Hua Yun Jin heard this and shook her head, "Your Majesty, you should not test people's hearts. Hearts cannot be tested."
"Perhaps you are right. I just want to know the answer."
Hua Yun Jin looked up and said, "Your Majesty, even if this answer plunges you into difficulty, you still want to know?"
"Yes," the young girl replied without the slightest hesitation.
Hua Yun Jin sighed, "This subject has nothing to say. However, Your Majesty, it is wise to guard against others."
"Yun Jin, your task is to take good care of your health. I will handle everything else."
Hua Yun Jin knew that he could not help at the moment, "Your Majesty, if there is anything you need from this subject, I will not hesitate to give my all."
"Yun Jin, what you need to do now is to recover your health. I don't need your utmost dedication, what I need is your energy to accompany me in seeing the vast landscape."
The young girl stepped forward, her youthful fragrance lingering in his nostrils.
Hua Yun Jin turned his face away, not wanting her to see the flush on his cheeks. "Your Majesty, Nangong Yue will be coming as well, won't she?"
The young girl started. Upon hearing the three words, her eyes indeed brightened. "Yes, Ah Yue sent a letter saying she will be attending the palace banquet. I wonder how she is now? I will see her soon."
Outside Huning City, a carriage stopped. The curtain was lifted, and a young woman stepped out of the carriage.
She took a breath of fresh air, opened her closed eyes, and said word by word, "The capital, I have arrived."
"Miss, beyond this Huning City is the outskirts of the capital," the maid Shi Qi walked over and draped a cloak over her mistress.
"Shi Qi, it has been five years. I, Nangong Yue, left here five years ago."
Shi Qi nodded, "Yes, five years."
Nangong Yue smiled lightly at this, a smile that seemed to be mocking, or perhaps filled with helplessness. "Every day for five years, I have been tormented. I wished for the day I could stand on this land. Now, I am standing here, it feels both real and dreamlike."
"Miss, you won't leave this time, will you?"
Nangong Yue nodded, "Yes, I won't leave."
"Then... what about Young Master Zhou?"
Nangong Yue snorted at this, "Does the son of a mere Prefect of Zhaoping dare to harbor thoughts of me? Dream on."
Shi Qi's gaze faltered slightly at this but she said nothing more.
"Let's go. We must enter the palace before dark," Nangong Yue said.
"Miss, the capital is truly prosperous. Looking at it like this, Zhaoping cannot compare," Shi Qi marveled.
Nangong Yue said, "The capital, the most prosperous place in Huangze, is naturally much better than the small Zhaoping."
"No wonder Miss's heart yearns for this place. It is indeed good."
"Miss, look at that carriage, it's so luxurious..." Shi Qi pointed at a carriage approaching them.
Nangong Yue looked at the carriage. A gust of wind blew, lifting the curtain of the carriage opposite them. A person sat there.
She was startled. The person seemed to sense something and looked towards her. She quickly averted her face.
After the opposite carriage had passed, Nangong Yue lifted her own curtain and looked back, her gaze following intently.
"Miss, what's wrong?" Shi Qi noticed Nangong Yue's unusual behavior and couldn't help but ask.
Nangong Yue watched as the carriage disappeared, then sat back into her carriage, a face appearing in her mind.
Hua Yun Jin, I didn't expect we would meet again.
Are you well?
Finally, they arrived at the imperial palace, and the carriage stopped.
Nangong Yue alighted from the carriage and immediately spotted the luxurious carriage not far away.
At that moment, the carriage curtain was lifted, and a young girl in a magnificent dress emerged.
Beside her, Shi Qi exclaimed with surprise, "Miss, is that the Empress?"
Nangong Yue remained silent, merely watching as the girl in the grand attire extended her hand. Soon, a jade-like hand was placed upon it.
A slender figure appeared within her line of sight.
A dress in the color of water and sky was worn by the girl, with intricate golden thread embroidery forming the pattern. The hem of the skirt was adorned with abundant jade, showcasing the owner's nobility.
The girl's appearance was refined and pure, even with a touch of immaturity, her demeanor was seasoned.
A pair of clear, water-like eyes looked at her with a hint of joy.
The young girl walked slowly towards her.
The hem of her skirt fluttered, and the tassels on her hair swayed gently with her steps.
Noble and beautiful.
She glanced at herself. Although she was also wearing a grand robe, it was significantly inferior to the young girl's.
"Ah Yue," the young girl's lips parted, her voice clear and melodious.
Nangong Yue smiled and then curtsied, "This humble subject greets Your Majesty."
A pair of jade hands helped her up. "Ah Yue, it's been five years, why so distant?"
Nangong Yue smiled, "Times have changed. Before, you were a princess; now, you are the ruler of Huangze."
"No matter how my status changes, you are still my Ah Yue."
Nangong Yue smiled and looked up at the magnificent and grand palace behind the young girl, her smile gradually fading.
"Come, I'll take you into the palace," the young girl said, taking her hand.
Nangong Yue followed the young girl's footsteps, stepping back into the place she had left.
The scenery remained the same, but the state of one's heart had changed.
"Your Majesty, when Ah Yue arrived, she saw the Prime Minister. Is he well?"
"Not very well, he is ill," the young girl said, turning to look at her.
She started, "What illness does he have?"
"An illness that is difficult to cure."
"Is there any possibility of curing it?"
"I don't know," the young girl shook her head.
Nangong Yue's heart skipped a beat. Just as she was about to ask further, she saw an immortal being.
Why call him that? Because this person's appearance was utterly breathtaking.
"This..." Nangong Yue couldn't help but ask.
"My person," the young girl said, her expression growing somewhat faint.
"Your Majesty, are you married?"
"No, he just lives here. Marriage will have to wait until I come of age."
"Your Majesty..."
The man was clad in snow-white robes, with a cool and detached demeanor, astonishingly beautiful.
Nangong Yue was stunned. Every movement of this person exuded stunning elegance and grace.
"Is something the matter?" the young girl asked indifferently.
Yan Zhao had long sensed the gaze fixed upon him. However, without lifting his head, he said, "The items for the palace banquet are all prepared. Please review them, Your Majesty."
"You decide. You don't need to ask me for everything," the young girl's voice was exceptionally cold.
Yan Zhao bowed and left.
"Ah Yue, you must be tired from the long journey. I have arranged a place for you, and I will have someone take you there."
Nangong Yue nodded, "Alright, thank you, Your Majesty."
Upon reaching her residence, Nangong Yue called Shi Qi over and said, "Go and find out who that man is."
Shi Qi was taken aback and said, "Miss, this might not be appropriate."
"What is inappropriate?" Nangong Yue retorted.
Shi Qi could only obey, "Yes, Miss."
Nangong Yue gazed out the window. The capital was wonderful everywhere.
Much better than Zhaoping.
In the evening, Shi Qi returned. "Miss, that man was sent to the palace by the Regent. His name is Yan Zhao."