"It matters not; what I desire is absolute loyalty to me," Xue Zining stated.
Xue Zixuan nodded, "Zixuan understands."
A message arrived from General Cheng as well. A large portion of the soldiers had departed, leaving behind only those who had fought alongside him on the battlefield, his brothers in life and death.
Xue Zining ordered General Cheng to lead the remaining tens of thousands into Beijiang City, then to seal the gates.
General Cheng, confused, came to seek an explanation. "Your Majesty, why are the city gates sealed?"
Xue Zining looked toward the horizon and said, "The heavens are about to change."
General Cheng paused, "Your Majesty, you..."
"The news here has likely reached the capital. Xue Chang'an will not ignore this. The poisoning was likely his doing. Currently, Beijiang City has fewer than fifty thousand people, with less than twenty thousand combat-ready troops. If Xue Chang'an sends an army to attack now, it will be very difficult to resist," Xue Zining said.
Upon hearing this, General Cheng asked, "Since Your Majesty knows this, why did you allow those people to leave? If..."
"Those whose hearts are not here cannot be kept. It is better to let them go."
"Your Majesty, the poison has been identified," Feng Jiu said, a look of joy on her face.
"What poison is it?" Xue Zining asked.
"Your Majesty, it is a poison from Miao territory."
Hearing this, Xue Zining's expression suddenly turned grim. She asked, "Are the medical halls being guarded?"
Feng Jiu blinked, wondering why she asked, "Your Majesty, the city is safe, so no one has been stationed for guard duty."
"Hurry and take me there," Xue Zining urged.
Feng Jiu dared not delay and quickly led the way.
They arrived at the largest medical hall in the city. Strangely, there were no citizens waiting for antidotes outside. Feng Jiu stepped in first and quickly retreated. Soon after, some citizens began to emerge.
Seeing this, General Cheng moved to step forward, but Xue Zining stopped him. "Do not approach. These people are likely no longer alive."
General Cheng was startled.
Feng Jiu swung her hand, attempting to strike the citizen closest to him, but the person showed no signs of losing consciousness.
Feng Jiu tried several times but could not knock the person out.
"Feng Jiu, it's no use. Strictly speaking, they are no longer alive."
Feng Jiu leaped back, looking at Xue Zining and asking, "Your Majesty, what should we do?"
More and more such people were approaching Xue Zining and the others.
"This is the effect of consuming the Miao sacred medicine. They emerge at sunrise and disappear at sunset."
Feng Jiu glanced at the sky. "It's still two hours until sunset."
Suddenly, the sound of a flute drifted through the air. The citizens, who had been harmless moments before, suddenly picked up anything they could and moved towards Xue Zining.
"Be careful, don't let them get hurt." Xue Zining leaped into the air.
Feng Jiu also leaped, evading the citizens.
General Cheng drew his sword. Seeing this, Xue Zining drew the soft whip from her waist, flicked it out, coiled it around General Cheng's waist, and with a strong pull, brought him away from there.
She only set him down once they were in a safe location.
"Your Majesty, what do we do?" Feng Jiu asked, watching more and more people advance towards them.
"It would be best to lure them outside the city," Xue Zining said.
"Your Majesty, I shall go," Feng Jiu offered.
Xue Zining nodded, "Be careful."
Feng Jiu leaped forward, luring the people towards the city gates.
Suddenly, the flute music changed, becoming sharp and piercing. The people Feng Jiu was leading suddenly turned and headed in Xue Zining's direction.
Even with Feng Jiu pulling someone along, it was useless.
"Feng Jiu, escort General Cheng to the Prince's mansion. I will lead these people outside the city," Xue Zining said.
"You cannot..."
Feng Jiu and General Cheng refused in unison.
"This is an order." Xue Zining headed towards the city gates, and sure enough, everyone followed her.
"Your Highness, isn't that Miss Ning?" Hua Luo spotted Xue Zining.
Hua Yunjin's gaze flickered as he saw the maiden in the watery-sky colored long dress.
He stepped forward but noticed the maiden's expression was not right. She seemed intent on jumping off the city wall.
Xue Zining intended to lure everyone onto the city wall and then jump. Would these people also follow her?
More and more people ascended the wall until it was no longer able to accommodate them. She then leaped off the city wall.
She adjusted her posture, preparing to fly up, but found her body stiff and unresponsive. What was happening?
"Your Highness, Miss Ning seems unwell," Hua Luo said.
Hua Yunjin saw the watery-sky colored figure falling rapidly. If she landed like this, she would either be dead or gravely injured.
He quickly stepped forward, intending to catch the slender figure.
At this moment, someone spoke from behind him, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, you won't be able to reach her."
Hua Yunjin turned around and was stunned to see the person behind him, "You are..."
The person sneered, and with a chop to his neck, struck him hard.
As Hua Yunjin fainted, he saw a figure of unparalleled purity swiftly move forward and securely catch the slender figure.
This is good. Ah Ning, this is good.
Xue Zining had braced herself for a heavy landing, but she fell into a warm and familiar embrace.
She looked up and saw the face she had longed for day and night. His pure and handsome features made her heart involuntarily skip a beat.
"Yan Zhao..." she whispered, tears already streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry, Ah Ning, for making you wait," his deep voice sounded by her ear.
"Kiss me..." she said, looking into his radiant starlike eyes, word by word.
He curved his lips and said, "As you command, my Empress."
As their lips met, it was like encountering sparks.
Not far away, Xue Song covered his face. "Your Highness and the Empress are truly shameless. In public..."
Xue Yan smacked him hard. "What do you mean shameless? That's uncontrollable affection."
Xue Song looked up, smiling slyly, "Then why don't we..."
Xue Yan slapped him again. "Dream on."
Xue Song covered his face, looking at his Highness and the Empress, who were openly displaying their affection, with jealousy and envy. Indeed, affection was always for others. He could only feel envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Who could blame him when his own people were like a tigress, a she-devil?
Landing, Yan Zhao held her, his gaze so tender it could drip water. "Ah Ning, I missed you."
Xue Zining's face flushed slightly, and she nodded, "Me too."
"Your Highness, shouldn't we enter the city?" Xue Song didn't want to watch them be affectionate.
A cold, indifferent gaze fell upon him. Xue Song nervously said, "Your Highness, let's enter the city soon."
Xue Zining nodded, "What Xue Song says is correct."
"Your Majesty, it really is you! Have you truly returned?" Xue Yan knelt down with a plop, tears streaming down her face.
"Carry me over," Xue Zining said.
Yan Zhao carried her over. She looked at Xue Yan and said, "Get up, Xue Yan."
Xue Yan looked up, tears flowing, "Your Majesty, you promised you would return. This servant has been waiting for your return."
"Yes, I have not broken my word. Xue Yan, I have returned."
"Your Majesty..." Xue Yan began to cry.
Unable to bear seeing his wife cry, Xue Song stepped forward. "Empress Your Majesty, Xue Yan's health is not good."
Xue Zining smiled upon hearing this. "Good, you care for her. Get up quickly!"