Song Yanqing and Xiao Anqi left Xiaoxiang Palace and returned to Qixi Palace.
Song Yanqing continued to teach Xiao Anqi.
Xiao Anqi was clearly sowhat distracted.
"What’s wrong, Princess?" Song Yanqing asked.
Xiao Anqi had always been very obedient and usually did not get distracted during class ti.
Xiao Anqi blushed slightly, "Master, I want to play with my younger sister."
Just because the new younger sister was so curious.
Song Yanqing smiled gently, "Your father is over there now, if you go, he will surely be upset. If you don’t want to listen to my lecture now, take a break in the yard and play for a while, we can continue the class later."
"Thank you, Master." Xiao Anqi smiled sweetly.
Song Yanqing was also very gentle.
In fact, he had not expected to stay and accompany Xiao Anqi to grow up after promising the Emperor, yet he really stayed for five years.
He and Xiao Anqi walked toward the yard.
His steps suddenly halted.
Because he saw Xie Ruotong, still in armor, appearing in Anqi’s courtyard.
Returned today.
Indeed, she really returned.
He didn’t even dare to glance at her and naturally walked to the side.
Xiao Anqi at this mont looked at Xie Ruotong, her eyes seemingly filled with stars, bright and shining, she trotted over, "General Xie."
Since childhood, she really liked her.
Liked her very much.
Every ti Xie Ruotong returned from the border, the first thing she did was to visit Xiao Anqi.
As if transferring all her longing and reluctance for Ye Qichi onto Xiao Anqi.
The Emperor had always treated Xie Ruotong generously.
Throughout the whole court, only Xie Ruotong could enter and exit the harem without the Emperor’s permission.
Song Yanqing turned around and left.
Xie Ruotong also did not glance at Song Yanqing.
In five years, she didn’t return often, once or twice a year.
Each ti Song Yanqing would voluntarily avoid her.
They had no interactions in these five years.
"I missed you so much." Xiao Anqi was overjoyed, "How long will you stay this ti? Won’t you leave after a day or two again?!"
"It depends on what your father summoned back to do?" Xie Ruotong was gentle.
It seed all her gentleness was now only for Xiao Anqi.
She had received a sudden ssage saying the Emperor urgently needed her back at the palace for important matters.
She did not delay, returned quickly on horseback.
Upon returning, the Emperor was not in a hurry to see her, saying he would discuss it during the evening banquet.
She then directly went to see Xiao Anqi.
After not seeing her for nearly half a year, she seed to have grown quite a bit.
"I really wish you could stay by my side forever." Xiao Anqi murmured.
Xie Ruotong smiled.
So things just can’t be promised if they can’t be done.
"Oh yes, my father brought back a younger sister for , she’s adorable, I’m sure you’ll like her too." Xiao Anqi suddenly rembered, proudly showing off.
Xie Ruotong shook her head.
To her, she would only like Ye Qichi’s daughter.
The Emperor’s... was not within her concern.
Though sowhat curious.
Hadn’t the Emperor been said to keep himself clean from the harem for so many years without ever setting foot inside?!
So quickly, a child appears now?!
Xie Ruotong wasn’t interested, so she didn’t ask further.
Just accompanied Xiao Anqi in the courtyard for a bit longer.
After all, Xiao Anqi was only six years old, still innocent as a child; she played with knife and spear with Xie Ruotong for a while before chasing butterflies, while Xie Ruotong sat in the nearby pavilion quietly watching her.
She wondered if Ye Qichi would feel a hint of comfort seeing her daughter’s adorable and charming deanor.
Xie Ruotong kept watching.
In her mind, all she could envision was Ye Qichi’s appearance before death.
Even after so many years, still unforgettable...
Song Yanqing waited for a while before thinking of checking the courtyard to see if Xie Ruotong had left.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Xie Ruotong leaning against the pavilion’s soft couch, resting her eyes.
Probably tired from her hurried journey back from the border without much rest, she fell asleep.
In spring, despite the bright sunshine, the shaded areas with a gentle breeze were still chilly.
Song Yanqing asked the Palace Attendant for a thin blanket, gently covered Xie Ruotong.
Careful not to make any noise, he thought.
Yet upon nearing Xie Ruotong.
Xie Ruotong opened her eyes.
Her gaze sharp and with no trace of drowsiness, an aura that sent shivers.
Such was the presence befitting a general commanding lands.
Song Yanqing lowered his eyes with an apologetic tone, "I feared the General might catch cold, sorry for disturbing your rest."
Xie Ruotong glanced at Song Yanqing, and then the blanket on her shoulder, promptly throwing it to the ground as she stood up, walking coldly past Song Yanqing.
Song Yanqing’s throat moved slightly, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
No matter how much the Emperor matched them.
He just could never get closer to Xie Ruotong.
Xie Ruotong returned beside Xiao Anqi.
Uncertain why she suddenly fell asleep.
She crouched down, "Princess, I’ll head back first, I’ll see you at tonight’s banquet when the Emperor hosts us."
"Okay, be sure to co." Xiao Anqi reminded.
"It’s a promise."
Xiao Anqi reluctantly watched Xie Ruotong leave.
When Xie Ruotong left, Song Yanqing approached Xiao Anqi, smiling to comfort her, "Your father said General Xie will stay a few more days in Xun City, you can see her for several more days."
"Really?"
"When has Master ever lied to the Princess?"
"That’s great." Xiao Anqi’s tears turned to joy.
"Off we go, it’s ti for class."
"Yes." Xiao Anqi obediently nodded.
Song Yanqing and Xiao Anqi, one before the other, entered the palace.
Xie Ruotong indeed did not imdiately leave but wanted to see if Xiao Anqi cried after she left.
In past tis, Xiao Anqi would have red eyes whenever she left.
She felt deep pain.
Seeing Xiao Anqi happily leave with Xiao Anqi...
She knew for five years the person spending the most ti with Xiao Anqi was actually Song Yanqing.
Song Yanqing asked for no title, no fa, no wealth, just stayed beside Xiao Anqi.
While the Emperor focused all his energy on his Daxuan Kingdom.
She didn’t even know if the Emperor truly was being a good ruler because of Ye Qichi’s dying wish or was it simply his ambition.
None of that seed to matter anymore.
After all, Ye Qichi was dead.
She died, and pursuing many things felt aningless.
...
Night.
The Imperial Palace hosted a banquet.
Xie Ruotong took off her armor and changed into court attire.
Still, bold and heroic.
Besides the Emperor, Gu Xingchuan, Song Yanqing, Xiao Anqi, An Youyou was also present.
An Youyou sat beside the Emperor, seriously eating.
Her plump little cheeks puffed out.
Clearly not etiquette.
The Emperor, however, was full of affection, showing no disapproval.
Even personally wiping the crumbs from her mouth.
Xie Ruotong withdrew her gaze.
Not wanting to admit she didn’t mind An Youyou at all.
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