Without the Emperor's pardon, the convicted party would need to stay exiled for the rest of their life.
Compared to a fate of exile, being only kicked out of the imperial capital without being allowed to return was infinitely better.
Chen Xuping's guilt felt slightly lighter.
At the very least, his family did not end up with too tragic a fate. Otherwise, he would never be able to pay them back even if he had died multiple times over.
Zhao Heng poured him a cup of tea.
Chen Xuping took a sip and remembered something. He asked, "You didn't tell Lu Yunshuang where we were, did you?"
Zhao Heng felt a little guilty when he heard this. "I had no idea you two had fallen out. When I saw how worried she was about you, I had my men inform her of our location when I brought you out of the imperial capital…"
Chen Xuping frowned and stood up. "We shouldn't stay here any longer then. Let's go."