The Zhao Brothers

"...to the place where I belong."

The Verdant Green Maiden said.

She rose and walked out, while Li Yu and his family knelt behind her and paid her a solemn bow.

His bow was sincere. He knew perfectly well that without the Verdant Green Maiden, someone who had defied the Great Song as he had could never have received the title of Duke of Wu.

The Great Song's sovereign and ministers hated him bitterly.

"Farewell, Goddess!"

"Safe travels, Goddess."

Li Yu bowed again as he spoke.

By the time he raised his head once more, the Verdant Green Maiden had vanished from his sight.

"Husband!"

Little Empress Zhou helped Li Yu to his feet.

Li Yu clasped her hand tightly, his expression full of emotion. "From now on, we'll be living in Bianjing."

"This place is nothing like Jinling. Who knows how many pairs of eyes are watching us!"

"The Goddess can protect us for a time, but not for a lifetime. All of you must be cautious in word and deed. Whatever you do, don't offend the Son of Heaven of the Zhao Song and bring disaster upon us."

"Yes."

Little Empress Zhou and Li Zhongyu nodded in assent.

Li Yu tilted his head back to look at the sky.

The sun was setting. He gazed at that mass of fiery red clouds, his eyes unfathomable.

Jiangnan!

Jiangnan!

His homeland—he would never return there in this lifetime.

If not for the Verdant Green Maiden's parting admonition, he would indeed have been unable to bear his melancholy or let go of his homeland.

He knew that such behavior would be a thorn in any emperor's eye.

"..."

"Alas."

Li Yu let out a long sigh.

He drew Little Empress Zhou into his arms and sobbed a few times.

*Once I've