Xiao Ruxun came to the Kunning Palace and saw Caiyun holding little Zhenwu, who was only a little more than one year old. Her face was full of motherly radiance.
He smiled.
Now that Zhenbang and Yingying had begun to study and were learning systematically under the guidance of the teacher, Caiyun could spare time to take care of little Zhenwu. Xiao Ruxun also often took time to visit Caiyun and Zhenwu. The family was happy and harmonious.
This was the reason why Xiao Ruxun didn't want to take a concubine. He didn't really want to turn his home into a harem. The home with Caiyun was the last harbor of his soul. After experiencing bloodshed and dark intrigue in the previous dynasty, only here could he find his unchanged self from the beginning to the present.
Caiyun was his last spiritual sustenance. From the beginning to the end, Caiyun had never changed. She had been quietly staying behind him, taking care of the house for him, taking care of his children, and removing his worries.
She had never changed. She was still the original her.
Only here could Xiao Ruxun find his original self and not forget his future self. Only here could Xiao Ruxun feel that he had not completely become an iron-blooded and cold-blooded emperor who only knew how to plot.
He didn't even dare to imagine what would happen to him if he lost Caiyun one day. He could only do his best to take care of Caiyun, give her the best food, the best clothes, and use the best things. He didn't allow her to be hurt in any way.
The bloodshed of the previous dynasty stopped at the Palace of Heavenly Purity. The Kunning Palace was his warm harbor. He didn't allow anyone to disturb his warm harbor. Whoever dared to cross the line, he would take their head.
No matter how busy he was, he would take at least one night a week to have a meal with Caiyun and his father. The family would sit together and eat a simple home-cooked meal. The family was like an ordinary family, happy and happy.
They didn't talk about state affairs, politics, conquest, or political struggles. They only talked about family love.
They tested Zhenbang's knowledge with their father to see if he was lazy or lax.
They asked about Yingying's life, whether she was happy in the palace, if there was anything that made her unhappy, and if Father could do anything for her.
He wanted to see if Little Zhenwu was doing well, if he was fat, if his cries were loud enough, and if his calves were strong enough.
He chatted with his father about what books his father had read recently, what new realizations he had, what he had written, and if there was anything he could teach Xiao Ruxun.
At night, he would sleep together with Caiyun in the Kunning Palace. They would confide in each other and talk about whether Caiyun had anything she wanted or wanted to do. If she did, no matter how busy he was, he would take the time to do it with Caiyun.
Everyone around him would change. His brothers who had fought together with him in the past would change when they were in high positions of power. His good friends who were once close to him would also change when their positions changed. As a loner emperor, he was destined to be lonely and unable to obtain true friendship.
Xiao Ruxun also gradually experienced this feeling. Up until now, he didn't care much about the brotherhood in the army. What he cared about was how to maintain balance and stability, how to ensure the army's combat strength and loyalty, and how to control their life and death in his hands.
Those brothers who had walked with him in the past, if anyone threatened his position or violated his bottom line, he would not hesitate to kill them.
Really, without hesitation, he was mentally prepared.
Only Caiyun had never changed from beginning to end.
Xiao Ruxun was very attached to her. Yes, attached.
Because he felt that he had become too cold and ruthless, he naturally yearned for Caiyun who had always been gentle and kind and silently dedicated to him. Snuggling with Caiyun, Xiao Ruxun could find the time in the past and fill the emptiness in his heart.
He used to think that power could fill all the emptiness, but now he found that no matter how powerful he was, there were still emptiness that could not be filled.
So the only love was something that could fill the emptiness in his heart.
Xiao Ruxun felt that without Caiyun's love, the palace would become cold and empty, with nothing left.
So he didn't want to take a concubine. He didn't want to let other strange women who only knew how to please him and ask for favors from him appear and tarnish the harbor of his heart.
Yang Yinglong's daughter and the women of the Nippon royal family were just playthings that were brought into the palace for political needs.
There would be no status, no future, and no children.
Their existence, on the one hand, was for political needs, and on the other hand, was for catharsis.
Catharsis was the ugliest and darkest part of his heart that would never be revealed in front of Caiyun.
Xiao Ruxun felt that this was probably the ugliest and darkest part of him as a human.
This part should not belong to Kunning Palace, should not belong to this warm harbor.
Caiyun's life was very simple. She accompanied Xiao Ruxun, managed the palace affairs that were not complicated, reviewed the account books, rewarded or punished some palace servants, took care of the children, and educated the children. That was all, nothing else.
She felt that she was still living the same life as before, but her name had changed. From the Mistress of Xiao Mansion, to the Countess, to the Marquise, to the Duchess, and finally to the Empress.
Her name had changed, but she had never felt that she had changed. She felt that she was still the same.
Of course, she knew what Xiao Ruxun had done and experienced in the previous dynasty, but every time Xiao Ruxun came to her side, he would always have a warm smile and be with her as in the past. They were still as loving as when they had just gotten married.
She knew that Xiao Ruxun needed an embrace, needed a warm support.
Even the strongest and most iron-blooded man would have a warm need. She had to do this well so that her husband would not become too cold and heartless, so that he could at least enjoy family life like a normal person.
Regarding the matter of Xiao Ruxun not taking concubines and even demoting the officials to protect her, Caiyun was very moved. In all the dynasties, it was rare for an emperor to do this for the Empress for a woman.
She felt that the Heavens were too kind to her, allowing her to have a husband who loved her, valued her, understood her, and believed in her.
She felt that this was her greatest fortune as a woman.
To be honest, even if Xiao Ruxun wanted to take concubines and have more women, she would not object. She did not think that she had a reason to object. In the Royal Family, the word 'love' was particularly extravagant, or perhaps superfluous. Power flowed through the Royal Family, so what was love?
Xiao Ruxun had given her enough love to make her feel happy deep in the palace. Compared to the women in the Royal Palace of all the dynasties, she was really too lucky.
As long as she was still the Empress, his only wife, and could still give her love, she really did not care if Xiao Ruxun would take concubines or have more women.
Besides, the Emperor was rich. What couldn't he get?
Caiyun even thought this pessimistically.
So when Xiao Ruxun mentioned Yang Yinglong's daughter and the women of the Japanese Royal Family, Caiyun did not overreact. The first thing she thought of was —
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