Although the luxurious carriage had no markings, the guards on either side of it were dressed in tight-fitting clothes, and he recognized them at a glance as members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Jiang Zhengming deliberately lingered outside the Jiang residence yesterday, hoping to see Jiang Shuyue one last time before parting.

After waiting for a long time without seeing anyone come out, he went to Jishetang again. The female doctor at Jishetang said that their master had gone out.

Considering that the Emperor and Princess had gone to the imperial palace, Jiang Zhengming was certain that Jiang Shuyue was also in that carriage.

The coachman reined in the horses, and Jiang Zhengming hurriedly got off the carriage.

He knelt before Xiao Jingzhao's carriage, tears streaming down his face, and said, "Your subject Jiang Zhengming bids farewell to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

Seeing this, Xiang Song also reined in the horses and slowed down the pace of travel.

Xiao Jingzhao lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and said, "Jiang Aiqing, have a safe journey. Although Anlu is a bit barren, it is still possible to achieve something great."

Jiang Zhengming didn't dare to raise his head, and listened quietly to the emperor's instructions.

Xiao Jingzhao glanced at Jiang Shuyue and continued, "The county magistrate is the local official who serves as the parents of the people. As a father, Minister Jiang must have some understanding of how to be a good local official."

"I am not a good father, I regret it! Thank you for your teachings, Your Majesty. I will do my best to fulfill my duties and serve you with utmost devotion."

Xiao Jingzhao lowered the carriage curtain, and the carriage slowly moved forward again.

Jiang Zhengming, his forehead pressed against the back of his hand on the ground, heard the sound of the carriage wheels and shouted, "Respectfully seeing off the Emperor."

Madam Zheng and her son sat in the carriage behind. Jiang Zhengming did not ask them to get out of the carriage and kneel down, and everyone pretended not to know anything.

As the luxurious carriage passed by, Madam Zheng lifted the curtain and saw that Jiang Zhengming was already in tears when he looked up.

If he doesn't understand the deeper meaning behind the Emperor's words, then all these years of officialdom have been for nothing.

After kowtowing three times, Jiang Zhengming slowly stood up and shouted as he watched the departing carriage, "Yue'er, I'm so sorry!"

Jiang Shuyue heard the heart-wrenching cries but remained unmoved.

If she showed even the slightest bit of sympathy, she would be letting down the original owner of the body who had died.

Xiao Jingzhao stared intently at her, "Yue Niang, if you..."

"Your Majesty, there are no 'what ifs.' A person's life is only given once, and it cannot be brought back."

She paused, then added, "The same is true when the heart is dead."

She understood what Xiao Jingzhao was about to say. If she nodded at this moment, the Emperor would still be willing to retract his order and allow Jiang Zhengming to remain in the capital.

For Jiang Shuyue, she came to this strange world out of nowhere, and the original owner gave her a body to house her soul. She should regard the original owner as her benefactor.

She couldn't bring herself to kill the evildoers, but she also wouldn't forgive the perpetrators or their foolish accomplices.

Seeing that Jiang Shuyue showed no signs of sadness, Xiao Jingzhao felt a pang of pain in his heart.

How deeply she was hurt by her family must have led her to become so numb and indifferent today.

Upon hearing Jiang Zhengming's shout, both Zheng and Yang couldn't help but peek out.

Just then, Gao Mu drove his carriage past them, and a surge of overwhelming hatred welled up in Yang's eyes.

Why is luck always on her side? She started planning years ago, but ended up like this.

She was unwilling to accept it, but what could she do about it?

Jiang Zhengming wiped away his tears with his sleeve, got into the carriage, and as the curtain fell, the carriage started moving again.

Gao Mu glanced quickly at the three carriages that passed by.

He turned to Qiuju and said, "That was Jiang Zhengming who just passed by."

Qiuju quickly lifted the carriage curtain and looked up, only to see the carriage already gone.

She snorted coldly, "If you had known this would happen, you wouldn't have done it in the first place."

...

Xiao Jingzhao: "Yue Niang, shall we have lunch together at Juxian Pavilion before going home?"

Jiang Shuyue: "Your Majesty, I haven't been home for two days. I don't know how many things are waiting for me to deal with. See you later."

At the city gate, Jiang Shuyue ignored Xiao Jingzhao's attempts to persuade her to stay in the carriage.

"Miss, what's wrong?"

Jiang Shuyue put down the books in her hand. "These were given to me by the Emperor. One is suitable for Sui Sui to read, and the other is something I like to read. I will accept them both."

Because Xiao Jingzhao's carriage was running faster, only Gao Mu followed closely behind.

Jiang Shuyue didn't wait for Du Yutong any longer and instructed Gao Mu to return directly to the Jiang residence.

...

Inside the Jiang residence.

Every year after finishing a bowl of soup, Sui Sui would put down her spoon.

Nangong Zeyue said to Lan'er, who was standing next to her, "It's past noon, give the young master half a bowl of rice and let him eat first."

Sui Sui shook her little head like a rattle drum, "No, I want to wait for Mother to come back so we can eat together. Uncle said last night that Mother will definitely return to the capital this afternoon."

As for how her maternal uncle knew that her mother would be returning to the capital that afternoon, Sui Sui couldn't explain it clearly.

Lan'er was caught in a dilemma. She was afraid that Sui Sui would go hungry, but she also felt that Young Master Su's prediction was probably correct.

She thought for a moment and said, "Young Master Sui, would you like another bowl of soup? Or another piece of pastry?"

Sui Sui continued to shake her head, "I'm not drinking anymore. If I drink any more, my stomach will start to slosh around."

Nangong Zeyue looked helpless.

He was misled by Sui Sui's superstition and pretended to be sick today to avoid going to the Court of State Ceremonies, all so that he could stay home and wait for Jiang Shuyue to return.

Xue'er was lying to the side, looking at Sui Sui pitifully.

Nangong Zeyue reached out and stroked Xue'er's smooth, silky fur. "Xue'er's dried fish should be ready. Miss Lan'er, you can feed Xue'er first."

"It's being fried in the kitchen, I'll go get it right away."

Inside the warm room, Nangong Zeyue and Sui Sui stared at each other, wide-eyed.

"Sui Sui, how long has it been since you called me godfather?"

"Ah! This, this! My aunt said I can't call you godfather anymore."

Sui Sui was completely baffled when asked the question.

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