Quick Transmigration: Don't Let an Honest Man Become a Villainous Supporting Female Character

In the palace, after Ji Chaoxi ascended to the throne, she abolished the grand banquet for all officials on New Year's Eve, allowing them to go home and spend the New Year with their families. Actually, it was mainly Ji Chaoxi and Xiao Yanchen who wanted to spend the New Year with each other.

The palace servants of Ruhui Palace were on holiday. Xiao Yanchen was putting up couplets, while Ji Chaoxi was directing them from below, carrying a bucket of paste in her hand.

The first line was written by Ji Chaoxi: "Peace and tranquility prevail, with no injustices." The second line was written by Xiao Yanchen: "Peace and safety year after year, with good people by your side." A large "福" (good fortune) character was also hanging in the middle.

The two were wearing matching outfits that Xiao Yanchen had had embroidered for them long ago, and it was obvious at a glance that they were a couple.

During the last court session before the Lunar New Year, Xiao Yanchen happened to be absent. The ministers were busy introducing Ji Chaoxi to the sons of officials and subtly complaining to her that one imperial consort was not enough to demonstrate her authority.

As a result, when the minister was about to leave court and get into his carriage to go home, Xiao Yanchen happened to run into them.

Ji Chaoxi arrived just in time and pulled him back.

The small kitchen was steaming. Xiao Yanchen had taken off his coat and was rolling out dough with great seriousness. Ji Chaoxi kept running around, sometimes punching Xiao Yanchen.

Xiao Yanchen's eyes crinkled into a smile as he continued with his work.

Xixi often argues with the cat in the palace because the cat will suddenly appear and pat her from time to time, then run away the next second.

But now she's like that cat.

Their New Year's Eve dinner didn't have many dishes, but they were all things the two of them liked, accompanied by a pot of warm wine. The two of them ate while bickering and arguing.

The wind howled on the arrow tower, stinging one's face. As the midnight bell rang, countless fireworks suddenly exploded in the dark sky, some as golden as wheat, others as purple as the sunset...

The two sat on the arrow tower, their faces illuminated by the flickering light of the fireworks.

Xiao Yanchen held her tightly. From the first year, they would come to the Arrow Tower to watch the fireworks every year. Once, they were even caught, but Eunuch Liu hurriedly took them back.

His face was pressed against her hair, and he gently held her hand.

A tear silently slid down her cheek.

He had rarely cried in recent years, but at this moment, watching these fireworks, he couldn't help but shed tears.

Fireworks were still blooming in the sky, displaying various shapes and colors, while cheers filled the palace.

Ji Chaoxi noticed Xiao Yanchen's emotions. She pushed him away slightly, looked at his red eyes, and kissed them.

Her eyes crinkled into a smile: "We'll watch fireworks together every year from now on!"

When they went back, just like the first time, he carried her back on his back, except that she didn't fall asleep this year.

Back then, when Xiao Yanchen carried Xiao Xizi on his back, he was still a little shaky, but now that he's holding her, he no longer stumbles.

The moonlight cast their shadows onto the bluestone slabs, shadows that were much longer and deeper than they had been that year.

Days went on, one after another.

Because Ji Chaoxi left the palace so often, the people had memorized her face, which posed a significant challenge to her investigations. Later, she left the palace less frequently, but still often visited the Dali Temple.

Ji Chaoxi attends the morning court session, but she doesn't go to the inner court because she simply can't get up.

So Xiao Yanchen went in her place. When he went to the inner court, he would kiss her before leaving, and after the inner court session, he would kiss her again to tell her that he was back.

This habit lasted for decades without ever being broken.

Over the years, Ji Chaoxi has seen many people pass away: Eunuch Liu, Aunt Song, Xiao He, the Imperial Concubine, and the palace maids who treated her well when she was a child.

Ji Chaoxi cried every day when she saw off Eunuch Liu. She couldn't accept the departure of the people around her, but after seeing them off so many times, she gradually calmed down.

Winter has arrived as promised, and this year's snowfall is exceptionally gentle.

The charcoal fire in Ruhui Palace was still burning brightly. Ji Chaoxi was no longer the emperor who would climb over the wall every day to catch thieves. Her face had more wrinkles, and her movements had become slower.

Xiao Yanchen no longer gripped his sword. His back was somewhat hunched, but with every step he took, he still held Ji Chaoxi's hand tightly.

"Xixi, slow down, the ground is slippery."

He still took care of her out of habit, and he did so for the rest of his life.

That night, Ji Chaoxi felt unusually light. She lay in bed and looked at Xiao Yanchen next to her.

Even in his old age, he is still a very handsome old man.

"Xiao Yanchen." Ji Chaoxi felt her eyelids getting heavy. As if she had a premonition, she called out to him.

Xiao Yanchen stiffened for a moment. He lifted the blanket, lay down on his side, a move he had done countless times in his life. He gently embraced her body, which was almost devoid of warmth, and kissed her forehead.

"Xixi, don't be afraid..."

The palace maids around her lowered their heads, biting their lips tightly, letting their tears fall to the ground.

Xiao Yanchen calmly took the wine glass beside him, drank it all in one gulp, and then hugged Ji Chaoxi tightly in his arms again.

Just as his consciousness was fading, he saw her again. Little Ji Chaoxi pushed open the door, bursting in like a ray of sunshine. She glared at him fiercely and said, "Dinner!"

Xiao Yanchen closed his eyes completely, and a tear slid down from the corner of his eye and onto her face.

From the moment Xiao Yanchen first saw Ji Chaoxi, he knew that he would never let her go in this lifetime.