Three days later, when Anning could get out of bed and move around, Xue Yan and her child arrived.
"Miss Xue Ning, you saved the lives of my child and me. Xue Yan belongs to you now."
Xue Yan, holding her baby, was about to kneel. Anning dared not let her, so she quickly stepped forward to help her up. "The ground is cold. You just gave birth, and your body is very weak. How can you kneel?"
Xue Yan's gaze faltered slightly at her words. She looked up at Anning, and after a long silence, she said with a slight sob, "She is truly so much like her."
Anning was taken aback. "Like whom?"
Xue Yan lowered her gaze, concealing the tears in her eyes. She then looked up again, her tears wiped away. "Miss Xue Ning, Xue Yan will do as you command from now on."
"We'll talk about the future later. For now, focus on recovering your health and taking care of the child." Anning said, looking at the baby in Xue Yan's arms. The child, who had been asleep, suddenly smiled.
"She... she smiled at me..." Anning found it incredible.
Xue Yan was also astonished. "I've been trying to coax her to smile all morning, but she wouldn't. Now, seeing you, she smiled without any warning."
"This child has a connection with me," Anning said with surprise.
"Miss, please give her a name!" Xue Yan suddenly said.
Anning was momentarily stunned. Give a name?
"Xiluo."
"Xiluo?" Xue Yan repeated the name.
"She landed with everyone's hope. Xiluo."
"That's a good name. Thank you, Miss." Xue Yan held the baby close, smiling. "Xiluo, from now on, your name is Xiluo."
Anning also smiled. Suddenly, a fragment flashed through her mind: "I hope you will walk the righteous path in the future."
This sentence made her freeze. Had she ever named anyone before?
"Miss Xue Ning, Xue Yan owes her life to you. From today onwards, Xue Song is at your disposal." Xue Song knelt at the doorway, saying solemnly.
"We'll discuss future matters later." Anning didn't take it seriously.
Xue Yan smiled. "Xue Song, what do you think of the name Xiluo for our daughter?"
Xue Song was slightly taken aback. "Xiluo?"
Xue Yan nodded. "She landed with our hopes."
"Good," Xue Song agreed.
He stepped forward, supporting Xue Yan, and then took the child. He gazed at his daughter affectionately and murmured, "Xiluo."
Xue Yan smiled.
Anning couldn't help but smile too.
Suddenly, she felt a gaze fall upon her. Looking up, she saw a fleeting white figure.
Another three days passed. Anning had recovered almost completely. The palace began preparations to welcome the Empress of Huangze, Princess Anguo.
That day finally arrived.
Xue Changan stepped onto the land of Xue Country and felt a stark contrast to Huangze.
Despite three seasons of winter here, it was so prosperous.
The common people lived and worked in peace and contentment, with smiles of satisfaction on everyone's faces.
"Xue Jingyun is truly remarkable," Xue Changan couldn't help but exclaim.
Only such a man was worthy of her.
If they were to join forces, it would be a combination of strength.
This was the kind of man she desired.
Outstanding, perfect, devoted.
She, Xue Changan, deserved the most outstanding man.
Suddenly, the crowd erupted.
Xue Changan lifted the curtain of her carriage and saw a man on horseback approaching, clad in an immaculate moon-white brocade robe.
His refined and handsome face held eyes that shone with unprecedented brilliance, like the vastness of the cosmos.
He reined in his horse. His tall, slender figure sat elegantly and nobly, his every move exuding peerless grace.
Her heart began to pound uncontrollably.
In her past life, he hadn't been this outstanding, this perfect. Otherwise, why would she have chosen Hua Yunjin?
"Welcome to Xue Country, Empress of Huangze." His voice was clear and tinged with a cool detachment.
Xue Changan leaned out of her carriage. "Your Highness the Crown Prince is too kind. To come out to the city to welcome me is a great honor."
"Your Majesty is too polite," Xue Jingyun replied with a neutral expression.
Xue Changan had grown accustomed to Xue Jingyun's coolness. She was already pleased that he had come to welcome her; she didn't dare to be more greedy.
Behind Xue Jingyun, Anning looked at Xue Changan there, her gaze turning cold.
If it weren't for Xue Changan, she would still be living peacefully as Princess Anning in Anguo.
She, Anning, was someone who always sought retribution.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, my back still aches a little. I'll return now." Anning feared that if she stayed longer, she might be unable to resist seeking revenge on Xue Changan.
"I will escort you," Xue Jingyun said, turning towards her.
Anning was surprised. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, you still need to escort the Empress to her palace. Don't let this delay your important affairs."
Xue Jingyun looked at her with a somewhat cold expression. "Your affairs are also important."
With that, ignoring her exclamations, he lifted her onto his horse and rode away swiftly.
Xue Changan, who had been beaming moments before, now felt only a sense of humiliation. Xue Jingyun had actually carried a woman away on his horse.
"Who is that woman?" To be carried on horseback by Xue Jingyun in full view of everyone, who could she be?
"If I'm not mistaken, that should be my third sister."
Xue Changan trembled all over. She turned back, and Princess Anping curtsied to her. "Your Majesty, I trust you are well."
Xue Changan snorted. "Are you sure that woman is Princess Anning?"
"Although she's wearing a mask, we grew up together. I can be certain it's Anning," An Ping said without hesitation.
Upon hearing this, Xue Changan gave a cold laugh. "Truly tenacious grass, emerging again with the slightest breeze."
"Your Majesty, with the Crown Prince here this time, you likely won't be able to touch her at all." An Ping stated.
Xue Changan scoffed and caressed the long nail protectors on her fingers. "There is no one I wish to move that I cannot."
"Is that so? Then I shall wait and see," An Ping smiled.
Xue Changan turned to look at An Ping and sneered, "I had schemes against you before. You don't hate me, and you're still helping me?"
An Ping replied with a smile, "Each to their own abilities. I fell into your trap before; that was my foolishness. This time, don't you think Anning is a greater threat than any of us?"
Xue Changan's gaze turned cold. My dear sister, I could kill you once, and I can kill you again.
"Let go of me, Your Highness the Crown Prince." Anning broke free from Xue Jingyun's grasp and jumped off the horse.
Xue Jingyun also dismounted, his tall figure walking towards her step by step.
"Your... Your Highness the Crown Prince..."
"Seeing me welcome another woman, aren't you jealous?"
Anning's body trembled. She looked up and saw his eyes filled with deep affection.
Such a gaze made her feel utterly adrift.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, are you sure you want someone like me?" She pulled off her mask, revealing scars crisscrossing her cheeks.
His gaze did not flinch, but instead held only concern and self-reproach. "From now on, I will not let you suffer any harm."
Anning was stunned and lowered her gaze. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, you are the Crown Prince of Xue Country, and soon to be the Emperor. You will have many women. As for me... I am merely a passerby in your life."
"Anning..."
Anning's body trembled, but her heart felt a sense of relief. She had known all along that he had recognized her.