The Prefect of Mòchéng, though intimidated by the mention of Minister Shěn, did not repeat his earlier leniency towards Shěn Yúnxiū. The courtyard was now guarded.
"Do you regret it?" Xuē Zǐníng asked Shěn Yúnxiū, who was being bandaged.
Upon hearing this, Shěn Yúnxiū looked up at the young woman before him and said calmly, "Even without Your Majesty, I would have met this fate today."
Xuē Zǐníng gazed at Shěn Yúnxiū. "Thank you."
Shěn Yúnxiū chuckled softly. His handsome face carried a hint of unfathomable mystery as he met her gaze. "Please, don't be so polite. If you had been trapped inside, I doubt I would have survived."
Xuē Zǐníng couldn't help but laugh. "If that's the case, then I suppose I don't need to thank you."
"No need," Shěn Yúnxiū replied indifferently, his expression unchanged.
"Rest well! The Prefect likely won't trouble you again so soon," Xuē Zǐníng said as she walked towards the door.
Shěn Yúnxiū slowly raised his eyes, watching the slender figure disappear. He then dropped the smile from his face.
He recalled the moment the Empress was buried in the cave; his sole thought was to rescue her, no matter the cost.
"Young Master, Madam has been taken away by the Prefect's men," Sùqín said, her voice tinged with urgency.
Shěn Yúnxiū, ignoring his pain, got up and opened the door, facing Sùqín outside. "What happened to Madam?" Xuē Zǐníng followed the Prefect's men to a room, and as she and her retinue entered, the door was opened and she was pushed inside.
In the dim candlelight, she saw the Prefect of Mòchéng standing there. Unlike his usual arrogant demeanor, he was now respectfully bowing to a man in black whose back was turned to her, speaking cautiously.
For some inexplicable reason, the man in black seemed familiar, yet she couldn't recall who he was.
Upon seeing her, the Prefect of Mòchéng said to the man in black, "Your Highness, Shěn Second Young Master's person has been brought."
Xuē Zǐníng frowned. She heard the man in black sneer, "I wonder what expression Shěn Yúnxiū will have when he knows I used his person."
This voice was very familiar to Xuē Zǐníng. This voice…
Suddenly, the man in black turned around and walked towards her, saying coldly, "Lift your head and let me see what kind of woman can captivate Shěn Yúnxiū."
Just moments ago she was unsure of the familiar voice's owner, but now she was certain. It was truly an old acquaintance; as the saying goes, enemies often cross paths.
"Did you not hear me? Lift your head…"
Xuē Zǐníng twitched her lips, contemplating how to avoid being recognized by the man before her, when a hand suddenly grasped her chin.
And lifted it.
"Your Highness, please calm your anger. My wife is naturally timid and may have offended you," said a voice as someone from outside the door hurried in, pulling Xuē Zǐníng behind him and shielding her from view.
The man in black raised his eyes and sneered, "I never knew Shěn Yúnxiū, you also have a soft spot for beautiful women. However, I must have her serve me."
"Hán Xí chén," Shěn Yúnxiū stated Hán Xí chén's name directly.
Hán Xí chén gave a cold laugh and stepped forward, grabbing his collar and saying menacingly, "Do you know that your life is now in my hands?"
Shěn Yúnxiū pushed away the hand on his collar and said calmly, "Whether you kill me or flog me, Your Highness is free to do as you please. However, I must also warn Your Highness that if anything happens to me, Shěn Yúnxuán will not let you go, and your grand plans will likely fall apart. Would Your Highness sacrifice his great ambition for the life of one person like me?"
Hán Xí chén burst into laughter upon hearing this, patting Shěn Yúnxiū on the shoulder. "Shěn Second Young Master, you are indeed not the same person you were. But can I trust you?"
"Does Your Highness not lack anyone to trust?"
Hán Xí chén smirked. "Shěn Second Young Master, if you had been this clever back then, our cooperation would have been much more pleasant."
Shěn Yúnxiū lowered his gaze. "In the past, I did it for my aunt. Now, I am alone and no longer need to do anything for anyone."
Hán Xí chén approached and patted his shoulder. "Once this is accomplished, I will grant you merit for assisting in establishing the throne. You will not lose everything; wealth and power will be yours."
"Thank you for Your Highness's regard," Shěn Yúnxiū replied.
"I was merely joking with you earlier. However, a distinguished guest will indeed arrive in a few days, and having your wife serve them will be beneficial to our grand plan, as I don't trust others for this," Hán Xí chén said.
As Shěn Yúnxiū was about to refuse, the person behind him tugged at his sleeve, seemingly urging him to agree.
Shěn Yúnxiū said, "It is better to obey than to refuse."
Upon exiting the room, Shěn Yúnxiū continued to shield Xuē Zǐníng. Only when they returned to his own quarters did he ask, "Your Majesty, why did you ask me to agree? That person might be someone you know."
"If you didn't agree, would Hán Xí chén have consented?" Xuē Zǐníng countered.
Shěn Yúnxiū paused. Given Hán Xí chén's personality, he likely wouldn't have agreed.
"But…"
"I can do so after disguising myself. Besides, it will allow me to see if that person is someone I know."
"Your Majesty, you must still be very careful. Hán Xí chén is definitely a man of meticulous thought."
Xuē Zǐníng nodded. "I know."
Having dealt with Hán Xí chén multiple times, she knew he was no ordinary person.
A few days later, Xuē Zǐníng, disguised, accompanied Shěn Yúnxiū to the Prefect of Mòchéng's mansion.
Upon entering and seeing the person standing there, Xuē Zǐníng lowered her gaze. It was truly an unfortunate coincidence; the visitor was none other than Prince Chángpíng, Ānpíng.
"Greetings, Prince Chángpíng," Shěn Yúnxiū said, bowing.
Ānpíng glanced coldly at Shěn Yúnxiū and sneered, "I didn't expect the three of us from the past to reunite again."
Hán Xí chén said, "What we failed to accomplish back then, we will succeed in today through this renewed cooperation."
Ānpíng scoffed. "Cooperating with you is merely adding flowers to an already brocaded robe. Without your cooperation, I lose nothing."
Hán Xí chén's expression shifted slightly. "Prince Chángpíng, do not forget who helped you ascend to this royal position."
Ānpíng smiled upon hearing this. "I did not say I would not help you."
Hán Xí chén said coldly, "I hope you do not disappoint me. I know Xuě Jīngyún has been searching for you."
Ānpíng frowned, thinking of Xuě Jīngyún. Her gaze changed, and remembering how Xuě Jīngyún had nearly killed her, a hint of resentment filled her heart.
She loved him so deeply, yet he never saw the love in her eyes. For Xuē Zǐníng, he was willing to kill her?
"Hán Xí chén, since I have agreed to cooperate, I will not go back on my word. My presence here now shows great sincerity," Ānpíng stated.
Hán Xí chén looked at her and mocked, "Let's hope so. Otherwise, I don't mind letting Xuě Jīngyún know you are here."