“A Ning, some things are not as simple as they seem, and some feelings cannot be pursued simply because you like them.”
Xue Zi Ning paused, looking up at Xue Jing Yun. He smiled faintly, “Do you find it difficult to understand?”
She shook her head, “I just feel that if there are feelings, why not take a step forward? Even if you fail, you won’t regret it?”
Xue Jing Yun, hearing this, looked into the distance and said, “Who knows? Perhaps one simply doesn’t want to step forward.”
“Yan Zhao, that’s so profound, I can’t quite understand.”
“If you don’t understand, then don’t listen.”
Xue Zi Ning nodded.
“A Ning…”
She heard Yan Zhao’s deep call in her ear.
Raising her eyes, she saw his clear, handsome face, “Yan Zhao, I am so fortunate to have met you…”
Because of him, she never had to worry about anything. No matter where she was or what happened, his figure was always behind her, just a turn of her head away.
“A Ning, don’t I deserve some reward?” His voice was deep and magnetic.
“No, people outside can hear,” Xue Zi Ning refused.
“A Ning, I’ll be gentle…”
When Xue Zi Ning woke up, the sky was already bright. She looked beside her and found the culprit who had caused all this was gone.
She angrily slammed the bed, knowing he had done it on purpose.
“Your Majesty, did you sleep well?” Xue Yan asked with a smile as she entered from outside.
Xue Zi Ning looked up at Xue Yan and said indignantly, “Does it look like I slept well?”
Xue Yan chuckled softly, “You look quite good.”
“Where is Yan Zhao?” Xue Zi Ning asked.
Xue Yan replied, “He should be training with Xue Song right now.”
“I want to go and see too.” Xue Zi Ning got out of bed. The quilt slipped down, revealing small red marks on her fair skin.
She quickly covered herself with the quilt, remembering how someone the night before had left marks on her body, calling them his seal.
Xue Yan saw it at a glance but only smiled, making Xue Zi Ning feel a little guilty. She put on a stern face and said, “Hurry and help me get ready.”
Xue Yan stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, if you continue at this pace, the little Crown Prince will be here soon.”
Xue Zi Ning blinked, the little Crown Prince? She instinctively touched her lower abdomen.
She had never thought about this issue before, but now, to be able to conceive a child with Yan Zhao, she was willing.
At this moment, she felt a sense of anticipation.
Seeing her lost in thought, Xue Yan continued, “His Highness is so handsome, and Your Majesty is also beautiful. I wonder what divine appearance the little Crown Prince will have.”
Thinking about it, she felt a sense of anticipation.
Xue Zi Ning smiled, “Xue Yan, you’re thinking too far ahead. I’ve only just gotten married.”
Xue Yan couldn’t help but tease, “Your Majesty, don’t try to fool me. Weren’t you and His Highness together after that incident?”
Xue Zi Ning’s face instantly flushed red. She said angrily, “Xue Yan, if you don’t speak, no one will think you’re mute!”
Xue Yan chuckled, “Your Majesty, don’t be shy…”
“Get out…” Xue Zi Ning said angrily.
Xue Yan walked out with a smile.
Xue Zi Ning watched Xue Yan leave and got out of bed. She went to the bronze mirror. Hearing Xue Yan’s words, she felt a sense of anticipation for a child with Yan Zhao.
Outside the tent, Xue Song was beaten black and blue. He couldn’t help but wail, “Your Highness, please spare Xue Song some dignity!”
Before he could finish speaking, Xue Song’s left cheek took another punch. He felt like crying, “Your Highness, didn’t we agree not to hit my face?”
“That’s what you said yourself; I never agreed,” Xue Jing Yun said faintly.
Xue Song was so angry he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
Seeing Xue Yan emerge, he cried out like he had found a savior, “Your Highness, Xue Yan is out. I’m going to accompany Xue Yan.”
Without waiting for Xue Jing Yun’s consent, he disappeared.
Xue Jing Yun looked around. Everyone was watching the spectacle. When he looked at them, they all dispersed.
Who didn’t know that the Crown Prince of Xue was far more skilled than ordinary people?
Xue Zi Ning walked out of the tent and saw Xue Jing Yun just after his morning training.
The morning light happened to fall on him, casting a golden glow.
His clear, handsome face was beaded with sweat, glistening in the light.
His eyes, as bright as stars, were exceptionally radiant at this moment.
She saw her reflection in his eyes. He spoke softly but dotingly, “A Ning…”
She walked forward, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He reached out and grabbed her hand, his slender fingers feeling hot against hers.
A tingling sensation seemed to spread from her fingertips to her palm.
She quickly withdrew her hand. Even though they had shared the most intimate of moments, she was still not used to such closeness.
“A Ning, you must have been tired last night…”
It was better not to mention it. Hearing his words, Xue Zi Ning’s face flushed red.
She pushed Yan Zhao away and left.
He smiled; his A Ning was shy.
After breakfast, Xue Zi Ning prepared to depart. There were still two days’ journey to the capital of Xue City.
As Xue Zi Ning was about to get into the carriage, she sensed a gaze. She turned around, but the gaze had disappeared.
“A Ning, what’s wrong?” Xue Jing Yun asked softly, sensing something was amiss.
“Wait a moment…” She didn’t get into the carriage but walked through the crowd towards someone who was about to escape.
“Miss Chu…” Xue Zi Ning called out to Chu Ling Er.
Chu Ling Er stopped, and after a pause, turned around and bowed, “Your Majesty…”
“You’ve arrived, why are you trying to run?” Xue Zi Ning asked.
Chu Ling Er’s body trembled, “Your Majesty, this commoner…”
Xue Zi Ning didn’t let her continue, stating directly, “If you want to know the outcome, if you still like him, then come with me…”
Chu Ling Er trembled all over and subconsciously looked up, seeing the clear and bright gaze of the young woman before her.
“This commoner…”
“If you don’t like him, then consider me meddling.”
With that, she turned to leave. She had done all she could.
“Your Majesty…” Chu Ling Er’s voice suddenly came from behind.
“This commoner… can I?”
Xue Zi Ning didn’t turn back. “I don’t know what the road ahead is like, but do you intend to remain dejected if you don’t find out? If you don’t like him, leave. If you do, go and pursue him. Is that so difficult?”
Chu Ling Er began to cry, “Your Majesty has a royal status, I have nothing. He…”
Would he choose her?
“How will you know if you don’t try? Even if you fail, you won’t have regrets.”
Xue Zi Ning walked away. After a long while, she still didn’t see Chu Ling Er follow.
Xue Jing Yun bid farewell to General Yuan and got into the carriage. He looked at Xue Zi Ning, who seemed dejected, and asked, “A Ning, are you angry?”
“No…”
“A Ning, don’t pay attention to other people’s affairs.”
She looked up at Xue Jing Yun and asked, “Don’t you care?”
Xue Jing Yun said faintly, “If he doesn’t pursue it, it’s no one else’s fault.”
She lowered her eyes and asked, “Is status that important?”
“It’s important to others, but not to me,” Xue Jing Yun said slowly.
Xue Zi Ning paused, then looked up and asked, “What if I were not the Empress right now?”