Wen Yuxi stroked her small head, "Little one, thank you. Otherwise, I almost made a mistake due to my jealousy."
Xue Xingyue blinked and looked at Wen Yuxi, "Uncle Wen, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, I've just figured some things out," Wen Yuxi said.
As he spoke, he placed Xue Xingyue on the ground. "Little one, go play with your brother. Uncle Wen needs to talk to your mother."
Xue Xingyue nodded, "Okay."
Watching Xue Xingyue's obedient back, Wen Yuxi's gaze softened considerably. He entered the tent, where Xue Zining was reading a secret letter from the capital.
When he entered, Xue Zining sensed a presence and only then looked up. "Something wrong?"
Xue Zining was surprised to see Wen Yuxi suddenly kneel. "Wen Yuxi, you..."
"Your subject has a crime, please punish me, Your Majesty."
Xue Zining frowned, put down the secret letter, stood up, and walked to Wen Yuxi's side, reaching out to help him up.
He shook his head. "Your Majesty, your subject has concealed a crime."
"Whatever it is, speak after you stand up," Xue Zining said.
Under Xue Zining's insistent request, Wen Yuxi stood up. "Tell me what happened now!"
Wen Yuxi bowed. "Miss Lin just came over."
Miss Lin? Xue Zining thought for a long time before remembering it was Miss Lin Shushu from Jiangnan.
With that thought, Xue Zining's gaze deepened. "What you have to say is related to her?"
Wen Yuxi nodded. "Miss Lin brought news that Wen Ling has appeared and captured Yan Jin Chao."
Xue Zining was slightly taken aback, then smiled. "I would believe anyone else was captured, but him, I wouldn't believe."
How could such a cunning person be captured? She just couldn't believe it.
"Your Majesty doesn't believe it?" Wen Yuxi asked.
"It's not that I don't believe it, it's that I don't believe he was captured."
Actually, Wen Yuxi didn't believe it either, but Lin Shushu's account was too vivid to dismiss. "Your Majesty, shall I have Miss Lin come see you?"
"No need," Xue Zining shook her head.
Wen Yuxi was surprised. "Your Majesty, you..."
"Wen Yuxi, take Wen Yu back. If it's true, you can deal with the traitor and ideally rescue Wen Nuan."
"Isn't Your Majesty coming along?" Wen Yuxi asked.
Xue Zining shook her head. "No. Since I've decided to leave him, I won't go back on my word. Wen Yuxi, I believe you can satisfy me."
Wen Yuxi stepped forward and hugged her tightly. "A Ning, I won't disappoint you. I'll leave tonight."
Xue Zining nodded. "Take care of yourself."
Wen Yuxi quickly kissed her forehead, then left.
Xue Zining's eyes flickered. She looked at the secret letter in her hand, unable to read on.
The next day
Xue Xingyue searched for a while but couldn't find Wen Yuxi. She couldn't help but go to Xue Zining. "Mother, where did Uncle Wen go?"
"Your Uncle Wen has something to attend to," Xue Zining said.
Xue Xingyue climbed onto her chair. Xue Zining hugged her. Xue Xingyue said, "I know Mother sent Uncle Wen to save Father."
Xue Zining was surprised. "Xingyue, how did you know?"
Xue Xingyue smiled, showing a triumphant expression. "Yesterday, Uncle Wen asked me what I would do if Father were in danger."
"What did you answer?" Xue Zining asked.
Xue Xingyue replied, "Of course I said I would save Father. I also said that besides Father, Uncle Wen is the most important person to me."
Upon hearing this, Xue Zining reached out and stroked Xue Xingyue's head. "Xingyue, it was your words that ensured your Uncle Wen wouldn't feel guilty later."
"Mother, I figured out immediately that Father was in trouble. Mother, is what I did unfair to Uncle Wen?" Sending a love rival to save a love rival?
Xue Xingyue's little brain couldn't figure it out.
Xue Zining smiled. "You're overthinking it. Wen Ling is a traitor to Qian Jin Lou, and your Aunt Wen Nuan is still in his hands. Therefore, only your Uncle Wen is suitable to handle this matter. You just need to obediently return to the capital with Mother."
Xue Xingyue nodded. "I understand, Mother. I won't make you worry about me."
Xue Zining smiled with relief. "Xingyue, you've grown up."
"Mother, I will grow up quickly and share your burdens."
"My little Xingyue has truly grown up."
Xue Xingyue giggled. Xue Zining looked up and saw Xue Xingchen waving at the door. "Come here, Xingchen."
Xue Xingyue turned around and said, "Brother."
Xue Xingchen walked over. Xue Zining picked him up. "Did you hear everything?"
Xue Xingchen nodded. He didn't mean to eavesdrop on Mother and Xingyue's conversation; he just came to ask Mother where Uncle Wen had gone.
"Your Father is in trouble. Mother has sent your Uncle Wen to save your Father."
Xue Xingchen twitched his lips. He found the whole situation somewhat bizarre.
He wondered what Father would think if he knew Uncle Wen was the one who saved him. If it were him, he wouldn't want this love rival to save him.
Yu Xiaoyu and Yan Jin Chao were locked up together. At this moment, Yu Xiaoyu truly realized she had been tricked by Wen Ling.
"Young Master Yan, I apologize. My foolishness has led you into this trap as well."
Unfortunately, Yan Jin Chao didn't even spare her a glance. He just sat there quietly.
At first, she tried to get closer, but when she was less than ten feet from Yan Jin Chao, she was flung backward.
After a few attempts, she finally understood that Yan Jin Chao didn't want her near him, so she gave up all her thoughts.
She knew someone would come to rescue them. At the very least, the Empress wouldn't abandon Yan Jin Chao. Then she could seize the opportunity to beg for mercy and perhaps be released.
Now, sitting here in darkness, she recalled her past actions and felt that she really shouldn't have done those things.
Now, she was reaping what she had sown.
"Time to eat," someone came and shoved two plates in.
Yu Xiaoyu glanced at them and couldn't help but want to complain. What was this meant to be? Even a pig wouldn't eat it.
She forced herself not to look at the food.
"Not eating?" The person delivering the food saw Yu Xiaoyu looking at it with disdain and became displeased. He stepped on the plate and spat into it. "Now, do you see if you'll eat it or not..."
Before he finished speaking, the man was suddenly flung away. He got up from the ground, utterly bewildered. "Who? Who was it?"
"Bring some different food," Yan Jin Chao, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke.
The man was stunned. At this moment, he understood who had acted. He didn't dare say anything more, picked up the plates, and left. Shortly after, he brought back new food.
This time, it was much better. At least it was edible.
Yu Xiaoyu ate a few bites, relieved. It wasn't spoiled.