Xue Zining returned, and Xue Zixuan stepped forward, finding Xue Zining’s expression grim. He questioned Feng Jiu, who also stammered.
Xue Zixuan approached Xue Zining and asked, "Sister, did something happen?"
"No," Xue Zining shook her head.
"Sister, did you see someone?"
Xue Zining was slightly taken aback. Xue Zixuan looked up and said slowly, "Other than Grand Censor Li, who else could make Sister hesitate like this? I can't think of anyone else."
Xue Zixuan waited quietly. After a long while, Xue Zining said, "Yes, I remember him as such a pure and refined youth from back then..."
"Did Xue Chang’an threaten him?" Xue Zixuan asked.
"Sort of!" Xue Zining replied.
"Sister, everyone has their own destiny. You can't afford to be so sentimental."
"But, if only back then..."
"Sister, what's past is past. Whatever the present is, it's his own choice. Why deny yourself?"
Xue Zining was slightly stunned and turned to look at Xue Zixuan, smiling faintly, "I never thought I'd be persuaded by you one day."
Xue Zixuan also smiled, "Sister, after experiencing so much and seeing so many people, I understand. I am clear that every path forward is a choice one makes for oneself."
"Yes! One's own choice..."
Li Chenxuan, are these all your own choices?
"Sister, you should rest early. You must be tired!" Xue Zixuan stood up and said.
Xue Zining nodded. She was indeed tired.
In the early morning, she was woken by Princess Huimin. Opening her eyes, she saw Princess Huimin looking at her cautiously and saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, dawn has broken."
She looked around. The sky was indeed bright. "Where is Zixuan?"
"His Highness has already sent people to scout the city," Princess Huimin replied.
Xue Zining nodded. Just as she was putting on her outer garment, Princess Huimin suddenly said, "Your Majesty, did you see Chenxuan last night?"
Xue Zining was startled, and her hands paused. She quickly knelt on the ground and said, "Your humble subject knows she has offended. But this humble subject still wishes to know his news."
Xue Zining reached out and helped Princess Huimin up. "He is doing well."
Princess Huimin's face lit up upon hearing this. "Really?"
Xue Zining looked elsewhere and hummed in agreement.
"Your Majesty, your humble subject will not disturb your grooming. Your humble subject will take her leave!"
Princess Huimin departed, and Xue Zining breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't know how to tell Princess Huimin about Li Chenxuan's current situation.
"Your Majesty, the city gates are heavily guarded. It will be difficult to get in," Feng Jiu reported the news as she entered.
Xue Zining walked out of the tent and came to a place not far from the city gate. Indeed, the guards were three times more numerous than yesterday. It was clear that Xue Chang'an had received news of their departure from Beijiang City.
If this continued, there might be too many unforeseen complications.
"Sister, not only have the guards at the city gates increased, but the patrols within the city are also constant, day and night," Xue Zixuan said, coming up beside her.
Xue Zining nodded. "We must enter the city before the army arrives. Otherwise, how can we coordinate from both inside and out?"
But the crucial point now was how to smoothly enter the city.
With so many people, entering would be like announcing their arrival to Xue Chang'an.
Once there was any movement, Wanzhou was only a few hours away. With thirty thousand troops, it would be a trap, catching them like fish in a jar. Therefore, they had to enter the city undetected.
"My Lord, someone outside the gate has delivered a letter that requires your personal attention," Chang Bai's voice sounded from outside.
"My husband, you deal with your matters first. Your concubine remembers she has something to attend to," Jiang Xinqin said, preparing to leave.
Li Chenxuan heard this and held Jiang Qin's hand. "My wife and I are one. There's no need to hide my affairs from you."
Jiang Xinqin's expression brightened. "My husband..."
Li Chenxuan released Jiang Qin's hand, took the letter, and as he opened it, his expression froze. He felt unwell.
Jiang Qin, standing beside him, noticed Li Chenxuan's change and was about to ask when Li Chenxuan suddenly said, "Xinqin, you go back to the room first. I need to go out."
Jiang Qin was stunned. Although she wanted to ask, she didn't. Instead, she took a cloak and handed it to him. "My husband, the night is cool. Come back early."
Li Chenxuan squeezed her hand and said, "Alright."
Li Chenxuan left.
Jiang Qin stared blankly at his departing back, two little figures battling in her heart.
One said, go and see. You just said there's no need to hide anything from me, but you immediately forgot. Not only are you hiding things, but you're also preventing me from knowing.
The other said, don't go. He must have a reason for not wanting you to know. If he finds out, won't it be awkward?
The two little figures fought until one eventually overpowered the other.
She took a cloak and walked outside.
Outside the door, the Li family's coachman had just returned with the carriage. She went up and said, "Take me where my husband has gone."
The coachman was taken aback. Jiang Qin asked, "What? I can't go?"
The coachman shook his head. "No, madam. Please."
Jiang Qin got into the carriage, feeling a little anxious, but her curiosity soon took over.
Li Chenxuan never imagined that in his lifetime, he would see that person again.
He lifted his robe and knelt on the ground, performing a grand bow. "This sinner, Li Chenxuan, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
Xue Zining turned around and said, "Rise!"
Li Chenxuan stood up and saw the same glorious, exceptionally beautiful face as before, with eyes as clear as water. After so many years, she hadn't changed at all.
"Your Majesty, it truly is you..." Li Chenxuan was somewhat emotional.
"Chenxuan, are you well?"
Li Chenxuan trembled all over. The words he had prepared were all swallowed back at this moment. He looked up and smiled. "Your Majesty, this subject is very well. I only thought of when Your Majesty would return. Now that you are back, this subject is very happy."
Xue Zining walked forward and looked at Li Chenxuan. "I'm sorry. Leaving you alone in the capital back then, you must have suffered."
Li Chenxuan's gaze paused. He still smiled. "Your Majesty, please don't say that. This subject is still somewhat useful here."
"I know. If it weren't for you, Beijiang City would have been breached long ago. You sent the message out in time. Chenxuan, thank you..."
"Your Majesty, this is what this subject should do." This was all he could do.
"Chenxuan, there is something you need to do now."
"Your Majesty, please say it. This subject will surely complete it," Li Chenxuan said.
Xue Zining gestured to a chair. "Let's sit down and talk."
Li Chenxuan nodded and sat down. He saw the maiden take out a drawing from her怀 and open it. This feeling was as if he had returned to the past.
But he knew this was just his illusion; the past could never be regained, especially with his now soiled body.
"Chenxuan..."
Seeing Li Chenxuan lost in thought, she couldn't help but remind him.
"Your Majesty, this subject is here..."
Xue Zining brought the drawing to Li Chenxuan and said, "Now I have over ten thousand people who wish to enter the city. How can they get in?"