"My lord, it is Wen Nuan. By the time you read this letter, I may already be lying in bed, beyond your calling.
You need not blame yourself, nor grieve. This path of return is something I have contemplated for a very, very long time. If you ask when this thought first took root, it was perhaps when I could no longer see.
Living in this world as I am, I am undoubtedly unworthy.
I have heard that your long-held wish has finally come to fruition. Wen Nuan offers her blessings to you and Her Majesty, for a hundred years of harmony and eternal togetherness.
Wen Nuan's final words."
Wen Yuxi was utterly devastated. He stumbled back several steps. Wen Yu, behind him, quickly stepped forward to check Wen Nuan's breathing, his voice hoarse, "My lord, Wen Nuan is gone."
Wen Yuxi clutched the letter tightly in his hand, tighter and tighter, until it finally crumbled into dust.
Yan Jin Chao, upon hearing the news, also rushed over. Seeing Wen Nuan on the bed, he knew Wen Nuan had committed suicide.
Xuesong walked in, followed by two trembling young maids. He stepped forward and said, "Young Master, the two servants who attended to Wen Nuan have been found."
Yan Jin Chao stepped forward and said to Wen Yuxi, "My Yan family bears responsibility for this. Wen Nuan, influenced by these two servants, conceived the thought of ending her own life."
Wen Yuxi shook his head. "Even if they are all killed, it cannot undo the fact that Wen Nuan is gone. This is all my fault, all my fault..."
He regretted not sending Wen Nuan to Beijiang City back then; otherwise, Wen Nuan would not be so filled with self-doubt now.
In truth, he was the ultimate culprit.
"Wen Yuxi, this is not your fault," Yan Jin Chao couldn't help but say.
"If it's not my fault, then who is it to blame?" Wen Yuxi asked him, his eyes red.
Yan Jin Chao paused slightly. "Wen Yuxi, you must overcome this yourself. You may not heed the words of others, but do not forget, Her Majesty is still waiting for you in the capital."
Wen Yuxi trembled all over, his gaze dimming. "I know. I will handle these matters as soon as possible."
Wen Yuxi arranged Wen Nuan's funeral simply, yet with dignity. He purchased the finest coffin and buried Wen Nuan in a place she loved, with mountains and water.
After completing all this, Wen Yuxi guarded Wen Nuan's grave for three full days and nights before emerging. When he did, he could barely stand.
Wen Yu quickly stepped forward and helped him up. "My lord, a letter has arrived from His Majesty."
Wen Yuxi asked, "Is it urgent?"
Wen Yu replied, "His Majesty asks when you will return, saying the two young princes miss you every day."
Wen Yuxi couldn't help but smile. "Tell the two young princes that I miss them too and will return soon."
Eager to return, Wen Yuxi intended to bid farewell to Yan Jin Chao and depart. In the study, he saw Yan Jin Chao. "Yan Zhi."
Yan Jin Chao blinked. "Your memory?"
"A small portion has been recovered," Yan Jin Chao said slowly.
"Have you recovered your memories of Her Majesty?"
Yan Jin Chao shook his head. "No, none at all." Dafeng Novel Network
For some reason, Wen Yuxi felt a sense of relief.
"When do you plan to leave?" Yan Jin Chao asked.
"I will depart immediately," Wen Yuxi said. There was nothing left here to make him linger; he only wished to return to His Majesty's side quickly.
"Then I will not see you off. Have a safe journey," Yan Jin Chao said slowly.
Wen Yuxi nodded, bowed, and clasped his hands. "Until we meet again!"
Wen Yuxi, riding his horse with Wen Yu, left the place. Yan Jin Chao watched Wen Yuxi's departing figure, his gaze deepening.
Xuesong, who was beside him, suddenly spoke. "Since Young Master has recovered his memory, why not tell Lord Wen? Perhaps Lord Wen..."
"Xuesong, Wen Yuxi is wary of me," Yan Jin Chao turned to look at Xuesong.
Xuesong was startled. "Young Master, you..."
"Wen Yuxi will treat her well. We have all witnessed this." It was only that he recovered his memory too late.
"But you also lost your memory because of Her Majesty!"
"Xuesong, I want her to be happy. Wen Yuxi will treat her well."
"And you? Are you not well?" Xuesong didn't understand. Since he had recovered his memory, why wasn't he going to find Her Majesty? Did Her Majesty and the two young princes mean nothing to him?
"Xuesong, I am afraid." He feared that Ah Ning would not recognize him, nor would the two little ones, because it was he who had pushed them away, pushed them towards Wen Yuxi. What right did he have to expect them to accept him?
Xuesong fell silent. He knew that what his Young Master said was not wrong. The Young Master who had lost his memory had not treated Her Majesty well. Now that he had recovered his memory, how could he face Her Majesty?
"Then is Young Master giving up just like that?" Xuesong asked.
"Giving up?" Yan Jin Chao looked into the distance, his eyes profound.
Wen Yuxi traveled day and night to the capital, entering the palace in haste without even changing his horse, heading straight for Xue Zining's sleeping quarters.
It wasn't until Wen Yu reminded him that this was the Imperial Palace. He belatedly dismounted and flew towards Changning Palace.
At the entrance, he saw Xue Xingyue and Xue Xingchen. Xue Xingyue clapped her hands and called out, "Uncle Wen, Uncle Wen."
Wen Yuxi stepped forward and picked up Xue Xingyue, asking, "Did you miss Uncle Wen?"
"Yes," Xue Xingyue giggled.
"And Xingchen?" Wen Yuxi turned and asked.
Xue Xingchen shyly turned his face away but nodded, indicating that he missed Wen Yuxi.
The events that had transpired in Jiangnan brought a faint smile to Wen Yuxi's lips now.
"Welcome back, Yan Zhi."
Wen Yuxi looked up and saw the familiar sky-and-water-colored long dress, and that pure and peerlessly beautiful face.
Wen Yuxi stepped forward, set down Xue Xingyue, and knelt on one knee. "Your subject has returned. Long live His Majesty, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"
"Get up quickly!" Xue Zining helped Wen Yuxi up.
Wen Yuxi looked at the face he had missed day and night, now before him. He boldly embraced her. "Your Majesty, I have missed you dearly."
"Yan Zhi, it is good that you have returned. You must not have eaten yet. Come in and dine."
Wen Yuxi nodded. He held the Empress's hand and walked in. He saw the table laden with his favorite dishes.
He was somewhat touched. "Your Majesty, did you prepare this especially for me?"
"Yes," Xue Zining replied.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Eat quickly!" Xue Zining said.
Wen Yuxi picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, and then suddenly put them down. Xue Zining saw this and asked, "What is it? Is it not to your taste?"
Wen Yuxi shook his head and looked up at Xue Zining. "Your Majesty, there is something I do not wish to hide from you."
"Speak," Xue Zining said.
"Yan Jin Chao has recovered his memory," Wen Yuxi said slowly.
He looked at the Empress. In truth, he had wrestled with this decision all the way here, wondering whether to tell the Empress. If he didn't tell her, she might never know, and perhaps he would have a greater chance.
However, he felt he could not be so selfish. The Empress had her own choices and decisions to make.