"Daddy..."
Wei Hai’s eyes widened, his hands flailing in the air, and Xue Zi Ning reached out to grasp his hand.
He clutched her hand tightly, "Can... can I call you A Ning again?"
"Yes."
"If... if there is another life, can you promise it to me?"
Xue Zi Ning was startled. She looked at Wei Hai and said, "I'm sorry, I've already promised this life, the next life, and the life after that to someone else. I cannot agree to something I cannot do."
"A Ning... you really are so lovely. Others... they would all agree..."
"I cannot. If I promise you, I would be breaking my word to that person. He has waited for me for three lifetimes, I cannot betray him again."
Wei Hai smiled, "That person must... must be very happy..."
"I will make him the happiest person..."
Although she hadn't accomplished it yet, there was still time.
"A Ning, I... I just hope you'll remember me at some point. That would be... enough..."
The hand she held fell limply.
Wei Dong wept heartbrokenly.
Xue Zi Ning gently laid Wei Hai down and looked up to see a boat not far away, the figure in fiery red clothing.
Lu Wan Ming walked over and said in a low voice, "Princess An Ping, this subordinate has just received word that King An has abdicated his throne to Princess An Ping, and Princess An Ping has now proclaimed herself King Chang Ping."
"General Lu, dispatch your men to escort the other villagers to the back mountain," Xue Zi Ning said calmly.
Lu Wan Ming nodded, "Your Majesty, rest assured. This subordinate swears to protect Your Majesty's safety."
"There's no need. You don't need to mind me when it becomes necessary," Xue Zi Ning said.
Lu Wan Ming was taken aback and looked at her in confusion.
Xue Zi Ning explained, "An Ping will undoubtedly use the villagers to threaten me. Who will you protect then?"
"How dare she? You are the Empress who unified the realm!" Lu Wan Ming couldn't believe that King Chang Ping would do such a thing.
"What won't she dare to do? I understand her very well." Moreover, with no capable people around her now, An Ping would surely rebel.
The boat approached the shore, and a woman in a fiery red dress disembarked. She walked step by step.
Where was the crazy demeanor she once had?
Xue Zi Ning smiled and walked forward, looking at the woman, and said calmly, "An Ping, have you been well!"
An Ping let out a low laugh, then her gaze suddenly turned cold as she angrily commanded, "Guards, arrest the impostor who is impersonating the Empress Chang Ning!"
"King Chang Ping, this is not an impersonation, she is..."
Before Lu Wan Ming could finish, An Ping interrupted him, "General Lu, you have never met Empress Chang Ning, how do you know she is Empress Chang Ning? She has deceived others."
Lu Wan Ming was stunned, scratching his head, "King Chang Ping, she..."
Xue Zi Ning shook her head at him.
Lu Wan Ming suddenly knelt on the ground and said, "This subject is willing to stake his head to guarantee that Empress Chang Ning is the real one."
An Ping sneered, "General Lu, it seems you have been deeply deceived. Guards, quickly arrest this imposter?"
Many people emerged from behind An Ping and advanced towards Xue Zi Ning.
Xue Zi Ning leaped into the air, landing on the boat An Ping had arrived in. "An Ping, it's alright if you don't recognize me. There's still time..."
"What are you doing?" An Ping felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
Xue Zi Ning smiled, her expression wicked and alluring. With a wave of her hand, she severed the boat's mast.
"Xue Zi Ning, what are you doing?" An Ping panicked, feeling that Xue Zi Ning was about to do something major.
"Ensuring you never return," Xue Zi Ning laughed with exceptional brilliance.
Her clear and beautiful face held eyes as pure as water, imbued with an alluring aura.
An Ping suddenly realized, and shouted, "Arrest her, this King will reward you."
Under the lure of great rewards, there were bound to be brave individuals. An Ping's bounty ignited the desire for victory in many.
Everyone surged towards Xue Zi Ning. Wei Dong grabbed Lu Wan Ming's arm. Although he didn't understand the current situation, he knew that remaining silent was the best help he could offer A Ning.
However, he was still worried.
Lu Wan Ming, understanding Wei Dong's feelings for the Empress, gently patted Wei Dong's shoulder and whispered, "Don't be afraid. Since she is Empress Chang Ning, she must be exceptionally intelligent."
He had also heard that this Empress Chang Ning had brought down the all-powerful Regent before she had even come of age.
At that time, the Empress had few trusted individuals around her, yet she achieved success through strategy and intelligence. This was no ordinary feat.
Wei Dong had also heard legends about Empress Chang Ning. He used to pester his father to tell him stories about Empress Chang Ning because he felt she was very smart and ambitious.
Despite being around the same age as him, she was so formidable.
Just as his father said, since she was Empress Chang Ning, she must have had a plan.
Wei Dong looked up and saw people chasing that slender figure, but they couldn't catch her.
The girl was as agile and nimble as a snake.
After kicking away those who got too close, Xue Zi Ning looked at An Ping and said coldly, "We will meet again!"
With that, she plummeted into the sea.
"A Ning Jie Jie..." Wei Dong could no longer hold back, breaking free from Lu Wan Ming's grasp and running towards the boat.
But all he saw were the waves engulfing him.
"A Ning Jie Jie..." Wei Dong shouted to the sea.
But no one would ever answer her again.
Wei Dong cried. His father was gone, and A Ning Jie Jie's fate was unknown.
Lu Wan Ming stepped forward and patted Wei Dong's shoulder, saying, "Empress Chang Ning will surely be alright."
"King Chang Ping, the boat cannot be used for now." Someone had inspected the boat and discovered the mast was unusable.
An Ping's face turned extremely grim. She summoned Lu Wan Ming and said coldly, "Arrange lodging for this King immediately. I intend to stay here for a few days."
Lu Wan Ming dared not delay and quickly replied, "King Chang Ping, rest assured, this subordinate will arrange it at once."
An Ping was so furious she almost stomped her foot.
Lu Wan Ming first had Wei Hai buried. He would properly bury his good brother when he had the time, but not now.
He sent people to fetch some of the more resourceful villagers, while the rest were to stay in the caves for a while, considering King Chang Ping was a volatile person.
After settling them, he intended to keep Wei Dong as well, but Wei Dong refused.
Helpless, he had to bring Wei Dong along. Da Feng Novel Network
After settling in, An Ping summoned Lu Wan Ming for questioning.
"I recall you should be guarding An Ling. Why are you here?"
Lu Wan Ming recited the excuse he had prepared, "Replying to King Chang Ping, this subordinate's child has been looked after by others. Now, this subordinate wishes to bring his child back."
"Is that so? However, what this King has heard is different. Do you and General Wei have a grudge over a woman?" An Ping said nonchalantly.
Lu Wan Ming was startled but kept a calm demeanor, "King Chang Ping, you misunderstand. This subordinate and General Wei are good brothers. How could there be a grudge over a woman?"
An Ping looked up at him and said, "His name is Wei Dong, isn't it? Call him in. This King wishes to question him."