The charcoal fire made the room even warmer. Xue Xingyue narrowed her eyes, thinking how considerate Ye Che was to take such good care of even a small follower like her. He was clearly no ordinary person.
She racked her brain, but she had no impression of this Ye Che at all. Even in the past, she seemed to know nothing about him.
The charcoal fire warmed the room. Exhausted and tense from a day's work, Xue Xingyue soon fell asleep.
In her dream, she saw her imperial brother.
Her imperial brother stood in front of her, shielding her from the wind and rain with his frail back.
"Imperial Brother..."
She saw her imperial brother turn his head. His usually gentle face was covered in blood, but his brows were relaxed, filled with relief. He said, "Xingyue, it's fortunate you didn't return. Fortunate, so fortunate..."
Suddenly, the scene shifted. After she left Kui Hua Village and intended to rendezvous with Xie Yunliu in Zhen Wu Guan, she saw someone being pursued in the distance. Despite being covered in blood, they were desperately trying to escape.
She wouldn't easily intervene in such a situation, but the figure was too familiar. That figure... was Feng Jiu's.
Feng Jiu was covered in blood, holding something in his arms. It was obvious that those people wanted what Feng Jiu carried.
Seeing Feng Jiu's strength failing, she leaped forward.
Feng Jiu looked at her and was overjoyed, tears welling up in his eyes. He was a grown man, and he cried looking at her.
She rescued Feng Jiu with all her might. Feng Jiu told her that Xue Tianyue and Consort Jia had instigated a palace coup, and her imperial brother was assassinated by Xue Tianyue's sword. He had been carrying the imperial seal. As if having foreseen it, her imperial brother summoned Feng Jiu the night before, handed him the imperial seal, and instructed him to personally deliver it to Princess Xingyue, telling her not to return lightly.
Xue Tianyue discovered the missing imperial seal and turned his attention to the princess's manor. By then, she had already left the capital but was still pursued by Xue Tianyue's men.
After Feng Jiu finished speaking, he passed away.
It was the first time she saw someone she loved dearly die in her arms. She couldn't accept it and held Feng Jiu for a day and a night.
Later, her gaze fell upon the imperial seal, and she discovered a letter attached beneath it, from her imperial brother. He told her that his life expectancy was less than a month. He knew Xue Tianyue had been planning to seize the throne and that he couldn't stop it. Moreover, this country was meant to be handed over to Xue Tianyue. However, he later discovered Xue Tianyue's ambition was too late to curb.
So, he passed this heavy responsibility to his little Xingyue. He felt guilt but gave her two paths: go into hiding, and hide the imperial seal. Without the imperial seal, Xue Tianyue would be an illegitimate ruler.
The other path was to overthrow Xue Tianyue and take the throne herself, but this path was ultimately difficult.
Xue Xingyue thought for several days. She hid the imperial seal, then went into hiding, traveled to Zhen Wu Guan, and met Xie Yunliu.
She wanted revenge. She wanted Xue Tianyue and Consort Jia to kneel before her imperial brother's spirit and confess their crimes.
Suddenly, she jolted awake. It seemed a cold wind was blowing from the doorway. She slapped the bed with both hands and leaped into the air.
An attack came from opposite her. She dodged, then counter-attacked, "Who?"
Suddenly, the candlelight brightened. Xue Xingyue focused her gaze and saw that the person before her was none other than City Lord Ye.
Xue Xingyue narrowed her eyes and said coldly, "City Lord Ye, what brings you to my humble dwelling in the dead of night?"
Ye Che smiled and clapped his hands, saying, "I was bored and thought you might not be asleep, so I came to chat with you. I didn't expect you to know martial arts."
Xue Xingyue's gaze turned sharp. She couldn't quite grasp Ye Che's intentions. She looked at Ye Che and said coldly, "Lord Ye, are you unaware that speaking too much can lead to death?"
"I am aware, of course. But are you sure you can kill me?" Ye Che looked at her, still smiling calmly.
"Whether I can kill you or not, we'll have to try and find out," Xue Xingyue picked up the teapot, poured Ye Che a cup, and pushed it over. "Please, have some tea."
Ye Che did not take it, instead saying, "What do you think the驸马 (emperor's son-in-law) would think if he knew his attendant knew martial arts?"
Xue Xingyue sneered at his words, "Lord Ye would have spoken his mind long ago if he wanted to, why wait until now?"
Ye Che nodded, "You are right. But I can't guarantee this mouth."
"Lord Ye, since you came to me alone, you are likely not a person who talks too much," Xue Xingyue picked up her teacup and took a sip.
Ye Che smiled upon hearing this, "As expected, you are intelligent."
"I wonder what Lord Ye expects to gain from me? I am merely a small attendant with some unspeakable difficulties," Xue Xingyue said.
"Are you General Xie's person?" Ye Che suddenly asked.
Xue Xingyue looked at Ye Che and asked, "Why do you say that, Lord Ye?"
Ye Che smiled, "With such excellent martial skills, General Xie's person is the first that comes to mind."
"I am indeed General Xie's person." Xue Xingyue did not hide it. Ye Che was not asking out of curiosity but had already grasped some information, so there was no need for her to conceal it.
"To be so frank, you must be from the Xie family army," Ye Che remarked.
Xue Xingyue looked at Ye Che and said, "Is Lord Ye here only to praise the Xie family army?"
Ye Che replied, "Certainly not. I wish to ask about someone."
"Please ask, Lord Ye," Xue Xingyue said.
Ye Che lowered his voice and asked, "Does General Xie have any news of Princess Xingyue?"
Xue Xingyue's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. She looked at Ye Che and said, "Princess Xingyue? Hasn't she already gone missing?"
Ye Che shook his head, "Impossible. Princess Xingyue would not disappear like this. She must be somewhere."
Xue Xingyue said, "Lord Ye, the empire is settled, and Xue Tianyue has ascended the throne. Why are you still looking for Princess Xingyue?"
Ye Che replied, "That is my own affair."
Xue Xingyue did not press further, as she was unsure of Ye Che's intentions in asking for information. After all, Xue Tianyue had sent many people to search for her, all for the imperial seal. Without certainty, she would not reveal her identity.
"I have disturbed Attendant Yue," Ye Che stood up and left.
Although Ye Che had left, Xue Xingyue could not sleep.
She had been here before. Should she infiltrate the capital to find any clues?
Sometimes, she wondered, even if she found clues, what could she do? Lead the Xie family army to besiege the capital? Start another war?
She didn't know.
Moreover, even if she wanted to, would the Xie family army respond?
Xue Xingyue curled up in her blanket. This night was destined to be sleepless.