Jiang Ting's mind was buzzing.
In fact, Jiang Tian's decision was quite reasonable and not surprising at all.
She originally came to the capital simply to be with her husband.
Now that Yan Jing'an has left, there's no need for her to stay here.
But Jiang Ting felt a strange sense of unease.
She's leaving...
Nothing happened between them, and she was about to leave.
This is a good thing.
No one would like to see a monarch having an affair with the wife of a subject, although many emperors throughout history have done similar outrageous things.
But Jiang Ting always adhered to the rules.
Even though he himself felt it, he had a strange feeling for Jiang Tian.
From the very first moment they met, this feeling had taken root in his heart.
He thought that after suppressing his feelings, nothing would happen.
But so much time has passed, he can no longer deceive himself.
That inexplicable feeling had always been hidden in his heart and had never dissipated.
But he couldn't do anything... he dared not do anything.
After thinking about it for a long time, Jiang Ting still went to Jiang Tian's place.
She still lives in that little courtyard.
Jiang Ting's gaze swept across the entire courtyard; nothing had changed.
Only one person is missing.
Jiang Tian was not surprised to see Jiang Ting.
She looked pale and thin, but thankfully her eyes were slowly regaining their light.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
He gestured for her to stand up, then looked at her and asked, "...Are you leaving?"
Jiang Tian nodded with a light smile: "I came to the capital for my husband. Now that he's gone, there's no point in me staying here."
Where are you going?
“Before coming to the capital, my husband and I traveled around. We have been to many places, but there are still many places we have never been to. I think I should fulfill his wish and travel all over this beautiful land for him.”
Jiang Tian smiled, but things were completely different when she and Yan Jing'an were still together.
She seemed to have suffered a severe blow; there was no visible damage on the surface, but inside she was already shattered to pieces.
Her temperament had also changed drastically; that faint sadness had never left her since Yan Jing'an's passing.
Jiang Ting recalled that he had received many letters from Yuwen Zhuo, all mentioning Jiang Tian's haggard appearance. He couldn't help but worry and had even consulted the imperial physician.
The imperial physician said that these were symptoms of depression, and that perhaps going out for a walk would be good for her.
"...Okay, then I wish you a safe journey."
Yuwen Zhuo said from the side, "Your Majesty, I want to accompany her. There are too many dangers on the road, and it will be too inconvenient for her, a weak woman."
Before Jiang Ting could speak, Jiang Tian refused, saying, "No need. You have your own future to look forward to. I just want to walk around alone."
Yuwen Zhuo's expression was very complicated.
He stared intently at Jiang Tian.
Jiang Tian deliberately avoided his gaze.
Sometimes, a ruler's keen insight can bring him extraordinary benefits.
At this moment, Jiang Ting preferred not to understand the deeper meaning behind their interaction.
Yuwen Zhuo, as expected, could not hide his true intentions.
He had so many friends, and not all of them were unmarried, but Jiang Tian was the only one who received his special treatment.
Jiang Ting had realized long ago that Yuwen Zhuo's attention to Jiang Tian had already exceeded the boundaries of ordinary people's interactions.
At that time, Yan Jing'an was still around, and Yuwen Zhuo may not have realized his true feelings yet.
Now, he should have realized it.
It must be said that Jiang Ting's judgment was absolutely correct.
Yuwen Zhuo had never realized before that he had unusual feelings for Jiang Tian.
To him, she was his friend's wife, someone who needed to be carefully taken care of.
However, even he didn't know when it started, but his gaze lingered on her more and more frequently.
Yuwen Zhuo unconsciously followed her every smile and frown with his eyes.
One day, he saw his brother Yan gazing at his wife with an indescribable deep affection, as if she were the only person in the world.
Yuwen Zhuo was suddenly startled.
Because, without realizing it, he had unconsciously started looking at her with such focused attention.
But Jiang Tian had never seen him.
He realized his own heart, and that very day he drank heavily and slept.
He had no choice but to hide.
But clearly his concealment had no effect.
He understood from the moment Jiang Tian rejected him.
Jiang Tian had already seen through his thoughts, but she didn't point it out, leaving them both with some dignity.
Yuwen Zhuo's lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a single word.
He knew better than anyone how much Jiang Tian loved Brother Yan.
Now Brother Yan has just passed away.
Of course, she wouldn't allow him to stay with her, but he was really worried about her being all alone.
"Brother Yan once asked me to protect your safety. I have arranged for several guards to protect you in secret. If you wish to travel the world, they will accompany you. Rest assured, they will not interfere with you easily, but will only appear when you are in danger. This is Brother Yan's intention, and I hope you will not refuse."
When Jiang Ting mentioned Yan Jing'an, Jiang Tian's expression changed.
Her eyes were slightly red, and after a long silence, she finally said, "Thank you."
Will you come back in the future?
Yuwen Zhuo couldn't help but ask her.
Jiang Tian looked around at where she was, her gaze distant: "Perhaps not."
This is the place of her sorrow; it is here that she lost the love of her life.
What good would it do to come back?
She might as well leave and go far away, away from this place that breaks her heart.
Upon hearing her reply, Yuwen Zhuo's gaze slowly dimmed.
Jiang Ting glanced at Jiang Tian quietly as she lowered her head.
She doesn't care how many men are around her; the one she loved most is gone.
Since the agreement was made, Jiang Tian didn't delay and left the capital three days later.
When she left, both Yuwen Zhuo and Jiang Ting chose to see her off.
One was in the open, and the other was in the shadows.
Jiang Ting watched the carriage disappear into the distance, his fist clenching and unclenching.
He is the ruler of a country, and the whole world belongs to him, but people's hearts do not.
He could certainly keep Jiang Tianqiang, or even force her to submit.
But is that what he wanted?
If that's the case, he will never be able to win her heart again in his entire life.
A pain came from my heart.
Perhaps letting her go is the best option.
In that case, he had simply given up on a woman he had fallen for.
But he did right by Jiang Tian, so she wouldn't hate him; he did right by Yan Jing'an, he didn't betray his trust, and he set Jiang Tian free.
Jiang Ting spoke to Jiang Tian privately before she left.
"Brother Yan once entrusted me with this matter. He wanted you to know that if you find a lover in the future, you can remarry and live a happy life."
His words clearly did not elicit any reaction from Jiang Tian.
She just smiled softly, but the sadness in her eyes didn't lessen in the slightest.
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