The carriage arrived at this moment.

Fu Xingyi and An Ning got off one after the other.

"Long live the Emperor, long live the Empress for a thousand years!"

The grand voice resonated under the sky.

An Ning lowered her gaze.

Looking at the civil and military officials kneeling on the ground.

This should all be Xiao Jinxing’s glory, the empire he fought for with his life...

"Son pays respects to Father Emperor, pays respects to Mother Empress." Xiao Luming led a group and approached them, making a bow.

An Ning looked at her son.

This time governing the country seems to have made him more mature and steady.

"Luming, stand up." Fu Xingyi spoke.

His voice was gentle.

"You’ve worked hard during the time Father was away." Fu Xingyi pressed his hand lightly on Luming’s shoulder.

Xiao Luming, already sensitive, felt the action and a trace of surprise flickered in his eyes.

He always felt that the Father in front of him seemed somewhat different.

Maybe it’s just the exhaustion from the journey.

Moreover, he received the war report, saying Father and Mother were injured in Mobei, thinking their bodies hadn’t fully recovered.

"Father, Mother!"

Xiao Luming hadn’t spoken yet.

An Youyou’s little legs ran out from the crowd.

Not much decorum either.

She directly leaped into Fu Xingyi’s arms, "Father, I missed you so much!"

Fu Xingyi smiled clearly as he looked at An Youyou, who looked exactly like An Ning, in his arms.

An Ning, however, diverted her gaze.

On the way back, An Ning succinctly explained her experiences in this book to Fu Xingyi.

Including the fact that she had two children with Xiao Jinxing.

Fu Xingyi’s eyes showed melancholy, yet, he simply accepted it silently.

Seeing him interact so naturally with Luming and Youyou at this moment, An Ning wasn’t sure what her feelings were.

She could only choose to ignore it.

They gathered briefly at the palace gate.

The group then proceeded grandly into the Imperial Palace.

An Ning returned to her chamber.

Fu Xingyi needed to deal with the civil and military officials.

After returning, An Ning bathed under the palace maid’s service and fell asleep directly.

After returning to the Imperial Palace.

The familiar feelings seemed to become increasingly distinct.

An Ning closed her eyes.

A stream of clear tears fell.

Waking up, the sky was already dark.

Palace maids attended to An Ning’s dressing.

An Ning asked, "Have the Crown Prince and Princess come looking for me?"

"Replying to the Empress, both the Crown Prince and Princess came looking for the Empress, as well as the Emperor, but since you were always sleeping, they did not disturb you. Now the Crown Prince and Princess followed the Emperor to Qiankun Hall for dinner. Does the Empress wish to go?" the palace maid asked.

"No need," An Ning replied, "I’m tired from returning from Mobei, I don’t wish to move."

"Yes, then I’ll have someone prepare a meal for you," the maid said.

"Okay."

The palace maid instructed someone to prepare the evening meal.

After dressing, An Ning proceeded to eat.

The taste of the court meal stirred An Ning’s uncontainable emotions.

"Is it not to the Empress’s taste?" The maid asked respectfully, "Should I have the Imperial Kitchen prepare it anew?"

"No need," An Ning replied indifferently.

Just.

The familiar taste lacked the familiar person.

An Ning, eating without recognizing the flavor, didn’t eat much, and had the Palace Attendant clear the meal.

Having slept all day, she didn’t feel sleepy anymore.

An Ning then got up and walked outside the palace for a stroll.

In Xun City, it was already early spring yet the nights remained cold.

Palace attendants accompanied An Ning through the Imperial Palace, watching as the Empress stopped at the lakeside.

Standing there, watching the lake surface without moving.

An Ning suddenly recalled.

The first time she followed Xiao Jinxing into the palace, Xiao Jinxing conspired with Wen Jingtang to secretly dispose of her, and she survived using this lake water and also rescued Xiao Jinyu, a blessing in disguise, it was then that after they left the palace, she and Xiao Jinxing discussed collaboration.

Though the ensuing collaboration was not pleasant, at least from that time onwards, Xiao Jinxing really didn’t proactively try to kill her, even if in the end discarded her many times.

Then later, Xiao Jinxing took her back to the palace again, and here, captured many fireflies for her, set off fireworks.

Despite the deep existing divide between them.

Yet she was still moved.

An Ning’s eyes turned red.

Within the Imperial Palace, indeed, there were too many traces of Xiao Jinxing, too many memories of Xiao Jinxing.

She blinked.

Noticing someone suddenly appeared beside her.

A warm cloak was draped over her shoulders.

She swallowed the dampness in her eyes.

Turning slightly to see Fu Xingyi remaining by her side.

The man in the night.

Though looking identical, why could it be distinguished at once that they’re different?

Fu Xingyi is not Xiao Jinxing.

Xiao Jinxing is not Fu Xingyi.

Unable to treat them as one.

"Why are you here?"

"I just went to your chamber to find you, they said you went out." Fu Xingyi’s voice was warm.

"Thank you," An Ning thanked.

Because he gave her the cloak.

And this gratitude made Fu Xingyi feel again the distance from An Ning.

Since the first day discovering he is no longer Xiao Jinxing, her attitude towards him has been such.

"It’s cold, you should go back soon." Fu Xingyi swallowed his inner emotions, saying.

"Yes," An Ning replied.

She turned preparing to leave.

Fu Xingyi willingly took her hand.

An Ning pursed her lips.

The warm large hand wrapped her cold little hand tightly in the palm.

As if providing her warmth.

Or as if he didn’t wish her to go.

An Ning lowered her gaze.

Silently held by Fu Xingyi’s hand, walked slowly within the Imperial Palace, before returning to Fengqi Palace.

An Ning wanted to enter.

Yet Fu Xingyi still hadn’t let go of her hand.

An Ning looked at him.

Looking at Fu Xingyi suddenly leaning over.

An Ning’s heart fluttered.

From the time Fu Xingyi came here, they always maintained a distance.

Fu Xingyi never, crossed that boundary.

Perhaps giving her time, also always respecting her.

Yet now suddenly so close.

An Ning just watched as Fu Xingyi’s lips gradually approached.

Approaching her lips.

Yet at the last moment.

An Ning turned her head.

The kiss landed on her cheek.

Fu Xingyi’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

An Ning remained silent, saying nothing.

Fu Xingyi slowly parted from An Ning’s cheek, "Rest early, goodnight."

"Goodnight."

An Ning responded.

She withdrew from Fu Xingyi’s hold, entering Fengqi Palace.

Fu Xingyi pursed his lips watching An Ning’s cold figure.

Ultimately pained unbearably.

These years, An Ning truly experienced too much.

He did not blame her.

Only blamed that he came too late.

...

An Ning returned to her chamber.

Feeling intensely uncomfortable.

She couldn’t even distinguish whether she was sad for Fu Xingyi, sadly their many years of feelings really completely ended? Or sad for Xiao Jinxing, sadly someday she might truly let go of him as she once released Fu Xingyi.

Since knowing Fu Xingyi replaced Xiao Jinxing, she’s been conflicted!

She doesn’t know how to choose?!

How to decide, seemingly betraying them both.

Does she still have a choice?!

Xiao Jinxing is already gone.

Xiao Jinxing has already, relinquished.

An Ning’s tears continued to fall...

No matter how to accept, until now she seems still unable to believe that Xiao Jinxing truly left her!

She always feels Xiao Jinxing is still there.

His disappearance is only temporary.

He can still return.

Unexpectedly, he’ll reappear before her.