The day of Princess An Ning's coming-of-age ceremony was fast approaching, and the princes and heirs apparent from various nations had all arrived as scheduled.
"Your Highness, we are nearing An Guo," Xue Feng's voice carried in from outside.
Xue Jingyun, who had been with his eyes closed, slowly opened them. In that instant, it was as if boundless brilliance erupted, stirring a splendid radiance that stole the colors from the world.
On his refined and handsome face, his expression was one of utmost calm and composure, yet the hand hidden within his sleeve was clenched tightly.
A Ning, is Princess An Ning truly you?
He asked himself this question over and over again in his heart.
He still remembered a time when A Ning had asked him if, one day, she were to disappear, he would recognize her at first glance.
At the time, he had answered with absolute certainty, yes.
But now, his heart was in a flutter of anxiety. He had set out with unwavering resolve, but at the journey's end, he found himself hesitating.
He feared that a mistake would disappoint A Ning.
"Your Highness..." Xue Yan's gentle voice emerged from the carriage.
He turned to look at Xue Yan and said, "You've had a difficult journey!"
Xue Yan shook her head, her gaze unwavering, "As long as I can see Your Highness, this servant is fulfilled!"
"Has he been causing trouble?" Xue Jingyun asked calmly.
Xue Yan understood that the Crown Prince was referring to the child within her womb. She shook her head, a hint of tender affection appearing on her lips, "Your Highness, please rest assured, he is very well-behaved."
Before their departure, Xue Yan discovered she was pregnant. Xue Song had advised her not to accompany him, but she had refused, resolutely following along.
She needed to know if that person was His Majesty; she needed to verify it herself.
Upon learning this, the Crown Prince had instructed her to travel with him in the same carriage. Along the way, she had not endured much torment.
Perhaps her child also sensed her desperate eagerness to see His Majesty, and thus refrained from causing her distress.
He was a good child.
Xue Feng, watching Xue Song ride behind them, felt a measure of comfort. After all, even though the wind stung his face, he was at least traveling in a carriage.
The carriage finally entered An Guo and arrived at the post station. The officials waiting there quickly stepped forward to greet them. Xue Guo was now a major power among the five nations, and with the addition of the vassal state of Han Guo, it could be considered the leading power. Furthermore, the future heir of Xue Guo was arriving, so they dared not show any disrespect.
The officials greeted them with utmost care, only to find that this Crown Prince of Xue Guo traveled quite simply. Apart from his three attendants, with everyone else, did he trust the public security of An Guo?
He dared not let down his guard, for An Guo was not currently peaceful. Many were seeking to take advantage of this situation to make An Guo an enemy of multiple nations.
The Emperor of An had also specifically instructed him to ensure the proper arrangements for the princes and heirs apparent from all nations.
"Your Highness, your chambers have been prepared. You must be weary from your journey, please enter and rest," the official said with great caution.
First, a woman in resplendent attire, with a beautiful face, alighted from the carriage. She stood to the side, lifted the carriage curtain, and a slender, jade-like hand emerged, followed by a corner of a robe.
A figure clad in moon-white brocade appeared, and a tall, slender form slowly stepped out.
Even officials who had witnessed grand occasions were stunned by this Crown Prince of Xue Guo.
Searching through all the poetry and literature in his mind, the official could only find a single line that could barely describe this Crown Prince of Xue Guo.
"On the road, a man like jade; in the world, a peerless son."
Every gesture and movement exuded peerless grace and an imposing nobility.
For a moment, it seemed all scenery had faded into mere backgrounds, with only this Crown Prince of Xue Guo, clad in white, remaining.
Upon seeing the exceptionally handsome Crown Prince of Xue Guo, the serving maids at the post station were already flustered and eager to attend to him.
It was rumored that this Crown Prince, having lost his beloved and broken his engagement with the Empress of Huangze, had not had a single concubine in his Eastern Palace.
He was fearfully self-disciplined.
The serving maids thought that if they could somehow ascend to the Crown Prince's bed, they might leap to a higher status.
However, they had not expected that this Crown Prince of Xue Guo was not at all intimidating; at most, he would ignore them. But the woman behind the Crown Prince of Xue Guo looked fierce, as if she could devour them alive.
Terrified, no one dared to step forward. After all, when faced with the choice between currying favor and preserving their lives, their lives took precedence.
Xue Song, seeing this, stepped forward and whispered, "You don't need to be like this. His Highness will not let them succeed. Remember, you have our child in your womb."
Xue Song was filled with worry, fearing that her anger might harm the child in her womb.
Xue Yan dismissed his concern, "Did you not see the way those women looked at the Crown Prince? They were like wolves pouncing. If I don't stop them, what if His Highness falls into a trap? His Majesty has not returned, and it is my responsibility to watch over His Majesty's harem."
Xue Song was amused by her words and whispered, "Do you think the Crown Prince is someone who easily falls into others' traps? Unless someone makes him willing to fall into a trap, and that person is your His Majesty, my foolish Yan'er."
Xue Yan shook her head, "Even so, it's not right. Preparedness is key; this is all I can do."
After speaking, she fell silent.
Xue Song paused for a moment and then softly said, "She said she would return, and she will definitely return."
Xue Yan looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, "Yes, I have always believed that His Majesty will return. No matter how long it takes, I will wait."
"Has Feng Wu been contacted yet?" Xue Song asked.
Xue Yan shook her head, "No, there has been no news, but I believe he is still alive." She had a feeling about it.
Suddenly, voices came from outside. Xue Yan turned and saw the person who walked in. Her gaze immediately turned to anger as she stared at that person, her eyes wide.
"Let me see who it is, oh, it's Xue Yan..." The person was none other than the current Empress of Huangze.
Six months prior, the Empress of Huangze had completed her enthronement ceremony, officially ascended the throne, granted a general amnesty, and changed the country's name to Chang'an.
She bid farewell to the past rule of Huangze.
Some had spread rumors that Xue Zining's succession was illegitimate, while Xue Chang'an was the true royal bloodline.
Now, Xue Chang'an was the new Empress of Huangze. After the Empress ascended the throne, the court underwent a major reshuffling. Grand Tutor Lin requested retirement and returned to his hometown, and Minister of Justice Yu also resigned.
Currently, only Grand Censor Li remained steadfast on his post.
"You still dare to show yourself here..." Xue Yan said through gritted teeth.
Xue Chang'an sneered, "Why should I not dare? What is there to fear?"
Xue Yan suddenly drew the sword from Xue Song's waist. At that very moment, a person descended beside Xue Chang'an and blocked in front of her.
Upon seeing this person, Xue Yan trembled with rage, "Xue Yu, you dare to show yourself? See if I don't punish you, this treacherous villain, on behalf of His Majesty."
Xue Yu's expression remained unchanged, "Xue Yan, you are no match for me."
"We'll only know after trying," Xue Yan said, preparing to lunge forward, but Xue Song grabbed her.
Xue Yan turned to Xue Song and angrily said, "Let go."
"Xue Yan, calm down," Xue Song said urgently.
"I cannot calm down. He killed Yin Shou, he killed Feng Ying. I cannot calm down..." Xue Yan roared.