Xiao Qing’Er knew that the two wanted to talk privately, so she immediately exited the palace and waited outside to prevent anyone from disturbing them.

The curtains were drawn, making the interior of the palace quite dim. The yellowish lamp light cast onto Yunxi’s lamb-fat jade-like cheeks, radiant and delicate, though her weary appearance diminished some of her charm.

Her faint sandalwood lips curved with a hint of annoyance, her bulging chest gently moved with her breathing, and she turned her head to the side, avoiding Chen Mo’s gaze.

Even though there were no words, Chen Mo’s language seemed like an invitation for an explanation, a coaxing plea...

Chen Mo walked over, his hand behind his back moving slightly, revealing the prepared agate bracelet. He sat beside Yunxi, tightly close, embraced her shoulder, and turned her face toward him:

"I had no choice but to adopt this measure. Yunxi, you should understand Lord An Yang. If we didn’t take this approach, he would continue to cede territories in exchange for peace..."

As he said this, he grasped Yunxi’s jade hand, putting the agate bracelet on her, and continued, "Seems my judgment was spot on; this bracelet truly suits you."

Xiao Yunxi twisted her shoulder, pulling her hand away from Chen Mo’s grip but didn’t remove the agate bracelet. She angrily said, "I understand, but why didn’t you discuss it with me beforehand?"

"This all happened so suddenly. Moreover, this is a grave matter. Even a slightest leak would have undone everything we’ve worked for."

"Don’t you trust me?" Xiao Yunxi’s eyes widened, tears glistening.

"..."

"How could I not." Chen Mo quickly shook his head.

But honestly speaking, Chen Mo indeed had a bit of concern in his heart.

No matter what, Xiao Yunqi is her biological father. Although she loves him, she also loves her father. If Chen Mo were to tell her in advance, it would force her to make a choice between the two, which is clearly a painful thing for her.

If Yunxi leaned slightly towards Xiao Yunqi, the plan would be completely destroyed.

Now that everything was settled, Yunxi didn’t have to face such a painful decision. When she confronts Xiao Yunqi later, she can fully say she didn’t know.

Because she truly didn’t know.

"You’re just..." Xiao Yunxi cried nonetheless. After all, he is her own father; how could she not be emotionally affected?

"I didn’t distrust you, truly." Chen Mo drew Xiao Yunxi into his embrace once more, refusing to admit he didn’t trust her, and then said, "It’s all my fault. If you have any resentment, vent it on me. You can hit me..."

This time, Xiao Yunxi merely struggled symbolically, then her small fists began to pound onto Chen Mo’s chest, crying loudly, her tears soaking through Chen Mo’s robe.

Chen Mo gently patted Xiao Yunxi’s back, softly comforting her.

After a while, Xiao Yunxi looked up and met Chen Mo’s eyes, asking, "Father... how... how is he?"

"There is no life danger. I’ve already sent someone to serve him good food and drink."

"He is, after all... my father. I don’t want him to spend the rest of his life in the Celestial Prison. You must release him."

"Alright. I’ll personally release him. However, he... he seems to know about you and me."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunxi was startled, her tears suddenly halting. But she had long been prepared for this; she wasn’t panicked upon hearing it. After contemplating, she said:

"I... I’ll go with you."

"Mm." Chen Mo nodded slightly.

"Also, remove the Imperial Guard surrounding the Xiao Mansion. My mother is aged and cannot withstand such fright."

"Okay."

"Moreover, let this matter end here, you... you must not hold the Xiao Family accountable anymore."

"Fine, I’ll do as you say. Anything else?"

Xiao Yunxi shook her head, then said to Chen Mo, "Do you think I’m being unreasonable, even though they did such a big wrong, I... I still ask you to let him go..."

"It’s only human nature. Moreover, they’re my relatives too." Chen Mo kissed Xiao Yunxi’s forehead gently.

Xiao Yunxi blushed, wiping her tears with her hand, somewhat hesitantly said, "Now that you’re above all others, what do you... plan to do next?"

Chen Mo playfully tapped her nose with his finger, half-jokingly said, "Want to be an Empress?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunxi was stunned, then slapped Chen Mo’s hand away angrily, "I’m talking business with you."

"I’m talking business too." Chen Mo became serious.

He had no grand ambitions, just wanted to live small days with the beauty beside him.

"Even if you want it, others wouldn’t agree, and where has there ever been a female Emperor?" Xiao Yunxi nestled in Chen Mo’s arms, speaking in a soft, sweet voice.

But despite what she said, Xiao Yunxi had entertained such a thought before.

If she could overcome obstacles to become an Empress, then her relationship with Chen Mo, even if exposed, wouldn’t matter.

"They will agree." Chen Mo held Yunxi’s jade hand, speaking softly.

Following this, he didn’t tease Yunxi. To bully her immediately after such an incident would be too absurd.

...

The Celestial Prison.

Ever since Xiao Yunqi was locked up in the Celestial Prison, the mocking laughter never ceased. After all, some of the people in the prison were there because of Xiao Yunqi in the first place.

Others seized the opportunity to deride a former high figure upon hearing An Yang Gong had been imprisoned.

The constant taunts went on, even though the jailers tried their best to stop them, all efforts were futile.

Suddenly, the cell door opened.

The palace eunuchs, Personal Guard Department personnel, Dragon Guard, and Imperial City Department people, a large group of guards all flooded in from outside, then stood guard on either side of the cell, leaving the center aisle clear.

The prisoners in the cell immediately quieted down. Everyone knew that a significant figure was coming.

"Her Majesty arrives." A loud, duck-like voice echoed from outside.

The guards next to the prison chamber all bent low, while the Prison Warden wiped the sweat off his forehead, like a little lackey, leading Xiao Yunxi and Chen Mo inside.

Approaching the depths of the Celestial Prison, Chen Mo suddenly stopped and told the Prison Warden, "You all wait here; without my order, no one is allowed to enter."

"... Understood."

...

The depths of the Celestial Prison.

This area, unlike other parts of the prison which are fetid, is curiously arranged quite quietly.

Inside a chamber, Xiao Yunqi sat cross-legged on hay, a strand of white hair hanging at his forehead, full of weariness.

Though it had been less than two hours since his imprisonment, Xiao Yunqi seemed to have aged decades. Upon hearing some noise, he raised his head and, upon seeing Xiao Yunxi and Chen Mo, wasn’t surprised but instead spoke first:

"When did this happen?"