Yan Zhao looked at her and said, "A'ning, what are you thinking about?"
Xue Zi Ning shook her head, "I'm not thinking about anything."
Yan Zhao slowly pulled her into his arms, "Are you thinking about what to do if it really is Xue Yuan Zhao?"
Xue Zi Ning was stunned. She turned to look at Yan Zhao, surprised that he knew her thoughts so clearly.
"A'ning, don't worry about me. Do what you must. No one can challenge your authority, and no one is allowed to."
Xue Zi Ning looked at Yan Zhao and held him even tighter. She lay on his chest and said, "Yan Zhao, there has never been a moment when I felt it was so good to have you by my side."
Because she knew that no matter how the world changed or dynasties rose and fell, he would always stand behind her.
This was why she could act without reservations and do anything without overthinking.
"A'ning, it is your presence by my side that makes me feel that this life has not been lived in vain."
Xue Zi Ning shook her head, "Yan Zhao, you are my salvation."
Otherwise, she would have been lost in the hatred of this life.
"Master, Young Master." Xue Yan's voice came from outside the door.
"Come in," Xue Zi Ning said.
Xue Yan pushed the door open, her face etched with anxiety. Seeing this, Xue Zi Ning asked, "Xue Yan, is something the matter?"
Xue Yan said urgently, "Xue Song is missing."
Xue Zi Ning and Yan Zhao exchanged a glance. Xue Zi Ning stepped forward and asked, "What exactly happened?"
Xue Yan said anxiously, "This morning, Xue Song said he would go scout the imperial tomb first. But it's already past the morning, and he hasn't returned. I... I'm worried about him."
Xue Zi Ning stepped forward, took Xue Yan's hand, and patted her hand. "Xue Yan, don't worry, Xue Song will be fine."
Xue Yan bit her lower lip, "Xue Song wouldn't not return. He must have encountered something."
"Don't worry, he'll be fine," Xue Zi Ning reassured Xue Yan.
Xue Yan nodded, "I understand."
"When did Xue Song leave?" Yan Zhao asked.
Xue Yan thought for a moment, "At Yin Shi."
"It's now Wu Shi," Yan Zhao said with a frown.
"Yes, that's why I'm worried," Xue Yan bit her lip, her voice choked with emotion.
"Yan Zhao, let's go to the imperial tomb," Xue Zi Ning said.
Yan Zhao nodded, "Alright, we'll leave after we get ready."
In their haste, Xue Zi Ning and Yan Zhao did not take a carriage. Instead, they bought two horses. Xue Yan rode one, and Xue Zi Ning and Yan Zhao shared the other as they headed towards the imperial tomb.
Outside the imperial tomb, there were no guards, just as there had been yesterday.
This time, Yan Zhao stopped Xue Zi Ning, who was eager to rush ahead, saying, "I'll go first this time."
"Yan Zhao..."
"Don't worry, I won't be in any danger," Yan Zhao comforted her a few words, then suddenly leaped forward towards the main tomb.
Unlike Xue Zi Ning, Yan Zhao was not hit by the ice arrows at the entrance, as if yesterday's arrows were just an illusion.
Xue Zi Ning was stunned. How could she, the Empress of Chang Jiu Kingdom, not enter, but an outsider by marriage could?
Was this still the Xue family's ancestral grave? Was this still her Xue family's ancestor?
"Your Majesty, Xue Song went inside and then vanished. Young Master he..."
"He's fine." Xue Zi Ning trusted Yan Zhao, and besides, Yan Zhao's martial skills were extraordinary after regaining his memories. She didn't believe Yan Zhao would be in any danger.
However, this confidence crumbled after an hour. Yes, she was starting to worry now. An hour was a long time, and Yan Zhao still hadn't come out. Could something in the imperial tomb have trapped him?
She would never believe that Yan Zhao would act rashly.
"Your Majesty..." By now, Xue Yan was also becoming anxious. Xue Song's disappearance might be due to inferior skill, but what about the Young Master? His skills were far superior to Xue Song's, so how could he also be inferior? Could it be?
Thinking this, Xue Yan dared not continue. She feared that the more she thought, the more frightened she would become.
Xue Zi Ning stared intently at the entrance of the main tomb. How she wished Yan Zhao would appear right now, with Xue Song following behind him.
What did it matter if the imperial tomb was robbed? As long as her people were safe, why bother with such things?
"Your Majesty, should I go in and take a look?" Xue Yan finally couldn't help but ask.
"No, if you go in, you'll just be sending yourself to your death. Let's go back first."
She and Yan Zhao had already agreed that no matter the reason for Yan Zhao's inability to come out, she must not force her way in.
Xue Yan was reluctant, but she restrained herself, knowing that Her Majesty was as anxious as she was.
Leaving the imperial tomb, Xue Zi Ning looked at the street vendors and suddenly remembered that she and Xue Yan had not eaten lunch yet.
"Let's go eat some noodles," Xue Zi Ning said.
Xue Yan wanted to say she really had no appetite, but thinking that Her Majesty hadn't eaten either, she forced herself to eat a bowl of noodles.
As they were about to leave after paying, the young boy they had met a few days ago suddenly appeared. He looked at Xue Zi Ning and said, "Sister."
"Why are you still here? Haven't you gone home?"
The boy said, "This is my home!"
Xue Zi Ning was startled, and a glint flashed in her eyes. "Yuan Zhao, are you very familiar with this place?"
Yuan Zhao patted his chest, "Of course. There's no place here that I'm not familiar with."
Upon hearing this, Xue Zi Ning pulled Yuan Zhao aside and whispered, "Then do you know about the imperial tomb?"
Yuan Zhao looked at her and said, "Are you also here for the imperial tomb?"
"I'm here to save my friend," Xue Zi Ning said.
"The one with the same name as me?" Yuan Zhao asked.
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Yes."
"Sister, I advise you not to go there. No one who enters has ever come out. I've met many such people," Yuan Zhao said with a sigh.
Xue Zi Ning trembled upon hearing this, "You mean there's more than just Yuan Zhao who went to the imperial tomb?"
"Yes, they all went to the imperial tomb, and none of them have come out. Sister, I'm telling you this because we have a connection. I wouldn't tell anyone else," Yuan Zhao said.
"But I must go. My good friend is there, and I must save him."
"Must Sister go?" Yuan Zhao asked.
Xue Zi Ning nodded, "Yes, I must."
"Then, Sister, do you trust me?" Yuan Zhao suddenly looked up and asked.
"I do," Xue Zi Ning nodded.
Yuan Zhao smiled, "Only Sister trusts me? Then I'll accompany Sister tomorrow."
"You?" Xue Zi Ning was a little skeptical.
Seeing that she seemed to doubt his ability, Yuan Zhao said indignantly, "Sister, don't underestimate me, I'm very capable."
"Alright, Sister won't underestimate you. Will you take Sister to the imperial tomb tomorrow?"
Yuan Zhao nodded, "Yes."
"Then we'll meet here tomorrow." Xue Zi Ning turned and left.
Yuan Zhao stood in place and sighed, "Finally, I've met a Sister who suits my taste, but Sister is also going to her death."