"I thought it was someone else! It turns out to be my good sister, Princess Chang Ning."
The one pursuing was none other than Xue Chang An.
"Xue Chang An, why are you tracking me all the way here?" Xue Zi Ning asked Xue Chang An coldly.
"I wanted to ask you what you are doing? Kidnapping my consort, Xue Chang Ning, you have quite the audacity."
"Xue Chang An, you need proof to speak."
"The proof is in the room," Xue Chang An said coldly, narrowing his eyes.
"If you want to search my room, just say so. Why use such high-sounding words to deceive me?"
"Search," Xue Chang An's gaze turned cold, and he commanded sternly.
Xue Zi Ning took a step forward, blocking the doorway, and said coldly, "Who dares?"
Xue Chang An's escorts did not dare to advance rashly. After all, the person in front of them was the most favored Princess Chang Ning by the Emperor of Huang Ze. No one dared to offend Her Royal Highness rashly.
"Xue Chang Ning, you're confessing without being accused," Xue Chang An's voice turned cold.
"Imperial Sister, if you're going to search my room so casually, I must naturally be on guard, shouldn't I?"
"What exactly do you want to say?" Xue Chang An asked.
"Only you are allowed to enter."
"Xue Chang Ning, you are not in a position to negotiate with me now. This is not the imperial palace."
"You yourself said this is not the imperial palace. What if you use your superior numbers to act unfairly? I can't trust you."
"Not even one person for me either, I don't trust you either," Xue Chang An said.
"Then you can bring a few people in," Xue Zi Ning replied.
Xue Chang An looked at Xue Zi Ning for a long moment. "Fine, I shall do as you wish."
Xue Zi Ning breathed a sigh of relief.
Watching Xue Chang An enter the room with five or six people, Xue Zi Ning quietly closed the door. By the time Xue Chang An realized what was happening, it was too late.
"Xue Chang Ning, you've gone back on your word," Xue Chang An uttered before falling unconscious.
"Your Highness, what should we do with them?" Hua Yun Jin asked.
Li Chao was startled. Others might not know the relationship between Xue Chang An and their young master, but he did. He was somewhat surprised by his young master's attitude towards Xue Chang An, as if they were not familiar, even showing some disdain.
"Tie them up, and let's leave quickly," Xue Zi Ning said.
Xue Chang An's people waiting outside were not fools. If too much time passed, they would surely discover something was amiss, and it would be difficult to leave then. Li Chao nodded. "Young Master, hurry!"
Hua Yun Jin did not ask any further questions. He did as the Emperor instructed.
Descending from the inn's window, Xue Zi Ning and the others dared not linger. They galloped relentlessly in one direction, heading towards the capital.
Xue Zi Ning had decided that the safest place was the capital, at least there Xue Chang An would not dare to openly attack her.
"Your Highness, there are bandits ahead," Li Chao reported urgently after scouting the situation ahead.
"How many bandits are there?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
"About twenty-odd people, plus a few captives, making a total of about thirty people."
"Why are there captives?"
Li Chao nodded. "They look like they are from a wealthy family."
"I'll go take a look," Xue Zi Ning said, heading towards the front.
Indeed, a few miles ahead, she saw the group of bandits. As Li Chao had said, there were about twenty of them.
The bandits suddenly attacked a woman. The woman cried out, and the man beside her, presumably her husband, struggled desperately, only to be met with the bandits' curses and beatings.
Suddenly, the woman was pinned to the ground by a bandit. Xue Zi Ning froze. This woman somewhat resembled Xue Chang Yi.
Upon closer inspection, it was indeed Xue Chang Yi. Why was she here? Xue Zi Ning was puzzled.
"I saw Xue Chang Yi," Xue Zi Ning said, reporting what she had seen.
Hua Yun Jin was taken aback. "How was Princess Chang Yi captured by bandits?"
Xue Zi Ning shook her head. "I don't know. She looks like she has been captured for several days."
Xue Chang Yi did not look well.
"What does Your Highness plan to do to rescue her?" Hua Yun Jin suddenly asked.
Xue Zi Ning blinked. "Did I say I would rescue her?"
Hua Yun Jin smiled. "Your Highness already has that in your heart."
"Then tell me, how should we rescue her?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Hua Yun Jin said, "Create a diversion."
"Alright, I'll lure the bandits away. You and Li Chao go rescue her."
"Young Master Hua, thank you for saving me," Xue Chang Yi never imagined it would be Hua Yun Jin who saved her.
"Princess, you are too kind. If it weren't for Princess Chang Ning luring the bandits away, I likely wouldn't have been able to rescue you."
Xue Chang Yi was stunned. She hadn't expected Xue Chang Ning to be there. "Young Master Hua, you are too polite. Ultimately, it was Young Master Hua who saved me, and I am extremely grateful."
"Your Highness, Princess Chang Ning is the one who..."
"Young Master Hua, you don't need to give the credit to others. I know in my heart that Young Master Hua is afraid of offending my Imperial Sister."
"Zi Han, won't you go take a look?" Sun Qing Min said, unable to help himself as he watched Princess Chang Yi chatting enthusiastically with Hua Yun Jin.
"No, if I go over, Chang Yi will be unhappy."
"Zi Han, you... why would you think that? Princess Chang Yi is your wife, after all. Is there anything wrong with you going to care for your wife?"
"Eldest Brother, you know how this marriage between me and Princess Chang Yi came about. I... I don't want to..." Da Feng Novel Network
"Zi Han, you..."
Sun Zi Han lowered his head. "Eldest Brother, do you think I am very unsuccessful?"
"Jun Han, sometimes, some things are best kept in your heart. Don't overthink it," Sun Zi Xuan patted Sun Zi Han's shoulder.
Sun Zi Han nodded. "Eldest Brother, don't worry. I will not misunderstand Chang Yi in any way. Our lives were saved by Young Master Hua. Even if he wants to take them away now, I won't say a word."
Sun Zi Xuan smiled and patted Sun Zi Han's head. "You silly boy, didn't you hear what Young Master Hua said? He could save us not just because of himself, but also thanks to Princess Chang Ning. Moreover, he doesn't even like Princess Chang Yi. Why would he take anything of yours? Whether it's your life or anything else?"
Sun Zi Han raised his head and looked at the graceful man dancing under the crabapple tree, and at Xue Chang Yi, who stood beside him with an admiring expression. It was like a painting, so pleasing to the eye. To say he felt comfortable in his heart would be a lie.
The autumn wind blew, rustling his moon-white brocade robe. His slender figure was faintly visible under the tree. His dark hair and robes danced behind him. With the final move, he stood firm. His refined and otherworldly face, his eyes as bright as stars, his radiance surpassing all things in heaven and earth at this moment.
Xue Chang Yi took a deep breath, walked forward, took out a handkerchief, and said, "Young Master Hua, let me wipe your sweat."
Hua Yun Jin took a step back and said, "Princess Chang Yi, you are already married to Young Master Sun. You should still maintain some distance."