"Miss Ning, wake up."
Xue Zining's eyes snapped open. She saw Wen Nuan and looked around, realizing only she and Wen Nuan remained. "Where is Wen Yuxi?" she asked.
Wen Nuan replied, "The楼主's men arrived. The楼主 escorted the Crown Prince first and ordered me to stay and protect you."
Xue Zining nodded, feeling reassured about Wen Yuxi. "How long have they been gone?"
Wen Nuan answered, "About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."
Xue Zining stood up. "Shall we go then?"
Wen Nuan nodded. As they both prepared to move, they exchanged a glance of vigilance and leaped onto the nearest trees.
Through the concealing leaves, Xue Zining saw a troop of people arrive beneath the tree.
"Lord Xue, there's still warmth here. They haven't gone far."
"Search the surroundings. They couldn't have vanished into thin air."
Just as Xue Zining was about to conceal herself further within the leaves, she met a pair of cold eyes.
A silver light streaked past her cheek. Wen Nuan was about to emerge, but Xue Zining grabbed her arm, whispering, "Don't come out."
Then she leaped down.
Landing on the ground, she looked up at the man standing before her.
She smiled faintly, her lips parting. "Xue Yu, long time no see!"
Xue Yu raised his gaze to the young girl before him. How long had it been since he last saw her?
It felt like a very, very long time, so long that he had forgotten how he used to follow her.
"What? Even if some time has passed, you can't pretend not to recognize me?"
He lowered his gaze and bowed. "Your Majesty."
Xue Zining was slightly taken aback, though it was a subtle movement. She looked away. "It's been a while since you've called me that. Xue Yu, are you well?"
He had expected her to reprimand him for his betrayal, for killing her people, to curse him. But there was nothing. Only her asking if he was well.
"I... your subordinate is well."
"That's good. You were once someone I trusted. I hope everyone I know is well."
Xue Yu looked up. "Thank... thank Your Majesty for your concern."
"It has been a long time. I always wondered what reason led you to leave, and for a long time, I couldn't understand. Later, I stopped thinking about it. No matter when, no matter which day, if I were to meet you again, I would say thank you. Thank you for protecting me back then, thank you for trusting me."
Xue Yu trembled. Others might lie, might deceive him, but the girl before him would not.
At this moment, the girl's clear eyes looked at him without evasion, without hiding anything.
He brushed the dust from his clothes, lifted his robe, and knelt on the ground. "This subordinate betrayed you, but once the arrow is loosed, there's no turning back. I'm sorry."
Xue Zining stepped forward and extended her hand. "Don't say sorry. The path you choose is your decision. Once you've chosen, don't regret it."
"You should go!" Xue Yu turned his face away, looking elsewhere.
Xue Zining was taken aback. "You... you're going to let me go?"
"This once, only this once. Next time, your subordinate will be your enemy," Xue Yu said slowly.
"Thank you!" Xue Zining left without hesitation.
"Lord Xue, His Majesty will be furious if you do this."
Xue Yu looked up at his subordinate and said coldly, "If you don't say anything, who will know?"
The subordinate was startled and instinctively looked at Xue Yu. He saw a glint of murderous intent in Xue Yu's eyes.
He quickly retreated in fear. "My lord, your subordinate will not speak of this."
Xue Yu snorted. "Chase them! They've escaped."
Xue Zining and Wen Nuan arrived at the border of Hua Country. Ahead lay Hua Country.
Behind them was the army led by Xue Chang'an. Xue Chang'an rode forward and said coldly, "Xue Zining, you cannot escape."
"Who says?" Xue Zining said, mustering her courage.
Xue Chang'an sneered. "Do you think Hua Yunjin will save you if you go to Hua Country for help? Don't delude yourself. He and I cooperated long ago."
Upon hearing this, Xue Zining smiled at Xue Chang'an. Xue Chang'an frowned, wondering why she could still smile in such a predicament. She couldn't help but ask, "What are you smiling about?"
"I'm laughing at your naivety. What does Hua Yunjin want? You know better than I do. Do you believe he won't hand me over to you?"
Xue Chang'an sneered. "Xue Zining, you are too confident. Do you think he would oppose me because of you?"
"Don't you believe me? Try it?" Xue Zining tilted her head, full of confidence.
Xue Chang'an frowned. She couldn't understand why Xue Zining remained so confident at this point.
"Miss Ning, the Crown Prince of Hua Country has arrived," Wen Nuan whispered.
Xue Zining turned around. The city gates were opened, and a man on horseback, leading his retinue, emerged slowly.
The man at the forefront wore black, exuding an aura of royalty.
He rode closer, dismounted less than a hundred meters away, and walked over.
The gentle and refined young man of the past was gone, replaced by a man with the aura of a king.
"A'ning."
Xue Zining nodded. "Your coming out to greet me is a great honor."
Hua Yunjin was taken aback. He looked at the young girl before him, her eyes clear as water, transparent to the depths.
The girl tilted her head and asked, "Am I just going to stand here?"
Hua Yunjin blinked, then stepped aside. "A'ning, please!"
Xue Zining nodded and, with Wen Nuan, walked towards the gates of Hua Country.
Once she entered the city, Xue Zining would likely be in her grasp. Xue Chang'an did not want to miss this opportunity. "Hua Yunjin, you haven't forgotten your cooperation with me."
Hua Yunjin turned back. "This prince has not forgotten."
"Where is your sincerity?" Xue Chang'an asked.
Hua Yunjin looked at Xue Zining. "Other than her, anything else is negotiable."
Xue Chang'an was enraged. "I only want her."
"I'm afraid that will disappoint you," Hua Yunjin said slowly.
"You..." Xue Chang'an frowned, coldly enraged. "Hua Yunjin, are you trying to unilaterally break our cooperation?"
Hua Yunjin shook his head. "This prince does not wish to, but Xue Zining, this prince cannot hand her over to you."
"Hua Yunjin, you are not keeping your word!" Xue Chang'an was furious.
She saw Xue Zining's expression of triumph and recalled Xue Zining's earlier unwavering confidence, which was not exaggerated in the least. How could she not be angered?
Xue Chang'an instinctively reined in her horse, roaring, "Since you do not wish to fulfill our cooperation, then I declare that the cooperation between Huangze and Hua Country ends here. Hua Yunjin, I advise you to think carefully and not put Hua Country in danger for the sake of a woman."
"Thank you for the Empress's kind intentions. This prince has thought it through very clearly," Hua Yunjin said coldly.
Xue Chang'an's face contorted. She turned to Xue Yu beside her and said coldly, "Give the order to attack."
Xue Yu frowned upon hearing this. "Your Majesty, we are outnumbered. A direct confrontation will likely result in heavy casualties, especially here in Hua Country."