继续到第十四章...Continued to Chapter XIV...

继续到第十四章...

Continued to Chapter XIV...

**Amidst the majestic silence that enveloped the courtyard, all eyes were fixed on Li Xiao and Jin Shin, as if time itself had stopped. The vast courtyard, surrounded by towering stone columns, seemed to hold its breath, waiting for what this decisive moment would reveal. A light breeze played with Li Xiao's clothes as she stood firmly before Jin Shin, who watched her with unblinking eyes, trying to decipher what was unfolding before him. Despite the confidence apparent in her stance, Li Xiao's heart was racing with anxiety. She wasn't sure if her actions were justified or if she would appear natural in everyone's eyes. She slowly extended her hand toward the scroll Jin Shin held, and without uttering a word, her eyes spoke in a complex language understood only by those who knew her well. Everyone sensed the strangeness of the atmosphere between Li Xiao and Jin Shin. Jin Shin,****Jin Shin, known for his complete control over his emotions, felt a slight hesitation as he extended the scroll toward her. For a brief moment, he felt as though he had seen those eyes before. A vague confusion crept into his heart, and the seconds seemed to stretch into long, dragging hours. At that moment, the silence was broken when Rory hurriedly approached, standing between Li Xiao and Jin Shin. Her eyes were swollen from crying, but she struggled to hide her fear. In a trembling voice filled with worry, she whispered, "My lady... where have you been? I was so worried, even Her Majesty..."

Li Xiao looked at her calmly and gave a small, reassuring smile. It was clear that Rory was anxious and frightened, but Li Xiao did not stop and reached for the scroll. Jin Shin took a step back as he handed the scroll to Li Xiao, his eyes carefully watching every movement. As soon as she held the scroll, she felt its coldness in her hands and took a step towards her mother without looking at Jin Shin again, as if he were not there at all.

When she reached her mother, she took her trembling hands and gently squeezed them, trying to justify her disappearance. "Mother... I didn't mean to scare you. I'm sorry."

Li Xiao turned to look at everyone, who were kneeling before her, fearful of their fate. She met her mother's gaze again and said, "They have never failed in their service to me; on the contrary, they have been exemplary."

As she spoke, her mother looked at her with eyes glistening with restrained tears. She raised her trembling hands and touched her daughter's face, placing her palms on her cheeks as if verifying her presence. "You... you're alright..."

Li Xiao paused for a moment, feeling the coldness that seeped through her mother's hands, but the emotional warmth filled her heart. She whispered apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mother..."

Her mother responded with a trembling voice, her words breaking, "What if you hadn't come back? What if you had been hurt? ... What if you d... died..."

Li Xiao felt a deep sadness seep into her heart, knowing how much her mother cared about her, especially after all she had endured in her life. She looked at her mother with affectionate eyes and said, "Look at me, Mother. I'm fine; nothing happened to me. And also, there was a reason for my disappearance."

But her mother was not entirely convinced by what she said. She looked at her with a sharp gaze and said, "Who are you trying to fool? I'm your mother; we'll discuss this further inside."

Then, the Empress Dowager turned to the servants and the chief priest.***The Empress Dowager said with a stern face and serious voice, "I may forgive this mistake this time, but there will not be another." Everyone listened to her words with anticipation, then they all bowed in reverence and said in unison, "We thank Your Majesty for your kindness and grace." Li Xiao stood beside her mother, holding her arm, and then the Empress turned to Jin Shin and said, "General Jin Shin, I appreciate your assistance. We have caused you inconvenience."

Jin Shin bowed his head and raised his hand in respect, replying humbly, "It is my duty and honor to serve Your Highness."

Afterward, the Empress Dowager turned with her daughter, raising her hand as a signal for everyone to leave. Li Xiao walked beside her mother in silence, feeling the weight of the moments that had passed. She feared the coming discussion between them but knew that this conversation was inevitable. The paved paths under their feet echoed with their footsteps as the servants and guards slowly withdrew from the square, leaving behind long shadows under the setting sun.

Inside the temple, in the private chambers of Her Majesty, the atmosphere was calmer, but the silence carried an almost palpable tension. The Empress Dowager sat on an ornate couch, her rigid posture indicating suppressed anxiety and anger. Li Xiao sat in front of her but did not dare to lift her eyes. She pondered how to start the conversation, knowing that every word spoken would carry its own weight.

Finally, the Empress Dowager broke the silence, speaking in a soft but emotionally charged voice, "Tell me, Li Xiao, what were you doing?" Her words were simple but carried deep concern and hidden sorrow.

Li Xiao slowly lifted her head, trying to explain, "It's not that serious; I know I caused worry and fear for everyone." Her words lingered in the air, seeming to fade into the space of the room.

The Empress Dowager looked at her daughter with questioning eyes and then said sharply, "You still haven't managed to explain? Li Xiao, you know well how much this kind of mystery unsettles me. I have lived my life surrounded by secrets and betrayals, and I do not want to see my only daughter walking the same path."

Her gaze was worried yet stern, placing Li Xiao in a critical position. Li Xiao responded with another explanation, "Mother, you're exaggerating. It's just a minor issue. I only went out to see the common people and understand their way of life. After some time, I lost my way without realizing it..."**

**"Then it started raining heavily. Fortunately, I found a nearby place to stay and rented it for the night. The next day, one of the common people helped me get here. I didn't intend for all this commotion to happen."

The Empress Dowager was about to respond, but instead she sighed deeply. It was clear that she was still not entirely convinced, but her love for her daughter prevented her from pressing further. "I believe you, Li Xiao, but my heart is still troubled."

The Empress Dowager approached her daughter and touched her cheek again, this time with a deeper meaning in her touch. Her expression gradually changed from anger to sadness and then to a semblance of relief. "My dear, what matters is that you are safe."

Then the Empress turned to Rory, who was standing in the corner of the room, trying to remain unnoticed. "Rory, where were you when Li Xiao went out?" she asked, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and repressed anger. Rory trembled, her eyes filled with fear and hesitation. She tried to find the right words but felt she was letting herself down. "Your Majesty, I... I... am not competent. I am responsible for everything that happened."

Li Xiao quickly interjected to defend her, "It's not her fault. She didn't know I was leaving. I wanted to go out alone."

Li Xiao took her mother's hands in hers, feeling the warmth emanating from them. "I promise you, Mother, I won't worry you like this again. I'll be more careful next time, I promise."

As these last words were spoken, the sun set behind the large windows, leaving the room bathed in a warm golden light. There was a sense of reconciliation in the air. The Empress Dowager continued more calmly, trying to control her emotions. "But your actions cannot go without consequences. You know the dangers a girl of your position might face."

Li Xiao felt a sense of relief, but she knew that her mother's worry had not completely disappeared. She held her mother's hands tightly and said, "I understand, Mother..."

The Empress Dowager gave a faint smile, trying to hide her deep relief. However, even at that moment, a shadow of doubt loomed on the horizon, fearing that what Li Xiao had said was merely words to placate the situation.**