Xue Song's body trembled, his grip loosening on the sword. Xue Yan seized the moment, wrenching free and rushing towards Xue Yu.
Seeing Xue Yan break free, Xue Song cried out in alarm, "Xue Yan..."
Xue Yu said coldly, "Overestimating yourself."
His long sword swung towards Xue Yan's shoulder. Xue Yan hadn't anticipated that in just one year, Xue Yu's martial prowess would become so refined. She was clearly no match for him, especially now that she was pregnant, her movements already sluggish.
Just as the sword was about to strike her shoulder, Xue Song's heart-wrenching cry echoed from behind. Suddenly, a streak of azure light flashed past Xue Yan's shoulder, landing precisely beneath Xue Yu's sword. With a *clink*, the jade pendant shattered and rolled from Xue Yan's shoulder onto the ground, its pieces making a clear sound.
Xue Yu paused, tilting his head to gaze at the room from which the jade pendant had flown.
Xue Song rushed forward, pulling Xue Yan close and asking urgently, "Are you alright?"
Xue Yan shook her head. "I'm fine."
The door to the room opened, revealing a figure clad in moon-white brocade. A slender figure slowly emerged.
The setting sun happened to fall upon the tall, slender figure as he walked out, bathing him in its afterglow. He seemed to radiate a dazzling aura, awe-inspiring.
Moreover, his face, possessing a refined and handsome beauty that defied description, only amplified this stunning presence.
Xue Chang'an looked up, her eyes widening in amazement as she beheld the man of unparalleled elegance walking towards her.
The young master of the Yan family in her previous life hadn't been this captivating. This life's Yan Zhao was so stunning that she found herself compelled to possess him.
"Yan Zhao..." Xue Chang'an spoke his name slowly.
However, the man, so magnificent in his bearing, looked at her with eyes as cold and clear as snow-white ice. "You are not worthy to speak that name."
Xue Chang'an frowned slightly. "Xue Jingyun..."
Xue Jingyun's expression, devoid of warmth and emotion, swept over her face and then settled on Xue Yan, softening considerably. He said gently, "Why injure yourself with someone so insignificant? A Ning would be heartbroken if she knew."
Xue Yan trembled, dropped her sword, and bowed. "Yes, Xue Yan knows her mistake!"
"Xue Song, help her back to her room," Xue Jingyun said calmly.
Xue Song helped Xue Yan away.
Xue Jingyun turned to leave. Xue Chang'an, unwilling to accept this, called out, "Why? Why her, and not me?"
Xue Jingyun left without looking back, the door now obscuring his figure and blocking her sight.
She remembered a year ago, when that solitary man had appeared before her and broken off their engagement.
She had asked the same question then: why her, and not me?
The answer had been his retreating back as he rode away.
And it was still the same now. Why, even though she was dead, could he not forget?
Chang Ning, you truly are Chang'an's nightmare.
Only by reducing you to ashes will your presence be eradicated from this lifetime.
Xue Chang'an clenched her fists. Chang Ning, I could make you die once, and I can make you die again.
"Xue Chang'an?"
Xue Chang'an started, turned, and saw the man behind her, also showing a flicker of surprise.
Slowly, she smiled. "Hua Yunjin..."
Hua Yunjin's expression grew increasingly cold, chillingly so. "Xue Chang'an, you've been reborn too..."
"Yes, for someone who crawled out of hell, are you surprised? Hua Yunjin?"
"Very surprised," Hua Yunjin replied coldly.
Xue Chang'an chuckled softly. "I didn't expect people from my past life to appear. I suppose the Hua Kingdom established now is your doing?"
Hua Yunjin sneered. "Yes."
"Crown Prince Hua, in this life, you still will not obtain Chang Ning."
Hua Yunjin's expression turned sharp. He gave a cold laugh. "So what?"
Xue Chang'an smiled thinly. "Nothing, I just find you pitiable."
"In my past life, I was threatened and deceived by you, which led me to do wrong by her. This time, you must not deceive me again."
"Hua Yunjin, it was your lack of resolve. I threatened you, yes, but if you hadn't been driven by greed, wouldn't you have harmed yourself and others?"
"Shut up... it was you, it was you! If it weren't for you, Chang Ning would have married me, and the Hua Kingdom would still exist. It's all because of you that everything was destroyed, causing these people to reincarnate lifetime after lifetime, and lovers to be forever separated..."
Hearing this, Xue Chang'an burst into laughter. "And what of it? In my past life, I loved you, but you loved Chang Ning. In this life, I don't love you, but the person I want to possess still loves her. What have I gained in this life and the last?"
Hua Yunjin's gaze gradually cleared. "Chang'an, this life and the last were forged by both of us. Shall we end it?"
"End it? Never. In my past life, you betrayed me, but I won't dwell on it, as it's a matter of the past. Your Hua family has borne my curse for generations. In this life, I distance myself from you, and you don't interfere in my affairs, or you'll face my wrath."
Hua Yunjin lowered his gaze. "Chang'an, why bother? Someone who doesn't love you will never love you."
"I won't believe that..." Xue Chang'an shook her head.
"Chang'an, take care of yourself. However, in this lifetime, I will not let you harm a single hair on Zi Ning's head."
Xue Chang'an heard this and let out a cold laugh. "Hua Yunjin, those words sound rather false. You seem to have harmed many as well."
Hua Yunjin looked into the distance. "The current me will make amends for past mistakes."
"Hua Yunjin, you have affection, and I have intentions. Shall we cooperate?"
Hua Yunjin sneered, looking at Xue Chang'an. "Don't even think about it. I won't be manipulated by you like in the past life."
With that, he left without looking back.
Is that so? Xue Chang'an chuckled softly, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes. She didn't believe it. As long as he had feelings for Chang Ning in his heart, he could not avoid being used by her.
The inn finally quieted down. The officials trembled, fearing that the Empress of Huangze and the Crown Prince of Hua might clash at any moment. He couldn't afford to be caught in the middle. Fortunately, although the atmosphere was tense, no physical confrontation occurred in the end.
Now, only Prince Xi Xia of Han and the First Prince of Xue had yet to arrive.
Dozens of miles outside the suburbs of An Kingdom, Prince Xi Xia smiled at Xue Yuanzhao before him. "General Yuan, no, Your Highness the First Prince of Xue, it's been a long time!"
Xue Yuanzhao cupped his hands. "Indeed, it has been a long time!"
Han Xi Xia said, "I still miss the days of facing off against you, General Yuan, in battle. It was exhilarating."
Xue Yuanzhao smiled. "That is true. Prince Xi Xia is a worthy opponent."
"The same to you!" Han Xi Xia replied.
"Please..." Xue Yuanzhao gestured.
"Together!" Han Xi Xia said humbly.
The two former fiercest enemies rode side by side. Han Xi Xia gazed into the distance. "I still miss the days of fighting alongside you."
Xue Yuanzhao reminisced about the past and nodded. "Indeed!"
"But it's better now. I never imagined that one day we could speak so calmly."
Xue Yuanzhao smiled. "Peace and prosperity for the nation, that is what we hope to see."
"Yes," Han Xi Xia nodded.
"Came for her?" Xue Yuanzhao asked slowly.
"I want to confirm," Han Xi Xia said faintly, gazing into the distance.
A slender figure was sketched in his mind.