However.

He could still hear the hushed conversations of the guards at Yongxiang Gate not far away.

The guards were outside Yongxiang Gate. Since they couldn't see him through the gate and it was late at night, they chatted rather recklessly.

The young guard chuckled: "I bet the Emperor will be kicked out by the Empress tonight."

Lu Xingjian stopped and stayed.

There's a sense of shame and helplessness at being seen through.

It turns out everyone knew he was the one who was disliked.

He kept trying to save face, even though it was all in vain.

He wanted to prove that he was in control.

The will that I had held onto for months seemed to have been suddenly punched, leaving me feeling loose and about to dissipate.

The slightly older guard said confidently, "I bet the Emperor will stay overnight."

"How could that be? His Majesty hasn't been to Kunning Palace in ages."

The older guard said lazily, "That's because you're young and naive. When young couples quarrel, there's nothing that a good night's sleep can't solve."

He rubbed his hands together, his voice filled with happiness: "On this snowy winter solstice, who wouldn't want a warm bed and a wife and kids? Even the gods wouldn't trade that."

It's obvious they're living a good life.

Lu Xingjian stood silently in the snow.

Another gust of cold wind blew in, and I sneezed.

He Ying approached timidly: "Has Your Majesty caught a chill? Hot water has been prepared; a hot bath will do the trick."

A cold can be fatal if not handled properly, so it should not be taken lightly.

Lu Xingjian's eyes narrowed slightly.

The guard's words rolled through his mind.

Who doesn't want a warm home with a wife and kids?

He could have simply left and returned to Xiaoyuan, spending the night in quiet solitude.

What happens next?

If we kill Xiao Bin and continue this cold war with her, will the problem be solved?

He looked down at the mess of scattered snow on the ground.

The three snowmen that were just moments ago so adorable have been completely destroyed by him, leaving not a trace.

Is his family, his wife and children, going to fall apart like this?

After a long silence, he finally took a heavy step and, under He Ying's expectant gaze, slowly stepped into the gate of Kunning Palace.

...

Su Wanwan stared blankly at the top of the canopy like a soulless zombie, still in the same position as when Lu Xingjian had pushed her down.