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  Walking in the corridor between the palace walls, Mei Li took every step with great care, afraid that if she relaxed a little, she would lose control and start running wildly.

  Its been two years and she hasnt stepped out of the old courtyard of Anning Palace!

  At the small gate by Xihua Gate, she actually saw Zhi Yu! She almost didnt recognize him anymore. The last time he came with Zhi Qing to visit her, she just thought he had grown up, but now it seemed that he had become a completely strange man. His handsome face was still there, but the air of being accustomed to wielding power had replaced his youthful awkwardness. He...had changed so much.

  She sighed quietly, it wasnt just Zong Yu, too many things had happened in the past two years, who was still their former self?

  He was also looking at her, and from his somewhat surprised gaze, Mei knew that he, like her, was marveling at how the years had changed them. She nodded and smiled at him, but didnt know what to say; people who were originally supposed to be very familiar with each other, after being separated for a long time... also lost their topics of conversation.

  It was Zhi Yu who spoke first, "I heard youre back home today, Yue Fei specially came with me to the palace to see you. Look, hes just outside talking to your old steward."

  Meilis nose suddenly turned sour, and she finally couldnt help herself. She quickly ran out of the gate guarded by the guards, running out of the Forbidden City that had trapped her for more than two years.

  If Yufei had her back to her and Uncle Hai, Uncle Hai was the first to notice. His expression changed, his aged features scrunched up in a sudden sob, "Geggie!" He didnt bother with formalities, rushing over to welcome Meri into his arms.

  "Uncle Hai!" Mei Li also tightly hugged him, having lost her parents at a young age, Uncle Hai, although a servant, had raised her with his own hands through thick and thin, their bond was stronger than that of grandparents and grandchildren.

  "Child... youve suffered!" Hai Shu cried with tears streaming down his face, gasping for breath.

  Yufei couldnt bear to see the two cry anymore, so she stepped forward and persuaded them: "Meili, Uncle Hai, today is a happy day, why are you crying nonstop."

  Hai Shu also knew he was out of line, and helped Mei Li stand up straight, clearing his throat to say: "Princess, these past two years we have been greatly indebted to the kindness of Zhi Yu Bei Le couple towards our estate. They are truly good people!"

  Meili knew that the humble Wangfu, which was already shunned by everyone, had become even more isolated after her confinement. After Ziqings sister passed away, Ziyu and Ruoyu came to visit her twice, but probably due to warnings, they couldnt come again. This act of kindness in a time of need left Meili deeply grateful. She shed tears as she mouthed a few words of thanks to Ruoyu, unable to express her gratitude verbally, for a simple "thank you" seemed too inadequate.

  Ruò yǔ yě bù xiǎng ràng tā shuō chū gǎn jī de huà, fǎn dào tuī tā shàng chē, "kuài huí jiā qù ba. wǒ huí tóu zài qù kàn nǐ!"

  Translation:

  Yu didnt want to hear her say anything more and instead pushed her onto the car, "Hurry back home! Ill come visit you again later!"

  Meili sat in the carriage, unable to resist lifting the curtain and gazing greedily at the bustling streets and pedestrians. The cold palaces tranquility flowed clearly from her heart, making the vibrant scene before her seem like a mirage. Tears streamed down uncontrollably once again, as the loneliness she had silently endured until now suddenly surged back with even greater intensity than when she was in the dead city, intensified by the contrast with the sounds of laughter and chatter around her.

  The Wang Mansion was not far from the Imperial City, and before long, they arrived at her home, which she had been away from for two years. Hai Shu stopped the carriage outside the main gate, where twenty or so servants from the Wang Mansion were all kneeling in wait to welcome their young master back home.

  Meili looked around the mansion where she was born and raised, which was better than when she left. The main gate and walls had been renovated and painted, although they couldnt hide their age, but didnt look as shabby as before. She also took a closer look at the servants who came to greet her, some of whom she recognized and others who were new.

  Hai Shu whispered in her ear, because for the past two years they had been able to collect land rent, the days of Jian Wang Fu were indeed more prosperous than before.

  "Seaweed uncle, Ill change into a new set of clothes. Lets go visit the old lady and her family." Although she had paid the price of freedom, she was still sincerely remorseful. She looked at the suit of clothes bestowed by her ancestors, she really had changed - this used to be her favorite crimson color, but now wearing it, the bright color made her feel very uneasy.

  "Oh, never mind. King Jingxuan gave that family a lot of silver to settle down and let them return to their hometown to make a living."

  Meili was stunned for a moment after hearing this. In the past, Hai Shu hated Jingxuan the most... because he made her lose face, she smiled lightly, it wasnt that he didnt give her face, but rather she herself didnt want to let go of him shamelessly. Now he had recovered her familys property and cleaned up the mess she had caused, Hai Shu had a greatly improved impression of him. In the past, he would scold him as "that stinky little brat Jingxuan", now he even called him "Your Highness".

  "En, thats alright then." She nodded slowly. "Im a bit tired."

  "Oh, oh! Then hurry back to rest." Hai Shu busily summoned the servants to get moving, each doing their job, and he himself led a small servant girl Mei Li didnt recognize.

  The little maids name was Jiang Liu, and she was only twelve years old. Hai Shu had heard that she was a newly bought servant who was about to be let out, although she was clever and quick, but after all, she wasnt familiar with things yet, and was a bit flustered.

  Her room was still the same, but it was tidy and even the bedding was brand new. Mei Lin lay down gently, so soft, this thick warm bedspread... she hadnt lain down for a long time either. She closed her eyes, but couldnt sleep.

  Excited... a little, heartbroken, more is bewildered.

  At the Anning Hall, she was struggling to get through, always hoping that she could leave this living tomb as soon as possible. When she finally came out, she didnt know what to hope for or think about.

  If...

  Tears streamed silently down her cheeks as she thought that if someone was still willing to marry her, she must cherish and grasp it tightly. She wanted a family, she wanted children, she didnt want to be lonely anymore, because loneliness was terrifying, and she understood it all too well.

  Is there still someone willing to marry her?