With Xuan Yuncheng’s token, and presenting herself as a maidservant from the Crown Prince’s residence, the guards dared not be neglectful.

A guard took the token. “One moment — this subordinate will go inform His Majesty.”

“Of course.” Yan Yunning exhaled slowly and pressed a hand over her rapidly beating heart.

Inside the bedchamber, Xuan Yanyu lounged lazily on a chaise, toying with a jade thumb ring at his fingertips. As soon as the guard entered, the man raised a hand to signal him to wait before speaking.

“Your Majesty, the guards accompanying His Highness report that after His Highness left the palace, he returned directly to the Crown Prince’s residence, and did not eat any less at dinner.” Ye’an chose his words carefully, glossing over the key details.

He had been told that the moment His Highness left the palace, he had tracked down the young woman who resembled Her Majesty the Empress and brought her back. The two had even dined together that evening.

His Majesty had instructed Ye Chen to deal with the woman, yet Ye Chen had only had her driven out of the Crown Prince’s residence — deliberately provoking His Majesty’s displeasure.

If His Majesty were to learn that the Crown Prince had brought her back again, it would only deepen the rift between father and son.

“That well-behaved? He didn’t cause a scene after going back?” Xuan Yanyu narrowed his eyes and tapped the jade thumb ring twice.

Ye’an’s voice was tense with anxiety. “Your Majesty, that is what the guards beside His Highness reported to this subordinate.”

“Is that so?” The man leaned back slightly, lazily closing his eyes, as though speaking offhandedly. “If there was no scene, that means the woman is still there — either Ye Chen hasn’t acted yet, or Ye Chen has defied Our will, or perhaps you never conveyed Our orders to Ye Chen.”

That troublesome little rascal, though he feared him and also yearned for more of his attention — if he were truly pushed to anger, he would not simply endure it. He would go straight to his Imperial Grandfather, teary-eyed and aggrieved, to lodge a complaint.

After all, by the time he had left the palace today, he was already referring to himself with the royal “this Crown Prince.” If he were to then learn that his so-called “Imperial Mother” was gone, there was no way he would simply stay put in the residence.

“This subordinate has erred, Your Majesty.” Ye’an sank to his knees, his knees going weak. “After His Highness left the palace, he retrieved the maidservant who resembled Her Majesty the Empress and had been driven out. His Highness also dined with her this evening.”

Crack. A fracture split through the teacup as the man’s grip tightened around it. His expression turned cold, and the corners of his mouth curled into a mocking smile. “Go deal with that woman. Have someone bring the Crown Prince into the palace and confine him to the ancestral hall. He is not to be released until he recognizes his mistake.”

“Your Majesty… confining the Crown Prince to the ancestral hall would be difficult to explain to the Grand Emperor.”

“You.” Xuan Yanyu pointed at the guard who had just entered the chamber. His handsome face wore a ruthless smile. “Drag that night guard out. He defied Our will — you know how to handle that without Us spelling it out for you, yes?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Ye’an clenched his teeth. “Your Majesty, this subordinate has erred. This subordinate will immediately arrange for the Crown Prince to be brought into the palace.”

Ever since the Empress had left, His Majesty had not conceded a single step where she was concerned.

Even… even His Majesty still frequently used a dagger to cut his own arm — using the sting of the wound to numb the suffocating ache in his heart.

No one could dissuade him. It had reached the point where His Majesty had gone to live long-term in Chaxi Town, refusing to hold court, refusing to review memorials. The Grand Emperor did not dare say a single word against it.

Now, for some reason, the Crown Prince had accepted this maidservant as his Imperial Mother.

He had spoken one extra word on the matter, and His Majesty had threatened to punish him for it. It seemed the Crown Prince, too, ranked behind the Empress in His Majesty’s heart.

“There will be no next time.” Xuan Yanyu’s voice carried a cold edge.

“This subordinate understands.” Ye’an gripped the hem of his robe and slowly rose to his feet, then gradually backed out of the bedchamber.

His mind was consumed with how to handle this. If he confined the Crown Prince to the ancestral hall and the Grand Emperor and the Empress Dowager found out, he would be in trouble. But if he didn’t follow His Majesty’s orders, he would be in trouble immediately.

“Speak. What did you come to tell Us?” The man looked at the guard, his expression impassive.

“Your Majesty.” The guard presented Xuan Yuncheng’s token. “A maidservant from the Crown Prince’s residence says that His Highness has something important to convey to you. The maidservant is waiting outside the chamber. Shall this subordinate bring her in?”

