That entire day, Aunt Anu was visibly upset. Zhan, who was still at his father's home, had no idea what had transpired. Even when he returned, Aunt Anu said nothing to him until Papa came back. Only then did she explain everything that had happened to Papa.
Papa simply smiled and said,
"I've noticed many things. His Majesty is clearly keeping secrets from his wife-she has no idea what's going on. And it seems he has a plan he's working on. Don't trouble yourself with this yet, Anu. Let time reveal what's ahead. Whatever he's planning... it will show itself soon enough."
"Like what, Papa?"
She asked, curious.
"Don't be in a rush, Anu. You'll see it soon."
He replied while opening the food flask she had set aside for him, checking what she had prepared, while she sank deeper into thought.
While Yibo's health had declined, he was under constant medical care. The Queen was extremely worried, just as His Majesty was-but he kept his concern well hidden. He never let the Queen sense just how deeply affected he was.
One morning, His Majesty sat alone in his chamber, lost in thought-his mind entirely occupied with thoughts of Yibo lying in the hospital bed.
He was seated by the arch where he often meditated when, unexpectedly, he heard Nalan's voice at the door. It surprised him-she had never visited him at that hour before. He gave her permission to enter.
Calmly and respectfully, she walked in and sat. She greeted him, and he replied with warmth. A pause followed, long enough for him to ask what brought her, before she finally spoke with quiet urgency.
"Dad... I came to beg you for a favor. Please... forgive Mom and Yibo-ge for what they did. Call it a mistake, a moment of recklessness. But I beg you-please get involved in Yibo's situation. He's truly unwell, and I believe with all my heart that if Zhan were with him, none of this would have happened."
His Majesty remained quiet for a few seconds, offering only a small smile before replying with composure:
"What Zhaiye did-yes, it shocked me. Deeply. I never imagined she was capable of something like that. But the real fault lies with your mother. I've already forgiven them... but forgiveness doesn't mean I won't act. I've been involved in Yibo's matter from the start. I left the rest in Zhan's hands, since he was the one wronged. They don't know this, of course-I want them to fully feel the consequences first."
He paused, then added: "I gave your mother guidance on how to correct her mistakes, but she hasn't acted on it yet. There's nothing more I can do but wait... and see if she ever takes that step toward making things right. Only then will the full healing begin."
Nalan's face lit up with hope and relief. "So... does that mean you already restore Yibo's marriage to Zhan?"
He nodded.
"Yes. But no one is to know-not yet. I haven't told anyone else, and I expect you to keep this between us. I have my reasons."
Nalan nodded eagerly, full of admiration for her father's wisdom and subtlety. He truly was a fair and noble ruler. She now understood why his people respected him so deeply.
"Thank you, Dad. Truly. But... please, go and see Prince Yibo yourself."
His Majesty smiled more broadly and looked at her warmly.
"Have you ever known a heart to abandon its own blood? Of course, I'll go. But at the right time."
"Even that is enough," she replied with a smile.
They chatted for a while, enjoying a rare father-daughter moment, and then said their goodbyes. As she neared the door, His Majesty called out:
"Don't forget-not a word of this to anyone."
"I won't, Dad... but, I'd like to go visit Zhan."
He nodded.
"No problem. Give him my regards."
Nalan left feeling lighter, her spirits lifted. She now believed without doubt that they would soon regain Zhan as their rightful family member and in-law.
With excitement and joy, Nalan began preparing. She quietly arranged for someone to accompany her to Zhan's house and secretly invited Bai Wuxia to join her. She told her everything, and Bai Wuxia was so thrilled she looked ready to dance with joy.
Without delay, they both dressed up and set out.
Meanwhile, Zhan was sitting on the patio at home, flipping through a small book in his hands. Aunt Anu had just gone inside moments earlier, after scolding him yet again about refusing her advice. She had brought him all sorts of grooming and self-care items, but he stubbornly refused to use them, insisting he was a man and didn't need any of that. She had snapped back that grooming was essential... "If only to drive the Prince crazy again and remind Zhaiye who she lost!"
To Zhan, everything still felt like a dream. Even his decision to return to Yibo... it all seemed surreal, like child's play.
Zhan didn't quite know how his heart and body were supposed to feel. All he could do was stare silently, letting fate unfold as it would.
