The Legend of Zhen Huan: Year after year, we share the spring breeze

Chapter 171 Dreamland

A moment later, Qi Yuebin slowly emerged, dressed in a pale pink nightgown. The gown, light and thin like gauze, fluttered with her steps, accentuating her frail form, making it seem as if a single gust of wind would tip her over. Seeing this, Jixiang hurried to Concubine Duan's side, carefully supporting her precarious figure, fearing she would fall to the ground.

Qi Yuebin looked at the person in front of him in surprise, but did not speak.

One of them was inside the door, the other was outside, standing quietly.

Nian Shilan was bathed in moonlight, her face shrouded in shadow; Qi Yuebin faced the moonlight, his expression calm and gentle.

After an unknown amount of time, Qi Yuebin gradually realized that something was amiss. Based on past experience, Nian Shilan would undoubtedly storm into the hall, point at his nose and curse, and then leave in a haughty manner.

At this moment, although she couldn't see Nian Shilan's expression clearly, she could feel the loneliness of the person in front of her.

"What's wrong with you?" Qi Yuebin spoke first and asked softly.

As soon as these words came out, Nian Shilan suddenly felt like crying.

When she first entered the palace, she was not used to the palace's red tape because of her lively personality. Yixiu, who had just been promoted to the position of concubine, would occasionally remind her to pay attention to etiquette. Concubine Qi, who had entered the palace earlier than her, would also laugh at her like a crazy girl. When she was unhappy, she would go to Concubine Duan, and Concubine Duan would gently ask her, just like she did now: What's wrong with you?

Seeing that she was still silent, Qi Yuebin sighed silently, "Come in first!"

The legs seemed to have their own will and followed Concubine Duan into the bedroom.

Jixiang helped Qi Yuebin sit on the bed, put two pillows behind her, and then went out of the hall with Songzhi.

Nian Shilan leaned against her and sat on the edge of the bed.

Neither of them spoke, they just sat there silently, as if time had stood still!

Finally, Qi Yuebin was the first to break the silence.

She raised her head slightly, stared straight at Nian Shilan's back, and asked softly, "Do you know?" Although it was a question, her tone was firm.

Hearing this, Nian Shilan was slightly stunned at first, then nodded gently and uttered an inaudible "hmm".

"Your child..."

"I know it's not you!"

Time passed minute by minute, and after this oppressive atmosphere lasted for a moment, Nian Shilan's low and slightly guilty voice slowly came: "I'm sorry..."

These three simple words are filled with endless regret and self-blame.

Qi Yuebin didn't say anything. After a moment, he asked, "What are you going to do?"

Nian Shilan choked up and said, "I don't know!"

Qi Yuebin clutched the bed sheet tightly, his knuckles turning white.

After saying these few words, the two had no further communication.

After an unknown amount of time, Songzhi cautiously walked into the palace: "Your Majesty, it's time to go back. It's already Yin time, and dawn will soon be here!"

Nian Shilan stood up and let Songzhi help her put on her cloak. Then she turned and looked into Qi Yuebin's eyes, but quickly looked away. She lowered her head and said, "I...I'm leaving. Take care of yourself."

After saying that, he turned around and walked out.

Before I even reached the door, I heard a voice behind me: "Don't act rashly. Give me some time to sort it out. Come back tonight!"

Nian Shilan turned around, shedding two big tears, and said softly, "Okay!"

After she left, Qi Yuebin slowly lay down on the bed with her eyes slightly closed. After an unknown amount of time, she seemed to have entered an illusory dream.

"Sister Yue, Sister Yue!"

A clear, melodious voice echoed in his ears. Qi Yuebin looked up and saw a woman dressed in a pale red palace dress. She had a graceful figure and a beautiful face, especially her bright, star-like eyes, which shone with an innocent light. In her hand, she held a bright, vibrant red peony and ran towards him with a smile on her face.

When she got closer, the woman gently reached out and pulled the book out of her hand. Then she held the beautiful peony flower to her nose and asked in a gentle voice, "Sister Yue, please smell it. Does it smell good?"

Qi Yuebin smiled slightly, took a deep breath and replied softly, "It smells good, not only does it smell good, it also looks good."

Hearing this, the woman smiled even more brightly, inserted the peony flower into Qi Yuebin's bun, tilted her head to look at it carefully for a moment, and then said happily: "Sister is more beautiful than this flower!" After that, she turned around and ran away, leaving only a string of silver bell-like laughter echoing in the air.

The scene changes.

"Sister, Mother asked the imperial physician in the palace to prescribe a pregnancy-maintaining medicine for Sister Lan. I've already asked someone to prepare it. You can bring it to Sister Lan. You two are the best friends in this palace, so you can just chat with her."

The person in front of me was dignified and gentle, with a smile on his face.

"Yes, Fujin!"

Inside the room, Nian Shilan was dozing off with a book in her arms. Seeing her coming, a smile instantly broke out on her face. She hurried over, muttering, "Sister, you're here! I'm so bored! When my child is born, can you help me teach him? You're well-educated and have read every book imaginable. The prince always says I don't like reading, but I really can't finish this book!"

"Okay, drink the medicine first!"

Nian Shilan picked up the bowl of steaming pregnancy-maintaining medicine and drank it slowly.

"Is it painful?"

"It's bitter... But it won't be bitter if I eat a piece of the glutinous rice cake my sister gave me!"

An hour later, she knelt in the courtyard, her back straight. Maids and maids came and went, and bursts of heart-wrenching sobs could be heard from the room.

The scene changed again.

Nian Shilan led a group of people into the hall in a menacing manner, with raging anger and deep resentment flashing in her beautiful eyes, as if she wanted to burn the people in front of her to ashes.

The eunuchs who had come with Nian Shilan quickly rushed forward and held her arms tightly. One of them held up a bowl of orange-yellow liquid with a faint floral scent, mercilessly pinched her chin, forcibly pried open her tightly closed lips, and poured the entire bowl of liquid into her mouth.

She cried heart-wrenchingly and her voice was hoarse, and her tears burst out like a flood.

After lying in bed for two months, she was no longer able to have children.

Qi Yuebin suddenly opened his eyes, looked at the surrounding environment, his eyes slowly focused, and he touched the sweat on his forehead. It turned out to be a dream.