"Sister..."
The young girl landed steadily before him and reached down to stroke his head. "Zi Xuan, I came a bit late. Will you blame your sister?"
Xue Zi Xuan shook his head, his words choked by sobs and tears.
The young girl helped him up. "Can you stand?"
"Yes." Xue Zi Xuan rose to his feet.
"Xue Zi Ning, you actually dare to show up." A cold shout echoed from afar.
Immediately after, guards emerged from all directions, surrounding the execution ground.
Then, the guards cleared a path, and a figure slowly approached.
A bright yellow imperial robe was ostentatiously worn by her, and a face identical to hers appeared.
The surrounding guards and the distant crowd of onlookers were stunned. How could there be two identical Empresses?
"Xue Chang An," Xue Zi Ning spoke slowly.
Xue Chang An sneered, "Xue Zi Ning, this day next year will be your death anniversary."
"Is that so? I'd like to see if it's yours or mine," Xue Zi Ning said faintly.
"Attack! Capture the imposter Empress alive. I will reward you handsomely," Xue Chang An pointed at her and shouted coldly.
Under great rewards, there must be brave men. Hearing Xue Chang An's promise, some were already eager to try.
"A Ning, you take the King of Northern Xinjiang and leave," Wen Yu Xi stepped forward, assuming a defensive posture.
The two behind him, Wen Yu and Wen Rou, also moved forward.
"Wen Yu Xi, this battle is between Xue Chang An and me. You take Zi Xuan and leave."
"Sister, I don't want to leave. I want to fight alongside you." Xue Zi Xuan looked at her, his eyes filled with anticipation.
She chuckled softly, picked up a sword from the ground, and handed it to him. "Zi Xuan, you might die."
Xue Zi Xuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, with you here."
"Good, let us break through together." Xue Zi Ning's gaze blazed with determination.
Wen Yu Xi sighed lightly, "Then I'll have to sacrifice myself to protect you."
Xue Zi Ning whispered a word of caution and headed towards Xue Chang An.
Xue Chang An hadn't expected Xue Zi Ning to come to her alone.
Her eyes turned cold, and with a wave of her hand, she commanded, "Release..."
Xue Zi Ning leaped into the air, dodging the volleys of arrows.
One even grazed her cheek.
"Good sister, you are truly confident. Do you think I cannot kill you?" Xue Chang An sneered.
"Today, I must kill you," Xue Zi Ning said coldly from mid-air, looking at Xue Chang An.
Xue Chang An chuckled, "Good sister, you are no match for me."
"We'll know after trying," Xue Zi Ning suddenly dove towards Xue Chang An.
Xue Chang An leaped back, evading her attack.
Xue Chang An drew the sword from a nearby guard's waist and lunged forward, engaging her in a fight.
"Good sister, why bother? After finally saving your life, wouldn't it be better to live on meagerly? Why rush to your death?" Xue Chang An sneered.
"You would let me live?" Xue Zi Ning asked, raising her eyes, her gaze sharp.
Xue Chang An chuckled low, then burst into laughter. After the laughter subsided, she composed herself, her expression icy, and uttered two words, "No."
"Since you won't let me live no matter what, why should I hide?"
Xue Chang An's gaze chilled, and she sneered, "Even if you seize the empire, what good is it? What you wanted is gone. Yan Zhao is already mine."
She could clearly see Xue Zi Ning's brow twitch. She continued, "Last night, on our wedding night, we consummated our union."
"Xue Chang An, you don't need to say these things. He is not the reason I want to reclaim Huang Ze. You have harmed too many people; this is the fate you deserve." Xue Zi Ning said coldly.
Hearing this, Xue Chang An sighed, "So the most heartless one is not Yan Zhao, but you, my dear sister. Do you know what Yan Zhao has done for you?"
"Xue Chang An, you cannot disturb my state of mind. No matter what you have done to Yan Zhao, or what you have done between you, Yan Zhao is Yan Zhao to me. I love him, his heart..."
Xue Chang An was momentarily stunned. Seizing the opportunity, Xue Zi Ning struck her shoulder with a palm, hitting her hard.
Xue Chang An cried out in pain and stumbled back several steps. Xue Zi Ning leaped down, continuing her assault on her.
Xue Chang An retreated repeatedly. She hadn't expected Xue Zi Ning's martial skills to become so formidable in just half a year. She had clearly inherited Xue Zi Ning's and Hua Yun Jin's internal energy, yet now she was no match for Xue Zi Ning.
Seeing Xue Zi Ning closing in, she suddenly grabbed a person to use as a shield. Zhu Ke Qing never imagined that Xue Chang An would use him as a human shield.
Nor did he imagine that the formerly soft-hearted Empress, who was always kind in her actions and dealings, would unhesitatingly pierce his chest. The sword entered his body so quickly that he didn't feel any pain.
But soon, the pain struck. He couldn't help but open his mouth, blood gushing out.
Xue Chang An also hadn't expected Xue Zi Ning to be so decisive and ruthless this time.
"You..."
"Zhu Ke Qing, I spared you before, letting you live. But you have shown no remorse and colluded with Xue Chang An. Even if you don't die by my sword today, I will not spare you in the future," Xue Zi Ning said coldly.
Zhu Ke Qing looked up, seeming to recall the past. That young girl had indeed told him to take care of himself.
"Your..."
Before he could finish, Xue Zi Ning frowned. The sword went deeper, piercing Xue Chang An's imperial robe.
Xue Chang An retreated, seeing blood flow from it.
"Retreat..." Xue Chang An shouted in anger.
Guards protected Xue Chang An as they withdrew from the scene.
Xue Zi Ning watched Xue Chang An disappear. Wen Yu Xi stepped forward and asked, "Aren't we pursuing?"
"Do not pursue a cornered foe. Besides, she cannot escape from here."
Xue Zi Ning turned, mounted her horse, and headed towards the city gate.
Wen Yu Xi followed her.
Not far away, a man sat atop a snow-white horse, clad in snow-white robes. His posture was straight and unmoving. If not for the wind caressing his face and blowing through his dark hair, one might mistake him for a statue.
"Your Highness, should we follow?" someone asked softly from behind.
The man withdrew his gaze, gently patted his horse, and said, "Luo Xue, let's go."
Luo Xue snorted twice and walked forward.
"Your Highness... aren't you worried about the Empress?"
"She has grown. This time, she can reclaim the throne."
The man raised his eyes, revealing a clear, handsome, and breathtaking face. His gaze was as bright as the stars.
A Ning, I am waiting for you...
Halfway there, Xue Zi Ning suddenly glanced in a certain direction behind her, a slight smile gracing her lips. She then turned her horse and headed towards the gate.
Outside the capital city gate, a dense crowd was gathered. The man at the forefront dismounted and knelt on one knee. "This humble general, Wu Da Kang, was late in responding to the summons. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
"Please rise quickly." Xue Zi Ning dismounted and helped Wu Da Kang up.
Wu Da Kang looked up at the young girl before him, his expression somewhat emotional. "Your Majesty, this general thought..."