Reunion of a second chance

Chapter 26

The Emperor got better quickly while being taken care of by the Blind Concubine. Just as they had agreed, they started completely anew. Even if it was hard to forget the past, both of them were trying their best.

Luckily, it was working, somehow. And the Emperor could not be any happier.

Once he was well enough, he decided to make good on his promise. Even though the Blind concubine had not explicitly asked him for this, the Emperor believed that this was the only chance they could have to restart their lives.

He called his little brother to talk to him. The child who had once been clinging to the Emperor and asking him to play with him, had long grown into a strong, cultivated and well-versed young man. The perfect candidate for the next Emperor.

The young man was greatly surprised to hear that the Emperor wanted to abdicate and leave the country in his capable hands. He did not however try to convince him to do otherwise. He was ready for this.

It was not because the Emperor's younger brother harboured any ill intentions as the Emperor himself had once had towards their father. No, far from that actually. The young man was very wise for his age and also incredibly understanding and compassionate.

For the last seven years, he had seen how the Emperor could not leave the Blind Concubine's side and he understood what that meant despite his still young age.

He had also seen his brother this past month, how he was suffering and wanting to get the Blind Concubine back. Now his wish had come true and the Emperor's brother could not hold it against the Emperor for wanting to stay by the Blind concubine's side.

The Emperor found it very easy to convince his brother to take on the role of the Emperor. It was harder to talk to his mother and to the officials at the court, but they heeded to his orders in the end as well.

Now, just as the Blind Concubine had suggested to do, he was just a normal man. He had no status anymore and there was nothing to hold him back from spending the rest of his days with the Blind Concubine. They could go back to their simple life of the Blind Concubine and 'Chime'.

The only thing which would change would be that the Emperor would not play a mute anymore. He wanted to talk with the Blind Concubine. He wanted them to understand each other and discuss everything and anything they would need and want. The Emperor did not want the Blind Concubine to feel alone ever again.

Yes, he would dedicate the rest of his life to making his beloved Blind Concubine happy. The Emperor knew that he could not fully erase what he had done. After all, the Blind Concubine would bear the consequences of his despicable act of taking his sight away for the rest of his life.

However, since he was offered a second chance, he wanted to make the most out of it. He wanted to devote himself to the Blind Concubine entirely. And hopefully, some day, they would be able to actually forget and look towards the future without being burdened by their past.

***

Wen Mu Yan was sitting in a comfortable soft chair and basking in the afternoon sun. He was holding his cat in his lap and stroking it lazily. It was a beautiful day even though Wen Mu Yan could not see it with his own eyes. He was quite relaxed and waiting for Riu Xuan to finish cooking and come sit with him.

Since they had moved from the imperial palace to this small house, apparently not far from the capital but still not close enough for them to be disturbed, Wen Mu Yan was the happiest ever. He finally had the freedom he had been wishing for for almost two decades. He also had the one he loved, Riu Xuan, by his side. There was nothing more he could ever wish for.

Wen Mu Yan, as he had told himself, did not think about his past too often. There was so much for him now to look forward to in the future that he did not want to tarnish it with unhappy thoughts.

The same went for Riu Xuan. After they had left the palace, he had never mentioned his past either. He even grew a small beard – very weird to touch if you asked Wen Mu Yan – to disguise himself. It worked, no one ever asked him if he was perhaps the previous emperor.

Wen Mu Yan and Riu Xuan lived in a small house, just big enough for the two of them and their cat. They spent their days by tending to a vegetable garden, going out on walks or into a nearby village where everyone knew them by now, or just sitting around and relaxing.

Their life was as peaceful as it could get. Wen Mu Yan was the happiest he had ever been, not even during his time with 'Chime' had he felt this free and content.

Their life was also quite simple and uncomplicated. All their needs were provided for and they did not have to work unless they decided to. They were neither poor nor rich, they had just what the two of them needed, nothing more and nothing less. It was truly a blissful existence.

And the best thing in all of this was that Wen Mu Yan was in love with Riu Xuan and the other returned those feelings. They would often just sit on the soft chair, Wen Mu Yan in Riu Xuan's arms, and enjoy their peace and each other's loving presence.

Wen Mu Yan turned his head and smiled when he heard steps coming closer from behind him. Riu Xuan must have finished cooking their meal and was now coming to get him. A fresh wave of almost overwhelming happiness and love swelled up in Wen Mu Yan's heart.

Before Wen Mu Yan could get up from his soft chair, Riu Xuan kissed him on his forehead, then on the lips, and helped him to stand up. He caressed Wen Mu Yan's cheek and gave it another sweet kiss for a good measure.

Wen Mu Yan laughed happily and he returned the favour. Luckily, he had already a little bit more experience so he was able to kiss his lover properly even without seeing him.

Then, Wen Mu Yan let himself be guided inside their small house. They did not rush, they had their whole lives to enjoy each other's company.

Finally the happy ending I have promissed!

Thank you very much for reading this even though it was of a little different style than my other books. I have not expected this to be so long, but well, it somehow happened without me noticing. I hope you have enjoyed the story nevertheless.

If you feel like it, I would be happy to hear what you thought about they story :)