Anning shivered, the character "Ning" was familiar, for it was Xue Jingyun's handwriting.
Xue Jingyun.
Anning called his name silently in her heart.
Even in danger, he still cared for her. How could she not have her heart beat for him?
"Your Highness, your complexion is not good," Lady Wu asked with concern from the side.
Anning shook her head, tucking the token into her怀. "It's nothing, just a little tired."
The sky gradually darkened, and Han Xiwen ordered them to set up camp on the spot.
Lady Wu, along with Wu Zhengdao, dismounted from the carriage to stretch their legs. As Anning was about to do the same, someone suddenly appeared inside the carriage. It was none other than Wen Yuxi. Anning was shocked and whispered, "How did you get here? If you're discovered, you won't be able to escape."
Wen Yuxi said nonchalantly, "They may not be able to catch me."
Anning frowned. "Is something the matter?"
Wen Yuxi replied, "I'm here to take you away."
Anning tightened her gaze. "What about Lady Wu and her son?"
Wen Yuxi frowned. "Taking you alone is possible, but taking two more people is not."
"I cannot abandon them," Anning refused Wen Yuxi's offer outright.
Wen Yuxi's expression turned displeased upon hearing this. "Anning, don't be so wilful."
Anning shook her head. "Wen Yuxi, I'm not being wilful. If the Han Kingdom remains under Han Xiwen's control, the incident at Dongling Pass will happen again..."
Wen Yuxi stiffened, his expression becoming serious. "Anning, what are you planning to do?"
"I heard that the seventh prince of the Han Kingdom is a man of mettle. If he can ascend the throne, then he can surely..."
Anning did not finish her sentence.
"Anning, this is very dangerous..." Wen Yuxi whispered, his brows furrowed.
He saw the girl smiling at him, her expression more resolute than ever, without hesitation. "The only peace I can give to Huang Ze in her stead is tranquility..."
Wen Yuxi trembled. inexplicably, he seemed to recall the past, that noble maiden speaking of her grand aspirations from a high vantage point.
"Then I can only obey," Wen Yuxi smiled.
Anning looked up at him. "Wen Yuxi, send me more manpower."
With so many assassins from Qianjin Tower, she might as well use them.
Wen Yuxi nodded. "Don't worry."
"Xue Jingyun, he..."
Wen Yuxi's expression shifted slightly. "He is fine for now. Xue Chang'an dare not touch him."
Anning nodded. "After I settle matters in the Han Kingdom, there will inevitably be a battle with Xue Chang'an."
Wen Yuxi said slowly upon hearing this, "Xue Chang'an is currently recruiting masters from all over the world. Fan Min alone is already very formidable..."
"I know, but I have no regrets. It started because of me, and I will end it," Anning said without a trace of fear.
Wen Yuxi's gaze flickered, and he chuckled softly. "Anning, you are becoming more and more like her."
Anning shook her head. "Wen Yuxi, I am not her, nor do I wish to become her. I just want to do what I want to do within my limited time."
"Anning..."
"Wen Yuxi, I'll see you in the Han Kingdom!" Anning turned and alighted from the carriage.
After looking around and not seeing Lady Wu and her son, she searched everywhere. Suddenly, she saw a soldier, disheveled and pulling up his pants, emerging from a somewhat hidden patch of grass. Her heart lurched.
She rushed over and saw a soldier forcing himself upon a woman. The woman's eyes were hollow, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. When the woman's gaze met hers, Anning's blood ran cold, and she trembled all over.
This was because the woman was Lady Wu.
She twisted her neck, spotted a sword on the ground, and quickly picked it up, stabbing the soldier from behind.
She yanked it hard, slicing the soldier's body in two.
She dropped the sword and walked forward step by step, took off her outer garment, and draped it over Lady Wu. Her teeth chattered. "I... I'm sorry I'm late."
When Lady Wu's vacant eyes looked at her, a flicker of light finally appeared. "Your Highness, where is Zhengdao? Save Zhengdao."
Anning nodded. "You come with me."
Lady Wu shook her head. "Your Highness, I am fine."
"But..."
Lady Wu shook her head. "Don't worry, I won't do anything foolish."
Anning nodded, her heart hardening as she turned to leave. She finally found Zhengdao in a nearby patch of grass; he had been knocked unconscious.
Picking up Zhengdao, she returned to a distance. Lady Wu, having tidied herself up, calmly took Zhengdao. "Your Highness, Zhengdao is heavy. I'll carry him."
Anning wanted to say something but ultimately remained silent. She didn't know what to say. Should she tell her not to mind?
Wouldn't that be rubbing salt in Lady Wu's wounds?
When Han Xiwen learned of the incident, he ordered the soldiers who had committed violence against Lady Wu to be beheaded in front of the army to establish his authority.
Anning felt that Lady Wu was too calm and stayed by her side.
"Your Highness, it is late. You should rest. I won't take my own life, for I still have Zhengdao," Lady Wu said with a smile.
Seeing that Lady Wu seemed fine, Anning, though still worried, walked out. At the doorway, she paused and said, "Lady Wu, one does not live for others, but for oneself."
Lady Wu was slightly taken aback, then looked up at her and smiled. "Your Highness, please rest assured, I understand."
Anning nodded and was about to leave when Lady Wu suddenly spoke from behind her, "I hope Your Highness can forget that incident and not mention it to anyone, not even the General. I hope that in the General's heart, I remain pure."
"I won't," Anning replied.
Lady Wu smiled. "Your Highness, you should go and rest!"
Anning nodded and returned to her room. Lying on the bed, she once again felt the powerlessness of being unable to protect those around her.
"Despair? Because you can't protect those around you?"
She was startled. "Who? Who is speaking?"
"It is I..."
"Who are you?" Anning got up and looked around, but found no one. She turned, and her body trembled, for she saw that lying on the bed was none other than herself.
"What... what has happened to me?" Anning exclaimed in alarm. She tried to return to the bed but couldn't enter her own body.
"Your soul is very unstable right now. This kind of soul separation is very normal."
"Who are you?" Anning demanded loudly.
"Come here."
Anning frowned. As she spoke, a light pulled her in. After a bout of dizziness, she found herself in another space, devoid of anything.
"Where is this?" she asked.
"Walk forward..."
Anning got up and walked forward. Suddenly, she saw an ice bed. She stopped. It seemed she had been here just a few days ago and seen a sleeping maiden lying on the ice bed. She quickened her steps. Lying on the ice bed was a sleeping maiden.
"You are..." Anning couldn't help but ask.
The maiden did not open her eyes, her sleeping face unchanged, but her voice resonated in the space, "Xue Zining..."