somewhat embarrassed."I'm sorry, miss. We didn't mean to.""We were scared off by the bandits in town, so whenever we see a tall man, we can't help but be afraid."At first glance, someone unfamiliar w...Chapter 1238: I'm Not You

When war reignites, the first to be caught in the crossfire and suffer are the people living on the borders of both countries.

"The Xi Xia soldiers are also your people. Don't you want to stop them from dying in such a pointless way"

"It's all because of the emperor's ambition, causing so many innocent lives to be lost in vain."

The eldest princess raised her hand to interrupt her.

"What use are these grand pronouncements to me If it had been twenty years ago, perhaps I could have stopped this. Now, look at my predicament."

"Your Majesty, your wings are fully formed. There is nothing we can do."

Fang Jinxiu shook her head dismissively.

"Who said you can't do anything, there are still many things you can do."

Fang Jinshi walked to the side of the Princess and whispered something in her ear. The Princess was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter.

"I'm old, you really have some guts!"

Immediately, she narrowed her eyes and even looked at Fang Jinshu with killing intent in her eyes, but this killing intent vanished in an instant.

"Besides, we hadn't actually reached that point. My husband and I were still thinking of retiring to Xizhou, living a peaceful life for the rest of our days. And besides, we wouldn't want to leave a world filled with war for our children."

Only then did the princess's expression improve slightly.

"Your Highness, have you ever been to the common folk" Fang Jinshu suddenly asked.

The Long Princess was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, “Of course I have.”

There was nostalgia in her eyes.

Fang Jinshi nodded, "It should be the time when Daxixi gave birth to Ayu after escaping from the palace."

The eldest princess wasn't surprised she knew about this. Since they had already figured out Zongyu's identity, it wasn't difficult to deduce these things either.

"Yes, though it was an escape, it was indeed a period of carefree freedom."

Upon hearing this, Fang Jinshu suddenly felt a bit sorry for Princess Ruoqing.

She was born into nobility and married a king. From beginning to end, she lived more luxuriously than any other woman.

But behind the splendor, there were countless constraints. Her life from birth was not free. She couldn't escape the struggle within the royal family. She thought she had chosen a relatively right path, but in the end, she was deceived and left with nothing. Even her last shred of value was squeezed dry, leading her to betray her own country and kin.

The struggle is unavoidable. My husband wasn't someone I chose willingly, and even having children is fraught with danger.

After barely escaping danger and returning to her homeland, she was imprisoned in the deepest part of the palace by her own brother who she had helped ascend to power. For over twenty years, she lived without freedom or friends.

Without family, there's nothing.

As soon as she thought of this, Fang Jinshu's tone softened considerably.

Your Highness, peace is hard-won, and the root of the people's suffering stems mostly from those in power.

You have spent so many years by the side of someone in high power, yet you never found a moment of inner peace and freedom. But it is among the broken and impoverished people that you find the joy of human fireworks.

"If the war continues unabated, this festive atmosphere will disappear, and our hearts will never find peace, wouldn't you agree"

The Long Princess let out a long sigh and looked up at the sky.

Today's weather is excellent, the sky is a bright blue with no clouds, and occasionally a few birds fly overhead.

It was so free and unrestrained.

"If the war is over, can I live freely"

Fang Jinshu did not agree immediately, she only said.

"That depends on what the lord chooses."

"You can never fully trust someone else's promises. All I can say is, Your Highness, if you are willing to leave Xixia with me after this is done, perhaps we could live a better life."

We have a large mountain in Xizhou, and there is a magnificent Jinxiu Mountain Villa inside the mountain.

"Today's development is quite magnificent. I wouldn't say it's a paradise, but the air in the mountains is fresh, the water is clear, and the people who live there are very free."

"Everyone rises with the sun and rests when it sets. Every day, as long as you work, you will receive a corresponding reward. When you are tired, there is a rest day. When you are sick, there is a clinic. Children also have schools to attend."

"Do whatever you want."

Occasionally, there are some trivial disputes, but most of the time in the mountains, there is more simple laughter.

"Your Highness is well-traveled and highly learned. If you went, you could even teach at the academy and give those younglings some lessons."

"Watching these seedlings grow from such tiny points to maturity is both interesting and fulfilling."

"There, no matter what you do, you have a genuine sense of accomplishment. There is no scheming or backstabbing, nor corruption and injustice."

Fang Jinshi's description of the painting was truly beautiful, so beautiful that Princess Chang imagined the scene at Jinshi Mountain Villa in her mind, her face full of longing.

"What a wonderful place, is there really such a place in the world"

"Of course," Fang Jinshu smiled and nodded.

"Since I've come to this world and given birth to Yuánbǎo, Mother wouldn't leave her son a terrible world after she dies."

"Always leave some good things for him to support him along the way."

"Yuan Bao's identity means his future path won't be easy. As grandmother, you should lend a hand, wouldn't you What do you say"

The Long Princess let out a soft chuckle.

"Having said all that, your goal isn't to get me to help you rebel, is it"

Fang Jinshu's face turned pale, and she reminded the Crown Princess.

"Your Highness, you mustn't speak like that so openly. Be careful, walls have ears."

The crown princess smiled, "What are you afraid of Even if you openly spread this news to the emperor right now, he wouldn't believe I have the ability to rebel."

In his eyes, I was already a failure.

Fang Jinshu didn't think much of it, "Your status as a prince means you can never be associated with the word 'waste'. Jinshu still believes in your abilities."

The long princess unexpectedly glanced at her, “You’re flattering me now Why didn’t you flatter me sooner If you had flattered me earlier, maybe I would have agreed to your request.”

Fang Jinshui's mouth twitched silently again.

She's taking advantage and acting spoiled! This princess-mother-in-law is much harder to please than anyone at home.

Still, the Mu family is better. They are gentle and caring towards her like spring water, pampering and loving their younger generation.

Well, never mind. After all, who are we to question a birth mother The debt one owes to their parents is greater than heaven. If it weren't for the Princess Consort's decisive action back then, there wouldn't be someone named Zong Yu in this world today.

She had nothing to say, and didn't dare to retort.

"His Highness's lesson was, that day after day I should come and pat myself" Let me know if you have any other text you'd like translated!

The Long Princess looked at her with a look of one teaching a child, nodding up and down with a satisfied smile.

"That's right, after all, I am your mother-in-law. It wouldn't be reasonable for a daughter-in-law to flatter her mother-in-law, would it"

If you don't cooperate and shoot well, be careful. I might tell Ah Yu about your behavior and stir up trouble between you two.

Fang Jinxiu really wanted to retort, "You can pick whatever you want, if you win I'll admit you're amazing."

"Come on, go see the little guy you're supposed to support."

"Are you sure this isn't the old path I used to take That boy is, after all, of Helqing's blood. He might just turn his back on us if he ascends the throne."

Fang Jinshi replied softly, “I’m not you.”

"What did you say"isplay.The emperor knew he had such a son, but he didn't know what he looked like, how old he was, what his temperament was like, or what he had done. He didn't care.Although Fu Ming gained some atten...