Xue Zining watched the young boy lower his proud head, submitting at her feet.
She exhaled softly and said indifferently, "I decree you to be the Prince of Leisure, to your fief in the northern frontier. You are not permitted to return to the capital without my imperial edict. Do you agree?"
The young boy's body stiffened. He slowly raised his head, a hint of disbelief appearing on his once clear and handsome face. "You... aren't you afraid I'll make a comeback?"
He saw a smile bloom on the young girl's beautiful face, her eyes as clear as water. She parted her ruby lips and said word by word, "Since I could defeat you this time, I will not lose the next."
The young boy looked at her for a long time, then finally lowered his head and submitted, "Your subject obeys!"
"Go, depart tomorrow," she said calmly, turning away.
The young boy stood up and, as he left, softly uttered two words, "Thank you."
Xue Zining turned back to watch the young boy's retreating back. This lifetime, she hoped he could forever be a docile Prince of Leisure. Otherwise, she clenched her fist, vowing she would no longer be merciful.
"Your Majesty, you are letting the tiger return to the mountain," Hua Yunjin said to her in a low voice, stepping forward.
"Perhaps!" the young girl replied softly. When she saw Xue Zining plead for Imperial Consort Chao, she had still felt a pang of mercy.
Hua Yunjin was slightly taken aback. Then, he heard the girl's voice in his ear, "Wouldn't it be rather boring without an opponent?"
Hua Yunjin looked up, watching the girl's smile bloom like a flower.
His heart pounded faster. He lowered his head. Even in these final moments, his heart still beat for her.
Oh heavens, grant him a little more time!
"Your Majesty, how shall we handle Master Yan?" Lord Yu stepped forward, asking the Empress.
Xue Zining's gaze paused. She looked up at Yan Zhao, who was leaning in the corner. He had his eyes lowered, and she couldn't see his expression, but she could sense that his injuries were not light.
After all, the sword Xue Wenjie had used to stab her must have been wielded with all his might.
What did it matter if he had blocked this sword for her? It couldn't change the fact that he was Xue Wenjie's man.
Perhaps it was a ploy?
"Imprison him in the great jail," she said coldly, turning away.
Lord Yu's eyes brightened. He bowed, saying, "Your subject obeys!"
"Wait..." Just as Lord Yu was leaving, the Empress called him back.
Lord Yu turned around and bowed, "Does Your Majesty have further instructions?"
"Send Imperial Physician Shen to the prison to treat him. I do not wish for him to die before his trial."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lord Yu departed.
Xue Zining looked at Feng Yu standing beside her and walked over, saying, "Feng Yu, you have worked hard."
Feng Yu trembled all over and bowed, "It is Feng Yin's unwavering duty to serve Your Majesty."
"Return to Feng Yin!" Xue Zining said. It was out of necessity before. She knew that the only one among her retainers who could match her was Feng Yin, but Feng Yin was bound by a vow that prevented him from harming royalty, thus he could not act freely.
That was why she had devised this plan, and why Feng Yu had stepped forward, willing to complete this task.
"Your Majesty, even if I am not Feng Yin, I can still protect you," Feng Yu said, looking up with firm eyes.
Xue Zining was startled as she looked at him. "Have you decided?"
Feng Yu nodded. "Your Majesty has no one to command. Feng Yin has too many restrictions. Feng Yu is willing to be the blade in Your Majesty's hand."
"Have you decided?" she asked again.
"Yes," Feng Yu knelt on one knee and said solemnly.
"If that is the case, the name Feng Yu is no longer suitable for you. How about Xue Yu?"
"Xue Yu obeys!" Xue Yu retreated.
Xue Zining looked up at the memorial tablets not far away and walked forward. Suddenly, she stopped and turned to look at Hua Yunjin beside her, a smile appearing. "Yunjin, come here."
Hua Yunjin was stunned, but he still walked forward. To his even greater surprise, the young girl took his hand and intertwined their fingers. The heart that had just calmed down began to race wildly again.
He did not wish to refuse. He followed the girl to the memorial tablets. The girl knelt on the ground and said, "You kneel too."
Hua Yunjin's gaze paused. Though he didn't understand, he still obeyed and knelt down.
The girl smiled as she looked at the memorial tablets, "Father Emperor, Mother Empress, Ah Ning has avenged you. Xue Wenjie has been brought to justice."
Hua Yunjin saw the girl turn to look at him, her clear eyes brilliant like the morning light, exceptionally radiant.
For a moment, his heart stopped beating.
"Father Emperor, Mother Empress, Ah Ning has brought..."
As Hua Yunjin heard the girl speak word by word, his heart ached intensely at that moment. He endured it, forcing himself to bear this moment.
Xue Zining felt warm liquid on her face, dripping down little by little. Through the crimson color, she saw Hua Yunjin collapse on the ground.
He looked at her with a smile, saying, "I'm sorry."
She heard people around her calling her name. Someone helped Hua Yunjin up, and someone wiped the blood from her face.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
Xue Zining regained her senses and asked, "Where is Hua Yunjin?"
Xue Yan was stunned and replied, "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister suddenly vomited blood and fainted. He has been sent to the side hall."
"Go call the Imperial Physician, call the Imperial Physician!" she yelled, pushing Xue Yan away.
Xue Yan was startled. She had never seen her like this before and quickly said, "Your servant will send someone immediately."
"Help me up," Xue Zining said.
Xue Yan stepped forward to help her, "Help me go see the Prime Minister."
"Your Majesty, please go slower," Xue Yan said, looking at the unsteady Empress with concern.
Seeing Hua Yunjin lying pale on the bed, Xue Zining's heart sank to the abyss.
"Your Majesty..." Imperial Physician Shen walked over.
"How is the Prime Minister?" Xue Zining asked anxiously, her hands clenched tightly within her sleeves.
Imperial Physician Shen bowed and replied, "The Prime Minister is at the end of his strength. He clearly had a few more months, but now, there is very little time left. Your servant is incompetent, please forgive Your Majesty."
Xue Zining's body stiffened, disbelieving. "How is that possible? Didn't you say he had a few months left?"
Imperial Physician Shen said, "Yes, but the Prime Minister must have taken some potent medicine, making his remaining time precarious."
Xue Zining's gaze turned cold, and she said coldly, "Feng Ying, Feng Jiu."
Feng Ying and Feng Jiu appeared before her, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty."
"Go investigate who the Prime Minister has met recently," the young girl said coldly, her clear eyes filled with chilling malice.
Feng Ying and Feng Jiu exchanged glances. The Empress was truly angered this time.
"You may withdraw!" the young girl said coldly.
Feng Ying and Feng Jiu withdrew.
"Xue Yan, you may withdraw too!" the young girl said coldly without even looking up.
At this moment, she was the only one in the room with Hua Yunjin on the bed.
She walked over and sat beside him, looking at his pale face, and said softly, "Yunjin, you promised me you would accompany me to see this desolate land. Now, I have fulfilled that promise. This land is now in my hands. What about your promise?"