Chapter 145: Preparing to Return to Kyoto

“Don’t dwell on other matters anymore. The issue with the Nanyang Kingdom has been resolved, and we can return to the capital at an auspicious time,” Shen Hezhi said.

Yan Heru smiled and nodded. Although their time at the frontier had not been long, so many events had transpired in that brief period—each one worthy of reflection.

Moreover, this journey had truly affirmed her own feelings and established a genuine connection with Prince Jiu. This brought her great joy.

Yet, whenever she allowed her thoughts to wander, she found herself recalling the troubles awaiting them in the capital. Shen Hezhi’s residence still housed that troublesome concubine who pretended innocence while stirring up chaos.

But those were not the most pressing matters at hand. With the border situation settled, they must return immediately to report to the emperor. However…

Shen Hezhi had always had a strained relationship with the emperor. Now, having suddenly gained such significant authority over the Nanyang Kingdom, it was inevitable that the emperor might take action against him upon their return.

Yan Heru grew anxious. Shen Hezhi seemed to perceive her worries and offered soothing words: “I don’t know what’s troubling you now, but whatever it is, we can face it together. So don’t wear such a sorrowful expression—I would truly be pained to see it.”

His words warmed Yan Heru’s heart deeply. Shen Hezhi was always so kind, so capable, so flawless—and so gentle with her.

She resolved that once they returned to the capital, she would reveal her true origins to him. If he could accept her for who she truly was, then she would no longer harbor doubts or unhappiness.

But if, upon hearing the truth, he could not accept a soul caught between worlds like her, Yan Heru would gracefully walk away without further entanglement.

The ordeal she had endured in the modern world had left a profound impact. Though she loved Shen Hezhi, deep down she remained fearful and uncertain.

Her anxieties and insecurities were not easily overcome.

“Ru’er, have you not rested properly since leaving the battlefield? You seem distracted today,” Shen Hezhi asked.

They had returned to the inn’s bedroom. Shen Hezhi was tidying the items they planned to take with them, and Yan Heru had intended to help.

But with the impending journey home and so many unresolved matters, coupled with all that had occurred at the border, her thoughts had multiplied. While packing, she had found herself sitting on a chair, lost in reverie.

At first, Shen Hezhi thought she was simply exhausted. Seeing the worry etched on her face, he spoke gently to comfort her.

“Perhaps it’s because you haven’t rested well these past days, my prince. There’s something I want to tell you, but… I’ll wait until we return to the capital,” Yan Heru began, then stopped herself.

She couldn’t imagine how Shen Hezhi would react if he learned she was not truly of this world—that her soul from another realm had taken residence in this one.

What if, because of this truth, they could no longer be together?

Although she trusted Shen Hezhi was not that kind of man, a deep fear lingered. After all, no one facing such a position, especially with a soul from another world, could be certain things would remain unchanged.

Setting aside the strangeness of her soul’s sudden arrival, there was always the question of whether she might one day vanish from this world.

“Alright. Whenever you’re ready to speak, I’ll listen. If this weighs on your heart, you can tell me now. But if it’s inconvenient, we can wait until after we return to the capital.”

Shen Hezhi’s tenderness toward Yan Heru grew ever more evident. There was no trace of arrogance or coldness, only the wholehearted offering of his heart.

They said no more and finished packing the items to bring along. Then Shen Hezhi said, “We’re about to leave, but I need to report some matters to Lord Dongfang first. You can stroll around the courtyard while you wait for me. Once I return, we’ll set off.”

Yan Heru nodded.

Their departure for the capital was rather rushed, leaving many affairs unresolved, so entrusting them to Dongfang Qing was only natural.

Having just dealt with the Fourth Prince and the Nanyang Emperor’s issues, Shen Hezhi should have stayed longer at the border to fully settle matters.

But he didn’t want to linger at the frontier—mainly due to personal reasons he dared not confess to his beloved wife.

He wished to bring her back to the capital swiftly, for her sake—because of her parents and her uncle.

His wife had not seen her biological parents for many years and had suffered within the Yan household. Now that she had reunited with her parents, her father might want to keep her there.

Though Shen Hezhi once considered letting his wife take over the Nanyang Kingdom, he soon regretted it. If she assumed control there, what would become of him?

The affairs in the capital were far from resolved. He could not yet extricate himself to accompany her in Nanyang.

Therefore, he wanted to bring her back to the capital first. After the political matters were settled, they could travel freely together. Wherever she wished to go, he would be by her side.

Yan Heru had no knowledge of this.

She only assumed Shen Hezhi was eager to handle the capital’s affairs. After all, he was now well established, commanding formidable forces and loyal subordinates.

She worried whether Prince Jiu might launch a rebellion upon returning to the capital.

Although the current emperor’s rule was weak, any uprising by Shen Hezhi would still draw criticism.

Yan Heru loved Shen Hezhi and did not want tarnish his reputation with even a hint of scandal.

“Sigh… I hope that when you return to Jingdong, you won’t act rashly out of impatience,” Yan Heru murmured as she wandered in the courtyard, sighing quietly to herself.