The sound of the front gate opening caught his attention. He looked up briefly at the car pulling in, then returned to reading his book, paying no real mind to who it was. It wasn't until he heard footsteps approaching that he lifted his head again.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw Bai Wuxia and Nalan walking toward him. He stood up quickly, slightly uncertain, watching them closely. Bai Wuxia hadn't seen him yet, but Nalan had-and she rushed toward him with her arms wide open, her face lit with joy, her steps quickened by excitement as she confirmed what she already hoped:
"Xiao Zhan!" she called him by a name he used to go by in the past.
Without even realizing it, Zhan broke into a smile. He opened his arms too, laughing softly as Nalan reached him and wrapped him in a hug. Both their hearts were filled with the warmth of reuniting with someone who once felt like friend.
"Oh my goodness! It really is you! I was so nervous I'd get here and find out it wasn't the Zhan I knew after all. Where have you been hiding? What's been going on with you?"
He smiled at how quickly she started talking and teasing. Still laughing, he replied, "Let's go inside first." Then he turned to Bai Wuxia.
"Mama... it's good to see you."
His voice was soft, touched by nostalgia. Old memories stirred within him. Bai Wuxia gave a small nod.
"Look at you, pretending not to recognize me. Left me standing there like a stranger," she joked, and they all laughed as they headed inside.
Aunt Anu didn't recognize them-she had never met them before. Still, she welcomed them respectfully and asked Niu to serve them some refreshments before excusing herself and leaving the room.
They settled in and quickly dove into conversation-reminiscing about school days, laughing about the pranks and petty fights. Nalan recalled a particularly funny memory:
"Do you know something, Zhan? Back then, I actually had a huge crush on you. All I wanted was for you to notice me. I wanted us to be friends-or something more. But you completely ignored me! I was so embarrassed I didn't even want to admit it. I acted out instead, hoping you'd pay attention. But now, look! You're my Gege-my brother-in-law!"
Zhan burst out laughing, tilting his head. "Back then, my life was a whirlwind. Everything was chaotic. I didn't see anyone else-just that storm ahead of me, and how to survive it."
They talked for a long time. Eventually, Bai Wuxia nudged Nalan gently.
"If this is the real reason you came, I'll leave you to say what you need to."
Nalan smiled, then turned to Zhan seriously.
"So... this is technically our first visit to talk about it."
Zhan raised a brow.
"Talk about what, exactly?"
"My Gege. Yibo," she said directly.
Zhan's expression shifted slightly. He frowned and fell silent, thinking deeply. Why hadn't Yibo's mother, the Queen, come to speak to him herself? She was the reason for all the pain. Why was she sending others in her place now? It didn't sit right with him.
The only thing Zhan had truly been waiting for all this time was an apology-from the Queen herself. She had caused the most damage. Unless she acknowledged her wrongs and asked for forgiveness, Zhan didn't believe any real reconciliation was possible. Not even Yibo's plea-despite Zhan's agreement with His Majesty-would truly mean anything until she did so.
Bai Wuxia spoke gently, interrupting his thoughts:
"Zhan... As someone who stands as a mother figure to Prince Yibo-not his birth mother-I've come, alongside His Majesty, to ask for your forgiveness. Yibo can't speak with you himself right now... he's still in the hospital, very unwell."
Zhan turned to them in silence, absorbing her words. Nalan added quickly, raising an eyebrow:
"It's true. Your love for him has left him heartbroken. And with his heart condition, anything can happen. He's had this condition since your separation eight years ago, though he never told anyone. I've seen him suffer through it, Zhan. Please... forgive him."
She pressed her hands together in front of her as she spoke.
Zhan gave a soft, weary smile. He gently took her hands in his and sighed deeply.
"His Majesty already came to me, humbled himself, and asked for that grace-and I granted it. So that part... that's already over."
"If that's true," Nalan said, leaning in, "then you need to pack your things and go care for my brother."
Zhan let out a short laugh and shook his head.
"That's not going to happen, Nalan. I'm sorry."
Her face crumpled slightly, as if she were about to cry. But she bit it back and forced a smile.
They shifted the conversation, letting it flow more lightly. Zhan turned to Bai Wuxia.
"How's Lao doing?"
"She's married now," Bai Wuxia replied. "Two kids already."
Zhan smiled fondly, wishing her all the best, as warm memories of their time together-short as it was-flooded his mind. That one year they'd shared had been beautiful, unforgettable.
