"I will also marry you, and spend a lifetime together, only with each other."
Xue Zi Ning knew that others might consider such words unrealistic, but Yan Zhao was different; he always followed through on his promises.
Three days later, they arrived at Xue Du, the capital of Snow City.
The citizens lined the streets to welcome them, their cheers of "Long live His Majesty" echoing through the heavens.
Xue Zi Ning looked out from the carriage, feeling the weight of her imperial responsibilities in that moment.
National prosperity and peace were what she would pursue from now on.
Outside the Imperial Palace
Xue Yuan Zhao waited on horseback. A close attendant said, "Your Highness, His Majesty and His Highness Yun have arrived at Xue Street."
Xue Yuan Zhao nodded, and gradually, he spotted the luxurious carriage. Light began to gleam in his eyes.
The carriage stopped, and he finally saw the figure behind the light veil within.
The curtain was lifted, and a tall, slender figure emerged; it was his royal brother, Xue Jing Yun.
Xue Jing Yun dismounted and reached into the carriage, offering a hand as white as jade.
A delicate figure stepped out.
Her water-and-sky colored long dress made her appear slender and tall.
Xue Yuan Zhao's heart skipped a beat.
He saw the girl's pure and beautiful face, and those clear eyes, as vast as the sky, that he had never forgotten.
But the gaze within those eyes was directed entirely at the person beside the carriage.
He dismounted and walked forward, kneeling on one knee. "This subject, Xue Yuan Zhao, pays respects to His Majesty."
He heard the girl's voice ring out, "Rise."
He stood up. Now that he was closer, he saw the sparkle in her eyes, but it wasn't for him.
"Brother," Xue Jing Yun suddenly spoke, "His Majesty has traveled a long way and must be tired."
Xue Yuan Zhao turned and looked at Xue Jing Yun. "The imperial sleeping quarters have been prepared. Please, Your Majesty."
Xue Jing Yun nodded and walked back to the carriage, reaching out to help Xue Zi Ning alight. To his surprise, she leaped directly into his arms.
He was momentarily stunned, his eyes filled with an unshakeable doting. "Ah Ning, you..."
"Yan Zhao, feeling embarrassed?" Xue Zi Ning raised an eyebrow and asked.
Xue Jing Yun smiled faintly. "How could I?"
He was merely afraid that some people might feel uncomfortable.
Xue Yuan Zhao watched Xue Jing Yun carry Xue Zi Ning away, his gaze dimming.
Upon entering the palace, Xue Zi Ning let out a slight sigh of relief. This was not her first time here, but her feelings were different each time.
"Yan Zhao, first, we must pay our respects to the King of Snow and the Queen of Snow," Xue Zi Ning said.
Xue Jing Yun nodded. "Alright."
They arrived at the King of Snow's sleeping quarters. Someone had already gone ahead to announce their arrival, but no one had emerged yet.
Xue Jing Yun's expression grew somewhat displeased. He said, "Ah Ning, we can enter directly. You are the ruler of this land."
With that, he prepared to carry her inside.
"Yan Zhao..." Xue Zi Ning jumped from his embrace.
"Ah Ning, let's go in," he said, taking her hand and pulling her along.
"Yan Zhao, those are your parents. I will wait for their approval."
Xue Zi Ning said softly.
Xue Jing Yun faltered, choosing to yield because they were his closest relatives.
"Ah Ning..."
She smiled and took his hand. "Yan Zhao, I hope our marriage is blessed by everyone."
"Ah Ning, I'm sorry..."
"Yan Zhao, why say that? You've done so much for me, and I want to do anything for you."
Inside the sleeping quarters, the King of Snow frowned. "It's almost time. I know you're not satisfied, but don't forget that while she is your daughter-in-law, she is also the ruler of this land."
The Queen of Snow scoffed, "Ruler of this land? This land should have belonged to Yun. If he hadn't willingly given it up, she would never have become the Emperor of Chang Ning."
The King of Snow sighed at her words. "Jing Yun is willing. He conquered the land, and it is his prerogative to give it to whomever he pleases."
"But I am not reconciled," she said. She could have been Empress Dowager, but now, not only had her position as Empress not been preserved, but it had also been demoted.
Queen of Snow? The thought made her angry.
"Enough. Someone, let His Majesty enter." The King of Snow decided not to heed the Queen of Snow's words any further.
The Queen of Snow looked at the young woman who walked in, with some surprise. After their first meeting years ago, her appearance seemed unchanged over the years.
"Father, Mother," Xue Jing Yun said blandly.
Xue Zi Ning followed, also saying, "Father, Mother."
"I cannot accept the title of Mother, Your Majesty," the Queen of Snow said sarcastically.
"Queen of Snow..." the King of Snow said coldly.
The Queen of Snow gritted her teeth and stood up. "I should pay my respects to His Majesty."
As she prepared to curtsy, Xue Zi Ning stepped forward and helped her, saying, "Mother, you flatter Ah Ning. Outside, we are ruler and subject, but within these walls, we are family."
Who is family with you? However, mindful of the King of Snow and her own son, the Queen of Snow dared not be too presumptuous.
"Jing Yun, take your father to the study," the King of Snow suddenly said.
Xue Jing Yun was reluctant to leave, knowing that if he left, his mother would surely trouble Ah Ning.
"Yan Zhao, you and Father must have things to discuss. Go!"
Xue Zi Ning said.
She looked at Xue Jing Yun's worried expression, and her heart warmed.
Xue Jing Yun did not leave immediately. Instead, he approached the Queen of Snow and said, "Mother, this is your son's wife. Please be understanding!"
The Queen of Snow laughed out of anger. Truly, he had married a wife and forgotten his mother.
Xue Jing Yun came before her and whispered, "Mother, whatever is said, do not pay it any mind. If you dislike it, refuse directly. Ah Ning does not need to compromise herself for me, no matter who it is."
After speaking, he tugged at her hand and left.
Leaving Xue Zi Ning standing there, a warmth she had never felt before filled her heart.
"Am I being too presumptuous in calling you Ah Ning?" the Queen of Snow asked.
"Mother, please call me Ah Ning," Xue Zi Ning replied.
The Queen of Snow looked at the young woman before her and suddenly smiled. "Ah Ning, Mother knows you are also filial. But you also know that Jing Yun will live with you in Chang Ning in the future. Snow City cannot be without an heir. Therefore, I was thinking that during your stay here, Jing Yun could leave an heir for Snow City, how about it?"
Xue Zi Ning's expression faltered slightly at her words. "Mother, this... is not very appropriate."
"There is nothing inappropriate about it," the Queen of Snow said.
"Mother, Yan Zhao said I am still young and should wait a few years before having children." She had mentioned it to Yan Zhao, but Yan Zhao said her body was not yet stable and it would be better to wait a few years.
She knew Yan Zhao was considering her well-being, and she had not refused.
She wanted to condition her body well to leave offspring for Yan Zhao and herself.
The Queen of Snow smiled faintly upon hearing this. "Ah Ning, you worry too much. You are indeed still young, so I have prepared several candidates. Perhaps you could help Jing Yun choose someone suitable?"
Xue Zi Ning's gaze darkened, and she looked up at the Queen of Snow coldly. "Mother, what do you mean by this?"
The Queen of Snow said, "To leave an heir for Snow City."
With that, she clapped her hands, and about five or six young women emerged from the inner chambers.