Han Cheng
"Your Highness, there's movement from Han Hall," Han Wei reported to the Han King.
Upon hearing this, the Han King said, "Go immediately to investigate. Do not alert those people with what you find, and report it to me at once."
"Your subordinate understands."
Later, Han Wei returned with the news: a vast amount of gold had entered Han Hall.
The gold was sent from Mo Cheng.
Just as the Han King was at a loss, a palace servant announced, "Your Highness, someone wishes to see you!"
"Who wishes to see me?" the Han King asked.
The servant replied, "She asked if Your Highness remembers the first person who trespassed into Han Hall."
The Han King trembled. How could he not remember that person?
The one who had haunted his dreams, the one who had captured his heart.
"Let her in." The Han King rose and walked towards the entrance.
He saw a young woman wearing a veiled hat.
The Han King looked at her and asked, "You are..."
The young woman bowed and said, "This commoner is called Su Ru, and I am here to deliver a message for Miss A Ning."
The Han King was startled. He looked at the young woman, frowned, and asked, "Where are you from?"
Su Ru replied, "This commoner is from Mo Cheng."
The Han King narrowed his eyes and continued to ask, "Are you here for the gold in Han Hall?"
Su Ru nodded. "Indeed. Miss A Ning asked me to convey that Your Highness may disregard the arrival of the gold."
"I understand," the Han King nodded.
He did not know what the Empress intended to do, but it was surely something significant. He would follow the plan; he had no need to worry about anything else.
"Someone, please attend to Miss Su Ru," the Han King commanded. Someone stepped forward to escort Miss Su Ru away.
The Han King gazed into the distance. Mo Cheng?
"Han Xin," the Han King suddenly called out.
A Han guard descended. "Your Highness summoned this subordinate."
"Accompany me to Mo Cheng."
Han Xin was taken aback. "Your Highness, that is a place of exile." A barren, desolate place.
The Han King raised an eyebrow. "Do you not wish to go?"
"Your subordinate dare not!" He did not wish to go, but as a guard, it was his duty.
"Is A Ning in Mo Cheng?" The sudden voice startled the Han King. He looked up and saw the newcomer, frowning. "Why have you not left yet?"
"If I left, how would I know A Ning is in Mo Cheng?"
The Han King looked at the person before him. "Flower King, don't tell me you've been eavesdropping here the whole time?"
Hua Yun Jin did not deny it.
When A Ning disappeared, he received the news and sent people to search, but all their efforts were in vain. Later, he learned that Xue Jing Yun had arrived in Han Cheng, so he rushed to Han Cheng overnight, but he was still a step too late and missed them.
He had already decided to leave Han Cheng and search elsewhere. He had only come to bid farewell, but he did not expect to hear the news A Ning had brought to the Han King. Mo Cheng?
That place of extreme cold and hardship, a place of exile.
"Never mind, if you wish to go, then come along!" Even if he disagreed, he believed Hua Yun Jin would find a way to go.
In Mo Cheng, Han Xi Chen received the merchants who had come to buy gold.
He needed money now, a lot of money, as his soldiers were too costly.
The prefect of Mo Cheng supervised day and night, forcing the prisoners to gather the gold the merchants required.
At this moment, the prefect of Mo Cheng received news: Shen Yun Xuan was coming to Mo Cheng.
At night, Shen Yun Xiu was urgently summoned. Han Xi Chen looked at Shen Yun Xiu, a smile playing on his lips. "I wonder if Second Young Master Shen has any interest in becoming a favored person of the Empress?"
Shen Yun Xiu looked confused and asked, "This humble one is ignorant and does not understand Your Highness's meaning."
Han Xi Chen stepped forward, looked at him for a long time, and slowly said, "Shen Yun Xuan is coming to Mo Cheng."
Shen Yun Xiu trembled all over and looked up at Han Xi Chen. "Is this true?"
Han Xi Chen replied, "Why would I use such news to deceive Second Young Master Shen?"
"Shen Yun Xuan is meticulous and intelligent. Your Highness must be careful not to let him perceive anything."
"Therefore, I think it would be better if you replaced Shen Yun Xuan, wouldn't it?"
Shen Yun Xiu's gaze sharpened. "Your Highness, you wish for me to become Shen Yun Xuan?"
Han Xi Chen smiled, with a hint of sinister coldness. "If you become Shen Yun Xuan, it would be very helpful to my ambitions of conquest. Moreover, for him to come to a place like Mo Cheng, where the emperor's writ runs thin..."
"May I have some time to consider?" Shen Yun Xiu asked.
Han Xi Chen smiled. "Naturally."
After returning, Shen Yun Xiu examined the house thoroughly before daring to enter.
Xue Zi Ning asked, "Shen Yun Xiu, what are you doing?"
Shen Yun Xiu whispered, "Shen Yun Xuan is coming to Mo Cheng."
Xue Zi Ning was startled. "Why is he coming in person?"
Shen Yun Xiu shook his head. "This humble one does not know. It seems he read your letter."
Xue Zi Ning stood up and said, "His arrival is not timely."
Shen Yun Xiu whispered, "Han Xi Chen wants me to replace Shen Yun Xuan."
Xue Zi Ning trembled all over and looked up at Shen Yun Xiu. "Did you agree?"
"I said I would consider it."
"Agree to him," Xue Zi Ning said slowly after a moment of thought.
This time, it was Shen Yun Xiu's turn to be surprised. "Your Majesty, you..."
"Reply to Han Xi Chen like this," Xue Zi Ning instructed.
Shen Yun Xiu nodded. "Yes, I obey!"
Shen Yun Xiu left her room. Xue Zi Ning sat on the bed and suddenly looked towards a certain spot, scoffing, "Since you're here, why don't you come out?"
As the voice fell, a person emerged from the darkness.
He wore a moon-white brocade robe, looking travel-worn. His face was clear and handsome, though etched with a hint of fatigue and pallor. His eyes shone like the river of stars.
"A Ning..."
Xue Zi Ning stood up and looked at the person she had longed for day and night, now standing before her. She sighed and walked forward. "Yan Zhao..."
He embraced her tightly. During the time she was missing, he had thought of her every day and night, wondering if everything could have been avoided if he had been by her side.
He regretted, he blamed himself, but upon seeing her at this moment, he felt a sense of gratitude, grateful that she was still here.
Xue Zi Ning felt a dampness on her shoulder. They say a man does not shed tears easily, but that is only until they reach a point of profound sorrow.
"A Ning..." His voice was deep and hoarse, with a heavy tremor.
"A Ning, I am here, I am here..."
"A Ning..."
He carried her to the bedside and carefully placed her on the bed, propping himself up on either side. He asked softly, "A Ning, may I?"
The response was a soft, captivating kiss that sent him spiraling.
Outside the room, Xue Song, also travel-worn, shivered in the cold wind, his heart filled with bitterness. Why did he have to guard the door for His Highness and the Empress? He wanted to return to his room to embrace Xue Yan.
He did not want to be here, not at all.