Qiankun Hall.

Fu Xingyi took the handkerchief from Eunuch Ping, preparing to wipe the ink off An Ning’s face.

"I’ll do it myself." An Ning stopped him.

Fu Xingyi’s eyes flickered slightly.

An Ning shifted her body.

This position was ultimately uncomfortable for her.

A trace of disappointment flashed in Fu Xingyi’s eyes as he slowly released her.

"Eunuch Ping, bring me a copper mirror." An Ning ordered.

"Yes." Eunuch Ping hurried away.

Thinking about how hard it was for the Emperor and Empress to be close, yet they seemed distant once more.

Eunuch Ping soon returned with the copper mirror.

An Ning faced the mirror, wiping her cheeks bit by bit.

Fu Xingyi was already sitting beside her, continuing to write with the brush.

He wasn’t writing very well.

He was rather absent-minded.

After cleaning her cheeks, An Ning glanced at Fu Xingyi’s crooked script and said, "If the Emperor doesn’t want to practice writing, perhaps he could continue reviewing the memorials."

Fu Xingyi’s throat moved; he put down the brush and said, "I’m a bit tired. Shall we take a walk outside?"

"Alright." An Ning agreed immediately.

She understood Fu Xingyi’s weariness.

They both walked out of Qiankun Hall, strolling within the Imperial Palace.

Neither spoke much.

It was as if they didn’t know what to say or what should be said.

The years apart had made them increasingly estranged.

Within the palace, suddenly there was a faint sound of fighting.

Fu Xingyi asked, "What’s happening over there?"

"Reporting to the Emperor, the Crown Prince is practicing martial arts with the Imperial Guards." A Palace Attendant promptly replied.

An Ning was slightly taken aback.

Actually, Xiao Luming didn’t really like fighting and killing. It was rare for him to actively practice martial arts.

After thinking it over, she said, "Let’s go take a look."

Fu Xingyi nodded.

The group proceeded in that direction.

Ahead was a martial arts practice field; Xiao Luming was sparring with Lin Zichan, who was primarily receiving Xiao Luming’s moves rather than attacking.

Xiao Luming’s moves were rather simple, but his foundation was strong, with each move being quick, accurate, and powerful!

An Ning and Fu Xingyi stood by watching.

Xiao Luming’s progress surprised An Ning.

Whether in court strategies or in his combat power, he demonstrated progress beyond her expectations.

Back then, Xiao Jinxing indeed dedicated a lot to Luming...

An Ning pressed her lips tight, just watching the two spar.

Watching Lin Zichan’s gestures, she felt a sense of déjà vu.

It seemed as if she had seen it somewhere before.

An Ning couldn’t immediately recall, but it had to be said, even if Lin Zichan was only receiving moves, it wasn’t hard to see that he was indeed highly skilled in martial arts, perhaps even surpassing Xiao Wu.

An Ning quietly watched like that.

She saw Xiao Luming suddenly jump up, directly onto the rooftop.

An Ning frowned. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Xiao Luming was becoming bolder and bolder.

Lin Zichan followed him up.

Fu Xingyi, standing beside, was also somewhat intrigued.

After all, born in the apocalypse era, he hadn’t truly witnessed someone flying across rooftops without assistance, and he watched with great interest.

Xiao Luming was also full of enthusiasm.

Initially, he just wanted to pass the time, letting his father and mother spend time alone, but unexpectedly, practicing martial arts with this guard named Lin Zichan gave him a strange sense of excitement, reminiscent of practicing with his father in the old days, and in this world, apart from his father, he didn’t want to practice martial arts with anyone else.

Xiao Luming’s steps quickened.

Lin Zichan’s eyes tightened.

Clearly, Xiao Luming was already surpassing his limits.

"Your Highness, watch your step!" Lin Zichan reminded.

Xiao Luming paid no mind; he ran swiftly along the rooftop, faster and faster...

Suddenly.

Xiao Luming carelessly slipped, his body tilting backward abruptly, sliding down along a loose tile, about to fall off the eaves.

"Your Highness!" The Palace attendees below turned pale with fright at the sight.

An Ning was also evidently alarmed.

She quickly approached, tiptoeing in an attempt to catch Luming.

But Luming was far too distant from her, even with her fastest Qinggong she might not reach him in time...

In this critical moment, a figure rapidly dashed to Xiao Luming’s side, leaping down from the eaves. Just before Xiao Luming hit the ground, the figure caught him in an embrace. Simultaneously, the figure twisted his body, landing on his back, cushioning Xiao Luming.

"Luming!"

An Ning was now beside Xiao Luming, looking at him pale-faced in Lin Zichan’s arms, uncertain if he was merely shocked, unable to speak.