Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing’s smile deepened. He picked up the jade spoon and slowly scooped the ginseng soup, bringing it to his lips. A warm, mellow sensation spread through his throat, and before long, he had finished the entire bowl. After setting down the soup bowl, a faint weariness settled between his brows.
Seeing this, Tang Jinyan walked slowly to Emperor Jing’s back, reached out, and gently pressed her hands against his tense shoulders, kneading and massaging with a soft touch.
Emperor Jing leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and sighed contentedly. “It is still my Yan’er who understands me best.”
Chu Moqing, standing to the side, kept his head bowed and remained silent, never overstepping by glancing around, quietly waiting without uttering a word.
After a short while, Emperor Jing’s weariness grew more apparent. He yawned twice in succession, unable to suppress his drowsiness any longer, and waved his hand dismissively, his tone weary. “I am tired and need to rest for a while. Both of you may leave.”
Hearing this, Tang Jinyan withdrew her hands and bowed respectfully, while Chu Moqing simultaneously cupped his hands in salute.
“Your daughter takes her leave. May Imperial Father rest well.”
“Your humble servant takes his leave.”
The two rose and walked slowly out of the imperial study one after the other. The palace doors were gently closed by the attendants.
A light breeze swept through the palace pathway, leaving a tranquil silence in its wake. The two walked side by side, yet always maintained half a step’s distance. No one spoke, and the atmosphere was quiet yet subtly tense.
Suddenly, Tang Jinyan paused and turned to face Chu Moqing.
Seeing this, Chu Moqing also stopped, lowering his gaze and waiting quietly, his expression as gentle and respectful as ever.
“Zhaoyuan has always remembered the favor of Lord Chu’s timely rescue and has yet to formally express gratitude. Today, I offer my thanks to Lord Chu.”
Chu Moqing’s figure stiffened slightly, then he stepped forward half a step and bowed deeply. The hem of his blue robe brushed against the ground, his posture humble and deferential, entirely befitting a subject’s respect toward a princess:
“Your Highness speaks too highly. Protecting Your Highness is merely this humble servant’s duty. I dare not claim credit, much less accept such profound gratitude from Your Highness.”
Seeing his deliberately distant demeanor, Tang Jinyan’s heart was suddenly flooded with memories of her past life, when she had chased after him with joy and longing. She quickly suppressed those thoughts. She had no intention of becoming entangled with him again, and this expression of gratitude was merely to settle a debt of kindness.
With this in mind, she raised her eyes to meet his gaze and spoke slowly, “Since Lord Chu saved me and has done me a great favor, it is only natural that I repay you properly. Does Lord Chu have time to accompany me for a while?”
“As Your Highness commands, this humble servant shall accompany you.”
The two walked slowly toward Zhangle Hall, with Chu Moqing always maintaining a steady half-step behind, following like a shadow. The hem of his blue robe brushed against the ground, never overstepping the bounds of propriety.
Tang Jinyan lowered her gaze, the familiar scent of ink mixed with the freshness of grass and wood lingering at the tip of her nose—exactly as it had been in her past life.
That scent had once been the comfort she longed for day and night, but now, as it drifted into her senses, a pang of bitterness welled up in her heart.
There was a time when she had always hoped to walk side by side with him on the palace pathway like this, even if it was just in silent companionship, feeling as though time stood still in tranquility.
Yet, in her past life, her infatuation had been misplaced, wasting time and exhausting her sincerity.
Lost in thought, she failed to notice the steps beneath her feet and suddenly stumbled.
Her wrist tightened abruptly as a steady force caught her in time.
Chu Moqing had instinctively stepped forward, reaching out to grasp her wrist and pull her firmly back to safety. He immediately released her hand, took half a step back, and bowed in apology:
“This humble servant has been presumptuous. Is Your Highness unharmed?”
Tang Jinyan was startled back to her senses by the sudden touch, the lingering warmth of his fingertips still faintly present on her wrist. Her heart trembled, and she quickly suppressed the surging emotions.
"It's nothing, thank you, Lord Chu."
Chu Moqing waited until Tang Jinyan was steady on her feet before slowly straightening up. He consciously took half a step back, hands hanging respectfully at his sides, not daring to make any unnecessary movements. Only the faint redness at the tips of his ears betrayed a hint of barely noticeable unease.
