Then what she saw was Duanwen’s tear-stained face, and Yuwen Changqing whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

Someone held her tightly, their body trembling. She turned her head, and her cheek brushed against his cold earlobe.

Such a familiar scent—he’d finally come. She had thought he was still busy and couldn’t spare time to enter the palace to see her.

The palace servants were all startled. Looking at that man in ordinary clothes, just about to ask who he was, they were chased away by head palace maid Baoshan. “Everyone leave! Whoever dares look back even once, this month’s salary is mine!”

People instantly scattered. Gu Chaobei held the person in his arms tightly, not daring to loosen even a little.

The choking in his throat rose and fell several times. Shen Guiyan patted his back and said softly, “Welcome Your Majesty’s return to the palace.”

Gu Chaobei grunted in response and finally raised his head.

His Yan’er had become so much thinner. Wearing this palace attire, holding her was all fabric and bones—he couldn’t feel any flesh. The palace’s imperial chefs definitely hadn’t taken good care of her. Baoshan too—how could they let her become this thin?

His eyes somewhat panicked, the Emperor was just preparing to turn and scold Baoshan to divert attention when he met Baoshan’s pair of red eyes that carried the meaning of grinding teeth.

The Emperor cowered. Even facing a palace maid he felt afraid. His lips moved as he lowered his head, holding Yan’er’s hand and gently caressing it.

Say something! Duanwen behind was anxious beyond measure. A man who could be high-spirited facing thousands of troops—how was he so stupid now!

Yuwen Changqing blocked Duanwen who wanted to rush forward, and pulled away the murderous-aura-filled Baoshan. Those two hadn’t seen each other in so many years—they definitely didn’t know how to start speaking. More people would only make it more awkward. Better to have the idle people disperse and let them be alone.

Men’s growth speed was very fast. Gu Chaobei had now shed his former reckless behavior and become much more mature and steady. But somehow, now standing before Yan’er, he was still like a student who’d made a mistake standing before their teacher, not knowing where to put his hands.

What should he say to her? Say “I’ve returned”? Nonsense—the person was standing right here, of course he’d returned. Then ask if she’s been well? Looking at her frail body, he knew she definitely hadn’t been well. Asking would just be asking for a beating.

Still hesitating, he had already thought as far as praising how beautiful the capital’s snow was, when Shen Guiyan before him spoke first.

“Is Your Majesty cold?”

“Hmm?” Gu Chaobei came back to his senses and looked down at himself. He hadn’t worn a cloak when he came out. Standing in the snow like this, it really was somewhat cold.

“Come with this subject.” Shen Guiyan smiled as she pulled him along. There were tears in her eyes, but when she turned her head he could no longer see them. Her steps were somewhat hurried, but with snow falling, walking quickly was appropriate.

Gu Chaobei was led by her to Yonghe Palace. A silver fox fur cloak of just the right size was draped on him. It looked new but seemed to have been stored for a long time.

Shen Guiyan stood before him, seriously fastening the cloak for him, chattering on. “Last year someone hunted a silver fox and presented it to the palace. This subject thought to make you a set. If you hadn’t returned, this cloak would have been given to Second Brother as a reward. The prince also wanted one, but this subject thought this color most suited Your Majesty.”

“I thought Your Majesty had some urgent matter unfinished in the capital, which is why you never entered the palace. Are you finished now, or have you finally come around?”

“But it doesn’t matter. As long as you’ve returned, this subject still holds the court’s major affairs. Once this subject hands you the imperial seal, you can return to presiding over court politics. This subject can also peacefully keep the prince company. Military power is in Second Brother’s hands. He loves me most and won’t make things difficult for Your Majesty. The capital is the national capital—Yan’er defended it for you. Your Majesty is also very capable, finally taking the entire realm…”

Returned.

The remaining words were all drowned between lips and teeth. Shen Guiyan looked up in a daze and saw the crystalline bright things in Gu Chaobei’s eyes, sliding down his straight nose bridge and falling on her cheek.

He was much taller than her. Kissing like this, she usually had to stand on tiptoe to reach. But today, he lowered his head, half-bowing his body, fiercely kissing her.

Her heart warmed slightly. Frozen for three years, already solid as an ice prison, yet because of his kiss, it melted completely clean.

She had originally thought herself quite accomplished—caring about the realm, not willing to live or die for romantic love.

But at this very moment, she discovered that she actually loved Gu Chaobei this much. Abandoned for three years, yet with one kiss from him, she forgot all the suffering and resentment.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t resented him. He was too heartless. Even leaving her a single word would have been good. Finally giving birth with difficulty, the child’s father disappeared, and what greeted her was the enemy army attacking the capital. Who could endure that? She had cursed him in her heart so many times!

Originally she had thought that when Gu Chaobei returned, she would definitely throw a proper fit, so he would never dare do this again. But now being held warmly like this, being kissed, she worthlessly didn’t want to think about anything else.

“Yan’er.” He called her hoarsely.

“Mm?” Shen Guiyan looked up, meeting Gu Chaobei’s eyes full of guilt.

