"Uncle Wen Yu, how are you?" Xue Xing Yue wanted to help Wen Yu up, but Wen Yu pushed her away, his voice a low growl, "Go quickly..."
Xue Xing Yue shivered all over. She didn't have time to think, and bolted. She felt someone chasing her from behind, but no matter how fast she ran, she was still too slow, because her legs were slow.
Seeing the sword, as cold as ice, slash towards her head, she cried out, "Help, Uncle Wen Yu, help! Mother, Father..."
She couldn't escape. She saw a huge black shadow descend from the sky, aimed directly at her. She bit her lower lip, sobbing, "Mother, Father, Brother, Xing Yue will go ahead, I'll wait for you below... sob..."
"You're not dead yet," a clear, cold voice drifted over. Xue Xing Yue felt herself being lifted and then falling into an embrace.
She looked up and saw the familiar face, her heart surging with excitement. "Mother, Mother, why are you here?"
Xue Zi Ning flicked her nose and said sternly, "If I hadn't come, how would I know you were almost hacked to death?"
Xue Xing Yue twitched the corner of her mouth. "Mother, I didn't want this either. You know, I can't outrun them, and I can't fight them. What could I do?"
She was too small, wishing she could grow up in an instant so she wouldn't need protection and could stand on her own like her mother.
"Silly child, how old are you? Cherish your childhood well. When you grow up, your troubles will only increase," Xue Zi Ning said slowly.
"Then, I hope I can grow up quickly, so I can help Mother. If Father doesn't listen, I'll beat him up and bring him back."
Hearing this, Xue Zi Ning's gaze dimmed. At this moment, Feng Wu had already killed all the pursuers. Wen Yu was helped up by Feng Wu and walked over. Wen Yu Xi dared not delay and said urgently, "Please, Your Majesty, go save Master, Master..."
"Uncle Wen Yu..." Xue Xing Yue said anxiously.
Wen Yu suddenly fainted. Feng Wu examined Wen Yu's injuries and said, "Your Highness Princess, do not worry. Wen Yu has only lost too much blood; he is not in mortal danger."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Give him the medicine we brought to protect his meridians."
Feng Wu nodded and quickly took out a medicine bottle from her waist, giving it to Wen Yu. Soon, Wen Yu woke up. "Your Majesty, hurry and save Master."
"Wen Yu, your injuries are serious now. There is an inn we arranged ahead. You go there to recuperate. When we return to Wen Yu Xi, we will meet you there."
Wen Yu shook his head. "I'm fine, Your Majesty, I can do it."
Seeing Wen Yu's firm attitude, Xue Zi Ning no longer tried to persuade him. "Since that is the case, let's leave quickly!"
"Mother, that dark uncle is so bad. Not only does he bully Aunt Nuan, but he bullies me too..." Xue Xing Yue couldn't help but complain.
Xue Zi Ning heard this and asked, "Is your Aunt Nuan alright?"
Xue Xing Yue shook her head. "Not good. I feel like Aunt Nuan is just waiting for someone; she has lost the hope of living."
Xue Zi Ning was slightly startled and quickened her pace. "Let's hurry."
They arrived at Qian Jin Lou. Xue Zi Ning looked at it, its appearance on par with the former Qian Jin Lou, and frowned.
"Are you sure it's Wen Ling?"
Wen Yu nodded. "It is."
No one would have believed that the foolish and simple-minded Wen Ling would one day recover and be no different from a normal person.
At least she couldn't imagine it.
The guards in Qian Jin Lou were all gone, likely having gone up to join the battle.
"Quickly!" Xue Zi Ning said.
They ascended Qian Jin Lou. On the rooftop, they saw Wen Yu Xi with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "Uncle Wen..."
Xue Xing Yue couldn't help but call out.
Wen Yu Xi turned his head and saw the long dress the color of sky and water, and that peerlessly beautiful face.
The surging emotions in his heart rose at this moment.
"Your... Your Majesty..." he uttered these two words involuntarily.
"You have worked hard, Yan Zhi."
Wen Yu Xi trembled all over. How long had it been since someone called him by that name? Ever since Tutor Lin retired and returned to his hometown not long ago, these two words had not been uttered by anyone.
No one knew that he was Wen Yu Xi, the legitimate son of the current Tutor Lin, the once sickly Lin Yan Zhi.
"Your Majesty, when you say that, it makes me fearful and also leaves no place for the emotions hidden in my heart to escape."
This was his Empress, the person he had once longed for, the woman who had given him her heart's blood twice, and the person he could never forget.
Wen Ling wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled, coming to Wen Nuan's side. He whispered, "Sister, you see, no matter how much you give for him, what is the use? In his heart, in his eyes, there is only the Empress; there is no you at all. Why do you still linger on him like this?"
Wen Nuan smiled bitterly. Of course, she knew she couldn't compare to the Empress, and couldn't even be the person in his heart. But what could she do? She still couldn't forget him, couldn't forget...
Even living on borrowed time now was only to see him once. Such a humble her, pitiable and ridiculous.
"Sister, why bother?" Wen Ling asked.
She looked up, wanting to ask Wen Ling with her empty eyes, what about you? Why won't you let go?
As if understanding her question, Wen Ling smiled bitterly. "Sister, unless I die, I will never let you go, never."
He lowered his head, his breath flowing by her ear. She instinctively flinched. His hand lifted her chin. "Sister, let's be irreconcilable, okay?"
She trembled all over, wanting to refuse, but Wen Ling had already left. He headed towards Wen Yu Xi.
Completely unprepared for combat, Wen Yu Xi was caught off guard by Wen Ling's sneak attack. A mouthful of blood sprayed from his mouth.
"Yan Zhi..." Xue Zi Ning frowned.
Wen Yu Xi shook his head. "I'm fine, Your Majesty."
Xue Zi Ning looked at Wen Ling. "Wen Ling, you can't escape. Surrender!"
Wen Ling looked at her, his face showing a hint of sarcasm. "Your Majesty, in my heart, there is never surrender."
"Your Majesty. Don't waste words with him. Just defeat him."
Saying this, Wen Yu Xi suddenly attacked Wen Ling. Wen Ling dodged and engaged Wen Yu Xi.
Wen Ling's martial arts were agile and fierce. He appeared to be slightly superior to Wen Yu Xi, and soon Wen Yu Xi was at a disadvantage. Wen Yu worriedly wanted to go forward to support him, but was stopped by Xue Zi Ning.
She came to Wen Nuan. Although there were guards from Qian Jin Lou, they had no chance against Xue Zi Ning and her group. Soon, she reached Wen Nuan unhindered.
"Wen Nuan, I am Xue Zi Ning," Xue Zi Ning said slowly.
Wen Nuan's body stiffened, and she was about to get out of the wheelchair. Xue Zi Ning stopped her. "Don't move, this is fine. Let's talk."