Transmigrated As My Former Uncle's Sweetheart Chapter 1833 End - 1833 The End

1833 The End

Hexin abruptly shoved a snack into Yuan You’s mouth, nearly making her choke.

Right at that moment, a cup of water showed up right in front of her.

She coughed fiercely without noticing who offered the water, grabbed the cup, and gulped it down.

Hexin got startled by the incident and hurriedly patted Yuan You’s back to help.

Yuan You finally quit coughing. She set the cup aside and shot Hexin a pitiful glance. “Cousin Hexin, you nearly got me killed in this strange land.”

Hexin felt a bit guilty at first, but her brows furrowed at those words. She scolded Yuan You softly. “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Yuan You clamped her mouth shut awkwardly, clutching the empty cup while glancing rightward. That’s when she spotted Qi Heng seated beside her.

Staring at the cup she held, shock flickered in her eyes as a memory hit her.

“You… You…”

Qi Heng eyed her. “What’s up?”

“Did you pour that water for me earlier?” Yuan You nibbled her lip and murmured.

“Yes, it was me,” Qi Heng replied. He joked, “You’re right beside me. Could I really let you choke to death?”

Hearing this wiped away any goodwill Yuan You had for him. She shoved the cup back toward him with a blank face. “Thanks a lot for not letting me choke to death, then.”

Qi Heng fell quiet as her lovely face soured. He inwardly kicked himself. He wasn’t normally like this, yet around this girl, he couldn’t resist poking fun at her.

“Okay, don’t get upset. It’s on me. I was only joking—no harm meant.” Qi Heng placed a chunk of meat into her bowl to show his honesty, speaking in a warm tone.

Yuan You paused in surprise, then promptly scooped the meat back into his bowl. She declared stubbornly, “I won’t eat anything from you.”

Qi Heng’s gaze intensified. A faint smile curved his lips as he picked up the returned meat with his chopsticks. Gently, he said, “If you won’t, I will. Funny how it’s my favorite dish. Thanks for this, Miss Yuan.”

Yuan You fumed at his words.

Hexin whispered into her ear, “Didn’t you use your chopsticks to eat? And now you put food into his bowl with them.”

Only then did it strike Yuan You what Hexin meant. She whipped her head toward Qi Heng.

Yuan You’s cheeks flushed quietly at the sight.

Lunch was a joyful affair for everyone, filled with nonstop laughter.

Lu Liangwei felt fantastic and downed a small cup of wine, ignoring Long Yang’s attempts to stop her.

Just as he predicted, a touch of drunkenness hit her after the meal ended.

To protect Lu Liangwei’s image, Long Yang ushered the others out swiftly, then scooped her up and headed to the bedchamber.

Qi Heng was leaving the Palace, so Hexin asked him to see He’an and Yuan You safely back to the coaching inn.

Once they were gone from sight, Hexin went back to the Eastern Palace alongside Long Yin.

No sooner had she sat than Long Yin’s hand started stroking her thigh.

The man’s hot palm warmed her through the fabric. Startled by the contact, she blushed deeply and seized his hand fast.

“Don’t, Big Bro Long Yin…”

Her words cut off abruptly.

It wasn’t what she assumed. Long Yin was simply massaging her.

“I saw your legs shaking when you carried Xin’er at the Grand Phoenix Palace. Does it hurt badly?” Long Yin raised his gaze, looking at her with affection.

Hexin relaxed, her flush fading bit by bit. She bit her lip. “It’s not too painful, just weak and achy…”

Long Yin stayed quiet. Thinking of last night, he realized he might have overdone it.

Embarrassment crept over him. His deep eyes half-closed as he murmured lowly, “I’ll take more care next time.”

His promise melted Hexin’s heart, easing some of the ache he caused. She took his hand, blinked up at him tenderly. “Alright.”

She was very tolerant of him like this. After all, he’d never been with a woman before. It was natural for him to be eager in bed post-wedding. Yet he cared for her feelings, restrained himself, and that satisfied Hexin completely.

Long Yin pressed a kiss to her forehead and drew her close into his embrace.

A few days later, Yuan You and He’an headed back to the Yan Kingdom. Notably, Qi Heng offered to escort them himself.

Long Yin and Hexin understood his plans perfectly yet kept silent on the matter. Success in wedding his dream girl depended entirely on him.

Beitang You and Yaoyao didn't linger much longer. They headed back to the Yan Kingdom after about half a month.

Lu Liangwei worried at first over the lengthy trip since Yaoyao was merely a bit over a month into her pregnancy. Luckily, her health stayed strong with minimal morning sickness, and with Yaoyao's firm desire to go home, Lu Liangwei relented.

Chu Qi departed for West Water Frontier a few days later, taking his wife and daughter along.

Now all grown and wedded, they couldn't remain by her side for long stretches.

Long Yang sensed her subtle sadness. Without a care for onlookers, he pulled her into his embrace. Gently patting her back, he murmured, “Don’t be sad over their departure. You’ll reunite soon enough.” He lightly tapped her nose while teasing, “In a few more months, you’ll be a grandmother once again. Buck up. I’ll join you then to see Yaoyao in the Yan Kingdom.”

