A wicked mother swaps her son and sucks his blood? The true legitimate daughter is reborn and goes o

Xie Xuanjin asked the question cautiously, his nervousness clearly visible.

The tension, like a needle, pierced Song Qingning deeply, a subtle, persistent pain spreading through her, making even her breathing heavy.

"I am here."

Xie Xuanjin breathed a sigh of relief upon finally receiving a response.

The voice was still very close. Xie Xuanjin "looked" at her, his expression solemn, almost pleading, "Song Qingning, would you please stay?"

Would it be alright if you stayed?

This time, Xie Xuanjin received no answer.

The next morning, Xie Xuanjin ordered his men to gather military books, weapons, jewelry, clothing, and anything else that might interest Song Qingning.

Jinhua Palace was originally the emperor's bedroom, but its furnishings resembled those of a woman's boudoir.

When news of Xie Xuanjin's actions reached the court, many officials expressed their dissatisfaction and offered advice, but Xie Xuanjin silenced them with a single sentence.

"Am I not diligent enough in my duties?"

The court officials were speechless.

Since ascending the throne, Xie Xuanjin has been very diligent in his duties.

He was a dutiful emperor who cared for his subjects, was diligent in his duties and loved his people. Except when it got dark, he would always return to Jinhua Palace and not see anyone. He was impeccable.

He seemed to be waiting for someone.

Everyone knew who he was waiting for.

The emperor was bewitched by the female ghost.

As more and more exotic items were sent to Jinhua Palace, the worries of the court officials grew.

One day, a minister brought up the matter of establishing an empress, thinking that the emperor was already past the age of marriage, yet he did not even have a wife or concubine.

Perhaps once the emperor marries, he will no longer be bewitched by that "female ghost".

When the proposal was submitted, Xie Xuanjin, unusually, did not reject it.

There is a play!

For a time, the court officials each began to look for women.

Xie Xuanjin still returned to Jinhua Palace before dark every day to wait for Song Qingning.

After that night, Song Qingning appeared a few times.

At first, it would appear every night, but the time it stayed each time was getting shorter and shorter, and later it would only appear every two days.

Seven days have passed since her last appearance.

The air inside Jinhua Palace was filled with the fragrance of cedar.

Xie Xuanjin's gaze swept over the dressing table, then over the dazzling array of weapons, and finally landed on the row of bookshelves.

"You haven't even finished reading the military treatise, how can you bear to leave?"

Xie Xuanjin lowered his eyes.

He wasn't stupid. When Song Qingning said she wanted to go out and see the world that day, he initially thought she really meant it.

But upon further reflection, he guessed it might be for other reasons.

She's appearing less and less frequently. Is it because she has no choice, or is she doing it on purpose, for his sake?

He went to Fazong Temple.

He asked the abbot, who only said, "Humans and ghosts are on different paths."

"Humans and ghosts are destined to be apart."

What do you mean by "humans and ghosts are on different paths"?

They had come a long way together. She helped him storm the capital and avenge his brother, while he helped her kill her enemies. They supported each other, so how could they not continue on their journey together?

Are humans and ghosts destined to be apart?

He insisted on going with her.

Xie Xuanjin secretly instructed Xie Yunli to find a sorcerer.

The sorcerer said that when a person dies, if their resentment is too great, it accumulates into obsession and turns into a ghost. When the obsession disappears, the ghost will also vanish.

The aroma of cedarwood can attract spiritual energy.

Therefore, the ambergris that Jinhua Palace originally used was replaced with cedarwood.

Even so, Song Qingning still did not appear.

She deliberately avoided him!

Xie Xuanjin smiled and casually picked up a long spear. "The Meng family is famous for their spears. I learned to use my spear from my mother. If you say you like it, I'll show you again!"

Xie Xuanjin was agile and had excellent marksmanship.

He danced with such seriousness, as if Song Qingning were watching from some corner of the room.

He would occasionally say a word to her, hoping she would respond, but he was ultimately disappointed.

no respond.

Disappointment was fleeting; he persisted, knowing she would eventually respond.

Song Qingning saw the occasional madness in his eyes during the very short time he appeared.

Still retaining her composure, Song Qingning remained silent.

She was growing weaker and weaker, and it was uncertain when she would disappear. Rather than letting him indulge in her, it was better to end his hopes.

As long as he feels that she is gone, everything will gradually fade away over time.

However, Song Qingning underestimated Xie Xuanjin's madness and obsession.

Half a year has passed since the new emperor ascended the throne, and news has finally spread that he will appoint an empress.

Previously, the court officials had each recommended candidates for empress, and the list was compiled and sent to the new emperor, but no one knew who was actually chosen.

The new emperor ordered the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the emperor and empress's wedding.

The appointment of the empress and the wedding were scheduled for the same day.

According to the established rites, the wedding ceremony should be held during the day. However, the Vice Minister of Rites received an imperial edict that the new emperor had scheduled the ceremony for the night, which was clearly against the rules.

The Vice Minister of Rites sought out Empress Dowager Meng.

"Your Majesty, this is against the rules." The Vice Minister of Rites, under pressure, could only hope that Empress Dowager Meng could make the decision.

To everyone's surprise, Empress Dowager Meng remained silent for a moment before dismissing him with the words, "Rules are rigid; follow the emperor's preferences."

The Vice Minister of Rites could only prepare for the new emperor's wedding and all matters related to the establishment of the empress, according to the emperor's orders.

The night before the wedding.

Empress Dowager Meng arrived at Jinhua Palace.

There were very few palace servants in Jinhua Palace. At night, Xie Xuanjin did not allow any palace servants to be present, nor did he allow anyone else to enter Jinhua Palace at night.

Empress Dowager Meng was the only one who came at night.

Xie Xuanjin was brewing tea, while Empress Dowager Meng walked around the room, observing everything.

"Your arrangement is quite unique. I loved reading these military books when I was young, and I also like these weapons, but now..."

Empress Meng's eyes dimmed.

Several years ago, during the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet, she was banished to the Cold Palace.

The days spent in the cold palace took a toll on my health, and now even wielding a sword is a luxury.

"Song Qingning, I know her." Empress Dowager Meng suddenly said Song Qingning's name, and Xie Xuanjin's hand, which was brewing tea, paused slightly.

He hadn't mentioned it to anyone, not even Xie Yunli.

"Is it her?"

Empress Dowager Meng did not specifically observe Xie Xuanjin's reaction. After a pause, she continued, "I guess it should be her. Over the years, you have never mentioned any woman, except for asking whether there is a female general in Dajing."

"Back then, I heard that Song Qingning had made many military achievements. I learned about her and admired her. She was a good female general. I thought she could take a different path. Unfortunately, her life was full of twists and turns."

"Is she here now?"

Empress Dowager Meng glanced around and asked the question as if it were extremely casual.

Xie Xuanjin frowned slightly, clearly on guard. "If Mother Empress wants to stop me, then there's no need to say anything more."

His statement that he would stop her meant that he knew Empress Dowager Meng had already guessed what he was going to do.

Empress Dowager Meng saw Xie Xuanjin's wariness and sighed, "I don't mean to stop you."

Xie Xuanjin looked up in surprise.

"Xuanjin, your mother owes you. Your brother died tragically. Even though I know it has nothing to do with you, I can't help but blame you. Your mother doesn't really blame you. She banished you so that you could live."

"Even though that was my original intention, it still hurts you."

"After you came back, you were like a walking corpse. You only showed some vitality in front of Yunli. But you were different during your time in Runan County."

"It's because of Song Qingning!"