Feng Yexuan did not answer Xiao Yao's question.
For the next while, he simply held her, letting her sit quietly on his lap, and resumed reading official documents.
The mountain of paperwork had to be dealt with.
He did not ask Xiao Yao to share his burden again.
The little girl in his arms was getting sleepy, and before long, she started yawning repeatedly.
After an unknown amount of time, her head suddenly tilted, and as she drifted, she rested her head on his arm.
She had fallen asleep.
Feng Yexuan carefully adjusted her posture, letting her small head rest on his left arm.
He freed up one hand and continued to review the documents.
Occasionally, he would lower his head to look at her.
Seeing her sleeping soundly, a hint of joy would always appear on his usually stern brow.
His Li'er had finally returned.
Even if she hated him and resented him now, it didn't matter.
As long as she didn't leave again, didn't slip away from him, and didn't make him despair from not being able to find her, then nothing else mattered.
He didn't ask for much, only that she be safe and sound, and stay by his side.
Before she recovered her memories, he would keep her by his side, even if it meant locking her up.
He could no longer bear to lose her again.
The tearing pain, the unbearable suffering, the despair that made him feel like a walking corpse – he never wanted to experience that again in his life!
"Your Highness." Outside, Leng Ji knocked softly on the door.
Feng Yexuan raised his sleeve, and with a gentle palm strike, he swept the door open.
Leng Ji dared not make a sound, standing by the door with his head bowed.
When Feng Yexuan came out, he was still holding the sleeping Xiao Yao in his arms.
Perhaps it was due to the excessive "exertion" last night, but even when Feng Yexuan carried her a short distance and finally placed her gently on the bed, she remained sound asleep.
However, as he withdrew his arm to leave, the little girl clearly showed displeasure, waving her small hands vaguely in the air as if searching for his warmth.
No one could see the gentleness that flickered in Prince Xuan's eyes.
Perhaps even he himself could not imagine that he truly possessed such a tender side.
He grabbed the quilt and tucked it into her arms.
Xiao Yao clutched the quilt tightly, curled up with it, and continued to sleep.
Feng Yexuan adjusted the angle of the excess quilt to cover her before leaving the room.
"Your Highness, the Emperor summons you to the palace immediately."
...
In the palace.
On the grand hall, Feng Yexuan saw Yu Linglong, dressed in opulent robes.
At this moment, Yu Linglong's face was still Chu Qianli's.
But seeing this face, he felt nothing.
His feelings for Li'er had never been tied to a face.
If changing back to this face would put Li'er in danger, then this face was not worth having.
The current Xiao Yao, though ordinary and plain, was petite, delicate, clean, and refreshing. Who could say she wasn't beautiful?
On the contrary, Yu Linglong's face, which belonged to Chu Qianli, was heavily made up, making one feel nauseous.
Indeed, what attracted him was not Li'er's face, but Li'er's true scent.
No wonder when he thought this person was Li'er and wanted to embrace her, he uncontrollably pushed her away.
It was because the scent on her did not belong to Li'er.
Feng Yexuan approached the front of the hall, his gaze sweeping over Yu Linglong without lingering.
He looked up and met the Emperor on the dragon throne. "Greetings, Father Emperor. May I know the important matter that requires your summons?"