The Desolate Marsh
“The Han Emperor has passed away?” Xue Chang’an asked in astonishment, looking at the secret report from the Han Kingdom in her hand.
The messenger of the secret report said, “Yes, the entire Han Kingdom is mourning.”
“So, who is the Han Emperor now?” Xue Chang’an asked coldly.
The messenger of the secret report said, “The Seventh Prince, Han Xixia.”
Xue Chang’an’s expression was grim, and her voice was icy, “Why is the news only being delivered now?”
“Your Majesty, Han Xixia has sealed off the Han Kingdom. No news could get out until everything was under his control. I risked my life to get this message out.”
“Useless…” Xue Chang’an growled. What was the use of the news arriving now? Everyone likely already knew about the new emperor’s ascension in the Han Kingdom.
“Your Majesty, please forgive me!”
“You perform your duties so poorly, and you still ask for my forgiveness? Drag him away and deal with him.” Xue Chang’an waved her hand expressionlessly.
“Your Majesty, spare me, Your Majesty, spare me!”
“Are you not going to drag him away?” Xue Chang’an thundered.
Two guards entered from outside the door and dragged the person away.
“Your Majesty, this is a time when we need people…”
Xue Chang’an glanced coldly at the person behind her, her tone unfriendly, “I never keep useless people.”
Xue Yu glanced at Xue Chang’an and no longer pleaded. After years of acquaintance, he knew Xue Chang’an never went back on her word; pleading was useless.
Xue Chang’an walked out of the imperial sleeping quarters. It was autumn, and withered leaves were falling in the courtyard, yet a vague sense of unease stirred within her.
Others might not know the Han Emperor’s prowess, but she did. Moreover, the pets the Han Emperor kept would assist him in his final moments. So how could he have passed away?
Suddenly, she thought of something and turned to ask Xue Yu, “I recall Princess Anning being in the Han Kingdom, wasn’t she?”
Xue Yu nodded, “Yes…”
Xue Chang’an frowned, “Could it be her?”
“Your Majesty, all the information you asked me to investigate regarding the events at Dongling Pass is here.” Xue Yu handed the secret report in his hand to Xue Chang’an.
Xue Chang’an took it and glanced at it. The information was no different from what she had previously known, but the last sentence caught her eye.
It stated that Wu Dakang had knelt before Princess Anning in front of the entire army, addressing her as Your Majesty…
Xue Chang’an trembled all over. Your Majesty?
Could it be…
Had she returned?
Seeing Xue Chang’an’s expression change, Xue Yu stepped forward to take the report. Upon reaching the end, his expression also turned grim, “Xue Zining?”
Xue Chang’an looked up at Xue Yu and asked, “Do you also think it’s her?”
Xue Yu did not answer whether it was yes or no, only stating, “Wu Dakang is not an ordinary person; he is a tough man of flesh and blood. Not many can make him kneel with genuine sincerity…”
Xue Yu’s words were left unfinished, but Xue Chang’an already understood. That person was likely Xue Zining, but had Xue Zining awakened?
“If Xue Zining has awakened, it means that body is nearing its end. Is Fan Min ready?” Xue Chang’an asked.
Xue Yu replied, “The final preparations are still underway, but… does Your Majesty truly intend to transfer souls?”
Xue Chang’an nodded without hesitation, “Xue Zining’s corpse, like my own, is immortal and indestructible. It merely undergoes endless reincarnation.”
“But, that way, you won’t be yourself anymore,” Xue Yu said.
“My mind is made up.” What she wanted, she would obtain at all costs.
Xue Yu no longer offered any further counsel. Since she had decided, she would have to bear the consequences herself, whatever they might be.
“You need to investigate the news from the Han Kingdom. I want to know exactly what happened.”
“Yes.” Xue Yu replied and then left.
“Prepare the imperial carriage to Xue Palace!” Xue Chang’an commanded.
Xue Chang’an arrived at Xue Palace. Before she even approached, she saw a man in white, as dazzling as snow, standing in the courtyard. The autumn wind stirred the hem of his robes and his unbound dark hair, making them dance in the wind.
His slender figure stood beneath the trees shedding withered leaves, possessing a lonely beauty.
She walked closer, but he did not turn his head.
“Yan Zhao!” she called out involuntarily.
He maintained his posture, but his voice emerged, clear and cold, “You are not worthy to call me that. Address me as His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Xue Chang’an’s expression darkened. She stepped forward, attempting to touch him, but he took a step back, leaving her unable to even brush his sleeve.
She was somewhat provoked, “Xue Jingyun, what is it about me that you dislike? What makes me inferior to Xue Zining, or even Anning? Why are you so indifferent only to me?”
Xue Chang’an saw him finally turn his head to look at her. His face, refined and handsome, bore a chilling coldness, like the deep autumn night, a coldness that pierced to the bone and chilled the heart.
“Because I do not like you.”
These few words were spoken one by one, like heavy stones, pressing down on Xue Chang’an’s heart.
Xue Chang’an stumbled back several steps, still unwilling to accept it, “Dislike can be overcome, one can accept first, and once accepted, then liking can follow?”
“Xue Chang’an, if you don’t like someone, you will never like them. Don’t you know that?”
“I don’t know, I don’t know. I only know I want to obtain the best things in this world,” Xue Chang’an said hysterically.
“Xue Chang’an, you don’t actually like me. You just want to obtain things that others deem good.”
Xue Chang’an shook her head, “No, I like you!”
“You like me? Is this kind of confinement considered liking?”
Xue Chang’an froze.
Xue Jingyun walked towards the imperial sleeping quarters, his voice remaining cold, “Liking is letting go, letting her do what she wants. Liking is that even if she changes her identity, you can still find her amidst the vast sea of people…”
Xue Chang’an stood rooted to the spot, not following him in. Why did he say she didn’t like him?
She did like him, because her heart ached intensely now. Hearing him speak of someone else made her consumed with jealousy.
“Xue Jingyun…” She did not say the latter part of her sentence. There was no point; he would not believe her anyway.
“I will make you believe. For you, I am even willing to transfer souls.”
Xue Chang’an turned and left.
Inside the imperial sleeping quarters, Xue Jingyun looked at the newly acquired news in his hand. He glanced at it, and his gaze shifted slightly. Xue Zining had awakened?
Ah Ning, you must be more careful!
Flower Kingdom
Xue Zining and her group entered the Flower Kingdom. Although the Flower Kingdom was established around the same time as the An Kingdom, Hua Yun Jin had governed the Flower Kingdom well.
At least, the common people lived and worked in peace.
The Flower Kingdom was not large. After a journey of three days and two nights, they finally arrived at the Flower Kingdom’s capital, Hua Cheng.
Before entering the city gates, Xue Zining spotted the person on horseback.
That person seemed to have seen her too and was riding towards her.
Han Xixian, seeing this, shielded her and asked the approaching person coldly, “Is there something you need, sir?”
Xue Zining behind him patted Han Xixian, saying, “There’s no need to be so cautious. He is the Crown Prince of the Flower Kingdom.”
Han Xixian was stunned. The Crown Prince of the Flower Kingdom?
The person on horseback dismounted, and a distinguished young gentleman in dark robes landed gracefully. He walked forward, bowed, and said, “We welcome the Empress!”
“Hua Yunjin, long time no see. Are you well?”