I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 515 How Deep is the Heart
……

After a long while, Yuan Shangcai went to a secluded place to meet the man.

And who else could suppress Yuan Shang's joy at ascending the throne but Princess Qinghe?

"Well! You're usually as impatient as a monkey, why are you so slow today?"

Faced with Princess Qinghe's reproach, Yuan Shang, not wanting to cause trouble, could only quickly coax her, "Isn't it because we had many guests visiting that we were a little late?"

"Moreover, I only took this opportunity to come here. When I get back, I will have to discuss state affairs with Shen Gong, Pang Ji, and Xu You... After all, the 200,000 troops still trapped in Henan are crucial to the foundation of the nation, and we really cannot delay."

Princess Qinghe chuckled again after hearing this, "Well, I wanted to come and tell you the good news, but it seems I've wasted my time?"

After saying that, Princess Qinghe instinctively moved closer, but Yuan Shang quickly reached out and blocked her.

Princess Qinghe's expression hardened, and Yuan Shang quickly explained, "I still have to go out to meet those officials later. Your fragrance is so strong, if they notice it, then all our efforts will be in vain!"

Princess Qinghe's expression softened, but she used her jade-like fingers to lift Yuan Shang's chin: "Isn't the way you address me, Your Highness, incorrect?"

Yuan Shang was taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovered and smiled again.

"I understand! Thank you for reminding me, Madam!"

But Princess Qinghe persisted, asking, "What madam?"

Yuan Shang asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

"Now that Your Highness has good news, you have truly forgotten all about me."

Princess Qinghe's expression was alluring, and every move she made was captivating, making Yuan Shang lick his lips with envy.

"Am I not about to become the Empress of Great Zhao?"

Queen!

Yuan Shang, who was already engrossed in it, suddenly shuddered and almost blurted out "What nonsense are you talking about!"

He, Yuan Shang, already has a legal wife!

And the emperor made his brother and sister-in-law empress? Even Jie of Xia and Zhou of Shang never did such a despicable thing! You actually want to be empress?!
However, Yuan Shang quickly suppressed his urge to curse.

He knew all too well just how deep Princess Qinghe's influence was.

Of course, I'm referring to one's thoughts and intentions.

Moreover, Princess Qinghe knows so much about me. If we don't appease her now, are we going to let her make a big fuss?

Yuan Shang could only offer a perfunctory reply: "If you were to become Empress, you would surely be a virtuous one!"

Even though Yuan Shang himself felt it was fake when he said it, Princess Qinghe was extremely pleased.

She lightly punched Yuan Shang's chest, then covered her mouth and chuckled, "What virtuous empress? My greatest ability is simply to keep His Majesty comfortable."

As she spoke, Princess Qinghe seductively placed one of Yuan Shang's fingers into her cherry-like mouth, causing Yuan Shang to involuntarily close his eyes.

"No, no, Madam, I must go out again. It's not possible today."

Seeing the resentment in Princess Qinghe's eyes, Yuan Shang quickly said, "Tomorrow! Tomorrow!"

"These past two days, my residence has been crowded and inconvenient. Tomorrow, I will find an opportunity to personally visit you in my residence."

Upon hearing the mention of where he had gone, Yuan Shang suddenly remembered something and asked with mixed emotions, "Brother... how are you?"

"He's already a living dead."

Seeing the fear in Yuan Shang's eyes, Princess Qinghe retorted angrily, "What are you thinking? How could I possibly have such a cruel heart?"

"However, he fainted from anger after hearing that he could not succeed to the throne. Guo Tu knew about this, so it's alright."

Princess Qinghe sneered again: "If it weren't for the fact that Guo Tu was, after all, a trusted minister entrusted by the late emperor and still of use to His Majesty, I wouldn't have had to cry for Yuan Tan in front of him today!"

Yuan Shang continued to coax, "Madam truly possesses the magnanimity of an empress!"

Upon hearing the word "Empress," Princess Qinghe was completely captivated and could no longer care about anything else. She immediately put on a beaming smile again.

"Your Majesty, I am at home and await your arrival at any time."

------

It was unclear how much time had passed before Yuan Tan finally awoke from his dazed state. That dazed state wasn't a complete loss of consciousness.

Rather, it's as if one's hands can hear sounds, ears can touch things, eyes can smell odors, and nose can see scenery—it's all so chaotic, as if one were not in the human world.

After the chaos subsided, Yuan Tan was finally able to feel his own existence.

But this clear perception only made Yuan Tan more pained.

His world has collapsed.

He didn't know how he could survive...

He lay there in emptiness for most of the day until dusk fell, when Yuan Tan finally managed to piece together some things.

“If I die, my mother will have no one to offer sacrifices, and my children will probably be bullied to death by some people.”

"And there's Master Guo, and Yuan Yao, who's still in Jiangdong, and..."

Yuan Tan thought of Princess Qinghe's cool face and gentle voice.

Almost forgot.

There are still people in this world who care about you and keep you company...

After spending most of his life pursuing imperial ambitions, it's time for him to settle down and live a simple life.

In the future, I and Qinghe could live a simple life, with the man farming and the woman weaving. That wouldn't be bad, would it?

Yuan Tan gradually regained some of his strength.

Hunger made him struggle to get up, intending to go to the kitchen to see what else was available.

Any food is fine.

Yuan Tan believed that he could eat anything now...

[Crunch! Crunch!]

The suppressed yet intense sounds, mixed with the panting of men and women, reached Yuan Tan's ears.

Yuan Tan frowned: "Which servant is so inconsiderate?"

However, as the woman's voice gradually rose in pitch and blended with the familiar voice he remembered, Yuan Tan's expression changed drastically!
He walked toward the source of the sound in disbelief.

The further we walked, the louder the sound became, and the clearer it became.

"Madam! Madam!"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

"..."

It was like being struck by lightning!

Not only was the female voice extremely familiar to Yuan Tan, but the male voice was also extremely familiar to him!

Instinctively, Yuan Tan reached for the sword at his waist.

Having spent his entire life fighting in chaotic times, he never parted with his sword.

But this time, because of his illness, his sword was not with him.

Yuan Tan was in a state of confusion at this moment. His thoughts, which had regained some clarity, became muddled again, and the stimulation to his senses became even clearer.

He felt as if he were watching his wife and his brother enjoying themselves right before his eyes.

Yuan Shang's smile was so disdainful. Qiu Mian leaned back, sitting in the position he had always dreamed of, holding the woman he had tried to spend his life with...

Yuan Shang!

Yuan Shang!

Why are you treating me like this?

Yuan Tan covered his mouth with both hands, as if he were choking himself, unsure whether he wanted to live or die.

And on the face covered by those rough hands, tears were already streaming down his face!
(End of this chapter)