Chapter 131: He Is Leaving

The Empress did not depart until she had finished her dinner at the Cloud Mist Palace. Shortly after the meal, night descended.

Xiaoqiu returned after delivering the food containers, leaned in close to Guli’s ear, and whispered a few words. Upon hearing this, Guli stood up abruptly. "Is it true? He is leaving tonight?"

Xiaoqiu nodded. "Yes. Imperial Physician Hu examined him this morning and said that General Chang'an's wounds have completely healed. He is able to walk and has recovered his health, so there is no further need for convalescence. The Crown Prince must have received the report, as he sent people this afternoon to discuss it with the General. They decided that once night fell, Xiao Jizi would bring some men over under the guise of moving supplies, and the General would slip out disguised as a guard. Now that it is dark, the Prince’s men should be arriving at any moment."

"Why are you only telling me this now?" Guli felt a surge of panic. Remembering that he was leaving so soon, and considering she had not seen him for the past three days, her heart ached with a deep, stinging sorrow.

Xiaoqiu looked helpless. "The Empress was here all afternoon; I truly could not find an opportunity..."

Guli understood that he was eager to return home. Having been away for so long, and although the outside world remained unaware of his serious injuries, there were undoubtedly countless matters awaiting him at his estate—his grandmother, the barracks, and his duties—that would brook no delay. The Crown Prince had also mentioned a few days ago that if his wounds were healed, he could no longer stay; if the Emperor were to summon him urgently one day, the deception would be exposed. She had been reluctant to let him go, hoping to delay it for a couple more days, but now that the Imperial Physician had spoken, she had no grounds to keep him.

Ignoring everything else, Guli lifted her skirts and hurried toward the side hall.

Inside the side hall, Lie Chang'an had already changed into the attire of a palace guard and was sitting at the table, waiting. He had asked Xiaoqiu to deliver the message, but he was uncertain if she would come. After the awkwardness of their encounter that night, the mere memory of it made his face flush with embarrassment, yet it could not suppress the longing and reluctance in his heart. He had not seen her for three days, and each day had felt like a year. As he prepared to leave, he felt he owed it to her, after all the meticulous care she had shown him, to say goodbye.

Guli rushed into the side hall. Hearing her footsteps, Lie Chang'an rose from his chair. Even before he saw her, the mere sound of her arrival made him tense with anticipation.

"I heard you are leaving?" Guli entered the room, breathless. Her mind was filled only with the news of his departure; the embarrassment of the past was forgotten, and her heart was consumed by sorrow and reluctance.

"Yes." Lie Chang'an saw her flushed face as she panted, her breath visible in the cold air. She looked so endearing that his heart felt inexplicably full. "Thank you for taking such good care of me, Princess."

Guli, realizing he was truly going, felt a wave of desolation. She lowered her eyes to hide her sadness and shook her head gently. "It was not much care at all. You helped me, too, did you not?"

"Princess, I..." Lie Chang'an did not know what else to say. A farewell should have been enough, yet he felt there were so many things he wanted to tell her, though he did not know where to begin. He had never experienced such tangled emotions, but whenever he stood before her, he felt helpless, as if he had become someone entirely different from his usual self.