During the morning court session, Grand Tutor Lin, consumed by grief over the loss of his son, petitioned to resign from his official post and return to his hometown.
After the court dispersed, in the imperial study, Xue Zining gazed at Grand Tutor Lin, whose hair had turned white overnight. His heart couldn't help but recall Lin Yanzhi.
"Your Majesty, this subject thanks you for your trust, but I am no longer fit to serve," Grand Tutor Lin bowed.
"Have you made up your mind?" Xue Zining asked.
"Yes, this humble subject has made up his mind."
"I grant your request."
Grand Tutor Lin knelt and kowtowed, "This humble subject accepts the decree and thanks you!"
Grand Tutor Lin withdrew from the imperial study.
"Your Majesty, with Grand Tutor Lin gone, you have lost an arm," Yu Ji said with immense regret.
Xue Zining shook her head, "I know, but if my heart is not here, what is the point of forcing me to stay?"
Yu Ji sighed inwardly.
"Your Majesty, the Grand Princess requests an audience!" Xue Yan entered and announced.
Xue Zining nodded, "Let her in."
"This subject shall take his leave!" Yu Ji retreated.
Xue Zining returned to her chair. A moment later, Xue Yunlan entered.
"This subject greets Your Majesty!" Xue Yunlan curtsied.
Xue Zining looked at Xue Yunlan's somewhat pale face and asked, "Is something the matter?"
Xue Yunlan suddenly knelt on the ground and kowtowed, "This subject implores Your Majesty to grant my wish."
Xue Zining was taken aback and asked, "Get up and speak."
"If Your Majesty does not agree, this subject dare not rise."
Xue Yan, standing nearby, was displeased, "Grand Princess, are you threatening His Majesty?"
Xue Yunlan faltered and quickly said, "This subject did not mean that."
"Get up," Xue Zining said faintly.
Xue Yunlan rose.
"What is it?" Xue Zining inquired.
Xue Yunlan looked up at Xue Zining, finding her gaze clear, yet it inexplicably made her tremble from the depths of her heart.
"Your... Your Majesty..."
"If you do not speak, how can I grant your wish?" Xue Zining looked at Xue Yunlan, her tone mild.
Xue Yunlan bit her lower lip and said, "This subject earnestly requests Your Majesty to grant her marriage to Feng Yu and bestow the imperial decree for the union."
Xue Zining's hand, holding a teacup, trembled, and tea spilled out.
"Your Majesty..." Xue Yan quickly took out a handkerchief, about to wipe the tea from her hands.
She waved her hand and said coldly, "Repeat what you just said."
Xue Yunlan knelt, her back straight, "This subject requests Your Majesty to grant my marriage to Feng Yu."
Xue Zining threw the teacup in her hand onto the ground. The cup shattered, and fragments grazed Xue Yunlan's face, causing blood to flow instantly.
Xue Yunlan remained unmoved.
As if she felt no pain on her face, she kowtowed, "Please, Your Majesty, grant my wish."
"Where is Feng Yu?" Xue Zining's expression turned frighteningly grim.
"This servant shall go fetch Feng Yu immediately," Xue Yan said quickly.
"Feng Yu..." Xue Zining uttered the name coldly.
"Feng Yu is here." Feng Yu appeared at the doorway.
His eyes fell upon Xue Yunlan, kneeling on the ground. As he approached, he saw the wounds on her face, still bleeding profusely.
"Your face is bleeding," he said, his heart aching.
Xue Yunlan smiled gently and shook her head, "It doesn't hurt. As long as I can be with you, what do these things matter?"
Feng Yu's heart fluttered. He turned to look at the maiden seated high above, lowering his gaze, "Your Majesty, all of this is beyond my control..."
Feeling the warmth in his palm, he made up his mind and said, "Please, Your Majesty, grant our wish!"
"Feng Yu..." Xue Zining uttered the two words coldly.
