Xie Ruotong also followed in pursuit.

At the entrance of the mansion.

An Ning was just about to get into the carriage.

"Madam!" Song Yanqing called out loudly to stop her.

An Ning stopped her steps and turned back.

At the moment she turned back.

Song Yanqing and Xie Ruotong clearly froze.

The pain An Ning was experiencing now was probably not lighter than Lin Zichan's.

"Send him away tonight," An Ning instructed, "I'm afraid the longer we wait, the worse it will get."

Xie Ruotong wanted to say something but was stopped by Song Yanqing.

He simply replied respectfully, "Yes."

Xie Ruotong looked at Song Yanqing displeased.

An Ning said no more, and left in the carriage.

"What are you doing?!" Xie Ruotong was somewhat angry, "Can't you see how upset Madam is?"

"Precisely because she is upset, we can't add fuel to the fire."

"When did I add fuel to the fire?!"

"Anything you say just does!"

"Song Yanqing!"

"Think about it, how could you persuade her?! Persuade Madam to reconsider?! But in reality, if reconsidering were an option, Madam wouldn't be in such a predicament, no matter what you say, it will only make her feel worse. It's better to honor Madam's decision, short pain is better than long pain," Song Yanqing explained.

Though angry, Xie Ruotong couldn't deny the logic in Song Yanqing's words.

He gritted his teeth and said no more.

"Let's go, let's check on Lin Zichan."

The two walked toward Lin Zichan's room.

Inside the room, Lin Zichan had reverted to his usual cold indifference.

Completely different from the emotionally unstable person he was earlier.

Indeed, he's back to his former self, always able to maintain his composure no matter how big the situation.

Seeing Song Yanqing and Xie Ruotong walk in, he said lightly, "Ready to send me away?"

Song Yanqing pressed his lips together, slowly nodding.

He had already known.

Once An Ning made her decision, she acted swiftly.

She wouldn't let him stay a moment longer.

"Let's go." Lin Zichan said nothing more and strode out of the room.

Song Yanqing and Xie Ruotong followed.

Not knowing what to say.

Anything said seemed unnecessary.

At the entrance of the mansion.

A carriage stood waiting.

"I've placed plenty of silver notes, silver taels, gold and silver jewelry inside, should be enough for a lifetime..." Song Yanqing said.

Lin Zichan nodded slightly.

"If you settle down somewhere, send word to us, and if I can, I'll surely come find you," Song Yanqing promised.

Lin Zichan seemed to glance at Song Yanqing.

He said, "No need."

Song Yanqing's eyes flickered.

"An Ning is right, severing all ties and interactions with me is really the best thing for you all."

Song Yanqing felt quite upset.

He hadn't expected Madam to speak so hurtfully.

"From now on, just pretend I don't exist," Lin Zichan said with sarcasm, "My existence is nothing but a joke."

Song Yanqing wanted to say more.

But Lin Zichan was already in the carriage.

He grabbed the reins and drove the carriage away.

Song Yanqing and Xie Ruotong watched Lin Zichan leave.

Still unable to bear it in their hearts.

A once great ruler, now departing in disgrace!

...

Inside the Imperial Palace.

An Ning's eyes were red and swollen.

She calmed herself for a long time before entering her palace.

By now, Lin Zichan should have left Xun City...

She entered the hall.

Suddenly, her steps halted.

She saw in the dim candlelit hall, Fu Xingyi sitting in a chair, leisurely drinking tea.

An Ning's heart clenched.

Tonight's palace outing was meant to be secret with Song Yanqing, avoiding Fu Xingyi's eyes, yet she didn't know why he still found out?!

Fu Xingyi appeared no different than usual.

But she suddenly felt he was very unfamiliar.

Their eyes locked for a long time without words.

The hall was suffocatingly silent.

"Where did you go?" Fu Xingyi finally set down the teacup and asked her.

His voice was still gentle.

As if.

Showing no emotion.

Merely waiting for her return.

An Ning bit her lip, not answering.

"Went to the General Mansion with Song Yanqing, didn't you?" Fu Xingyi asked.

An Ning's heart quivered.

So.

How exactly did Fu Xingyi find out?!

She didn't believe that with her and Song Yanqing's wit, they couldn't evade Fu Xingyi.

"Curious how I know?" Fu Xingyi smiled, "Thank Xiao Jinxing for that."

An Ning tightened her eyes.

"Honestly, if it weren't for possessing Xiao Jinxing's body, I wouldn't truly know this man's strength! Not only does he handle the court affairs well, but he's trained his guards, trusted aides, and the guards to a stunningly loyal and impressive level. More importantly, his meticulous care for you leaves me in awe. He actually arranged top experts in your palace to protect you, ready to report any dangerous move to me. Had today's messenger not come, I likely wouldn't have known!"

An Ning's heart fluttered.

As if countless swords pierced her heart.

She never knew what Xiao Jinxing did around her, especially since before they reconciled, they both stayed outside the Imperial Palace, and by the time they returned, Xiao Jinxing was no longer Xiao Jinxing! Meaning, even when she left, everything Xiao Jinxing did for her never changed!

Yet she personally hurt him, driving him out of her world forever.

"Moved?" Fu Xingyi suddenly stood.

Step by step, walking toward An Ning.

An Ning was on guard.

Instinctively feeling Fu Xingyi was dangerous at this moment.

Even as Fu Xingyi approached her.

She took a step back.

Fu Xingyi's eyes tightened.

He coldly observed An Ning's action, watched the distance she maintained from him.

"Is this what you called being together with me?" Fu Xingyi's tone was sarcastic.

His eyes no longer holding any warmth.

"I said give me some time!"

"Time? Time to rendezvous with Xiao Jinxing?!" Fu Xingyi interrogated.

An Ning's face slightly changed.

She hadn't expected Fu Xingyi to say such things!

For him to become this sinister.

"Tonight went to see him, disguised like that, secretly met him," Fu Xingyi sneered, "Don't think I don't know Lin Zichan is at the General Mansion, I knew but chose to hold back, just to avoid conflict with Xie Ruotong and Song Yanqing, those two I can't afford to lose!"

"What are you talking about?!" An Ning sharply detected the cruelty in Fu Xingyi's words, "What do you mean by holding back?! Didn't we agree not to involve others in our matters, let the past be past, and make a fresh start?!"

"Will you really make a fresh start?" Fu Xingyi laughed.

"When have I ever deceived you!" An Ning shouted in anger.

"But your heart is no longer here with me." Fu Xingyi pointed with his finger, aiming at her heart, "I can feel it."

"That's why I said to slowly give me time..."

"Yet today you went to see Lin Zichan."

"I met him only to send him away, so he would never appear in front of us again, from now on it's just the two of us, there will be nothing else! I've decided to reconcile with you, to be together properly!" An Ning roared.

She never imagined ever shouting at Fu Xingyi like this.

What exists between them shouldn't be like this!

"Really?" Fu Xingyi was indifferent to An Ning's excitement, he said, "I trust you, but that doesn't mean I trust Xiao Jinxing."

"What do you mean?"

"You think he would really leave willingly, let me take everything that was his, the throne, wife, children?! "

"He would!"

"He wouldn't!" Fu Xingyi said assertively, "The longer I use his body, the more I realize the incredible abilities this man possessed. Keeping him is nothing short of a ticking time bomb!"

"What did you do!" An Ning became agitated.

Even she was uncontrollable.

Trembling as she asked Fu Xingyi.

Her eyes full of panic!