Xiao Shan's stay in the capital turned out just as Xiao Jin had predicted; he remained there until the spring after the New Year before returning to Yunnan.

During this time, Xiao Jin got married, and the Crown Princess was chosen by the Empress—Shen Wanzhu.

After becoming the Crown Princess, Shen Wanzhu handled matters fairly. She wasn't particularly close to Xiao Jin's two daughters but was still very diligent. Being a stepmother has always been challenging, especially within the inner palace. If she were too close to the children, it could be seen as spoiling them excessively; if she were too distant, it would invite gossip.

From the beginning, Shen Wanzhu made her stance clear. She valued the two children and would not harm them, and she would put effort into their upbringing. However, she would not treat them as her own flesh and blood.

She ensured that the two children lacked nothing in terms of food, clothing, and education. As children of the Crown Prince's household, they needed to have the appropriate status, demeanor, and knowledge.

Xiao Jin had no objections to this arrangement. His marriage to Shen Wanzhu was one of mutual respect and formality.

The following year, when Xiao Shan left the capital to return to Yunnan, only Xiao Jin saw him off.

Xiao Xian was ill and couldn't make it, while Xiao Rong was preoccupied with his own children, having completely forgotten about Xiao Shan. He barely had enough time to spend with his own children, let alone see Xiao Shan off.

Xiao Shan didn't mind. Although they were brothers in name, their relationship was rather superficial, with no deep emotional ties.

Leaving the capital this time was just a temporary departure; after all, he would return in the future.

Xiao Shan and Xiao Jin didn't exchange any sentimental farewells. They chatted casually for a while, and when they realized it was getting late, Xiao Shan, holding Mingming, boarded the carriage with Xie Zhui.

By this time, Mingming could recognize people. He smiled at Xiao Jin and called out uncle, uncle, though not very clearly.

The child was adorable, and Xiao Jin couldn't help but smile.

Xiao Shan said goodbye to Xiao Jin, then lowered the curtain as the carriage began to move, slowly leaving the capital.

Xie Sui did not return with them this time. The poison in his body had been mostly cleared. He wanted to stay in the capital to keep an eye on Xie Chen. After all, Xie Chen was relatively new to the officialdom, and having someone to watch over him would be beneficial.

Additionally, Xie Sui felt that Xie Chen had some psychological issues, harboring significant hostility towards others. Although it wasn't very apparent in his daily behavior, it was a fact. Xie Sui believed that this could lead to trouble if left unchecked. Therefore, he decided to stay behind to frequently counsel Xie Chen.

Xie Zhui thought this was a good idea. As a father, Xie Sui had his own considerations. Previously, Xie Zhui had been worried about Xie Sui's health, but now that he was fine, Xie Zhui felt at ease, leaving everything to Xie Sui's discretion.

As long as the family was safe and sound, that was all that mattered.

After the carriage had traveled some distance, Xiao Shan remarked, "When we came, Mingming couldn't speak and needed to be held all the time. Now, on our way back, he can walk and call out to people."

Xie Zhui used his leg to block Mingming, who was trying to run outside, and said, "Yes, it feels like a dream when you think about it."

His words carried a deeper meaning. In that dream, whether it was Zhuang Zhou dreaming of a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming of Zhuang Zhou, he had seen another time, another version of Xiao Shan.

They hardly ever discussed this matter.

Xiao Shan felt there was nothing worth discussing, while Xie Zhui neither wanted to nor was willing to talk about it.

Yet, many times, Xie Zhui would find himself alone, pondering that incredibly vivid dream. He thought that perhaps because Xiao Shan had lived in such a world and received such an education from a young age, his own fate had changed after they got married.

When he woke from the dream, Xie Zhui felt a sense of relief mixed with a bit of disappointment.

The reason for his relief was his concern for Xie Sui and Xie Chen. Additionally, those few days had taught him the true meaning of equality.

In that world, women and men had equal opportunities in society. No one would criticize women for going out to work. However, there was no category of people known as "gers" in that world.

He and Xiao Mingyu were exceptions there. Even though they looked the same as other men, their identity as gers, who could bear children, albeit with difficulty, set them apart.

Being an exception sometimes meant being seen as an anomaly. Xie Zhui didn't want him and Mingming to be regarded as monsters in some future scenario.

People either fear or study exceptions, so he felt a sense of loss for not living in such an era. Yet, upon returning, he thought to himself, "It's just as well."

However, he could tell that Xiao Shan really liked that place, and he wondered if Xiao Shan might be disappointed because of it.

These thoughts had lingered in his mind while they were in the capital, but he never voiced them. Now, far from the capital and surrounded by their own people, Xie Zhui softly asked, "Do you want to go back?"

Xiao Shan gave him a surprised look, realizing what Xie Zhui was referring to. He smiled and said, "Home is where you and Mingming are. Wherever you are, that's where I belong. I feel like I was meant to be with you. Without you, I would be lonely for the rest of my life."

"You know I fear loneliness the most, so you must always stay with me."

Hearing Xiao Shan's heartfelt words, Xie Zhui's eyes filled with joy. He grasped Xiao Shan's hand firmly and said earnestly, "I will always stay by your side, never letting you feel even a hint of loneliness. Wherever you are, that's where I'll be."

Xiao Shan squeezed his hand in return, and they continued moving towards the place they belonged.

That place was not just where they lived; it was their home.