“At that time, I was knocked unconscious and taken away.” Gu Chaobei said in a low voice. “I didn’t intend to abandon you. I just had no choice but to leave the capital directly. Going back to the palace once wasn’t in time. I sent people to get you, but you were giving birth…”

Once explaining, there were countless words to say. The Emperor’s fingertips trembled as he touched her cheek. “After reaching Lizhou I also wanted to immediately inquire about your news and send people to get you. But you had given birth to the prince and were locked in the deep palace by Wen Shoushan. There was no way to make contact from outside. News from the capital was blocked. I was also busy contacting princes and Duanwen, then came war. One fight lasted three years. During this time I also couldn’t contact you…”

Yan’er’s expression had not a ripple of change. With a straight face, she made him feel less and less confident the more he spoke. His voice grew smaller and smaller. The Emperor’s heart was already heavy.

Would she not forgive him?

After finishing speaking, only then did Shen Guiyan speak expressionlessly. “Apologize.”

“I’m sorry.” Gu Chaobei said immediately without a moment’s hesitation.

She laughed with a small sound. The person before him melted in expression. Gu Chaobei was somewhat dazed when someone hugged him.

“It’s alright.” Shen Guiyan said.

Since he hadn’t intentionally abandoned her, had made efforts, done his best, then she had no need to blame him anymore. What was important was that he had returned now, was right before her. She could reach out and embrace him.

The Emperor was dumbfounded.

One “I’m sorry,” one “it’s alright,” and it was over? If he’d known it would be like this, what was he afraid of? He’d wasted his time at the Gu residence thinking of ten thousand possibilities, thinking about how she would react, thinking she might cry hysterically, or charge at him with a knife…

But she said: It’s alright.

To marry such a wife—what more could a husband ask for?

The little prince in his own room looked at Shen Guiwu before him. “Uncle, has Father Emperor already returned?”

Shen Guiwu smiled. “Yes. Does the prince want to see Father Emperor?”

“Yes.” The little prince’s delicate face carried a very serious expression.

Shen Guiwu hurried out to order palace servants to invite His Majesty and the Noble Consort over later. After giving orders, he turned back to keep the little prince company and asked, “If Your Highness sees His Majesty, what do you want to say?”

The little prince had always wanted his father emperor. Although he’d never seen him since birth, this obsession of missing his father had always moved the palace servants.

Now he could finally see him.

“When I see Father Emperor, I’ll want to ask him.” The little prince said seriously. “Mother Consort is so good, yet he still won’t come home. Is it like Aunt Baoshan said—he went out seeking flowers and asking willows? I also want to ask why he can make Mother Consort often cry from so far away. Aunt Baoshan said when I grow up I should protect Mother Consort. So now that Father Emperor has returned, can I order Father Emperor locked in the heavenly prison? That would be protecting Mother Consort, right?”

Shen Guiwu’s smile completely froze on his face.

If he went out now to tell His Majesty not to come over yet, would it still be in time?

Shen Guiyan often told the little prince that Father Emperor was a person who went on a long journey. Aunt Baoshan didn’t like lying and honestly said Father Emperor was his dad, who had more beloved things outside, so he abandoned their mother and son and left. When you see Father Emperor someday, you must bite him hard to avenge Mother Consort.

Though the little prince’s legs were disabled, he was very clever. He didn’t remember Shen Guiyan’s words but remembered all of Baoshan’s words.

So when Gu Chaobei hurried over with Shen Guiyan to see his son, the little prince gave him a greeting gift—a gem-red vivid true-blood large bracelet.

Row after row of tooth marks gave Father Emperor a deep impression.

Gu Chaobei silently endured being bitten. Shen Guiyan’s attempts to stop it were useless. Only after one left hand was bloody did the little prince release his mouth, and Gu Chaobei also breathed a sigh of relief.

“Your Majesty, are you alright?” Shen Guiyan asked.

Gu Chaobei smiled even more brilliantly than before. “I feel much better in my heart.”

Shen Guiyan: “…” Meaning he wouldn’t feel good without beating himself up?

Setting that aside, Shen Guiyan looked at her son’s teeth with distress. Fortunately they’d grown in sturdy. She ordered people to bring tea for him to rinse his mouth. Shen Guiyan said earnestly, “This is your father emperor. You can’t bite him. If you bite him, Mother Consort will feel heartache.”

“Just once.” The little prince puffed his cheeks. “This son is very sensible. I’ve long known that excessive things can only be done once.”

Just over three years old—Gu Chaobei shouldn’t suspect what he said was aimed at himself. However, looking at his immobile legs, the Emperor frowned. “Have you had doctors examine him?”

“Mm.” Shen Guiyan nodded. “There’s no rush. Doctor Liu said when he grows up it will be fine.”

Gu Chaobei sighed. He as father emperor was truly incompetent. He deserved to be bitten.

Wen Shoushan was imprisoned. Wen’s army also announced surrender. After so many years of chaos, the realm could finally return to peace.

Gu Chaobei wore dragon robes and sat on the imperial throne again.

An imperial edict resounded through the palace court and hall:

“The realm is at great peace. Those with merit should be rewarded. During the three years I was away from the capital, Lady Shen alone defended the capital, loyal to the imperial house, meritorious to the state and altars. Virtuous and chaste, steadfast and unwavering. Now specially enfeoffed as Empress, to manage the six palaces, maternal example for all under heaven…”