Half a moment later, Liang Yi Han woke up.
Seeing her brother Liang Yi Zhi, she couldn't help but burst into tears, "Brother, I thought, I thought I was really going to die."
"No, we didn't die, sister, we were saved by someone," Liang Yi Zhi said.
Liang Yi Han looked up and asked, "Who? Who saved us siblings?"
Liang Yi Zhi's face reddened slightly as he pointed to someone not far away.
Liang Yi Han looked in the direction her brother was pointing. She saw a girl standing under a tree, appearing to be about her own age.
From a distance, the girl looked slender. Although her face could not be seen, one could sense that she was beautiful.
She glanced at her brother and saw that his face was flushed, clearly harboring feelings of admiration for the girl who had saved them.
It was not surprising that her brother had such thoughts. Ever since their father passed away, his focus had been on avenging his father, and he had very little contact with women.
From being a noble young master of the manor, they had become commoners whom everyone shunned. It was rare for a woman to descend like a goddess and save them, the brother and sister. Therefore, it was natural for her brother to develop feelings of admiration for this woman.
"Benefactor," Liang Yi Han called out.
Xue Zi Ning had intended to leave immediately after saving them, but she did not expect the woman's injuries to be too severe. She could only give her the antidote pill, and now she could not leave even if she wanted to.
Liang Yi Han watched the girl walk over, somewhat surprised. The girl's face was exceptionally beautiful. While such beauty was not uncommon, her demeanor was something not ordinarily seen.
She did not seem like a young lady from an ordinary family.
Liang Yi Han became interested in this girl.
Xue Zi Ning walked forward and said, "Since the lady has woken up, I can leave with peace of mind."
Liang Yi Han was taken aback, "Are you leaving?"
Xue Zi Ning nodded, "Yes, I am going to Dong Zhou."
Liang Yi Han's eyes lit up, "My brother and I are also going to Dong Zhou. If it's convenient, may we travel together?"
Setting aside whether her brother admired this woman, just by looking at her extraordinary skills in killing, if they could travel together, it would add a layer of security to her and her brother's safety, especially since her brother could no longer overexert himself.
Xue Zi Ning wanted to refuse. How could she not see that this woman was trying to get her to work for free?
However, upon seeing a token inadvertently revealed by the man, Xue Zi Ning changed her mind.
"May I ask why you two are going to Dong Zhou?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Liang Yi Zhi said, "To take revenge..."
Liang Yi Han quickly interrupted her brother, "My brother and I have some personal matters in Dong Zhou."
Seeing that they were unwilling to speak, Xue Zi Ning did not insist. After all, she could find out once they reached Dong Zhou.
"My carriage is just ahead. If you don't mind, carry your sister to the carriage to rest."
Liang Yi Zhi carried his sister to Xue Zi Ning's carriage. Xue Yan had already returned and, seeing the man and woman behind Xue Zi Ning, stepped forward and asked, "Madam, who are these people..."
"Someone was injured, I'm letting her rest in the carriage, and then we'll go together."
Xue Yan frowned and whispered, "Your Majesty, what kind of people do you dare to take in?"
"Their surname is Liang. I estimate they are family of the Liang Commandant in Dong Zhou," Xue Zi Ning whispered.
Xue Yan said, "I will keep an eye on them."
Sleepless night. Because of the antidote pill and a good place to rest, Liang Yi Han recovered well and was able to get out of the carriage and walk in the morning.
Seeing that Liang Yi Han was fine, Xue Zi Ning ordered Xue Yan to head to Dong Zhou.
Along the way, Xue Zi Ning chatted casually with the Liang siblings. The Liang siblings were not foolish, and they did not mention any important matters, clearly still having reservations.
Finally, as they were nearing Dong Zhou, Liang Yi Han proposed to leave. Although Liang Yi Zhi was somewhat reluctant, he also knew that this was the safest way.
After the Liang siblings left, Xue Zi Ning and Xue Yan went to an inn, selected rooms, and waited for Yan Zhao and Xue Song to come find them.
In the evening, Xue Song arrived and said that Yan Zhao had been kept by the Prefect of Dong Zhou, seemingly because the Prefect of Dong Zhou intended to matchmake Yan Zhao with his daughter.
"What does your young master mean?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Xue Song said, "Young Master implores Your Majesty to come and rescue him."
Xue Zi Ning sneered, "He's so clever, yet he can't escape?"
"Young Master said he has a new discovery and cannot leave yet. He implores Your Majesty to intervene."
Xue Zi Ning sighed. She changed her clothes, dressed simply, and said, "Let's go to the Prefect's mansion."
Arriving at the Prefect's mansion in Dong Zhou, Xue Zi Ning roared, "You unfaithful man, come out! If you don't come out, I'll smash this door!"
A servant from the Prefect's mansion inside said, "You... you dare? This is the Prefect's mansion. If you dare to smash the Prefect's door, you'll face dire consequences."
"Oh really? I'd like to see who dares to make me face dire consequences." Xue Zi Ning took the sword from Xue Yan's hand and plunged it fiercely into the door.
The servant inside was startled and quickly went in to report.
At this moment, Yan Zhao was having a pleasant conversation with the Prefect of Dong Zhou. The servant's hurried entry shattered the good atmosphere.
The Prefect of Dong Zhou became angry, "What's all the fuss?"
The servant quickly said, "My Lord, a woman has arrived claiming to be the wife of the Imperial Envoy."
Yan Zhao feigned a shudder, "Why... why has Madam come?"
The Prefect of Dong Zhou was stunned. Yan Zhao said, "My Lord, have you forgotten? When you said you wanted to betroth your youngest daughter to me, I told you that I already have a wife at home. My wife is very fierce. If she knows I have such a beautiful woman by my side, she will surely take my life."
The Prefect of Dong Zhou's gaze turned cold, "A wife of humble origin is not worth keeping. How about I go and resolve this woman for the Imperial Envoy?"
"Can you resolve it for me?"
The Prefect of Dong Zhou stood up, "Leave it to me."
"Madam, no one is opening the door!" Xue Yan said from the side.
Just as Xue Zi Ning was preparing to strike a few more blows, the door opened, and a middle-aged man walked out. He was somewhat short but exuded an official air.
It was likely the Prefect of Dong Zhou.
"Who is making noise here? What crime have they committed?" the Prefect of Dong Zhou asked angrily.
"I want to see my husband. He is the Imperial Envoy. Make way." Xue Zi Ning stepped forward and pushed the Prefect of Dong Zhou aside.
The Prefect of Dong Zhou's eyes turned cold. Two tall guards emerged from behind him. The Prefect of Dong Zhou said coldly, "Have them beaten out!"
The guards stepped forward to grab Xue Zi Ning's arm. Xue Yan struck out with a palm and roared, "Who dares to touch my Madam?"
The guards were startled and tried to withdraw their hands, but it was too late. They were struck flying by the palm of this slender woman.
The other guard was quickly dealt with by Xue Song. The two of them protected Xue Zi Ning behind them.
Xue Zi Ning said, "My Lord, hand him over quickly, or it's possible we'll level this Prefect's mansion."