Hearing the news of Shen Yun Xiu's arrival, Yan Jin Chao's first instinct was to expel him, but he knew Ah Ning would not be pleased.
"Take him to see Ah Ning," Yan Jin Chao said calmly.
Xue Zi Ning appeared somewhat surprised by Shen Yun Xiu's presence. "I was planning to visit you in a few days even if you hadn't come."
Shen Yun Xiu replied, "Seeing Your Majesty safe and sound has put my mind at ease."
"Any news from the King of Beijiang?" Xue Zi Ning inquired.
Shen Yun Xiu shook his head. "I have found nothing unusual. However, when I visited the King of Beijiang's manor today, I saw Master Yan leaving. I discreetly inquired, and it seems the King of Beijiang summoned Master Yan to meet someone no one has ever seen before."
Xue Zi Ning was slightly taken aback, and that person piqued her curiosity.
"Take care of yourself. The King of Beijiang will not cease his search for me," Xue Zi Ning advised.
"I understand. Your Majesty should also be cautious," Shen Yun Xiu responded.
After Shen Yun Xiu departed, Xue Zi Ning went to Wen Yu Xi's room and relayed the information she had obtained.
Upon hearing this, Wen Yu Xi smiled. "Why doesn't Your Majesty ask him directly?"
Xue Zi Ning knew who Wen Yu Xi was referring to. She had come to discuss this with Wen Yu Xi precisely because she did not wish to ask him herself.
Wen Yu Xi sensed her unusual behavior. "Your Majesty, since he doesn't remember you, you must appear before him more often. Do you wish to regret not trying when it's too late?"
Wen Yu Xi's words echoed in Xue Zi Ning's mind, and before she knew it, she had arrived at Yan Jin Chao's study. However, she paced outside, unsure whether to enter boldly or to retreat.
Just as she was lost in her thoughts, the door opened. Yan Jin Chao stood tall and elegant in the doorway. With no other choice, she approached him. "Master..."
"Is something the matter?" Yan Jin Chao asked indifferently.
"I..."
"Come in," Yan Jin Chao said, turning to walk into the room. Xue Zi Ning steeled herself and followed him.
She watched as Yan Jin Chao sat down and then asked, "What is it?"
"Master Yan, do you know my identity?" Xue Zi Ning asked, raising her eyes slowly.
Yan Jin Chao's expression betrayed no surprise. He replied calmly, "The King of Beijiang said you are the Empress of Chang Jiu."
"What do you think?" Xue Zi Ning inquired.
Yan Jin Chao's gaze was serene. "I believe you are Ah Ning, therefore you are Ah Ning."
"What did the King of Beijiang want with you?" Xue Zi Ning decided it was better to be direct than to beat around the bush.
Yan Jin Chao looked at her with an unusual calmness. Just as she thought he wouldn't answer, he spoke, "The King of Beijiang has recruited a guest, but I do not know who he is. I only know that the King of Beijiang calls him Master Feng."
Xue Zi Ning blinked. Master Feng?
Yan Jin Chao continued, "This Master Feng is rather mysterious. I had my people investigate his background, but they found nothing."
Xue Zi Ning narrowed her eyes. Even if Yan Jin Chao was no longer the Crown Prince of Xue Kingdom, nor Emperor Yun, she believed he would certainly have his own methods of finding people. If even Yan Jin Chao could not uncover this Master Feng's background, she suspected he either had no background or it was deliberately concealed.
"It seems this Master Feng is indeed mysterious," Xue Zi Ning commented.
Yan Jin Chao remained silent, simply looking at her. He had looked at her like this before, but back then she was accustomed to it. Now, it evoked an indescribable feeling.
"Master, why aren't you speaking?" Xue Zi Ning felt that if this continued, she wouldn't be able to stay any longer.
"Ah Ning, this Master Feng is not as easy to deal with as you imagine," Yan Jin Chao said slowly.
"I know, but I must face him. It is my duty." She was the Empress of Chang Jiu, the ruler of the Chang Jiu nation, and the realm bestowed upon her by Yan Zhao. Although Yan Zhao did not recognize her now, she could not afford to lose the empire he had given her.
Yan Jin Chao looked at the woman before him, realizing that at no other time had he cared so deeply for a woman. It was like with Jiang Yu Li; once he knew of her affections, he chose to refuse her, even distance himself, maintaining a detached demeanor in their interactions. But when facing Ah Ning, he found himself unable to act so resolutely. Seeing her distressed seemed to cast a shadow over his own mood, and her anxieties became his own.
At that moment, a voice was heard from outside the door. "Master, someone from the King's manor has arrived."
"Enter," Yan Jin Chao replied.
A servant walked in and bowed. "Many people have arrived outside, claiming to be here under the King's orders to search for assassins. They request Master Yan's cooperation, asking if they may search the premises."
"Of course. General Lin, please, come in," Yan Jin Chao said, stepping aside. General Lin entered with his men.
He then called to a nearby servant, "Go tell Miss Ah Ning to by all means stay hidden."
The servant nodded and slipped away.
General Lin and his men searched with great meticulousness, not at all like a routine search, but as if they had received definitive intelligence. They finally arrived at the rear courtyard. As General Lin was about to open a door, Yan Jin Chao spoke up. "General Lin, these are the female residents. Perhaps we could..."
General Lin looked troubled. "Master Yan, you know the King's orders cannot be disobeyed. Even your female residents must be searched?"
"But my female residents are shy and easily startled..."
"Rest assured, Master Yan, I will instruct my soldiers to be discreet," General Lin replied.
Yan Jin Chao had no choice but to step forward. "Then I shall inform them."
He knocked on the door. "Ah Ning, General Lin is here to search for assassins. Please open the door."
A clear and beautiful voice came from within. "Are you searching the women as well?"
"Yes..." Yan Jin Chao replied.
The door creaked open, and a young woman emerged. General Lin was momentarily stunned, as she bore no resemblance to the portrait the King had shown him.
"Miss Ah Ning, the others in the room must also be searched," General Lin stated.
Xue Zi Ning turned to the two figures behind her. "Xiao Xi, Xiao Ya, come forward and let the soldiers search you."
Moments later, General Lin felt two figures approach him, and he was taken aback, as these two figures seemed to obscure all his vision.
"General Lin, I am Xiao Xi, your servant. I pay my respects to the General."