Eternal Love: A Love Story Chapter 786 - No Regrets. The End!!

The following day arrived, and Liwei observed Xie Ming at the wheel, motioning for her to take the passenger seat. Though she had recently obtained her license, this marked her inaugural drive with him, venturing to an unknown destination.

"Xie Ming, where exactly are we headed? We've been driving for an hour now," he inquired, a hint of bewilderment coloring his voice. Her insistence on this mysterious outing today left him completely in the dark.

Xie Ming gripped the steering wheel with both hands, her focus intently fixed on the road ahead. She blinked upon hearing his words. Despite having passed her driving test, this was her first official journey with him, and her palms were slick with sweat.

She wanted to respond, but her nervousness was so profound that she feared any utterance might distract her, potentially causing a collision with the car in front.

Noticing her palpable anxiety, Liwei pressed his lips together and fell silent. He took a deep, steadying breath, his hand tightening around the overhead grab handle, a silent prayer for a safe arrival upon his lips.

-

Another hour elapsed before Xie Ming finally maneuvered the car to a stop. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. "We've finally arrived."

Liwei, who had been holding his breath, exhaled sharply, relieved to have reached their destination in one piece. His gaze swept over the location of their stop, his eyebrows rising in surprise. He turned to face her, his expression one of astonishment. "This..."

A smile bloomed on her face. "Isn't it incredible? I wanted to visit here with you once," she stated, unbuckling her seatbelt before exiting the vehicle.

Liwei followed, rendered speechless by the sight of the Ji palace. Once a desolate ruin, it had been meticulously rebuilt into a magnificent structure. Guards stood sentinel at the entrance, its transformation into a tourist attraction complete, with a museum now housed within its walls, showcasing the artifacts unearthed from the Ji Dynasty over the years.

The last time they had been here was during the ritual to break the curse's cycle. As it was nighttime then, his vision had been obscured. Now, however, gazing upon it in daylight, he found it far more splendid and beautiful than any depiction he had encountered in photographs or newspaper articles.

"Let's go." With a gentle nudge to his forehead, Xie Ming led the way into the palace after purchasing their tickets. The irony was not lost on her: she, the former Empress of the Ji Dynasty, had to pay for entry into the very palace she once called home.

-

[ The Ji Dynasty is revered by historians as a hidden treasure. It was only in recent times that this secluded palace, long lost to ruin, was discovered. During its reconstruction, its history remained largely unknown due to a scarcity of records. However, over the past few years, numerous journals and documents penned by the Ji Dynasty's Empress have come to light, detailing significant events, the inner workings of the palace and the harem, as well as the nation's political and economic landscape with remarkable precision.]

[ This dynasty is celebrated not only for its formidable power and progressive policies but also for the legendary love story between Emperor Ji Cheng and Empress Zhao Ming. In her personal writings, she referred to the Emperor of the Ji Dynasty as 'Empress's slave.' Together, the Emperor and Empress enacted crucial policies to uplift women and abolished the prevalent practice of polygamy among royalty and nobility.]

Xie Ming listened impassively as the tour guide recounted the palace's history and its occupants. Such revelations held no surprise for her, knowing Zhao Ming's capabilities. Her earlier encounter with Zhao Ming had already revealed the Empress's extraordinary ability to challenge Ji Cheng and treat him with remarkable casualness.

Such audacity was uniquely Zhao Ming's.

-

[ Among the Ji Dynasty's many accomplishments, the establishment of a medical institution during Emperor Ji Cheng's reign stands out as particularly commendable. This was the first of its kind, dedicated to training aspiring physicians.

The institution, named the Bai Medical School, honored Master Zhao Bai, a historical figure renowned as the 'Master of Oriental Medicine' for his groundbreaking contributions. Although the medical school was eventually destroyed by a flood, its profound significance is vividly preserved in the accounts within Empress Zhao Ming's journals.]

Liwei's lips thinned as he heard the name of Zhao Ming's father. He cast a glance at Xie Ming, standing beside him, her eyes reflecting a soft luminescence as she absorbed the guide's narrative. She had never anticipated such a discovery. Her father's unjust demise had weighed heavily upon her, but learning that a medical school bore his name brought a measure of peace. Though his end was unfair, he was now recognized historically as a master of medicine.

With no words spoken, he placed a hand on her shoulders, drawing her near and rubbing her arm in a comforting gesture.

He felt he wasn't in a position to lecture her, given the vast unknowns he still faced. However, he understood that what she needed at this moment wasn't a barrage of words, but rather the solace of silence – a quiet space for her to reflect on her past and release the memories that held her captive.

They remained there, absorbing the guide's explanations, enveloped in a shared, comforting silence.

**

[This grand chamber within the palace was known as the Lotus Pavilion, the former residence of Empress Zhao Ming before her relocation to the main palace alongside Emperor Ji Cheng. Following their move, this area was repurposed as a workshop where she meticulously crafted soaps and cosmetics, which were then distributed to the market. She etched her name in history as the pioneering businesswoman who defied societal norms, rising as a formidable woman and inspiring other consorts to pursue work and financial independence, thereby cultivating self-assurance.]

A gentle, surprised smile graced Xie Ming's lips as the tourist guide's words revealed the history of the Lotus Pavilion, a place that had once been her own chambers.

Though it appeared less opulent than in its prime and bore the marks of reconstruction, an undeniable energy still permeated the space, a sense she could vividly feel.

Noticing her lost expression, Liwei remarked unexpectedly, "Seeing this place makes me want to spoil you even more."

She blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. "What do you mean?"

He drew closer, his voice a low whisper, "My wife once resided in such a magnificent palace. If I cannot rival that status in terms of wealth, then my actions must lead the way. I refuse to let you harbor any regrets for choosing me over your former world," he stated with utmost seriousness.

Her gaze met his, and a smile bloomed. "My only regret in this life is not being born into this world sooner to meet you. Otherwise, everything is absolutely perfect. I am content with you, and while Xie Ming has immortalized my name in history with great achievements in that other world, I am winning on both fronts, you see." She gave a playful wink, eliciting a chuckle from him.

"It couldn't be any better than this," she murmured, her arm encircling his once more. She let out a contented sigh, gazing dreamily at the Lotus chamber.