Does she like the Empress?
Yan Zhao narrowed his eyes, and the image of those clear, water-like eyes surfaced in his mind.
His heart skipped a beat for no reason.
He chuckled softly. How could that be?
"Young Master, there is news of Madam's clansmen," Yan Er suddenly appeared and said in a low voice.
Yan Zhao's gaze paused slightly, and he looked up, a flicker of surprise in his dark eyes.
"Where?" His voice sounded a bit hoarse.
Yan Er said, "In Binzhou."
"Find them and bring them here," Yan Zhao said, raising his head. His dark eyes were now filled with indifference.
"Yes, Young Master." Yan Er left.
Yan Zhao took two steps and stopped, saying indifferently, "Princess Yun Lan, following me like this is not proper."
"You... you know it's me?" Xue Yun Lan asked in surprise.
She saw the slender figure turn around. The face that often appeared in her dreams was now before her.
Her heart trembled, and she gazed foolishly at the person who had appeared before her.
Seeing that Xue Yun Lan remained silent and was simply looking at him, Yan Zhao said with a cool gaze, "Princess Yun Lan, what do you need from me?"
Xue Yun Lan snapped back to reality and was met with that icy, indifferent gaze.
Her heart sank. The person she had longed for was looking at her with such a cold expression.
Xue Yun Lan felt a chill in her heart, an indescribable feeling.
"If Princess Yun Lan has nothing else, I shall take my leave!" Yan Zhao withdrew his gaze and turned to leave.
How could he leave so quickly when he had finally managed to see her?
When would he see her again?
Thinking of this, her heart felt pained and
Xue Yun Lan bit her lower lip and took the only bold step she had taken in twelve years. She walked forward a step and blocked the figure who was about to disappear from her sight.
Yan Zhao frowned slightly, looking at Xue Yun Lan who was blocking his way. His gaze was filled with a clear coldness, and he said indifferently, "Princess, what is the meaning of this?"
Xue Yun Lan raised her head and was met by those extremely clear and cold eyes. Her heart inexplicably trembled, but she still mustered her courage. This might be the bravest thing she had ever done. "Young Master Yan, are you happy?"
Yan Zhao was slightly taken aback. He looked at Xue Yun Lan, his gaze still unwavering in its coldness, and his indifferent voice spoke again, "Princess, does that matter?"
"It does. If... if you don't like it here, I can take you away," Xue Yun Lan said, looking up, word by word.
However, she saw a smile appear on the face she had longed for. His already refined and handsome face became even more captivating because of this smile.
She heard her heart pounding rapidly.
If she were asked to do anything at that moment, she would not refuse.
But, she heard the coldest words: "Princess, thank you for your kindness, but I do not need it."
Xue Yun Lan shivered all over. She looked up and saw the coldness in his dark eyes.
It was as if water had frozen into ice, gradually spreading to every part of her body.
He, did not need her.
"I bid you farewell!"
"Wait..." she blurted out.
Waiting for her was a voice of extreme coldness, "Princess, is there anything else?"
"Is it because that person is sitting in that position, or is it anyone who sits in that position?" Xue Yun Lan asked, word by word.
She saw a smile curve his lips. In an instant, it was as if the surrounding scenery had turned bleak, and only the smile on his lips remained.
She felt her heart pounding faster and faster.
"Princess, you are thinking too much." With that, the figure imprinted in her eyes gradually moved away, until finally, not even a shadow could be seen.
Xue Yun Lan lowered her now dimmed gaze. Was she thinking too much?
If... if she could sit in that position, would he still say this?
"Princess..."
Hearing this, Xue Yun Lan looked up and saw a frail figure slowly approaching. As the figure drew closer, she saw a somewhat pale face.
"It's you..." Xue Yun Lan said in surprise.
"Princess." The young man bowed slightly.
"Young Master Lin, is there something you need?" Xue Yun Lan asked coldly.
Although Xue Yun Lan rarely inquired about her father, King Xue Wenjie's affairs, she had heard from the servants about the changes in Grand Tutor Lin's position in court.
In the past, Grand Tutor Lin and Censor Li were her father's right-hand men.
Now that Grand Tutor Lin had openly defected, she disdained such behavior.
He was just a turncoat.
Xue Yun Lan's cold words did not make Lin Yan Zhi retreat. Instead, a smile played on his lips. "Princess, I merely feel that it is not worth it for you?"
"Not worth it for me? Who are you? Do you have the right?" Xue Yun Lan asked unceremoniously.
Lin Yan Zhi was not offended. He sighed and said, "Princess, I see very clearly that you like Young Master Yan, but Young Master Yan..."
Xue Yun Lan narrowed her eyes and sneered, "You don't need to worry about who I like. You should worry about yourself. With such a frail body, can you live much longer?"
After saying that, she turned to leave. Lin Yan Zhi spoke again, "Princess, only by possessing supreme power can you obtain what you desire, including Yan Zhao."
Xue Yun Lan's body stiffened, and she left without looking back.
"Cough, cough..." Lin Yan Zhi could not help but cough again.
Cui Sheng, who was behind him, quickly stepped forward to support Lin Yan Zhi and said worriedly, "Young Master, why must you do this?"
Lin Yan Zhi looked into the distance and shook his head. "Cui Sheng, I am not only doing this for the Empress, but also for myself, for the Lin family, and for my father. Time is running out. If the Regent were to act now, the Empress would have no chance of winning. Cui Sheng, only if the Empress wins now can the Lin family be protected."
"Young Master, these matters should be handled by your father. Why must you trouble yourself with them?"
"Cui Sheng, my father has protected me meticulously for fifteen years. It is time for me to protect the Lin family," Lin Yan Zhi said, his gentle eyes flashing with a hint of ferocity.
"Young Master..."
Lin Yan Zhi interrupted Cui Sheng. "Tell Cui He to inform Father that it is time to prepare."
"Young Master, so soon?" Cui Sheng asked in surprise.
Lin Yan Zhi looked at the blazing sun and said softly, "The weather is about to change."
This was all he could do now. He hoped the Empress would not disappoint him.
Zhaoyuan Palace
"Little Prince, when did you come in?" Aunt Yuan was slightly startled to see Xue Zixuan in the inner hall.
Xue Zixuan hissed and said in a low voice, "Aunt Yuan, please be quiet. I want to give Sister Emperor a surprise."
"Little Prince, you waited in vain. His Majesty has gone to Young Master Yan's place and will likely not return until evening." Aunt Yuan said.
Xue Zixuan sighed upon hearing this. "Alright then. Aunt Yuan, please don't tell Sister Emperor that I came. I will give Sister Emperor a surprise again tomorrow."