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

Half a month later, at the Jiaofang Palace.

Wulan Yun sat by the window, looking at the leaves of the trees in the courtyard, her expression somewhat dazed.

Granny Su approached quietly and whispered, "Your Highness, the Princess has arrived."

Wu Lanyun snapped out of her daze and straightened her sleeves: "Let her in."

Shen Jingyan entered the inner palace. Compared to half a month ago, she seemed to be thinner, with a somewhat restrained expression on her face, and her manners were much better. "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Seeing her like this, Wulan Yun felt a pang of sadness and beckoned her closer: "Come here, let your mother take a good look at you."

Shen Jingyan walked over and sat down on the embroidered stool next to her.

Wulan Yun took her hand and patted it gently: "Ayan, it was my fault last time. I shouldn't have said those things."

"During that period, my mother was also very troubled." She said with a guilty tone.

Shen Jingyan shook her head, interrupting her: "Mother, don't say anymore, it's alright."

She raised her eyes and looked at Wulan Yun, her eyes filled with the clarity that comes after experiencing setbacks. "Your subject knows that Father Emperor has become estranged from us. In this palace, we and my brother are the only family. We should not let other things cause us to become estranged."

Wu Lanyun was slightly taken aback, not expecting her daughter to say such a thing.

She carefully examined Shen Jingyan and felt that her daughter seemed to have grown up a lot. Her arrogance and pride had been worn away and replaced by forbearance.

Suppressing the complex emotions in her heart, Wulan Yun's tone turned to concern, "Good child, I'm relieved that you think this way."

"I heard that Prince Xiao has been visiting you frequently at Yilan Palace lately?"

Mentioning Xiao Yu, Shen Jingyan finally smiled, a touch of girlish shyness on her face, and nodded: "Mm."

"He treats me very well. A few days ago, the Consort deliberately made things difficult for me and forced me to kneel again. It was he who spoke up for me."

"Oh?" Wulan Yun raised an eyebrow. This was new information. "He stood up to the Imperial Concubine for you?"

Shen Jingyan quickly said, "It wasn't exactly a rebellion. He just couldn't stand it and said a few words in defense of me. The Imperial Concubine didn't make things difficult for me after that."

Her tone revealed her dependence on Xiao Yu.

Seeing the gleam in her daughter's eyes when she mentioned Xiao Yu, Wu Lanyun quickly began to make plans in her mind.

Xiao Yu is the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo, a man of noble status. If he can treat Ayan sincerely, he would be a good match for her and would also be a great help to her and Yi Nian.

A relieved smile appeared on her face, and she tightened her grip on Shen Jingyan's hand: "Young Master Xiao is a responsible man. Since he cares about you, I can rest assured."

"The Mid-Autumn Festival, a night for family reunion, is just around the corner."

"The Empress Dowager will organize the palace banquet properly this year."

"When His Majesty is in a good mood, I'll see if I can find an opportunity to bring up your marriage to your father."

"If you can get his approval and have the two of you get married as soon as possible, you can leave Yilan Palace sooner and become the legitimate wife of the Duke of Zhenguo."

Shen Jingyan looked at Wulan Yun with surprise and delight: "Mother, is what you're saying true?"

Her biggest hope right now is to leave the palace, escape Shen Qingruo's control, and start a new life with Xiao Yu.

Wu Lanyun looked at Shen Jingyan, her heart aching.

Her daughter, who should have been the most noble and happiest princess in the Great Zhou Dynasty, now has to see marriage as an escape.

"Of course it's true," Wu Lanyun affirmed, raising her hand to tidy Shen Jingyan's sideburns.

"Your mother will do everything in her power to fight for you."

Shen Jingyan grasped Wu Lanyun's hand in return, her voice trembling, "Thank you, Mother. I'm willing to do anything to leave here as soon as possible."

Seeing the joy return to her daughter's face, Wulan Yun's resolve hardened.

In any case, we must find a way out for our children.

She gently pulled Shen Jingyan into her arms, stroking her back, just like when they were children.

Shen Jingyan nestled in her mother's arms, feeling the long-lost warmth, her eyes welling up with tears.