Since you dislike him, why keep him in the Zhaoyuan Palace?
Since you dislike him, why torment him?
So, it turned out she had simply trusted the wrong person.
After a long time, Xue Yunlan raised her eyes, a haze of mist hidden within them.
Zhaoyuan Palace
Xue Zining looked at Hua Yunjin, shaking her head. "I know I was rash again this time," she couldn't help but say, "but, Yunjin, if I can't protect the people I want to protect, what's the use of sitting in this position?"
Hua Yunjin sighed softly, knowing the Empress would say this. "Your Majesty, after this incident, the Regent will likely see you as an even greater thorn in his side, someone he must eliminate to be at ease."
Xue Zining knew Hua Yunjin wasn't exaggerating. "I know, but I don't regret it."
If she could do it again, she would still act the same way. She was reborn precisely to finish what she hadn't completed in her past life, to continue seeking revenge for those she couldn't avenge.
The maiden's expression was resolute, her gaze as clear as water, without the slightest hesitation.
Hua Yunjin sighed inwardly. "Your Majesty, we need to pick up the pace."
Xue Zining nodded. "I understand."
Leaving Zhaoyuan Palace, Hua Yunjin encountered someone as he walked out.
Breathtakingly elegant, exceptionally graceful.
This was the first time he had seen this person in the palace.
Hua Yunjin had to admit that this person possessed the qualities to stand at the pinnacle of the harem.
"Prime Minister."
"Young Master Yan."
Hua Yunjin watched Yan Zhao walk past him, the white brocade robe of his attire sweeping before him.
He let out a long breath, watching the figure slowly enter Zhaoyuan Palace. His heart ached, and he raised a hand to his chest, the pain intensifying.
Could it be that he cared this much?
A metallic sweetness filled his mouth. He quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe his lips. A stark, vivid bloodstain appeared on the white silk.
"Prime Minister, you're coughing up blood more frequently," Feng Jiu appeared before Hua Yunjin, his brow furrowed.
"It's nothing, just a bit tired lately," Hua Yunjin said with an air of nonchalance.
Feng Jiu frowned but said no more.
After all, the Empress had only instructed him to protect the Prime Minister's life; he shouldn't concern himself with anything else.
Xue Zining rubbed her forehead, looking at Yan Zhao before her. She felt a headache coming on, unsure whether to admire Yan Zhao's resilience or her own weariness from dealing with him.
Now, she no longer wished to play this game.
"Sit," the maiden's lips parted slightly.
This time, it was Yan Zhao's turn to be surprised. He could hardly believe it; the Empress had given him nothing but a cold shoulder these past few days. While her expression wasn't exactly warm now, she wasn't completely disregarding him, finding him utterly irritating, even filled with hatred.
Seeing Yan Zhao standing there unmoving, she spoke again, "I told you to sit, so sit."
Yan Zhao nodded slightly and sat down.
Xue Zining then noticed that Yan Zhao's legs seemed to be a bit inconvenient to move. She recalled how she had made him kneel outside the hall every night on the cold floor.
She felt a peculiar sensation.
Soon, Yan Zhao realized that the Empress today was somewhat different from her usual self.
The Empress today was excessively quiet.
He looked up and saw a serene sleeping face.
He froze; the Empress had fallen asleep.
The sleeping Empress was tranquil, lacking the feigned maturity and much of the ferocity of her usual demeanor. What was present was the innocence befitting her age.
After all, she was only twelve years old.
At twelve, she already possessed mature methods; at twelve, she was decisive and ruthless. Although she would cry, she was doing quite well.
Suddenly, the previously tranquil sleeping face contorted, and fierce hostility flared up.
Yan Zhao was startled. Could this hostility not dissipate even in her dreams?
The small, palm-sized face was furrowed, her features contorted in a grimace.
What was she dreaming about?
He rose and approached the maiden. At this moment, the maiden's lips parted slightly, uttering a name.
His body stiffened. The hand he had extended paused mid-air.
Suddenly, her tightly shut eyes flew open, her deep black pupils gazing at him like an unfathomable abyss.
Within them lay utter damnation.
Yan Zhao was taken aback. The maiden before him now exuded a peak level of killing intent and ferocity. Those deep eyes stared at him, still clear, but so profound he couldn't see to the bottom.
"What are you doing?" Xue Zining opened her eyes to see the face from her dream.
Yan Zhao took a step back, straightening his posture, and slowly said, "Your Majesty, you were asleep just now."
Xue Zining sat up. "Were I?"
Her voice was cold and disbelieving.
Yan Zhao looked up slightly, meeting her gaze, and nodded, his expression a stark contrast to his sleeping state. "Yes."
His gaze was too clear, unshielded by any pretense. This, ironically, made her feel as though she were being unreasonable.
A surge of inexplicable anger arose, merging with the anger from her dream, making it impossible for her to face him calmly. "Get out."
Her clear voice had regained its former coldness.
"Your Majesty, dreams are just dreams," Yan Zhao left this parting sentence as he exited.
Xue Zining sneered. Dreams?
That wasn't a dream; it was something she had personally experienced.
Personal betrayal and deception.
Yan Zhao walked out of Zhaoyuan Palace and said in a low voice, "Yan Yi, go investigate if the Empress and I have any past entanglements."
Yan Yi was stunned. "Young Master, what's wrong? Why would you ask that?"
Yan Zhao's gaze turned cold. "If I tell you to do it, then do it. Why so many questions?"
Scolded, Yan Yi said sheepishly, "Young Master, I'm just worried about you."
After all, you are constantly abused and ignored by the Empress. Aren't you afraid you've developed delusions?
"I'm fine," Yan Zhao said coldly.
Yan Yi continued, "Since you are fine, Young Master, you should know that what you've just instructed your subordinate to do is unreasonable."
Yan Zhao paused, frowning. "Why?"
Yan Yi said, "Young Master, it's impossible for you and the Empress to have any interaction, neither in the past nor the present. Even if there was a brief encounter, it wouldn't last long, as you have to return."
Yan Zhao raised an eyebrow. "And what if it's in a dream?"
Yan Yi felt his head spin. It was over, he thought. The Young Master must have lost his mind.
"Speak," Yan Zhao commanded coldly.
Yan Yi cautiously asked, "Young Master, have you perhaps fallen in love with the Empress?"
Yan Zhao's entire body trembled. Struck as if by lightning, he turned to look at Yan Yi.
Yan Yi swallowed and said, "Otherwise, why would you care about these things?"
"Don't appear before me again," Yan Zhao suddenly said coldly.
Yan Yi was stunned. "Young Master, why is that?"
"I fear I might lose control and hit you," Yan Zhao said through gritted teeth.
Yan Yi's mouth twitched. "Young Master, this..."
Before Yan Yi could finish his sentence, he saw his Young Master's chilling black eyes and choked back the rest.
"Um, Young Master, your subordinate still has matters to attend to. You can return to your sleeping quarters yourself!" With that, Yan Yi fled as if from a ghost.
Later, he feared for his own life.