Xue Zi Ning and Shen Yun Xiu returned to the residence. Shen Yun Xiu couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, how did you and Young Master Yan appear in the room together…"
"We just happened to run into each other," Xue Zi Ning replied.
Shen Yun Xiu didn't press further, knowing the Empress might not wish to disclose it.
"Your Majesty, have you rescued the person?" Shen Yun Xiu inquired.
Xue Zi Ning shook her head, "The King of Northern Territory was well-prepared. By the time I arrived, he had already replaced them with his own men."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yun Xiu remarked, "This King of Northern Territory is truly a formidable opponent."
Xue Zi Ning said, "This time, knowing that someone had once again infiltrated the water prison, he will likely become even more vigilant."
Shen Yun Xiu nodded, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. Based on my understanding of the King of Northern Territory, he is quite suspicious. For now, Lord Wen and the others are quite safe, as he will want to catch them all in one sweep."
Xue Zi Ning acknowledged, "I understand."
She just didn't know where Wen Yu Xi was at the moment.
"Your Majesty, please rest for now. This humble one will go out and gather some information."
Xue Zi Ning nodded, "Indeed, she is a bit tired today."
Shen Yun Xiu departed.
Xue Zi Ning lay on the bed. Perhaps it was due to exhaustion from the day, but she soon drifted into sleep.
Suddenly, a knocking sound came from outside. She jolted awake, opening her eyes to find complete darkness. She got up and went to the door, only to discover it ajar. She clearly remembered locking it. When had it been opened?
"Shen Yun Xiu, is that you?" This was Shen Yun Xiu's residence, so only Shen Yun Xiu could open the door.
She called out a few times but received no response from Shen Yun Xiu. She opened the door, and something suddenly fell. She caught it; it was a letter. Opening it, she found only a few words: "Celebrations in the city, do not attempt rescue."
Xue Zi Ning frowned. These eight characters were rather perplexing.
Just then, the main door was pushed open, and Shen Yun Xiu walked in. Seeing her closing the door, he hurried over and whispered, "Your Majesty, this humble one just went out to gather information. The day after tomorrow is the city festival for Northern Territory City, and the King of Northern Territory may attend."
Xue Zi Ning handed the letter to Shen Yun Xiu. Shen Yun Xiu was taken aback, took it, and his expression changed as he read the contents. "Your Majesty, who gave this to you?"
"I don't know. I woke up and saw this letter."
Shen Yun Xiu pondered, "It seems the King of Northern Territory plans to lure Your Majesty to rescue people during the Northern Territory City festival. What are Your Majesty's thoughts?"
Xue Zi Ning shook her head, "Until that day arrives, I cannot say for certain."
"Your Majesty, this humble one will go and inquire further," Shen Yun Xiu said, preparing to leave.
Xue Zi Ning stopped him, "No need. You have made several inquiries, and the King of Northern Territory likely knows by now. Do not take any more risks."
Shen Yun Xiu heard this and nodded, "This humble one understands."
"Then this letter..." Shen Yun Xiu hesitated.
"You rest. I will go out and have a look." Xue Zi Ning spoke and then walked out.
She soon felt something blocking her path. Looking up, she realized she had inadvertently arrived at the Yan residence.
Reaching the gate, she extended her hand, then withdrew it. She then leaped over the wall and entered the courtyard.
There was no one in the residence at the moment.
By memory, she made her way to his courtyard. His room door was closed.
Thinking he might not be in the room, she was about to turn and leave when a clear, cold voice suddenly came from within, "Get out..."
Xue Zi Ning froze. Just as she was about to quickly depart, the door opened. She ducked behind a courtyard tree as a small maidservant, crying, emerged.
Immediately after, a man stepped out and respectfully said to the person inside the room, "Young Master, rest assured, I will escort this person away immediately." The little maidservant cried despairingly, "Young Master, this servant was wrong, please give me another chance! This servant truly needs this position."
The man beside her said coldly, "Since you need it so much, then work diligently. Why would you still think of seducing the Young Master? You have brought this upon yourself."
The little maidservant froze, lowered her eyes, and fell silent.
"Let's go. Fortunately, there is no mistress of the house yet, otherwise, you might not even know if you could leave this residence today," the man said coldly.
The little maidservant dared not delay and quickly followed him out.
Xue Zi Ning leaped onto the roof eaves, lifted a few tiles, and was about to peek inside when a force suddenly drew her in. When she regained her senses, she had fallen into the room.
She froze, wondering how she had gotten there.
Suddenly, a clear, cold voice came from within, "Seduction failed, and here comes another one?"
Xue Zi Ning was startled. She looked towards the sound and saw a hazy figure behind a screen, and even heard the sound of splashing water.
Was Yan Zhao bathing?
She took two steps forward when a stream of water suddenly flew from behind the screen. She leaped up.
"You know martial arts?"
A person behind the screen leaped into the air. A white shadow flew past from a nearby shelf. When the person landed before her, they were already dressed.
"It's you..." Yan Jin Chao frowned and said coldly.
Xue Zi Ning felt a bit awkward, not expecting to be discovered like this. "Uh, I... I was just passing by..."
Saying this, she turned to leave...
Suddenly, a voice came from outside the door, "Young Master, the King of Northern Territory wishes to see you..."
Hearing this news, Xue Zi Ning stopped. She turned to look at him.
"I understand. Please invite the King of Northern Territory to the study. I will be there shortly," he said calmly.
"Yes, Young Master." The servant left.
"Miss Feng, do you think my Yan residence is a place you can come and go as you please?"
Xue Zi Ning was startled, then suddenly smiled. She looked at him and said, "Or else? Can you keep me?"
The young girl before him had eyes as clear as the vast blue sky, seemingly able to penetrate his very soul.
He looked away and slowly said, "The one who trespassed into the water prison time and again is you, Feng Ning."
Xue Zi Ning faltered slightly, her gaze toward him hardening. Since Yan Zhao had lost all his memories, she couldn't decipher his intentions.
"What is Young Master Yan talking about? I don't understand," she said.
Yan Jin Chao let out a light scoff and said, "Miss Feng, it's alright if you don't want to admit it. However, aren't you lingering here precisely because you want to know what the King of Northern Territory and I will discuss?"
Xue Zi Ning, having her thoughts seen through, no longer hid them. "That is indeed the case. However, Young Master Yan may not necessarily help me."
"Yes," Yan Jin Chao replied.
"In that case, there is nothing more to say," Xue Zi Ning stated.
Yan Jin Chao looked at her and suddenly said, "I can take you."
Xue Zi Ning was stunned, finding it hard to believe her ears. She asked, "Really?"
Yan Jin Chao replied calmly, "Honest dealing with everyone."
"The condition." She simply didn't believe that Yan Zhao, with his memory loss, would be so kind. After all, she recalled their past encounters, which often involved outwitting each other, resulting in mutual damage and no clear victor.
"Be my maidservant..." he said lightly.