"Your Majesty, Feng Ying has sent news." Feng Yu walked over and said in a low voice.
Xue Zining's heart skipped a beat. "What news?" she asked.
"The Prime Minister intended to harm the young prince, but was captured by the Regent King," Feng Yu replied.
Xue Zining shot up, startled. "How could this be?"
"The young prince said it himself," Feng Yu added.
Xue Zining's gaze gradually turned cold. This matter was beyond her expectations. Could it be because of what she had said?
Had she said that Xue Zixuan was their shield?
"Imperial Sister..." Xue Yunlan, unable to hear what Feng Yu was whispering to Xue Zining, only saw that Xue Zining seemed rather off. She couldn't help but ask.
"We must return immediately." Xue Zining had no time to think of anything else. She absolutely could not let Xue Wenjie harm Hua Yunjin.
Consort Zhao stood at the entrance of the temporary palace, anxiously looking outwards, repeatedly asking her personal head maid, Wu Lian, to gather information.
Just as Consort Zhao's heart was on the verge of collapse, Wu Lian exclaimed excitedly, "Your Highness, the Regent King has returned with the young prince."
Consort Zhao craned her neck to look into the distance. Upon seeing that familiar figure, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Zixuan, Zixuan..." She stumbled forward, disregarding any potential impropriety, and went to Xue Wenjie's horse.
Xue Wenjie had already dismounted. Consort Zhao rushed forward, grabbed Xue Wenjie's sleeve, and looked at him with a pitiable expression. "My Lord, Zixuan he..."
Xue Wenjie felt a tightness in his throat. He couldn't help but reach out to support her delicate, boneless form, his eyes showing a hint of gentleness.
"My Lord, be cautious!" Jin Ming, his advisor behind him, quickly whispered a reminder.
At this moment, Xue Zixuan, in Xue Wenjie's arms, woke up. "Mother Consort..." Xue Zixuan murmured softly.
Consort Zhao's tears burst forth. Just as she was about to speak, Xue Wenjie's words stopped her. "We'll discuss it back at the temporary palace."
Consort Zhao then noticed the many guards behind Xue Wenjie. She realized she had been somewhat undignified.
Back in her temporary palace, after dismissing the maids, Consort Zhao slapped Xue Zixuan. Xue Zixuan stood there in a daze, as if stunned, saying nothing. This was likely the first time his mother had ever hit him since he could remember.
"Mother Consort, you hit me..." Xue Zixuan said pitifully.
"Your Highness, what are you doing?" Xue Wenjie pulled Xue Zixuan to his side, his tone displeased.
After all, he was his own son. What had he been subjected to?
Consort Zhao was both angry and heartbroken, but she didn't want to let it pass so easily. She wanted Xue Zixuan to learn a lesson. "I told you long ago not to go hunting with Xue Zining, but you insisted on not listening. Do you regret it now?"
Xue Zixuan's small face tightened, and he said pitifully, "Mother Consort, that's Imperial Sister..."
Upon hearing this, Consort Zhao sneered, "What Imperial Sister? She is not your Imperial Sister at all..."
"Your Highness, mind your words!" Xue Wenjie interrupted Consort Zhao.
Consort Zhao, realizing her words were somewhat improper, said, "You are not allowed to go out with your Imperial Sister in the future, understand?"
"Your Highness..." Xue Wenjie said softly.
Consort Zhao took a deep breath and called out towards the outside, "Xue Yan, take the young prince out."
"Yes, Your Highness." Xue Yan entered and approached Xue Zixuan. "Young Prince, please come with this servant."
Xue Zixuan obediently followed Xue Yan away.
Consort Zhao bit her lower lip and suddenly lunged forward, hitting Xue Wenjie's chest with her hands, screaming hysterically, "Xue Wenjie, if anything had happened to Zixuan today, I wouldn't be able to live either."