Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in the capital, deep within the palace...

Inside the imperial study, ambergris incense burned quietly. The emperor put down his vermilion brush and looked at the Crown Prince Xiao Chengjing, who stood tall and straight across from him, his brows bearing a hint of barely perceptible fatigue yet still sharp.

"Have you thought it through?" The emperor's voice was devoid of emotion, but his gaze was as deep as the sea. "Chengyu... is indeed a filial and kind-hearted child, but he lacks a bit of decisiveness and ruthlessness."

Xiao Chengjing lifted the hem of his robe, knelt upright, and spoke in a clear and calm voice, carrying a sense of relief and determination: "Your subject's mind is made up. My third brother is of pure heart and benevolent character, and is also loved by all the officials. Moreover... he has no attachments and can devote himself wholeheartedly to the country. Your subject... has attachments, and his heart is no longer here. Forcing him to remain in this position would not be a good thing for the country or for himself." He paused, raised his head, and met his father's gaze openly, "Father, you are at the height of your power, and with your third brother's assistance, you have ample time to guide and mentor him. Your subject... humbly begs Father to grant your request."

The emperor gazed at him for a long time, his gaze sweeping over the weariness between his brows, yet seemingly penetrating him to see the figure who had once stood atop the wall of a small courtyard in Jiangnan, picking loquats with her daughter's help, now awkwardly hiding. After a long while, the emperor let out a long, silent sigh, a sigh containing a complex emotion that Xiao Chengjing had never heard before—helplessness, understanding, and even… a hint of barely perceptible envy?

"Enough." The Emperor finally spoke, his voice hoarse with weariness, but devoid of imperial authority, more like that of an ordinary father. "You've always been decisive; once you've made up your mind, go. I'll arrange things for Chengyu." He stood up, walked around the imperial desk, and stood before Xiao Chengjing. He reached out and patted him heavily on the shoulder twice, the force solid. "It's just... I'm sorry to have troubled you, child." That word "child" sent a sudden pang of sorrow through Xiao Chengjing's heart.

“Remember,” the emperor’s voice lowered, carrying an almost imploring tone, “no matter where you are, you are a prince of my Great Liang. Do not shirk the responsibilities you should bear.”

"Your subject will remember!" Xiao Chengjing kowtowed deeply, a huge weight lifted from his heart, and a torrent of indescribable relief and bittersweet emotions surged forth.

“You’ve always been decisive, I… As for Chengyu, I will make arrangements. However,” he changed the subject, his tone becoming serious, “the change of heir apparent is no small matter. Before Chengyu officially enters the Eastern Palace and the court is completely stable, you still need to stay in the capital to stabilize the situation and help him transition smoothly. You must walk this final stretch steadily for me and for the Great Liang.”

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Xiao Chengjing felt a sense of relief, followed by a tightening in his chest. The dust had settled, but true freedom was still a long way off. He kowtowed again, "Your subject will certainly do his utmost to assist my third brother, stabilize the court, and live up to Father's expectations."

The Emperor nodded, his gaze shifting to the window, seemingly piercing through the layers of palace walls to gaze towards the distant south: "Once Chengyu takes control and the court is stable... I'll be tired too. Then, I'll take your mother to Jiangnan... to see that girl An'an." When he mentioned "An'an," a rare, almost tender smile appeared on the Emperor's majestic face. "I've heard... she's an extremely clever little girl?"

Xiao Chengjing's heart trembled violently, and he abruptly looked up at the Emperor. His father... actually knew? And judging from his tone... he tacitly approved, even... looked forward to it? His throat tightened, and he didn't know how to answer for a moment, so he could only lower his head again: "Yes... An'an... she is very cute."

"Hmm." The emperor seemed satisfied with the answer and waved his hand. "Go. I will take care of the rest."

Xiao Chengjing left the imperial study, the early summer sun shining on him, creating a somewhat surreal feeling. He walked step by step along the long palace path, his steps becoming lighter and lighter. Freedom… Jiangnan… Yuewei… An'an… These words collided violently in his heart, bringing an unprecedented heat and anticipation.

When the news reached Fengyi Palace, the Empress was staring blankly at a pot of withered peonies. When she heard her trusted eunuch trembling as he reported that the Emperor had granted the Crown Prince's request to be deposed and to pass the throne to the Third Prince, Xiao Chengyu, the jade ruyi in the Empress's hand fell to the ground with a crash and shattered into pieces.

"How...how dare he?!" The Empress's face turned ashen, her whole body trembling violently, her meticulously manicured nails digging deeply into her palms. "For that...that shameless woman and that bastard! He actually abandoned the throne?! Chengjing...my son...how could you be so foolish!"

She was distraught, her heart consumed by immense anger and the fear of abandonment. She abruptly rose to her feet, stumbling towards the imperial study to confront the emperor.

She had just rushed out of the Phoenix Palace when she bumped into the Emperor's carriage. The Emperor's expression was calm, even showing a hint of weariness, and he raised his hand to stop her hysterical crying.

"Empress," the Emperor's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. He looked at his distraught wife with a deep gaze, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, "Chengjing's mind is made up, and I have given my permission. This matter ends here."

"Your Majesty!" The Empress burst into tears, collapsing at the Emperor's feet. "You can't let him do this! He's the Crown Prince! For a woman..."

"Enough!" the Emperor interrupted in a deep voice, a hint of impatience in his tone. "I have my own considerations regarding the position of Crown Prince. Chengyu is also my son." He paused, looking at the Empress's despairing and ashen face, before finally softening his tone. He reached out to help her up, his voice lowering, carrying an almost soothing quality:

"Over the years, you have worried yourself sick for Chengjing and for the harem. Once Chengyu has settled down, I will take you to Jiangnan to relax, to see... to see Chengjing's child, and to see An'an."

"An...An?" The Empress raised her tearful eyes and looked at the Emperor blankly.

"Hmm," the Emperor gazed southward, his eyes somewhat distant, "Chengjing's daughter is named An'an. I've heard... she's an extremely lively and adorable little girl." He patted the Empress's hand, a gesture that could even be considered gentle, "Let's go back to the palace. Let's stop causing trouble."

The emperor's carriage departed. The empress stood alone on the empty palace path, the setting sun casting a long, dejected shadow upon her. A breeze blew by, bringing a touch of early summer warmth, but it could not dispel the coldness and profound bewilderment in her heart.

An'an? Chengjing's daughter? Going to... Jiangnan?

These words repeatedly collided in her chaotic mind, and in the end, they strangely overwhelmed the overwhelming anger and the pain of betrayal, leaving behind an emptiness, and a trace of extremely faint curiosity and bitterness that she herself was unwilling to admit.

She stood there lost in thought for a long time, until dusk fell, before being helped by palace maids and staggering back to the cold, empty, and seemingly meaningless Fengyi Palace. The palace lanterns lit up one by one, casting her shadow on the cold floor tiles, lonely and long.