“A Ning, you are angry.” Xue Jingyun took Xue Zining’s hand and sighed softly.
Xue Zining pulled her hand away from his. “The fact that people are thinking of you means my judgment is excellent.”
Xue Jingyun smiled. “My A Ning’s judgment is indeed the best.”
“Yan Zhao, my belly is growing bigger and bigger now, and I can no longer attend court. I wish to bestow upon you the title of Cloud Emperor. From now on, we shall stand side by side.”
Xue Jingyun was slightly taken aback. “A Ning, have you heard something? Things are fine as they are now.”
Xue Zining shook her head. “Yan Zhao, the words I spoke to Li Yaoqin today were only to make her give up. In my heart, you are my only man, my husband. No one can ever replace you. Since that is the case, I wish to grant you the same status and position as mine.”
Xue Jingyun had not expected his A Ning to think so much for him. He held her hand and sighed, “A Ning, let others say whatever they will. I do not care. The only one I care about is A Ning. I care nothing for this entire realm.”
“But I do, Yan Zhao, I do. I do not want anyone to speak ill of you.”
Xue Jingyun smiled gently. “My A Ning cares so much for me. A Ning, do you know how happy that makes me?”
“Yan Zhao, I wish for every day of ours to be a happy one.”
She hoped that every day he remembered would be a happy one. She didn’t know if such opportunities would arise in the future, but she knew she didn’t want to have regrets. This way, even if she were gone, Yan Zhao could live on strongly, cherishing the beautiful landscape of this empire.
Xue Jingyun held her tightly, very, very tightly.
“Yan Zhao, you’re holding me too tightly. I can’t breathe.”
He quickly released her. “A Ning, are you alright? I was simply overcome with emotion.”
She shook her head. “It’s nothing. I was just afraid of hurting our child.”
He reached out to touch her prominently rounded belly. “How did it get so big?”
She paused slightly and smiled. “It’s been seven months, of course, it’s big.”
“When he is born, I will teach him well. When he can stand on his own, shall we travel through the grand rivers and mountains?”
“Okay.” She smiled, but he did not see the tears in the corners of her eyes.
The next morning at the imperial court, the Empress, who had not been seen for a long time, appeared. With her pregnant belly, she ascended the throne with Xue Jingyun’s support. As she sat down, she beckoned Xue Jingyun to sit beside her.
“I have decided to bestow upon Xue Jingyun the title of Cloud Emperor, the Cloud Emperor of the Changjiu Kingdom, to be my equal. When I am absent, he shall be the Emperor of the Changjiu Kingdom.”
As Xue Zining’s voice fell, the officials were stunned. After a long moment, applause echoed through the court. The officials knelt one after another. “Your Majesty is wise! Long live the Cloud Emperor, long live, long live!”
She turned to look at him beside her. He was also looking at her, his eyes filled with the brilliance of stars, a sight more dazzling than anything she had ever seen.
She watched him, her lips parting slightly. “A Ning, with you, I am truly the Emperor!”
She smiled. Yan Zhao, from now on you have a tether. You will no longer be free and unrestrained. I hope this tether will allow you to live on resolutely when you learn of my departure.
Xue Zining left the court with Yun Weishu supporting her. Originally, Yan Zhao wanted to escort her, but she declined.
“Your Majesty, regarding Miss Li, your servant has made arrangements. Please rest assured, she will not disturb Your Majesty.” Yun Weishu said.
“She will not be reconciled,” Xue Zining stated.
Yun Weishu blinked. “Your Majesty, you…”
“Are you asking why I kept her even though I knew?”
Yun Weishu replied, “Yes, this servant does not understand.”
“Some people will not turn back until they hit a brick wall. I am merely letting her hit it.”
“Your Majesty, are you so confident in the Cloud Emperor?” Yun Weishu dared not say that the Cloud Emperor could resist temptation, but why was Her Majesty so confident?
“Yes. I am not confident in anyone else, but I have never had such confidence in Yan Zhao. He will not disappoint me.” If even Yan Zhao could betray her, she would have long ago succumbed to despair.
Just like in her past life, dying with hatred.
She could feel Yan Zhao’s feelings for her.
“Your Majesty, your servant is about to say something you might not wish to hear.”
“Speak.”
Yun Weishu slowly said, “You are currently pregnant. Now that you have the Cloud Emperor, your servant believes that besides Li Yaoqin, many others will try to climb into the Cloud Emperor’s bed.”
Upon hearing this, Xue Zining became somewhat indignant. “Why hasn’t anyone tried to climb onto *my* bed? This is unfair.”
“If Your Majesty wishes, this servant volunteers!”
Xue Zining turned and saw the speaker, sighing. “I fear Yan Zhao will kill you.”
“As long as Your Majesty wishes, I am willing to contend with him.” Wen Yuxi walked over slowly.
“Your servant has other matters. I shall withdraw.” Yun Weishu tactfully departed.
“But I do not like you.” Xue Zining stated bluntly.
Wen Yuxi clutched his chest. “Your Majesty, you are breaking my heart.”
Xue Zining smiled. “Are you unaccustomed to being the Minister of War?”
Wen Yuxi looked at her, his gaze intense. “A Ning, I would gladly die for you, let alone serve as an official.”
Xue Zining turned her face away. “Wen Yuxi, you are no longer young. Settle down with a suitable partner when you find one.”
Wen Yuxi sighed. “Could you not refuse more gracefully? For instance, by saying I am too beautiful and you are too ashamed to match me?”
Hearing this, Xue Zining let out a cold snort and laughed. “I truly cannot say those words. After all, Yan Zhao is more handsome and beautiful than you.”
Wen Yuxi clutched his chest. “One blow was enough. And now, two.”
“What about Yun Xuan? How is he doing as the Minister of Justice?” Xue Zining inquired.
Wen Yuxi replied, “He is currently studying late into the night, solely to avoid disgracing you.”
Xue Zining nodded. “Indeed, choosing him as the Minister of Justice was not a mistake.”
“Why was such an important position as the Ministry of Personnel given to Li Sinian?” Wen Yuxi asked.
Xue Zining sighed. “You, Yun Xuan, and Lord Lin are all considered my people by the court officials. If the Ministry of Personnel were given to either of you or Yun Xuan, it would only make them more fearful.”
“Although Li Sinian is talented and cautious in his work, it is inevitable that he might harbor other thoughts. Li Yaoqin is his daughter. It is not impossible that Li Yaoqin’s actions were instigated by him,” Wen Yuxi mused thoughtfully.
“He instigated his own daughter to come and seduce Yan Zhao? Perhaps that is a possibility. However, I cannot exclude everyone just because of a possibility. The court needs people like him,” Xue Zining said slowly.
“Since you are aware, I will say no more. However, I will secretly send people to monitor him. I will know of any of his movements.”
Xue Zining neither refused nor affirmed. “Do not let anyone else know, otherwise, no one in this court will dare to speak the truth.”
“You still don’t trust me to do my job? I was, after all, the楼主 (Lóuzhǔ -楼主 means proprietor/manager of a building, often used for brothels or entertainment establishments) of Qianjin Tower.” Wen Yuxi felt a bit uncomfortable with Xue Zining’s doubt.