Chu Yuan quietly sensed and comforted him.

She knew that Dugu Tianxiong was dead, and both Dugu Ling and Dugu Jue were quite saddened.

Moreover, given the circumstances at the time, it was no different from a son watching helplessly as his father died...

Dugu Ling is sentimental, and Dugu Jue is proud; it is precisely because of this that they are more prone to getting stuck on trivial matters.

If not handled properly, both personalities may become more paranoid.

Fortunately, she discovered it in time. If she lets Chang'er argue and make a fuss more often, she should be able to calm him down gradually.

One month later, Dugu Ling/Dugu Jue ascended the throne, Chu Yuan was made empress, and Chang'er was made crown prince.

Shen You'an also reverted to her female identity and was sent to Ji Yun City with Shen Kuo to take over the troops and personnel left by Xiao Jing, eliminate dissidents, and prepare for Chu Yuan's restoration of the country.

Dugu Ran's injuries had mostly healed. Upon learning that Shen You'an was leaving, he chased after her from the palace to the outside, stumbling along the way, extremely stubborn.

Shen Youan finally dismounted, kicked at the grass at the foot of the mountain, and said her final goodbye to Dugu Ran.

The man's voice was unexpectedly choked with emotion, "Please don't leave, okay?"

Shen Youan, who had been staring at the ground, slowly raised her head upon hearing this and looked at him intently. "My aunt wants me to become the Empress of Ji Yun and save the Ji Yun royal family, including the elderly, women, and children, who were previously harmed by Xiao Jing and his son. I have already agreed to her request."

Dugu Ran was not surprised by this, after all, given Dugu Ling's affection for Ji Yunyuan, it was not impossible for her to regain her former identity.

Since Ji Yunyuan is already the Empress of Huaxu, it is unlikely that she will become the Empress of Ji Yun.

It was only natural that this matter ultimately fell to Ji Yunyou.

But... reason is one thing, and emotion is another.

Dugu Ran's eyes reddened. "Then, will you come back?"

She turned her face away, raised her sleeve to cover herself, then turned back, her smile more like a grimace, "Look at the question I asked. Now that you've become an empress, you naturally won't return to Huaxu."

She used to have a Shen family identity, but now that Shen Kuo has left as well, what's the point of coming back?

Dugu Ran felt an emptiness in her heart for a moment, more painful than if she had been injured.

Ji Yunyou pursed her lips, feeling uneasy looking at him like this, but when she opened her mouth, she didn't know what to say.

They're saying she'll come back?

To be honest, she herself wasn't sure, feeling that as empress she wouldn't have many opportunities to travel around.

But now Ji Yun only has her and her aunt left. Her aunt doesn't want to be the empress, so it can only be her.

Unexpectedly, just as Ji Yunyou was feeling conflicted and dejected, Dugu Ran suddenly looked up, her eyes flashing with unprecedented determination, "I'll go with you!"