Chapter 128 Return to Beijing

Yun Zhao didn't respond. Ultimately, whether Xiao Jin returned to the capital or not was none of her business.

She didn't know that Xiao Jin was standing outside the door at this moment, listening to every word she had just said.

After Wang Gui left, the room suddenly became very quiet. She felt a little depressed and wanted to open the door to go to the yard to get some fresh air.

As expected, guards stood guard at the door and under the windows. As soon as she pushed the door open, she was caught off guard by a pair of bottomless eyes.

Xiao Jin was standing there, not knowing how long he had been listening.

"Your Majesty." Yun Zhao immediately lowered his eyes and saluted respectfully.

He stepped into the room, his voice devoid of emotion: "Since you've left the palace, there's no need for formalities. When we met privately in the palace before, I allowed you to skip these formalities."

Yun Zhao still lowered his head, his tone respectful and distant: "Properties cannot be abolished, and this humble servant dare not transgress."

Xiao Jin stared at her for a moment, then suddenly took a step forward and lowered his voice, "Yun Zhao, if you continue to distance yourself from me like this... I don't mind doing something more intimate to remind you of how we used to get along."

Yun Zhao was stunned and subconsciously took half a step back, not knowing how to respond for a moment.

A breeze came in from outside the door, and she smelled a faint, refreshing fragrance on his body, as if he had just showered and changed his clothes.

Xiao Jin didn't approach him again, but simply walked to the table and sat down. Then, a servant quietly brought in four dishes and a soup. The steam from the food only made the room even quieter.

"A Zhao," he said, his tone slowing down, "When you're out and about, keep things simple. Sit down and eat with me."

Yun Zhao replied, "Yes," and sat down across from him as instructed. Almost as if by habit, she picked up her silver chopsticks and, just as she had done in the palace, served him food and tested for poison. Her movements were fluid, as if they had never been apart, and she remembered every detail vividly.

Xiao Jin looked at her lowered brows and her practiced movements, feeling as if something had tugged at his heart. He suddenly said, "No need to test for poison, no need to serve food. Just like an ordinary family, we can just have a peaceful meal."

Yun Zhao paused, then handed the chopsticks to him with both hands, saying softly, "Your Majesty, please enjoy."

Xiao Jin didn't take it. Instead, he picked up a piece of fresh green vegetables with his chopsticks and put it in her bowl. "You've worked hard today. Eat more. Fighting and killing is the most exhausting."

Yun Zhao looked at the food in the bowl, and finally gave up and said in a low voice: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

There was silence for a moment. After An Jing took a few bites of her food, Xiao Jin put down his chopsticks and looked at her seriously.

"A Zhao," he said solemnly, "I will treat you well. If you are willing to be my queen, I will never take another concubine into my harem. The son you give birth to will be the Crown Prince of Daye."

Yun Zhao's grip on the chopsticks tightened slightly. She raised her head and looked him in the eye. "What if I remain childless? Then the entire court forces you to choose a concubine, or even petition to depose the Empress? What will His Majesty do?"

Xiao Ying's expression remained unchanged, as if he had already considered this question. He calmly replied, "If there are no children, there are still members of the royal family who can inherit. The Prince of Jin is married and has children, and they don't necessarily have to be my own. For this kingdom, what matters is someone who can shoulder the responsibility; whether they are my own flesh and blood is secondary."

Yun Zhao fell silent and stopped talking, just eating the food in the bowl in silence.

Xiao Jin had a pot of wine warmed. A servant poured two cups, and he raised his glass and looked at her. Yun Zhao hesitated for a moment, then took it and drank it together.

After drinking a glass of wine, he spoke again, his voice even deeper than before: "Once we defeat the Wala and stabilize the situation, I will announce to the world that you will be made queen."

This time, Yun Zhao did not refute.

She knew she couldn't be held captive here any longer. She decided to accept the offer for now and make a long-term plan.

