"By the Mandate of Heaven, Emperor's Decree: The former Court Minister, An Yi, attempted to harm Us. However, his sister, An Ling, fearlessly saved Us, thus balancing the scales. We hereby dismiss An Yi from his position as Court Minister."
"By the Mandate of Heaven, Emperor's Decree: Shen Yun Xuan, possessing both courage and foresight, is admired by Us. We hereby appoint him to the position of Court Minister."
"By the Mandate of Heaven, Emperor's Decree: Shen Yun Xiu intended to harm Us. His crime is unforgivable, but given the circumstances, We hereby exile him to the borderlands, never to return to court."
Xue Zi Ning issued several imperial edicts in succession.
Only An Ping's was absent.
In the prison, An Ping felt as if years were passing. While she firmly believed her father would not abandon her, she also felt that Xue Zi Ning would not let her off.
With these thoughts, An Ping finally went mad three days later.
When Xue Zi Ning heard this news, her brow furrowed slightly.
Soon, her hand was grasped by Yan Zhao, "A Ning, she is merely an insignificant person. Why distress yourself over her?"
Xue Zi Ning smiled, "Yes, an insignificant person. I was indeed overthinking."
She saw him looking at her, his gaze as brilliant as the stars, yet tinged with a hint of worry. She knew this worry was for her.
Someone who was now insignificant to her had affected the most important person in her life. It was not worth it.
"Yan Zhao, I..."
"A Ning, do whatever you wish. I will support any decision you make..."
Xue Zi Ning nodded.
Outside the capital
Looking at her king, who was reluctant to part, An Ru could not help but say, "Father, do you still intend to ask His Majesty to pardon An Ping? Stop thinking about it. An Ping attempted to harm His Majesty, her crime is unforgivable, and she should be beheaded."
"An Ru, An Ping is your sister. Why don't you speak up for her?" King An said coldly.
Upon hearing this, An Ru looked at King An with a hint of amusement, "Father, are you overthinking? An Ping committed a capital offense. It is already His Majesty's grace that neither I nor you were implicated. And you want me to speak for An Ping? Does Father wish for the entire state of An to be buried with An Ping?"
"Presumptuous..." King An was furious.
An Ru shook her head with a laugh, "Father, please wake up. His Majesty is not An Ning. Everything she is doing now is only out of consideration for An Ning's past kindness. Once An Ning's favor runs out, I believe the state of An will also come to an end."
King An looked at An Ru. An Ru met his gaze, speaking word by word, "Father, do you truly want to offend His Majesty because of An Ping? Do you want to disregard the nation for the sake of one An Ping?"
After a long silence, King An finally sighed, "Enough. An Ping brought this upon herself. I will no longer concern myself with it."
An Ru finally breathed a sigh of relief. She knew it was difficult for her father to make this decision. Although her father seemed to favor An Ning among the three of them, it was only because An Ning had no mother. His true affection was for An Ping.
Otherwise, how could he have allowed the young An Ning to fall into the water and remain unconscious for so long?
Every time she thought of this, An Ru felt a chill down her spine. The outward affection was given to An Ning, while the hidden affections were all for An Ping. Then, what about her?
What did she count for?
"What are you thinking about, An Ru? Let's go!" King An seemed to have come to terms with it and no longer insisted on waiting. He got into the carriage.
An Ru looked into the distance. She had to leave after all.
As she turned, a voice called from afar, "Princess An Ru..."
An Ru turned around. It was not the person she expected. As the person approached, she saw it was Xue Yan, who was by the Empress's side.
"Xue Yan." An Ru walked forward.
Xue Yan dismounted and approached An Ru, bowing. "Xue Yan greets Princess An Ru."
"Please get up. Is there something His Majesty needs?" An Ru asked.
Xue Yan looked up at the carriage approaching behind her. "My Empress has a gift for Princess An Ru and King An."
An Ru was startled. Looking at the carriage nearby, she stepped forward and lifted the curtain. It was none other than An Ping.
An Ru's gaze paused. She lowered the curtain and said, "Xue Yan, what does His Majesty mean by this..."
Xue Yan said, "My Empress said that all past affections have been repaid here. The journey is long, and we shall not meet again."
An Ru trembled, then lowered her eyes. After a while, she said, "I understand. Please tell His Majesty that as long as I, An Ru, am here, An Cheng will certainly bow in submission."
Xue Yan nodded and said softly, "Her Majesty is very sad."
An Ru's expression was tinged with sadness. "I know. It is I and Father who have wronged His Majesty. I hope His Majesty will take good care of herself!"
Xue Yan said, "Princess An Ru, this servant knows that you are different from An Ping."
An Ru smiled bitterly at this, "I know An Ping was wrong, and I did not stop her. It is also my fault."
Xue Yan cupped her hands. "Princess An Ru, have a safe journey!"
"Thank you!" An Ru turned, mounted her horse, and handed the carriage to someone beside her to drive.
Then she went to King An's carriage and said softly, "Father, His Majesty has sent An Ping back, but An Ping has gone mad."
"I know," came King An's weary voice from inside the carriage.
An Ru turned to look behind her. A Ning, goodbye!
Xue Yan reached a hillside not far from the city gate, dismounted, and bowed. "Your Majesty, the person has been delivered."
The young girl turned, her clear and beautiful face carrying a hint of sadness. A flicker of worry crossed her clear eyes. "I understand."
"Why did Your Majesty not deliver her personally?" Xue Yan could not help but ask.
The young girl smiled faintly at this, "All past events are now in the past, so there is no need to meet again."
The young girl turned to the man standing behind her and smiled slowly. "Yan Zhao, let's go back!"
"Okay." He nodded.
The path ahead was light, but only Xue Jingyun knew how lonely her heart felt at this moment.
The past had all turned to dust, vanished without a trace.
Meeting again as sovereign and subject.
"Yan Zhao, in three days, I will accompany you back to Xue Country."
He looked at the young girl in front of him with a doting smile and nodded, "Good."
Three days later, Xue Zi Ning temporarily entrusted state affairs to Wen Yu Xi and left the capital with Xue Jingyun.
Still outside the city, Xue Zi Ning looked at Hua Yun Jin and Han Xi Xia and said, "We escort you for a distance, but eventually we must part. We shall meet again!"
Hua Yun Jin and Han Xi Xia exchanged glances, dismounted, and knelt to pay their respects. "Your subjects take their leave!"
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Go!"
"Yan Zhao, let us also depart!" Xue Zi Ning said to Xue Jingyun as she got into the carriage.
She never imagined he would pull her into his arms. "Yan Zhao, there are outsiders..."
"Do not fear..." His gaze was as brilliant as the stars, making her lose herself in it.
Outside the carriage, Xue Song tutted twice. Looking at Xue Yan, who ignored him, he felt like crying tears of sorrow. The two inside the carriage were deeply in love, which made him, their follower, pitiful.
Thinking this, Xue Song gave the horse's hindquarters a hard prod. The startled horse began to gallop rapidly.