Chapter 1123: Chapter 1122 Ending (Part 3) Chapter 1123: Chapter 1122 Ending (Part 3) “`
Despite the arduous journey, Liu Sisi’s pride remained unyielding. She stood with her chest puffed out and asked with a calm gaze,
“Who was that figure earlier? I have plenty of time to slowly find out.”

However, the pressing matter at hand is to deal with these seemingly endless assailants.

Marquis Yongwu hesitated but eventually said, “At present, this situation clearly shows that someone does not wish for our return to the court. Think about it — the new Emperor has just ascended the throne, and court ministers are being reshuffled as the old and the new are interchanged. There are far too many who do not wish for us to return to the court at this time. Therefore…”

“I see.”

Liu Sisi suddenly smiled, “I am merely a Princess, not a Prince. I have even abandoned the easily obtainable throne of the Great Xia, would I covet that dragon chair which I have no hope for? I shall write a letter to inquire with the new Emperor — does he even forbid me, his daughter, from mourning my own Father Emperor?”

Marquis Yongwu: “…”

Perhaps Liu Sisi’s letter truly had an effect, for the attacks on them gradually decreased in the following days.

Two months later, they finally set foot in Bianliang again.

The mausoleum of Zhao Yuanlang was located in the lower left center of the Imperial Mausoleum; the surface repair work was not yet fully completed.

Liu Sisi carried the ash pot of Lin Xiner, slowly walking up the stone steps.

By her side walked the former Seventeenth Prince, now the newly youthful Emperor Anzhi, barely of age. Anzhi bore a somber expression, accompanying Liu Sisi with a calm, confident, and spirited presence.

Offering incense and prayers, Liu Sisi placed the ash pot of Lin Xiner on the altar, pressed her hands together, closed her eyes, and maintained a long silence.

After a long while, she opened her eyes, only to meet Anzhi’s scrutinizing gaze directly.

Liu Sisi hurriedly stood up to greet him, “Younger Imperial Brother.”

“Seeing my Imperial Sister so devout, no wonder you were Father Emperor’s favorite,” Anzhi said with a sigh.

“Imperial Sister, just before Father Emperor’s passing, all he longed for was you. He worried about your life in the Great Xia after his death. Now that you have returned safely, you must have a good talk with Father Emperor, share your heart.”

“Not having been able to rush back in time to fulfill my filial duties before Father Emperor is a lifelong regret for Ruyu. I will certainly repent earnestly in front of Father Emperor’s tomb.”

Liu Sisi caressed the ash pot in her hands, for she had more than one thing to repent for.

“Speaking of which, Imperial Brother was able to ascend to the throne largely thanks to Imperial Sister’s strong support. This kindness, I will remember for a lifetime and dare not forget it for a moment. Even the Empress Dowager continuously praises Imperial Sister, endlessly lauding you for having raised a fine son, doesn’t she?”

As he spoke of this, Anzhi stopped, respectfully bowed deeply to Liu Sisi.

This startled Liu Sisi!

After all, Anzhi was now the Emperor, and she could not bear such a gesture.

She quickly dodged aside and helped him up, “Why do you say such things, Seventeenth Brother? Since we are brother and sister, why bother with such formalities? Your accomplishments today are due to your talent and Father Emperor’s recognition. What merit or ability does your Imperial Sister have to deserve such a gesture from you?”

“Indeed you do, indeed you do!”

Yet Anzhi stood up as told, his face unable to hide a smile, “General Mo Xing achieved renown at a young age, with grand aspirations not inferior to the renowned Hell King Di, his father. Within four hours, he fought his way through the imperial court’s three city gates, thrice in and thrice out, thus assisting me in securing the throne. For such great achievements, how could Imperial Sister not deserve this bow from me?”

General Mo Xing? Living up to the feared name of his father, Hell King Di?

“`
Liu Sisi listened, utterly baffled. Unable to resist, she dug her ear, wondering if she had heard wrong.

“Oh, General Mo Xing is your Highness, your youngest, Little Little, that is,” said Emperor Anzhi, adding a remark offhandedly as he proceeded to descend the stone steps with great strides.

Nowadays, Qingfeng Temple had become the largest Taoist temple of the Great Zhao, which also made Taoism the state religion. Taoist Master Qingfeng, as the founder of Qingfeng Temple, received daily worship and enjoyed a thriving bloodline.

Little Little?

She had heard not long ago that Little Little was in Xixia, yet she had not seen him. How had he appeared in the Great Zhao so suddenly? Things were getting stranger and stranger.

She hurried to catch up.

“For my son to receive appreciation from the Younger Imperial Brother is his honor. This kowtow, I dare not accept, Your Highness. However, if Younger Imperial Brother indeed means well, I do have a request, and I hope for your gracious approval.”

Anzhi turned back, looking at her with a scrutinizing gaze, “What is it? Speak freely, Sister.”

Liu Sisi stood still, carefully rubbing the ash pot in her hand.

“Younger Imperial Brother should be aware that Ruyu grew up in the civilian world, cherishing the free and carefree life there, and longed even more for the foot of Daqing Mountain. Also, our mother…”

She paused, her gaze falling on the ash pot in her hand, “On her deathbed, Mother’s dying wish was to be buried at the foot of Qiulong Mountain. Ruyu has been unfilial, only wishing to fulfill Mom’s longtime wish and then to dwell by her graveyard, erecting a hut to keep her company. Living the rest of my days peacefully and serenely.”

“You! …”
Surprise flickered in Anzhi’s eyes!

Then he stopped speaking and looked around before facing Liu Sisi again, “If you wish to accompany your mother, I, as your brother, can issue a decree to have her buried in the Imperial Mausoleum. Given that she was originally of princess status, it would be both reasonable and appropriate for her to rest alongside the late Emperor. In doing so, you could guard your parents’ spirits and also stay in the capital city. Why not do that?”

“But Mother’s last wish was to be buried at the foot of Qiulong Mountain.”

Liu Sisi turned her head to look at the Imperial Mausoleum behind her, still smiling faintly, “Although Father Emperor has passed, he has you, Younger Imperial Brother, and many ministers for company. But what about Mother? She gave up the chance to be buried in the Imperial Mausoleum of Xixia Country, only wishing to stay by Sisi’s side. She only has me now!”

Liu Sisi suddenly knelt down, “Since ancient times, it has been hard to fulfill both loyalty and filial piety. I beseech Younger Imperial Brother to have compassion for Mother’s maternal love, to grant Ruyu’s wish, and I kowtow to you, Younger Imperial Brother!”

Having spoken, she set down the ash pot and began to kowtow earnestly to Anzhi.

“You! …Sister, you are putting me in a difficult position!”

Anzhi waved his sleeve, “General Mo Xing has just made such a great achievement, and if I let you go now, the court ministers might think… might think I am of those with an ungrateful heart. No, this cannot be done!”

“If Younger Imperial Brother is worried about opposition from the courtiers, there’s a simple solution,”
Liu Sisi suddenly smiled, as though sensing an opportunity, “Ruyu boldly requests one honor from Younger Imperial Brother, a unique title of ‘Madam’ in all of the Great Zhao, how about that?”

That honor was but a mere title, yet it could extricate her from the cruel political struggle, so why not?

One month later, the new Emperor issued an imperial edict for all to hear.

“By the mandate of Heaven, Princess Ruyu has accumulated virtuous, simple, benevolent, and widespread deeds of merit, all of which are acknowledged before our eyes. Reflecting on her character, and recognizing the righteousness of her actions, We hereby personally bestow upon her the honored title of Princess Wende Filial Piety, with hereditary rights that shall never be revoked. Let it be known.”