Xuan Yanyu picked up the token, his brow furrowing slightly.

“Ahhh!!!” A startled cry from Ye’an rang out into the chamber. The man said impatiently, “Go and see what’s happening.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The guard withdrew from the bedchamber without delay.

Outside the chamber, Ye’an pressed a hand over his mouth in fright, scrutinizing Yan Yunning with wide eyes. Who could possibly understand his state of mind right now — he had been walking out of the bedchamber, lost in thought and utterly desolate, had just pulled the door shut behind him and turned around — only to see the Empress of Prince Xuan, who had vanished for five years, greeting him!!

And on top of that, it was the middle of the night!!!

Yan Yunning patted her chest, bewildered. “What are you screaming for? You startled me.”

“I…” Ye’an forgot all decorum and stared at Yan Yunning’s face, trying to find any signs of stiffness.

“Has Xuan Yanyu retired for the night?” Yan Yunning let out a yawn. She had been standing there for quite a while now and was already drowsy.

“Your Majesty the Empress — is it truly you?” Ye’an said, his voice trembling with agitation.

All those who had impersonated the Empress — not one of them had ever dared call His Majesty by name. They had only sought to exploit their resemblance to the Empress in order to win his favor.

Yan Yunning raised an eyebrow. “Oh? How could you tell?”

It wasn’t as though everyone was as perceptive as Ye Chen — only Ye Chen was that oblivious.

Ye’an said urgently, “Your Majesty the Empress, this subordinate will explain everything to you tomorrow. His Majesty intends to confine the Crown Prince to the ancestral hall — please go in and persuade His Majesty.”

Her Majesty the Empress had come at exactly the right moment!

She was truly his benefactress!

“Why? Can Xiaoxiao even cause trouble from the Crown Prince’s residence?” Yan Yunning genuinely couldn’t understand.

Ye’an hesitated, then kept it brief. “Your Majesty the Empress, please go in and ask His Majesty directly — you’ll understand soon enough.”

“Understood. Don’t go disturbing Xiaoxiao’s rest at the Crown Prince’s residence.” Yan Yunning instructed.

“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress. This subordinate obeys.” The smile on Ye’an’s face was visible to the naked eye.

The guard who had stepped out per Xuan Yanyu’s orders heard Ye’an address Yan Yunning as “Your Majesty the Empress” — his mind went blank with shock. The other guards keeping watch that night were similarly dumbfounded.

Watching Yan Yunning stride into the bedchamber and pull the door shut behind her, not a single one of them dared to stop her.

Inside the bedchamber, the man rested one hand against his temple, eyes closed in a light doze.

Hearing the soft sound of footsteps, he spoke indifferently. “What is it?”

Hearing the familiar, low-toned voice, Yan Yunning’s eyes gradually grew red. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and threw herself into his arms.

The man opened his eyes, just about to flare with anger — when a scent carved into his very bones reached him. His throat bobbed, and he went rigid on the chaise.

He didn’t dare move a single inch, afraid that the moment he reached out to hold her, she would vanish — just as she always had in the past whenever he tried.

Just as she had the day she gave birth to Xiaoxiao, and had suddenly disappeared.

“Xuan Xixi.” Yan Yunning called out to him, her voice soft.

Xuan Yanyu’s breath halted. In all his imaginings before, she had never spoken…

“Lingning — is it… is it really you?” He called her name, his voice hoarse.

“Mm.”

Yan Yunning could distinctly feel the man pulling her tightly into his arms.

Xuan Yanyu drew her closer against him, his smile tinged with a faint ache. “Lingning.”

“I’m here.” Yan Yunning felt a warmth surge through her heart.

The man asked in a small, aggrieved voice, “Will you leave again?”

“I won’t. Never again.”

Xuan Yanyu reached out with trembling hands and gripped her wrists, his gaze fixed on the girl’s fair and strikingly beautiful face — his eyes glassy and unfocused as he murmured, “You truly won’t leave Us again?”

“I won’t.” Yan Yunning leaned up and pressed her lips lightly to his.

The man’s muffled voice asked once more, “Truly won’t leave — not deceiving Us — is that right?”

Yan Yunning cupped his face in her hands and rubbed the tip of her nose against his. “Xuan Xixi, shouldn’t you be asking me where I went for these past five years?”

“As long as you come back and never leave Us again — nothing else matters.” Xuan Yanyu buried his face against her shoulder, his voice carrying just the faintest trace of a catch.