Caught off guard by his sudden hug, Lu Liangwei’s gloom from her daughters’ farewells lifted instantly. Blushing, she softly scolded, “What do you think you’re doing?” Hadn’t he seen Yin’er and Hexin standing right there? Hugging her so boldly!

Long Yang cast his gaze downward at her. His almond eyes crinkled at the sight of her flushed cheeks, a faint smile curving his lips. Far from releasing her, he drew her even closer.

Lu Liangwei shot a look at her son and daughter-in-law, embarrassment flooding her. As he grew bolder still and she dared not scold loudly, she could only sneak a pinch at his waist, signaling him to ease up.

Yet Long Yang paid no heed, dipping his head to plant a kiss on her forehead.

Lu Liangwei, “…”

Was he intoxicated? But he hadn’t touched a drop today.

Hexin squirmed uncomfortably at the display, surprise flickering through her. Never had she imagined her parents-in-law showing such affection right before her eyes.

She’d long known her father-in-law showered her mother-in-law with deep affection, yet in front of the young ones, he always maintained a grave, majestic air, never unveiling this tender facet.

For the first time, she beheld their public intimacy, stunning her into staring blankly.

She was utterly shocked!

After a moment, Hexin recovered and tugged Long Yin’s sleeve.

Long Yin grew a tad annoyed watching his parents’ display. Couldn’t they tone it down a bit with the juniors present?

Only when Hexin pulled his sleeve did the message sink in. He cleared his throat lightly and announced politely, “Father, Mother, with nothing more, Hexin and I will take our leave.”

“Off you go,” Long Yang approved with a nod.

Lu Liangwei sighed in relief once her son and daughter-in-law departed. Her face still burned red as she shot Long Yang a shy glare. “What got into you earlier? Not worried about embarrassing yourself before the kids?”

Still unwilling to release her, Long Yang hugged her close and confessed warmly, “I’m simply overjoyed, Weiwei.”

“Overjoyed about what?” Lu Liangwei blinked in surprise, puzzled by his joy. Her daughters had returned after so long, only to depart after a brief reunion. She still ached from it, yet he beamed with happiness.

“The kids have all matured, building their own families. It’s high time I step down from the throne,” Long Yang declared emotionally, draping an arm over her shoulders as they strolled into the garden.

Lu Liangwei gazed at the garden’s vibrant blooms and blinked at his words. Lifting her head, she met his eyes. “Are you serious about abdicating?”

Long Yang grinned. “You doubt my words?”

Lu Liangwei had always realized his distaste for clinging to authority, but at merely forty-eight, in his peak years, surrendering power was no small matter.

“You’re still quite youthful, in my view.”

Her remark brightened Long Yang’s mood. “Truly? I’ve been lamenting how aged I feel lately.”

Lu Liangwei glanced sideways at him. “You’re not old until you hit seventy or eighty.”

Long Yang's face lit up with a joyful smile. He stretched out his hand to gently stroke her hair, then suddenly turned his gaze toward her. His voice softened as he said, “Weiwei, gray hairs are starting to appear on my head and I’m truly no longer young. I want to spend my remaining days by your side. I want to watch the sunrise and sunset together, journey to the ends of the earth with you, and explore everywhere hand in hand.”

A wave of sadness and warmth washed over Lu Liangwei upon hearing his words. She realized that his wish to step down from the throne came from a desire to share more time with her.

Even as she softly scolded him, her heart instantly melted. “Nonsense. You’re still so young. You’re not old at all.”

Long Yang chuckled lightly. “Yes, I’m not old at all, but Weiwei, I’ve given enough to Great Shang over these years. It’s time for me to take a break. Yin’er can now stand on his own feet. Not only is he married, but everyone also recognizes his talents. If I keep putting off retiring from the throne, it won’t do him any favors. The long wait might erode his drive, turning him mediocre or extreme. I can easily hand over everything and let Great Shang pass to him.”

What mattered most to him was devoting his remaining years to staying with Weiwei. He longed to wander the world beside her and savor the most stunning sights together. Because of him, she had stayed cooped up in the imperial harem for so many years, unable to roam freely. Now was the moment for Long Yang to whisk her away on travels across the world and embrace a peaceful life side by side.

Lu Liangwei listened quietly to his words. She understood his feelings completely. Though deeply moved, she said little. Instead, she took his hand and replied, “Alright. I’ll go along with your decision since you’ve set your mind on it.”

“Okay.” Long Yang pulled her into his embrace as they strolled gracefully through the flowers, venturing deeper into the garden.

…

That year, Long Yang made his announcement to abdicate the throne, allowing his son, Long Yin, to take it over.

Once he retired as Emperor, Long Yang no longer meddled in court affairs. With his heavy responsibilities lifted, he traveled freely across the lands with Lu Liangwei, savoring a life of unbound ease and joy.