When Xue Zining arrived, she found only Han Xiwen there, with no one else.
Han Xiwen stood there blankly, as if lost in thought, until she walked up to him and he seemed to come back to himself.
"Han Xiwen, what happened just now?" Xue Zining asked.
Han Xiwen stiffened slightly and looked away, "Nothing?"
"Liu'er fainted," Xue Zining said.
Han Xiwen stiffened, "There was a dark figure. After I chased it out, the person disappeared."
Xue Zining did not press further. It was clear that Han Xiwen was hiding something from her.
There would be no point in pressing.
Upon returning to the inn, Liu'er had already woken up. When she saw Han Xiwen, her expression clearly changed.
Xue Zining said some comforting words to Liu'er and returned to her room, where Wen Yuxi followed.
"Did you find anything?" Xue Zining asked Wen Yuxi.
Wen Yuxi shook his head, "No, but it seems that the person in black was known to Han Xiwen."
Xue Zining was taken aback, "Why do you say that?"
"There were no signs of a struggle. If they weren't acquainted, it's inexplicable," Wen Yuxi said.
Xue Zining nodded, "Indeed."
"You need to be more careful," Wen Yuxi's expression became much more serious.
"I know," Xue Zining replied.
"No, I won't rest assured unless I follow you."
"Wen Yuxi, there are still very important matters that need you to handle. I will be very careful."
Hearing this, Wen Yuxi suddenly looked at her, and after a long while, said, "Will she ever wake up?"
Xue Zining was stunned. After a long pause, she looked up at him and asked, "Do you wish for her to wake up?"
Wen Yuxi turned his head away, looking into the distance, "I don't know."
He truly didn't know.
Xue Zining smiled, "Then let fate decide!"
Wen Yuxi turned back to look at her and suddenly smiled too, "No matter who it is, they are in my heart, and that is enough."
Xue Zining said, "The most important thing now is to rescue Yan Zhao."
"You don't need to worry about him. That cunning fox won't let himself fall into trouble."
"However, whenever it involves me, he doesn't seem to be that smart."
Wen Yuxi was taken aback, "You're right. Otherwise, who would use their internal energy to maintain..."
He suddenly stopped.
Xue Zining's gaze paused slightly, and she looked at Wen Yuxi, "What are you talking about?"
Wen Yuxi quickly said, "I wasn't saying anything?"
"Wen Yuxi," Xue Zining called his name, word by word.
Wen Yuxi frowned slightly, "Some things, you shouldn't ask about."
"Wen Yuxi, you know I must know," Xue Zining said.
Wen Yuxi sighed. It was his fault for bringing this up.
At Xue Zining's insistence, Wen Yuxi reluctantly began, "You can also feel that something is unusual with your body."
Xue Zining nodded, "Yes, this body has reached its limit."
Wen Yuxi said, "In fact, the limit was reached long ago. He activated a forbidden technique to temporarily protect the body."
"What's the price?" Xue Zining asked.
"The price is the consumption of internal energy," Wen Yuxi stated.
Xue Zining trembled all over and took several steps back, "He..."
"That's why he's a fool. I told him I'd help him activate it together, but he refused," Wen Yuxi spread his hands in helplessness.
"He is indeed a fool..." Xue Zining uttered these words, and tears began to flow.
Wen Yuxi sighed, "I knew you would react like this when I told you, but you don't need to worry, he won't be in danger."
Xue Zining wiped her tears and looked up with clear and determined eyes, "I will resolve all of this quickly."
Wen Yuxi nodded, "Indeed, there is not much time left for you."
The next day
Hua Yunjin personally came to pick up Xue Zining. As Xue Zining walked out of her room, Hua Yunjin stood outside in a black robe. She walked out and asked, "Where are we going?"
"How is my estate?" Hua Yunjin looked up at the young woman before him.
That familiar feeling washed over him, and he felt a sense of nostalgia.
"Good," Xue Zining nodded and walked directly towards the carriage outside.
Hua Yunjin watched the young woman's retreating figure, his gaze softening considerably.
Looking at Hua Yunjin getting into the carriage, Xue Zining sighed, "It feels like it's been a long time since we sat together."
Hua Yunjin nodded, "Yes, it has been a long time."
"Are... are you well?" Xue Zining asked.
Hua Yunjin was startled and looked up, smiling, "I'm well. And you?"
Xue Zining smiled, "Reasonably well!"
The young woman's face was beautiful, and her eyes were as clear as water as they had always been. Hua Yunjin felt the long-hidden emotions in his heart being released.
"You came to find me yourself, it must be about Xue Chang'an, right?"
"Yes," Xue Zining did not hide it.
"A few days ago, Xue Chang'an sent me a secret letter saying you had returned."
Xue Zining was not surprised. Xue Chang'an had many informants, so it was not unexpected that she would know.
After all, at Dongling Pass, Wu Dakang had knelt down and called her 'Your Majesty' in front of everyone.
"So, Hua Yunjin, what are your thoughts?" Xue Zining looked up and asked him.
Hua Yunjin looked at her with a gentle gaze, "What do you want me to do?"
Xue Zining looked into the distance, "Hua Yunjin, whether in this life or the last, we have had too many missed opportunities or betrayals between us. But those things are in the past. From now on, it should be a new beginning. People must look forward."
Hua Yunjin looked at the young woman, just as he had always looked at her, and it suddenly felt like a kind of happiness to simply look at her like this.
He withdrew his gaze and slowly said, "Don't worry, do whatever you need to do. I will not do anything to harm you. All of that is in the past."
Xue Zining looked at him, his expression was gentler than ever before, "Hua Yunjin, thank you!"
Hua Yunjin shook his head, "I don't deserve your thanks. I have done things that harmed you."
Xue Zining said softly, "People always have something they want to protect, something they are determined to do. What is wrong with that? The mistake was that you and I stood on opposite sides, which led to these events. Hua Yunjin, you are not wrong!"
Hua Yunjin gave a self-deprecating laugh, "You always know how to comfort others."
The carriage stopped, and Hua Yunjin said, "Would you like to come inside for a moment?"
Xue Zining lifted the carriage curtain, and the three large characters "Crown Prince's Estate" appeared before her eyes.
"Hua Yunjin, you will be a good emperor. I will come to celebrate when that day comes. For now, I have other important things to do."
Hearing this, Hua Yunjin said, "Since that is the case, I will not keep you any longer. You must come to my enthronement ceremony."
Xue Zining nodded, "I will. After this parting, we shall meet again!"
"We shall meet again!"
The carriage curtain slowly lowered. Hua Yunjin watched the carriage leave, his expression subtly dimming.
He opened his palm, and on it lay a piece of paper, which had come from Huang Ze.
He clenched his fist tightly, and the paper turned to ash, scattering in the wind.