Perhaps because of the kiss just now, they remained silent in the cramped carriage.

Xi Xizhi frowned, deep in thought.

To marry or not to marry?

marry?

That means being separated from your master.

Moreover, An Honghan is an emperor, and he has three thousand beauties in his harem...

Not marrying?

But Xi Xizhi knew clearly that she liked An Honghan.

To be honest, Xi Xizhi was reluctant to let her master go back with her.

Xi Xizhi racked her brains, her face full of worry.

An Honghan quietly watched the girl's worried face.

It was clear that Xi Xizhi was thinking seriously, so An Honghan didn't dare to disturb her. He tried to look away and instead focused his gaze on the scenery passing by outside the car.

It was already very late at night, and two days later, they finally arrived at the foot of the imperial city.

Xi Xi hadn't had a proper rest for a while, and lately she'd been getting sleepy very quickly at night. Right now, she was asleep in An Honghan's arms.

An Honghan raised his hand to stroke the sleepy eyes of the person in his arms, his eyes filled with a terrifyingly deep determination. He lowered his voice and whispered in her ear, "In this lifetime, you will never escape my side."

"No matter who tries to take you away, I will never let go."

The condition I just mentioned was actually just an extra bargaining chip to keep Xi Xizhi.

If Xi Xizhi chooses to stay, then An Honghan will make her his empress, and the two of them will spend their lives together in this world.

If Xi Xizhi chooses to go back with her master, then An Honghan has already decided to follow them into the void, abandoning everything as an emperor, and go to that world with Xi Xizhi.

An Honghan narrowed his eyes, which was why he had been working so hard to find the Dragon Balls.

At this time, the ascension tribulation had passed, and no matter what Xi Xizhi chose, An Honghan could keep up with her.

In short, he will never let go of Xi Xizhi.

In the pitch-black night, carriages drove into the capital, proceeding from the city gates to the palace.

The palace was covered with glazed tiles everywhere, and every palace was luxurious.

Upon receiving news of His Majesty's return, the palace eunuchs and maids were all on high alert, busily attending to their duties with trepidation. This was especially true of the eunuchs and maids in the Panlong Hall; not one dared to slack off.

Once Xi Xizhi falls asleep, she is difficult to wake up, so she was carried off the carriage by An Honghan and did not notice the strange looks from the other people around her.

However, one thing is certain: the news that His Majesty returned to the palace with a beautiful young woman will undoubtedly spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys the next morning.

Xi Xizhi slept until the sun was high in the sky before she finally woke up. When she got up and saw the familiar layout of the Panlong Hall, a long-lost feeling welled up in her heart. It was like someone who hadn't been home for a long time.

Stretching, Xi Xizhi reluctantly got out of bed.

She was alone on the large dragon bed; An Honghan had already left sometime earlier.

Come to think of it, they've been away from the capital for over a month, and there must be a mountain of memorials piling up in the court, waiting for An Honghan to attend to them. Especially the morning court sessions, which have been neglected for quite some time. If An Honghan doesn't step in soon, who knows what kind of trouble might ensue.

A stack of silk robes lay on the bedside table. Xi Xizhi picked one up and touched it, discovering that it was silk produced by Jinxiu Manor. She tried them on one by one, and they fit perfectly. It seemed that An Honghan had already ordered the clothes to be made before returning to the capital.

Xi Xizhi sensed An Honghan's thoughtfulness, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.

Since His Majesty had given instructions early in the morning not to disturb the people sleeping inside, Lin En and the palace maids were all waiting outside.

Hearing movement inside, Lynn spoke first, "Miss Xiangxi, the hot water is ready. Would you like to wash up?"

"Wash up, come in," Xi Xizhi called out to the outside.

After Xi Xizhi finished dressing, she walked to the table, poured herself a cup of tea, which was still warm and had probably just been served. She took a few sips to moisten her throat.

I don't know if it's just my imagination, but I feel like the group of palace maids who came in are looking at me very strangely.

Xi Xizhi raised her hand and touched her face. It shouldn't be dirty. Why is she staring at her like that?

"Lin En, is there something on my face?" Xi Xizhi tugged at Lin En's sleeve and asked in a low voice.

To everyone's surprise, Lynn burst out laughing and shook her head repeatedly. "They were just curious about what the future empress would look like, so they took a few extra glances. Miss Xiangxi, please don't mind them."

Xi Xi spat out her tea, her heart pounding with shock. What Empress? Could someone tell her what was going on? Then she remembered An Honghan's promise to her master…

Xi Xizhi felt like her head was about to explode. Was this man moving too fast?!

Did they start publicizing this matter as soon as they returned to the palace?

And another thing! Although she knew the palace maids and eunuchs in Panlong Palace, this was the first time they had seen her in this girlish state. In other words, to the outside world, An Honghan had gone out to Fengzhou for a stroll and brought back an empress he had fallen in love with at first sight...

"Don't you know? This morning at court, His Majesty told the ministers about marrying you as his empress." There were some things that Lin En didn't dare to say, such as the fact that several ministers strongly opposed it, but His Majesty suppressed them all by force. Not only were they dismissed from their posts, but those officials were also expelled from the capital and ordered never to set foot in the capital again.

Only then did no one dare to object anymore.

In truth, Lynn also harbored some doubts and curiosity as to why this beautiful young woman could influence His Majesty to make such an important decision.

Having spent half a month with the person in front of him, he understood that this young beauty was kind-hearted and very pretty, but these were not enough to justify her becoming empress.

He originally thought that after His Majesty returned to the capital, he would at most just take her into the harem, but unexpectedly he received an imperial edict to confer the title of Empress.

The investiture ceremony is scheduled for seven days from now, which is the most auspicious day for marriage in the last three months. Although the time is rather short, the palace has never lacked money and manpower. As long as the arrangements are made quickly, an unprecedented celebration can definitely be held.

Xi Xizhi spent the morning in a daze, and finally met An Honghan and her master at lunchtime.