"Wait a little longer, and then I will proclaim to the whole world, restoring your father’s innocence and reinstating your title as Commandery Princess," the Emperor of Xiyun added.
Tobanya knelt down and thanked him again, solemnly saying, "This humble girl thanks the Emperor!"
Upon returning from the Jun Palace to Fenghua Palace, An Jing had Meng Lanqing take Tobanya out of the palace.
Meanwhile, Xiao Changyi was still in the Jun Palace.
The Emperor of Xiyun asked Xiao Changyi to sit with him for a while longer.
The four little ones were playing in the front courtyard of Fenghua Palace, watched over by Palace Attendants, each in their own little world, yet the scene before them was particularly harmonious and beautiful.
An Jing didn’t join the four little ones but watched them with a slight smile on her face.
Her eyes were filled with endless tenderness.
Eventually, she simply sat on the steps to watch.
Although the four little ones were each occupied with their own play, from time to time, when they caught sight of her, they would turn their heads towards her, giggle twice, and then return to their games.
Thinking back on yesterday’s events, which had been so perilous, An Jing still felt slightly shaken.
She couldn’t begin to imagine what she would become if something were to happen to her four adorable children.
As soon as Xiao Changyi entered Fenghua Palace, he saw his wife sitting on the steps watching their four children, lost in thought, and he walked over and sat beside her without any disdain for the dirtiness of the steps.
"What are you thinking about?" Xiao Changyi turned his head towards An Jing, his thin lips parting slightly, and he asked softly.
An Jing did not answer immediately but leaned closer to Xiao Changyi, resting her head on his shoulder. After another look at the four little ones, she softly called out, "Husband."
"My hands trembled yesterday."
Xiao Changyi didn’t respond with words but lifted his hand to wrap around An Jing’s shoulder, pulling her closer against his.
An Jing continued slowly, "I’m afraid. Afraid something will happen to the children. What do you think I would become if something happened to Jing’er, Star, Qinger, and Yun Er?"
Without waiting for Xiao Changyi to speak, An Jing added softly, "Anyway, I can’t even imagine it."
Although Xiao Changyi’s face showed no expression and he didn’t speak, he held An Jing tighter.
Feeling the strength of his embrace on her shoulder, leaning against him, An Jing fell silent. After a while, she spoke again, "Husband."
"I don’t want the children to be placed in danger again."
"Let’s move into the Imperial Capital, whether it be living in the palace or in Prince Yi’s Mansion, it’s safer than dwelling outside the city."
"If we decide on Prince Yi’s Mansion, we’ll need to employ quite a number of guards to protect the mansion and prevent people from entering at will." For the sake of the children, even if it were a birdcage, she was willing to enter it.
Xiao Changyi calmly said, "I have already trained several batches of dead soldiers for the better protection of the old man and Chengyu. I will speak with the old man later to station a batch at Prince Yi’s Mansion."
"Hmm," An Jing had no objections. The specially trained dead soldiers were much stronger than ordinary guards.
As she nodded, An Jing lifted her face, silently smiling towards Xiao Changyi.
Xiao Changyi just looked at her and raised his other hand to gently touch An Jing’s face.
Then, together, they watched the four little ones playing not far away.
As they watched, An Jing sighed, feeling somewhat heavy-hearted, "It’s good that the children are safe. But Meng Zhuqing, sigh... I don’t know if he’ll ever wake up..."
"Sigh," An Jing exhaled again, "Meng Zhuqing’s condition is because of Wild Goose Jade; she must be feeling terrible inside."