The Prince Wants to Assassinate Me Every Day-Chapter 1043 - 634: Only as a Commoner Can One Truly Appreciate Xiao Jinxing’s Virtues (Part 1)
"Letting go is indeed a way of life." An Ning looked at Bai Mowan, "But Bai Mowan, you are wrong. What I let go of isn’t just myself; this time, I am also letting go of Gu Xingchuan. The lives of the common people are important, and Gu Xingchuan’s life is equally important. The so-called life is never measured by noble or cheap, never quantified. No one’s life should be weighed against another, and definitely shouldn’t be judged by others."
Bai Mowan wanted to say something.
An Ning spoke directly, "Of course, I don’t blame Xiao Jinxing. Standing from his perspective, he has his considerations. I can only accept them, but acceptance doesn’t mean understanding; it’s just because there’s no other choice, so I have to compromise."
Bai Mowan nodded.
Some things perhaps can only be truly understood through personal experience.
Outsiders merely stand on the moral high ground to condemn, but only the person involved knows how hard and painful it really is.
Bai Mowan said no more.
She originally thought that she could do something good before dying.
To truly fulfill Xiao Jinxing and An Ning.
Now thinking about it, the conflict between them has never been about other people, never about a third party. It has always been about themselves.
An Ning also did not say much more to Bai Mowan.
There was no relationship, let alone friendship.
So, once everything that could be said was said, there was no need for any lingering attachment or pity. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Her ending was simply the result of her own doings.
To finally figure it out, to truly awaken to enlightenment, can be considered a gift from heaven.
At least in this lifetime, she won’t die filled with regret.
An Ning walked out of the Heavenly Prison.
Her heart still felt heavy and uncomfortable.
The initial anger, the fury upon hearing Xiao Jinxing would indeed kill Gu Xingchuan, upon truly seeing Gu Xingchuan and truly accepting this moment, seemed like there was nothing more to question or say. After all, there was no change; saying more was useless.
"Empress." A palace attendant respectfully called out to her.
It was because she stood at the gate of the Heavenly Prison, not moving for a long time.
Outside the Heavenly Prison, in February, the weather was still bitter with cold winds, and her body had only just recovered, fearing she might catch a cold again.
An Ning returned to her senses.
Just as she was about to board the carriage.
"Empress." A familiar voice called out to her.
An Ning turned her gaze.
She saw Song Yanqing.
Looking at him as if he had been waiting specifically for her.
At this moment seeing her come out, he hurried over.
"Empress, if you are not occupied, would you accompany me for a walk on the street?" Song Yanqing invited.
An Ning looked at the sky.
Neither too early nor too late.
Returning to the Imperial Palace would only imprison herself in a cage.
The repression in her heart might as well be eased outside.
"Let’s go." An Ning agreed.
Song Yanqing bowed respectfully.
He rode ahead to lead the way.
An Ning sat inside the carriage, opting not to spark disputes by allowing too many palace attendants to follow, bringing only a few close aides along.
The carriage arrived at the bulletin board in Xun City.
An Ning frowned.
She didn’t understand why Song Yanqing had brought her here.
She alighted from the carriage.
A crowd of common people surrounded the bulletin board.
Everyone was chatting animatedly.
"The rebels of the Bai Family, Bai Moyi and Bai Mowan, are finally going to be beheaded! Truly satisfying. The Emperor trusted them so much, yet they still dared to raise armies and rebel, even colluding with outsiders. Such crimes deserve death; it’s not too much to execute their entire clan!" one man commented.
"It’s because the Emperor is so benevolent, remembering the generations of loyalty from the Bai Family, not allowing Bai Moyi and Bai Mowan to tarnish the achievements of several generations of the Bai Family. We, the common people, are blessed to have such an understanding emperor!" another man quickly said.
"That’s true indeed."
"Look, Gu Xingchuan is also being executed for treason!" another man echoed, "I heard before that the Emperor was always reluctant to act against him, even if it nearly cost the Emperor’s life. The Emperor still cherished old feelings and spared him."
"It’s not the Emperor cherishing old feelings; rumors say that Gu Xingchuan and the Empress have deep feelings, and it was the Empress who begged the Emperor not to act against Gu Xingchuan. The Emperor’s affection for the Empress is well known, having set up an empty harem for her, hence the Emperor’s indecisiveness!"
"Luckily, the Emperor wasn’t blinded by feelings. Gu Xingchuan committed treason and was sentenced to death. If such people are still spared, what law is left in the Daxuan Kingdom?!"
"Who says the Empress stood on the side of national righteousness in the end, choosing to separate public from private, and executed Gu Xingchuan." a man argued, "Back then, on the city wall of Muge City in Beimu, the Empress courageously sacrificed herself for the Daxuan Kingdom’s throne, nearly giving up her life. The Empress would never abandon the country out of personal desire, nor would she condone Gu Xingchuan for personal feelings."
"Exactly, exactly," everyone started to agree, "We are fortunate in the Daxuan Kingdom to have such an eminent Emperor and Empress."
"Come on, come on, today we are in a good mood. Let’s drink and celebrate, wishing for more prosperity in the Daxuan Kingdom, long live the Emperor, long live the Empress!"
"To drink, to drink..."
A group of people joyfully left the crowd.
An Ning watched them and listened to their talks.
At this moment, there were still many commoners around the bulletin board whispering.
Most were words of great satisfaction.
Most were praises for her and Xiao Jinxing.
An Ning turned to look at Song Yanqing.
Did he just want to show her that executing Gu Xingchuan was a wise decision?!
Firstly, it preserved hers and Xiao Jinxing’s reputation.
Secondly, it conformed to the wishes of the people.
Song Yanqing met An Ning’s gaze and said frankly, "I know whatever I say, Empress thinks I’m making excuses, so I can only let the Empress personally feel the thoughts of the common people. The Emperor on the throne must comply with public opinion, stabilize the court, and truly achieve a peaceful nation."
"I acknowledge that Xiao Jinxing is a good Emperor, I have never felt that he has failed in his duty as an Emperor. The only thing he might have disappointed the officials and the people with is that he has merely set up an empty harem and hasn’t expanded the Daxuan Kingdom’s family line. But soon, for the sake of the country, Xiao Jinxing will favor the harem, and he will become the greatest Emperor in the history of the Daxuan Kingdom," An Ning spoke calmly.
Song Yanqing didn’t think the Empress truly acknowledges the Emperor.
"As a commoner, I would also be honored to have such a wise ruler worried about the world." An Ning smiled, "So, it’s only as a commoner that one can truly appreciate Xiao Jinxing’s goodness and truly feel proud and delighted for him."
"Empress..."
"Song Yanqing, I know your thoughts, but I am truly tired. I don’t want anyone to persuade me any further about the feelings between Xiao Jinxing and me. Actually, he knows better than anyone what our end is. You don’t need to worry about him; from the moment he chose the kingdom’s interests, he had already made his choice, and it won’t be as catastrophic as you think." An Ning said calmly.
It is only when one truly understands thoroughly that one can be so indifferent.
