The Daoist was stunned and said urgently, "Your Majesty, what do you mean by this?"
"Nonsense! You are the one who is causing chaos in the palace. Guards, drag him away and have him flogged," the Emperor said angrily.
The Daoist was dumbfounded upon hearing this and quickly begged Consort Yan for mercy. Consort Yan looked at the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, it was I who invited the Daoist. If Your Majesty wishes to punish him, then please punish me first!"
"Consort Yan, you..."
Consort Yan knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face. "Your Majesty, Chang Jun has not yet woken up, and I am consumed by worry. So I beg you, please let him continue to treat Chang Jun."
"Consort Yan, you do not trust the Imperial Hospital but insist on trusting a Daoist from the jianghu?"
"Your Majesty, whether he is a jianghu Daoist or someone else, as long as he can cure Chang Jun, I am willing to try anything."
As the Emperor was about to say more, the Empress interjected, "Your Majesty, Consort Yan is simply eager for her son's well-being. Grant her permission to do as she wishes; it will bring her some solace."
The Emperor flicked his sleeve and left.
"This consort thanks Your Highness the Empress." Consort Yan bowed to the Empress.
The Empress cast a faint glance at her and said, "Consort Yan, I hope you are truly treating Chang Jun, and not harboring other intentions. Otherwise, I will not forgive you lightly."
"Your Highness the Empress, please rest assured. I truly only wish for him to awaken as quickly as possible."
It was said that less than half an hour after the Emperor and Empress left, the Third Prince woke up.
However, word somehow spread that the Daoist had pointed to Changning Palace, claiming that the people there would cause chaos in the palace in the future.
Combined with the rumors about Princess Changning that had spread not long ago, the situation was now being embellished to the point where it was almost indistinguishable from the truth.
In the imperial court, the Censor again began to impeach Princess Changning. The Emperor, in his fury, threw his imperial brush. The brush, made entirely of fine jade, struck the Censor's forehead, drawing blood instantly.
Yet, the Censor refused to remain silent, enumerating Princess Changning's crimes one by one.
The Emperor, finally enraged, abandoned the ministers and adjourned the court himself.
"Your Highness, Consort Yan did that on purpose," Xue Lian said indignantly.
First Gu Xiao Xiao, and now Consort Yan, Your Highness's days are not going to be easy.
"Why are you angry? This is just the beginning," Xue Zi Ning said slowly.
"Your Highness, aren't you the least bit angry?" Xue Lian looked at her Highness, who did not seem angry at all. She was somewhat surprised. Wasn't Your Highness angry?
"Is being angry useful? Can it stop Consort Yan from doing this?" Xue Zi Ning asked with a smile.
Xue Yan shook her head. "No."
"So why be angry?" Xue Zi Ning chuckled.
"Your Highness, General Yan requests an audience!" a palace servant's voice came from outside.
"Let him in," Xue Zi Ning said.
Xue Lian discreetly stepped back.
Xue Zi Ning looked up and saw him at the doorway, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, spotless. Though he appeared travel-worn, his robes were remarkably clean.
His countenance was refined and handsome, yet it exuded a profound affection that she couldn't quite decipher.
His gaze, bright as the stars, was now filled entirely with her.
"Your humble servant pays respects to Princess Changning." He bowed respectfully towards her.
"General Yan, please rise quickly." Xue Zi Ning said.
Yan Zhao looked up. He had expected Princess Changning to at least appear distressed, but to his surprise, as he looked up, he saw Princess Changning with a gentle expression, her eyes still clear to the very depths.
He was startled by his own thoughts. Wasn't this the state he had hoped to see Princess Changning in?
Yet, only he knew that he felt a sense of loss and disappointment. When he arrived, he had already prepared how to comfort her, telling her that no one else believed her, but he did.
However, suddenly finding his intentions unnecessary, he felt somewhat at a loss.
"General Yan, why are you standing? Please sit!" Xue Zi Ning said slowly.
Yan Zhao could only sit down, looking at Princess Changning's fair and delicate face. "Your Highness, I have heard about those matters, but you need not worry. I will not believe them, and I believe most people will not either."
"Whether they believe it or not is unimportant, Yan Zhao. As long as you believe me, that is enough."
Yan Zhao's entire body trembled. He instinctively looked up and saw her eyes, too clear.
"Your Highness, I keep my word. I..."
"Yan Zhao, you don't need to say more. I understand everything. I believe you."
Yan Zhao was somewhat shocked. Princess Changning believed him?
When he came to his senses, Princess Changning was already before him. He watched as Princess Changning cupped his face and pressed her lips against his.
His heart seemed to stop beating, and his nostrils were filled with her scent.
He suddenly took the initiative, drawing the woman he had loved for many years into his embrace, deepening the kiss.
Only when they felt they could no longer breathe the air in the room did they release each other.
Xue Zi Ning gasped for air, while Yan Zhao looked at her with a profound light in his eyes, making her heart pound violently.
"Yan Zhao." Her voice was somewhat hoarse.
"Your Highness." Yan Zhao's deep voice was magnetic.
"Yan Zhao, if I told you that I am not the current Princess Changning, would you believe me?"
Yan Zhao was slightly taken aback. He looked up at her. Her eyes were as clear as water, without the slightest hint of evasion, proving she was not lying.
"Then Your Highness is..."
Xue Zi Ning said, "I am myself from three lifetimes later."
Yan Zhao was stunned. Three lifetimes later?
"Your Highness, forgive my inability to comprehend. Could Your Highness please elaborate?"
Xue Zi Ning recounted the general outline of the three lifetimes. Yan Zhao listened intently. When she spoke of their marriage and children in the third lifetime, he became visibly happy.
"Your Highness, what will the children be called?" Yan Zhao ignored everything else and only asked for their names.
"Xing Chen and Xing Yue," Xue Zi Ning replied.
Upon hearing this, Yan Zhao's expression softened. "I wonder if I will be able to see them?"
Xue Zi Ning remained silent. It was likely impossible to see them, after all, she had only arrived at this place, which might not even exist.
"Your Highness, what do you intend to do?" Yan Zhao knew that Princess Changning must have a plan in telling him this.
"You believe me?" Xue Zi Ning felt that anyone else would find it incredible.
"Whatever Your Highness says, I believe," he said, without a hint of perfunctory.
Xue Zi Ning was touched. No matter the time or place, the only one who trusted her and believed in her was Yan Zhao.
"I want to go back. This place is merely an illusion, and I cannot stay here forever. Although I would dearly love to remain here, I know my children are waiting for me."
Upon hearing this, Yan Zhao's eyes dimmed considerably. He presumed that the Yan Zhao from three lifetimes later was also waiting for her.
Thinking of this, his heart ached faintly. He realized he had become somewhat selfish, selfishly wanting to keep her.