Holding the script, I want to give up.

Seeing that Youxi had returned from the banquet, Shangguan Zitong tugged at her skirt to cover her ankles.

"Is the banquet over?"

"Your Highness, it's still early."

"Alright, I'm tired. Remember to call me when the banquet is over."

"Yes."

Seeing that the princess was tired, Youzhi and Youxi withdrew.

"Yibai, you should go out too."

"Yes."

Yibai stepped down.

......

The banquet had reached its climax, and Huangfu Hongxi, who had left his seat, had already returned to his place, as if his departure had never happened.

Unfortunately, Huangfu Hongxi left late and only saw Yi Bai helping Shangguan Zitong limp back to her palace. He didn't encounter Mu Rongyi Ke. Because he returned early, he wasn't discovered, and everyone assumed that his departure was just to relieve himself.

"Is there anyone or anything that Your Highness wishes to bring back to Beiji this time?"

"If you want it, I will reluctantly part with it, no matter how reluctant I am."

The Southern Emperor's polite words were extremely hypocritical.

"Would you be willing to part with the little princess of Nanning?"

A glint flashed in Huangfu Hongxi's eyes.

"The little princess is not yet of marriageable age. You can change your request, but I can have her see you off."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I have no other request."

"...Haha, he's a man of character."

The Southern Emperor said, somewhat embarrassed.

The banquet ended, and everyone left satisfied.

"Fifth Prince, please wait. I have sent my own princess to escort you. Please wait a little longer."

The Southern Emperor intercepted Huangfu Hongxi.

"This matter requires the princess's consent."

Huangfu Hongxi stopped and replied, and the envoy beside him also stopped.

"I have already sent someone to invite her. After all, it is the last time we will see her. The little princess will definitely come."

The Southern Emperor said with certainty.

"I hope so."

Just as Huangfu Hongxi finished speaking, Shangguan Zitong arrived, walking with a slight limp.

"My son, I will meet my father."

Shangguan Zitong performed a standard etiquette.

"No need for formalities. Does the Emperor have any objection to asking you to escort the Fifth Prince?"

The Southern Emperor watched as she gradually transformed from a lively and mischievous girl into a dignified and graceful one, and smiled with satisfaction.

"No, Your Highness, please."

Shangguan Zitong bowed to the Southern Emperor again, escorted Huangfu Hongxi to the main gate of the palace, and then prepared to leave.

"I may never see you again after I leave for Beiji. Don't you have anything you want to say to me?"

"Isn't this great?"

"...You really are..."

What a spoilsport!

"Then I wish Your Highness a smooth journey."

"...Never mind, you should go back."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

After Shangguan Zitong finished speaking, he bowed and left. Huangfu Hongxi, realizing he had made a fool of himself, also left with the envoy.

......

Inside Jinghe Palace.

"Father, I wish to take that boy out of the palace."

Shangguan Zitong performed the proper salute.

"After all this time, is this all you've come to tell me? You truly chill my heart."

Didn't we just see each other at the banquet? Yeah, it's been so long, and all you do is treat me badly. Shangguan Zitong mentally ranted.

The Southern Emperor stood at his desk practicing calligraphy, not even sparing her a glance.

“Father, the Crown Prince is already eighteen. If that boy stays in the palace any longer, rumors will spread.”

Shangguan Zitong knelt earnestly, without raising her head.

"Raise your head. Is that really what you think? Ha! Rumors are a fearsome thing; they've already started circulating."

The Southern Emperor put down his pen and scrutinized her.

“Is that true? But Father, he is also your child!”

"Even tigers don't eat their cubs. Do you really intend to imprison him in the palace for the rest of his life?"

Shangguan Zitong raised her head and met the Southern Emperor's gaze, her eyes filled with more incomprehension and hostility.

"He is not worthy to be my child!"

"Why not? I've already been very merciful by not killing him."

"Zitong, do not be arrogant because of your favor. I am the emperor and I have my own standards."

The Southern Emperor said with a hint of anger.

“Father, I did not mean to offend you, but he is a free and unrestrained person and should not be confined to the palace because of his status.”

"So you mean the palace is a birdcage that eats people up without spitting out the bones?"

"...Your subject had no such intention."

No way! You old man, you clearly couldn't control yourself but you blame others. You're quite the smooth talker. You really want to be emperor yourself, don't you?

"Very well, you wretch. Get out of my sight..."

Oh dear, what if I spoke too truthfully? It's all because I don't think before I speak. I guess I really don't have a talent for language; I can't utter anything eloquent.

Shangguan Zitong secretly resolved to read more books on language use. She wanted to see how those brilliant people could speak indirectly and without using profanity, yet still manage to verbally abuse their opponents.

“Father, I am willing to leave the palace to monitor him and ensure that he will not have any rebellious intentions.”

“Father, if a marriage alliance is needed in the future, I will certainly not refuse and will set an example.”

"I beg Your Majesty to grant my request. This has been my only request from beginning to end."

Seeing the emperor's fury, Shangguan Zitong quickly finished speaking and kowtowed several times.

"Alright, let's go. I grant you permission to take him on an incognito tour. You should broaden your horizons and stop being so naive."

"Come back after you've traveled to every corner of Nanning; the doors here will always be open for you."

"If you do any good deeds, remember to do them in the name of the Crown Prince. This is an order, do you understand?"

The Southern Emperor waved his sleeve, signaling her to leave.

"Your subject understands. Thank you, Father, for granting my request."

Having achieved her goal, Shangguan Zitong left without lingering after completing the ceremony.

......

"Brother, pack your bags, let's go. You'll be free soon."

Shangguan Zitong arrived at Shangguan Jin's courtyard and saw him standing alone in the snow, staring blankly at the moon. His dark Warring States period robe made him look very gloomy.

"really?"

Shangguan Jin turned around and looked at Shangguan Zitong, who was bathed in a layer of silvery-gray moonlight and wearing a tea-white high-collar long robe as she walked through the snow. He thought his sister was as beautiful as a fairy.

"Yes, really, brother, let's pack up and go. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Shangguan Zitong said playfully.

"Okay, I'll go clean it up right away."

"Okay, I'll go pack too. Let's meet at the palace gate."

After Shangguan Zitong finished speaking, she returned to her own palace.

Inside Shangguan Zitong's bedroom.

Shangguan Zitong briefly explained the whole story to Youzhi, Youxi, and Yibai.

“Princess, we are willing to leave the palace with you.”

Youzhi and Youxi said at the same time, fearing that Shangguan Zitong would abandon them and leave alone with the boy.

“Youzhi, Youxi, I’m not joking.”

"After spending so much time together, I already consider you all friends, but this is going to be tough."

"While life among commoners may be carefree, it's not as comfortable as being in the imperial palace. You should think this through carefully."

"I'll give you time to consider it."

Shangguan Zitong thought of a bunch of reasons but felt they were useless, so she decided to just give her advice like this.

Youzhi and Youxi skipped the time for consideration and said at the same time, "Wherever the princess is, we will be there."

"Okay, Yibai, what about you?"

Shangguan Zitong said with satisfaction.

"My duty is to protect the princess. Wherever you are, I will be there."

"Alright, then let's all pack our bags and leave tonight. After all, I'm afraid Father might change his mind."

"Yes."

The three bowed and withdrew, and Shangguan Zitong also began packing her things.

"Should we bring this? Let's bring it, just in case we need it. And this, and that, just in case we need them too. Never mind, let's bring them all."

Shangguan Zitong seemed to have a problem making choices, muttering to herself. She wanted to bring everything, stuffing a lot of things into her bundle, but only a few items were actually useful.

......