"Your Majesty…"
"Xuesong, close the door." Xue Zining instructed Xuesong. Xuesong quickly walked over, closed the door, and stood guard outside.
With a thud, one of the two disheveled figures knelt on the ground.
"Your Majesty…" his voice was choked with emotion.
Xue Zining walked forward, helped him up, and whispered, "It's alright, I'm here."
He slowly raised his head and saw the girl's clear eyes, as bright as the morning sun, radiating everywhere.
Every bit of gloom in his heart was swept away.
"Feng Wu has failed Your Majesty's trust. Xue Yan, she…"
Xue Zining raised her head, looking into the distance, and softly said, "Xuesong told me. I believe she will return safely."
Feng Wu's gaze faltered. She looked up at Xuesong, who averted his face.
"Yes, Xue Yan will return," Feng Wu said, word by word.
Xue Zining nodded. She firmly believed Xue Yan would return.
"Your Majesty, why are you here?" Feng Wu asked.
Xue Zining recounted what happened next to Feng Wu and the others.
"A jewel?" Feng Wu frowned.
Xue Zining nodded, "I suspect it's something similar to the Divine Hall's treasure."
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's heart is currently with Xue Jingyuan," Feng Wu said, frowning.
"I know. Let him hold onto that heart for now." After all, she would get it back eventually.
"Your Majesty, this seventh prince is very suspicious," Feng Wu said.
"I know. He might also be here for this jewel."
Feng Wu was startled. "Your Majesty, you must be very careful."
"Alright, I know. You are tired too, go and rest!" Xue Zining said.
Feng Wu nodded and walked out with Xue Feng.
Outside the door, Feng Wu stopped Xuesong, who was in front, and said in a low voice, "You… you didn't tell Your Majesty that Xue Yan, she…"
Xuesong raised his eyes upon hearing this, his eyes filled with an unshakeable sadness. "Some sorrow is enough for me to bear alone. Why should I make another person bear pain?"
Feng Wu's gaze faltered. He knew that if the Empress knew there was no hope of Xue Yan surviving, she would be heartbroken.
The next day
Early in the morning, Xue Zining looked at the invitation in the palace maid's hand and involuntarily asked, "Are you sure this is for me?"
The palace maid nodded, "Yes."
Xue Zining looked at the invitation in her hand, an invitation from the daughter of the Minister of War.
She suddenly recalled that Prince Han mentioned yesterday that he once wanted to betroth the Minister of War's daughter to Prince Xi Xia as his princess, but Prince Xi Xia had refused.
Was this an opportunity to see her? Or did she have other intentions?
"Can I refuse?" Xue Zining asked.
The palace maid was startled. At that moment, a voice came from outside the door, "My prince's consort, if you don't want to go, then refuse. No one will question it."
Xue Zining looked up and saw Han Xi Xia walking in, dressed in a luxurious brocade robe. For the first time, he wasn't wearing the four-colored clothes that symbolized his status.
Seeing her looking at him, Han Xi Xia smiled and said, "How is it? This outfit of mine?"
"Your Highness, you are…"
Han Xi Xia said, "This prince knows that when you come to the Han kingdom, you will miss your homeland. So, I've decided to help you get used to every day here, starting with your attire and appearance."
Xue Zining was slightly taken aback. "Your Highness, you really didn't have to do this."
"My beloved consort, this prince wants to spoil her," Han Xi Xia said seriously, his bold features softened slightly.
Xue Zining turned her face away. Putting aside the cooperative relationship with Han Xi Xia, this person was truly good.
"If you don't want to go, then don't," Han Xi Xia said, looking at the invitation in her hand, as if to throw it away.
"Your Highness, what if I accidentally offend the Minister of War's daughter?"
Han Xi Xia was taken aback. He turned to look at the girl's dazzling, clear eyes and smiled, "What can be done? You are this prince's consort. Your status is undoubtedly noble. What is she? She can't compare."
"Since that's the case, I'll go. Your Highness has given me such noble status and power. Wouldn't it be a waste not to use it?"
The girl's eyes were exceptionally bright, dazzling and piercing.
Han Xi Xia felt his heart fill with brightness. He smiled, "Yes, with me behind you, you can do it with confidence."
The Minister of War's mansion was bustling with activity. It was the day of the capping ceremony for the youngest daughter of Minister An.
Although no imperial decree had been issued, Minister An had learned from the palace that the Emperor had once intended to betroth his youngest daughter to the Eighth Prince, but the Eighth Prince had refused the marriage. Not only that, but the Eighth Prince had brought back a woman as his consort.
Suddenly, Minister An became a laughingstock among his colleagues, and Miss An also became a topic of discussion.
If Miss An were ugly, it would be understandable. But she was the most beautiful woman in the Han kingdom, proficient in everything from music and chess to calligraphy and painting. Before the news of the imperial marriage came out, matchmakers' doors were almost broken down at the An residence. However, after the news of the Eighth Prince's refusal spread, matchmakers dared not come to the door, and even those who had previously proposed had quietly disappeared.
Minister An was furious. His youngest daughter had been his pride since childhood, her talent renowned throughout the Han kingdom.
However, due to a baseless rumor of a refused marriage, she had lost her best prospect.
Even though marrying into royalty was his hope, stepping down to find someone of equal standing would have been good. Now, who dared to propose?
Seeing that Ruyi was of age for her capping ceremony, yet no one was proposing, how could Minister An not be anxious?
"Father…"
Minister An turned and saw the graceful young girl standing outside his study. He sighed. What was wrong with Ruyi?
"Ruyi, you're here." Minister An walked forward, looking at Ruyi with a much gentler voice.
An Ruyi said, "Father, I have invited the Eighth Prince's consort to the mansion to celebrate my capping ceremony."
Minister An trembled and couldn't help but let out a low reprimand, "Ruyi, are you afraid this mansion doesn't have enough jokes?"
An Ruyi heard this but did not flinch. "Father, I heard the Eighth Prince's consort is just a rustic village woman. If so, what's wrong with me sparring with her?"
Minister An was startled. He frowned at An Ruyi, and after a moment, he sighed, "You decide for yourself. But, Father has something to tell you. Sometimes, being competitive might not get you what you want. You want the Eighth Prince's consort to be publicly humiliated, Father understands. Just be mindful of the limits, she is royalty after all."
An Ruyi nodded, "Don't worry, Father. I know."
Minister An looked at An Ruyi. He knew this daughter had never disappointed him. If this could let everyone know that the Eighth Prince's consort was just a village woman, it would also help salvage Ruyi's reputation.
Seeing that her father had agreed, An Ruyi did not linger. She returned to her room and saw that the person inside had not left. She stepped forward and bowed, "Your Highness, I have done as you instructed. Don't forget what you promised me after this is done."