At dawn, the first rays of sunlight awoke the sleeping capital city.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness, I, Mu Shao, the General of the Thousand Ox Guard, am here by order of the Emperor to escort you to Yuezhou."
A young man in his twenties, dressed in armor, arrived at the East Palace.
He bowed respectfully with his hands clasped, but Xie Yuan could still detect something unusual in his tone.
"Duoshou, has this Mu Shao ever offended His Highness?"
Duoshou and Duofu were the only remaining eunuchs in the Eastern Palace.
When Xie Yuangang married into the family, she was all alone, without anyone to serve her.
Helian Jue then gave Duoshou to Xie Yuan.
Yesterday, Xie Yuan retrieved Ruyi from the Xie family, along with Jinzhi, another trusted maid who had been sent to the estate, and Zhao Mama, the wet nurse.
She had found someone useful by her side, but Helian Jue did not recall Duoshou.
Duoshou remained to serve Xie Yuan.
Having been in the palace for many years, Duoshou knew a lot of things and could serve as Xie Yuan's eyes and ears.
"Mu Shao did indeed offend His Highness."
"He is the second son of the Marquis of Yongyi. He is known for his bravery and martial prowess. He was selected as a member of the Imperial Guard through his family's influence and serves in the palace."
"Your Highness, cough cough, I once whipped Mu and made him kneel outside the East Palace Gate, letting passersby point, laugh and criticize him."
Now, the tables have turned, and the pitiful man who once endured humiliation has become the general who "escorted" the King of Yue to his fiefdom.
Tsk, even a fool could guess how Mu Shao would "serve" the King of Yue in the future.
"The Sage—" Has he really completely given up on Helian Jue, even exiling him to Yuezhou, and it's not over yet?
Xie Yuan suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Helian Jue.
Seeing that his princess had misunderstood, Duoshou quickly explained, "This... shouldn't be blamed on the emperor."
At this point, a hint of embarrassment appeared on Duoshou's fair face. "Basically all the top military officers in the palace have been 'reprimanded' by His Highness."
Xie Yuan: ...
Okay, that was a misunderstanding!
Her gaze towards Helian Jue was utterly speechless: See? Your Highness, you can't be too arrogant.
Fortune changes every ten years, and feng shui can easily shift in different directions.
"Sister, are we leaving the capital?"
Four-year-old Xie Zhen, carried by her wet nurse Zhao, rushed to the main hall to meet them.
"Yes! We're leaving."
Upon seeing his younger brother, Xie Yuan temporarily set aside his complaints about Helian Jue, the former "brat," and quickly picked Xie Zhen up.
Wow, the little guy is quite heavy.
Round and chubby, pink and plump, with little bits of meat all over its body.
Xie Zhen was Xie Yuan's younger brother. Xie Yuan was handsome and bright, so Xie Zhen's appearance was naturally not bad either.
With fair skin, delicate features, and most importantly, being young, infancy, they are exceptionally soft, cute, and adorable.
Xie Yuan couldn't resist gently pinching the little one's fair and rosy cheeks and said softly, "If you really miss the capital, you can come back when you grow up!"
"No! I want to go with my older sister!"
Xie Zhen shook his head vigorously. He was still young and didn't understand anything about being willing to part with someone. All he knew was that he only had his older sister left.
Wherever his older sister went, he went.
The little one stretched out his chubby little arms, which were as thick as lotus roots, and wrapped them tightly around Xie Yuan's neck, saying in a childish voice, "I love my older sister the most!"
Xie Yuan's heart seemed to melt. "I like A-Zhen the most too!"
As he spoke, Xie Yuan, following the custom of later generations, gave the little dumpling a quick kiss on its tender, apple-like face.
This was the first time Xie Zhen had been kissed like this, and her big, dark eyes widened in surprise.
After the initial surprise, joy filled his eyes.
Although he didn't understand why his sister would do this, he could sense that she liked him, which was why she did it.
The little guy pouted and, imitating Xie Yuan's action, gave Xie Yuan a big "peck" on the cheek.
"Xie family, let's go! It's time to set off!"
Helian Jue was in a bad mood when he saw Mu Shao and the hundred guards he led.
He wasn't afraid that Mu Shao would take the opportunity to settle personal scores, but rather he was distressed by the emperor's indifference and distrust towards him.
"...Father actually sent someone to keep an eye on me. Is he afraid I'll escape halfway?"
When he was in a bad mood, Helian Jue's tone was naturally not very pleasant either.
Xie Zhen was frightened and hid in her sister's arms with a pale face.
Xie Yuan sensed his unease and quickly reached out to gently pat his back. "It's alright, don't be afraid. The Prince is a cold-faced but warm-hearted person. This time, my sister was able to take Ah Zhen away from the Xie family thanks to the Prince's help."
"Oh, right, you haven't paid your respects to His Highness yet. Quickly, pay your respects to His Highness!"
Xie Yuancai wasn't afraid of Helian Jue's cold face; she also wanted to do her best to dispel the little dumpling's fear.
Xie Zhen was very well-behaved. Upon hearing her sister's instructions, she timidly peeked out like a frightened little kitten, clenched her two small fists, and said cutely, "A-Zhen greets Your Highness. And, Your Highness brother, thank you!"
As he spoke, the little guy couldn't help but flash a big smile.
Helian Jue: ...
This was the first time he had been hit with such an adorable and cute attack, and he, who was usually aloof and willful, was somewhat unaccustomed to it.
He raised his right hand and coughed lightly to his lips, concealing his discomfort. "Hmm!"
Duofu and Duoshou, two eunuchs who knew Helian Jue's character well, were completely dumbfounded.
When did His Highness become so easy to talk to?
Also, what is the title "Your Highness Brother"?
His Highness actually acquiesced?!
Xie Yuan pursed her lips; she knew Helian Jue wouldn't really be angry.
Putting everything else aside, the three of them are now a "family" who share joys and sorrows and depend on each other for survival.
Xie Yuan carried Xie Zhen and walked with Helian Jue out of the palace.
May you have many blessings and long life. Servants such as Granny Zhao and Ruyi Jinzhi followed behind Helian Jue and Xie Yuan.
Mu Shao and other guards closely "protected" Helian Jue.
As the group exited the palace gates, Helian Chen, who was guarding the entrance, came to greet them.
He also brought with him the last three hundred guards of the Eastern Palace.
"Your Highness, please mount your horse!" Helian Chen knelt on one knee, respectfully inviting his lord to mount his horse.
Helian Jue nimbly saddled his horse, and Helian Chen quickly mounted his own mount as well.
Helian Jue did not rush to leave, but instead turned his head to look at the palace behind him.
Nobody's here!
None of his father, mother, birth mother, or brothers and sisters came to see him off.
Helian Jue sat alone on the saddle, as if he were the only person left in the world.
Xie Yuan felt a pang of sadness as he watched.
Suddenly, a series of thumping sounds came from the passageway of the palace gate.
Could it be that someone has come to see Helian Jue off?
Helian Jue's eyes suddenly lit up, and he turned his horse around, looking expectantly toward the palace gate.
...
"Oh? Brother, you're here too?"
A group of figures slowly appeared in the passageway.
The person at the front feigned surprise, "Look at me, I'd completely forgotten, today is the day Father Emperor ordered my brother to leave the capital!"
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