"An Ning, Old General Yan's grandson, Yan Zhao, is quite a fine young man. Old General Yan has repeatedly discussed with your father, the Emperor, about a marriage between him and you. An Ning, what are your thoughts?" the Emperor asked her, his concern evident.
Xue Zi Ning's gaze paused. She hadn't expected to meet Yan Zhao so soon. "Can Father Emperor let me meet him?"
The Emperor laughed heartily. "Of course, our An Ning has grown up."
The Empress Consort stroked her head. "You are doing the right thing. It's not appropriate to truly get to know someone after marriage. Even though you are a princess, you can't just get a divorce whenever you wish."
"I don't like what you're saying. If my princess wants a divorce, she can have it. If she is wronged, why shouldn't she divorce! Should she let him continue to bully An Ning?"
"Why are you talking about divorce upon marriage? What kind of thinking is that, Your Majesty?"
"I have no particular thinking, it's just that no one is allowed to bully my An Ning."
Xue Zi Ning smiled. "Father Emperor, Empress Consort, you don't need to argue like this. I won't let myself be wronged."
The Emperor smiled. "Yes, that's right. If you don't like him, if you don't love him, then divorce him. Even if you return to the palace, can't I still support my own princess? Who would dare mock her?"
After living here for these few days, Xue Zi Ning had gradually adapted. Whether it was an illusion or something else, since she couldn't leave, she might as well stay here and accompany her parents. It wasn't a bad thing.
"Princess, Princess Yan! Young Master Yan has returned victorious!" The palace maid, Xue Lian, hurried over. After this period, she had already understood that the princess cared about Young Master Yan, contrary to the rumors that she disliked him.
"Hurry and take me," Xue Zi Ning said. She couldn't recall what Yan Zhao looked like in her first life. Now, she felt an eagerness to see him.
"Your Highness, please follow this servant quickly. The carriage is ready for Your Highness," Xue Lian said.
Xue Zi Ning, in the carriage prepared by Xue Lian, arrived at the most prosperous street in the capital.
She saw the troops lined up in welcome. At the forefront stood Old General Yan, clad in armor, exuding an aura of valor.
Xue Zi Ning searched the ranks of this army for Yan Zhao's figure.
Suddenly, a group of young girls beside her rushed towards a particular direction. Xue Zi Ning blinked and asked Xue Lian, "Why are they running?"
Xue Lian smiled. "Your Highness, it's Young Master Yan who has arrived."
Xue Zi Ning looked towards the direction where the young girls and ladies were running. She saw a man mounted on a tall, white warhorse. Silver armor encased his entire being, and the only visible part was his face.
Unlike the dark complexions of other soldiers, his skin was quite normal, even fair. He didn't look like someone who had been campaigning and fighting, but rather like a noble young master from a distinguished family. However, the silver armor he wore highlighted him as a soldier.
The man, visible only by his face within the silver armor, caused a stir.
His clear and handsome face was cold, and his eyes held a detached gaze, giving him an air of superiority.
"Your Highness, that's Young Master Yan," Xue Lian pointed at the man and said.
Xue Zi Ning was filled with shock. She was seeing Yan Zhao from her first life, exactly as she remembered him.
Perhaps it was because Xue Lian's voice was too loud, but Yan Zhao looked in her direction.
As their eyes met, Xue Zi Ning felt her heart pounding.
She lifted the corner of her lips and called his name, "Yan Zhao."
She had expected to be greeted by Yan Zhao's smile or a meaningful gaze, but she never imagined that he would greet her with a detached expression, as if he didn't recognize her at all.
Xue Zi Ning: "..."
"Xue Lian, do you think he saw me?" Xue Zi Ning couldn't help but ask.
Xue Lian scratched her head. "He did see you!"
"Then why didn't he react? That's not normal."
Xue Lian looked at Xue Zi Ning, confused, and asked, "Isn't this normal?"
"Normal? Why is it normal?" Xue Zi Ning was somewhat puzzled.
Xue Lian replied, "Didn't Your Highness instruct Young Master Yan that from now on, he should act as if he has never seen Your Highness before, or else there would be severe consequences?"
"I... When did I ever say such a thing?" Xue Zi Ning was stunned.
Xue Lian said in surprise, "Just recently. Your Highness said you disliked this marriage, and you've been asking the Emperor to revoke the imperial decree of betrothal, haven't you?"
Xue Zi Ning frowned and, after a moment of silence, asked, "Then who do I like now?"
Xue Lian thought for a moment. "This servant doesn't know. However, Your Highness has been close to Young Master Hua."
"Hua Yun Jin?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Xue Lian nodded.
Xue Zi Ning fell into silence. After thinking for a long time, she finally recalled what she had done in this life. In this life, she did not like Yan Zhao. On the day of her marriage to Hua Yun Jin, Hua Yun Jin rebelled, and she was caught in that rebellion. She didn't know what happened afterward.
"Your Highness..." Xue Lian called out to her.
"I'm fine, let's go back!" Since Yan Zhao was ignoring her now, what was she doing here? Wouldn't it just make Yan Zhao mock her?
In the carriage, Xue Zi Ning remained silent. Xue Lian couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, Young Master Yan is actually quite good. Although he's not talkative, this servant believes his feelings for Your Highness are sincere."
"What about Young Master Hua?" Xue Zi Ning couldn't help but ask.
Xue Lian hesitated upon hearing this.
Xue Zi Ning said, "Feel free to speak, I won't blame you."
"This servant doesn't quite like Young Master Hua. I just feel that Young Master Hua's approach to Your Highness is with ulterior motives."
Upon hearing this, Xue Zi Ning let out a wry smile. Even Xue Lian could see it, yet she herself was unaware.
Old General Yan's victory was great, and the Emperor was very happy. He prepared a banquet to welcome Old General Yan back.
Xue Zi Ning dressed up a little and walked out of her palace. She saw Xue Chang An.
Xue Chang An saw her and smiled. "Sister, you look truly beautiful today."
Xue Zi Ning nodded faintly. If she hadn't witnessed Xue Chang An's death before her eyes, she would truly believe that Xue Chang An was still alive.
"Sister, shall we go together?" Xue Chang An asked.
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Okay."
After walking half the way, Xue Chang An suddenly spoke. "Sister, is Young Master Yan not good enough?"
Xue Zi Ning looked up at her and asked, "What do you want to say?"
"I also like Young Master Hua," Xue Chang An said word by word.
Xue Zi Ning laughed. "You like him, what does that have to do with me?"
Xue Chang An frowned upon hearing this. "But don't you also like Young Master Hua?"
"Who says I like Young Master Hua? I like Yan Zhao," Xue Zi Ning said.
Xue Chang An's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Really."
Xue Chang An smiled. "Sister, thank you."
Xue Zi Ning looked at Xue Chang An suspiciously. In her first life, she really didn't know that Xue Chang An liked Hua Yun Jin.
Upon arriving at the banquet, Xue Zi Ning sat beside the Empress Consort. The Empress Consort looked at her and said, "Have you finally reconciled with your sister?"