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

Three days later, before dawn, the Yilan Palace was completely quiet.

Shen Qingruo was still asleep when she vaguely felt someone gently lift her brocade quilt.

She frowned, reluctantly shrinking deeper into the covers, her voice still slightly nasal as she softly protested, "Stop it..."

The next moment, she was pulled out of bed by a pair of strong arms.

Shen Wangxi held her in his arms, looking at her sleepy, rosy face, his heart softened, and he said gently, "Aruo, wake up, it's time to get up."

Shen Qingruo rubbed her eyes, and when she saw that it was him, she lowered her eyelashes, neither looking at him nor speaking, letting the palace servants come forward to serve her washing up.

Shen Wangxi didn't mind and just sat aside and watched.

His gaze swept over the several sets of clothes brought by the palace servants, and he pointed to the light green, belted long dress: "Wear this."

Granny Yan readily agreed and personally helped Shen Qingruo change her clothes and do her makeup.

Shen Wangxi watched from the side and then instructed Wu Tian: "Go and bring the tea set that the Empress usually uses, the black jade chessboard, and the few storybooks she often reads. She will need them on the way."

"And clothes, jewelry, nothing can be missing."

Wu Tian smiled and replied, "This servant has already had it prepared, Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Shen Qingruo sat quietly in front of the dressing table, letting Granny Yan style her hair.

Looking through the bronze mirror at the man behind her who was directing the palace maids and making meticulous arrangements, she finally couldn't help but speak softly:

"What is Your Majesty doing? Where are you taking Aruo?"

Shen Wangxi walked behind her, looked at her delicate face in the mirror, and said gently, "Take Aruo out of the palace for a walk."

"Leaving the palace?" Shen Qingruo turned her head, somewhat surprised, and looked at him questioningly.

Shen Wangxi observed her reaction and felt certain that the method was indeed effective.

He reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his tone indulgent: "Yes, it's about leaving the palace. But..." He paused deliberately.

Shen Qingruo looked at him nervously.

Looking at her adorable expression, Shen Wangxi smiled slightly before slowly replying, "It's just that you'll come with me. Wherever I go, you'll go."

Although I didn't leave the palace alone, being able to leave these four palace walls was already an unexpected joy.

Shen Qingruo was somewhat excited, and even her face was no longer as cold as usual.

Seeing her unusually happy expression, Shen Wangxi felt the gloom that had been weighing on her heart for days finally dissipate, and she also relaxed.

He reached out and naturally took her small hand in his, feeling its soft warmth.

"Let's go." He said in a doting tone.

This time, Shen Qingruo did not break free, letting him lead her as she stood up.

She lowered her head, looking at their clasped hands, then glanced at the palace servants beside her carrying out large and small boxes, and asked softly:

"Your Majesty, are we going to be gone for a long time? Why are we packing so much stuff?"

"It won't be long, but we can't let my Aruo suffer while we're out here," Shen Wangxi said, leading her outside in a good mood.

Outside the palace, carriages and horses were already prepared.

-

Three days later, inside the Prince Xiaoyao's mansion.

Shen Yinian held the letter sent by his mother, his brows furrowed, hesitant and undecided.

He was reluctant to get involved in these disputes, but thinking of his sister who was under house arrest and his mother who was in a difficult situation, he couldn't help but worry and decided to go to the palace to discuss it with his mother again.

Inside the Jiaofang Palace, Wulan Yun had not left the house for a long time. She sat alone by the window, without makeup, and her face looked haggard.

Hearing footsteps, she slowly turned her head. Seeing it was her son, a glimmer of light finally appeared in her dim eyes.

"Yi Nian, you've come." Her voice was a little hoarse.

"Have you gone to the Taiji Hall to pay your respects to your father? He's estranged from your mother and dislikes your sister now. You need to be more present with him, let him see your goodness and your filial piety, understand?"

"You are his only son, he will always..."

"Mother," Shen Yinian interrupted Wulan Yun's incessant admonitions, his brows furrowing even more, "Father left the palace a few days ago."

Wu Lanyun's expression froze, as if she hadn't heard clearly: "What did you say?"

Shen Yinian looked at her and softened his tone: "Father's explanation to the court and the public is that he misses his homeland and is going back to the desert for a few days."

"Major affairs of the court will be handled jointly by the Duke of Zhenguo, the Duke of Suguo, and the ministers of various departments. If there are any urgent matters, they will be sent to the camp by express courier."

"Mother, don't you know?"

The color drained from Wulan Yun's face, turning deathly pale.

She slowly stood up, supporting herself on the corner of the table, and looked at her son: "Did he bring that bitch with him? Shen Qingruo?"

Shen Yinian remained silent, offering no denial.

Looking at his tacit attitude, Wulan Yun suddenly laughed softly. The laughter was very soft at first, but gradually became sad and desperate.

She looked around the vast yet cold Jiaofang Palace, tears silently streaming down her face.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

"I had no idea His Majesty had left the palace! Not a single person even came to inform me!"

"Now, in this Jiaofang Palace, inside and out, who still treats me as the Empress? Who is even half a confidant of mine?"

She took a few steps forward abruptly, grabbed Shen Yinian's arm, and looked up at him with tearful eyes, asking:

"Yi Nian, do you still remember how noble I was back in the desert!"

"In the military camp, a place of great importance, His Majesty discusses important military and political matters with his generals without ever avoiding my presence, and often even seeks my opinions!"

"When I first entered the Great Zhou Imperial Palace, I was greeted by the sound of kneeling and worship everywhere, and the people paid homage to me."

"But how did it turn out like this?"