“Imperial Uncle, I was wrong, don’t… don’t kill me…” Yun Duanhai trembled all over, terrified.
“Han Xichen, this matter is my own affair. You don’t need to worry about it,” Prince An said.
Han Xichen chuckled lowly and said, “I’m merely reminding Prince An. Sometimes, being soft-hearted is not beneficial to oneself. Since Prince An has made his decision, I have nothing more to say.”
“Get out quickly…” Prince An roared.
Yun Duanhai scrambled away, crawling as he fled.
Prince An watched Yun Duanhai flee in utter terror and couldn’t help but shake his head.
“I hope Prince An will not regret the decision he made today.”
“The Duke of Yun’s mansion belongs to my people; they will not betray me,” Prince An stated with conviction.
Xue Zining was startled awake from her dream. She seemed to hear Rong Cui’s voice. Opening her eyes, she sensed an unfamiliar presence in the darkness.
“Who is it?” she instinctively clutched her stomach and retreated, picking up a jade pillow as a makeshift weapon.
“It’s me, Yun Duanhai.”
Hearing the name, Xue Zining froze but did not let down her guard. The memories of An Ning had not faded. This Yun Duanhai had once attempted to force himself upon An Ning.
“What are you doing here? Get out, this is my room,” she said sternly and coldly.
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve only come to tell you some news,” Yun Duanhai said.
“Light the fire,” Xue Zining commanded.
Soon, the room slowly brightened. She immediately saw Rong Cui lying at the doorway, appearing to be only unconscious. She looked up at Yun Duanhai and noticed bloodstains on his forehead. Yun Duanhai seemed to sense his disheveled state and wiped his face with his sleeve. “Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you. I’ll leave after I’ve spoken.”
Seeing that he didn’t seem to be lying, Xue Zining nodded. “Speak.”
Yun Duanhai whispered, “I just went to the imperial study.”
Xue Zining blinked. “Does it have anything to do with me?”
Yun Duanhai nodded. “I saw Prince An and Han Xichen in the imperial study.”
“Did what they said have anything to do with me?”
Yun Duanhai nodded again. “Yes, but I was too far away to hear clearly. However, I did hear Han Xichen mention bringing someone back from the dead.”
Xue Zining trembled all over and quickly asked, “Did he really say that?”
Yun Duanhai nodded, his expression solemn. “Yes, I heard that sentence correctly; he did say that. He also told Prince An to check the results tomorrow. I believe, to some extent, Han Xichen and Prince An have reached an agreement.”
Xue Zining did not doubt this. Han Xichen bringing her to Ancheng must have been for his own benefit. It now seemed he had made a deal with Prince An because Prince An possessed something he needed.
“Thank you, Young Master Yun.” If not for Yun Duanhai, she wouldn’t have known such important news at this moment.
Yun Duanhai ruffled his hair, smiling sheepishly. “I haven’t done anything much. I just felt you needed to know about something like this, that’s all.”
“Thank you very much.” Xue Zining did not feel resentful towards him for his past despicable actions. At least this time, the news he brought was very important to her.
Yun Duanhai’s face turned slightly red. He averted his gaze. “If possible, you should leave here as soon as you can.”
“If I could leave, I certainly would, but…” Xue Zining fell silent.
Seeing the young woman in front of him remain silent, Yun Duanhai understood that it was likely impossible for her to leave right now.
“I can help you…” Yun Duanhai blurted out in a moment of urgency, but then regretted it slightly. Would she think he was too forward?
“Really?” Xue Zining looked up at Yun Duanhai.
Yun Duanhai saw her eyes, clear as water, transparent and pure.
“Yes,” Yun Duanhai said, his voice wavering with guilt as he looked away. He didn’t want her to know his thoughts at this moment; he would feel too frivolous.
“Young Master Yun, thank you!” Xue Zining was truly grateful this time.
Yun Duanhai scratched his head. “Don’t say that. I just want to do this myself.”
He wanted to help her, to help her from the bottom of his heart.
“Rong Cui should be waking up soon. Young Master Yun, please leave quickly!” Xue Zining glanced at Rong Cui and saw that she was showing signs of waking.
Yun Duanhai nodded and stood up. “Take care of yourself. I will come again.”
Xue Zining nodded. As Yun Duanhai reached the door, she couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you helping me?”
Yun Duanhai paused. Why was he helping her? He didn’t know, nor did he know how to say it. “I don’t know.”
Perhaps it was simply not wanting to leave any regrets!
He pushed open the door and left.
Rong Cui woke up at this moment and found herself lying on the ground. She quickly got up and met Xue Zining’s clear gaze. She was taken aback. “Your Majesty, why are you awake?”
“I was startled awake by a dream and got up to call you, but you weren’t here. When I lit the lamp, I found you sleeping on the floor. You know my condition is heavy; I couldn’t help you up,” Xue Zining said calmly.
Rong Cui was stunned. Had she really fallen asleep on the floor because she was too tired?
However, that wasn’t what she was thinking about now. She approached Xue Zining. “Your Majesty, this servant will help you back to bed.”
Xue Zining nodded. After Rong Cui helped her onto the bed, she went to tend to the incense. Looking at the incense, she narrowed her eyes.
This time, as she lay on the bed, she held her breath and concentrated.
After a while, Rong Cui turned around. In her peripheral vision, Xue Zining saw Rong Cui covering her nose.
Seeing Rong Cui approaching her, she closed her eyes.
Rong Cui called out to her a few times. Seeing that she didn’t reply, Rong Cui finally left with peace of mind.
After the sound of footsteps outside disappeared, Xue Zining quickly got up, covered her nose, and went to the incense. She took some ashes, put them into a handkerchief, and decided to ask Yun Duanhai to help her investigate what the incense was for tomorrow.
Then she extinguished the incense. She slept soundly that night and no longer dreamt of the places she had dreamt of before.
“You’re awake!” When Xue Zining woke up, she saw Rong Cui already in her room.
“I’m hungry,” Xue Zining said.
Rong Cui replied, “This servant will go and fetch some food for Your Majesty.”
As Rong Cui left, Xue Zining got up, dressed herself, and hid the ashes she had taken out the previous night on her person.
When Rong Cui returned, she found Xue Zining already dressed. She put down the food and said, “Your body is not convenient. This servant can do these things for you.”
“It’s fine; if I can do it myself, I will,” Xue Zining replied.
“Your Majesty, please eat,” Rong Cui said.
Xue Zining went to the table, drank some porridge, and ate some pastries, then put down her chopsticks.
“I want to go for a walk,” she said, getting up and heading towards the door.
“This servant will help you.” Rong Cui stepped forward and supported her.
“I’ve been here for so long, and I haven’t visited the Noble Consort yet,” Xue Zining said.
Rong Cui was startled. “Your Majesty…”
Seeing Rong Cui hesitate to speak, Xue Zining smiled faintly. “Hasn’t Prince An forbidden you from disturbing the Noble Consort?”
Rong Cui spoke the truth. “No.”
“In that case, am I not allowed to go?” Xue Zining asked again.
Rong Cui replied, “This servant understands. This servant will help you go.”