Shan’er’s first journey in life came to an end. Chen Lun, following orders, escorted her back home.

At the end of summer that year, when their daughter returned to their side, Jiang Hanyuan discovered she had grown considerably taller. Shu Shenhui and Chen Lun had not seen each other for many years, and to meet again in this way was a great joy. The two men rode out of the city together to hunt and enjoy themselves.

Jiang Hanyuan and her daughter also had endless things to talk about – or rather, Shan’er had endless things to say.

She talked nonstop to Jiang Hanyuan about all the sights and experiences of her southern journey, bubbling with happiness. Jiang Hanyuan patiently listened to her daughter describe her feelings and every new person she had met: her Imperial Grandmother and her Emperor Brother.

“He liked me! Oh, and he gave me something as a meeting gift!”

Shan’er suddenly remembered, hurriedly took out the brocade pouch, and presented it to her mother with both hands.

Jiang Hanyuan looked and was startled. She took it, removed the object from the pouch, and her gaze fixed.

“What is this?” came her daughter’s questioning voice.

Jiang Hanyuan came back to her senses.

“This belonged to your Imperial Grandfather,” she said slowly.

The little princess still didn’t understand and was somewhat confused, but quickly forgot about it and thought of something else: “Mother, what is Chang’an like? Is it bigger than Yan Prefecture? Emperor Brother wants me to go to Chang’an to play. May I go?”

Jiang Hanyuan met her daughter’s eager gaze, was silent for a moment, then said: “If you want to go, then go.”

Yongle cheered: “Wonderful! Next time I can go to Chang’an!”

Jiang Hanyuan let out a long breath, a faint sense of relief seeming to well up in her heart.

Three days later.

Shu Shenhui escorted Chen Lun on his southern return. After traveling several dozen li beyond Yan Prefecture, Chen Lun asked him to stop and presented him with a thick letter.

This was a private letter the emperor had commanded him to deliver to Prince Qi.

After seeing off Chen Lun, Shu Shenhui stopped his horse on the road, looked at the letter in his hand, and after a moment, broke the seal and took out the letter.

This was the first private letter he had received from Shu Jian in four years.

Familiar handwriting met his eyes, the ink neat and orderly, like an examination paper that a young man would have submitted to him in the past.

The letter opened with detailed records of the important court affairs from the years since he had taken personal control of government, including his responses and considerations regarding last year’s drought in Jiangnan and the southern vassal rebellion. It said that though some results had been achieved, he knew there were still many shortcomings and inadequacies. Moreover, only now did he realize how ignorant and arrogant his former boast about becoming an emperor like his Imperial Grandfather had been. He must remain vigilant and dare not slacken.

He had heard that Imperial Sister Shan’er had gone to Jiangnan and wanted to invite her to Chang’an, yet feared this would be presumptuous.

When Shan’er returned, he had wanted nothing more than to personally escort her, but after much consideration, he still could not make the journey.

It was not unwillingness, but a lack of daring.

Once he had been blinded by power and wronged his elders. Even today, he still had no right to stand before him and the Third Imperial Aunt.

That tripod decree was a relic of the Sacred Martial Emperor and should not be kept by him, so he had given it to Imperial Sister as a keepsake.

Finally, he said that when the day came that he had sufficient confidence and could consider himself accomplished and not disappointing, he would certainly come to see them in person. When that day arrived, his only hope would be to hear them call him “Jian’er” as they once had.

If so, there would be no more regrets.

With respectful bows and deep obeisance.

Shu Shenhui finished reading the letter, raised his head, gazed toward Chang’an, smiled slightly, put away the letter, and spurred his horse back toward the prefecture city.

When he reached the city gates, it was already evening with the setting sun slanting down. He saw in the distance that Jiang Hanyuan was standing on the city tower with Shan’er.

In the sunset, one tall and one small, two figures were waiting for his return from seeing off their guest.

This scene somehow suddenly reminded him of that dream he had once had years ago in the valley at Yunluo City.

At that time, she was by his side, and there was a little girl in his dream.

And at this moment, that girl from his dream had become real.

In his moment of slight bewilderment, Shan’er, who had pestered Jiang Hanyuan to come up to the city tower to wait for Father King’s return, saw him and excitedly waved at him, calling out loudly.

Soon, the small figure came running out from behind the city gate.

Shu Shenhui dismounted and strode to meet her. She smiled, quietly watching this scene.

He swept up his daughter in his arms and, in the glow of the evening homecoming, walked toward her.

Author’s Note: Finished writing.

Originally planned to complete in February, but unexpectedly only finished in early April.

Thank you all, truly thank you very much.

Finally, my greatest wish is for the pandemic to pass soon.

Peace and happiness.