Chapter 1196: Chapter 735: The Imperial Palace No Longer Belongs to Him (First Update)

Lin Zichan felt a slight pain in his chest.

Yet he merely endured it, carefully steering the carriage.

Inside the carriage.

An Ning peered through the drawn curtain of the carriage, observing the scenery outside.

She listened to the conversation between An Youyou and Lin Zichan.

The Imperial Palace... no longer belonged to him...

An Ning’s eyes gradually dimmed.

...

They traveled for a full day.

The group lodged at a fine inn.

Guan Yu and the others accompanied An Ning and An Youyou back to their rooms to rest first.

Lin Zichan, however, led a few horses alone to feed and water them.

They needed to continue the journey early the next morning.

He simply stood outside the stables.

Until.

He sensed someone appearing behind him.

Lin Zichan turned around.

Seeing An Ning at that moment, he was about to kneel and salute...

"There’s no need to be so formal outside." An Ning stopped him directly.

"Yes." Lin Zichan replied respectfully.

He then kept his head lowered.

"I overheard your conversation with Youyou in the carriage just now." An Ning stated bluntly.

Lin Zichan remained silent.

"Are you planning to leave the Imperial Palace?" An Ning asked.

Lin Zichan nodded, "I ask for Your Grace’s understanding."

"If it’s because of my dissatisfaction with you that you’ve decided to leave, I think it’s unnecessary. I was just anxious because of the Crown Prince’s injury, not aiming at you."

Lin Zichan looked at An Ning.

An Ning’s eyes shifted, avoiding direct eye contact.

"Think it over carefully." An Ning left these words and turned away.

"It’s not because of Your Grace." Lin Zichan said behind her, "Just a personal choice."

An Ning lightly bit her lip.

Then said indifferently, "Suit yourself."

After which, she left without looking back.

Lin Zichan watched her back, his fingers clenching yet remaining silent.

Night fell.

The inn, being in the outskirts, was extremely quiet as night descended.

Guan Yu and a few others took turns keeping watch.

At the third watch.

Lin Zichan stood guard at the door of An Ning and An Youyou’s room.

The temperature in early spring fluctuated greatly between morning and evening.

At this moment, the cold seeped into the bones.

Suddenly, the door opened.

Lin Zichan was slightly surprised.

He turned to look.

He saw An Ning draped in a large cloak, standing at the door.

"Your Grace?" Lin Zichan greeted respectfully.

He hadn’t expected her to still be awake at this hour?!

Or perhaps.

To have woken so early.

Likely, she was not accustomed to sleeping outside.

An Ning also looked at Lin Zichan, observing his straight back, his erect posture, yet he seemed enveloped by cold.

"I’m a bit thirsty." An Ning stated, "I want a cup of hot tea."

At this time, the innkeeper had long since gone to bed.

Lin Zichan pondered, "Please wait a moment, Your Grace. I will fetch some water for you."

An Ning gave a nod in response, then closed the door.

Lin Zichan went to call the next person on duty, Guan Yu, to take his place.

He himself headed to the inn’s kitchen, searching for a teapot and teacups.

Finally found them.

Lin Zichan hesitated, realizing he didn’t know how to boil water.

He also didn’t know how to light charcoal.

As he got up to find someone to help.

Suddenly, he saw An Ning appear in the kitchen.

"Wait a moment, Your Grace. I will call someone to boil water." Lin Zichan hurriedly said.

"There’s no need." An Ning instructed, "I’ll do it myself."

"..." Lin Zichan looked at her.

Then he watched as An Ning rolled up her sleeves.

Her sleeves rolled up to her forearms, revealing her fair skin.

Lin Zichan averted his gaze.

An Ning diligently lit the fire and started the charcoal.

The stove came to life.

"Place the teapot on the stove." An Ning instructed.

Lin Zichan casually picked up the teapot and placed it on the stove.

The fire on the stove was a bit too strong.

The flames licked at Lin Zichan’s hand.

Lin Zichan abruptly placed the teapot down.

Although the teapot didn’t tip over, it made some noise.

An Ning looked up at him.

Lin Zichan had already hidden his hand behind his back and said, "It was my carelessness, I disturbed Your Ladyship."

