Reborn to marry, she no longer wants to be the young master's mother

Emperor Chu Heng, sitting on the magnificent dragon throne, stared at the kneeling Queen Xie Chaochao with deep and complex eyes. Xie Chaochao, dressed in luxurious queen clothes, could not hide her heroic spirit and determination. Her bright eyes flashed with unquestionable light. She was once a majestic female general on the battlefield. Although she was now in the harem, her firmness and determination had not diminished at all.

"Your Majesty, I have made up my mind. I hope you will grant my wish." Xie Chaochao's voice was firm and clear, echoing in the empty hall. Every word was like a heavy hammer, hitting Chu Heng's heart. She knew that this request was very important, but she had to go back, back to the general's mansion that once belonged to her, where her memories and her roots were.

Chu Heng looked at the woman who had fought side by side with him for many years and ruled the world together, and he felt mixed emotions. He knew very well that once Xie Chaochao made a decision, there would be no room for maneuver. Her character was like the sword in her hand, sharp and uncompromising.

"Chao Chao, do you know what this departure means?" Chu Heng's voice was low and magnetic, and he tried to keep her with his last effort.

"Of course I know." Xie Chaochao raised her head slightly, her eyes meeting Chu Heng's. There was determination and reluctance in her eyes. "But I know better where my heart is. The palace is good, but it is not where I truly belong. I am willing to spend the rest of my life protecting the land that was once shed with blood, and protecting the brothers and sisters who fought side by side with me."

Chu Heng felt an indescribable sadness when he heard this. He knew that Xie Chaochao's heart had already flown back to the battlefield, the general's mansion full of glory and sacrifice. So, he nodded slowly, with a hint of helplessness and reluctance in his eyes.

"Okay, I promise you. But you must promise me that you must be careful on this trip. When the time is right, I will welcome you back to the palace." Chu Heng's words were full of love and expectations for Xie Chaochao.

Hearing this, Xie Chaochao felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She kowtowed deeply and said gratefully, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. I will definitely live up to your expectations."

Then, in full view of everyone, Empress Xie Chaochao slowly stood up and turned to leave. Her back looked particularly tall and lonely in the afterglow of the setting sun. The servants who had been prepared for this hurried forward and carefully served the Empress who was about to return to the General's Mansion. Their faces showed both awe and reluctance.

Empress Xie Chaochao, wearing a complicated and exquisite phoenix robe, sat in the magnificent palace. The moonlight outside the window was like water, gently sprinkled on her gentle but somewhat resolute face. Facing the affectionate care of Emperor Chu Heng, she gently raised her hand and brushed the hair falling in front of her forehead with her fingertips. The action showed both the dignity of the queen and the tenderness unique to women.

"Your Majesty, I decline your kindness." Her voice was clear and firm, and every word was as clear as pearls falling on a plate. Xie Chaochao's eyes flashed with an unquestionable light. She looked at Chu Heng, and her eyes showed both deep affection for her husband and a hint of stubbornness that was unknown to others. "Your Majesty, I know that you are very busy, and you need to take care of state affairs yourself. This is just a small matter, why bother others?"

Chu Heng frowned slightly when he heard this, his deep eyes were full of worry and reluctance. He walked forward slowly, trying to close the distance between him and Xie Chaochao, and each step seemed particularly heavy. "Chaochao, you know that in my heart, your well-being is more important than anything else. I don't want to see you alone, I will stay by your side personally, or find my most intimate servant to make sure you are okay."

Xie Chaochao shook her head gently, with a gentle smile on her lips. In that smile, she deeply understood Chu Heng and was determined not to be a burden to him. "Your Majesty, I understand your intentions, but I know even more clearly that as the queen, I also have my own responsibilities and obligations. Although the harem seems calm, there are actually undercurrents. I need to handle it myself to ensure the peace of the harem and not distract Your Majesty."

After hearing this, Chu Heng's eyes flashed with mixed emotions, with both admiration and helplessness. He knew Xie Chaochao's character very well, and once he made a decision, it would be difficult to change it, but his worries never diminished. "Chaochao, if you insist, I won't force you. But remember, no matter when and where, my heart is always with you. If you need anything, be sure to let me know. Although I can't always be with you, I will do my best to protect you."

After saying that, Chu Heng slowly turned around, his back looked lonely and determined, as if he was saying his final goodbye. Xie Chaochao, however, still sat there, following his back with her eyes until he completely disappeared from her sight. At that moment, a barely perceptible moisture flashed in her eyes, which also strengthened her determination to face the challenge alone.

As the night deepened, the candlelight in the bedroom flickered, illuminating Xie Chaochao's resolute and beautiful face. She whispered to herself, "For the sake of the emperor and this country, I will live up to your trust and overcome all difficulties ahead."

The night was as dark as ink, deep and quiet. The moonlight shone through the delicate window lattices, dappled in the magnificent palace. Empress Xie Chaochao, wearing a half-removed splendid dress, with long black hair like a waterfall, scattered on the soft pillow. She turned her head slightly, with her back to the dragon bed still lit by a faint candlelight. It seemed that even the dust in the air could feel the unspoken indifference and alienation.

Emperor Chu Heng, wearing a dragon robe, revealed a subtle worry between his brows. He knew very well that the queen, who had been with him since childhood and had experienced ups and downs together, was expressing her dissatisfaction and anger in a silent way. Every subtle movement of the queen was like a sharp blade, gently scratching his heart, leaving marks that were difficult to heal.

Chu Heng felt mixed emotions. He didn't want to see Xie Chaochao endure the loneliness of the night alone because of misunderstandings or disputes. He also knew that as the king of a country, he was sometimes helpless and his words and actions might have hurt her sensitive and proud heart unintentionally. But he didn't want the queen to be self-reliant and to treat her with respect or even as a stranger. So he stood up slowly, with light steps, as if he was afraid of disturbing this delicate tranquility.

He tiptoed to the dressing table, where there was a bronze mirror. Reflected in the mirror were two faces that were once very close, but now seemed to be distant. Chu Heng stared at himself in the mirror, thinking in his heart how to resolve this invisible smoke of war and let the two hearts be closely connected again.