The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

In Yilan Palace, Shen Qingruo held a freshly brewed flower tea, gently blew on it to cool it, and quietly watched the conversation between the mother and son in Jiaofang Palace, her face showing no surprise.

She slowly said to Xiao Jiu, "Shen Yinian's trip has probably completely awakened his good mother."

Xiao Jiu flashed through her mind: "Aren't you worried? If Wulan Yun comes to her senses and stops acting on her emotions, she'll be much harder to deal with."

Shen Qingruo took a sip of tea and chuckled softly, "Worried?"

"If she loses so easily and never recovers, then I'll find it meaningless."

"I really want to see just how formidable Wulan Yun will be once she's completely sobered up and no longer blinded by love."

-

In the afternoon, inside the Jiaofang Palace, Shen Yinian had already left.

Wulan Yun sat in front of the dressing table, her eyes vacant.

Granny Su stood quietly to one side.

After a long silence, Wulan Yun slowly spoke, her voice hoarse: "Granny, is Ayan still locked up in the manor?"

"It's my fault. I've been ignoring her suffering for my own sake."

Granny Su stepped forward and whispered a reminder: "Your Highness, the Princess has been under house arrest for a long time, but her birthday is in a few days."

"His Majesty values ​​the Eldest Princess. If the princess is confined to her residence even on her birthday, His Majesty will probably feel uneasy."

Wulan Yun took a deep breath: "Yes, it's Ayan's birthday in a few days. I can't go on like this any longer."

She stood up. "Help me change my clothes, make sure they are clean."

When Wulan Yun appeared in the Taiji Hall dressed in a white dress, Shen Wangxi was reviewing memorials.

When he saw her attire, his hand holding the vermilion pen paused slightly.

Wulan Yun walked to the imperial desk, bent her knees, and then knelt down straight.

Shen Wangxi frowned: "What does the Empress mean by this?"

Ulan Yun lowered her head, her voice weary: "Your Majesty, I have come to beg for forgiveness."

"I was confused about everything that happened in the past."

"Your Majesty, I was just too angry. I hated that my husband was taken away from me, which made me lose my mind and do such a wrong thing, thus angering the Emperor."

"From this day forward, I am willing to return to the position of Empress, to be dutiful and virtuous, and to be free from jealousy and hatred. I only ask that Your Majesty grant me and my children a way to survive."

Shen Wangxi looked at her, scrutinizing her, but did not speak immediately.

Wulan Yun raised her head; she wasn't wearing any jewelry, making her face appear somewhat pale.

She continued, "Your Majesty's favor is no longer a concern. I only ask that my children be happy and healthy by my side."

As Wulan Yun spoke, she bent down and solemnly kowtowed, her forehead touching the ground with a sound.

She maintained her bent-over posture and said, "Ayan's birthday is in a few days."

"She has been imprisoned by His Majesty for more than two months, without fine clothes and delicacies, and without the company of her family. With her temperament, she is probably about to break down."

"Your Majesty, I beg you to grant me permission to enter the palace and keep me company, for the sake of Ayan's birthday."

She kowtowed again, quite forcefully, and red marks immediately appeared on her forehead.

"Ah Yan made a big mistake back then because she was trying to protect me, her useless mother."

"It is all my fault, Your Majesty. I failed to teach her properly. I beg Your Majesty to give her a chance to correct her mistakes."

As she spoke, she prepared to kowtow a third time.

"That's enough," Shen Wangxi interrupted, her voice devoid of emotion.

Wulan Yun stopped moving, slowly straightened up, knelt there, and waited quietly.

Shen Wangxi looked at the red mark on her forehead and then at her overly plain clothes, and remained silent for a moment.

He knew that Wulan Yun was strong-willed, and it was no easy feat to get her to go to such lengths and let go of all her pride.

Shen Jingyan is, after all, his eldest daughter, and it is indeed inappropriate to keep her locked up all this time.

"Get up," he finally said. "Ayan, I will release her."

A fleeting thought crossed Wulan Yun's eyes. She lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."

Shen Wangxi looked at her, his tone carrying a warning: "From now on, you and Ayan will stay quietly in Jiaofang Palace."

"As long as you don't provoke the Yilan Palace, Consort Zhao won't cause you any trouble."

He paused, then emphasized, "Remember my words, do not cause any more trouble for Aruo."

"Your Majesty, I will remember," Wulan Yun replied, her voice steady.

She stood up, bowed again, then turned around, straightened her back, and walked out of the Taiji Hall step by step.

Granny Su was waiting outside. When she saw her come out, her gaze lingered on the red mark on her forehead for a moment, and she whispered, "Your Highness, did it go smoothly?"

Wu Lanyun raised her hand and gently touched her slightly aching forehead with her fingertips, her face expressionless.

"Return to the palace," she said, uttering only two words.