While they were still chatting, the driver returned with the twins from Xiao Yun's house. It wasn't just Nalan- even Bai Wuxia was nearly frozen in astonishment. The moment Nalan caught sight of the children, she rushed forward before they even made it inside, grabbing hold of them tightly. The boys blinked at her in confusion, unsure who she was or where she'd come from. Her voice trembled, nearly breaking into sobs as she turned to Zhan and said, "Please, tell me these twins belong to Prince Yibo. Say they're his. Please don't tell me they're not."
Zhan was caught between laughter and sympathy. The pure affection in her eyes touched him deeply. His voice dropped low.
"They're yours."
Bai Wuxia let out a long breath of relief. That's exactly what she had been hoping to hear. Both women immediately shifted all their attention to the children.
At first, the boys remained wary, their eyes darting around the unfamiliar faces. But slowly, they relaxed. Nalan gently repeated who she was, and it didn't take long before they were chatting comfortably, giggling as she and Bai Wuxia shared stories and laughter with them.
They ended up staying longer than planned-until nearly 8 p.m. And when it was finally time to leave, Nalan pleaded, "Please, Zhan, just lend them to me for tonight. Just tonight. I'll bring them back first thing tomorrow."
Zhan shook his head gently.
"I'm sorry, Nalan. That's not possible."
Disappointed, she let them go with a sigh and walked away, clutching her phone full of their photos like priceless treasures.
~**~
Within two days, she had printed out dozens of those photos and secretly placed them all over the Queen's private quarters. If it had been a public area, the entire royal palace would have known by now.
The first time the Queen saw them, she stood in silence, her eyes glued to the faces of the children. Something stirred deeply in her chest-an unfamiliar warmth. It felt almost like love. Like the love she once had for their father.
She never said a word, but each day she found herself lingering longer in front of their pictures. She couldn't shake the feeling that they had carved out a place inside her heart.
She didn't realize Nalan was watching her until she cleared her throat. The Queen immediately turned and walked away without a word, pretending she hadn't been staring at the photos.
Nalan just smiled.
"Mom, if you're going to surrender, you might as well do it soon. I'm already on Dad's team in this war."
Later....
Queen's entire body trembled with unease. She had never experienced such intense dread. And she wasn't alone-everyone in the room was deeply shaken. Some had even begun to cry, overwhelmed by fear for Prince Yibo's life.
She called His Majesty's number. Fortunately, he was available and answered on the third ring.
"Even if you're not coming to see him," she said urgently, "please... please forgive him. The state he's in-we don't even know if his soul is still with us... Yes, I caused this. It's my fault. But I beg you, let him go with your forgiveness."
Her words hit His Majesty like a storm. He couldn't respond-just ended the call and immediately ordered his convoy to prepare for the hospital.
From where she stood, Xueyin watched the cars depart, nodding slowly, then turned to Sikong.
"Follow them," she ordered. "I want to know exactly where they're headed. I don't trust his behavior lately. He's been... different."
It wasn't just the Queen. The tension had rattled even His Majesty. An hour passed before Yibo was wheeled back into his room. Because of strict hospital rules, the area was kept quiet. His Majesty ordered everyone else to return home, insisting that only medical professionals stay with Yibo.
Then, he asked quietly, "Where's Qiantang? She should be here."
The Queen didn't answer. She was too angry. If she had her way, she would've annulled the marriage on the spot. She couldn't see any benefit to it.
Though His Majesty wanted to return the next day, duties at the palace kept him occupied-foreign guests had arrived from Japan. But he did get updates, and hearing that Yibo had regained consciousness brought him a measure of peace.
The next morning, after finishing his official duties, His Majesty set off to the hospital with a much smaller escort.
He quietly pushed open the door to Yibo's room. The young man was sitting upright, his back against the headboard, though his face was pale and thinner than before. He looked fragile-half-asleep, clearly sedated by a drip of medicine that included tranquilizers.
His Majesty stood there for a moment, studying him. Then he smiled faintly.
There's no pride in love, he thought. No one is immune. No one can stand tall against it. Not even Yibo. Not even me.
He walked slowly to the side of the bed, took off his shoes, and sat down comfortably at the edge. The bed was large, giving him space to stretch out. He leaned in, watching Yibo for a few more moments, then gently tapped his thigh.
"Wake up, you fool," he said with a smirk. "You're really going to kill yourself over love?"
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