20demayo Chapter 263 Farewell
Chapter 263 Farewell
Yongxian glanced at it, then ordered someone to put out the incense and dismissed everyone else.
Qiao Qingshu finally felt a little better and couldn't help but look up at Princess Yongxian.
Although Yongxian was a bit spoiled, she wasn't a bad person at heart. She divorced Xiao Chengyan without any hesitation, so Qiao Qingshu didn't dislike Princess Yongxian.
Yongxian took a sip of her wine and said casually,
"Everyone in the palace despises me, and I've given up on everything."
It must have been unbearable for Yongxian, to be divorced from her husband and to have her mother die because of her. All of these things happening at the same time could easily break a person's spirit.
Qiao Qingshu couldn't help but offer some words of comfort.
"Princess, the past is gone, why not pick yourself up and start a new life?"
She chuckled, downed the wine in her glass in one gulp, and laughed heartily, throwing her head back.
"Starting a new life? How do I start a new life?"
"Do you know that Xiao Chengyan destroyed all my girlish feelings? My heart is now as withered and dark as an old woman's. That fervent love has turned into disgust in the end. I suppose everything in this world is like that. People shouldn't be so naive..."
Her eyes stared blankly into the distance, filled with a kind of heartbreak.
"My only regret is that I shouldn't have spoken out of turn in front of my mother that day. If it weren't for that, how could I have ended up like this... my mother is dead, my brother is dead, and my father has discarded me like trash. I... hehehe... my life is truly wretched!"
Tears streamed down Princess Yongxian's cheeks without warning. She wiped them away haphazardly, her face filled with desolation.
Qiao Qingshu watched this scene, her throat tightening, unsure of what to say.
She understood Yongxian's suffering, but couldn't think of a way to help her. If a person has completely lost hope in life, then there is no possibility for her to live a good life anymore.
Looking at the mess of cups and plates scattered all over the ground, and the gigolos laughing and joking not far away, it seemed that getting drunk and falling asleep wouldn't be such a bad thing.
"Sister Shu'er."
Someone called her from afar, and the person slowly approached; it was Princess Yonglin.
She wasn't surprised by this scene, because she had seen it countless times.
After greeting Yongxian, he stood beside Qiao Qingshu.
Yongxian gave a faint laugh and said...
"I am also tired and must return."
After saying this, he swayed as he got up and slowly left with the help of several male favorites.
Watching Yongxian's departing figure, Yonglin sighed.
"I've tried to persuade her many times, but she seems to be stubborn."
Qiao Qingshu patted her hand and said,
"Let's go."
When Tong Yonglin returned to her palace, the entire palace was filled with joy and excitement as wedding preparations were underway.
After closing the palace doors, Yonglin smiled and offered him a seat.
"Sister Shu, please sit down."
Yonglin's personality was much gentler and more lovable. When she learned that she was not the emperor's own person, she was worried and scared for a while. However, Xiao Zhijie reassured her, and she stopped worrying and continued to live her life well, neither humble nor arrogant.
The old emperor, remembering their past relationship, provided Yonglin with a very respectable dowry, which Yonglin considered excellent.
She was very satisfied and happy, and joyfully made preparations for her wedding.
When she learned that Qiao Qingshu was coming to see her, she assumed it was Xiao Zhijie's idea to help her with the wedding arrangements.
Qiao Qingshu held her hand and smiled.
"Fortunately, you're marrying into the Bai family, where everyone knows each other well. After you're married, we can visit each other more often. If my brother ever offends the princess, just tell me, and I'll definitely teach him a lesson."
Yonglin just smiled shyly.
Qiao Qingshu looked around the room and saw what appeared to be a memorial tablet standing in the dark room. She was curious, but dared not go forward rashly.
Yonglin noticed her expression and pulled her closer, saying...
“It is my mother’s memorial tablet. I set it up myself without permission. After I get married, I will take it to my husband’s family to be worshipped.”
That is the memorial tablet of Consort Xiande.
Although Yonglin was not Consort Xiande's biological daughter, the mother and daughter had always had a good relationship.
The pain of separation by death is always heartbreaking and unforgettable.
Qiao Qingshu gripped the jade pendant hidden in her sleeve, and finally took it out, saying...
"Please accept this jade pendant; consider it a dowry for you."
Yonglin's expression shifted from sorrow to surprise, and she looked at Qiao Qingshu with extreme astonishment.
This jade pendant was tied to her mother's waist by her own hands when her mother was buried.
She immediately understood what was going on, but she said nothing. The forlorn look on her face disappeared, replaced by a faint smile.
She didn't ask anything, and Qiao Qingshu didn't say anything, but they understood each other's meaning from their eyes.
The atmosphere between the two instantly shifted from sadness to joy.
Princess Yonglin even pulled Qiao Qingshu along to help her choose the clothes and jewelry to wear on her wedding day, and they stayed until dusk before leaving the palace.
She didn't go directly back to the Xiao family, but instead drove to the bamboo forest and told Xiao Caiwei about it.
Xiao Caiwei had already packed all her luggage and was just waiting for Qiao Qingshu to come and say goodbye.
She told Xiao Caiwei about Yonglin's reaction.
Xiao Caiwei smiled faintly.
“Yonglin is a smart boy, he will surely understand my good intentions. Now that I have nothing to worry about, I’m going to set off.”
The two children were already packed, each carrying a small bundle, standing behind Xiao Caiwei, excited to go out and see the world.
Xiao Caiwei was now dressed in a plain dress with light makeup, looking completely different from the elegant and noble concubine she had seen during her first visit home.
However, Xiao Caiwei's face was radiant and full of energy.
Qiao Qingshu stepped forward and took her hand,
"Remember to come back and visit us often."
Xiao Caiwei smiled and gently touched the stray hairs on her forehead.
"Enjoy the Tongzhi Festival properly."
Qiao Qingshu nodded.
The two little ones also rushed over and hugged Qiao Qingshu's legs, acting cute.
"Sister Shu, we will miss you."
Qiao Qingshu took out two gold locks that she had prepared in advance from her bosom and hung them around the necks of the two little ones. She also thoughtfully tucked the gold locks into their clothes.
"This lock is to keep you safe. Learn your skills well from Aunt Xiao. I'll test you next time I see you."
The two children answered loudly, and Qiao Qingshu and Xiao Caiwei smiled at each other.
After seeing Xiao Caiwei and the two children off, Qiao Qingshu took a carriage back to the Xiao family.
The carriage suddenly stopped on the road. Qiao Qingshu lifted the curtain and asked,
"what happened?"
The coachman frowned and said,
"Madam, there is a beggar blocking the way. I will chase him away right away."
The coachman raised his whip and first scolded,
"Where did this beggar come from? Get out of the way and stop blocking my way!"
The beggar seemed not to hear, lying motionless on the road.
Qiao Qingshu peeked over and saw a ragged, thin beggar lying motionless in the middle of the road, his condition unknown.