The next day.

It was just dawn and the sun had not yet risen, but the south gate of the Lizhou Palace was already full of people. Three luxurious carriages were parked at the gate one after another, and hundreds of soldiers in black armor stood beside them, with black swords at their waists. They all looked stern, as if they were waiting for something.

However, in Shaohua Palace, Ji Xingzhi had just gotten up, dressed neatly, and washed up with the help of Rumei. Rumei poured Ji Xingzhi a cup of hot tea. Ji Xingzhi was about to take a sip when a eunuch came in to report.

"Your Majesty, the princess requests an audience," said the eunuch.

Ji Xingzhi paused slightly, took a sip of tea, cleared his throat and said, "Let her in."

The eunuch took the order and left.

Not long after, Ji Ruhua appeared in a pastel-colored floor-length dress with her long hair tied up in a simple bun. The pink peony comb that Ji Xingzhi had given her was inserted into the bun. She also wore light pink teardrop-shaped earrings on her ears and a pink teardrop-shaped necklace around her neck, as if they were intentionally matched.

Ji Ruhua's usual attire was neither formal nor luxurious, but she had never dressed so simply and elegantly. In this way, Ji Ruhua looked less aloof and more approachable, with a touch of worldliness.

Seeing Ji Ruhua dressed like this, Ji Xingzhi's eyes lit up: "Cousin, you look very beautiful in this outfit."

Ji Rumu's expression was indifferent. She was already accustomed to Ji Xingzhi's praise. She lowered her head slightly, and some different emotions flashed in her eyes.

"Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty." Ji Ruhua said lightly.

Ji Ruhua paused and asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, that bracelet...?"

Seeing Ji Ruhua hesitate to speak, Ji Xingzhi understood, thinking that Ji Ruhua was still reluctant to part with the bracelet. She smiled, walked to the dressing table, opened the drawer, and took out the box. She returned with the box and handed it to Ji Ruhua, saying, "After I opened it and looked at it, I understood why you were reluctant to part with it. This bracelet is indeed special, and even I like it very much. But, as the saying goes, a gentleman does not take away what others like, not to mention that I am the king of a country. Now, the item is returned to its original owner."

Ji Ruhua was slightly stunned. She took the box in a daze and opened it. The strange yet familiar ice-blue bracelet lay quietly in the box. A faint blue light was reflected in her eyes. After a slight struggle, Ji Ruhua seemed to have made up her mind. She took the bracelet out of the box, put the box on the table, and turned to Ji Xingzhi and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, you worry too much. Ruhua just wanted to put it on you personally."

As she spoke, Ji Ruhua lifted Ji Xingzhi's hand and put the bracelet on Ji Xingzhi's wrist. The crystal blue gems emitted a faint blue light, making Ji Xingzhi's skin look as white as snow.

Ji Ruhua was slightly stunned. She looked at Ji Xingzhi's hand with a momentary daze in her eyes. Only then did she realize that the emperor's hand was even softer and more delicate than hers...

Before Ji Ruhua could think about it, Ji Xingzhi calmly withdrew his hand and said, "Are you all ready?"

Knowing what Ji Xingzhi was asking, Ji Ruhua calmed down and said, "Yes."

"Where is Luo Bai?" Ji Xingzhi asked.

Ji Ruhua replied: "I have already gone to the Nangong Palace Gate."

Ji Xingzhi originally wanted to go see the eunuch before leaving, but after thinking about it, she decided not to. In recent years, the eunuch has become less and less talkative, and Ji Xingzhi hasn't visited him for some time.

But going there would only increase her sadness. The eunuch who had been so good to her in the past had become taciturn and very indifferent to her because of the emperor's uncle. She couldn't help feeling sad, but asking her to give up the emperor's uncle... was impossible.