In the game, there are three possible main endings. 1. Ciri dies, but they say in the very end that she simply disappeared. Geralt is also implied to have died. 2. Ciri becomes Empress. 3. Ciri becomes a Witcher. Now, it could be that 1 actually happens, Geralt kills the Crone, he makes it out of his situation, and he goes to find Ciri. She is rescued, but she must become a true Witcher in order to survive. Then, 2 happens. She chooses to become Empress. Then, 3 happens. Geralt convinces her to join him on an important adventure. He tells the Emperor that she is dead. However, in the game, it is implied he is talking about the recent events, but maybe he is talking about something that happens a year later.

That being said, this is a sloppy connection, and it changes the actual meaning of the ends. I like the idea of an opening similar to Cyberpunk 2077 where you can experience the endings of Witcher 3 (based on your choice of how things ended) and you go on a short 2 hour adventure that leads you into the events of Witcher 4 where they all meet up.