Chapter 10: The Night of Parting, the Journey Begins!
In the following days, Ning Ye did not take Xue'er out of the Imperial Palace again.
During the day, Xue'er would cultivate with her mysterious Master, but she would return earlier and earlier. Ning Ye made no major moves, simply staying in the small courtyard, quietly awaiting the day of their departure.
The night before they left, Ning Ye lay on his bed, silently gazing at the night sky outside the window, enjoying the comfort of the summer breeze, his mind remarkably clear.
But tonight, Xue'er's mood seemed off; after her bath, she came into the side room, closed the door, and her beautiful eyes quietly watched Ning Ye, as if brewing something!
Through the purple silk scarf, Ning Ye caught a glimpse of Xue'er, knowing the reluctance and sadness this girl felt before their parting. But he still smiled, looked away, and softly said:
"Xue'er! Go to sleep quickly! Rest well tonight; tomorrow, older brother will leave by himself! You don't need to see me off!"
Ning Ye spoke in a deep voice.
He understood his younger sister best; Xue'er hated goodbyes, and if she were to truly see him off tomorrow, he didn't know how much she would cry, and he didn't want to see Xue'er's tears.
"Mm!"
Xue'er nodded, then took a deep breath and sat beside Ning Ye, resting her head on his shoulder, not saying a word.
"Xue'er, what's wrong?"
Ning Ye gently stroked Xue'er's hair and asked softly.
"Older brother! You're leaving soon!"
Xue'er's voice was very low and tinged with a sob.
"Mm!"
Ning Ye nodded and softly comforted her:
"I'm just leaving for a little while! Soon, older brother will bring you to his side! From now on, older brother will always be with you, okay?"
Hearing the desired reply, Xue'er seemed to gain infinite courage; she hugged Ning Ye tightly, lifted her head, and with tear-filled eyes, said:
"Then, older brother must keep his word! You can't get a wife! And forget your younger sister!"
"Haha!"
Upon hearing this, Ning Ye looked at the close-up, beautiful face before him, feeling her breath on his own, and couldn't help but laugh, saying:
"Of course! Xue'er, you are the biggest, most precious treasure I, Ning Ye, will ever possess in this life! How could I ever forget you?"
"Mm!"
Xue'er nodded happily, then hugged Ning Ye and closed her eyes.
Ning Ye's words had greatly calmed her uneasy heart!
'No matter what the future held, she was Ning Ye's treasure! No one could replace her position in Ning Ye's heart! Luo Jia couldn't, and her future sister-in-law probably couldn't either! Since that was the case, she was already content!'
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
As Ning Ye's steady breathing began, Xue'er opened her eyes, rolled over onto the bed, propped her face with her hands, and her beautiful eyes, illuminated by the moonlight, gazed at Ning Ye's elegant face. A slight smile appeared at the corner of her lips as she said:
"Older Brother Ning Ye! Just wait a little longer! When Xue'er returns from the Immortal Palace, I will heal your eyes! Then... from now on, we can be together forever and ever!"
With that, she seemed to have already envisioned her future, and her mood brightened considerably.
Then, with a mischievous spirit, she leaned down and playfully pinched Ning Ye's nose, just as she used to, and then abruptly burrowed under the covers.
That night, she had a wonderful dream and slept very soundly, completely satisfied!
What she didn't know was that while she was immersed in her happy dream, Ning Ye had already risen and dressed.
Outside the window, the sky was still very dark.
But the time for departure had come.
"Xue'er! Until we meet again in the future!"
After one last look at the sleeping Xue'er, Ning Ye gently kissed her forehead, then resolutely turned and left.
In this world, everyone has their own destiny and journey; Xue'er was like that, and so was he.
Meanwhile, after Ning Ye left the Cold Palace, he made his way outside the Imperial Palace.
At this moment, a large convoy was already waiting outside the Imperial Palace.
'Eight hundred Imperial City Guard soldiers!'
'Three Peak Transcendent Realm powerhouses!'
'An Imperial City Guard Commander of the Gathering Stars Realm!'
Ning Ye glanced over, raised an eyebrow, and thought to himself:
'The Imperial City Guard is the Emperor of Yan Yun's confidant; such a lineup to escort a Prince who has been relegated to the Cold Palace is truly "thoughtful."'
"Tenth Prince, Your Highness, I am Wei Wei, the Imperial City Guard Commander personally appointed by His Majesty! Next, our Imperial City Guard will escort you to the Junlin Dynasty!"
With that, Wei Wei, with a cold face, directly gestured for Ning Ye to proceed.
"Very well!"
Ning Ye smiled and slowly walked onto the carriage.
Wei Wei watched Ning Ye board the carriage, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes; then he flipped onto a handsome horse draped in black armor and commanded the eight hundred Imperial City Guard:
"Depart!"
With a single command, the eight hundred Imperial City Guard escorted Ning Ye's carriage as it slowly drove out of the Imperial City and headed towards the Junlin Dynasty.
Ning Ye looked at the bright moon hanging high in the sky, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips; for some reason, at this moment, he felt all the blood in his body becoming hot and boiling.
"My journey... has finally begun!"