There was still some time before dinner.

In the garden outside the queen’s chamber, Queen Yulia was wearing a white high-quality velvet dress with a crimson bird embroidered on it.

It was vivid and lifelike.

Her skin was very fair, but one could tell that she was old. Her snow-white hair was tied up behind her head, and her eyes were slightly sunken, making her dark blue eyes look deeper.

At the same time, he was wise and dignified.

There was a kind of quietness and elegance that belonged to an oriental woman. Standing there quietly was a kind of tranquility.

Without batting an eyelid, a sense of nobility and dominance seeped into her body.

There was a faint sense of familiarity.

The old granny trembled as she tried to put the cloak on her.

Queen Yulia reached out to grab the strap of her cloak and draped it over her shoulders.

Through the huge glass in front of her, her lips curled up slightly and her deep eyes looked extremely gentle.

“Leah, you should retire.”

Leah stood beside her and said respectfully, “Leah said that she would serve the queen forever.”

Queen Yulia smiled and looked down at the pair of gold and jade bracelets in her hand. She muttered softly,

“It’s time for me to retire.”

Leah’s gaze landed on Queen Yulia’s hand. She watched as her wrinkled fingers caressed the bracelet lovingly, as if she was caressing the delicate princess through them.

She sighed silently. After decades, she was used to seeing the queen like this.

Even now, she still couldn’t let it go?

Yes, the daughter she doted on the most had to be missed for the rest of her life.

However, one had to look forward to life, right?

No matter how much she missed him, he was already gone.

“Queen…”

Not far away from the window were a few children who had arrived early. They looked to be three or four years old and were carefully guarded by a few servants playing with the most exquisite toys.

There was no lack of love in Queen Yulia’s expression, but there was also unconcealable sadness.

“… I know I shouldn’t miss her. But every time I see my children and grandchildren at a gathering, I wonder what my daughter will look like if she’s alive now. Will she be married? Will she have her own children? Will she be a grandmother or grandmother now? I hope she won’t have a hard time… But I know that all of this is only a if because the truth is that she’s no longer in this world…”

Yulia’s voice began to choke. She raised her hand and placed the bracelet on her chest. Her lips trembled and her eyes were filled with tears.

Leah’s heart ached, but she couldn’t say much to comfort him.

All these years, she had tried.

However, she felt that comfort was more cruel.

At the very least, the princess was still alive in the queen’s heart. If she persuaded her to let it go, wouldn’t that mean that she wanted her to kill the princess in her heart?

She might as well remember that the princess had always been alive.

Tears blurred her vision and the figures of the few great-grandchildren playing in the courtyard gradually blurred into a shadow.

“Queen, you’re very happy now. Please put more love on the little prince and little princess.”

“It’s not the same.” Queen Yulia shook her head. “I can give them a lot of love, but I can’t give them my love for Phoenix. It’s not the same. It’s completely different. No one will take her place in my heart. No one can share my love for her. Yes, Leah, I admit it. I’m biased. I’m biased. If I could, I would give her everything I have. I’m that biased… I only want her to come back. I’ll give her anything if she comes back…”

Queen Yulia sobbed. Countless nights, countless times when she was alone, and countless times when she missed him, could not dull her love for Phoenix.

Leah was still at a loss.

He could only stand quietly beside her.

In the corridor leading to the garden, Ye Jingyun had brought Bailey along to please Queen Yulia.

In the end, the three of them heard what Queen Yulia had said.

Phoenix, Phineus. Translated: Phoenix.

Ji Fengmian.

As long as she comes back, I’ll give her anything…

What should he give her?

Was she the noble princess or the emperor of Country Y?

She knew.

If Ji Fengmian returned, her mother… no, her adoptive mother would definitely hand over the throne to him.

As long as Ji Fengmian wanted it.

She would definitely give it to him!

Based on what she had just said, she knew that there was no doubt about it.

Ye Jingyun clenched her fists tightly. Her nails dug into her palms, but she didn’t feel any pain!

Ji Fengmian had only been by her side for a few years, but she could not forget him!

It had been more than thirty years!

It had been more than thirty years since she was brought to the palace!

She stayed by her side every day to please her.

In the end, she couldn’t compare to her daughter who had died so long ago.

As long as she came back…

She couldn’t come back!

The only token was in her hand. Even if Ji Fengmian wanted to come back, he wouldn’t be able to!

As for what he wanted to give her, it could only be hers!

She had stayed by her side and served her. After being filial for so many years, she had given Ji Fengmian an obedience that he couldn’t.

Didn’t she deserve those things?

Moreover, she had been replacing Ji Fengmian all these years. Since she was replacing him, she had to replace him thoroughly, right?

Ji Fengmian couldn’t return. Even if he was alive, she wouldn’t be able to return.

Thinking of this, Ye Jingyun’s lips curled into a smug smile and her clenched fists gradually loosened.

At the side, Bei Xi had already pouted. “She’s been dead for decades. She should have forgotten by now. Why is there no end to it?”

“Shut up!” Ye Jingyun poked Bei Xi’s waist. “Can’t you see that Grandma is in a bad mood? Hurry up and coax her!”

Bei Xi was displeased. “So what if she coaxed me? I don’t think she likes me more!”

Although she said that, she still walked forward.

Bailey took two steps forward and stood in front of Ye Jingyun.

“Mother, why did you let them live? Aren’t you taking precautions? How can you guarantee that Grandma’s biological daughter won’t return?”

“If I want to do it, I have to do it unexpectedly. That woman is too wary of me now. If I force her, she might really rush to Country Y. It’s better not to blow things up. I can’t create any public opinion, especially at the critical moment of the succession!”