The voice, though faint, carried an exceptionally cold tone.
The five beauties shivered upon hearing it.
"How about I give you an exit?" Xue Zining leaned down, speaking indifferently.
The five beauties chorused, "Thank Your Majesty."
The Snow King returned to his palace and saw the Snow Queen, who was beaming with unparalleled pride, as if caressed by a spring breeze. For some inexplicable reason, he felt an unease within him and couldn't help but ask, "Have you met the Empress?"
The Snow Queen nodded. "I have."
"Why are you so happy? I remember you seemed rather displeased with the Empress." The Snow King grew increasingly puzzled.
The Snow Queen snorted, "She was quite well-behaved today."
"What? What did you do?" the Snow King inquired.
The Snow Queen replied, "Nothing much. Just an elder showing concern for a junior."
"You? I don't believe it." The Snow King could never believe the Snow Queen would be pleased with the Empress; it would be a miracle if she didn't cause trouble.
The Snow Queen sneered, "Believe it or not. Regardless, she didn't embarrass me, so I'm willing to give her face."
Just then, someone called from outside, "An imperial decree has arrived!"
The Snow King froze, looking at the Snow Queen, who was also startled.
A woman walked in, whom the Snow Queen recognized as Xue Yan, the Empress's attendant.
Xue Yan, with a smile, said, "Your maid greets the Snow King and the Snow Queen."
The Snow King asked, "Xue Yan, what is the meaning of this from His Majesty?"
Xue Yan smiled and replied, "His Majesty is grateful for the Snow Queen's care of the Empress. His Majesty has prepared a generous gift for the Snow Queen and the Snow King."
The Snow Queen, upon hearing this, asked, "A generous gift? What generous gift?"
Xue Yan smiled even more brightly, clapped her hands, and soon five beauties entered from outside.
The Snow Queen's eyes widened in disbelief, and she almost spat out blood. Weren't these the very women she had just sent away?
The Snow King, not understanding, asked, "Xue Yan, what does His Majesty mean by this?"
Xue Yan sneered, "Our Majesty said that what an elder bestows, a junior dares not refuse, so His Majesty accepted."
The Snow King quickly understood and looked at the Snow Queen with cold eyes. "Is this the gift you gave to His Majesty and Jingyun?"
The Snow Queen was enraged and turned to Xue Yan, saying, "Since it was bestowed, a junior dares not refuse, then what does she mean by returning them?"
Xue Yan sneered, "You bestowed them upon His Majesty before, and His Majesty accepted. An elder bestows, and a junior accepts. But now His Majesty is the esteemed Changning Empress. Does the Snow King and the Snow Queen refuse?"
"Refuse what?" the Snow Queen raged.
Xue Yan mocked, "Snow Queen, do not forget that refusal is an act of deceiving the sovereign."
The Snow Queen was stunned.
The Snow King looked at the Snow Queen coldly and said with suppressed anger, "This is the great deed you've done."
The Snow Queen gritted her teeth. How could she have imagined that Xue Zining would use her imperial status to oppress her?
"This subject accepts the decree!" The Snow King knelt on the ground.
The Snow Queen trembled, "Snow King, you..."
The Snow King didn't even look at the Snow Queen, took the imperial decree, and then said to the five beauties, "Serve me tonight."
With that, the Snow King left in a furious rage.
The five beauties glanced at the Snow Queen and followed the Snow King away.
Xue Yan left with a cold smile.
The Snow Queen, in her fury, swept everything off the table onto the ground, wishing she could hurl everything in the palace out.
Xue Yan returned to report, excitedly saying, "Your Majesty, the Snow Queen's expression of utter rage, as if she could devour people, was priceless."
Xue Zining heard this and said, "The Snow King really took all five beauties away."
Xue Yan nodded, "Absolutely true."
Xue Zining stated, "This time, the Snow Queen should have no mood to meddle in the affairs between me and Yan Zhao."
A little later, Xue Zining went back and mentioned this to Xue Jingyun. Xue Jingyun smiled and called her petty.
The next day, Xue Zining had breakfast in her palace.
For lunch, Xue Zining and Xue Jingyun were invited to a banquet by the Snow King.
When Xue Zining saw the Snow Queen's haggard and exhausted appearance, she could hardly believe this was the same imperious Snow Queen from yesterday when she bestowed the five beauties.
In just one day, the difference was immense.
In contrast, the Snow King looked exceptionally pleased with himself.
Clearly, the five beauties had greatly pleased him.
"Your Majesty, I apologize for yesterday's events. Please forgive us. I have issued a stern warning, and yesterday's incident will not happen again," the Snow King spoke first.
"Father, you are too kind. Ning appreciates Mother's goodwill," Xue Zining said indifferently.
The Snow Queen gritted her teeth and said nothing, as the Snow King had warned her not to speak.
"Jingyun, after the meal, you will accompany your father to the study," the Snow King said.
After the meal, Xue Jingyun followed the Snow King to the study.
At this point, only Xue Zining and the Snow Queen remained.
The Snow Queen endured for a long time, but she could no longer hold back. "Your Majesty has good methods."
Hearing the Snow Queen's sarcastic words, Xue Zining smiled. "Mother, please don't say that. Ning has no methods; it's just a matter of returning the favor."
What a return of favor; the Snow Queen gritted her teeth, making a grinding sound.
However, she dared not say anything else, as the Snow King had warned her.
"Your Majesty, if you don't want them, that's fine. However, it is important for Your Majesty to give birth to an imperial heir as soon as possible. After all, with a Crown Prince, the court can be stabilized."
"Court stability cannot be solved by just an imperial heir. Mother need not worry so much. If there's nothing else, Ning will take her leave." With that, Xue Zining bowed and left.
The Snow Queen was so angry she almost spat out blood.
She was truly annoying.
However, Xue Zining did take the Snow Queen's words to heart. Upon returning to Changning, she would consult Qingyi about her health. If it was possible to give birth to an imperial heir soon, it wouldn't be impossible; this would silence the gossip.
In the study.
The Snow King looked at the successor he was most satisfied with and sighed, "Have you decided?"
Xue Jingyun nodded. "Yes."
"Very well. You have always been resolute since childhood. Once you make a decision, no one can refute it. Since that is the case, Father will not try to dissuade you."
"Thank you, Father." Xue Jingyun bowed.
"Why be so polite?" The Snow King stepped forward and patted his shoulder.
Xue Jingyun's gaze deepened. "From now on, I will no longer be able to fulfill my filial duties by your side. Please take care of yourselves, Father and Mother."
"Don't worry, Father is in good health and will be able to see your children born," the Snow King said with a hearty laugh.
Xue Jingyun did not respond, only saying, "It is as fate decrees."
Returning to the palace, Xue Zining looked at him and said, "Yan Zhao, shall we have a child?"
Xue Jingyun's gaze paused slightly. He reached out and stroked her head. "A Ning, you are still young. Let's wait a few more years."
She shook her head. "I am not young anymore. I will be seventeen after my birthday."
"Still young, let's nurture your health a bit more," Xue Jingyun said slowly.
Xue Zining knew that Yan Zhao was doing this for her own good, especially remembering the day Xue Yan gave birth.
He was afraid she might suffer the same fate, which was why he was hesitant.