The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Chapter 531 A lifetime is really...too long
The palace has vermilion walls and golden tiles, with flying eaves and brackets.

Inside the Imperial Study, you could hear a pin drop.

"Are you really decided?"

A rare solemnity appeared between Xiao Huaiyan's brows, and his usually playful eyes now held a cold, stern light.

Ying Fuyan smiled and said, "I didn't summon you to the palace as a joke."

Ying Fuyan leaned against the dragon bed, pushing the bright yellow scroll toward Xiao Huaiyan with his fingers.

He looked up at the bright spring sunshine outside the window.

"You should know that I can't last more than a few years."

He said this with composure.

"Even with Elder Ge around, it would only prolong his life by a few more years."

"I agreed to take this position so that the hundreds of wronged souls of the Prince of Yan's mansion could rest in peace. My ascension to the throne was for the change of imperial power. Only my identity in the entire Great Jin Dynasty is legitimate."

Xiao Huaiyan frowned: "There's no need to be in such a hurry..."

It was interrupted.

Ying Fuyan: "I'm not in a hurry."

"It's something that will happen sooner or later, so I'll feel more at ease if I do it sooner."

Ying Fuyan: "You shall accept this imperial edict. To avoid suspicion, I will not give it to the Grand Tutor, Wei Zhao, or He Xuran. However, there are two copies. I handed the other copy to Lu Huaizhang in front of the old ministers such as the Duke of Xian, the Marquis of Yangdu, the Duke of Yong, and the Earl of Xiuping."

Lu Huaizhang is currently a Hanlin Academician and enjoys a very high reputation.

Although Hanlin officials held no real power, they were close to the emperor and participated in confidential compilation of the national history, making them highly prestigious. After gaining experience in this field, they could be appointed as prefects or educational commissioners in other regions, or promoted to the Six Ministries or the Censorate.

This can be considered a savings bank for civil officials, as high-ranking officials such as the Ministers of the Six Ministries were all from the Hanlin Academy.

This shows Ying Fuyan's intention.

"Don't laugh at me, I care about Yao, and I have no ill feelings towards Dun Ge'er. But the only reason I'm good to Dun Ge'er and willing to treat him like my own son is because he is Yao's son."

"If I am no longer here, I hope he will take good care of his mother."

“My body… cannot continue the lineage of the Prince of Yan’s mansion. But even if it could, as long as the surname Ying is used, I cannot guarantee that it will be good. There are not many good people in the Ying family’s ancestors, and many of my fathers and uncles have committed misdeeds. Even if they are taught to be gentle, kind, respectful and frugal, the filth in their blood can be washed into their flesh and skin, but it cannot be cleansed from their bones.”

"After I leave, someone has to sit in this seat."

Therefore, he personally wrote the edict of succession to entrust the state to him.

“The Wei family is different. Their ancestors were upright and honest for generations, like pine and cypress that never wither after frost. They were born into a family of scholars and literati, and were raised with the spirit of loyalty and integrity.”

Ying Fuyan: "Wei Jiazi is the best candidate."

It is said that Ning Yunling is the most influential person in the court.

But if Wei Zhao has a son, Ning Yunling will have to step aside.

The Wei family had Wei Zhao as their father to assist them, the Grand Tutor as their maternal grandfather to pave the way, He Xuran as their maternal uncle, and Xiao Huaiyan as their paternal uncle...

With Ying Fuyan's edict of succession, who would dare to disobey?

And these people were able to treat A Yao and her son well after he left.

Xiao Huaiyan reached out to take it, but quickly stopped in mid-air: "But..."

Ying Fuyan frowned: "What's wrong? What's your concern?"

Xiao Huaiyan: "My sister-in-law is certain that the baby is a girl."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Ying Fuyan's trusted confidant hurriedly entered the hall.

"I just received news that the Duke of Shun's mansion has a new little princess."

Xiao Huaiyan responded to Fu Yan, "Look."

Ying Fuyan said, "I don't think it's a big deal. They're still young and have a good relationship. They can just have another one later."

"The Wei family was never very large."

