"What happened to me?" Xue Zi Ning asked as she got up.
"Your Majesty, you fainted, so I had no choice but to bring you out," he replied.
"This isn't the imperial mausoleum?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Yan Zhao nodded. "Replying to Your Highness, this is not the imperial mausoleum."
"Let's go back!" Xue Zi Ning said slowly.
Yan Zhao paused slightly. "Your Highness, you..."
"Let's go back!" Xue Zi Ning did not wish to say more, and Yan Zhao did not press further. That afternoon, he found a carriage.
In the carriage, Xue Zi Ning reflected on the events in the imperial mausoleum. She realized she was missing a key, someone who could truly open the mausoleum.
That person was not her, but Xue Chang Jun.
Therefore, upon their return, she would likely have to persuade Xue Chang Jun to accompany her to the imperial mausoleum.
The journey did not take too long, mostly spent in transit. After several days, they finally arrived in the capital.
Xue Zi Ning returned to the heavenly prison, and Yan Zhao returned to the General's mansion.
Yan Zhao had not expected his father to still be awake so late, waiting only for his return.
"Father," Yan Zhao bowed. His ability to go out this time was entirely due to his father's efforts and tacit approval; otherwise, he probably wouldn't even be able to leave the General's mansion.
"Sit," the old General Yan uttered a single word.
Yan Zhao, not understanding, still sat down. "Father, you are not resting so late. Is there something urgent?"
"These past few days, Prince Jing has been subtly hinting that he wants you to marry the Ninth Princess."
The Ninth Princess? Yan Zhao thought for a long time before recalling who the Ninth Princess was.
"Father, I will not marry the Ninth Princess..." Before Yan Zhao could finish, he was interrupted by the old General Yan, "You don't need to tell me; I know."
"Father, the only person I love is Princess Chang Ning."
The old General Yan nodded. "You can only marry Princess Chang Ning."
Yan Zhao was stunned. He had not expected his father to declare himself so clearly.
As if sensing his thoughts, the old General Yan said, "Consort Yi and Consort Yan are both pregnant with imperial princes. If you marry a princess from either of these consorts, our General's mansion will become their support in ascending the throne.
This would break the neutral stance I have maintained for many years, and it is not something I wish to see, nor is it something His Majesty would want.
The Empress only has this one princess. No matter how ambitious she is, she cannot become emperor. Therefore, your marrying Princess Chang Ning is the best course of action."
Yan Zhao nodded. "My father's foresight is profound; your son is ashamed to be outmatched."
"However, Prince Jing will not give up, and Consort Yan will not let go either. Yan Zhao, you must marry Princess Chang Ning as soon as possible."
"Father, rest assured, I understand," Yan Zhao replied.
The old General Yan nodded. "However, Princess Chang Ning is currently in the heavenly prison. It will not be easy for her to get out, as Consort Yi and Consort Yan will not want her to be released."
"It's also good that she's not out; it provides her with an alibi," Yan Zhao said slowly.
The old General Yan nodded. "You are correct. Do what you intend to do."
Upon hearing that Princess Chang Ning had returned to the heavenly prison, Xue Chang'an went to the prison that very night. Although she had been unable to enter the prison multiple times before, she was allowed in now that Princess Chang Ning had returned.
Who would believe that Princess Chang Ning had never left the heavenly prison?
Seeing Xue Chang'an, Xue Zi Ning's expression changed. "Why are you here?"
Xue Chang'an chuckled softly. "My sister has just returned, and how could I, your elder sister, not come to visit?"
Xue Zi Ning remained silent, observing Xue Chang'an. Xue Chang'an must know she had left the heavenly prison without permission. Her arrival here was likely to inquire about what was truly in the imperial mausoleum.
"Sister must have gone to a very distant place. Seeing you after a month, I feel you have become much more haggard."
"Xue Chang'an, what exactly do you want to say? Speak plainly, don't beat around the bush."
Xue Chang'an smiled upon hearing this. "Very well, then tell me, where did you go?"
"Don't you know better than I do where I went? Unless the people I killed on the road were not your people?"
Thinking of the people she had sent who were now dead, killed by Xue Zi Ning's hands, Xue Chang'an felt a surge of anger. She always felt Xue Chang Ning had done it deliberately.
"Then do you admit to leaving the prison without permission?"
"Aren't you the one asking? Is there anything wrong with me answering how you ask?"
Xue Chang'an shook her head. "You went to the imperial mausoleum?"
"Yes," Xue Zi Ning answered directly without hesitation.
"Do you know that the imperial mausoleum is forbidden to any living person?"
"I know, but I still entered," Xue Zi Ning said coldly, looking up at Xue Chang'an.
"Chang Ning, do you know that entering the imperial mausoleum is not permitted?"
"But I entered. Will you tell Father Emperor?"
Xue Chang'an sneered. "How could you enter the imperial mausoleum without Father Emperor's permission? I assume Father Emperor tacitly agreed."
"Since you know, then why are you here?" Xue Zi Ning asked coldly.
Xue Chang'an walked step by step, approaching her. Although separated by a prison door, Xue Zi Ning could still feel the aura of authority emanating from Xue Chang'an.
"Xue Chang Ning, I am determined to have this throne..."
Xue Zi Ning blinked slightly, looking at Xue Chang'an. "Where is Chang Jun?"
"They are not worthy," Xue Chang'an said coldly.
"Xue Chang'an, I advise you to abandon that idea. Father Emperor has Chang Jun and Prince Jing. The throne would not fall to you."
"So what? The struggle for the throne has always been a river of blood, hasn't it?"
Xue Zi Ning frowned. "Xue Chang'an, isn't it good to be a princess?"
"No," Xue Chang'an replied.
"Xue..."
"Chang Ning, I am here only to inform you, not to seek your opinion. I hope that from now on, you and I will not be rivals, otherwise, I will not consider our kinship."
With that, Xue Chang'an turned and left.
Xue Zi Ning watched Xue Chang'an's retreating figure and sighed. Has fate finally begun?
She remembered that in this life, Xue Chang'an did not have any intention of becoming emperor in the end. Had she changed the trajectory?
Had she changed the trajectory that everyone was supposed to follow?
Suddenly, Xue Chang Ning's gaze shifted, looking towards a corner. She said coldly, "Since you are here, then show yourself!"
A slender figure emerged from the corner. It was Xue Chang Jun.
"You've come..." Xue Zi Ning said.
Xue Chang Jun chuckled. "Sister, it seems you returned without success."
"Chang Jun, tell me, how can I return?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Xue Chang Jun giggled. "Why is Sister only learning to be clever now? You know I must know?"
"The one who tied the knot must untie it. You brought me in here, so it must depend on you to get me out."
Xue Chang Jun looked at her and said slowly, "Sister really wants to go back?"
Xue Zi Ning nodded without hesitation. "Yes."
"But I don't want Sister to leave. Isn't it good here? You have family, you have a lover. Why must you go back?"
"Everything here is fake. They are all dead."