"Did you ask Wen Nuan if she was willing?"
"Who wouldn't want to live? Who wouldn't want to see, to walk with their own body?"
Lin Shishu sprinted out of the tea house, terrified of being discovered and dragged back. She didn't understand why Yu Xiaoyu, upon seeing her escape, didn't report her.
However, she didn't have time to ponder those matters. Her only thought was to run, to leave this place, to catch up with the Empress and save Yan Jin Chao.
She knew she couldn't run much longer. But she had left in such haste that she hadn't brought any money, so she had to pawn her hairpin.
She hired a carriage and then hurried towards the Empress's direction.
"Mother, what's wrong? You seem a bit unhappy?" Xue Xingyue noticed Xue Zi Ning's subdued mood.
"It's nothing," Xue Zi Ning patted Xue Xingyue's head. She was simply feeling uneasy.
This sense of unease made her feel unwell.
She dared not imagine, dared not think of that person. She feared she wouldn't be able to resist, nor could she bring herself to decide to leave.
"Your Majesty, the forest is ahead. We will likely have to spend the night here," Wen Yu Xi's voice came from outside.
"Alright, make the arrangements," Xue Zi Ning replied.
The carriage stopped. Xue Xingyue and Xue Xing Chen got out, saying they would help Wen Yu Xi set up camp.
When Xue Zi Ning alighted from the carriage, Wen Yu Xi had already pitched the tent. She truly hadn't expected Wen Yu Xi to have brought a military tent.
"A Ning, come here quickly." Wen Yu Xi waved at her.
Xue Zi Ning walked over. Wen Yu Xi took her hand and led her into the tent. Inside, she saw it was filled with flowers.
Although flowers were common this season, gathering so many in such a short period was truly remarkable.
Wen Yu Xi said, "A Ning, you have everything, even better than what I can give you. I've been racking my brains these past few days to think of this. Perhaps it's not the best, but it's my most heartfelt effort."
Xue Zi Ning stepped forward, standing amidst the sea of flowers. "Thank you, Wen Yu Xi. I like it very much."
The maiden stood in the floral expanse, like a spirit, capturing all his gaze.
He slowly walked forward, placing his hands on her shoulders, and said with all seriousness, "A Ning, I love you. I love you very, very much. Your happiness makes me happy, and when you're sad, I wish I could bear your sorrow for you. As long as you are by my side, I feel happy."
"Wen Yu Xi, thank you."
She was grateful that after so many years, Wen Yu Xi still liked her as much, allowing her to lean on him.
"A Ning..." Wen Yu Xi gazed at her with deep affection.
Time seemed to stand still at this moment.
Xue Zi Ning saw Wen Yu Xi leaning closer. She closed her eyes, sensing that such moments would likely occur in the future.
Wen Yu Xi was slightly taken aback, feeling a surge of joy. Did this mean the Empress was ready to accept him?
"A Ning, I will never leave you, and I will always be by your side."
She felt Wen Yu Xi's presence growing nearer. Suddenly, a face flashed in her mind. She trembled and pushed Wen Yu Xi away.
Wen Yu Xi was stunned. "A Ning..."
"I... I still can't completely forget him. Wen Yu Xi, I..."
Wen Yu Xi stepped forward and embraced her. "A Ning, I will wait for you, until you are ready to forget him and accept me..."
"Wen Yu Xi, thank you..."
Wen Yu Xi patted her shoulder. "It's alright, A Ning. It's alright."
"Mother, Mother..."
Xue Xingyue's voice was heard from outside. Xue Zi Ning pushed Wen Yu Xi away and walked out. Xue Xingyue, with a mischievous grin, ran towards her. "Mother, did you like it inside?"
"Was it you who did this?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Xue Xingyue nodded. "And brother too."
"You worked hard," Xue Zi Ning patted Xue Xingyue's head. "Thank you."
"Then... Mother and Uncle Wen..."
"Mother still needs some time. Can you give Mother a little more time?"
Xue Xingyue nodded. "Mother, however long you need, it doesn't matter. Uncle Wen will wait for you."
"Silly child," Xue Zi Ning patted Xue Xingyue's head.
"Mother, Brother and I both hope you will be happy. It doesn't matter whether you choose to be with Uncle Wen or not."
Wen Yu Xi watched Xue Zi Ning, who was laughing happily with Xue Xingyue and Xue Xing Chen, from a distance. His gaze deepened.
"Uncle Wen, you come here too." Xue Xingyue saw Wen Yu Xi approaching and grabbed his hand, pulling him over.
Wen Yu Xi smiled and picked up Xue Xingyue. "Little one, what are you smiling about?"
"Uncle Wen, you still need to keep trying!" Xue Xingyue said.
"Xingyue, if your father were in danger, what would you do?"
Xue Xingyue paused for a moment, then smiled. "How could that happen? Father is very capable. Nothing will happen to him."
"What if, hypothetically?" Wen Yu Xi asked again.
Xue Xingyue thought for a moment and said, "Then I would go and save Father. No matter what, he is my father, and I don't want to see anything happen to him. Mother feels the same way. Uncle Wen, will you be angry if I say this?"
"Little one, why would you think I would be angry?" Wen Yu Xi asked.
Xue Xingyue said, "You'd be angry because I'm still thinking about Father."
"No, after all, he is related to you by blood."
"Uncle Wen, if you were in such a situation, I would do the same. You are the most important person to me, besides Father and Mother."