They did not stop along the way. Perhaps Xiaoguo was oversensitive, but she felt like they were rushing to reach the capital.

At noon, they only took breaks on the spot. They only entered the counties during nighttime. Xiaoguo was sure that the magistrate was worried about her not being able to take it, otherwise he might not even enter the counties at night and would just rest wherever they were.

She was guessing this because the magistrate would regularly send someone to ask her how she was taking it, and whether she needed to stop and rest. He would do this at least four or five times a day.

Xiaoguo felt that there was no harm in arriving earlier and returning home sooner.

Beijing.

“Your Majesty.”

Jiang Danhe was summoned to Shao Zhan’s bedroom early in the morning. Shao Zhan looked at the man who had arrived late and was taking his seat unhurriedly.

“Sit down and eat.”

Shao Zhan also knew that it was early morning, and since neither of them had eaten yet, they might as well eat together. In any case, it had been a long time since the two of them ate at the same table.

Jiang Danhe nodded and walked over to sit down.

The palace maid quickly served the dishes. Jiang Danhe waited for Shao Zhan to start eating before he tucked in.

Shao Zhan also noticed Jiang Danhe’s actions and felt rather frustrated. “In the past, there was no need for the two of them to be so particular about this. But now… sigh…” 

Both of them maintained the good habit of eating without speaking.

After dinner, the two of them moved to the main hall. There was no need for morning court assembly as it was a rest day today.

It was also a rare day off for Shao Zhan. He sat on the dragon throne and said helplessly to Jiang Danhe, who was still standing, “Why are you becoming more and more estranged?”

Jiang Danhe was stunned. He knew that Shao Zhan was referring to him. “Well, there are obvious distinctions between an emperor and his subjects…”

A long sigh sounded. Jiang Danhe looked up at the man who had his back to the light. A sense of loneliness was emanating from him. Jiang Danhe was puzzled. “Why had the emperor become much more tired than before he ascended the throne?”

The words popped out of his mouth while they ran through his mind. Shao Zhan shook his head with a confused look in his eyes. “Prior to this, all I wanted was revenge. Now that I’ve succeeded and am sitting on the throne, I do not feel any joy.”

It’s always lonely at the top.

Jiang Danhe didn’t know how to comfort him, or provide suggestions to resolve the problem. This was the way emperors had lived since ancient times. What was he to do?

Seeing Jiang Danhe standing there like a block of wood and not continuing the conversation, how was he going to continue with his act? How was he going to deliver the words that he had prepared?

Helpless, he could only continue talking and slowly get to the point.

“What do you think will happen to me if you go home?”

Shao Zhan pretended to be pitiful and referred to himself as “me”, instead of using honorifics, but Jiang Danhe was furious when he heard those words. So that was what he was getting at. After saying so much, he was just asking him to stay.

He looked at Shao Zhan, who was still putting on an act. Over this period of time, he had used all sorts of threats and promises, and this time, he was using pity to persuade him?

Too bad, this would not work on him.

“Your Majesty.”

Jiang Danhe cupped his fists and knelt on one knee. He looked at Shao Zhan seriously. He did not speak, but Shao Zhan knew his decision.

It seemed that there was only one last move left. He could only wait for Qin Xiaoguo to come. Shao Zhan narrowed his eyes and thought to himself.

After Jiang Danhe left the palace, he headed to the training ground first. It seemed that he had to quickly prepare everything. If he could settle everything early, he would be able to get home sooner. If he delayed any longer, who knew what would happen?

Thanks to the Emperor’s probing, Jiang Danhe had been able to speed up his plans. He spent every day and night at the training ground. He did not have time to look for Li Shouji either, and that gave the man time to rest for a few days.

–

Time passed quickly. Together with the convoy, Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang arrived at a small town not far from the capital. As it was too late, everyone including the horses were exhausted from the past few days of traveling. Therefore, County Magistrate Liu ordered them to stop for the night.

