Kui Xiang was dead.
Xue Zi Ning felt a pang of surprise upon hearing the news.
She had thought that Xue Zi Xuan and Wen Yu Xi had been rescued, making Kui Xiang completely useless to the King of the Northern Territory. Yet, she never imagined that her oversight would lead to Kui Xiang's demise.
"How did she die?" Xue Zi Ning's voice was a low growl as she almost grabbed Shen Yun Xiu's lapel.
Shen Yun Xiu did not flinch. He looked at her for a long moment before replying, "The King of the Northern Territory bestowed Miss Kui Xiang upon Mr. Feng."
Xue Zi Ning trembled. Others might not know of Mr. Feng, but she, having faced him before, knew that this Mr. Feng had a penchant for women.
With that thought, she released Shen Yun Xiu's lapel. "I am responsible for her death." She was filled with remorse.
If only she had rescued Kui Xiang along with them back then, would a vibrant life not have been lost?
"Your Majesty, please do not blame yourself. I bear some responsibility for this as well," Wen Yu Xi said.
Xue Zi Ning shook her head. "You don't need to try and persuade me. If only I had thought a little more back then, Kui Xiang..."
"Your Majesty, life and death are fated. You could not possibly have thought of everything," Wen Yu Xi comforted her.
"Sister, the culprit is Mr. Feng. If only..." Xue Zi Xuan said coldly.
Xue Zi Ning looked up and nodded at Xue Zi Xuan. "You are correct. Only when Mr. Feng is dead can Kui Xiang be avenged."
"Your Majesty, do not act impulsively," Wen Yu Xi quickly cautioned.
Xue Zi Ning looked at Wen Yu Xi. "Wen Yu Xi, Kui Xiang was your subordinate as well. Are you simply going to stand by and watch her die like this?"
Wen Yu Xi's body trembled. "Your Majesty, Kui Xiang was indeed my subordinate, but in comparison to Your Majesty's safety, I implore Your Majesty not to act in haste."
"Wen Yu Xi, I am not acting impulsively. I am fully aware of what I intend to do and the consequences that will follow," Xue Zi Ning said slowly.
Wen Yu Xi became anxious. "Your Majesty, you may be very angry upon hearing my next words, but I must say them nonetheless.
If it meant saving you, Kui Xiang would have willingly given herself up."
Xue Zi Ning faltered slightly and fell silent. "Even if not for Kui Xiang, for the sake of preventing him from harming people in the future, Mr. Feng must die."
Her eyes blazed with a sharp, cold light.
Wen Yu Xi sighed inwardly. He knew that further persuasion would be futile. The Empress's decisions were not easily swayed by ordinary people, unless it was by one specific person.
"Young Master, Young Master Wen requests an audience!" a servant's voice called from outside. Yan Jin Chao paused for a moment before saying, "Let him in!"
The door opened, and upon seeing his visitor, Yan Jin Chao said indifferently, "Young Master Wen seeks me?"
Wen Yu Xi walked forward, sat down in a chair as if he belonged there, poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and slowly said, "Do you truly not recognize me?"
"Should I know you?" Yan Jin Chao asked calmly, his tone distant and indifferent.
Wen Yu Xi chuckled softly, his gaze turning icy. "You should recognize me."
"Regrettably, I do not," Yan Jin Chao replied coldly.
Wen Yu Xi sighed. "I don't know what happened to you after you arrived in Beijiang City, but it's alright if you don't recognize me. However, how could you not even recognize the Empress?"
"Do I need to recognize her?" Yan Jin Chao's tone was colder than ever.
"It's not that you need to; it's that your entire life is meant to be lived for her. I don't know when you will regain your memories, but if you do, and you know I didn't try to persuade you, you likely won't spare me..."
He paused, a bitter smile touching his lips. "However, I might not even get past my own conscience. Yan Jin Chao, ask yourself, do you truly feel nothing for A Ning?"
Yan Jin Chao's gaze flickered for a moment, a subtle shift that was almost imperceptible. Wen Yu Xi continued, "A Ning is planning to lure Mr. Feng into a trap, and I find it highly inappropriate."
"Young Master Wen, you should not be telling me this," Yan Jin Chao said indifferently.
"Can't I at least complain?" Wen Yu Xi retorted, annoyed.
Yan Jin Chao remained silent. Wen Yu Xi continued, "She is actually thinking of using herself as bait to lure Mr. Feng. This is extremely risky. I tried to dissuade her, but she wouldn't listen. If Yan Zhao were still here, she would definitely listen."
"You like A Ning..."
Yan Jin Chao suddenly spoke. Wen Yu Xi stiffened. "What... what nonsense are you spouting?"
"I'm not spouting nonsense. You like A Ning," Yan Jin Chao stated.
Upon hearing this, Wen Yu Xi smiled. "Like her? It's not something to be ashamed of. But she has no room for me in her heart; only Xue Jing Yun."
Yan Jin Chao fell silent. He knew Wen Yu Xi was telling the truth. "Do I resemble him greatly?"
"Not resemble. You are him," Wen Yu Xi said.
Yan Jin Chao shook his head. "But I have no recollection of her at all."
"I've heard that you used to abstain from women, but with A Ning, you couldn't help yourself. Don't you find that curious?"
Yan Jin Chao frowned. Wen Yu Xi was right. In the past, women were nothing more than stones on the ground or leaves on trees to him; they held no significance whatsoever.
But things were different now. He felt a growing connection, a subtle pull. He hadn't been accustomed to it at first, but now, he was growing used to it, which unsettled him.
"You see? You yourself are starting to doubt. Yan Jin Chao, just admit it. Admit that you do have feelings for A Ning, even if you don't recognize her or remember her now. Yet, in the depths of your being, you are still drawn to each other."
"You want me to stop A Ning from killing Mr. Feng?" Yan Jin Chao asked.
Wen Yu Xi nodded. "Yes. If Mr. Feng is killed, A Ning's whereabouts will surely be exposed, which would be very disadvantageous for her."
"But I think killing Mr. Feng would be better."
Wen Yu Xi was taken aback. "Yan Jin Chao, you..."
"Mr. Feng is a dangerous person. The longer he remains, the greater the danger," Yan Jin Chao stated.
Wen Yu Xi frowned, looking at him. "Are you saying..."
"I will offer my silent assistance in eliminating him," Yan Jin Chao said.
Wen Yu Xi felt like crying. His original intention was for Yan Jin Chao to dissuade the Empress. Now, however, he had gained an ally who shared his sentiment.
"You may leave. I will make arrangements for what comes next," Yan Jin Chao said indifferently.
Wen Yu Xi knew that any further words would be in vain. He rose and turned to leave. As he reached the doorway, Yan Jin Chao's voice suddenly called out from behind him, "Am I truly him?"
Wen Yu Xi didn't turn back, but replied with absolute certainty, "You are him, Xue Jing Yun."
The next day,
Xue Zi Ning planned to lure Mr. Feng out. However, no matter what method she employed, Mr. Feng remained unmoved. In the end, Xue Zi Ning, under the guise of Yan Jin, invited Jiang Yu Li.
Upon hearing that Yan Jin Chao had asked to meet her, Jiang Yu Li was overjoyed.