After playing outside for a few days, Xue Zining and Wen Yuxi returned to the Yan Manor with the two little ones.
Everything was the same as when she left, peaceful as a lake undisturbed by ripples.
Xue Zining's heart grew utterly cold. If she had harbored any hope before, now even that was gone.
Had so many years of affection truly vanished?
She was unwilling, but what could her unwillingness achieve? Could she force Yan Jin Chao to return to the capital?
She could do it, but she didn't want to. She had given him the chance to choose, and since he didn't want it, she had no reason to linger!
Let it be this way!
Xue Zining did not come out for dinner that night.
Xue Xingyue couldn't help but ask Wen Yuxi, "Uncle Wen, Mother seemed quite happy when we were outside, why is she unhappy now?"
Wen Yuxi smiled upon hearing this. "Perhaps after returning, your mother remembered past events and became unhappy."
"Then I'll go and coax Mother." Saying this, Xue Xingyue slid off Wen Yuxi's lap and ran towards Xue Zining's room.
Wen Yuxi smiled. Xue Xingchen, standing beside him, spoke up, "If you don't want to smile, why force yourself? It looks a bit fake."
Wen Yuxi was taken aback and looked at Xue Xingchen. "You can tell I'm faking my smile?"
"Why wouldn't I? I can also tell that you want to leave this place as soon as possible."
Wen Yuxi reached out and stroked Xue Xingchen's head. "You see things quite clearly. Do you have no regrets then?"
"Uncle Wen, what do you mean?" Xue Xingchen asked.
"You have a biological father, yet you are about to become my child and call me father. Doesn't that make you feel uncomfortable?"
Xue Xingchen smiled upon hearing this. "Isn't it you adults who feel uncomfortable? We children don't think so much. For example, my sister Xingyue, she knows that whoever plays with her, whoever rescues her when Mother scolds her, whoever treats her well, that person can be her father."
"And you, Xingchen, what are your thoughts?" Wen Yuxi couldn't help but ask.
Xue Xingchen looked up at Wen Yuxi and said slowly, "My thoughts are even simpler. As long as he can make Mother happy and be her support, that's enough. I will eventually leave Mother. I just hope Mother can be happy. Her and Father's journey has been too difficult. When Mother fell in love with Father, Father had lost his memory.
Therefore, my thoughts are very simple: whoever makes Mother happy can be my father."
Wen Yuxi reached out and stroked his head, saying solemnly, word by word, "I will make His Majesty happy, and I will make you all happy."
"Uncle Wen, I believe you can," Xue Xingchen said, looking at Wen Yuxi.
Although Mother might not have fallen in love with Uncle Wen, as long as Uncle Wen keeps trying, Mother will eventually see his good qualities.
"Little one, I will work hard," Wen Yuxi said with a smile.
Xue Xingyue arrived at Xue Zining's room and knocked. Upon hearing Xue Zining's voice, she walked in. "Mother."
Xue Zining stood up and hugged the little one who rushed towards her. "Do you miss Mother?"
"I saw Mother wasn't coming out. Did Xingyue make Mother unhappy? Then Xingyue apologizes to Mother. Please don't be unhappy anymore," Xue Xingyue's voice was soft and endearing.
"Mother isn't angry. Mother is just thinking about some things, things she's been unable to figure out."
"If there's anything Mother can't figure out, you can tell Xingyue, and I'll help Mother."
Xue Zining smiled upon hearing this. "Mother can figure it out herself. Some things, no matter what others say or advise, are useless. Only when you understand it yourself is it truly understood."
"Mother, I hope you figure it out quickly. Although Father is good, Uncle Wen is also good. He talks to me patiently and doesn't always have a stern face like Father. Although I hope Mother and Father can be together, I more hope to be with Uncle Wen."
"Silly child, Mother understands," Xue Zining said.
Xue Xingyue finally buried her head in her arms. "But no matter who Mother chooses, Xingyue will be with Mother and Brother."
"Yes, no one in this world can separate us," Xue Zining said slowly.
Xue Xingyue nodded. "Mother, then Xingyue is going to find Uncle Wen."
"Go ahead!" Xue Zining said.
"Xue Yan, isn't Wen Yuxi very good?"
Upon hearing Xue Zining ask this, Xue Yan couldn't disparage Wen Yuxi, as Wen Yuxi was truly good.
"Yes, Lord Wen is truly good," Xue Yan replied.
"Tomorrow, we return to the capital," Xue Zining said this and then got up and left.
Xue Yan sighed and followed.
Xue Song informed Yan Jin Chao of the Empress's decision to return to the capital. Yan Jin Chao simply grunted indifferently and lowered his head to bid farewell.
Xue Song sighed. He could not change his master's thoughts or methods.
What could be changed had been changed, and what could not be changed would ultimately remain unchanged.
"Young Master, are you really letting the Empress leave like this?" Not keeping the child, and not keeping the Empress?
"Otherwise?" Yan Jin Chao retorted to Xue Song.
"Shouldn't you keep the Empress?" Xue Song dared to ask.
Yan Jin Chao gazed into the distance and said slowly, "I cannot selfishly keep her. Chang Jiu Country needs her, and the people of Chang Jiu Country need her."
Xue Song fell silent. He didn't know what else to say. Perhaps no matter what he said, it wouldn't change his master's mind.
Before dawn, Xue Zining left the Yan Manor in a carriage.
Xue Yan also left. Xue Song was heartbroken but understood Xue Yan's actions. Perhaps if he were Xue Yan, he would do the same.
If only his Young Master and the Empress could reconcile, then he could follow them. Now, he still had to stand here escorting Xue Yan away, and his heart felt bitter!
"Why aren't you leaving?" Yan Jin Chao suddenly spoke.
Xue Song was slightly startled and looked at his Young Master. "Are you speaking to your subordinate?"
"Is there anyone else here?" Yan Jin Chao asked.
Xue Song then confirmed that his Young Master was indeed speaking to him. "Young Master, your subordinate will not leave. Your subordinate will remain here to protect you."
"I don't need your protection. Go!" Yan Jin Chao said.
This time, Xue Song was surprised. He looked at Yan Jin Chao and said, "Young Master, this makes your subordinate feel rather bewildered."
"I just feel that the Empress's journey will not be peaceful. You follow her and secretly protect the Empress and your beloved."