"Since I have accepted Young Master Shen San's jade pendant, Young Master Shen San cannot refuse either. The position of Grand Minister was always reserved for you by me," Xue Zi Ning said, looking at Shen Yun Xuan.
Shen Yun Xuan bowed and said, "Your servant obeys!"
Xue Zi Ning's expression was somewhat pleased. "Your residence has not been tidied up yet, so you shall stay in the palace for now."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yun Xuan answered readily this time, "Your servant obeys your decree!"
"Young Master Shen San has not had a meal yet, would you care to join me for dinner?" Xue Zi Ning observed that it was likely past noon.
"Indeed, I have not eaten," Shen Yun Xuan replied.
"Xue Yan, prepare a meal," Xue Zi Ning instructed.
Xue Yan accepted the order and went out. Outside the imperial bedchamber, she wrote a few characters, attached them to a carrier pigeon, and released it.
In the evening, Xue Song entered, holding the carrier pigeon as if it were a treasure. He said fawningly to his Highness, who was looking at the memorial, "Your Highness, what do you think Xue Yan wrote to me?"
Xue Jing Yun did not even glance at Xue Song. Xue Song chuckled, "That's right, Your Highness doesn't have this kind of treatment."
Xue Jing Yun's expression turned slightly grim. Even Xue Feng, who was nearby, noticed it, but Xue Song, grinning foolishly, did not.
Xue Feng gave a light cough as a subtle reminder.
Hearing Xue Feng's cough, Xue Song asked, "Xue Feng, is your throat uncomfortable? You should take medicine."
Xue Feng: "..."
Seeing Xue Feng's lack of reaction, Xue Song walked over and nudged him with his elbow. "Go on, I'll handle it here."
Xue Feng felt a sense of helplessness and looked to the heavens. He looked at Xue Song and said, "Then you should be careful!"
With that, he chose to leave, reasoning that he wouldn't be the one suffering later anyway.
Seeing Xue Feng depart, Xue Song walked up to Xue Jing Yun with a smile. "Your Highness, see how good Xue Yan is to me? She lets me know her situation every day."
Xue Jing Yun looked up, gazing outside. The sky had already darkened slightly. He said faintly, "This weather is quite suitable for beating someone."
Xue Song, still lost in his joy, hadn't heard clearly. Before he could continue to revel in his delight, he was already being dragged out by his Highness.
Soon, a series of wails could be heard. Xue Feng, who was drinking and looking at the moon outside the palace walls, felt his mood turn sour.
However, he couldn't be blamed for the other's misfortune; he had kindly reminded him. It was just that Xue Song was too foolish to understand.
An incense stick's time later, Xue Song crawled out of the training room, his face bruised and swollen. However, the carrier pigeon in his arms was completely unharmed.
"Your Highness, can you not hit my face next time? It won't be healed by the time you get married, and then Xue Yan will dislike me!" Xue Song wailed.
Seeing that Xue Jing Yun was ignoring him, Xue Song took out the note from the pigeon's leg and opened it. He was on the verge of tears; it wasn't sweet nothings from Xue Yan at all.
"Your Highness, it's for you..." Xue Song said, on the verge of tears. He felt the beating he received was truly unfair.
Xue Jing Yun took it. The note was simple: "Shen Yun Xuan has entered the capital. His Majesty invites him for a meal."
Xue Song saw his Highness's face change instantly, becoming dark and unfathomable. Suddenly, a cold wind swept past. When he opened his eyes again, the person was gone.
Xue Song wailed. The beating he had endured felt like a complete loss.
Xue Zi Ning sensed that her gaze was becoming hazy. She stood up and said, "Young Master Shen San, that's all for today. You must be tired after your journey, go and rest quickly!"
She took a few steps but found her legs felt weak. Her legs buckled, and she leaned to the side. Seeing this, Shen Yun Xuan quickly stepped forward to support her.
A faint, lingering fragrance from her entered his nostrils.
"Your Majesty, you are drunk. I shall help you back," Shen Yun Xuan said.
Xue Zi Ning looked around and asked, "Where is Xue Yan?"
"Young Lady Xue Yan had something to attend to and went out," Shen Yun Xuan replied.
"I can manage on my own," Xue Zi Ning attempted to push Shen Yun Xuan away but found she had no strength at all.
She looked up at Shen Yun Xuan and said, "Then help me back!"
Shen Yun Xuan saw that the clear eyes before him were now rippling slightly, stirring his heart.
He turned his face away and said softly, "Your servant obeys your decree!"
As they left Qing Yuan Palace, a slight cold breeze passed, bringing a moment of clarity to Xue Zi Ning's expression.
Shen Yun Xuan supported her arm, not overstepping in the slightest.
She looked at the bright moon and, for some reason, thought of Yan Zhao. If he saw this scene at this moment, she wondered if he would misunderstand.
She was startled by this thought. What was she thinking?
Perhaps she was lost in thought and didn't watch her footing. She seemed to have stepped on something, her foot slipped, and she fell towards Shen Yun Xuan.
Shen Yun Xuan caught her steadily. The fragrance became more intense. Unlike the women he had encountered before, her fragrance was one that made one linger.
Suddenly, a gust of cold wind blew, and Xue Zi Ning's drunkenness vanished completely.
This was because she saw a person standing before her.
Clad in a moon-white brocade robe, his tall figure seemed to stride in with the moonlight, his shadow motionless under the moon.
She looked up and saw that handsome, refined, and beautiful face that surpassed even celestial beings.
And those eyes that were always as bright as stars.
However, at this moment, they held a hint of coldness.
She pushed Shen Yun Xuan away abruptly, a slight smile gracing her lips. "Yan Zhao, you've come."
She saw him bend down and lift her into his arms, giving a soft, faint hum.
She didn't hold back either, wrapping her arms around his neck and whispering softly, "I missed you so much..."
"Is this how much you missed me?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of gritted teeth.
Xue Zi Ning chuckled softly, then rested her head against his chest, murmuring, "Jealous?"
"Yes," he responded with a hum.
Suddenly, she looked up and pecked his chin. "Is this okay?"
His expression shifted slightly. He lowered his head, his eyes now dark and dazzling, resplendent and radiant.
"A Ning, you are tormenting me," his voice was hoarse and low.
Xue Zi Ning giggled, then raised her smiling face and said slowly, "It's good that you came."
"I'll carry you to your imperial bedchamber." Saying this, he carried her away from there.
As the breeze blew, Shen Yun Xuan let out a low chuckle, his smile tinged with a hint of desolation.
He stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes. Just as he was about to leave, a voice called from behind, "Tsk, tsk, not jealous?"
He turned around to see the person and smiled, "Ah, it's Miss Wen."
Wen Nuan handed him a bottle of wine. "Care for a drink?"
Shen Yun Xuan took it and asked, "Why are you drinking alone?"
"Why else? Who else would I drink with?" Wen Nuan asked.
Shen Yun Xuan chuckled softly at her words. "Indeed. How about I accompany you then?"
"Alright!" Wen Nuan said with a smile.
"Your mission to escort me is complete, aren't you returning to Qian Jin Lou?" Shen Yun Xuan inquired.
Wen Nuan shook her head. "Where the楼主 is, I am."
"Knowing this is a futile love, why do you still fall so deeply into it?"
Wen Nuan paused, her hand holding the wine bottle freezing.
Shen Yun Xuan smiled. "No need to explain; I see it all too clearly."
"The same goes for you!" Wen Nuan took a large gulp of wine.