“Nangong Yue, you are guilty of heinous crimes. I pretended to go along with you to understand your objectives.”
Blood spurted from Nangong Yue’s mouth as she laughed.
She could never have imagined that her grand ambition would be thwarted by her own people.
Was she laughing at her own foolishness, or something else…
She didn’t know. Looking at Shen Yun Xiu, she gathered all her remaining strength and whispered, “You…”
Shen Yun Xiu secretly flicked something from his sleeve, striking Nangong Yue. She could no longer speak.
Shen Yun Xiu, Nangong Yue will await you in hell…
Shen Yun Xiu knelt and kowtowed, “Your subject knew of Nangong Yue’s plan but was late to assist His Majesty. I beg Your Majesty’s punishment.”
“You saved me and everyone here. I will reward you,” Xue Zi Ning said.
“Your Majesty, this subject desires no reward. I only wish… to enter your harem…”
Xue Zi Ning’s gaze paused for a moment as she looked up at Shen Yun Xiu.
Suddenly, the heat suppressed within her body surged through her once more.
She bit her lower lip fiercely.
“Your Majesty, this subject knows the potency of Three Days Spring. If Your Majesty does not mind, this subject is willing to be your antidote,” Shen Yun Xiu stepped forward and helped up Xue Zi Ning, who had collapsed on the ground.
“You… move aside…” Xue Zi Ning managed to utter the words with great effort, her voice so soft that only Shen Yun Xiu before her could hear.
Shen Yun Xiu did not move aside. Instead, he picked her up.
Xue Zi Ning struggled, but to outsiders, it looked like compliance.
The path was clear. Shen Yun Xiu carried her to a waiting carriage outside.
He placed her on the carriage. Xue Zi Ning struggled to get out, but Shen Yun Xiu blocked the doorway.
“Shen… Shen Yun Xiu, I order you… move aside…” Xue Zi Ning bit her lip, regaining clarity for a moment.
“Your Majesty, your poison will be life-threatening if not treated. This subject is willing to be your antidote,” Shen Yun Xiu said as he began to unfasten his robe.
Xue Zi Ning bit her lip tightly, blood trickling into her mouth. Her only thought was, Yan Zhao, hurry, I can’t hold on any longer.
Shen Yun Xiu began to unfasten Xue Zi Ning’s dragon robe. Xue Zi Ning suddenly kicked out.
This kick contained all her accumulated strength.
Shen Yun Xiu was thrown out of the carriage. His gaze darkened, a hint of gloom creeping in.
He hadn't expected such resistance from Xue Zi Ning. But after planning for so long, how could he let it fail?
By detoxifying the Empress, he would naturally enter her harem and then, step by step, ascend to that position.
He got up and walked towards the carriage, lifting the curtain. At that moment, a fierce gust of cold wind blew him back, sending him crashing against the wall. The pain rendered him unconscious.
Lifting the curtain again, he saw Xue Zi Ning inside, her face flushed, as delicate as a blooming flower.
Xue Zi Ning sensed someone approaching and was gently lifted. “Yan Zhao, is that you?”
“Ah Ning, I’m late. I’ll take you for treatment now.”
Xue Zi Ning recognized the crisp voice belonging to Yan Zhao.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaned in, and said, “You are my antidote, Yan Zhao…”
Then, she accurately aimed for his lips and kissed him.
In a haze, she heard his hoarse voice, “Ah Ning, are you willing?”
She nodded and said word by word, “Only with you, Yan Zhao, am I willing.”
She heard his passionate voice in her ear.
It was a repeated calling of Ah Ning.
She heard his low, hoarse voice whisper in her ear, “Ah Ning, I love you…”
“Yan Zhao, I love you too…”
Xue Zi Ning woke up when the sky was already bright. She quickly turned to feel the space beside her; it was empty.
She got out of bed, only to have her legs go weak. A hand circled her waist. “Ah Ning, you haven’t rested enough.”
She turned to look at the clear, handsome face radiating with brilliance, and felt a surge of anger.
“You have the nerve to say that?”
Xue Jing Yun chuckled softly, “Ah Ning, are you blaming me? But last night, it was Ah Ning who held me…”
“Stop talking,” Xue Zi Ning blushed and covered her ears, refusing to listen.
Xue Jing Yun picked her up and placed her on the bed. “Ah Ning, the ground is cold. Qing Yi said that although the poison you took has been resolved, your body is still weak and needs good rest.”
Xue Zi Ning did not refuse. She pulled the covers over herself and said in annoyance, “You handle court affairs these few days. I need to rest.”
Xue Jing Yun said dotingly, “Alright, Ah Ning rest well. I’ll go handle the court affairs now.”
As soon as she heard his footsteps leave, Xue Zi Ning pushed aside the covers and breathed a sigh of relief.
Although she had been poisoned yesterday, her mind had been perfectly clear about what she and Xue Jing Yun had done.
The door was pushed open, and Xue Yan walked in. Xue Zi Ning saw Xue Yan’s long face, appearing very displeased.
Xue Zi Ning felt a pang of guilt and said, “Xue Yan, you’re here.”
Xue Yan glanced at her, pouted, and said, “His Majesty doesn’t need Xue Yan. Xue Yan will leave shortly.”
“Xue Yan, I didn’t say I didn’t need you,” Xue Zi Ning quickly explained.
Upon hearing this, Xue Yan sat on the ground and choked out, “But you didn’t tell me you made such a dangerous decision! If… if Nangong Yue had really harmed you, I… I…”
Xue Zi Ning sighed and said, “Xue Yan, if my act hadn’t been convincing, how would Nangong Yue have fallen for it?”
“But you shouldn’t have sacrificed your body!” Xue Yan retorted angrily.
“See, I’m fine now, aren’t I? Alright, I’m really fine,” Xue Zi Ning said.
Xue Yan sniffled and said, “Your Majesty, from now on, I must know every decision you make.”
Xue Zi Ning could only nod, “Okay, I promise. Is that acceptable?”
Xue Yan nodded, “That’s more like it.”
“An Ling, she…”
Xue Yan heard this and said, “Your Majesty, why mention that ungrateful person? I truly wish I could split her with one sword blow.”
“Xue Yan, An Ling was also forced. In the end, she still delayed the time for me,” Xue Zi Ning said.
Xue Yan shook her head, “Your Majesty, you are simply too soft-hearted.”
Xue Zi Ning took a slip of paper from under the pillow and handed it to Xue Yan. “This is what she gave me.”
Xue Yan took it and read, “Nangong Yue is Auntie Yue.”
“Your Majesty, when did An Ling give this to you?”
Xue Zi Ning said, “When I was getting dressed.”
Xue Yan fell silent upon hearing this. “Fortunately, she had a change of heart in the end.”
“Please have an imperial physician treat Old Madam An,” Xue Zi Ning instructed.
Xue Yan nodded, “I’ll go arrange it now.”
Xue Zi Ning lay on the bed and after a long moment said, “Since you’re here, don’t hide.”
Wen Yu Xi emerged from the shadows. “Ah Ning…”
“Say what you have to say!” Xue Zi Ning said.
“Shen Yun Xuan has woken up,” Wen Yu Xi said after a long pause.
Xue Zi Ning was startled. She got out of bed, casually throwing on a cloak, and said, “Take me there quickly.”
Wen Yu Xi did not move.
Xue Zi Ning looked at him, frowning. “Wen Yu Xi, what’s wrong?”
“From now on, can you let me know even a little bit of your thoughts? Just a little is enough…”