Xue Chang'an knew that Xue Yu was right. Confronting Hua Yunjin now was like hitting a stone with an egg.
"Retreat..." Xue Chang'an gritted the word out.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Xue Yu waved his hand. "Retreat!"
Before mounting his horse, Xue Yu glanced at the slender figure by the city gate, then withdrew his gaze. He looked into the distance, wishing her a path free of obstacles.
Xue Zining felt a gaze fall upon her. She turned to look at the person, only to see a retreating back.
She lowered her eyes. Regardless, she was safe now.
"A'ning..." Hua Yunjin whispered by her side.
She looked up at the man before her. After so many years, he no longer possessed his former gentle demeanor. People truly did grow up.
She was still accustomed to the boy he used to be.
"Your Highness, I am tired and wish to rest," Xue Zining said.
"A'ning, I'll escort you..." Hua Yunjin replied.
Xue Zining stopped him. "Your Highness, you are the Crown Prince of Hua Country and must be very busy. Please do not trouble yourself with my affairs. Having Wēnnuǎn is enough for me."
Hua Yunjin was slightly taken aback, his gaze deepening. "A'ning, you used to call me Yunjin."
Upon hearing this, Xue Zining looked up at him and said, "That was in the past. Now that you are the Crown Prince of a nation, it would be improper for me to call you by your given name like that."
"It is not improper. Only you can call me by that name."
"Yunjin." Xue Zining did not refuse. It was just a name, what was so difficult about it?
Hua Yunjin trembled. He had longed to hear her call him Yunjin for so many years. Now, his wish was finally granted.
Eastern Palace
Hua Yunjin extended his hand, and Xue Zining knowingly placed hers into his palm.
In a daze, he felt as if he had returned to the past. He looked up as the young girl approached him, extending her hand to help him up.
Now, he could extend his hand to support her.
"Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence in the Imperial Study," a servant hurried over and whispered to Hua Yunjin.
Hua Yunjin glanced at Xue Zining. "A'ning, you shall stay here for now."
Xue Zining nodded. "Alright."
Hua Yunjin instructed his attendant, "Summon Aunt Ming."
Soon, a female official emerged and bowed to him. "Aunt Ming pays her respects to Your Highness."
Hua Yunjin said, "This is Miss Ning. She will be residing in the Eastern Palace from now on. You are to arrange everything for her needs without any neglect, or I will punish you."
Aunt Ming was startled and looked up, curious about the appearance of the first woman the Crown Prince had brought back.
She saw a beautiful face, with above-average looks. However, Hua Country had many women of superior beauty. For the Crown Prince to value someone so highly, she must possess something unique.
Aunt Ming stepped forward. "Aunt Ming pays her respects to Miss Ning."
"You need not be so formal, Aunt Ming. I will trouble you a lot from now on," Xue Zining said.
Aunt Ming looked up. The maiden's face was exceptionally beautiful, her eyes clear as water, transparent to the bottom, as if all the ugliness of the world could be purified.
Suddenly, she paused slightly. Those eyes seemed vaguely familiar. Where had she seen them? She couldn't recall for a moment.
"A'ning, I must go see my father. I will accompany you for dinner tonight," Hua Yunjin said.
Xue Zining nodded. "Go ahead with your business. You don't need to pay special attention to me."
Hua Yunjin turned and instructed Aunt Ming again before leaving.
Aunt Ming stepped forward and curtsied. "I will escort Miss Ning back to her chambers."
Xue Zining nodded. "Thank you, Aunt Ming."
Aunt Ming replied, "You are too kind, Miss Ning. You are the first young lady His Highness has brought back in many years. I will surely fulfill my duties."
Xue Zining was surprised. "Has the Crown Prince not married yet?"
Aunt Ming shook her head. "No, he has not. His Majesty has also advised him, but His Highness has never agreed. Therefore, there has been no mistress of the Eastern Palace. It is good that you have arrived; at last, there is a mistress here."
As they spoke, Aunt Ming led Xue Zining to a courtyard. It was secluded yet not remote.
The entire garden was planted with peach trees. It was late autumn, otherwise, she could have seen them in bloom.
Seeing Xue Zining looking at the peach trees, Aunt Ming said, "This place used to have apricot trees, but His Highness replaced them all with peach trees, one tree a year. Now, the entire garden is filled with them."
"Miss Ning, I have brought you this far," Aunt Ming said, and two palace maids emerged from behind her.
Aunt Ming instructed the maids, "Ming Yue, Ming Zhu, you two will be responsible for attending to Miss Ning from now on."
Ming Yue and Ming Zhu quickly curtsied. "Please rest assured, Aunt."
Aunt Ming continued, "I know Miss Ning prefers quiet. I have brought these two quiet maids to serve you."
"Thank you, Aunt Ming," Xue Zining said.
Aunt Ming bowed and departed.
Xue Zining then asked Ming Yue and Ming Zhu to withdraw, forbidding them from approaching her room without her command.
Wēnnuǎn looked around. "This place is truly excellent. It seems the Crown Prince of Hua Country has spared no expense."
Xue Zining glanced at Wēnnuǎn. "What exactly do you want to say? Why beat around the bush?"
Wēnnuǎn tutted twice and turned to face her. "I never expected that the Crown Prince of Xue Country would risk his life for you, that my Lord would protect you in the middle, and now the Crown Prince of Hua Country is deeply in love with you. Miss Ning, you are capable."
"Enough. Staying here is a temporary measure. We must leave in a few days."
She was worried about Yan Zhao.
Wēnnuǎn sighed inwardly. "Facing such a formidable opponent, her Lord may not be a match."
Imperial Study
Hua Yunjin entered the study. The Hua Emperor sat there, and upon hearing the announcement, he looked up at him and slowly said, "I heard you tore up the cooperation agreement with the Empress of Huangze today."
Hua Yunjin did not conceal it and nodded. "Yes."
"Why?" the Hua Emperor asked.
Hua Yunjin looked at the Hua Emperor and said faintly, "You know why, yet you still ask?"
Upon hearing this, the Hua Emperor's memorial flew through the air, hitting the ground at Hua Yunjin's feet. He angrily declared, "Hua Yunjin, is it worth it for a woman? Why didn't you discuss this matter with me before making a decision?"
Hua Yunjin looked up, a cold smile on his lips as he faced the Hua Emperor. "In the past, when you did things, did you ever discuss them with me?"
"Yunjin, this matter cannot be conflated. At that time, I was afraid you would go soft-hearted, so I made the decision for you." The Hua Emperor said.
"Make a decision for me? Afraid I would go soft-hearted? I don't think so. You were afraid I would disrupt your plans," Hua Yunjin retorted coldly.
"You..." The Hua Emperor knew that Yunjin had always been dissatisfied with certain matters, but he hadn't expected that after so many years, he still remembered.
"I know what I have done, and I do not need you to worry about me anymore," Hua Yunjin said coldly.
"Presumptuous! You are my son," the Hua Emperor thundered.
"I have never considered myself your son. We merely used each other for our own needs."
"You..." The Hua Emperor trembled with rage.
Hua Yunjin looked up coldly. "Don't touch her. This time, I will not stand idly by like last time."