The cold wind was biting, and soon, it began to snow.

Bai Qiyang continued to kneel upright, without wavering in the slightest. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The frost brought by the cold wind settled on his back.

He was not someone who doesn’t change after realizing his mistake and knew his impulsiveness and recklessness had implicated Mu Xi and caused Bai Zhi’er’s intentions to fail.

So, he was willing to kneel.

He would bear the responsibility for his mistake.

Just then, the sound of rustling footsteps came from behind.

A pair of delicate embroidered shoes stepped on the snow, heading towards the Imperial Study Room.

Bai Zhi’er held an umbrella, shielding Bai Qiyang’s head.

Bai Qiyang was startled and looked up.

He saw his sister, the Princess famed as the most beautiful across the Six Kingdoms, blinking her round dark eyes at him.

Her fair face contrasted sharply with eyes as clear as a pool of snow.

Her demeanor was both beautiful and stunning, yet charmingly approachable.

For some reason, thinking that Bai Zhi’er was only fourteen, Bai Qiyang felt ashamed and lowered his head.

He spoke first: "Sister, I’m sorry for ruining your plans. I’ve come today specifically to apologize."

Bai Zhi’er, not one to hold grudges, replied: "It’s all right, Second Brother, I didn’t mind it. Your safe return is the most important thing."

"I wanted everyone to be happy together. The banquet was merely a formality; your feelings matter more."

Upon hearing these words, warmth seemed to flow through Bai Qiyang’s heart.

He felt even more guilty for his impulsive actions yesterday.

Bai Zhi’er reached out her hand: "Get up, Second Brother, if you keep kneeling, you’ll turn into a popsicle!"

Bai Qiyang hesitated: "Imperial Uncle instructed me to kneel and hasn’t permitted me to rise."

Suddenly, Bai Xilie’s voice came from the Imperial Study Room: "Don’t talk nonsense! I merely told you to kneel, not to keep kneeling."

"Stand if you wish, but don’t complain to Zhi’er about me!"

For the first time, Bai Qiyang heard his authoritative uncle speak in such a manner.

The voice was anxious, as if fearing his daughter would think he was an unreasonable Emperor.

Bai Zhi’er chuckled.

She waved her delicate hand again: "Get up, let’s go to Ruizhu Palace, I’ll treat Second Brother to hot tea!"

Bai Qiyang hesitated for a moment but finally took her fingertips and stood up.

His sister’s hand was incredibly soft and warm.

Bai Qiyang had been freezing for so long that his hands were icy. When Bai Zhi’er felt his grip, she couldn’t help but shiver.

Seeing this, Bai Qiyang quickly withdrew his hand.

"I’m sorry, Sister."

Bai Zhi’er, on the contrary, smiled and handed him the hand warmer: "Take it, Second Brother, warm yourself up."

"Second Brother, wait here for me. I’ll go pay respects to Father and then take you to Ruizhu Palace."

With that, Eunuch Quan Xi lifted the curtain, and Bai Zhi’er walked straight inside.

Bai Qiyang was slightly surprised.

So his sister could enter the Imperial Study Room, a place for military and governmental affairs, without any announcement?

No wonder the rumors say the Emperor of Great Chu cherishes his daughter dearly.

The warmth from the hand warmer gradually spread from Bai Qiyang’s palm to the rest of his body.

Providing his cold figure with a trace of warmth.

He looked down at it; Bai Zhi’er’s hand warmer was adorable, with a small jade rabbit carved on the lid.

The entire warmer was crafted from white warm jade, specially commissioned by the princely heir Bai Daoyan, who searched the Four Seas to find it.

Warm jade is rare, and few possess it, but most of it belonged to Bai Zhi’er.

Lost in thought, the curtain in front moved, and Bai Zhi’er had already emerged.

She smiled: "Let’s go, Second Brother, Father has sent a carriage for us. We can sit back on the way, it’s not cold."