Xue Zining felt the green liquid slowly corroding her body, draining her strength.
She fiercely protected the child in her womb, determined to persevere and wait.
"Will this really work?" Prince An was unsure if the green water could separate Zhan's soul.
"Prince An, please be patient!" Han Xichen was calm.
"Your Highness, Xue Jingyun is leading people towards the palace."
Prince An, startled, retreated several steps and frantically looked at Han Xichen. "What do we do? Xue Jingyun is coming."
Han Xichen's gaze turned cold, and he let out a sneer. "Why fear him?"
Prince An said, "You may not fear him, but I do."
"Guard the hall entrance. No one is allowed in. Anyone who tries will be killed without mercy," Han Xichen said coldly.
Prince An remained unconvinced. "Will this be enough?"
"Prince An, if you fear him, I do not. Moreover, as long as Xue Zining is in our hands, he is no threat," Han Xichen stated.
Hearing this, Prince An seemed to relax. He looked at Xue Zining in the green water, who showed no reaction, and asked, "Why is there still no reaction?"
"She is resisting," Han Xichen replied.
"Hurry and stop her resistance," Prince An urged.
Han Xichen stepped forward and whispered, "An Ning, Yan Zhao is coming. Don't you want to see him?"
Suddenly, the green water began to bubble. Xue Zining felt something being forcibly stripped from her body. Her last conscious thought was a voice in her heart, "Don't worry, leave it to me..."
For some reason, her entire body relaxed.
The bubbles grew more numerous, like boiling water, and a transparent soul detached from Xue Zining's body.
"An Ning..." Han Xichen murmured, looking at the transparent soul.
Prince An trembled all over. "An... An Ning..."
The transparent soul gazed into the distance. Sounds of fighting echoed from outside the palace. Suddenly, the door was kicked open, and a figure in a moon-white robe walked in.
Upon seeing him, the transparent soul trembled, "Yan Zhao..." she uttered each word distinctly.
The tall figure stopped before her. She reached out as if to caress him, but her hand passed through his cheek.
"You are An Ning." It was not a question, but an affirmation.
She nodded. "I am."
"A Ning, how is she?" His gaze lingered on her for a moment before turning to the person in the wooden tub.
"She is fine," she replied.
"Thank you for protecting her."
Her body trembled, and she smiled. "You have spoken the sweetest and most heartbreaking words to me."
"I'm sorry."
She paused. "Why? Why are you apologizing to me?"
Xue Jingyun looked at her. "I've wanted to tell you this for a long time, but I never had the chance."
"Don't apologize to me. Everything I do is willingly, just as now, I willingly protect her."
"Thank you, An Ning."
She smiled. "She is carrying your child. You will be very happy together."
A hint of tenderness flickered in Xue Jingyun's eyes. "I am content as long as I can be with her, no matter how long."
She floated up, looking at the person she had always held dear. She turned and went to Han Xichen.
Han Xichen looked at her, his eyes brimming with emotion. "An Ning, I am your Chen brother..."
She nodded. "I remember you. You were so small back then, being bullied. I took your hand and said, 'Don't be afraid, sister will protect you.'"
Han Xichen's eyes welled up. "Yes, those words have stayed with me to this day. An Ning, you will have a healthy body again. I will bring you back to life."
"Han Xichen, I am already accustomed to the afterlife. There's no need to consider it, no need to worry. Seeing the person I love with the person they love makes me happy. So why do you need to revive me?"
Han Xichen trembled and stumbled back a few steps. "An Ning, you..."
"You shouldn't have revived me," she said, shaking her head.
Han Xichen shook his head. "No, there are few people I cherish in this life. An Ning, you are the one I cherish. My life is for reviving you. If you are gone, what meaning does my life have?"
He roared.
"Then come with me, will you?"
He blinked, looking up at her. "Come with me?"
She nodded. "Yes, since you are alone, why not come with me!"
"Really? You are willing to take me with you?"
"Just like when we were little, I'll lead you away."
Han Xichen nodded. "I am willing, I am willing..."
She placed her hand on his shoulder. A powerful force pulled his soul away. He felt pain but did not resist. She had said she would take him away.
Prince An quickly retreated several steps, scrambling to his feet in terror. "Don't... don't come near..."
"Father, you have disappointed me greatly..."
Prince An's face turned deathly pale. "You are not An Ning, you are not..."
She didn't even glance at him. She turned to Xue Jingyun. "Carry her out."
Xue Jingyun stepped forward and lifted Xue Zining from the wooden tub. He approached Xue Zining, smiling. "You are lucky, and you are fortunate. I will protect you, in the past and in the future..."
"An Ning, thank you..."
She looked up at him and said, "Treat her well. She deserves it..."
"I will."
She suddenly gathered all her strength into a ball of light, and along with her and Han Xichen's souls, she entered it. Xue Jingyun heard her voice from within, "Make her swallow it..."
When Xue Zining awoke, it was three days later. She looked at the person standing by her bedside, a familiar face. Tears welled in her eyes. "Yan Zhao..."
Xue Jingyun stepped forward and held her tightly. "Promise me you will never leave me again."
"Never again..." She would never leave the person she loved again.
Outside, Xue Yan was carrying a bowl of medicine and saw Xue Song tiptoeing out. She couldn't help but frown. "Xue Song, are you trying to slack off again..."
Xue Song quickly stepped forward and covered her mouth, whispering, "Keep your voice down. The two inside are caught up in a moment of passion. Don't disturb them."
"The medicine has gone cold..." Xue Yan said regretfully.
Xue Song chuckled upon hearing this. "For the Empress, the Princess is her best medicine."
"Aren't you going in to take a look?" Shen Yunxuan asked the person beside him.
Wen Yu Xi smiled faintly. "And you? Aren't you going in?"
Shen Yunxuan stretched. "I don't want to go in and be killed by someone's gaze."
Wen Yu Xi's gaze dimmed considerably. "I hope this time, they will not face any more trials."
Shen Yunxuan remained silent. They only wished for the Empress to be happy; it was that simple.
"Your Highness, His Majesty should not be so affectionate; it might affect the child in her womb."
Xue Jingyun's gaze shot like a knife towards the uninvited guest.