After traveling for several days, Xiaoguo could finally lie down on a bed with a mattress. Zhuang Zhuang followed Xiaoguo and rolled around comfortably on the bed. He really couldn’t sleep on the hard wooden planks anymore. A bed was indeed more comfortable.

When Xiaoguo was done rolling around, she stopped and lay quietly on the bed. The past few days have been exhausting. In the earlier part of the journey, they still had the chance to stopover at the various counties, but as they got closer to the capital, they seemed to be rushing more each day. If not for the fact that everyone was exhausted from the night, Magistrate Liu would have definitely carried on. He might have asked everyone to move faster and rushed straight to the capital in the dark.

At least now, they have a soft bed and warm water. Xiaoguo finished her hot dinner and asked the waiter to boil a large basin of hot water so that they could take a bath.

The journey had been tiring. They were going to enter the capital tomorrow. No matter what, Xiaoguo had to make sure that she and Zhuang Zhuang were cleaned up. At the very least, they should not be covered with dirt.

They had been traveling for the past two days. During the day, they were in the carriage, and at night, they were also in the carriage. There was no time to wash up. Xiaoguo felt like there was a lot of dirt on her head and body.

Zhuang Zhuang was in a worse state than her since he was a little clean freak. If not for the fact that there was limited water in the space, she would have given Zhuang Zhuang a bath during that time.

The waiter quickly poured the hot water into the bathtub. Xiaoguo locked the door and opened the screen door. She felt the water temperature. It was a little warmer than normal, but Xiaoguo thought it was just right.

“Zhuang Zhuang, take off your clothes. I’ll bathe you first.”

Xiaoguo came out and watched Zhuang Zhuang undress. Then, she carried him into the bathtub.

As soon as Zhuang Zhuang touched the water, he cried out in pleasure. His arms were flapping in the water, and his face was red with excitement.

Xiaoguo did not stop him. She knew that not washing up on the way must have driven him crazy. Let him have some fun.

Xiaoguo rubbed his back, then soaped him and washed his hair.

A fair little boy was nestled under the blanket, sitting quietly while Xiaoguo dried his hair.

“Mother, hurry up and wash up. The water will get cold soon.”

Zhuang Zhuang grabbed the towel and prepared to dry himself, so that Xiaoguo could quickly go and take a shower. She could get sick if the water turned cold.

“No, you won’t do a good job of drying yourself. Mother will help you. The water won’t turn cold so quickly. It’s still hot. If you don’t dry your hair, you’ll get a headache and fall sick.”

Xiaoguo took his hand, adjusted his head, and continued drying his hair.

Zhuang Zhuang would never refute Xiaoguo, so he could only pray in his heart that his hair would dry quickly. Once that was done, his mother could go and take a shower.

Xiaoguo didn’t know what Zhuang Zhuang was thinking. She changed two towels in a row before his hair was completely dried. Then, she helped him put on his underwear.

“Be good and wait for me under the blanket. Got it?”

Xiaoguo took her change of clothes and instructed the boy. She walked behind the screen only after seeing Zhuang Zhuang acknowledge her words.

Xiaoguo touched the water and found that it was still warm. Feeling relieved, she took off her clothes. As soon as she got in, the warm water instantly enveloped her, making her feel light-headed.

Xiaoguo didn’t dare to soak in the water for too long. The water was getting cold and she didn’t like to be sick.

After washing herself hastily and making sure that she was clean, Xiaoguo put on clean clothes and returned to the bed to dry her hair.

Xiaoguo had long hair and a lot of it, so it took four towels to dry off.

“Mother, come in quickly. It’s warm.”

Seeing that Xiaoguo had put down the towels, Zhuang Zhuang immediately moved to one side, leaving the warm spot where he had just laid for Xiaoguo to lie on.

Xiaoguo accepted his offer and quickly crawled under the covers to lay on that warm spot.

“It’s so warm!”

Xiaoguo wasn’t lying. It was indeed very warm. She didn’t expect Zhuang Zhuang to have so much heat. He was as good as his name! Fiery and strong.