"Your Highness, why such a grand gesture? Please rise. As the saying goes, it is never too late to mend one's ways. Your Highness, you are too kind."
With that, the young woman stepped forward and offered a hand to Xue Wenjie.
Xue Wenjie rose, his gaze chillingly cold and frightening. He let out a cold laugh, "Your Highness, you have grown up."
The young woman's lips curved slightly upon hearing this. "Thank you for your praise, Uncle Emperor."
Xue Wenjie's mouth twitched slightly. Was that praise?
"Uncle Emperor, then I shall await the Prime Minister's greeting."
With that, the young woman departed. Xue Wenjie remained silent, his eyes colder than ever. It was time to teach this Empress a lesson.
Emerging from the Imperial Concubine Chao's palace, the sunset painted the sky a blood-red hue.
Xue Zining let out a long sigh of relief, spreading her palm to reveal a hand slick with sweat.
Fortunately, her efforts had not been in vain. Hua Yunjin's life should be saved.
"Young Master Yan, I hear you are not from Huangze?"
Xue Zining's gaze paused. She instinctively looked up, only to see two figures appearing before her. Unfortunately, her vision could only focus on one of them, the one in white.
Exceptional in bearing, a peerless talent.
At least, in her eyes, only Xue Jingyun, the Crown Prince of Xue Country, rumored to be comparable to Yan Zhao.
It was said that when the Crown Prince of Xue Country, Xue Jingyun, was born, all flowers blushed in shame, and the heavens and earth became mere backdrops. One could only imagine the extraordinary beauty of the Crown Prince of Xue Country.
At this moment, Yan Zhao also noticed the young woman dressed in a red riding outfit.
The skirt hems danced, the vibrant red bold and unrestrained.
However, although moments ago they had been so wildly fluttering, upon seeing him now, her clear eyes on her refined face were exceptionally cold.
Yan Zhao's heart skipped a beat. Was the Empress displeased with him?
"Greetings, Your Highness!" Yan Zhao stepped forward and bowed.
Unfortunately, the young woman didn't even glance at him, walking past him with a cold expression.
Yan Zhao's gaze paused, his eyes deepening.
Jin Ming, standing nearby, couldn't help but laugh heartily, "Young Master Yan, with such a striking appearance, someone is treating you with such indifference? This is the first time I've seen it."
Yan Zhao's brows shot up. He looked at Jin Ming and said coldly, "Young Master Jin, choose your words carefully!"
His gaze was clear, enchanting, and he exuded a chilling aura that made the very air around them thin. This pressure, this condescending, king-like oppressive aura, was something Jin Ming had never witnessed.
Jin Ming froze slightly, his smile becoming somewhat stiff. "Young Master Yan, please don't be angry. I was merely speaking nonsense."
"Next time, I do not wish to hear any more of your nonsensical ramblings, Young Master Jin."
With that, Yan Zhao flicked his sleeve and departed.
"Young Master Yan, Your Highness..." Jin Ming's words remained unfinished as Yan Zhao's figure had long since vanished.
Jin Ming sneered, thinking that someone who merely relied on their looks was acting so high and mighty towards him?
"Young Master Jin, His Highness has been waiting inside." A servant of Xue Wenjie emerged from within.
"Please lead the way." Jin Ming said.
Following the servant, Jin Ming entered the palace. "Your Highness," Jin Ming bowed respectfully to the person seated at the head of the table.
Xue Wenjie stepped down from his seat, his face looking terrifyingly sinister. Jin Ming's heart sank. Was His Highness angry?
"Young Master Jin, I wish to teach the Empress a lesson, otherwise she will become utterly unaware of her place. Do you have any suggestions?"
Jin Ming was startled. His eyes darted around, and he whispered into Xue Wenjie's ear, "Does Your Highness recall the Empress's Young Tutor?"