Chapter 339 Abandoning the Empire for Love

what to do?

Zhang Xuanyun truly didn't expect that Xiao Ce, who was always mature and composed, would ask such a funny question.

"Of course, we should do what needs to be done, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Xuanyun knelt on the ground and performed a proper and respectful salute!

He looked at Xiao Ce and said calmly, "Xiao Xingyuan and Meng Yanzhi have already taken the child and headed towards the Northwest. You... have no choice but to go."

What?

Xiao Ce knew Xiao Xingyuan was absurd, but he really didn't expect this man to be so absurd.

He stared wide-eyed in disbelief: "When did this happen?"

"Just now."

"They're gone, leaving you with a complete mess. Your Majesty, please ascend the throne quickly! A country cannot be without a ruler for even a day!"

Zhang Xuanyun looked at Xiao Ce with a smile, clearly with a hint of schadenfreude.

Unfortunately, Xiao Ce was completely dumbfounded and couldn't laugh at all. He felt helpless in the face of Zhang Xuanyun's smiling face, and rubbed his temples: "Let the Ministry of Rites handle it!"

Outside the city, on a carriage.

Meng Yanzhi hugged Aman and laughed loudly. She casually leaned against Xiao Xingyuan and said with a smile, "Ayuan, do you think Ace will be devastated when he finds out about this? Haha!"

Xiao Xingyuan hadn't seen Meng Yanzhi so cheerful in ages, and now he regretted not bringing her out sooner. If he had left this mess behind earlier, perhaps their child wouldn't have been in trouble!

"Whether he breaks down or not doesn't matter."

"Rouge, you're free now, are you happy?"

Xiao Xingyuan gently touched Meng Yanzhi's cheek and looked at her tenderly.

Meng Yanzhi smiled at Xiao Xingyuan, then covered the child's eyes and kissed him tenderly.

"Xiao Xingyuan, I will never let you regret it!"

"I love you."

Meng Yanzhi whispered her feelings into Xiao Xingyuan's ear, uttering the most explicit words of love.

She knew that Xiao Xingyuan had given up the throne to follow her and leave without hesitation. He had made a great sacrifice, but Meng Yanzhi would not let him regret it, because she would give him a lot of love and a lot of wonderful things.

Xiao Xingyuan embraced Meng Yanzhi and chuckled softly, "I don't regret it, I will never regret it. Meng Yanzhi, in my eyes, you are the whole country, in my eyes, you are more important than the mighty imperial power. Meng Yanzhi, I love you!"

In the past, Xiao Xingyuan never said these words, because he was an emperor. An emperor cannot be weak, nor can he fall in love with one person, nor can he make promises to the one he loves.

But now he is just Xiao Xingyuan, and he can finally live his life as a human being.

The Imperial Preceptor's Residence.

"What! What did you say? You, you, you, say it again!"

Ling Xiao was so shocked that he even stammered. He looked at Zhang Xuanyun in disbelief, unable to believe what he had just heard.

Zhang Xuanyun found his shocked expression somewhat amusing and said calmly, "It's just as you heard; they've already left."

"Impossible! How could this be? How could they just leave like that!"

"I'll go after them!"

Ling Xiao turned and left without saying a word, and Zhang Xuanyun couldn't catch up with him.

Seeing that Ling Xiao had actually caught up with them, Zhang Xuanyun shrugged helplessly. It seemed that Xiao Xingyuan and the others would not be able to get away with it so easily.

The next day, early morning.

Ling Xiao rode alone and finally caught up with the two-person carriage in the early hours of the morning.

"Xiao Xingyuan, Meng Yanzhi, you two get down here!"

Ling Xiao gritted his teeth and roared at the carriage.

The two of them got out of the car, looked at each other, and both seemed a little confused.

Xiao Xingyuan, in particular, rolled his eyes at Ling Xiao and said irritably, "What are you yelling about!"

"You really just left like that, abandoning the vast land and the people!"

"Xiao Xingyuan, Meng Yanzhi is ignorant and doesn't understand the seriousness of the matter. Have you gone mad too? Are you out of your mind?!"

Ling Xiao gritted his teeth in anger and stared at Xiao Xingyuan.

After thinking for a moment, Meng Yanzhi patted Xiao Xingyuan's hand and led the child to the other side, giving them time and space to talk properly.

Seeing Ling Xiao's annoyed expression, Xiao Xingyuan smiled faintly: "I told you about this a long time ago, what are you fussing about? What's so agitated about?"

"I!" Ling Xiao choked for a moment, his face turning even uglier. His eyebrows furrowed tightly as he said irritably, "How can I not be angry? Look at the mess you two have made! How could you do this! The world is in such chaos right now, and you..."

"Alright, then tell me, when will the world be free from chaos?"

When will we be free?

"Ling Xiao, how long are you going to keep me tied to this position?"

Xiao Xingyuan sighed and looked at Ling Xiao with some helplessness, then silently found a rock and sat down.

"I never wanted to be emperor. I told you long ago that I hate the loneliness of being at the top. I just want to live a lively and exciting life. What's wrong with that?"

"You say fate cannot be defied, but what about me? Isn't my fate also fate?"

Ling Xiao had always known that Xiao Xingyuan never wanted to be stuck in this position, but he still managed to tie him down. Now, looking into Xiao Xingyuan's open eyes, Ling Xiao felt an indescribable, heart-wrenching pain.

He took a deep breath and said, "A-Yuan, I know, I've always known. I know you've suffered, I know you're in a difficult situation, but now is really not the time to leave, Canglan..."

"Enough!"

Xiao Xingyuan stood up and looked coldly at Ling Xiao.

"With such a massive undertaking, it doesn't matter who's the emperor, why does it have to be me?"

"Ling Xiao, we grew up together since we were little, how can you bear to watch me suffer?"

"Why can't I indulge myself just this once?"

Xiao Xingyuan's speech now even bears a resemblance to Meng Yanzhi's.

Ling Xiao found it hard to believe that someone as rigid as Xiao Xingyuan could wail so loudly!

He took a deep breath: "But you are not an ordinary person, you are the emperor, you are the ruler, you bear the weight of the world on your shoulders, how can you indulge yourself!"

"I'm not!"

"That's not true now!"

"The throne has been given to Xiao Ce, it is his. He is also very good, better than me. The world will be better with him!"

"Ling Xiao, that's enough, really enough! You should let go of your obsession. Celestial phenomena and destiny are not the only things that determine everything!"

Xiao Xingyuan roared at Ling Xiao again. He had long been tired and weary of being the emperor all these years!