Ming Yu shook her head, "No, that's not true."
Hua Yun Jin held her so tightly that she found it hard to breathe. Just as she was about to push him away, she felt his body tense up.
"Hua Yun Jin..." Before she could finish, she felt a dampness on her shoulder.
"Hua Yun Jin, you..."
"Don't move, let this King hug you."
She heard a choked sob in his voice. She fell silent, hearing him cry for the first time.
Her heart was filled with shock and disbelief.
She had never imagined that one day someone would cry for her.
And this person held supreme power.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't moved.
"I'm sorry." All words were pale at this moment. She could only utter these three words, and only these three words could express what she wanted to say.
"Yu'er, don't say those three words to this King. It was my oversight that caused you to suffer."
She shook her head, "No, I did not suffer."
In the sixteen years since she came here, no one had ever said to her, "You have suffered."
In this unfamiliar country, someone told her, "You have suffered."
All she felt was touched.
"Miss, Ming Xiu..."
After a voice sounded, it was followed by a scream.
"Your Majesty, Miss, please continue. This servant has entered the wrong place." Ming Xiu quickly retreated.
Ming Yu snapped back to reality and pushed Hua Yun Jin away. Ming Xiu's interruption ruined the beautiful atmosphere, and Hua Yun Jin felt displeased.
"Hua Yun Jin, thank you," Ming Yu said slowly.
"Yu'er, by saying that, you are being distant with this King. It was this King's negligence that caused you to suffer and maneuver under Shen Yun Xuan."
Ming Yu shook her head, "This is not your fault at all."
Who could have imagined that Shen Yun Xuan would find their hiding place? Moreover, this was Shen Yun Xuan's territory; finding them was as easy as pie.
"You've lost weight," Hua Yun Jin said, looking at her slightly gaunt face, feeling a pang in his heart.
Hearing this, Ming Yu smiled, "This is perfect for slimming down."
Suddenly, she remembered something and asked, "How did you find me here?"
Hua Yun Jin replied, "Someone gave us your whereabouts. This King sent Chang Yu to gather information, but after two days, there was no news from Chang Yu. This King had to send someone else to scout, and then I heard Chang Yu was to be executed. I couldn't rest assured, so I came to see."
He had only come with a glimmer of hope, thinking that if Chang Yu were executed, Ming Yu wouldn't show herself. As expected, his guess was right.
"But Cheng Chang Xing's whereabouts are currently unknown," Ming Yu said.
"He should still be in the palace," Hua Yun Jin replied.
Ming Yu nodded. Shen Yun Xuan's action was to lure Hua Yun Jin out, so Cheng Chang Xing must still be in the palace.
Suddenly, she remembered something and quickly asked, "Were you followed when you came?"
Hua Yun Jin shook his head, "This King has taken precautions, so don't worry."
"Where is Ming Xiu?" Ming Yu asked, as Ming Xiu had left and she hadn't heard her voice since.
Hua Yun Jin noticed her vigilant expression and sensed something was amiss. He quickly called out a name towards the outside.
Before anyone could answer, Hua Yun Jin and Ming Yu exchanged a look, their hearts sinking with a sense of foreboding.
At that moment, footsteps could be heard from outside. Hua Yun Jin immediately pulled her behind him and whispered, "Yu'er, when the chance arises, you must leave quickly."
Ming Yu shook her head, "No. In such a dangerous situation, how can I leave you alone?"
Hearing this, Hua Yun Jin smiled, "But only if you are safe can this King do as he pleases without restraint."
The door was suddenly pushed open. Ming Yu looked towards the entrance. The man dressed in black, with a handsome face and a chilling aura, could be none other than Shen Yun Xuan.
Shen Yun Xuan looked at Hua Yun Jin, a smile playing on his lips, "So, it is Your Majesty gracing us with your presence. This humble servant has failed to welcome you properly; please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
Although Shen Yun Xuan repeatedly asked for forgiveness, his actions showed no sign of it. Instead, he seemed more like he was taking over.
Hua Yun Jin heard this and smiled, "Lord Shen is too polite. This King came uninvited, not because Lord Shen was rude."
"Since Your Majesty has arrived, this humble servant should fulfill his duty as host. Please, Your Majesty, grace my manor with your presence, and allow me to host a welcoming feast for you," Shen Yun Xuan said.
"There's no need for a welcoming feast. This King is here on personal matters; Lord Shen, please do not take offense!"
"Your Majesty is indeed too courteous. Did you not send Cheng Chang Xing here a few days ago? Have you forgotten now?"
Hua Yun Jin's gaze turned cold. Shen Yun Xuan looked at him with a stern expression, as if they were about to clash.
Ming Yu tugged at Hua Yun Jin's sleeve. Now was not the time to confront Shen Yun Xuan, especially since Shen Yun Xuan had many men, and they were only the two of them. It was likely that the guards outside had already been dealt with by Shen Yun Xuan.
"A wise man knows when to yield. Hua Yun Jin," Ming Yu whispered.
Hua Yun Jin's gaze paused for a moment before he finally said, "Since Lord Shen is so hospitable, this King cannot refuse."
Shen Yun Xuan stepped aside, "Your Majesty, please!"
Hua Yun Jin's gaze was slightly cold as he pulled Ming Yu forward.
After leaving the room, Ming Yu saw that the area was completely surrounded by Shen Yun Xuan's men.
"Miss."
Ming Yu startled and looked towards the source of the voice. She saw Ming Xiu being held back by two people.
"Lord Shen, that is my maid. May I have her back?" Ming Yu said.
Shen Yun Xuan cast a cold glance at her, his gaze seeming to pierce through her. At that moment, Hua Yun Jin suddenly stepped forward, blocking Shen Yun Xuan's gaze. "She is someone this King brought along. May I have her back?"
Shen Yun Xuan glanced at Hua Yun Jin and said, "Your Majesty is too polite; it is indeed possible."
With a wave of his hand, Shen Yun Xuan signaled the guards to release Ming Xiu. Ming Xiu quickly rushed to Ming Yu's side. Ming Yu took her hand, looked at her frightened face, and patted her hand, saying, "Don't be afraid."
Ming Xiu nodded, her face pale, biting her lower lip tightly.
Seeing this, Ming Yu wanted to comfort Ming Xiu, but considering what they might face later, she decided not to admonish Ming Xiu for the moment.
Fortunately, Shen Yun Xuan still wanted to save face for Hua Yun Jin, and at least a carriage was available.
Ming Xiu initially insisted on following on foot, but Ming Yu, fearing for Ming Xiu's safety, pulled her into the carriage with her.
Hua Yun Jin did not object, as the circumstances were different now.
"Ming Xiu, don't worry, Chang Yu is still alive," Ming Yu said, seeing Ming Xiu's pale face, unable to bear it any longer. She told Ming Xiu the news.
As expected, Ming Xiu's slightly terrified expression eased considerably upon hearing about Cheng Chang Xing.
"Brother Cheng, he..."
"His life is not in danger," Ming Yu replied.
Since Shen Yun Xuan wanted to use Cheng Chang Xing to force Hua Yun Jin to appear, Cheng Chang Xing's life would naturally be safe. Now that Hua Yun Jin had fallen into Shen Yun Xuan's hands, Shen Yun Xuan had no reason to continue to trouble Cheng Chang Xing.