“Xue Yan, help me out,” Xue Zi Ning said.
Xue Yan stepped forward and helped her out of the sleeping quarters.
The path outside was paved with red for a very long distance, with beautiful and alluring flowers lining the roadside.
Xue Yan whispered, “These flowers were planted by His Highness the Crown Prince a month ago. Fortunately, they are useful.”
Xue Zi Ning smiled. Her Yan Zhao always gave her the best he could.
Along the way, palace servants all knelt down.
She looked up, and the sunlight bathed the path she walked on, emitting golden rays. Xue Yan excitedly said, “Your Majesty, this is a good omen.”
At the end was the Snow Palace. From afar, she saw the fiery figure standing outside the palace.
A tall and slender figure, even if she couldn’t see his face clearly, she knew it was Yan Zhao.
Because only he could make her feel his unparalleled elegance even from a distance.
Closer and closer, step by step, she saw that handsome and refined face that had not changed, perfectly breathtaking.
His brilliant eyes shone like stars, and at this moment, his gaze was only on her.
“Yan Zhao…” she couldn’t help but say.
He smiled, his features as picturesque as a painting. All the world and everything in it paled in comparison to his smile in her eyes.
She saw him lift his robe and slowly kneel on one knee. “Xue Jing Yun greets Your Majesty.”
She walked forward and extended her hand, saying, “You don’t need to kneel before me. Whether it is now or in the future, you and I are husband and wife.”
She saw a moment of surprise in his eyes, followed by a flood of tenderness.
His hand clasped hers, their fingers intertwined. She could feel the warmth in his palm, a current of warmth flowing through her entire body.
She took him onto her imperial carriage and arrived at the Qian Kun Hall.
Outside the Qian Kun Hall, the court officials were all kneeling.
The imperial carriage also stopped. Xue Jing Yun stepped out, followed by Xue Zi Ning.
The two of them held hands and proceeded to the Qian Kun Hall, listening to the Imperial Astronomer speak of their destined union.
“Your Majesty, the ceremonial bow!” the Imperial Astronomer said with a bow.
“I have a few words to announce,” Xue Zi Ning suddenly said.
The Imperial Astronomer was taken aback. Xue Zi Ning turned to the person opposite her and smiled.
Xue Jing Yun held her hand. “Ah Ning, do whatever you wish.”
She nodded and said, “I have decided to abolish the imperial harem and be loyal to only one person for my entire life…”
Everyone was shocked.
Even Xue Jing Yun was stunned, his expression one of utter disbelief.
He saw her smiling as she spoke each word: “I will hold your hand and grow old with you. Yan Zhao, I am willing to make an exception for you this once.”
“Ah Ning…”
He had never cried through any hardship or danger before, but this time, tears streamed down his face.
“Where did the Flower King go?” Prince Han asked from the side.
Hua Yun Jin smiled bitterly. “I suddenly feel like having a drink.”
“I’ll accompany you…” Han Xi Xia said.
Hua Yun Jin nodded, and the two of them left.
After all the ceremonies were completed, Xue Zi Ning returned to her sleeping quarters and saw that many court officials were waiting, clearly disagreeing with her announcement.
She looked at him. Xue Jing Yun said, “Ah Ning, you don’t have to do this for me.”
“Yan Zhao, this is what I wish.”
With that, she released his hand and walked towards the court officials.
In the imperial study, Minister Lin was the first to voice his objection.
“Your Majesty, this decision of yours is rather hasty. You will be unable to bear many imperial heirs, which is unstable for the court and the realm,” Minister Lin said.
“If my realm requires me to constantly bear children to maintain stability, then what do I need you for?” Xue Zi Ning’s voice was cold, very cold.
All the court officials, including Minister Lin, were stunned. The Empress’s words were very weighty.
Seeing their silence, Xue Zi Ning stood up and said, “I have chosen Xue Jing Yun, and I have decided to be with him as one for life. Your words are useless. If I have no offspring later, I will abdicate…”
“Your Majesty…” several ministers were so frightened that they knelt on the ground.
“I have made up my mind. Further words are futile. You may withdraw. I do not wish for my wedding to be troubled by these matters.”
With that, Xue Zi Ning flicked her sleeves and left.
The few ministers shook their heads and departed.
Only Minister Lin sighed. He, as a father, knew what kind of feelings his son harbored for the Empress.
It seemed his son’s hopes were dashed for life.
When Xue Zi Ning returned to her sleeping quarters, she discovered that Yan Zhao was not there.
Xue Yan was also absent. “Someone…”
A person walked in and said, “Your Majesty…”
“Lady Lian, where are they? Where has everyone gone?” Xue Zi Ning asked.
Lady Lian replied, “Replying to Your Majesty, Master Xue was called to drink by Master Wen, and Lady Xue Yan has also gone out.”
Xue Zi Ning nodded. “Pour me a cup of tea.”
Lady Lian nodded, went to the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and handed it over. Xue Zi Ning picked up the teacup and looked at Lady Lian, asking, “Is everything well with you in the palace?”
Lady Lian curtsied. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern, I am doing well.”
Xue Zi Ning picked up the teacup and took a sip, then handed it back to Lady Lian, saying, “You may also go.”
Lady Lian took the teacup and left.
Xue Zi Ning took a few steps and suddenly collapsed onto the ground. She was startled. “Someone…”
Lady Lian, who had just left the sleeping quarters, hurried back and approached her, asking, “Your Majesty, what is wrong?”
“The tea… the tea is poisoned…” Xue Zi Ning grabbed Lady Lian and said.
Lady Lian remained unmoved. Xue Zi Ning’s gaze narrowed. “You… you are not Lady Lian. Who are you?”
Lady Lian burst into laughter and tore off the human skin mask from her face. “Xue Zi Ning, you never imagined this day would come, did you?”
“You… An Ping, it’s you…” Xue Zi Ning exclaimed in astonishment.
An Ping dropped her smile, grabbed Xue Zi Ning’s collar, and said angrily, “It is me. What? Are you very surprised?”
“Weren’t you in the Ministry of Justice prison? How did you get here?”
“Of course, someone helped me out! Xue Zi Ning, you are wise all your life, but foolish in this moment. You forgot you still have hidden enemies and dared to hold your wedding. You truly… what can I say about you?” An Ping laughed wantonly.
“Where is Lady Lian? What happened to her?” Xue Zi Ning asked.
An Ping sneered, “At this point, you still care about others? I think you should worry more about yourself.”
“You are not alone, are you?” Xue Zi Ning suddenly asked.
An Ping froze. “How do you know?”
Xue Zi Ning said, “You are not that clever.”
An Ping became angry. “You call me stupid?”
“Who is that person?” Xue Zi Ning asked.
“Why would I let you know? Dream on?” An Ping said angrily.
“Shen Yun Xiu?” Xue Zi Ning said.
An Ping froze again. “You actually know…”
Shen Yun Xiu, hiding in the shadows: “……”
What kind of helper had he found?
“Have him come out. I will talk to him,” Xue Zi Ning said.
She saw Shen Yun Xiu walk in from outside. “The Empress wishes to see me?”
Xue Zi Ning nodded. “What is it that you truly want?”
“How do you know what I want?”
“It’s simple. You were clearly with Nangong Yue, but you betrayed her at the critical moment,” Xue Zi Ning said.