The city of Beijiang was awake tonight, filled with revelry and laughter.
Gu Yunlan could not believe that the young girl before him was the same one who had eliminated the all-powerful Regent years ago. However, the King of Beijiang would not be mistaken, nor would Princess Huimin.
Despite his doubts, he bowed his head towards the young girl and offered his deepest salutation.
The entire Beijiang knew that Empress Xue Zi Ning had returned. The same monarch who, before even coming of age, had used iron fists and shrewd intelligence to remove the Regent who had dominated the court.
The one who had implemented numerous beneficial policies since her ascension.
But fate was cruel to talent, and the young empress was harmed and her spirit extinguished.
Now, the young empress had returned, and they naturally supported her.
"I vow not to fail the expectations of my generals and my people. I will reclaim my throne," Xue Zi Ning declared, holding a wine cup as she walked through the city of Beijiang.
Chants of "Long live Your Majesty" echoed through the city.
After draining her cup, she hurled it to the ground.
The path ahead, she would tread with unwavering resolve.
"Your Majesty…" Feng Jiu suddenly approached, his expression hurried.
"Is there something?" Xue Zi Ning inquired.
Feng Jiu whispered, "Xue Yu is gone."
Xue Zi Ning's gaze turned sharp. "He escaped?"
Feng Jiu nodded with remorse. "It is my fault, Your Majesty, for not keeping a closer watch. I deserve your punishment."
"It is not your fault. His skills are beyond what you or I can resist." Xue Yu's prowess surpassed Feng Jiu's. Even with Feng Jiu present, he could not have stopped Xue Yu from leaving if he truly intended to.
Feng Jiu's guilt deepened upon hearing this.
"Miss Ning, something is wrong. Princess Yun Lan is also missing," Wen Nuan hurried over.
Xue Zi Ning and Feng Jiu exchanged a glance. "Pursue them!"
Xue Zi Ning had no time to ponder and swiftly moved outwards.
Xue Zixuan looked back and, seeing Xue Zi Ning no longer behind him, paused and asked Gu Yunlan, "General Gu, have you seen His Majesty?"
Gu Yunlan was still reeling from the news that Xue Zi Ning was the Empress and, pointing in the direction Xue Zi Ning had gone, fell silent.
Xue Zixuan quickly gathered his men and followed.
"Xue Yu, stop…"
Xue Yu turned to face the person following him and said, "Princess Yun Lan, you should return. Following me is merely a path of no return."
"Do you not wish to know if your child is alive or dead?"
Xue Yu's body trembled. He indeed stopped and, watching Xue Yun Lan approach, asked, "Did he not die?"
Xue Yun Lan stepped forward and stroked her abdomen. "Yes, I killed him myself, right here."
Xue Yu frowned, his voice filled with anger. "Xue Yun Lan, do you have no heart?"
Xue Yun Lan lifted her head. "I have no heart? Who is it that has no heart? Xue Yu, when you deceived me and lied to me, did you have a heart then?"
Xue Yu lowered his gaze. "It was my fault back then."
"Yes, it was all your fault. You personally killed your own child. He did not wish to come out," Xue Yun Lan cried out.
Xue Yu stepped forward and embraced Xue Yun Lan. "I'm sorry, Yun Lan…"
Xue Yun Lan wept. "Do you know how long I have waited to hear you say that? Xue Yu, do you truly have no heart? Have you ever truly cared for me?"
"Yes, do you believe me?" Xue Yu said each word deliberately.
"I don't know if I should believe you…"
She looked up at him, this man whom she truly cherished. "Xue Yu, come back. I will beg His Majesty to spare you, and then we can leave everything behind and live in peace, how about that?"
"Yun Lan, I also wish to spend my life with you, but I cannot. I have something I must do… I'm sorry…"
Xue Yun Lan let out a soft laugh. She raised her head, her eyes chillingly calm. She tilted her head and spoke each word deliberately. "You see, in the end, you abandoned me again. Xue Yu, you have no heart. A person utterly devoid of heart."
"Yun Lan, I am sorry. When I finish what I must do, I will atone to you…"
"Xue Yu…" a voice called from afar.
Xue Yu turned and saw Feng Jiu catching up. He frowned, looking at Xue Yun Lan in his arms. "Yun Lan, I will find you again later."
Saying this, he attempted to push Xue Yun Lan away.
But it was too late. The men Feng Jiu brought had already surrounded Xue Yu.
"Xue Yu, you are truly incorrigible," Feng Jiu said coldly.
Xue Yu sneered. "My great endeavor is not yet complete. How can I surrender so easily?"
"What endeavor?"
Xue Yu's body trembled at the voice. He looked up, and the figure of a young girl slowly appeared in his eyes.
Her long skirt, mirroring the heavens and the sea, billowed in the wind, her slender form walking towards him step by step.
Her exceptionally beautiful face bore eyes as cold as frost, looking at him without a trace of warmth.
With each step she took, an absolute pressure emanated from her.
The air in this place suddenly became thin, as if it might freeze.
Her entire being exuded a powerful aura.
An aura that commanded submission.
"Your Majesty…" Xue Yu lowered his eyes and murmured.
"Xue Yu, I gave you a chance," Xue Zi Ning said softly.
Xue Yu remained silent for a long time before replying, "Yes."
"Why?" This was the second time she had asked.
"My mistake is already made, and I can never return. Your Majesty, Xue Yu has no other path."
Xue Zi Ning let out a soft sigh. "There is, but you chose not to take it. Xue Yu, you disappoint me. However, this path is one you chose yourself."
"Yes," Xue Yu answered.
"In that case, I cannot possibly let you leave."
"Xue Yu understands!" Xue Yu raised his eyes, his gaze showing no hint of fear.
Xue Zi Ning stepped back and, with a wave of her hand, her guards stepped forward, surrounding Xue Yu tightly. He was trapped and inescapable.
"Your Majesty…"
Xue Zi Ning looked up at Xue Yun Lan, who was calling her name, and said, "Yun Lan, come here."
Xue Yun Lan shook her head. "Your Majesty, Xue Yu is my husband. We are one."
Xue Zi Ning was startled. "Yun Lan, you…"
"I beg Your Majesty's approval," Xue Yun Lan pleaded, kneeling on the ground.
"Yun Lan, why?" Xue Yu asked, looking at Xue Yun Lan.
"We were husband and wife. Husband and wife are one. As the wife, I follow my husband," Xue Yun Lan said word by word, looking at Xue Yu.
"You are so foolish," Xue Yu choked out.
"If I could not be with you in life, can I be with you in death?" Xue Yun Lan looked up at Xue Yu.
Xue Yu lowered his gaze, then embraced her for a long time, whispering in her ear, "I am willing."
Xue Yun Lan smiled. "Although there are many regrets in this life, in this moment, I am content."
"But I cannot selfishly take your life. Yun Lan, if there is a chance, we will meet again!"
Xue Yun Lan froze, but Xue Yu had already immobilized her by striking her acupoints.
"Your Majesty, Yun Lan is now in your care. Xue Yu repays his life to you…"
With that, Xue Yu fiercely plunged his long sword into his own abdomen.
Blood sprayed onto Xue Yun Lan's face. Xue Yun Lan shook her head, "No, don't…"
"Yun Lan, I am sorry… In the next life, do not remember me… I am unworthy…"