Upon hearing this, Xu Yuehuai blinked, looking at Xiaolian with some surprise. She thought she had kept her secret well, but it seemed the palace maids had still managed to spread the word. She lowered her head somewhat embarrassed, a blush creeping onto her face.
Qi Hanlin reached out and gently took Xiaolian's hand, offering her support and comfort.
Watching the interaction between the two, Xu Yuehuai felt a warm current in her heart. She knew that her plan was already half successful.
She smiled gently, picked up a piece of tender fish and placed it in Xiaolian's bowl, saying softly, "All of this is for you!"
Xiaolian looked up at Xu Yuehuai with gratitude. She knew that Xu Yuehuai had always been silently supporting her and offering advice.
A warm feeling welled up in her heart, and tears of gratitude glistened in her eyes.
Qi Hanlin looked at Xu Yuehuai, a hint of admiration and gratitude flashing in his eyes. He knew that Xu Yuehuai had put in a lot of effort and hard work for Xiaolian and their future.
The atmosphere among the three became increasingly warm and harmonious.
Xu Yuehuai continued to serve food to the two of them, saying, "His Majesty truly desires to be with you for life, which is why he devised the plan involving the Liu family's daughter, so that other ministers would also think twice before trying to send anyone into the harem."
Her words were full of determination and confidence, as if everything was under her control.
Xiao Lian listened to Xu Yuehuai's words and realized that Qi Hanlin had sacrificed a lot for her, and that Xu Yuehuai had been silently supporting them behind the scenes.
She looked at Qi Hanlin with deep affection, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
Qi Hanlin felt a little shy under Xiaolian's gaze. He lowered his head, a blush creeping onto his face.
The atmosphere at the dinner table became even warmer and more harmonious. The interaction between the three was full of affection and tacit understanding, as if the whole world had shrunk down to just the three of them.
After dinner, the silvery moonlight poured down, like an inverted Milky Way, coating the stone steps in front of the palace with a soft silver hue.
Xu Yuehuai, Qi Hanlin, and Xiaolian walked side by side, their shadows stretching long in the moonlight, as if they were about to blend into the endless night.
Bathed in moonlight, a deep worry flickered in Xu Yuehuai's eyes. She frowned slightly, as if pondering the various possibilities of the future.
Although her steps were steady, each step revealed a sense of composure and determination, as if she had the confidence to face any difficulties ahead.
"I just hope those people are smart enough to calm things down," she suddenly said.
Qi Hanlin, on the other hand, had a resolute expression, his eyes flashing with a cold light, like icicles in the dead of winter.
A cold smile played on his lips: "If those people don't know what's good for them, I will show them no mercy."
Xiaolian followed silently beside them, her heart filled with unease and fear. She would occasionally look up at the two people beside her, her eyes filled with awe and dependence.
Her steps were hesitant, as if she were contemplating whether to continue walking like this, her hands clasped tightly together, as if seeking a sliver of comfort.
The three walked along the palace path, surrounded by silence, with only the echo of their footsteps. Moonlight, like water, bathed them, casting long shadows. At this moment, all three were filled with anticipation and longing for the future, yet also with their own worries and anxieties.
Xu Yuehuai glanced back at Xiaolian every now and then, a hint of concern flashing in her eyes. She reached out and gently took Xiaolian's hand, conveying warmth and strength to her.
Xiaolian felt Xu Yuehuai's care, and a trace of gratitude flashed in her eyes. Her mood calmed down a little.
Qi Hanlin remained silent, his gaze fixed firmly ahead. He knew this turmoil was not over; many things still needed to be resolved.
As night deepened, the moonlight remained bright. The figures of Xu Yuehuai, Qi Hanlin, and Xiaolian gradually faded into the distance under the moonlight, but their determination and faith were forever etched in this silvery night.
A few days later, sunlight slanted into Xu Yuehuai's courtyard, the golden light complementing the green plants and creating a tranquil and harmonious scene.
Xu Yuehuai sat at the stone table in the courtyard, holding an ancient book in her hand, immersed in the world within the book.
"Bang bang bang—!"
Suddenly, a series of light footsteps broke the silence, and the figure of the guard appeared in her sight.
"Your Highness! A letter has arrived!"
The guard walked up to Xu Yuehuai, bowed respectfully, and then handed her a sealed letter.
Upon seeing the handwriting on the envelope, Xu Yuehuai immediately recognized it as Qi Guze's, and a hint of joy flashed in her eyes. She eagerly tore open the envelope, unfolded the letter, and began to read it carefully.
As the contents of the letter gradually unfolded before her eyes, Xu Yuehuai's face broke into an increasingly radiant smile. She happily looked up, her eyes sparkling with excitement, as if the whole world had brightened up.
She murmured to herself, "We've won the war against the Dark Moon Kingdom! This is wonderful!"
Xu Yuehuai folded the letter and put it away, then stood up, her face beaming with joy and anticipation. She walked to Xiaolian's side inside the room and said softly, "Xiaolian, I need to leave the palace for a while."
Xiao Lian looked up and saw the smile on Xu Yuehuai's face. Although she was a little confused, she still nodded obediently and said with concern, "Your Highness, please be careful."
Xu Yuehuai glanced gratefully at Xiaolian, knowing that Xiaolian was worried about her safety. She smiled and patted Xiaolian's hand, saying, "Don't worry, I'll be careful. I'll be back."
After speaking, Xu Yuehuai turned and walked towards the palace gate. Her steps were light and firm, as if an invisible force was propelling her forward. She knew that this trip out of the palace was of great significance to her; she was going to see Bei Xuan and fulfill Qi Guze's request.
When Xu Yuehuai returned to the Prince's Mansion, the sky had already been dyed a warm orange-red by the sunset. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the walls of the mansion, gilding the heavy stone bricks with a golden glow, as if the ancient palace had been given new life.
She slowly walked into the mansion gate and felt a familiar and warm atmosphere wash over her.
Xu Yuehuai took a deep breath, as if she could smell the fragrance of flowers and the aroma of food in the mansion. That familiar scent warmed her heart, and she felt as if she had returned home.
In the hall, Qi Ziang, Bei Xuan, Xia Sen, Zhou Wan, and others were having a meal together. When they saw Xu Yuehuai return, their faces lit up with surprise and delight.
Qi Ziang jumped up from his chair, ran over and hugged Xu Yuehuai, his voice filled with excitement: "Mother, you're finally back!"
Having not seen Xu Yuehuai for so many days, Qi Ziang missed her terribly, and she appeared in his dreams almost every day.
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