Chapter 15

The imperial palace was grand and imposing, enough to make anyone feel intimidated.

Yuwen Zhao held my hand; his grip was warm and firm. As we walked through the great hall, I didn’t feel a shred of panic.

“Just treat this like a stroll. I’m here for everything.”

A stroll through the imperial palace—only he would think of something like that.

I nodded and shared a smile with Yuwen Zhao. But when I turned my head, I saw a gloomy-looking Qin Yiheng.

He looked much more haggard, yet also more majestic. Sitting high on the dragon throne, draped in imperial robes, he radiated the aura of an Emperor.

“I wish to speak with her alone. Master Yuwen, please go to the side hall to rest.”

Yuwen Zhao frowned slightly at these words. “No need. I will stay right here.”

Qin Yiheng’s expression darkened instantly, but Yuwen Zhao refused to budge an inch.

I looked between the two of them, sighed, and said gently to Yuwen Zhao, “Go wait for me in the side hall. Nothing will happen.”

I couldn’t always seek Yuwen Zhao’s protection. This was my business; I had to make a clean break with Qin Yiheng and get my family back.

Yuwen Zhao was worried, but he respected me, so he finally left.

Only the two of us remained in the great hall. I looked at Qin Yiheng, who sat high above, and smiled faintly.

“Young Prince… Your Majesty, congratulations on getting what you wished for.”

Qin Yiheng didn’t speak. He walked down step by step. It was only a dozen or so stairs, but he seemed to use up all his strength.

His voice was hoarse as he spoke: “Lately, I keep having dreams. I dream of our time in the house, but when I wake up, you’ve disappeared, and all I see is this cold, empty hall.”

“Niantang, I have everything now. If you are willing to come back, I can make you Empress—my only Empress.”

He stood before me and reached out his hand. Even though he was in a position of absolute power, I saw the begging in his eyes.

I looked at him, stepped back to avoid his hand, and bowed deeply.

“I am grateful to Your Majesty for saving my family. Now that you are returning them to me, the debt of saving my life is settled.”

Rescuing my stepmother and brother was the exchange for the debt of my life. An Emperor’s word is gold; he would not break his promise.

“Do you know, this was our only remaining tie…” he muttered. I could see tears falling from his eyes.

“Your Majesty, you now possess the world. Why cling to someone who no longer loves you?”

The pain in his eyes grew deeper. I smiled slightly. “Qin Yiheng, let go. There has been too much hurt and misunderstanding between us. It’s all too late. We were never people from the same world to begin with; why force it?”

Qin Yiheng closed his eyes. After a long while, he waved his hand, and my stepmother and brother appeared at the side.

He turned his back to me and said in a strained voice, “Go. Before I change my mind.”

Before I walked out of the hall, I looked back at him one last time.

He looked so high up, and so very lonely.