Yan Er also sidled up to Yan Zhao, stuttering, "Young Master, Madam has sent word, saying that if you've had enough fun, you should return and not lose face or status."
Yan Zhao, whose demeanor had been relatively gentle, suddenly turned icy.
Yan Er and Yan Yi exchanged a glance, exclaiming that things were not good. The Young Master and Madam had always been at odds, and hearing these words now, wouldn't he harbor further resentment towards Madam?
"My affairs are none of her business," Yan Zhao coldly dropped the sentence and left with a flick of his sleeve.
Seeing this, Yan Yi shot Yan Er a glare. "Why did you have to bring up Madam out of the blue? You clearly know the Young Master still harbors some resentment towards Madam. Now, it's likely this resentment will be even harder to resolve."
"How was I supposed to know it would be like this? Besides, Madam didn't do anything wrong. The Young Master will eventually leave Huangze and return to Madam's side," Yan Er said.
Yan Yi shook his head at this. "Don't try to guess a man's thoughts. The Young Master is unlikely to forgive what Madam did in the past."
Yan Er was taken aback and fell silent, lowering his gaze, lost in thought.
Imperial Garden
"Is this the last one?" Xue Zining asked Hua Yunjin, pointing at the youth below.
Hua Yunjin nodded, "Indeed."
"Keep him!" Xue Zining said with a hint of fatigue, without even looking.
Hua Yunjin waved for the people present to withdraw and stepped forward, saying in a low voice, "Your Majesty, you are being a bit perfunctory."
Hearing this, Xue Zining looked up at the youth before her. His clear eyes were exceptionally pure, devoid of any impurities. "There are no people from the Regent here, so I don't need to be overly serious."
Hua Yunjin was stunned. The young Empress continued, "I agreed to Yan Zhao entering the palace. The Regent had already thoroughly investigated others in secret. The fact that they can appear before us now only means that the youths you arranged were not exposed."
Hua Yunjin knew that the Empress was right, but for some reason, his heart still felt uneasy.
"Yunjin, you've worked hard during this period. Go back and rest well today! Leave the rest to me." The young Empress's lips parted slightly, her gaze very gentle.
Hua Yunjin was slightly startled and hastily lowered his eyes. "This subject obeys."
Watching the youth's receding figure, Xue Zining let out a soft sigh. Hua Yunjin buried everything in his heart, which was not good. Over time, his body would not be able to bear it.
She rubbed her forehead. She was also tired today. After seeing so many handsome youths, her mind felt drained, even though she was only twelve years old.
Returning to Zhaoyuan Palace, Xue Zining dismissed everyone and walked alone towards her bed. She lifted the bed curtains, and a tall, slender figure suddenly appeared before her.
"Who are you?" Xue Zining, startled, took several steps back.
How could someone be in her Zhaoyuan Palace?
She tried to call for someone, but then remembered that she had dismissed everyone from here. Now, in the inner chamber, even if she screamed her lungs out, it would be useless.
Feng Yin had been sent out on an errand.
At this moment, she was unable to call for help from heaven or earth.
The figure, upon hearing her voice, slowly turned around.
She was stunned. What kind of appearance was this?
A peerless beauty that made her feel suffocated.
So beautiful that she forgot how to breathe.
On her already beautiful face, her eyes sparkled like a galaxy.
Suddenly, she felt a sense of déjà vu.
"Have we met somewhere before?"
"Your Majesty, I am Yan Zhao," a faint voice carried a hint of deep meaning.