The more she thought about it, the more she felt that her former self had been too stubborn. Wei Shuxuan propped her chin up dejectedly, her eyebrows knitted tightly together.
"Was I really so persistent?" She wasn't like this before. By the time she'd realized her feelings for Xin Zizhao, she'd already found herself becoming paranoid and insecure in love.
Just as He Qiushan had said, if she never took action, how would she know the final outcome? Only a coward would cower in place and dare not take a single step forward. That wasn't her.
Wei Shuxuan stood up and pushed open the window in the room. Outside, there was a boundless expanse of clean blue sky, with sparse white clouds floating in it. A gentle breeze blew towards her. She felt as if she'd opened the small dark room that had been confining her. In that instant, the bright light shone on her, and everything seemed to clear up.
Having figured things out, Wei Shuxuan went to the next - door room to find Xin Shang. "Xin Shang, open the door. I have something I want to ask you."
Hearing Wei Shuxuan's voice, Xin Shang immediately got up and opened the door for her. He saw a bright smile on Wei Shuxuan's face. He'd thought the empress would be angry for a long time after being questioned by that stupid boy.
"Miss Xuan, what's the matter?"
"Of course there's something," Wei Shuxuan nodded. "Xin Shang, do you have carrier pigeons that can send letters to Xin Zizhao?"
When Wei Shuxuan said this, Xin Shang was so shocked that he couldn't speak. His master had repeatedly told him not to let Wei Shuxuan know that he'd been following her, nor that his master was well - aware of her whereabouts. But not only had he been discovered by Wei Shuxuan, he'd also exposed the fact that he'd been corresponding with Xin Zizhao.
"What are you worried about? I don't mean to blame you," Wei Shuxuan saw Xin Shang looking terrified and completely speechless. "You thought I didn't know about the things between you and Xin Zizhao. Although I did tell him not to send anyone to follow me, but in the few days before I left the palace, I was extremely disappointed when I found that Xin Zizhao didn't send anyone to chase after me."
Xin Shang looked at the frank Wei Shuxuan in surprise.
"I was thinking, why didn't this man send someone to protect or track me? Did it mean he didn't love me?" Wei Shuxuan felt a bit silly when talking about the past. "But later, he sent you guys. When I knew you, Xin Shang, were sent by Xin Zizhao, I actually felt very relieved, because didn't it mean that he still cared about me?"
"So... Miss Xuan, did you know it was us when I first stepped in to save you?" Xin Shang looked at Wei Shuxuan in confusion.
"Actually, it's not entirely like that. I did consider this possibility. You know, it's my occupational habit to think through every possibility. I set up the trap because originally there was a couple staying next to my room on a trip. But somehow, I haven't seen them come out of their room recently, yet I can see them having meals downstairs."
Listening to Wei Shuxuan's description, Xin Shang couldn't help but sigh at her keen observation.
"Then I thought, someone must have swapped rooms with them. But most of the people coming to Qiuling Town are from other places, and the townspeople wouldn't do such a thing. Not many people know my real identity. The person who would do this should be someone very wealthy. Among the people I know, the only ones that rich are probably from the royal family. Am I right in my analysis?"
Wei Shuxuan shrugged. "So, next came the time to verify. So, I partnered with Wei Wei to set up a trap for you. As long as I was in danger, you'd easily fall into my trap."
"Miss Xuan is really amazing. This subordinate admires you greatly."
Xin Shang was really convinced by the empress. Wei Shuxuan smiled and waved her hand. "You've always been using 'I' when talking to me. Suddenly changing to 'this subordinate', I'm really not used to it. Well, no more nonsense. It's time for you to tell me if you know how to contact Xin Zizhao."
"This subordinate is truly convinced by Miss Xuan, which is why I'm like this," Xin Shang placed his hand on his left chest to show his admiration for Wei Shuxuan. He bowed his head slightly towards Wei Shuxuan. "Yes, Miss Xuan, this subordinate knows how to contact the master."
"Alright. I want to write a letter to your master. Please help me send it to him."
"Yes, Miss Xuan."
Xin Shang looked at the handwriting on the letter Wei Shuxuan had written. He really didn't know if he should make a comment. It was like the handwriting of someone who'd just started learning to write. Wei Shuxuan shouted at him a bit embarrassedly, "What are you still looking at! Hurry up and send it out for me!"
".... Yes, Miss Xuan!" Xin Shang also felt that he'd been too rude to Wei Shuxuan.
After putting Wei Shuxuan's letter on the leg of the carrier pigeon dedicated to communication between him and Xin Zizhao, Wei Shuxuan looked at Xin Shang. "Xin Shang, I have a question for you. Were you always dissatisfied with me before?"
".... Yes, Miss Xuan," Xin Shang hesitated for a moment but still honestly answered Wei Shuxuan's question. "Because this subordinate thought the master was so outstanding that a woman like Miss Xuan, who only had a bit of cleverness, was not worthy of him."
"Hey, this isn't just a bit of cleverness, okay! I have real abilities!" Wei Shuxuan was very unhappy with this statement.
"But later I found that Miss Xuan is not just a bit clever. You know how to face different situations and are very good at solving cases."
Wei Shuxuan nodded. "You've really hit the nail on the head with that."
Watching Wei Shuxuan sipping tea leisurely, Xin Shang observed the expression on her face. "So, Miss Xuan, are you planning to go back to the palace? The master misses you very much."
"...... I miss him too," Wei Shuxuan made no attempt to hide her longing for Xin Zizhao. She turned to look at Xin Shang, who was taken aback by her frankness. "So, maybe I'll play in Qiuling Town for a while longer and then go back to the palace. But, Xin Shang, don't tell your master this for now. I'll tell him myself. Got it?"
"Yes, Miss Xuan!" Xin Shang's mood became a bit excited. "This subordinate won't tell the master."
"That's for the best."
As usual, Xin Zizhao received a letter sent by Xin Shang's carrier pigeon. He opened it and found that the handwriting seemed a bit off. Such ugly handwriting couldn't be Xin Shang's. In fact, it was the ugliest handwriting he'd ever seen.