"An Nüguan, did you not go to the Imperial Kitchen today?" Lady Lian asked An Ling in the room.
An Ling was startled and looked at Lady Lian, saying, "Lady Lian, what do you mean by that?"
Lady Lian stepped forward and looked at An Ling, saying, "An Nüguan, you must remember that the Empress saved you. Otherwise, you would be living a life worse than death in the Jiaofang Division, just like I was."
Upon hearing this, An Ling's gaze flickered. "I don't know what you mean, Lady Lian. I have always been grateful for His Majesty's saving grace, and I am trying my best to do what I can."
"Not betraying His Majesty is the only thing we can do for her."
An Ling shivered all over and turned to walk back to her room. "Lady Lian, I don't know what you think of me, but I remember His Majesty's life-saving grace."
Lady Lian watched An Nüguan leave, thinking to herself, *I hope so.*
The Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony finally arrived. Early in the morning, Xue Zi Ning was woken up by Xue Yan. Still drowsy, she was made to sit on a chair and had her head fussed over by Xue Yan and Official Li for a good while.
After about half an hour, Xue Yan helped her up, and the two of them spent another half an hour dressing her.
Finally, dressed and ready, it was time for the "journey tea."
"I'll go fetch the tea," Xue Yan said and walked out.
After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, the tea was brought over. Official Li took it and, seeing who was serving it, asked, "An Nüguan, why are you bringing the tea? Where is Xue Yan?"
An Ling took a deep breath and said, "Lord Xue Yan has some other matters, so she asked me to bring it."
Official Li picked up a silver needle and dipped it into the teacup. An Ling's heart leaped into her throat. Official Li took out the silver needle, and finding nothing unusual, handed it to Xue Zi Ning. "Your Majesty, please drink your tea."
Xue Zi Ning picked up the tea but did not drink it immediately. Instead, she looked at An Ling and asked, "An Nüguan, you seem a bit uneasy. Is something the matter?"
An Ling shivered all over, forced a smile, and said, "This subject is fine. Thank you for Your Majesty's concern."
Xue Zi Ning picked up the teacup and took a sip, then set it down.
Official Li stepped forward to help Xue Zi Ning up. "Your Majesty, I will escort you out of the palace."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Very well. The palace affairs are left to you. If anything arises, consult the Imperial Guards directly. I will leave five thousand men for your disposal."
Official Li nodded. "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will not fail in my trust."
Xue Zi Ning glanced at An Ling and said, "An Nüguan, you will accompany me."
An Ling lowered her eyes. "Yes, your subject obeys."
After leaving the palace, Xue Zi Ning boarded the carriage befitting her status.
Along the way, the people offered their salutations.
Xue Zi Ning looked at the scene, knowing that what she had to protect was not just the desolate wasteland, but the entire realm. She would not allow anyone to shatter this peace.
As they reached the most prosperous street in the capital, Changning Street, the crowds of people waiting to offer their respects grew thicker on both sides. Soldiers lined the sides to prevent people from straying onto the road.
Suddenly, a little girl was jostled into the middle of the road, crying loudly. The commoners, who had already knelt, all lifted their heads to look at the little girl.
The girl's parents were sweating profusely, but the soldiers in front would not let them reach the middle of the road.
The little girl sat on the ground, crying.
Xue Yan, who was nearby, stepped forward and crouched down. "Little sister, don't cry. Shall I take you to your parents?"
The little girl ignored Xue Yan and cried even harder.
Xue Yan stepped forward to pick up the little girl, who flinched and retreated in fear.
"Xue Yan, let me!" Xue Zi Ning suddenly said from inside the carriage.
"Your Majesty..." Xue Yan turned to look at her and shook her head.
Xue Zi Ning stepped out of the carriage. Her bright yellow dragon robe shone dazzlingly in the sunlight, her skirt trailing on the ground, swaying gently.
The pattern on her chest was of soaring dragons and dancing phoenixes, with golden threads for the dragon and silver threads for the phoenix. A gem in the center served as their eyes, lifelike, as if a true dragon and phoenix were emerging from the earth.
She wore a crown on her head, with twelve strands of pearls obscuring her face.
Yet, her profile still revealed her peerlessly beautiful and refined countenance.
Unrivaled, noble, and majestic.
This was the Empress.
Ruling the world, invincible.
Xue Zi Ning walked to the little girl and extended her hand, saying softly, "Little sister, tell me, where are your parents?"
The little girl miraculously stopped crying and pointed to a woman frantically trying to get closer in the distance. "Over there."
"Come, take my hand, and I will take you there," Xue Zi Ning said.
The little girl nodded and placed her hand in Xue Zi Ning's. Xue Zi Ning held the little girl's hand and walked towards where the girl had pointed.
Seeing this, the little girl's parents stopped struggling and knelt on the ground.
Xue Zi Ning handed the little girl back to her parents. "Take good care of her. Children are mischievous."
The little girl's parents kowtowed excitedly. "Thank Your Majesty, thank Your Majesty."
"Sister..." the little girl suddenly said.
Xue Zi Ning turned back. The little girl giggled. "Sister, you are so beautiful, like a celestial maiden descending to earth."
Xue Zi Ning smiled too and waved, then got back into the carriage.
The carriage continued its journey, and the people offered their salutations with even more fervor. "Your Majesty, you were reckless," Xue Yan whispered from the side.
"Send someone to investigate the little girl's family." *Was it really that easy?* Xue Zi Ning found it incredible.
Xue Yan nodded. "Yes, your servant will investigate immediately."
They reached the temporary palace without anyone attempting an assassination.
At the temporary palace, Wen Yu Xi had also arrived. Xue Zi Ning said, "Are we perhaps thinking too much?"
Wen Yu Xi shook her head. "No. Ning'er, pay close attention during the Heavenly Sacrifice the day after tomorrow."
"Yan Zhi, you think they will make a move on the day of the sacrifice?"
Wen Yu Xi nodded. "We cannot rule it out. It's best to be cautious."
Xue Zi Ning nodded.
Suddenly, the door was blown open by the wind. It was autumn, and although the wind was not biting, it was chilly.
Xue Zi Ning felt the autumn breeze against her face, making her a little cold. Wen Yu Xi closed the door and said, "Ning'er, wear more clothes. Autumn nights are colder."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. Wen Yu Xi walked closer, and for some reason, she could smell a faint scent of sandalwood from him.
The closer he got, the stronger the scent became.
"Move away from me a little..." Xue Zi Ning suddenly said.
Wen Yu Xi paused, then looked up and saw the girl's flushed face. He couldn't help but chuckle. "Ning'er, what's wrong?"
Instead of backing away, he leaned closer to touch her forehead.
Although it felt a little warm, she wasn't feverish.
Just as Wen Yu Xi was about to withdraw his hand, a soft hand suddenly clasped his.
He froze, then looked up into the girl's clear but somewhat hazy eyes. He frowned. "Ning'er, what's wrong?"
Xue Zi Ning blinked, as if regaining her senses. Seeing that she was tightly holding Wen Yu Xi's hand, she quickly withdrew her own, explaining, "Why is your hand so cold?"
Wen Yu Xi's eyes flickered. "Ning'er, you're acting strangely." Saying this, he took Xue Zi Ning's hand and began to feel her pulse. There was nothing unusual.