"An Ning..." Xue Jingyun woke up from his dream.
It took him a while to realize it was a dream. He put his hand on his forehead and whispered, "Xue Feng."
A faint voice landed, followed by a person's voice, "Your Majesty, Xue Feng is here."
"How is An Ning?"
Xue Feng was stunned. After a moment, he said, "The Empress is doing well. Xue Song and Xue Yan are guarding her, so Your Majesty can rest assured."
"You may withdraw!" Xue Jingyun said calmly.
Xue Feng withdrew.
He got out of bed, went to the window, pushed it open, and looked at the tree that had already shed many leaves. Autumn was about to end, and An Ning's due date should be in winter.
But why was he so uneasy? As if something was about to happen?
"Lord Wen, His Majesty just fell asleep. We can discuss matters tomorrow!" Xue Feng's voice came from outside.
Wen Yuxi said, "Your master is already awake."
Xue Feng was startled, turned back, and saw the person standing by the window. He stepped aside.
Wen Yuxi walked in and looked at the dark room, saying, "You have a heavy taste, liking darkness?"
Xue Jingyun waved his hand, and the room instantly lit up, "What is it?"
Wen Yuxi snorted, "Who comes over in the middle of the night for no reason? Do you think I'm disturbing your sleep? Let me tell you, I haven't had a good sleep in a long time."
"What is it?" Xue Jingyun poured a cup of tea and pushed it to Wen Yuxi.
Wen Yuxi took the teacup without hesitation and took a sip, saying, "This is the only thing with warmth I've had in days."
After Wen Yuxi drank several mouthfuls, he put down the teacup and said, "Bei Jiang has declared himself king."
Xue Jingyun's hand, holding the teacup, paused. He looked up at Wen Yuxi, "Xue Zixuan?"
Wen Yuxi nodded, "Yes."
Seeing Xue Jingyun's silence, he smiled helplessly, "Actually, I've never trusted Xue Zixuan. So when he was reassigned to Bei Jiang, I sent people from my Qian Jin Lou to monitor him secretly. A few days ago, my people sent back a message that the King of Bei Jiang had made a move, secretly recruiting soldiers and training troops for war."
Xue Jingyun put down the teacup, his eyes as dark as the midnight ink, making them unfathomable.
"What are your plans?" he suddenly asked.
Wen Yuxi said, "An Ning is about to give birth. This news cannot reach her, otherwise, I'm afraid something might go wrong." Xue Jingyun nodded, "Indeed."
"I'll go," Wen Yuxi said.
Xue Jingyun looked at him. He smiled helplessly and spread his hands, "Isn't it perfect for a solitary person like me to go?"
"Be careful," Xue Jingyun said.
Wen Yuxi was stunned and chuckled softly, "It's not easy to hear a word of concern from you. Don't worry, as the master of the prestigious Qian Jin Lou, I won't fail to deal with just Bei Jiang."
"Don't underestimate the enemy. If Xue Zixuan is truly rebelling, his years of lurking are definitely not a matter of a day or two."
"Don't worry, what are you worried about when I'm handling things?" Wen Yuxi said.
"Report to me immediately if anything happens."
Wen Yuxi looked at him and smiled, "I didn't know you could be so nagging."
He drank the remaining tea in the cup in one gulp, placed it on the table, stood up, and looked at Xue Jingyun, his voice a little hoarse, "It's possible that when I return, An Ning will have already given birth to your child. Inform me then."
After speaking, he turned to leave.
"Go say goodbye to An Ning!" Xue Jingyun suddenly said.
"Better not. An Ning will notice."
Xue Jingyun looked into the distance, "Even if you don't say it, she will know. Go ahead, An Ning is not as fragile as you imagine."
Wen Yuxi was stunned and after a long while said, "Alright."
Chang Ning Palace
"Your Majesty, why are you awake?" Yun Weishu walked in from the outer hall and saw Xue Zining sitting there, so she quickly walked over.
Xue Zining shook her head, "It's nothing. I just feel a bit uncomfortable, a feeling I can't describe."
"Your Majesty, shall I ask Qing Yi to come?" Yun Weishu said.
Xue Zining pulled Yun Weishu, "Sit down and keep me company."
Yun Weishu was stunned, sat down, and asked softly, "Your Majesty is feeling uneasy?"
Xue Zining nodded, "Yes, I always feel this emptiness in my heart, as if something is about to happen."
Yun Weishu smiled when she heard this, "Isn't it because Your Majesty Yun has not come? His Majesty Yun came earlier, but because Your Majesty was asleep, His Majesty Yun did not want to disturb you, so he went elsewhere."
"Your Majesty, Lord Wen requests an audience!" Xue Yan's voice came from outside the door.
Xue Zining nodded, "Let him in."
The door opened, and a gust of wind blew in. The late autumn wind was biting. Yun Weishu quickly picked up a cloak and draped it over Xue Zining. A person slowly walked in, his black robe blending with the darkness outside, his tall figure stepping in.
The dim candlelight fell on his face, casting a hazy beauty on his handsome features.
Yun Weishu, who stepped forward, was slightly stunned. It wasn't until the wind from outside blew in that she came to her senses. She quickly curtsied, "Lord Wen."
Wen Yuxi nodded, walked past her, and Yun Weishu turned back, looking at the shadow cast by the candlelight, blinking her eyes. Then, she wisely retreated, closed the door, and stood guard outside.
"An Ning..." Wen Yuxi walked into the inner hall and saw Xue Zining standing up. He stepped forward to support her.
"Are you here to say goodbye?" Xue Zining looked up at Wen Yuxi.
Wen Yuxi chuckled softly, "Indeed, nothing can be hidden from you. An Ning, you would be much happier if you pretended to know nothing at times."
"I am the Empress of Chang Long Kingdom. I cannot be like an ordinary person and pretend not to know bad things. I cannot."
Wen Yuxi was stunned upon hearing this, then smiled, "Indeed. You are the ruler of this country. If you know nothing, then the kingdom is not far from ruin."
"Actually, you could have sent someone else. Why do you have to go yourself?"
"An Ning, are you reluctant to let me go?"
Xue Zining looked at him. She saw no ripples in his clear eyes, only warmth. "Yes, I am reluctant."
"An Ning, aren't you afraid he will be jealous if you say that?"
"Wen Yuxi, you must take good care of yourself on this journey."
Wen Yuxi smiled and patted her hand, "Who am I not worried about? Am I not worried about myself?"
"My child is waiting for you to return, to call you uncle."
Wen Yuxi was stunned and smiled, "So, I'm family?"
Xue Zining nodded, "Can't I?"
"Of course, it's an honor," Wen Yuxi said.
"My lord, the carriage is ready," Wen Nuan's voice came from outside the door.
Wen Yuxi looked at her, "An Ning, I might not be able to be by your side when you give birth, but with Xue Jingyun here, I am very relieved."
"Wen Yuxi, have a safe journey. I'll be waiting for your return."
Wen Yuxi was stunned, then suddenly stepped forward and hugged her, whispering, "I didn't want to do this, but I can't help it."