Chapter 258: The Demon Lord Princess's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 258: Parting

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Shangguan Xingyan, standing to the side, listened silently the whole way, never uttering a single word. And so, immersed in the Empress's incessant, rambling chatter, they arrived at the city gate before they knew it.

The Empress couldn't help but feel a pang of sentiment; she felt this stretch of road was impossibly short, as if they had reached their destination in the blink of an eye. She thought to herself: How could it be this fast? There were clearly so many words still left unsaid!

Shangguan Xingyu, too, was filled with reluctance and longing. The moment she realized she was about to leave this familiar place where she had lived for over a decade, and knew not when she might return, the sorrow of parting surged up, and she could no longer suppress the turmoil in her heart. Finally, Shangguan Xingyu could hold back no longer, and a soft, choked sound escaped her throat.

Upon hearing Shangguan Xingyu's choked sob, the tears the Empress had been forcing back burst forth like a breached dam. At this moment, she utterly disregarded so-called court etiquette, for inside this spacious carriage, aside from Shangguan Xingyan, there was no one else to witness this scene.

Thus, the Empress cast off all restraint and gave free rein to the grief deep in her heart, embracing Shangguan Xingyu and weeping together.

Seeing the two weeping so heartbreakingly, Shangguan Xingyan hurriedly spoke in a gentle voice to comfort them: "Little Sister, don't be too sad. If you miss this place in the future, you can come back and stay for a few days anytime."

Then he turned to the Empress and said: "Mother, please set your mind at ease. After Little Sister marries, when this son goes to visit her, you may also change into light traveling clothes and go quietly with this son; that way we can see each other often."

"Stop crying, both of you. We're already at the city gate; don't let people see and laugh at us!" Shangguan Xingyan urged softly. Hearing this, the two gradually calmed down, their sobs weakening, though tears still swirled in their eyes. After some effort, they finally managed to slowly stop crying.

By now, the entire procession had left the city. Qianqian's gaze fixed on the Empress's carriage; seeing no intention of her alighting, she raised a hand to signal the procession to halt.

However, she did not step forward to call out, merely standing quietly to the side. Seeing this, everyone else also rested in place, waiting silently. Time ticked by, the atmosphere somewhat heavy.

After a long while, the Empress's voice finally came from inside the carriage compartment: "Mother is leaving... Yu'er, you must take good care of yourself..." Before the words fell, the carriage curtain was gently lifted a corner, and the Empress leaned out. Immediately after, she carefully stepped on the small footstool beneath her feet, and with a palace maid's support, slowly descended from the carriage.

Shangguan Xingyu hurriedly replied: "Mother, your daughter understands. Take care on the way back..." At this moment, Qianqian, standing not far away, took in the whole scene. She clearly saw that both the Empress and Shangguan Xingyu had red-rimmed eyes, obviously having just gone through a sorrowful parting, their tears not yet fully dried.

Qianqian hurriedly dismounted, walked quickly to the Empress's front, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty the Empress, you must be extra careful on the road back. Please rest assured, Second Brother will certainly take good care of Elder Sister Xingyu, and our family will absolutely not let her suffer the slightest grievance."

Having spoken, she bowed slightly in salute, watching as the Empress boarded the carriage that had been prepared early on.

Hearing Qianqian's sincere and thoughtful words, a relieved and kindly smile appeared on the Empress's face. She gently patted the back of Qianqian's hand and said softly: "Good child, Yu'er is entrusted to your care! You must be careful and stay safe on this journey as well." Speaking, the Empress slowly stood up.

Qianqian obediently nodded, carefully supporting the Empress with both hands, as if afraid the slightest carelessness might cause the Empress the tiniest harm. When the Empress had finally boarded the carriage steadily, she did not immediately lower the curtain and leave, but once more turned her gaze toward Qianqian standing to the side.

The Empress's eyes were full of affection and admiration as she said softly to Qianqian: "This Palace truly likes a clever, quick-witted, and understanding child like you from the bottom of my heart. If you have time in the future, you might as well come stay in the palace for a few days with Si'er and Yu'er, so this Palace can have more chances to grow close to you."

Hearing the Empress's enthusiastic invitation, Qianqian couldn't help but feel a surge of joy, and hurriedly replied with a smile: "Good! Then I'll be troubling you greatly, Your Majesty."

The words barely fell before the Empress also laughed, waving her hand repeatedly: "Where's the trouble? As long as you come, this Palace couldn't be happier; you must come often!"

Receiving such an earnest response from the Empress, Qianqian bowed again in thanks with a heart full of joy, promising she would certainly obey the Empress's decree. Just then, the Empress turned to the coachman and instructed: "Set off."

The coachman moved at the sound, the whip in his hand cracking sharply through the sky. With the fine horses rearing and galloping, the carriage began to move forward slowly, gradually disappearing from everyone's sight.

Only after the Empress's carriage had gone far and vanished completely did Qianqian turn around, intending to board her own carriage. But just then, she happened to glimpse that Shangguan Xingyu had, at some point, gently lifted the carriage window curtain, her beautiful eyes slightly red, staring fixedly in the direction the Empress had left, looking utterly pitiful.

Seeing this, Qianqian hurriedly quickened her steps onto the carriage and sat down beside Shangguan Xingyu. She saw Shangguan Xingyu still staring out the window unblinkingly, not even noticing that the carriage had long since receded into a tiny black dot on the distant road.

Qianqian comforted her with a relaxed expression: "Elder Sister Xingyu, don't think so much! Let's just treat it as a trip to Dachang for fun, staying a while. When there's time, we'll have Second Brother accompany you back for a stay." Shangguan Xingyu merely nodded dully, letting out a low "Mm."

Afterward, Qianqian called out loudly: "All right, we can set off!" With her words, the exquisitely decorated carriage began to move forward slowly. The people inside gazed through the windows at the scenery constantly receding outside, each with their own thoughts.

Shangguan Xingyu's mood was clearly low at this moment, her whole person listless. Seeing this, Shangguan Xingyan hurriedly joined forces with Qianqian to try every means to cheer her up. The two told jokes or shared interesting anecdotes, doing their utmost to dispel the gloom in Shangguan Xingyu's heart.