Yan Yi felt his young master must be foolish to think this dungeon was a good place.
“Young Master, the Regent heard you were in prison and was very angry. He cursed… cursed you…” Yan Er stopped short, as if the words that followed would cost him his life.
Yan Zhao raised his eyes, his gaze clear and indifferent, and asked softly, “What did he curse me as?”
Yan Er swallowed, then said cautiously, “He said you were a foolish person.”
Yan Zhao merely narrowed his eyes. Yan Yi, however, was displeased. “Why should he call you foolish? It’s because he’s less skilled! He wanted Young Master to seduce the Empress, but Young Master…”
“Enough,” Yan Zhao rubbed his forehead, cutting off Yan Yi’s words with a cold tone.
Upon hearing this, Yan Yi grinned, “Young Master, there isn’t a good person here. Why don’t we leave?”
Yan Zhao looked up, his eyes as cold as frost. Yan Yi shivered inexplicably, his voice trembling, “Young… Young Master…”
“Did you do what I asked you to do?” Yan Zhao ignored Yan Yi and asked about something else.
Yan Yi quickly replied, “Young Master, I went at the perfect moment and rescued the person. But Yan Yi doesn’t understand why Young Master did this?”
Rescuing someone insignificant, was Young Master so idle and bored?
Yan Zhao lowered his gaze, toying with the fine ice jade goblet in his hand, his voice calm, “This concerns whether your young master can get out of this prison.”
Yan Yi was stunned. “Young Master, Yan Yi doesn’t understand.”
“You don’t understand?” Yan Zhao looked up, his gaze chillingly fixed on Yan Yi.
His gaze could freeze him solid.
Yan Yi quickly nodded, “I understand, I understand.”
He understood nothing, but his young master’s imposing aura forced him to pretend he did.
“His Majesty arrives!” A voice from outside resounded through the place.
Yan Yi and Yan Er exchanged glances, somewhat surprised. It seemed their Young Master’s prediction was accurate; the Empress had indeed arrived.
Yan Zhao slowly raised his eyes and saw the slender, tall figure.
She was dressed in a long gown the color of snow, draped with a white fox fur cloak, spotless white. Beneath her refined face, her clear eyes were as cold as the deep autumn night, the chill seeping into one’s heart.
The maiden walked towards him step by step, bringing the cold and frost from outside. She stopped at the entrance.
Yan Zhao saw the maiden looking at him coldly, her gaze devoid of any warmth, as chilling as the deep autumn frost.
The corners of his mouth curved slightly, revealing a faint smile.
Xue Zining couldn’t articulate her anger. Yes, she was furious. After all her efforts to set a trap, Yan Zhao, whom the Regent had placed in the harem, had become a prisoner. Yet, Yan Zhao had only been imprisoned for two hours before she had to personally escort him out.
How could she not be angry?
But, seeing the faint smile appear on that clear, handsome face, like ten thousand flowers blooming in splendor,
The anger in her heart seemed to subside.
“Your Majesty.” Yan Zhao slowly lowered his head and bowed.
He saw her delicate hand reach in from outside, offering him a slight support. “Young Master Yan, there is no need for such politeness. I… welcome you back to the palace.”
Upon hearing this, Yan Zhao looked up, his dark eyes bright and radiant, like the starry river.
Xue Zining pursed her lips. “It was my mistake for not understanding before, causing Young Master Yan to suffer. You won’t blame me, will you?”
“Your Majesty jokes. This desolate land all belongs to Your Majesty. How can Your Majesty be at fault?”
Such pleasant words, but who knew how much sincerity lay behind them?
Xue Zining scoffed inwardly and coldly said, “Open the door.”
The prison guards, who had arrived with her, dared not delay. They quickly unlocked the cell. As the prison gate opened, Yan Zhao’s slender figure stepped out.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Yan Zhao bowed.
Xue Zining let out an “Mm,” her voice cold. “Young Master Yan, where are my people?”
Yan Zhao looked up, his eyes warm. “Your Majesty will see them when you return to the palace.”
“I appreciate your effort, Young Master Yan.” With that, Xue Zining turned to leave.
“Your Majesty…” Yan Zhao called out from behind.
Xue Zining turned, her expression icy. “Does Young Master Yan have anything else?”
She saw Yan Zhao looking at her with a placid expression, his tone carrying a subtle meaning. “Your Majesty no longer likes to go to such lengths. Whether it was kneeling outside the hall all night or framing me for attempted assassination, neither can change one thing.”
“What thing?” Xue Zining’s gaze was as cold as frost.
Yan Zhao said lightly, “I was sent here by the Regent.”
Xue Zining frowned, then suddenly, she smiled.
Following this, Yan Zhao heard a clear yet chilling voice, “Young Master Yan, whether you were sent by your imperial uncle or not, it cannot change the fact that I detest you.”
The fact that I want to kill you.
Yan Zhao’s gaze faltered. At this moment, he clearly felt the coldness and hatred in the maiden’s eyes.
She hated him.
“Young Master Yan, rest well. There will be plenty of time in the future.” With that, the maiden departed.
When Yan Yi entered, he saw his young master standing there, motionless. If not for the light in his eyes, he would have truly thought him to be a statue.
“Young Master, what’s wrong?” Yan Yi asked cautiously.
Yan Zhao came back to himself, looking at Yan Yi with an extremely cold gaze.
Yan Yi couldn’t help but shiver. “Young Master, you… you seem a bit off.”
“Yan Yi, this unprovoked hatred, why is it?”
Yan Yi was startled and shook his head. “Young Master, Yan Yi doesn’t understand what you’re saying.”
Yan Zhao raised his eyes. The Empress was more complex than he had imagined, like a dense fog he couldn’t see through.
Zhaoyuan Palace
Xue Zining saw the terrified Grandma Yuan and breathed a sigh of relief. She walked over and said softly, “Grandma Yuan.”
Grandma Yuan turned and saw her, finally unable to suppress her sobs. “I… I thought I would never see Your Majesty again.”
“You won’t,” she said, shaking her head.
Grandma Yuan, being elderly and experienced, quickly regained her composure and bowed. “It is my fault for making Your Majesty worry about me. Please punish this servant.”
Xue Zining stepped forward and helped Grandma Yuan up, her expression gentle. “Grandma Yuan, you did nothing wrong. It was my negligence that put you in danger. It is my fault.”
Grandma Yuan shook her head. “No, I was careless. If…” She dared not imagine the consequences.
“Grandma, a lot has happened today. You should rest early.”
Grandma Yuan nodded. “This servant will take her leave.”
“Xue Yan, you stay with Grandma tonight,” Xue Zining instructed Xue Yan beside her.
Grandma Yuan quickly shook her head. “No, Your Majesty cannot be without attendants.”
“Go!” Xue Zining waved her hand.
Grandma Yuan knew that royal orders were difficult to disobey and let Xue Yan accompany her.
“Feng Yu,” Xue Zining called out.
Feng Yu appeared before her and said, “Your Majesty.”
“What exactly happened? Why was Grandma Yuan rescued by Yan Zhao’s people?”