Watching the carriage of Xin Zizhao and Xin Shang disappearing into the distance in a cloud of dust, Wei Shuxuan and Ge Zian then entered the inn for breakfast.
Because of Xin Zizhao's departure, Wei Shuxuan didn't have much of an appetite. After just a few mouthfuls, she said she was full. Just as she was about to leave her seat, Ge Zian stopped her. "Xuan'er, you've eaten too little. Have some more. Xin has just left, and you're already like this. How are you going to get through the days ahead?"
"But... Zian, I really don't have an appetite!" It wasn't that Wei Shuxuan didn't want to eat; she just couldn't bring herself to do so. She gave Ge Zian a smile. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. If I'm hungry, I'll ask the waiter to bring me something. I'm going back to my room. I went to bed so late last night. I'm going back to catch up on some sleep. Don't disturb me unless it's something important."
With that, Wei Shuxuan went upstairs. Ge Zian didn't try to stop her. Maybe giving her some time to calm down was a good thing. He sincerely hoped that nothing would go wrong in the palace.
Xin Shang also returned to the palace with Xin Zizhao. This meant there was one less person helping to look for Sima Yongheng. Seeing the worried look on Wei Wei's face, Ge Zian comforted him. "Don't worry, Wei Wei. I'll send my personal guards to help you find Yongheng."
"Thank you, Young Master Ge."
"You're welcome. It's the least I can do. Xuan'er also wants to find Yongheng. I'm just doing a little bit to help."
Wei Shuxuan returned to her room and tossed and turned in bed. She was really tired but just couldn't fall asleep. The bright sunlight outside shone on the ground. The dust floating in the sunlight seemed to be gilded. She turned her head and watched the floating dust rising and falling. It made her eyes a bit tired, but gradually she sank into sleep...
She slept until afternoon. The bright sunlight gradually softened its color, and the warm color filled the whole room. She felt the fragmented rays of the setting sun falling on her thick eyelashes, like dancing elves. Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly in the warm glow, like a butterfly flapping its wings.
Wei Shuxuan on the bed slowly opened her eyes. The warm glow shone into her bright black eyes, like a burning torch lighting up the darkness. She sat up on the bed blankly. Just as she was about to call out for Xin Zizhao, she remembered that he had left Baolan Town that morning. She ran her fingers through her hair, feeling a bit annoyed.
Xin Zizhao and Xin Shang rode their horses at full speed towards the capital, traveling day and night. The journey that usually took more than half a month was shortened to just ten days. Xin Zizhao galloped his horse to the palace gate. The palace guards recognized his face. As soon as they saw him, they immediately knelt down and saluted. "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
"Rise!"
Xin Zizhao and Xin Shang galloped to the gate of Qianyu Palace. Xin Zizhao dismounted and told the guards to take the tired horses to the palace stables and take good care of them. He had received the news early that Emperor Jinzheng was waiting for him in Qianyu Palace. Xin Zizhao quickly walked into Qianyu Palace. The maids and eunuchs standing on both sides saluted him, and Xin Shang closely followed behind.
When they walked into the main hall of Qianyu Palace, they saw Emperor Jinzheng leisurely sipping tea. Hearing the sound, Emperor Jinzheng said, "Yelin, you're back."
"Xin Shang, you go down first. Just guard outside."
Xin Zizhao whispered to Xin Shang beside him. Xin Shang nodded and quickly left the main hall.
Only Xin Zizhao and Emperor Jinzheng were left in the main hall. Xin Zizhao lifted the fluttering thin gauze curtain and walked to Emperor Jinzheng's side. "Father, I wonder what urgent matter made you call me back?"
"Yelin, Father has something to tell you." After Emperor Jinzheng abdicated, he had been traveling outside. This sudden return and saying he had something to tell him, Xin Zizhao didn't know what it was about. "Actually, I have an illegitimate son outside the palace named Xin Yeheng. I just found out about him recently."
Xin Zizhao wasn't interested in Emperor Jinzheng's amorous affairs. If this was the reason for calling him back, he thought it was a bit of an over - reaction and was quite unhappy. "Father, if it's just this matter, then just bring him back. I have no objections."
"Now you're the current Emperor of the Dragon - Ruling Kingdom, and I'm just a retired emperor. It's better to get your consent for such things. I can't overstep my bounds."
Xin Zizhao didn't really care about the throne, nor did he care much about his title. "Have you brought my younger brother back to the palace?"
"Yes, I've already brought him to the palace. Do you want to meet him?"
"Not for now. I'm a bit tired. I want to rest first."
Seeing Xin Zizhao walking straight out of Qianyu Palace, Emperor Jinzheng was a bit confused and stopped him. "Yelin, don't you live in Qianyu Palace?"
"Yes, but I want to live in Fenghe Hall now. If Father wants to live in Qianyu Palace, feel free. I'm a bit fatigued, so I'll take my leave first."
Without giving Emperor Jinzheng a chance to say a word, Xin Zizhao had already left Qianyu Palace. Emperor Jinzheng felt his heart was tired. Until now, Xin Zizhao still wasn't willing to accept him. Although Xin Zizhao was very filial to him, he only respected him as a nominal father and hadn't truly accepted him.
"Alas, it's all my fault..." Emperor Jinzheng sighed.
Back in Fenghe Hall, Chief Eunuch Li only saw Xin Zizhao and Xin Shang. He was a bit confused. "Your Majesty, why didn't the Empress come back with you?"
"No. I'm going back to rest."
Xin Zizhao didn't want to say more and walked straight towards the room he shared with Wei Shuxuan. After Xin Zizhao left, Chief Eunuch Li looked at Xin Shang in confusion. Xin Shang said to him, "Chief Eunuch Li, please don't mention this in front of the master again. He's in a bad mood. We don't want to get in trouble."
Chief Eunuch Li understood the principle that you shouldn't provoke someone in a bad mood. "Yes, yes, yes, Young Master Xin Shang. This slave understands."
After lying in bed for a while, Xin Zizhao suddenly remembered that he hadn't informed Wei Shuxuan of his safe arrival.