Li Chenxi turned around. He recognized the man as Sun Yan, the Minister of Justice.
"Minister Sun," Li Chenxi said.
"Minister Li, please!" Minister of Justice Sun Yan made a gesture of invitation. Li Chenxi frowned slightly. If he insisted on leaving now, it might jeopardize the purpose of His Majesty's visit to Huangze Kingdom.
Hua Yun Dan, you constantly claim to love the Prince. This time, I will see how you love him.
Li Chenxi returned to his seat. Minister of Justice Sun Yan walked over and began to drink with Li Chenxi.
"Sir, please take it easy!"
Xue Zining and Jiang Bei heard the noise and quickly fell silent!
When the person emerged, she was surprised to see that it was Hua Yun Dan.
Hua Yun Dan was being supported by a woman. She turned her face away. She knew that Hua Yun Dan had not been close to any woman for many years. She actually felt guilty. If it were like this, she would rather not have agreed to what she had promised Hua Yun Dan back then, and instead harmed Yun Dan for life.
Now, she could finally put her mind at ease. He had finally forgotten her, right?
"Ning'er." As Hua Yun Dan and the woman passed by her, she heard Hua Yun Dan murmur.
She trembled all over. She turned to look at Hua Yun Dan. "Ning'er, you… you mustn't leave me."
Hua Yun Dan held the woman's hand and murmured.
Although the woman was unwilling, she followed his words. "I'm here."
"Ning'er…"
"Yun Dan, let's go back and rest!" the woman said.
Soon, the two figures departed.
Xue Zining followed them.
Upon arriving at the courtyard where Hua Yun Dan resided, the woman said at the courtyard entrance, "You can just wait outside."
Xue Zining stepped forward and said, "I apologize, but my duty is to protect Prime Minister Hua. I must stay by his side at all times."
The woman heard this and knew that Xue Zining had been sent by His Highness Prince Jing to protect Hua Yun Dan.
When they reached the room, the woman said again, "Can you wait outside this time?"
Xue Zining glanced at her and said, "Never leaving your side."
The woman was somewhat annoyed. "What exactly do you mean? Do you know who I am?"
Xue Zining looked at the woman and said, "I know. You are Lin Lulu, the daughter of the Minister of Justice."
Lin Lulu heard this and said smugly, "Since you know, why don't you withdraw?"
"Miss Lin, I'm sorry, but I must stay by his side." Xue Zining said.
Lin Lulu, furious, pointed at her and said, "I'm telling you, don't ruin my plans, otherwise I will report you to His Highness Prince Jing."
"Miss Lin, no matter how many times you report me, I will still stay by his side." Xue Zining said.
"You…"
"Ning'er…" Hua Yun Dan suddenly grabbed Xue Zining's hand.
Xue Zining was startled. At this moment, Lin Lulu pushed her aside and supported Hua Yun Dan, saying, "Prime Minister, Ning'er is here."
"Ning'er, is it really you?" Hua Yun Dan looked up at Lin Lulu.
His gaze was too cold, and Lin Lulu was slightly taken aback. She gritted her teeth and nodded. "Yes, I am Ning'er."
Hua Yun Dan put an arm around Lin Lulu's waist and said affectionately, "Ning'er, you are Ning'er."
"Sir, let's rest!" Lin Lulu said, her face flushed red as she looked at Hua Yun Dan.
When His Highness Prince Jing asked her to seduce the Prime Minister of Yun Kingdom, she had resisted. She thought that a prime minister would have to be old enough to be her father. But she never expected that when she saw Hua Yun Dan at the banquet, she would fall in love at first sight with this handsome man.
If it was him, then she was willing.
"Rest?" Hua Yun Dan asked.
Lin Lulu nodded, her cheeks burning with shyness. "Sir, may I serve you?"
Hua Yun Dan looked at her for a long time, making Lin Lulu a little fearful because his gaze was so cold.
At this moment, she even doubted if he was not drunk at all.
And if he had not taken the aphrodisiac she administered.
"Sir… Sir…" she called out again.
"Alright!" Hua Yun Dan lowered his gaze, wrapped his arm around her waist, and walked towards the bed.
The bed curtains were lowered. Seeing the figures mingling inside, Xue Zining felt an indescribable emotion.
"Ning'er…" Hua Yun Dan's low moan came from within the bed curtains.
At this moment, Xue Zining clenched her fist tightly. The next second, she stepped forward and tore down the curtains.
Lin Lulu, who was unfastening Hua Yun Dan's clothes, was startled by her sudden action. After a long moment, she reacted and angrily said, "Get out."
"I apologize, Miss Lin, but I believe there might be a situation here."
"What situation?" Lin Lulu asked angrily. Xue Zining slowly said, "It seems there are insects."
"Get out…" Lin Lulu was truly enraged. She had interrupted her good deed for the third time.
"Ning'er, don't be angry." Hua Yun Dan pushed Lin Lulu aside and grabbed Xue Zining's hand.
"Sir, I am Ning'er." Lin Lulu stepped forward and said.
Hua Yun Dan looked up at Lin Lulu, and after a while, said, "No… you are not. Get out!"
Lin Lulu was stunned. "Sir."
Hua Yun Dan said coldly, "Scram."
Lin Lulu covered her face and left.
"Prime Minister, could you please release my hand?"
Hua Yun Dan looked up at her and said indifferently, "I have no interest in men."
Xue Zining was somewhat amused by his words. She said, "Then please release my hand."
Hua Yun Dan let go of her hand and said, "You may leave now!"
"Yes, I take my leave!" She turned to leave. As she reached the doorway, she stopped and said, "Prime Minister, if you cannot forget, then do not try easily. If you choose to forget, then do not be so indecisive. It is unfair to you and to others."
With that, she left.
Hua Yun Dan was stunned, then he chuckled softly, though his smile was tinged with bitterness.
He thought that by calling her name and thinking of her, he could start anew with someone else. But he never expected that he could not deceive himself or his heart.
He still could not forget her.
Xue Zining, you are like a cup of poisoned wine. Once consumed, the pain makes him unable to forget forever.
Xue Zining left Hua Yun Dan's room. The surroundings were now safe, and she took a moment of respite.
A gust of wind blew, and she shielded her eyes. When she lowered her hand, she saw a person sitting on a rock not far away.
A large black cloak concealed his entire being. She walked closer and said, "Everyone else is at the banquet, yet Mr. Li is here?"
"Is it strange for me to be here?" Mr. Li's low voice was even more captivating than the night.
"It's just that I find it odd that Mr. Li, as a prince, and the most favored person before the king, is not there."
"Then where should I be?" Mr. Li asked.
"Drinking, entertaining the ruler of Yun Kingdom with His Highness Prince Jing."