As they finished their meal, most of the people in the inn's hall had already left.
The innkeeper, with a furrowed brow, was calculating accounts while leaning on the counter. The waiter was tidying up in the back, as if they too would leave this place at a moment's notice should the war from the capital spread closer.
Everyone seemed to be caught in an atmosphere of tension.
Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi understood that the road ahead... would likely not be an easy one!
But they would not give up; in fact, their fighting spirit was even stronger.
Perhaps it was because this was likely the last "peaceful" night for their group.
Thus, everyone had their own things they wanted to do. After eating, they all retreated to their rooms without exception.
Mu Changxi did the same, as Tan Yue had matters to discuss with him.
However, Song Chaoyu did not go in with them. Instead, she walked to the inn's backyard courtyard and sat in a rocking chair within the courtyard.
She looked up and realized that the stars were exceptionally beautiful tonight.
The Milky Way was like a silver jade belt stretching across the entire sky, dotted with countless stars, as if the stars in the heavens were never troubled by the worries of the mortal world.
How long had it been since she had looked up so earnestly at the brilliant river of stars that was always above her head?
Fortunately, Song Chaoyu felt a strange warmth in her heart.
At least in this life... she was with the one she loved and those who loved her.
Unlike her previous life, she had not wasted her time.
"Ayu."
As she thought this, Mu Changxi's voice suddenly appeared behind Song Chaoyu.
Song Chaoyu turned her head slightly and indeed saw Mu Changxi sitting in his wooden wheelchair, smiling at her from just behind her.
Song Chaoyu's heart was stirred by his gaze.
She sat up straighter, her voice unintentionally softening, "Weren't you talking with Tan Yue in the room?"
"We're finished."
Mu Changxi pushed his wooden wheelchair and slowly approached Song Chaoyu. "Seeing you alone in the courtyard and the vast expanse of stars, I didn't want to disturb you. But it's getting windy, and it's cold outside. Would you like to go back and rest early?"
This was the first time Song Chaoyu did not obey Mu Changxi.
Instead, she reached out, pulled Mu Changxi closer, and then smiled, "Would you like to sit here with me and watch the stars for a while?"
Song Chaoyu pointed to the Milky Way in the sky. "Do you remember, when we were at the manor, we loved climbing that biggest tree to watch the stars. Back then, I was always afraid I would fall, and you would protect me with one hand. Once, there was a strong wind, and you found a rope from somewhere and tied me to a tree branch! In the end, we couldn't untie it, and my mother called the village chief. The village chief kicked your backside for days!"
Back then, at the manor, no one knew Han Xi's identity, so everyone naturally treated him as a mischievous boy.
Thinking of this, Mu Changxi couldn't help but laugh. "Isn't that right? For a long time afterward, whenever Granny Han saw me with a rope, she would warn me not to tie you up. Whenever the two of us went near that big tree, someone would say they were going to tell the village chief. So, later, we rarely went up that tree. Thinking back now, it's quite a regret."
Song Chaoyu's eyes were gentler than the Milky Way above. "So, I was thinking, after we return to the capital, let's plant a big tree in our mansion too! When Little Monkey and Little Peach grow up, and they climb trees, I absolutely won't interfere."
Mu Changxi held Song Chaoyu's hand tighter. "Of course, that's a good idea. But when our Little Monkey grows up, I'll have all the ropes in the mansion collected. We can't have him causing trouble for his sister!"
They sat together under the starry sky, talking and laughing, a rare moment of tranquility.
Tan Yue and Tan Xing, who couldn't sleep and came out to sit by the door, also looked at the two of them.
Tan Yue's eyes held a brilliance brighter than the starry sky. "Little Xing, I finally understand why you trust them so much. This time, entering the capital, we might even lose our lives. Are you prepared?"
"Brother."
Tan Xing also looked up and smiled at Tan Yue. "Brother, don't you feel very secure by their side? Even when I didn't know their identities before, I still felt this sense of security. Brother, I know what you're thinking, and I know you're still in contact with Mr. Zhu. If... if you're still undecided, you don't have to come to the capital with us."
Tan Yue lowered his head, thinking of Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu's trust, and felt an indescribable emotion.
He simply said softly to Tan Xing, "I haven't betrayed you, nor have I deceived them. I'm in contact with Mr. Zhu for my father. Although Mr. Zhu was strict with me, he taught me a lot over the years. He is loyal to Prince Ning, but I am not. In fact, from the beginning, he knew Prince Ning wanted to kill me. He had already planned a way for me, and he would let me go. But he didn't expect that he would leave the Taoyuan territory. In fact, without Mr. Zhu's tacit approval, I wouldn't have been able to save Cong Fei so easily."
Tan Xing's eyes dimmed slightly. "Brother, when all this is over, if... I'm just saying if. If that Prince Ning becomes emperor, will you return to Mr. Zhu's side?"
A mist of moisture appeared in Tan Yue's eyes.
But he still shook his head firmly, "No."
He reached out and stroked Tan Xing's head. "The day I decided to leave with you, I knew I would never go back. So, Little Xing, don't worry. My contact with Mr. Zhu is purely for my own reasons. Mr. Zhu also doesn't know who I've left with, nor does he know that I am currently by Prince Chang's side. I only hope that when the Crown Prince ascends the throne, Prince Chang can spare Mr. Zhu."
A different kind of emotion appeared in Tan Yue's eyes.
Tan Xing saw it but ultimately didn't say it explicitly, only sighing, "If it weren't for Mr. Zhu all these years, there wouldn't be the brother I have now. But since Brother has made up his mind, he must stick to it! If one day, Brother betrays His Highness for Mr. Zhu, I will kill Brother myself!"
Tan Yue hadn't expected Tan Xing to say such a thing!
But looking at Tan Xing earnestly watching Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu below, Tan Yue understood somewhat.
He reached out and put his arm around his brother's shoulder. "Don't worry, that day will never come. We've finally reunited as a family, and I will never let such a thing happen!"
Everyone hoped that the starry sky of tonight could be eternal.