Zhi’er knew that Long Xiyuan still had a good impression of Fu Xiru.

After all, he had admitted himself that if not for Prince Li Zheng, Fu Xiru was the most qualified Empress. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

If Zhi’er hadn’t burst in today, things would have developed as originally intended.

The Emperor and Empress would have had a huge quarrel, and then Fu Xiru would have forcefully taken back the opportunity to assist the Six Palaces.

It was for this reason that Long Xiyuan had become completely dissatisfied, and until her death, they met no more than three times.

Zhi’er fought for Fu Xiru’s sake, at least Long Xiyuan saw that the Empress was indeed sometimes innocent.

Therefore, at this moment, it was even more important to take another step forward.

If Fu Xiru could feign some pitifulness, Long Xiyuan would surely be softened further.

After all, he didn’t dislike her!

But after listening to Zhi’er, Fu Xiru merely smiled faintly.

"Zhi’er, help me up; I want to see that ginkgo tree in the courtyard."

Zhi’er then helped her sit up and fetched a piece of clothing to drape over her.

The Empress followed Zhi’er into the courtyard.

By now, night had just fallen, and stars were twinkling.

Zhi’er glanced at the familiar ginkgo tree and smiled, "So it hasn’t grown that robust yet."

Fu Xiru turned her head in confusion, "What?"

Zhi’er quickly coughed lightly, "Nothing, nothing, just talking to myself!"

Fu Xiru smiled gently, as tender as an elder sister, looking at Zhi’er.

"I feel destined to meet you; from the first glance, you seemed very familiar—living together, you feel like my own sister."

"Zhi’er, when I was your age, I was carefree."

She reached out and touched the trunk of the ginkgo tree.

"You ask why I don’t feign misery and grievances. That’s because, to this day, my relationship with the Emperor is quite complex."

"Many emotions aren’t obtained just by feigning misery. Besides, as the sovereign, the Emperor has too many other things to consider."

"I am no longer the girl who knows nothing. Instead of crying my grievances to him, it’s better to swallow this bitterness myself."

"One person being sad is better than two people facing troubles head-on. Do you understand what I mean?"

Zhi’er nodded slightly.

Of course, she understood.

Because she knew, at this time, Fu Xiru was caught between Long Xiyuan and Prince Li Zheng, unable to move an inch!

On one hand, there was her lover, and on the other, the mentor who had raised her since the age of four.

Fu Xiru and her entire maternal clan’s interests had long been bound to Prince Li Zheng.

So it’s best to leave things at a point. If she cried too much, perhaps Long Xiyuan would again think she was fighting for Prince Li Zheng’s power.

Zhi’er, understanding this, sighed gently, "Lady, it’s so difficult for you."

Fu Xiru burst into a gentle laugh, reaching out to pat her head.

"Little girl, still young, has already learned to be frowning."

Fu Xiru, holding Zhi’er’s hand, picked up fallen ginkgo leaves together.

Because Fu Xiru liked collecting ginkgo leaves, turning them into bookmarks, and placing them in every book.

The two of them grew more like sisters.

Zhi’er couldn’t help but tilt her head and ask, "Lady, may I ask, when you first saw Brother Ce and me, you protected us immediately. Was it really because you felt a connection with me at first sight?"

Fu Xiru was counting how many leaves she had collected.

Upon hearing this, she smiled softly, "Of course not."