Feng Yu knelt, "Please, Your Majesty, grant our wish!"
"As Feng Yin, you have left your master's side without permission. Do you know what consequences you will face?" Xue Zining asked coldly, word by word.
Feng Yu closed his eyes, then opened them again, "Feng Yu knows."
"Feng Yu, you have truly disappointed me."
Feng Yu startled, seeing the sorrow in the maiden's eyes.
He lowered his head, "Feng Yu accepts all punishment willingly."
"Go yourself!" Xue Zining turned her face away and said.
Feng Yu kowtowed heavily and retreated.
Xue Yunlan was taken aback, "Your Majesty..."
"Get out..." Xue Zining left her with only that single word.
Xue Yunlan was startled and dared not say anything further, retreating.
The corner of her lips curved upwards. This was just the beginning.
"Grand Princess."
Xue Yunlan put away her smile, her eyes already teary as she looked up, "Feng Yu, why must you make such a sacrifice for me?"
Feng Yu shook his head, "Grand Princess, you can sacrifice for Feng Yu, why can't Feng Yu do anything for you?"
Xue Yunlan rested her head on Feng Yu's shoulder, "Feng Yu, you are so good to me."
Feng Yu held the delicate body in his arms tightly, "Grand Princess, I cannot accompany you these days."
Xue Yunlan broke free from his embrace, "Feng Yu, I will wait for your return."
"Alright, Grand Princess, please take good care!" Feng Yu said.
Behind a rockery not far away, Yan Yi couldn't help but make two tutting sounds, "Young Master, you see? They are all inadequate. None are as loyal as Yan Yi. If it were Yan Yi, no Grand Princess could sway me."
Yan Zhao glanced faintly at Yan Yi. Yan Er sneered beside him, "You probably wouldn't have anyone try to seduce you anyway. After all, you don't have that much use."
Yan Yi: "..."
"Young Master, Madam is urging you. What do you think..."
"Once this is done, I will naturally return," Yan Zhao said faintly.
Yan Er sighed helplessly in his heart.
"You all go back." After speaking, Yan Zhao walked forward.
Yan Yi attempted to catch up to his young master, but Yan Er pulled him back.
Yan Yi was displeased, "Why did Yan Er pull me back?"
"Young Master told us to go back," Yan Er said.
"I just want to follow and see," Yan Yi asked cautiously.
Yan Er let out a cold laugh.
Yan Yi grew impatient, "I'm not looking. I'm not looking anymore."
Yan Zhao entered the imperial study and saw the maiden slumped over the desk, looking somewhat dejected.
"Your Majesty."
He saw the maiden look up, her clear eyes holding a subtle, indescribable feeling.
"It's you," the maiden said faintly.
"I have come to ask Your Majesty about the arrangements for the palace banquet."
Xue Zining was taken aback, "It's almost here."
Yan Zhao nodded, "Yes."
"You arrange it!"
Yan Zhao looked at the maiden faintly and said, "Your Majesty, those who can leave are not the best."
The maiden was startled.
Yan Zhao bowed, "This subject takes his leave!"
Watching Yan Zhao's retreating back, Xue Zining touched her forehead. Was she just being comforted?
Outside the palace, in a secluded corner, Feng Yu knelt on the ground.
Before him stood a man with a stern, composed face.
"Feng Yu, you have disappointed me greatly."
Feng Yu's heart trembled. This was the second person to say that to him today.
The charming face suddenly flashed in his mind. He steeled his heart and said, "Yin Zhu, Feng Yu is willing to bear all punishments."
"Betraying your master means not only will your martial arts be taken away, but you will also be branded as a slave."
Feng Yu was taken aback. He closed his eyes, "Feng Yu is willing."
"Feng Yu, are you foolish? Is it worth it for one woman?" Feng Jiu stepped forward and punched Feng Yu in the face, speaking angrily.
Feng Yu's face tilted to the side. He closed his eyes, "I am willing."