"What is this Empress doing? Crown Prince, do you know you are already twenty-two this year?" the Empress emphasized.
Xue Jingyun said indifferently, "This son knows."
"You know? If you know, you should have given birth to imperial offspring for this Empress sooner, to solidify the Snow Country's empire." The Empress said, somewhat agitated.
"Mother Empress, this son is still in his prime, there is no hurry." Xue Jingyun said indifferently.
"No hurry? This Empress is in a hurry, the court ministers are in a hurry. Whether you agree or not, this Empress will summon all the young ladies in this booklet to the palace tomorrow. You must choose one."
Xue Jingyun looked up at the Empress and said coldly, "Mother Empress, don't waste your effort. This son will not go, nor will he choose."
"Crown Prince, you are the Crown Prince of Snow Country, the future Emperor of Snow Country. Your wilfulness will disappoint the ministers of the Snow Country's court."
"If that is the case, then let's change the Emperor!"
The Empress took a step back in disbelief, "You..."
The Empress looked at her child, her gaze cold, and spoke in a detached tone, "I will marry the Empress. We will live in the Barren Marsh. Snow Country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Before I leave, I will pass the position of Crown Prince to my elder brother, Xue Yuan Zhao."
The Empress nearly collapsed onto the ground, looking at him with heartache, "And then? You're never coming back?"
"Yes." Xue Jingyun said, then walked out.
"Xue Jingyun, do you not even want your Father Emperor and Mother Empress anymore?" the Empress shouted behind him.
Xue Jingyun's back paused, but he did not stop at all, and left.
"Your Highness, were you too cruel to the Empress?" Xue Song, who was following behind, couldn't help but ask.
"If this Prince does not do this, her idea can never be extinguished." Xue Jingyun looked into the distance and said indifferently.
Xue Song was slightly stunned, feeling an indescribable emotion. However, he had only one thing to consider: if the Empress treated His Highness poorly, he would be the first to object. The Crown Prince was now truly all alone.
He abandoned his family and his empire for the Empress.
The Heaven-Worship ceremony was drawing closer. Although Shen Yunxuan had escaped danger, he had not woken up. Xue Zining had asked Imperial Physician Li multiple times, but Imperial Physician Li also did not know why.
However, since the danger had passed, Xue Zining was at ease and began preparing for the Heaven-Worship ceremony.
She made foolproof preparations, as she could not guarantee that the person who had injured Shen Yunxuan would not cause trouble during the ceremony.
From the court officials who needed to appear at the ceremony, to the fact that she needed to travel by carriage through the prosperous streets of the capital and be worshipped by the people, to the arrangements for the temporary palace, every aspect needed to be perfect.
Wen Yuxi mobilized all the assassins from the Thousand Gold Tower to ensure the smooth completion of the Heaven-Worship ceremony.
If the enemy appeared, they could be quickly eliminated.
As for Xue Zining, she had Xue Yan protecting her openly, and secretly, she had Wen Nuan protecting her at all times.
Seeing Wen Yuxi's arrangements, Xue Zining said, "Very detailed."
Wen Yuxi shook his head, "There are still some omissions."
Xue Zining was silent for a moment, then said, "Yan Zhi..."
Wen Yuxi was startled, his gaze lowered, "Does Your Majesty have any instructions?"
"Call me A Ning. There's no one else around, and in the future, when we are alone, I will call you Yan Zhi." Xue Zining said.
Wen Yuxi's eyes flickered, and he smiled, "Alright, A Ning, do you have any additions?"
"I think such strict defenses, not giving them any opportunities, is perhaps not appropriate?"
Wen Yuxi was startled, "Does A Ning have any ideas?"
"If it were me, the Heaven-Worship ceremony would be the best place for an assassination."
Wen Yuxi was silent for a moment, "A Ning means to let them reveal themselves?"
Xue Zining nodded, "Yes. Instead of us searching like looking for a needle in a haystack, it's better to let them reveal themselves."
Wen Yuxi looked at her, "It will be very dangerous."
Xue Zining smiled, "If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch its cubs? Besides, I trust you, Yan Zhi."
Trusting you to protect me completely.
Upon hearing this, Wen Yuxi's lips curved slightly, and his eyes showed a hint of charm, adding a touch of bewitchment to his clear and handsome face, "Alright, with A Ning's words, I will definitely protect A Ning."
"Then we'll wait for the enemy to take the bait!" Xue Zining said.
"Secretary An, what are you doing here?" A voice suddenly came from behind An Ling.
An Ling trembled all over and turned to see it was Official Lian. She said, "I... I was just passing by."
Official Lian said, "The food for the Heaven-Worship ceremony still needs our attention."
"I'm going now." An Ling left.
Official Lian looked up at the Empress's sleeping quarters, then at An Ling's retreating back, lost in thought.
An Ling did not go to the imperial kitchen. Instead, she used her token and went to the largest Spring Rain Tower in the city, entering a secluded spot on the second floor.
Sitting in the room was Nangong Yue.
Nangong Yue saw it was An Ling and smiled, "Any news?"
An Ling bit her lower lip and asked, "Can you really save my brother?"
Nangong Yue said, "Don't we have to try regardless? Do you want your brother to stay in the Tingwei's prison for his entire life?"
An Ling was silent, then suddenly looked up, "Your goal has been achieved. Arrange for my brother, mother, and me to leave here."
Nangong Yue said, "You can rest assured about this. I will keep my word. When the time comes, I will arrange for you to go to a place no one knows, where no one can find you."
"Alright, the Empress will lure you out during the Heaven-Worship ceremony." An Ling said.
Nangong Yue heard this and said, "Indeed. Good, I understand."
An Ling turned to leave, but Nangong Yue suddenly said, "The medicine I gave you, have you given it to the Empress?"
An Ling was startled, "Do I have to give it?"
Nangong Yue said, "Yes."
"I understand." An Ling left.
"Come out!" Nangong Yue said.
A figure emerged from the shadows. Nangong Yue looked up and asked, "Shen Yun Xiu, what do you think?"
"Shen Yun Xuan was attacked, and the Empress doubled her precautions. It is correct to lure us out, it is within her expected reactions." Shen Yun Xiu said.
"Shen Yun Xiu, if you hadn't acted rashly, our subsequent actions would not have been hindered. Now that the Empress is on guard, how can we make a move?" Nangong Yue said in exasperation.
Shen Yun Xiu chuckled, "Since the Empress has increased her vigilance, then the possible place for assassination is on the way to the Heaven-Worship ceremony..."
Nangong Yue was startled and looked at Shen Yun Xiu, "You mean to make a move on the way?"
Shen Yun Xiu nodded, "Yes."
"No, there are so many people, how can we make a move?" Nangong Yue disagreed.
"The more people, the easier it is to make a move. If we fail, there are also opportunities to escape, aren't there?" Shen Yun Xiu said.
Nangong Yue thought for a moment, "Then what is your plan?"
Seeing Shen Yun Xiu remain silent, Nangong Yue said sarcastically, "You can't possibly just stop the carriage, right?"
Shen Yun Xiu smiled, "I quite agree with your statement."
"Shen Yun Xiu, you are not going to assassinate Her Majesty, you are asking me to go to my death." Nangong Yue said through gritted teeth.
"Nangong Yue, you don't necessarily have to stop the carriage yourself." Shen Yun Xiu smiled, with a hint of coldness.