After a long pause, she opened her eyes, a pebble in her hand. It flew towards Sun Zihan's wrist, causing him to lose his grip and spill his wine cup onto the floor.
"Your Highness, what is that fragrant smell?" Xue Lian suddenly asked.
She took a sniff, the scent felt strangely familiar. Suddenly, she whispered with a cold, sharp tone, "Cover your noses, this is from the Soul-Bewitching Sect." Xue Lian's face drained of color, and she quickly covered her nose.
"It's too late. Once inhaled, it's already in your system." A voice followed, and Xue Zining felt her head grow heavy, finally losing consciousness.
In a void of darkness, she stood in nothingness, with no light, only endless darkness.
"Wake up."
Who was calling her? Who?
She suddenly opened her eyes and found herself in a room. She tried to move her arm but discovered she couldn't.
"Princess Changning, it's been a while," a voice came from directly above.
She was startled and looked up, seeing a masked man. Those eyes held a familiar glint.
"Hua Yun Jin?"
Xue Zining heard him chuckle, a cold laugh, yet with an indescribable quality. "Only you dare to call me by that name."
"A name is meant to be called. What is there for me to dare not?" Xue Zining looked up at him, coldly.
He sneered, "You're right, but not everyone understands even such a simple truth. Don't you agree, Xue Zining?"
"Naturally, because they can't see their own position clearly. Some people, even when things are right in front of them, refuse to acknowledge them. They are merely blinded by trivialities."
"Are you speaking of me?"
"I am not speaking of you; I am speaking of everyone, including myself?"
"You? But I feel like you're speaking of me?"
"If you think so, I have nothing more to say," Xue Zining replied.
The corners of his mouth turned up. "It's been a long time since I've spoken with someone like this. It's exhilarating."
He shivered, and Xue Zining continued on her own, "I know. After all, you've desired that position for a long time, only for it to come to nothing. Aren't you tired?"
"Xue Zining, do you know the last person who spoke to me like that is dead?"
"I know. It's just that you don't know that someone who has died once no longer cares about anything."
He paused, "You..."
"Don't you already understand everything? You know all about me, and you know what I want."
"You might not know that I've never spoken to anyone like this before."
"Yes, because you have no one you trust."
"You are so understanding. Now I finally know why they went to such lengths to obtain you."
"And you? Do you also wish to obtain me?"
He paused, then chuckled softly. "Do you know what you're saying?"
"I still know," Xue Zining said.
"Although I know you're stalling, I still wish to continue this conversation with you. Xue Changning, if I become Emperor, will you be my Empress?"
"I'm afraid my position as Empress has already been reserved."
"By whom?" Then he chuckled lightly, "Could it be that short-lived General Yan?"
"The kingdom as a dowry, and a promise to only seek one from a sea of three thousand. This is his betrothal gift."
He paused slightly, then said coldly, "But he is about to become a dead man."
"No, he won't," she stated word by word.
"You refuse me, and I can kill you." He reached out and gripped her neck.
She felt suffocated. In that moment, she thought, if she died, could she go to see him?
"Your Highness, don't forget what you came for," a voice suddenly interjected.
He released his grip and said coldly, "Want to die? I won't grant you that. Everything of his, I will obtain one by one. If I cannot, I would rather destroy it."
With that, he turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.
She let out a soft laugh. So even death was a luxury now?
"Live. Perhaps everything is not as bad as you think," a voice came from the next room.
"You... who are you?"
"You will know in the future. Live well. The one who cares about you definitely won't want anything to happen to you."
"The one who cared about me is gone, so I have no purpose."
"No, he must still be here."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Alright, I believe you!"
After a long time, no one spoke. Even after she asked a few more questions, there was no answer. The drug took effect again, and she fell unconscious.
"Your Highness..."
Xue Lian's voice reached her ears. She opened her eyes and saw Xue Lian. "Xue Lian, why are you here too?"
"Your Highness, it's good that you're awake."
"Are we still at the Jin Estate?" she asked.
Xue Lian nodded. "Yes, the Sun Estate is now surrounded."
"What about Xue Changyi and Sun Junhan?" she asked.
Xue Lian shook her head. "There's no news yet, but they should be fine. After all, Hua Yun Jin needs Xue Changyi and Sun Junhan, so he won't let anything happen to them."
Xue Zining nodded. Xue Lian's analysis was sound; Hua Yun Jin still had use for Sun Junhan and Xue Changyi, so they were safe for now.
Two days later, Xue Zining received word that she was to accompany them to Fengxi City.
She and Xue Lian were arranged into a carriage. With her powers sealed, they could only be at the mercy of others.
Fortunately, there were no major mishaps.
However, she had not seen Sun Junhan or Xue Changyi. But she knew that the carriages behind them were filled with people, likely where Xue Changyi and Sun Junhan were.
Finally, upon entering Xifeng Pass City, she saw Xue Changyi. Although she had not suffered any mistreatment, Xue Changyi's complexion had turned considerably paler.
Following her down was Sun Junhan. He looked much thinner, and when his gaze fell upon her, he froze as if struck by lightning.
"Xue Lian, has the disguise technique failed?" she asked Xue Lian.
Xue Lian nodded. "Yes."
"You... you are..."
She smiled. "Young Master Sun."
She saw his lips move, and he finally uttered two words, "Ning'er."
The smile on her lips faltered, and she slowly said, "Congratulations!"
Sun Junhan trembled. Xue Changyi stepped forward and said, "Princess Changning?"
She smiled. "Changyi."
"Why are you here too?" Xue Changyi looked at her clear, beautiful face. Her eyes were as clear as the vast sky, and her noble demeanor was like a snow mountain goddess, sacred and inviolable.
Xue Changyi was somewhat curious. Initially, it was Xue Changning who had told her to be aware of her surroundings, but she hadn't expected to encounter Princess Changning here. Back then, she had still harbored hope of being rescued, but now, it seemed unlikely.