Xiao Huaiyan: ...

Even Ning Suchan, a proper mother-in-law, isn't as impatient as you are.

Ying Fuyan: "I should be able to wait."

Xiao Huaiyan: ...

Xiao Huaiyan carefully accepted the imperial edict. Then, as if remembering something, he sighed.

"what happened again?"

"It's nothing, I just feel sorry for that child."

"He's not even here yet, and he's already the next emperor. The pressure must be immense."

Ying Fuyan: "If you feel sorry for him, worried that he'll be too tired and lose his childhood fun, then it's okay if he's tired enough..."

He looked at Xiao Huaiyan: "Your wife and sister-in-law are on good terms. I've seen her agree with whatever your sister-in-law says without batting an eye. If your sister-in-law feels sorry for her son in the future, she'll probably ask you to help share the burden."

Xiao Huaiyan: ...

I don't want to admit it, but it's true.

He narrowed his eyes, annoyed: "Who's as cunning as you?" Ying Fuyan also sighed.

"Don't say it, I feel more sorry for He Xuran."

Even before Yu Tingwan feels sorry for him, He Xuran probably does.

It seems he's destined to be a beast of burden for the rest of his life.

The conversation between the two did not last long before Xiao Huaiyan took his leave.

Ying Fuyan did not try to keep him.

After he left, his confidants also withdrew. Only Ying Fuyan remained in the hall.

He leaned back, concealing the weariness in his eyes.

pretty good.

At least some of these people died peacefully.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Yao Ru made milk tea and also made soft and fluffy pastries.

In duplicate.

She carefully instructed the old woman beside her.

"This is for the Empress Dowager. She hasn't had a good appetite these past few days, so we added hawthorn to the pastries to help stimulate her appetite."

"Don't forget to send your congratulations when you get there."

The old woman smiled and said, "Yes, the Empress Dowager has been burning incense and praying to Buddha these past few days. Now that the General's wife and daughter are safe and sound, I'm afraid the Empress Dowager will be so happy that the Cining Palace will be throwing money around again. This old servant will also go and join in the fun."

Yao Ruxiao.

She carried the food box and headed towards the Imperial Study.

Her confidants outside, seeing that it was her, did not stop her.

Yao Ru asked softly, "Is anyone inside?"

She was afraid that going in would interfere with her important business.

"Only Master is here; Prince Xiao has already left the palace."

Yao Ru nodded.

The palace doors were open and not closed; she lifted her skirt and stepped across the threshold.

But as soon as I went inside, I heard a violent coughing sound coming from inside.

Yao Ru paused and stopped.

Ying Fuyan had no idea she was coming. Therefore, his cough was unlike his usual restraint in front of Yao Ru; he couldn't stop it for a moment.

Yao Ru watched from afar.

Watching his thin body hunched over the table, fist pressed to his lips, each cough accompanied by a broken, guttural sound from his chest, made one's heart tremble. Blood dripped from between his fingers, as if he could vomit up his internal organs.

Yao Ru suddenly tightened her grip on the food box, her fingertips digging into her palm.

But she dared not cry.

He was afraid Ying Fuyan would see it.

She was even more afraid that Ying Fuyan would find out that she had seen his disheveled state.

Yao Ru tiptoed out.

Until the hall returned to calm.

She stood outside for a long time before going back inside.

Ying Fuyan had already wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

He heard footsteps getting closer and closer, and looked up.

Upon seeing Yao Ru, his gaze softened inch by inch.

There are also complexities that outsiders cannot comprehend.

He didn't actually face death with such composure; at least, he had attachments in this world.

He couldn't let go of his Aru.

Even though he knew he had at least a few years left to live, he was always afraid that there wouldn't be enough time to take care of her in every way and pave the way for the rest of her life.

Yao Ru approached and, as usual, tucked his cloak around his neck.

She didn't cry.

There was no need for Ying Fuyan to promise to stay with her for life.

A lifetime is simply...too long for them.

She looked at the person in front of her, her eyes seemingly only on him, as gentle and tender as ever.

"It's windy, be careful not to catch a cold."