After some time, his interest faded, and she returned to Jinzhou. The emperor was far away, so this matter would naturally be put aside.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Jin seemed to see through her thoughts and suddenly said, "I know that your agreement now is just a temporary measure. You think I will forget it after a long time, right?" He shook his head gently, "I won't forget, Yun Zhao. What I say always counts."

Yun Zhao paused, then raised his eyes suddenly: "You... heard what I was thinking again?"

"No," Xiao Jin admitted, with a hint of confusion in his eyes. "It's strange, but ever since you knew I could read minds, I can no longer hear your inner voice."

Yun Zhao was skeptical: "Really?"

"Of course it's true," he said sincerely, "When have I ever lied to you?"

Yun Zhao looked at his expression carefully and saw that it didn't seem fake. He finally relaxed a little and a faint smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of his lips.

Xiao Jin looked at her long-lost smile and felt that the depression that had been weighing on his heart for months disappeared in an instant. He couldn't help but laugh too.

…

The news that Emperor Daye personally visited Xuanhua City quickly spread like wildfire.

Yun Chong'an and other officials of Xuanhua Prefecture suddenly became unable to sleep or eat.

After all, there was a painful lesson in history where the previous emperor was captured. Now that the emperor is personally in a dangerous place, if something goes wrong, no one can afford it!

When Zhao Ze learned that Yun Zhao was going to accompany the emperor back to the capital, he immediately rushed into Yun Chong'an's study and insisted on leading the escort team personally.

Yun Chong'an looked at the young man in front of him, who he had practically watched grow up, and sighed heavily: "Aze, you and I are both well aware of the current situation. The emperor is not someone we can disobey. Even if A Zhao has other ideas, he must consider the Yun family and the people of the world."

Zhao Ze was so emotional that his voice couldn't help but rise: "So we're just going to watch Ah Zhao sacrifice herself like this? Who asked her if she was willing? Does she really want to be trapped in the deep palace for the rest of her life?"

Yun Chong'an held his shoulder and said earnestly, "What about the lives of your family members? Don't you care about them? Ah Ze, you have to believe Ah Zhao. She grew up in the capital and became a fifth-rank concubine in the palace. She has seen all kinds of storms. No matter how treacherous the harem is, she can handle it."

Zhao Ze's eyes were firm and decisive, "Then I must personally escort her back to Beijing. Only when I protect her all the way can I feel at ease."

Yun Chong'an stared at him for a long time, and finally nodded: "Okay. Uncle Yun allows you to lead the troops to escort her. You must protect her well."

Zhao Ze solemnly agreed: "Please rest assured, as long as I, Zhao Ze, am still breathing, I will definitely protect Ah Zhao for the rest of my life."

Yun Chong'an felt a little relieved as he looked at the young man's resolute back. He thought that although the journey back to Beijing was long, it was better than staying in the dangerous Xuanhua battlefield.

However, on second thought, although Zhao Ze is not the only son in the family, if something really goes wrong, how should he explain to the Zhao family?

The next day, the team returning to Beijing was ready to go.

Yun Zhao spotted the familiar figure in the crowd at a glance—Zhao Ze, wearing light armor, was checking the horse's saddle neatly.

She walked forward quickly, her tone filled with surprise and worry: "Aze? Why are you here? At this time, shouldn't you..."

Zhao Ze turned around when he heard the voice, and saw her figure in his eyes. He smiled unconsciously: "I asked the Duke for this job."

He said firmly, "A Zhao, I must see you arrive in the capital safely with my own eyes before I can rest assured."

Yun Zhao sighed softly, his brow furrowed in worry. "Do you know this journey isn't safe? Even if we reach the capital, it may not be a safe place. Listen to me, go back to Jinzhou, or go somewhere else—as long as it's away from Xuanhua and the capital."

Zhao Ze shook his head, his eyes like torches, his voice soft but every word clear: "No, Zhao. It is precisely because it is dangerous that I want to be by your side."