An Ning didn’t speak.

She just sat on the small stool beside the stove, watching it, waiting for the water in the teapot to boil.

The once quiet kitchen slowly began to resonate with the sound of boiling water.

"The water’s ready," An Ning spoke.

Lin Zichan reached out to grab the handle of the teapot.

"Be careful, it’s hot!" An Ning’s voice was somewhat anxious.

Lin Zichan had already grasped the handle at that moment.

Next moment, he rapidly withdrew his hand.

An Ning had already risen from the small stool and walked towards Lin Zichan.

Lin Zichan again tightly placed his hand behind his back.

"Did you get burned?" An Ning asked.

"No," Lin Zichan replied.

"Let me see your hand."

"Really, it’s nothing..."

"Lin Zichan!" An Ning’s voice carried a threat.

Lin Zichan pursed his lips but made no movements.

An Ning had already reached out and taken his hand out.

"Open it," An Ning commanded, looking at Lin Zichan’s tightly clenched fist.

Lin Zichan slowly opened his fingers.

As soon as he did, the burnt, blistered skin in his palm was revealed, looking very menacing.

An Ning raised her eyes to look at Lin Zichan, her eyes clearly showing anger.

Lin Zichan spoke, "I have thick skin and rough flesh, it’s nothing."

An Ning’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"It’s inappropriate for men and women to touch, Your Ladyship should please release me," Lin Zichan reminded.

An Ning’s fingers twitched, slowly letting go of Lin Zichan’s hand.

Lin Zichan still placed his hand behind his back, "It’s late, and chilly tonight, Your Ladyship should return to your room. I’ve prepared the tea and will bring it to your room."

An Ning glanced at Lin Zichan.

Her gaze... was very complex.

In the end, she didn’t say a word and turned to leave.

Lin Zichan watched her back, his heart slowly calming.

He then turned his gaze to the teapot, having learned his lesson this time, he wrapped it with thick cloth before lifting it from the stove, poured it into a teacup, prepared two teacups, and carried them to the inn room.

Guan Yu was standing at the door of the room.

Lin Zichan said, "Her Ladyship wants tea, it’s ready now."

"Give it to me." Guan Yu proactively reached out to take it.

Lin Zichan didn’t refuse.

Guan Yu said, "It’s late, you should go rest, it’s almost my shift for standing guard."

Lin Zichan hesitated for a moment.

But considering the burn on his hand, he nodded, "Then I leave it to you."

"No problem," Guan Yu said casually with a smile.

Although he just met Lin Zichan today, he felt Lin Zichan wasn’t someone who likes talking, yet Lin Zichan’s work was meticulous and reliable, leaving a good impression on Guan Yu.

Lin Zichan left.

Guan Yu knocked on the door.

An Ning opened it and looked at Guan Yu.

Her eyes evidently paused for a moment.

"Miss, your tea is ready."

"Where’s Lin Zichan?"

"His shift is over; he’s gone to rest," Guan Yu replied.

An Ning pursed her lips.

"Should I bring the tea inside for you?"

"Suddenly not thirsty."

Guan Yu was speechless.

Usually, Miss wasn’t one to cause trouble, much less inconvenience others; she truly didn’t have the airs of an Empress, especially outside the palace.

Just now when he heard Lin Zichan say Miss wanted tea, he thought she must be dying of thirst.

Otherwise, with her temperament, Miss would never give orders to others so late.

"It’s cold; standing guard at night can lead to catching cold, you should drink more hot tea," An Ning advised.

"...Understood," Guan Yu said respectfully.

A bit overwhelmed.

So Miss was worried he might catch a cold from the night chill?

Indeed, Miss was still her true self, unchanged by her status as Empress.

She closed the door.

Next moment, she suddenly opened it again.

Guan Yu looked directly at An Ning.

Was Miss unable to sleep tonight?

"This, give it to Lin Zichan." An Ning handed Guan Yu a box of ointment.

Guan Yu was surprised.

An Ning offered no explanation.

After giving the ointment to Guan Yu, she suddenly said, "Bring the tea inside."

"..."

Miss, this can’t be so fickle, at least let him drink a sip?

In such cold weather, a sip of hot tea could just heaven!