"Who is there?" Xue Chang'an's sword flew out, and the sound of the sword piercing flesh was heard.
Xue Yu stepped forward and pulled a person out from behind. When this person raised their head, Xue Yu's hand trembled.
Upon seeing this person, Xue Chang'an let out a cold laugh, "Oh, isn't this the beloved Lord Yun Lan of the regent who once held sway over all? What is Princess Yun Lan doing hiding here? Eavesdropping?"
Xue Yun Lan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, it's a misunderstanding. I was merely passing by."
Upon hearing this, Xue Chang'an leaned down. Still mounted, she was a head taller than Xue Yun Lan. A sinister smile played on her lips as she said, "A clumsy excuse like that, Princess Yun Lan, is all you could come up with?"
Xue Yun Lan subconsciously took a step back and said, "Whether you believe me or not, that is the truth."
Xue Chang'an straightened up and said coldly, "Xue Yu, he's yours."
Xue Yu was startled, then lowered his gaze. After a long while, he said, "Yes."
Xue Yun Lan looked at Xue Yu and retreated several steps. "You want to kill me?"
Xue Yu raised his head, his sword already in hand. His face was devoid of emotion, as calm as a placid lake.
"You shouldn't have been here," Xue Yu said word by word.
Xue Yun Lan gritted her teeth. She hadn't wanted to be here either, but she had overheard something important. Thinking of that young girl, she felt a pang of unwillingness. She still owed that girl a favor and wanted to tell her that everything was a lie.
That her sincerity was false, that it was all to take her life.
However, she didn't know if she could escape today. She raised her head and looked at Xue Yu, saying, "Xue Yu, you've already killed me once, do you want to do it a second time?"
Xue Yu's gaze flickered slightly. Xue Yun Lan caressed her abdomen and sighed, "It's a pity our child is gone. Otherwise, she would be calling you Father now, wouldn't she?"
Xue Yu's hand holding the sword twitched.
Xue Yun Lan stepped forward, coming before him. She closed her eyes. "Come, let me join our child."
After waiting for a long time and seeing no movement from Xue Yu, she opened her eyes to see Xue Yu riding away on his horse.
Xue Yun Lan's eyes glinted. She lowered her gaze and turned to leave, but suddenly, a sword pierced her chest. Blood began to flow. She turned around to look at the person behind her.
Xue Chang'an sneered, "I knew he wouldn't be able to do it, so I'll finish it for her."
"You..." Xue Yun Lan fell backward.
Xue Chang'an withdrew her hand and left.
Xue Yun Lan gazed at the sky, blood trickling from the corners of her mouth. Was she truly going to die? It was so unfair, so unfair...
"Princess Yun Lan..."
She slowly turned her head. Someone was squatting beside her.
She moved her lips and tilted her head. "Do you want to save her?"
The man asked the woman squatting beside Xue Yun Lan. The woman reached out her hand and said, "She still has a pulse. Save her."
"But, she..."
"Saving her is important. We can discuss other matters later." The woman stepped forward to help Xue Yun Lan up.
The man sighed and could only help Xue Yun Lan up and they left.
Emperor An looked at An Ning, who had become much thinner, and said with heartache, "My little An Ning, don't be afraid. With your father here, no one will bully you again."
An Ru also chimed in from the side, "You don't know how worried your father was during your disappearance."
An Ning looked at Emperor An, who was also thinner, and said guiltily, "I've made Father worry."
Emperor An shook his head, "As long as my little An Ning is safe and sound, I am content."
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince of Xue Country requests an audience!" a guard reported.
"No!" Emperor An said irritably.
"Father, that's not quite right. After all, we are on their territory," An Ru said.
"Father, Second Imperial Sister is right. You should still meet the Crown Prince of Xue Country," An Ning said. She couldn't refuse the audience just because she didn't want to, especially since they were in Xue Country. Moreover, the Crown Prince of Xue Country was already showing great respect to their small nation, Anguo. One shouldn't be ungrateful.
Emperor An knew that the Crown Prince of Xue Country's respect for him was entirely due to An Ning. If he offended Xue Country, it would be easy for them to destroy Anguo.
"Alright, Father will be back soon." Emperor An stroked An Ning's hair and left.
Seeing her father leave, An Ru stepped forward, took An Ning's hand, and whispered, choking back tears, "An Ning, I'm sorry. If it weren't for saving me, you wouldn't have had to endure such hardship for so long. It's all my fault, I..."
"Second Imperial Sister, if I had been the one to disappear, what would you have done?"
An Ru was startled. She looked up and then, with firm resolve, said, "I would have kept searching until I found you."
An Ning smiled. "Second Imperial Sister, can you understand how I felt then? If you can keep searching, why can't I?"
An Ru shook her head. "You..."
"Second Imperial Sister, please don't blame yourself anymore. It's enough that we are both safe and sound now."
In the East Palace study, Emperor An's expression was grim. "The Crown Prince wishes to marry my little princess. Isn't that a bit hasty?"
"Emperor An, this is what I have always hoped for. It is not hasty. This is my betrothal gift," Xue Jingyun presented a list to Emperor An.
Although Emperor An was reluctant, he still accepted it. He glanced at it and was already astonished.
Besides the indispensable gold, silver, jewelry, and shops, there was even a city named after An Ning. The combined value of these items could build a nation.
"Your Highness, are these indeed betrothal gifts for An Ning?"
Xue Jingyun nodded, his dark eyes showing no hesitation as he solemnly stated, "Yes."
"This... this seems a bit excessive..." Even though Emperor An was displeased that the Crown Prince of Xue Country was taking away his little An Ning, the betrothal gifts clearly showed the Crown Prince's genuine affection for his little An Ning.
Emperor An's expression softened considerably, no longer as cold as before. He said, "The Crown Prince of Xue Country is exceptionally talented, and he is indeed a perfect match for my little An Ning. However, regardless, An Ning must also agree. I have reluctantly passed this hurdle."
The envoy behind Emperor An felt that His Majesty was being rather boastful. Anyone would be overjoyed to receive such betrothal gifts!
Xue Jingyun's expression remained unchanged, as if this was to be expected.
"Thank you, Emperor An!" He bowed respectfully.
Emperor An was taken aback, and so was the envoy. Given the Crown Prince of Xue Country's status, this bow was exceedingly significant.
Not to mention that Xue Country was currently one of the five great powers, the Crown Prince himself was renowned throughout the land. Yet, he was so respectful to Emperor An, which was truly unexpected.
Emperor An felt a sense of joy. Who wouldn't want their daughter to be highly valued by her suitor?
"I heard that the Emperor and Empress of Xue Country seem to disapprove of this marriage?" Emperor An suddenly asked.
The envoy rubbed his forehead. As long as the Crown Prince agreed, that was sufficient. Xue Country was now led by the Crown Prince.
"My father and mother did indeed disagree at first. However, they did not know of An Ning's identity then. Now, they are extremely fond of her," Xue Jingyun replied.