A wave of nausea washed over her as she recalled her once innocent expressions before him.
"Your Highness." Wu Hen watched her nervously.
She shook her head, "I'm fine, just too shocked. Wu Hen, we cannot stay here any longer. Make preparations and let's leave immediately."
She didn't want to stay here for another moment; the thought alone made her feel sick.
If she had known this day would come, she would never have helped Qi Yu Yuan. She couldn't accept or tolerate a person developing such thoughts towards their savior.
Wu Hen nodded and quickly went to find Fan Yan to start packing.
Fan Yan had already gathered all the people he could.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Dan requests an audience!" Wu Hen said, approaching Xue Xing Yue.
Xue Xing Yue nodded, "Let her in!"
Soon after, Concubine Dan entered, supported by palace maids. Upon seeing the orderly group of people in the courtyard, she asked in surprise, "Your Majesty, has something happened?"
Xue Xing Yue no longer wished to beat around the bush with Concubine Dan. She raised her eyes to look at her and said, "What has happened? Aren't you clearer than I am?"
Concubine Dan started, her face a mask of fear, "Your Majesty, I do not understand what you mean. If I have offended Your Majesty in any way, I beg for your forgiveness."
"You have not offended me in any way, but I no longer wish to play games with you. Who sent you here? I believe you know very well, so I don't need to state it explicitly, do I?"
Hearing this, Concubine Dan quickly knelt, "Your Majesty, I am wronged, I..."
"Enough!" Xue Xing Yue coldly glared at Concubine Dan and rebuked her sharply. Concubine Dan trembled, her beautiful face appearing pitiful and delicate, as if a gust of wind could blow her away.
"Concubine Dan, I don't want to waste any more time with you. Go back and tell that person, if they have something to say, let them come openly. Is it meaningful to hide behind like a cowardly turtle? But then again, haven't they been like a cowardly turtle for so many years? Such a person only makes me look down on them, and they are not worthy of carrying their parents' bloodline."
Concubine Dan trembled as she looked at her, "Your Majesty, I do not understand what you are saying. You must not slander me based on a few words from others. I..."
"Slander? That's a good word. But Concubine Dan, I am the one in charge here now. What if I were to slander you? Guards, tie her to the tree!" Xue Xing Yue waved her hand, and immediately, someone dragged Concubine Dan to a tree. Concubine Dan, unwilling, tried to speak, but as soon as she opened her mouth, something flew in and stuffed it shut. Wu Hen's actions startled Concubine Dan, causing her to collapse onto the ground. She had truly not expected that the usually refined Wu Hen would be as rough as Fan Yan. But what was she doing with his sock?
Concubine Dan could never have imagined that Empress Xing Jiu would actually dare to tie her up. The object in her mouth was indescribably pungent, making her feel nauseous.
However, she was unable to speak. Fortunately, she had already sent out her message.
Otherwise, her master would surely punish her.
"Let's go!" Xue Xing Yue gave the command as everything was ready.
As Fan Yan and the others opened the large gate, people were already waiting outside.
"Your Highness, it's the Regent." Wu Hen said.
Xue Xing Yue nodded, "You all withdraw."
Fan Yan and the others retreated, and she stepped forward, "May I ask why the Regent is here? To capture someone? To intercept, or..."
"To let you go." Qi Yu Yuan said, word by word.
Xue Xing Yue narrowed her eyes, "Regent, that joke is not funny. I might take it seriously."
Qi Yu Yuan glanced at her, his gaze holding an indescribable, complex emotion.
"Really?" Xue Xing Yue couldn't help but ask.
Qi Yu Yuan replied, "Do I need to joke?"
"Why?" She looked at Qi Yu Yuan.
"No reason. I never do things for a reason. Of course, if the Empress does not wish to leave, I will not force you." Qi Yu Yuan said.
"Who said that? Of course, I want to leave." Xue Xing Yue replied.
Qi Yu Yuan turned around. The guards beside him carried a large bundle, which they threw onto the ground. The guard opened it to reveal uniforms of the Imperial Guard.
He said, "Going out like this would be too conspicuous and attract attention. It would be better to change into the Imperial Guard's uniforms, making you less of a target."
Xue Xing Yue nodded, "Indeed, the Regent's consideration is more thorough."
Wu Hen and Fan Yan had already distributed the Imperial Guard uniforms.
In a short while, a contingent of Imperial Guards appeared before Qi Yu Yuan.
Xue Xing Yue, dressed in an Imperial Guard uniform, did not lose her stunning beauty.
"Regent, thank you!" She clasped her hands, her gaze sincere.
In a daze, Qi Yu Yuan felt as though he had returned to eight years ago. At that time, his father was appointed Grand General of the Cavalry to campaign against the then Star Country. His father believed they would conquer it in ten days, but unexpectedly, they couldn't even breach the city walls. His father was anxious, having submitted a military pledge that if the Star Country was not conquered within a month, his head would be presented to the Emperor.
At that time, to win his father's favor, he volunteered to lead the troops.
When he led his army to the city gates of Zhenwu City in the Star Country, the gate suddenly opened, and a person on horseback emerged. They were clad in armor, with a petite stature, their face obscured by a black veil, but for some reason, this person gave him a peculiar feeling.
He had expected the general who could resist his father's hundred-thousand-strong army to be at least tall, strong, and fierce. However, he found that the person was even more delicate than a woman.
Later, when they clashed, he discovered that while this person appeared petite and frail, their long spear was anything but weak. He began to feel a sense of admiration.
However, he knew he couldn't be soft-hearted. His father's military pledge was still pending, and he had to ensure his father won this battle. Thus, he took the opportunity when the other party was not paying attention and administered a paralytic poison.