A woman in white, as pure as snow, sat there. Her delicate face was framed by eyes that were particularly striking, dazzlingly bright yet unusually cold.
Her entire being exuded an aura that he couldn't quite describe – immensely powerful, overwhelmingly oppressive, leaving him breathless. Before her, he felt like an ant.
"Who are you?" asked the young General Gu.
Xue Zi Ning looked at the young general and parted her red lips, "I am the Empress of Chang Jiu."
"Nonsense, she's lying! How could the Empress be here? General Gu, don't be deceived," shouted Xu Hai Dong from the side.
"Shut up." Xue Yan kicked Xu Hai Dong away.
The young General Gu looked up at the woman and asked, "Do you have anything to prove your identity?"
Xue Zi Ning held up the Phoenix Token, "Does this count?"
Upon seeing the Phoenix Token, the young General Gu's body stiffened. Then, with a thud, he knelt on the ground, cupping his fists, "Your humble servant, Gu Shao Han, pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Beside them, Xu Hai Dong shook his head, "How can she be the Empress? She can't, she can't..."
Xue Yan knocked Xu Hai Dong unconscious with a swift hand chop, "You are too noisy."
"How many years has this Xu Hai Dong served as an official?" Xue Zi Ning asked indifferently.
Such a county magistrate causing havoc here, the people were truly suffering.
Gu Shao Han said, "Eight years as an official."
"I will send a new county magistrate to take office as soon as possible. During this time, I hope General Gu will oversee things."
Gu Shao Han nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Xue Zi Ning stood up and said to Xue Yan, "Let's go..."
Xue Yan nodded, and Xue Zi Ning, carrying Xue Xing Chen, left.
"General, this..."
"Punish according to military law," Gu Shao Han said coldly, not even glancing at Xu Hai Dong.
"But..."
"There is no 'but.' He has been causing trouble for the people here for eight years, which is enough to repay the kindness he showed this general," Gu Shao Han said coldly.
If Xu Hai Dong hadn't helped him back then, he wouldn't have allowed Xu Hai Dong to cause trouble for the people here for eight years. Now that the favor was repaid, Xu Hai Dong should atone for his actions.
Exiting the yamen, Xue Yan said, "Your Majesty, your servant feels that this Gu Shao Han is a bit off."
Xue Zi Ning nodded, "He is indeed a bit off. He knows Xu Hai Dong."
Xue Yan was startled, "Your Majesty..."
"However, I saw ambition in Gu Shao Han's eyes. He would kill Xu Hai Dong for his career." Xue Zi Ning said slowly.
"Your Majesty, do you still need someone like this?"
"Xue Yan, sometimes ambitious people can do better because they want to go higher. Therefore, they will surely kick away stumbling blocks like Xu Hai Dong very far. As long as the outcome is the same, why should I care about what happens along the way?"
Xue Yan seemed to ponder this.
"Mother, this is using people wisely," Xue Xing Chen said slowly.
Xue Zi Ning smiled, "Xing Chen understands?"
Xue Xing Chen nodded, "The Grand Tutor once said that one should not just look at a person's flaws, but also be adept at discovering their strengths and utilizing their advantages to work for oneself. This is the way of an emperor."
"The Grand Tutor spoke very well. It is exactly so."
"Madam, when do we depart?" Xue Yan asked.
"Now!" Xue Zi Ning said.
Xue Yan nodded. She couldn't wait to set off. Upon hearing that Xue Song had also appeared, she had been distracted. The person who had been gone for so long had finally shown up, and it was only natural for her to be excited.
The carriage sped through the forest, reaching the last county in Jiangnan, Qing Qiao County.
They would stay there for the night. Xue Yan went to find an inn. "Mother, are we almost there?"
Xue Zi Ning nodded, "Yes."
"Mother, will he like me?"
Xue Zi Ning was taken aback. She looked down at him. He sat there so small, his gaze lowered. She suddenly remembered that Xing Chen had never met Yan Zhao, and had even rarely seen his portrait.
"Xing Chen, are you afraid?"
Xue Xing Chen didn't answer yes or no. He looked up, his eyes losing some of their wildness. "I just feel that he should like lively and cute children like my sister, and I..."
Xue Zi Ning felt a pang in her heart. She stepped forward and hugged him tightly, whispering, "Xing Chen, you are just a child. Don't think too much. No matter what you are like, you are our child, the continuation of our bloodline. This feeling is special, it is mysterious, and no one can break it."
"Really?" the little person in her arms looked up and asked, his eyes shining with a glimmer.
"Yes, it will never change."
Xue Xing Chen smiled, "Then I am very much looking forward to it, looking forward to seeing him..."
"Madam, the inn has been found," Xue Yan's voice came from outside.
Xue Zi Ning hugged Xue Xing Chen and got out of the carriage, entering the inn. For some reason, as soon as she stepped inside, she had a strange feeling. She looked around. Two tables of guests were dining.
The waiter quickly said, "This lady, your room has been booked. Follow me."
Xue Zi Ning withdrew her gaze and followed the waiter to the second floor. This time, as the rooms were very small, she suggested two rooms so that Xue Yan could also get some proper rest.
Xue Yan disagreed. Xue Zi Ning said, "Your room is right next door. I'll call you if anything happens."
After dinner, Xue Zi Ning carried Xue Xing Chen to bed. Due to the long journey, she felt exhausted.
In a daze, she seemed to hear fighting sounds from the next room. She sat up abruptly. Xue Xing Chen beside her was still fast asleep. She got out of bed and approached the wall. There were indeed faint fighting sounds from the next room.
She glanced at Xue Xing Chen on the bed and walked towards the door. Xue Yan's door next door was open. She went inside. Where was anyone in the room?
Xue Zi Ning frowned, a sense of unease creeping into her heart. She quickly returned to her room. The bed was empty.
Her body trembled.
"Madam, what's wrong?" Xue Yan's voice came from behind.
Xue Zi Ning calmed herself and asked, "Xue Yan, where did you go?"
Xue Yan said, "Your servant sensed someone chasing after them outside."
Xue Yan stepped forward and looked at the empty bed, then suddenly shuddered, "Where is the young master?"
Xue Zi Ning's gaze turned sharp, and her voice turned cold, "Their target is Xing Chen."
"Madam, your servant will go find him now," Xue Yan said urgently.
Just then, someone outside suddenly shouted, "Fire! Fire..."
Soon, flames shot up. Xue Zi Ning and Xue Yan leaped out of the window.
The entire inn was instantly engulfed in fire.
"Madam, this..."
"Erase the traces," Xue Zi Ning said word by word.
"Everyone stay put, nobody move..." A cold command came from not far away. A group of soldiers was approaching.
"Madam, let's go..."
Xue Zi Ning shook her head, "It's too late."
Xue Yan looked around and saw soldiers on all sides. "What... what is going on?"
The general leading them said coldly, "Arrest all of them."