After dinner, Shi Che felt exhausted from traveling the whole day, so he went to the palace to wash up and sleep.
The kids went to sleep in the side chambers of the Emperor's sleeping chambers when it was late at night. Empress Tuoba returned to the main chambers.
As soon as she entered the main hall, she saw her husband, Emperor Shi Yuan, standing by the window and looking at the night outside. He was still holding the missing person notice in his hand, lost in thought.
"Your Majesty."
He only came back to his senses when she called him.
"Are the children asleep?" he asked with a smile.
"Yes." Empress Tuoba nodded gently and walked to his side.
"I need to go to Stone Village," he said after a moment of hesitation.
