Xue Zining faltered slightly, poured a cup of tea and handed it over, "He knows too?"
Wen Yuxi smiled and said, "He's the one who sent me to find you, A Ning. Why didn't you tell us you were still alive?"
She raised her head and asked, "Can you not tell him I'm here?"
Wen Yuxi was stunned, then sighed, "A Ning, why are you doing this? Do you know he..."
"Wen Yuxi, sometimes the one person I least want to face is him."
Wen Yuxi's heart ached. Because he cared, because her heart was full of him, she didn't want him to see her in such a sorry state, her vulnerability? And him? Searching frantically throughout the world. When he was told that the one on the throne was not A Ning, he was happy, because did it mean he still had a chance? But now, here, he realized that the one who had always defeated him was not his earlier appearance, but that she had never had them in her heart.
"Wen Yuxi..."
Wen Yuxi snapped back to attention and said, "Even if I don't tell him, he will find out."
"At least don't tell him..."
"Of course." He was happy to witness such a scene. Did this mean he could be alone with her?
"What's the situation in the palace now?" Xue Zining asked.
Wen Yuxi said, "The marriage alliance proceeds as scheduled." He didn't understand why it was still proceeding as scheduled if they knew the other person was fake.
Xue Zining's eyes flickered slightly, and she hummed in acknowledgment.
Wen Yuxi looked at her, "Are you alright?"
"Very well." She looked up, but he saw the weariness and vicissitudes in her eyes. All this told him that she was actually not alright. But if she didn't say it, he wouldn't ask.
"Wen Yuxi, can you help me find someone?"
"Who?" Wen Yuxi asked.
"My former wet nurse, Aunt Yuan," Xue Zining said.
Wen Yuxi was slightly startled, "Find her and bring her before you?"
"No, find her and protect her well. When the time comes, I will ask for her from you."
Wen Yuxi agreed readily, "Alright, I'll have someone handle it right away."
"What exactly happened in Beijiang City?" Xue Zining asked.
Wen Yuxi looked at her and said slowly, "Do you remember the poisoning incident?"
Xue Zining nodded, "I know, the poisoner was Fan Min."
Wen Yuxi shook his head, "Not entirely."
Xue Zining was startled, "Who else?"
Wen Yuxi looked at her and said word for word, "Xue Yun Lan."
Xue Zining's gaze paused, "She actually..."
"Xue Yu found her, and she..."
Wen Yuxi didn't finish. Xue Zining had already understood, "I never thought my moment of mercy would become Beijiang City's nightmare."
"A Ning, it's not your fault..."
"How can it not be my fault? If I hadn't been soft-hearted, Beijiang City wouldn't have fallen, and Zi Xuan wouldn't have been captured because of the entire city's people." Xue Zining regretted it, regretting not having killed Xue Yun Lan back then.
"A Ning, an emperor's heart cannot hold mercy, because people's hearts are full of too many uncertainties."
"I know," Xue Zining raised her eyes, her gaze clear, yet carrying a hint of coldness.
"Xue Zi Xuan, are you going to rescue him?" Wen Yuxi asked.
Xue Zining looked at him and asked, "Do you think I need to go?"
"Xue Chang An probably knows about your existence. The execution ground will undoubtedly be secretly guarded with many people, all waiting for you to appear," Wen Yuxi said.
Xue Zining nodded, "Indeed."
"Then are you going?"
Xue Zining lowered her gaze, and after a long pause, said, "Yes."
Wen Yuxi smiled, "Even knowing there are layers of ambushes?"
"Yes..."
"You just said an emperor's heart cannot be merciful."
"Wen Yuxi, if a person has no heart, will the people under her still follow her loyally?"
"A Ning, whether you believe it or not, I will never betray you..."
Xue Zining smiled, "Tomorrow, I hope the master of Qian Jin Tower will provide assistance."
Kneeling before Xue Chang An were the four individuals who had attempted to assassinate Xue Zining.
"You say her martial arts are good?" Xue Chang An found it hard to believe. During the soul transference, hadn't all her martial arts been absorbed? How could someone with no internal energy suddenly regain it?
"Yes, I sparred with her, and her martial arts are indeed excellent." Fighting them evenly, this was more than just "good," it was considerable.
"Xue Yu..." Xue Chang An said.
Xue Yu stepped forward, "Your Majesty, what are your orders?"
"Didn't you say earlier that she had no internal energy left?"
Xue Yu nodded, "Indeed."
"Xue Yu, do you think she will come to the execution ground tomorrow?"
Xue Yu replied without hesitation, "She will."
"Give the order to lay an ambush. I want to capture her alive tomorrow."
"Your Majesty, with such a large commotion, aren't you afraid the Crown Prince of Xue Kingdom will find out?" Xue Yu asked.
Xue Chang An frowned and said coldly, "Once I marry Yan Zhao, there will be a general amnesty for all. Then he will not be facing a death sentence."
Xue Yu sneered, "Your Majesty, why bother with whether someone is guilty when you want to kill them?"
"However, I want to lure her out," Xue Chang An said coldly.
"Your Majesty, one cannot be greedy, or it will backfire."
"Let the wedding date be the priority for now," Xue Chang An made up her mind. Her marriage to Yan Zhao was the most important thing.
"Yes, I will arrange it now." Xue Yu retreated.
"Summon the imperial carriage, to Xue Palace..."
Xue Chang An looked at Xue Palace. It was written by her own hand. She walked inside. A person was sitting on a chair. He wore a moon-colored brocade robe, pure white and spotless, with a straight back, his back turned to her.
"Yan Zhao..." she called softly.
The man slowly stood up and turned around. His face was breathtakingly beautiful, refined and handsome. But his eyes held a deep coldness. She had seen the sparkle in his eyes, like shattered starlight, as brilliant as constellations, when he faced her good sister. Back then, she had thought, how wonderful it would be if she could have this man? But she had been consumed by greed and chosen Hua Yun Jin, giving up Yan Zhao. Now, reborn, she would never make the wrong choice again. This time, she wanted to possess his person, his body, and his heart.
"Yan Zhao..."
"A Ning, you've come." His voice was faint, even tinged with a hint of coldness.
"Yan Zhao, our wedding is the day after tomorrow. Are there any other arrangements you need me to make?"
"The marriage contract."
"I've already placed the marriage contract at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. They said it's a match made in heaven."
Xue Chang An saw him suddenly smile, the previous coldness gone, replaced by a trace of gentleness. She didn't know why he had suddenly become so gentle. But if it made him happy, she would do anything without hesitation.
"The day after tomorrow?" he asked again.
Xue Chang An nodded, "Yes, the day after tomorrow."
"Good," he said.
"Yan Zhao..." She reached out, wanting to caress his cheek.
He turned and walked further inside, "I'm tired, A Ning, you should go back!" Xue Chang An watched her hand fail to even brush his robe, and a sense of loss filled her heart for reasons unknown.