"An Wang, if you were to make demands of me now, would I not also be able to make demands of you?"
An Wang was taken aback. "Your Majesty, what do you mean?"
"How does An Wang expect me to release Prince Changping? Verbally? Do you think anyone would listen to me?"
"Your Majesty, how can Prince Changping be released?" An Wang asked.
"Release me," Xue Zi Ning said, word by word.
"Xue Zi Ning..." Han Xi Chen suddenly spoke.
Xue Zi Ning turned to look at Han Xi Chen, sneering. "What? On one hand, you want me to release Prince Changping, and on the other, you want to keep me as a hostage? Does An Wang believe his calculations are flawless?"
"Besides this condition, everything else can be considered," Han Xi Chen said abruptly.
"I'm sorry, but besides this condition, I will not consider anything else," Xue Zi Ning stated coldly.
"Xue Zi Ning, do not test my patience," Han Xi Chen said, his tone becoming much harsher with irritation.
Xue Zi Ning sneered. "I don't have much patience either. While I cannot release Prince Changping, I can certainly have her executed immediately."
"You dare!" An Wang roared.
Xue Zi Ning looked at An Wang. At this moment, any remaining warmth between them vanished with those two words.
"What is there that I dare not do? If I am not well, then none of you will have a good time either." After numerous attempts to test the waters, she realized that Han Xi Chen’s tolerance for her was quite high. It seemed the person he wanted to revive must be related to her.
"Xue Zi Ning, don't forget, you are currently in my hands," Han Xi Chen was truly enraged.
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Yes, I know. You don't need to remind me repeatedly."
"Since you know, you should have some sense of self-awareness."
"Excuse me, I have no self-awareness. This An City is my territory. What self-awareness do I need?" Xue Zi Ning asked Han Xi Chen, looking up.
Ming Dao was a lawless territory, but An City was indeed hers.
"It seems further discussion is impossible. Your Majesty does not wish to negotiate," An Wang interjected.
"It's not that I don't want to negotiate, but from the very beginning, the negotiation between An Wang and me has been unequal. I will absolutely not agree to such a situation. I am quite tired. I will retire for the night."
With that, Xue Zi Ning left the study.
Outside the door, Rong Cui stepped forward to support her. "This servant will help you."
Xue Zi Ning nodded, her entire body seeming to have lost all strength. She had been holding on just moments before; now she was completely drained.
"Your Majesty, you..."
"Help me back," Xue Zi Ning said.
Rong Cui nodded and hurried to help her back to Anning Palace.
"Isn't this Rong Cui? Where are you rushing off to?" a voice blocked their path.
Rong Cui turned and saw the approaching figure, her expression faltering. She whispered, "Your Majesty, it is the heir of the Duke of Yun's estate."
Xue Zi Ning slightly faltered. The Duke of Yun's heir? She felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
"Why aren't you answering my question?" the heir of Duke Yun became annoyed and strode forward. Upon seeing the person next to Rong Cui, he froze.
"You... you..."
Xue Zi Ning looked up at Yun Duan Hai and smiled. "Young Master Yun."
Yun Duan Hai took several steps back. "You... you are..."
But he quickly regained his composure. Princess An Ning was no longer here, so who was this person before him?
The thought of Princess An Ning being gone brought a pang of sadness to Yun Duan Hai's heart.
She was the first person he had genuinely fallen in love with, but he would never see her again.
"If Young Master Yun has nothing else, this servant will take her leave." Rong Cui then supported Xue Zi Ning, preparing to leave.
Yun Duan Hai suddenly stepped forward to block Rong Cui, staring intently at Xue Zi Ning. After a long moment, he said, "Who are you? Why do you resemble Princess An Ning so much?"
"Young Master Yun, who do you think I should be? An Ning?"
As the words drifted lightly from the young woman's lips, Yun Duan Hai felt his mind explode. He could no longer control himself, stepping forward and grabbing the girl's slender arm, roaring, "Tell me, who are you?"
"Young Master Yun, please let go," Rong Cui urged anxiously.
Xue Zi Ning looked at Yun Duan Hai and chuckled softly. He saw the girl's clear and pure eyes, so transparent, a gaze he had only ever seen in An Ning's eyes.
"Young Master Yun, I am not An Ning," Xue Zi Ning stated, word by word.
Perhaps it was because the young woman before him was so serious, or perhaps he truly realized this girl was not An Ning, he released her arm and took two steps back. How could she be An Ning? She was gone.
Yet, the obsession that haunted his dreams had not yet ended.
"Let's go!" Xue Zi Ning said.
Rong Cui nodded and helped her leave. As they reached a corner, she looked back and saw Yun Duan Hai sitting dejectedly on a stone, silent, just staying there.
"Rong Cui, has the Young Master Yun not yet married a wife?" Xue Zi Ning suddenly asked.
Rong Cui blinked. Though unsure why Xue Zi Ning asked, she replied, "No. Since Princess An Ning departed, the Young Master Yun has shed his dissolute ways and plans to take the imperial examinations this year."
Xue Zi Ning was taken aback. She truly did not expect Yun Duan Hai to have changed so astonishingly. The dissolute young man from before had reformed?
"One cannot judge a person by their appearance, nor the sea by a measuring bucket," Xue Zi Ning said.
Upon returning to her room, Xue Zi Ning lay on the bed, her head feeling heavy.
When she woke, the sky was already darkening. She sat up and called out for Rong Cui.
Rong Cui did not appear. She walked to the door and was about to speak when she saw Rong Cui’s figure in the courtyard.
Prying open the door slightly, Xue Zi Ning saw Rong Cui speaking with a man – it was Yun Duan Hai, whom she had met that afternoon. Da Feng Novel Network.
Rong Cui looked at Yun Duan Hai with difficulty. "Young Master, this servant cannot deliver these things inside."
The King had strictly instructed her not to allow His Majesty to consume any food sent by anyone.
If the King found out, her life would be forfeit.
"Rong Cui, you saw it yourself. It's just some pastries from An City. Why be so cautious? If you feel it's inappropriate, I will go find my aunt." Yun Duan Hai said.
Remembering the arrogance and high-handedness of the Imperial Consort, Rong Cui quickly said, "Only this once."
Yun Duan Hai replied, "Only this once for now."
Rong Cui reluctantly accepted the food box and walked in. Seeing that Xue Zi Ning had woken up, she seemed slightly surprised. "Your Majesty, you are awake?"
"What is that you are holding?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Rong Cui blinked and said, "It was sent by the Young Master Yun. This servant was thinking of throwing it away later."
"Why throw it away? I'm feeling a bit hungry, bring it over for me to try." Xue Zi Ning said.
Rong Cui was startled and whispered, "Your Majesty, might it be unsafe?"
"It's fine," Xue Zi Ning replied.
Seeing her determination to eat, Rong Cui placed the food box on the table and opened it. Indeed, there were exquisite pastries inside.
Xue Zi Ning picked one up and took a bite. It was surprisingly delicious.
She ate three pieces in a row. Perhaps it was because she had slept, but she felt much more awake.
As she reached for a fourth piece, Rong Cui said, "Your Majesty, eating too much is not good for you or the fetus, and it's too rich."
Considering Rong Cui's words were not unreasonable, Xue Zi Ning stopped eating.
She instructed Rong Cui to keep them for later.
"I'm going to take a walk in the courtyard." Xue Zi Ning got up and went to the door, pushing it open, as if the long-lost fresh air had also reappeared.