Xue Zining returned to her chambers from the imperial court, her entire body aching. She had been seated on the hard dragon throne for two full hours and found herself somewhat admiring her father.
Suddenly, a figure seemed to flit past the palace doors. She called out coldly, "Who's there? Come out?"
"Imperial… Imperial Sister…"
Xue Zining paused slightly, looking up at the small figure clinging to the palace door. Her heart sank.
It was Xue Zixuan.
Xue Zixuan's small hands were tightly clenched on the door. He simply couldn't believe that the Imperial Sister who had tried to strangle him yesterday was the same Imperial Sister from before.
Even though his Imperial Mother had told him not to come to Zhaoyang Palace again, he couldn't resist.
His small, round face was a little pale from being pressed against the door. His obsidian eyes, when they looked at her, were filled with timidity.
No one would have guessed that this Xue Zixuan would be the one to personally end her life eight years later.
"Imperial… Imperial Sister…" The small figure's voice was sweet and milky, yet timid.
Xue Zining could no longer face the timid Xue Zixuan with a stern expression.
For many years in the past, she had cherished Xue Zixuan.
While there was hate, there was also reluctance to let go.
The current Xue Zixuan likely didn't have so many complex thoughts.
If only she could firmly control Xue Zixuan, perhaps what happened eight years later wouldn't repeat itself?
With this thought, she looked up at the small, somewhat pitiable figure and beckoned, "Come here."
Xue Zixuan's heart resisted, telling him not to go, but he still couldn't help himself.
Imperial Sister had been too good to him in the past, so much so that he simply didn't believe what had happened yesterday.
"Zixuan, did you hate Imperial Sister for treating you like that yesterday?" Xue Zining asked, her words deliberate.
Xue Zixuan quickly shook his head. "No… Zixuan doesn't hate Imperial Sister. Imperial Sister is good to Zixuan, it must be something Zixuan did wrong that angered Imperial Sister."
Xue Zining was slightly taken aback. "Do you really think so, Zixuan?"
Xue Zixuan nodded, his obsidian eyes showing no trace of avoidance, pure and innocent.
At this moment, Xue Zixuan was unlikely to be lying.
"Zixuan, yesterday Imperial Sister had a nightmare. In the dream, Zixuan killed Imperial Sister eight years later. That's why Imperial Sister accidentally choked you."
"Imperial Sister, Zixuan wouldn't. Zixuan would never hurt Imperial Sister."
"Good, Imperial Sister hears you. Zixuan, you must be good to Imperial Sister, understand?"
Xue Zixuan nodded. "Imperial Sister, don't worry. When Zixuan grows up, he will definitely protect Imperial Sister well."
"Noble Consort, you cannot enter…"
A voice came from outside, followed by a figure rushing in anxiously.
Xue Zining looked up at Consort Zhao, who was still panting, and a faint smile touched her lips, though her tone was cold. "Consort, intruding into Zhaoyuan Palace without my decree, do you know your offense?"
Consort Zhao saw Xue Zixuan sitting obediently by the girl and finally calmed down. She curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. This concubine was afraid the young prince would offend Your Majesty, hence I rushed here."
The girl chuckled softly at her words. "Consort, you're afraid I might harm Zixuan again, aren't you?"
Consort Zhao's expression changed slightly. She quickly curtsied. "Your Majesty, you truly misunderstand. This concubine has no such intentions."
"Consort worries too much. Zixuan is my father's only son. How could I possibly harm him?"
Consort Zhao's expression suddenly changed.
She saw the girl's clear and bright gaze, and a sense of unease stirred within her.