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The day was transitioning into September, with the late afternoon unleashing the vestiges of autumn's fury.

In the carriage, Xiao'er was sleeping soundly, her head rested on Shangguan Xuanyi's lap.

Shangguan Xuanyi, one hand fanning away the heat for her, the other holding a book he was reading.

The carriage began to slow, the faint chatter from outside rousing Xiao'er. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, asking, "Brother Shangguan, have we arrived?"

"Yes, we're at the city gates." Shangguan Xuanyi set down his book and fan, helping to smooth the strands of her disheveled hair behind her ear.

Looking at Xiao'er's slightly red, sleep-flushed face, a pang of reluctance arose within Shangguan Xuanyi. Although they were confined to the carriage most of the time during these days, reading or doing their own things, he felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment and tranquility.