"Yan Jin Chao, do you know what I intend to do?" Xue Zi Ning asked directly from within the carriage.
Yan Jin Chao merely glanced at her. "The Northern Frontier King's mansion is heavily guarded. If you go in, you'll be walking right into a trap."
Xue Zi Ning fell silent. How could she not know? But she couldn't leave them to their fate.
"I know."
"You know and you still want to go? Are they that important to you?"
Xue Zi Ning started slightly, then nodded. "Yes..."
"Trust me, I will save them all."
Xue Zi Ning blinked, raising her eyes instinctively to look at him. His gaze was deep and bright, like the most brilliant star in the silent night sky.
"Why?" Why would he help her? He hadn't regained his memories yet; he still didn't remember her. Yet, after only a few days together, he was offering his assistance?
"You are my person. If something happens to you, the Northern Frontier King will surely suspect me. I merely wish to avoid being implicated," he stated calmly, his face expressionless, betraying not a hint of emotion.
Was that truly it? She felt a pang of disappointment. She had hoped he harbored at least a sliver of concern for her.
Was it really just that? She let out a soft chuckle, realizing she had been overly optimistic.
"Then, thank you, Young Master." After speaking, she turned her face away to gaze at the scenery outside the window.
Yan Jin Chao lowered his gaze, his clenched fist slowly unfurling.
The carriage stopped. Someone guided them to the main hall. Yun Duan Hai had gone to change his clothes.
Yan Jin Chao watched the woman who had been silent since earlier, feeling an unsettling disquiet in his heart.
Had he said something too harsh?
But he truly didn't know how to appease people, especially a woman. In the past, he had always acted on his own accord and never bothered himself with such matters. But now, things were different. He was contemplating these things, and they were occupying a significant portion of his time. He wondered if this could be considered an illness, and if so, how serious it was.
"Young Master Yan, the King requests your presence in the study," a servant announced.
"Wait for me here," Yan Jin Chao said to Xue Zi Ning.
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Yes, Young Master."
Yan Jin Chao gave her a final glance and departed.
Once he was gone, Xue Zi Ning left the room and, with a swift leap, soared out of Yun Duan Hai's residence.
Outside the courtyard, Shen Yun Xiu saw her appear and quickly approached her. "Your Majesty, the Northern Frontier King's mansion is indeed heavily guarded. It is very dangerous for you to enter now."
"Shen Yun Xiu, your mission ends here. I am sufficient for what remains," Xue Zi Ning stated.
Shen Yun Xiu blinked in surprise. "Your Majesty, you..."
Xue Zi Ning said nothing more and left. She was enough on her own.
Re-entering the Northern Frontier King's mansion, Xue Zi Ning changed into night-blooming attire. She surveyed the estate, noting that even the patrols had increased significantly. She evaded the patrolling guards and began her search.
Suddenly, a voice drifted from not too far away. "Miss, there will be other opportunities. For now, she is merely Young Master Yan's maid. Young Master Yan would absolutely not fall for a maid. In terms of status, position, and appearance, Miss is far superior."
"Xiao Huan, stop talking. I want to be alone," Jiang Yu Li said.
Xiao Huan replied, "Miss..."
"I want sweet soup. Go make some and bring it to my room. Hurry..."
Xiao Huan had no choice but to say, "Then please don't leave the manor."
"I know," Jiang Yu Li replied.
Xiao Huan departed. Jiang Yu Li sighed. Suddenly, she felt a cool breeze behind her. Instinctively, she turned her head, her vision went black, and she lost consciousness.
Xue Zi Ning placed the woman in a room, removed Jiang Yu Li's clothes, and covered her with a quilt. She clasped her hands together. "I apologize, Miss Jiang. I can guarantee this is the last time."
Having done all that, she left the room. Midway, she encountered Xiao Huan carrying sweet soup. Xiao Huan's expression darkened upon seeing her. "Miss, didn't I tell you to go back to your room and rest? Why have you run out again?"
"I wanted some fresh air. Xiao Huan, do you feel like there are more people in the manor than usual?" Xue Zi Ning deliberately steered the conversation in this direction.
Xiao Huan heard her and whispered, "Miss, have you forgotten? The King is waiting for someone to step into his trap."
"I wonder if my brother will succeed. We must capture that person quickly."
Xiao Huan replied, "That person is very cunning."
"I wonder if my brother's preparations are sufficient."
Xiao Huan whispered, "I heard from the King's attendants that those people are in the King's chambers. They cannot escape even with wings."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Let's go back to the room."
Xiao Huan supported her, her brow furrowed. "I told you that you've lost weight, but you wouldn't believe me."
Returning to the room, she closed the door and knocked Xiao Huan unconscious with one hand. Changing into Xiao Huan's clothes, she walked out. She knew the Northern Frontier King's chambers. Arriving outside the Northern Frontier King's room, she saw guards stationed there. She walked forward, but the guards blocked her.
"No one is allowed to enter."
"My young lady is missing. I need to see the King..."
The guard said coldly, "No one..."
"Your Majesty, the young lady is missing..."
Indeed, there was a commotion inside the room. A moment later, the Northern Frontier King emerged and asked her, "What happened to Yu Li?"
"Your Majesty, it's all my fault. The young lady said she wanted sweet soup. By the time I brought it back, the young lady was no longer in the room. I searched the entire mansion but could not find her."
The Northern Frontier King frowned. He knew Yu Li had suffered a setback today and was surely in a bad mood. He had planned to persuade her again in the evening, but it seemed it was too late.
"Go and search the entire mansion for her," the Northern Frontier King commanded.
The guards nodded and led their men away.
Now, only the Northern Frontier King and she remained. She stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, could something have happened to the young lady?"
The Northern Frontier King, already agitated, said coldly, "How would I know?"
At that very moment, a cold sensation touched his neck. The Northern Frontier King shuddered. "You..."
"Do not move, nor cry out, or I cannot guarantee that this weapon in my hand will not slip and injure you..."
The Northern Frontier King's eyes deepened. "I never expected you to have reached me, yet I do not know who you are?"
"Into the room..." She kicked open the door and pushed the Northern Frontier King inside. Then, she casually pulled down the curtains and bound him.
"Where are they?" Xue Zi Ning asked coldly.
The Northern Frontier King sneered. "You can kill me, but you will never know where they are."
"Kill you? Not yet," Xue Zi Ning said as she walked towards the inner chamber. Upon seeing the person within, her entire being exuded a chilling aura.
Wen Yu Xi's collarbone was pierced by chains, which were then connected to his ankles. Her body trembled. She stepped forward and said in a low, hoarse voice, "Wen Yu Xi, wake up..."
Wen Yu Xi slowly opened his eyes. Seeing her, his body trembled. "Your Highness..."
"Say nothing. I will get you out..."
"No... it's a trap..." Wen Yu Xi forced out these words with great effort.