Alternative Ending to Love Like the Galaxy (Ver 1)

New Palace Life

Night had fallen when Shao Shang arrived at the cold palace, this was where Empress Quan locked herself in. Shao Shang pushed the door open and helped light up the room. Empress Quan squinted, she then raised one of her hands to block out the light. Shao Shang called out to her gently, Empress Quan slowly put her hand down. Shao Shang ran throwing herself into Empress Quan's gentle embracement the moment their eyes met. Shao Sheng began pouring tears. She cried, letting out all the emotions she had been bottling up since Huo Buyi's abandonment. That night, Shao Shang cried herself to sleep in the embracement of Empress Quan.

In the morning, Empress Quan ordered breakfast and took care of Shao Shang. Both of them did not talk about anything else. Their conversation was simply about meals, hobbies and entertainment. They spent time together just like any other mother and daughter. On the nights of those less busy days, Shao Shang would drink herself to sleep. Thus, Empress Quan instructed her close maid to let Shao Shang take over the responsibility of managing the Empress's living quarters in the shortest possible time. Shao Shang nursed Empress Quan back to good health while the Empress helped heal Shao Shang's soul as much as possible.

Day after day, week after week, in a blink of an eye, Shao Shang had brightened up the lives of the cold palace. At the beginning of the second month, Shao Shang started to bring Empress Quan out on hot spring trips, they tried out new recipes together and Shao Shang also invented tools to improve the efficiency of gardeners. By the third month, Shao Shang and Empress Quan would often disguise themselves as merchants donating those invented tools to the farmers. Despite the bitterness, both Empress Quan and Shao Shang would like to make a difference in the lives of the commoners. With these inventions, Shao Shang would like to change one life at a time. With each accomplishment, Empress Quan's health also seemed to get better too.

One day, during a hot spring trip, Shao Shang shared with the Empress that she was feeling very happy for the Empress seemed to be in better health. The Empress stroke Shao Shang's face. Empress Quan said, 'I hope time will heal your pain and happiness will always be with you. Shao Shang do not be cruel to yourself, let go and you can move forward.' All of a sudden, Shao Shang blacked out in the hot spring. The Empress called for assistance and the village physician.

The village physician arrived shortly after Shao Shang was carried into the room. While reading her pulse, the physician shared that Shao Shang was three months pregnant. The physician said, 'She is almost at the end of the first trimester, however, she should not be soaking in the hot spring for an extended period of time. She should rest in bed for the next few days.' The physician added that the foetus was very strong. He had prescribed packets of soup to strengthen Shao Shang's body constitution before taking his leave. Once again, silence fell in the room.

Huo Buyi's most competent bodyguard, Liang Qiu Qi, caught hold of the physician and learnt about the incident. He did not want to jump to conclusions. Yet at the back of his mind, he could not shake off his suspicion. Liang Qiu Qi kept on telling himself, that the physician did not know the name of whom he had treated. The hot spring was also filled with other patrons. Thus, the pregnant lady could be anyone.

On the other hand, the empress sent words to the palace that they would return only a few days later. She instructed her close maid to prepare dinner and soup for Shao Shang. The Empress said to the maid, 'Seal the news, let me talk to her, perhaps find out more before taking the next step, before planning ahead.' The Empress tear as she sat beside Shao Shang, stroking her head gently.