, and her rationality and emotions recovered a little.

  He loosened his grip on her mouth, raised an eyebrow, "What are you crying about? The bigger you get, the more childish you become." He deliberately pretended to be unaware and teased, "Come!" He took off the ceremonial robe's hanging ornament and handed it to Mei Li, squatted down, patted his own shoulder, and nodded at Yu Ke.

  Her eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment she was at a loss for what to do.

  "Come on, Ama will take you to see."

  Meili covered her mouth, not letting herself cry out loud, and looked at (Yun) Ke sitting on Jingxuan's shoulder, excitedly looking for the answer to the lantern riddle.

  Jingxuan had just put down Yunkai, and Yinxiang and Taizhao came running. Yunkai proudly went to meet them and told them the answer. As they ran to collect their reward, Yunkai didn't forget to turn back and bid farewell to his mother.

  "Where did you just go?" Jingxuan asked softly under the brightly lit tree, "What's wrong?"

  She looked at him who was as handsome as ever, she really couldn't think so much anymore, the words that had been pressing on her heart, she no longer had the ability to endure, no longer had the ability to wait for a suitable opportunity!

  "(Allow) Ke is your son! You are my only man!" She cried out in a low voice.

  Jingxuan was stunned.

  "She... " She backed away, her legs trembling, "I should have told you! I should have given you a clean slate!" She gazed up at the farthest point in the night sky, icy tears streaming down from her collar into her chest. She laughed through her tears, asking him, asking herself, asking the heavens, "Even if I had said it... what would be the use? What would be the point?"

  None of them is correct!