Xue Wenjie snorted coldly upon hearing this.
Minister Yu continued, "Because I have personally experienced and witnessed this, I want to do some good for the people. Isn't the most important thing for a good official to consider the welfare of the people?"
"Well said, Minister Yu," Grand Tutor Lin was the first to praise.
Many officials echoed his sentiment shortly after.
"The Regent has no objections, so this matter is settled," Xue Zining said slowly.
The Regent sneered, looking at Xue Zining with icy eyes.
He was furious.
The Empress was clearly bringing in his people and then appointing one of her own. It seemed she truly could not be allowed to remain.
With this thought, he scanned the assembled officials before returning his gaze.
"Your Majesty, I observed the celestial phenomena last night and the day after tomorrow is the best day for the sacrificial ceremony and prayer," the Director of the Imperial Observatory stepped forward and bowed.
The officials were startled.
"The day after tomorrow?" Xue Zining asked.
The Director of the Imperial Observatory nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty. Based on my observation of the celestial phenomena last night, the day after tomorrow is the most auspicious day."
"Good, prepare for the sacrificial ceremony the day after tomorrow," Xue Zining said.
Imperial Study
Xue Zining walked in and saw Hua Yun Jin, sitting in a chair with a pale complexion. She stepped forward and asked, "Why are you here? I told you to rest at home."
Hua Yun Jin rose to bow, but she pressed him back into the chair, "It's just the two of us here, no need for formalities."
"Your Majesty, the sacrificial ceremony the day after tomorrow might not be that simple."
Xue Zining nodded, "I know. Xue Wenjie might make a move at the temporary palace."
Recently, Xue Wenjie's dissatisfaction with her had reached its peak. She did not believe he would miss such a good opportunity.
"Your Majesty, since you know, why did you agree to the sacrificial ceremony?" Hua Yun Jin spoke too quickly and couldn't help but cough a few times.
Xue Zining reached out to pat his back. Hua Yun Jin was flattered but did not want his light cough to turn into a sustained one.
Xue Zining's gaze deepened. "Yun Jin, your cough seems quite serious. Has the imperial physician been taking your pulse daily?"
Hua Yun Jin suppressed the metallic sweetness in his throat with great effort, revealing a smile. "Your Majesty, please don't worry. The imperial physician has been taking my pulse daily. I was just speaking too hastily."
Xue Zining was half-convinced, but Hua Yun Jin's gaze was so sincere that her last vestige of doubt vanished.
"Your Majesty, Feng Yin cannot accompany you to the sacrificial ceremony. Please bring Yun Xuan," Hua Yun Jin said.
Xue Zining nodded, "That's exactly what I was planning."
The sacrificial ceremony was Xue Wenjie's best opportunity to strike, but wasn't it also her best opportunity to strike back?
"Where is Yan Zhao?" Hua Yun Jin suddenly asked.
Xue Zining blinked. "He is in the palace."
Hua Yun Jin shook his head, "Your Majesty, take him with you as well."
"Why?" Xue Zining asked, confused.
Hua Yun Jin smiled, "Is it not very unsafe to have the Regent's people in the palace?"
Xue Zining nodded upon hearing this. "You're right."
Yan Palace
Yan Zhao did not seem surprised to hear the Empress's imperial decree.
It was within his expectations. After all, as one of the Regent's men, it was unsafe for him to remain in the palace at this time.
"Young Master, you must take me and Yan Er with you," Yan Yi feared that his young master would not bring them along.
Yan Zhao looked at Yan Yi and said calmly, "The imperial decree only mentioned me alone, so I probably cannot bring you."
Yan Yi was stunned and said, "That won't do. I still need to protect Young Master."
Yan Er glanced at Yan Yi. "Then you go and beg the Empress?"
Yan Yi slumped, and when he looked up again, his eyes were tearful. "Young Master, you must be careful alone, and stay away from the Empress."
The Regent would surely make a move against the Empress, and it was best for his young master not to get involved.
The day before the sacrificial ceremony, Xue Zining departed from the palace in grand fashion.
This time, neither Feng Yin nor Hua Yun Jin would accompany her; only she herself.
Of the people in the harem, she brought only Yan Zhao. Lin Yanzhi was not in good health and not suited for a long journey. Li Chenxuan was too impulsive and might cause her trouble.
She wanted to eliminate all potential sources of trouble, hence Yan Zhao was the only one accompanying her.
However, now, she had some regrets.
For the sake of traveling light, it was impossible to prepare a separate carriage for Yan Zhao alone. Thus, she looked at Yan Zhao, who was far away in a corner.
She couldn't help but twitch her lips. She wasn't a wolf or a tiger, why did he need to be so wary?
Still, this was fine. She didn't want to see his figure appear repeatedly within her line of sight.
After all, she clenched her fists, the painful memories of her past life still lingering in her mind.
She couldn't forget them even if she wanted to.
"Your Majesty, have some pastries," Xue Yan beside her opened a box, revealing exquisite pastries.
Xue Zining's gaze paused slightly at the pastries. They were her favorites from her previous life, and she had rarely touched them since her rebirth.
Her gaze gradually turned cold. "Did you prepare these?"
Xue Yan was startled, looking at the pastries. "The young prince gave them to me. He said the journey would be long and feared Your Majesty would be hungry on the way."
Xue Zining's eyes deepened considerably, with a hint of coldness.
For some reason, Xue Yan didn't understand why the Empress's expression turned cold upon hearing that the pastries were from the young prince.
"Put them away!" Xue Zining said without even looking at the pastries.
Though Xue Yan didn't understand, she still put the pastries away.
Xue Zining looked out the carriage window at the distance. These pastries were something she and Xue Zixuan loved to eat most in her previous life.
After half a day's journey, they finally arrived at the temporary palace for the sacrificial ceremony.
This place was in the suburbs of the capital.
Xue Zining entered the sleeping quarters and was about to sit down to rest when she saw a person standing at the door. She immediately got up defensively and said coldly, "You... why are you here?"
Yan Zhao looked at the young girl who was wary of him and said calmly, "No one has arranged a place for me, so I followed."
Xue Zining frowned and said coldly, "Xue Yan."
Xue Yan quickly entered and bowed, "Your Majesty, do you have any other instructions?"
"Arrange living quarters for Young Master Yan," Xue Zining said.
Xue Yan nodded, glanced at Yan Zhao, and said, "Young Master, please follow me."
Yan Zhao followed Xue Yan away. In his peripheral vision, he saw the guard relaxing as he prepared to leave.
He felt a slight surprise in his heart.
The Empress was very wary of him.
The day before the sacrificial ceremony required purification and bathing.
Xue Zining looked at the large pool. In the mist, her mind found release.
Suddenly, she opened her eyes and said coldly, "Who is there?"
The steamy mist revealed a figure slowly emerging opposite her.
She hurriedly got up and moved towards the screen, her robes draped over it.
"Your Majesty, allow me to serve you..."
As the voice fell, a figure grew closer.
In the hazy mist, she saw a fair and beautiful face.
It seemed familiar.
"Who are you?" she asked coldly.
"I have admired Your Majesty for a long time. Why not allow me to serve you properly, and share a moment of pleasure..."