Xie Wanqing only then noticed how large this carriage is. They are currently in the inner chamber, and there is obviously ample space outside, allowing the Emperor to travel with a comfortable living environment.
— Being treated as an Emperor is indeed different.
As if he could guess what she was thinking, Lu Ziyuan leaned half against the couch, smiling at her.
"Wanwan," he said softly, "I won’t let you regret returning to the Capital."
When they stood side by side, the people throughout the realm would know that she is the most noble and happiest woman in the world.
Xie Wanqing ignored him.
She was truly hungry, even though the meals during the journey were not abundant, her appetite was growing.
While feeding herself, she saw a pair of chopsticks reach over from beside her and glanced at him, "Have you not eaten either?"
Lu Ziyuan chuckled, "I want to wait for you to get up, let’s eat together."
"..."
Perhaps her mindset really had changed, as Xie Wanqing could hear a bit of helplessness in his words.
She thought for a moment, clipped a piece of lotus root for him, and promised, "As long as you don’t act up, we’ll eat together for the rest of our lives."
"Alright, I won’t act up," Lu Ziyuan raised an eyebrow slightly, swallowed the lotus root slowly, and smiled, "But Wanwan, you have to keep your word."
"Of course," Xie Wanqing added a chopstick of shredded duck for him and looked up to ask, "Where is Ran’er?"
Lu Ziyuan replied matter-of-factly, "In the carriage behind us, he’s causing a scene, can’t let him disturb us."
"..." Xie Wanqing was momentarily silent, then said with difficulty, "He’s your own son."
"I know," speaking of this, ultimately there remained unresolved feelings, Lu Ziyuan tightened the chopsticks in his hand, "On the day you gave birth, I was outside, yet I still missed those four years completely."
He resented Ji Chengfeng for daring to speak wildly that it was his wife giving birth inside, and he resented Xie YanYu for not hinting even the slightest.
But the person he resented most was himself.
Evidently feeling inexplicable heart palpitations, as if a divine force was reminding him how important the person inside was.
Yet he still did not go to see.
He still remembered the pain and restrained breathing he heard that day through the door.
She was inside giving birth, life or death unknown, while he was just a door away, completely unaware.
Fortunately, nothing happened to her.
The belated fear made Lu Ziyuan’s knuckles tremble.
Xie Wanqing was also silent upon hearing this, thought for a moment, and she explained, "I didn’t know you arrived at that time, by the time I found out, you had already left Bianzhou."
As the words fell, Lu Ziyuan suddenly looked over.
That gaze seemed to ask, if you had known I was here, what would you have done?
How could such a question be answered by Xie Wanqing?
She sighed helplessly and began earnestly eating.
Once the meal was finished, a maid served hot tea.
Well-rested and fed, Xie Wanqing took a sip, feeling much more spirited, and started talking with the person beside her.
"What identity do you plan to arrange for us to enter the palace?"
The eldest daughter of Marquis Xuanping Mansion died several years ago, suddenly emerging now—how can it be explained?
She considered deeply and seriously, but Lu Ziyuan, who was peeling a tangerine, laughed at her words, "What nonsense are you thinking? I have no intention of letting you change names."
This is his Wanwan, he only wants her, there is no other woman between them.
Even if she were to change her name and surname.
That would not work.
He loves her so much, how could he not let the people of the realm know?
Not only that, he also wants it recorded in history, sung through the ages.
If entering the palace with a different identity, wouldn’t it mean in the eyes of all subsequent generations that he had changed his affection towards another?
How could this be.
Wouldn’t this ruin his reputation?