That afternoon, the four of them stayed in the Qianqing Palace from sunrise to sunset, until it got dark before they left.

"Sure! Looks like you won't need me and Yuxing to protect you anymore."

Fu Yuxing and Yongxuan helped Ertai, who had been flogged sixty times, slowly walk out of the Qianqing Palace. Yongxuan looked at Ertai's pale face and said with a hint of teasing.

"He's barely good enough for your sister."

In response to Yongxuan's teasing, Ertai weakly tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing a faint smile. Finally, he was worthy of her.

Even though it's still not quite enough, it's much better than the status of the second young master of the scholar's mansion.

Fu Yuxing listened to Ertai's words, a bitter smile appeared on his face, and he said nothing, helping Ertai walk slowly step by step.

Yongxuan looked at the smile on Ertai's lips and the joy in his eyes, and unconsciously tightened his grip on Ertai's hand.

But Ertai was so engrossed in the joy of finally receiving the imperial decree to marry that he didn't notice Yongxuan's strange behavior.

The two helped Ertai out of the Qianqing Palace, and Ertai looked up at the bright moon above.

"Please help me to Cining Palace. I would like to have a look at Cining Palace."

Ertai looked up at the bright moon in the sky and spoke to the two people beside him.

He still remembered what Shen Nian had said to him when he left. He wanted to go and see, and he always had a sense of unease.

He wanted to go and see for himself before he felt at ease.

I don't ask to see her, I just want to see where she is.

"good."

Knowing how much Ertai cared about Chennian, the two agreed.

Cining Palace.

"Niannian, shall we go back and rest?"

After serving the Empress Dowager to help her rest, they couldn't find anyone in the room.

Stepping out of the room, Qing'er saw Shen Nian sitting in the courtyard, staring blankly at the bright moon, seemingly lost in thought. Her eyes filled with heartache. She took a cloak and walked over, draping it over Shen Nian and gently comforting him.

"Qing'er, Ertai and the others should be back by now, right?"

He stared blankly at the bright moon above, lost in thought.

She should go.

"You're back. You should leave the palace now. You'll see each other tomorrow."

Qing'er nodded.

"You guys haven't rested yet?"

...

(If you know that Ertai's identity is unreasonable, just treat it as a light novel. It's a novel, so don't apply it to reality. If you do, it won't be fun. I can't help it if you criticize me.)