The rest of the journey passed in silence, and before long, the two arrived outside the Zhangle Hall.
Tang Jinyan stopped and turned, addressing Xiaoxi, who was waiting nearby, with a calm tone: "Go and fetch the rosewood box on my writing desk."
Xiaoxi curtsied in acknowledgment: "Yes, Princess." She then turned and hurried into the hall.
Tang Jinyan stood waiting under the corridor, not looking back at the person behind her. Instead, she gazed calmly at the magnolia blossoms blooming splendidly before the hall, her expression serene and unreadable.
Chu Moqing remained standing guard not far away, hands respectfully at his sides.
Before long, Xiaoxi emerged quickly, holding an exquisite rosewood box. She presented it with both hands to Tang Jinyan: "Princess, the box you requested."
Tang Jinyan took the box and turned to look at Chu Moqing, who stood quietly nearby: "Lord Chu, for your previous act of saving me, I have no adequate way to repay you. This contains a token of my gratitude. Please accept it."
Chu Moqing hesitated slightly, as if intending to decline.
Seeing this, Tang Jinyan spoke softly: "It is nothing of great value. I merely heard that Lord Chu appreciates calligraphy and painting. It is but a modest gift; please do accept it."
Chu Moqing had no choice but to receive it with both hands. Upon opening the lid, his gaze paused momentarily.
Inside the box were not ordinary writing tools, but several authentic calligraphy works and small ancient paintings by renowned masters of previous dynasties. Each piece was a rare treasure, far from the commonplace items one might casually mention.
Chu Moqing’s fingers stilled slightly. He immediately closed the box and bowed as he offered it back: "Your Highness, these items are far too precious. This humble official absolutely dare not accept them."
Tang Jinyan looked at his solemn expression and smiled faintly, gently pushing the box back toward him:
"It is precisely because they are precious that they are worthy of your life-saving grace. Lord Chu need not decline. These calligraphy and paintings are merely idle objects in the palace. In your hands, they will find their proper place."
Chu Moqing pondered for a moment and finally ceased his refusal. He solemnly accepted the wooden box with both hands: "This humble official… thanks Your Highness for your great kindness."
With that, he bowed respectfully before turning and leaving with the box in his arms.
The figure in blue robes gradually receded into the distance, his steps still steady and composed.
Tang Jinyan stood under the corridor, quietly watching his retreating figure until he disappeared around the corner of the palace path before slowly withdrawing her gaze.
Xiaoxi, standing nearby, couldn't help but chuckle softly:
"So that’s why the Princess specially went to request His Majesty earlier, asking for those few treasured pieces from the library archives—it was to thank Lord Chu."
Tang Jinyan smiled but did not reply, merely gazing thoughtfully at the empty palace path.
In her previous life, there had been a torrential downpour. The library, long in disrepair, had leaked and collapsed in multiple places, and many treasured calligraphy works and paintings were ruined by water damage and mold.
Among them were these very pieces. At that time, Chu Moqing was already the Prospective Consort. When he accompanied her rushing to the scene, she had clearly seen the unmistakable pain and regret in his eyes as he looked upon the ruined scrolls.
Back then, her heart was solely occupied with matters of romance, and she paid no mind to these ancient artifacts, naturally unable to understand the heartache he felt as if cut by a knife.
Now, having been reborn, she had remembered this matter early on.
A few days ago, I deliberately visited the Imperial Library and noticed cracks in the rear mountain wall and rotting eaves. Seizing the opportunity, I suggested to Imperial Father that the ancient texts stored there were precious and required thorough repairs to prevent future damage from wind and rain.
I also casually mentioned my great fondness for those old paintings and asked Imperial Father to bestow them upon me.
Imperial Father did not think much of it and readily agreed, allowing me to obtain them smoothly.
Tang Jinyan’s hand, hanging by her side, clenched lightly. She silently reminded herself that she was doing this merely to repay him for saving her life.
Yes, that was all.
It had nothing to do with the obsessive attachments of her past life. She was simply repaying this debt of gratitude, so that they could be even from now on, just as he had said—strangers on separate paths.