The next day, the inn was quiet. Jiang Zhixu sat alone in front of the window, stroking the jade pendant in his hand. It was carved for him by Jin Linlin herself.

He stared at the jade pendant, his mind racing. How had they come to this point? Back in Kyoto, their feelings had been so deep, like honey and oil.

However, just as he was immersed in his memories, a slight knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Jiang Zhixu came to his senses, stood up and walked to the door. When he opened it, he saw Cao Jiao leading Dabao and a little girl standing at the door.

Jiang Zhixu's attention was instantly attracted by the little girl. He looked closely and found that it was his daughter Nianchu!

An indescribable excitement surged in his heart. He hurried over, squatted down, and looked Nian Chu in the eye.

"Why are you here? Are there any servants following you?" Jiang Zhixu asked with concern, while looking behind Nian Chu, as if to see if there was anyone else following him.

Seeing this, Cao Jiao quickly replied, "It's just the two of them. I guess Linlin doesn't know."

Dabao took Nianchu's hand and walked into Jiang Zhixu's room. Cao Jiao did not follow him in, but closed the door and left quietly.

Jiang Zhixu walked to the table, opened a box on it, and carefully took out three lifelike and vivid little tiger pendants from it.

He squatted down again and gently placed the three little tigers in front of Nian Chu.

"Nianchu, Dad hasn't seen you since you were born. When you disappeared, Dad was very worried about you. This is your zodiac sign, the tiger. Dad carves one for you every year. I hope you like it."

Jiang Zhixu spoke to Nian Chu gently, his eyes full of love.

Nian Chu opened her big round eyes and looked at the little tigers in front of her curiously. She gently picked up one with her tender little hands and a bright smile appeared on her face.

"Thank you, Nianchu likes it."

Her clear voice was as sweet as a silver bell. Jiang Zhixu looked at his daughter's lovely appearance, his heart filled with joy. He reached out and gently touched Nianchu's head.

Dabao gently stroked Nianchu's hair and said softly, "Second Uncle, we came here specially to see you. Second Aunt didn't know we were coming. Nianchu said she really wanted to see her father, so I brought her here."

Jiang Zhixu's eyes were slightly red, and his heart was filled with self-blame and guilt. He blamed himself for abandoning his wife and daughter in Kyoto, not even being with them when his wife gave birth, and not being able to bring his wife and daughter back safely when the world was in chaos.

Jin Nianchu tilted his head curiously, staring at Jiang Zhixu, and asked doubtfully, "Are you really my father? But the Queen Mother told me that you are dead."

When Jiang Zhixu heard this, his heart was torn as if it was being pierced by countless knives. A bitter smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. He slowly took Jin Nianchu's hand and said gently:

"Baby, your mother probably thought I was no longer alive. Just wait for daddy to explain everything to your mother."

Seeing that Jin Nianchu was still confused, Dabao quickly changed the subject and said to Jiang Zhixu:

"Second uncle, Second aunt said she doesn't plan to let me go back to Ningzhou."

Jiang Zhixu hurriedly picked up the two children, carefully placed them on the soft bed, and then asked with a worried look on his face:

"It's okay if you don't go back. Your parents have no choice. Erbao is in such poor health, and they are worried that he will leave at any time, so they neglect you. But it's not that they don't love you, it's just that sometimes they can't help themselves."

However, Dabao curled his lips in disapproval, his face full of resistance, and muttered:

"Second Aunt also has Nianchu, but she is very good to me and has never neglected me."

Jiang Zhixu smiled slightly and explained patiently:

"How can they be the same? You and Nianchu grew up together and have such a deep relationship, so naturally there won't be any conflicts."

Dabao didn't seem to buy it and continued to argue:

"Anyway, I'm not interested in my mother's throne at all. If I'm not around, Erbao will be more at ease and won't have to scheme to get rid of me all day long."

Jiang Zhixu was stunned when he heard this. It took him a while to come back to his senses and quickly said:

"How could you say such a thing, kid? It's just a small dispute, how can you make it a matter of life and death? Don't let your imagination run wild."

At this moment, Nianchu beside him gently pulled Dabao's sleeve:

"Brother, we should leave now. If the Queen Mother finds out that I'm running around, she'll definitely be angry."

Nianchu was terrified that her brother would abandon her again, so she clung to him constantly, never allowing him to stray too far from her. Even last night, she insisted on sleeping with Dabao.

Dabao took Nianchu's hand, then turned to Jiang Zhixu and said, "Uncle, we are leaving."

After hearing this, Jiang Zhixu immediately stood up, walked to the two children, hugged them gently, kissed Nianchu on the forehead, and said softly:

"Be good and listen to your mother. Daddy will come to see you next time."

After saying that, Jiang Zhixu picked up the two children, walked out of the room, and sent them to the hands of Aunt Zi in the Marquis Ping'an's Mansion. Only then did he turn around and leave with peace of mind.

Imperial Palace

Jin Linlin was lying leisurely on the swing in the imperial garden, swaying slightly, looking drowsy. Many palace maids stood around her, quietly waiting by her side.

At this moment, Chunxue slowly approached, holding a thick stack of memorials. She saw that Jin Linlin was about to fall asleep, but she did not wake her. Instead, she stood quietly by, waiting patiently.

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