บท 223: What's in her fate?

After returning from the long, grueling journey, Yang Ning shed her travel-weary clothing for a soft, comfortable dress and wrapped herself in a warm woolen shawl. The winter in the capital city was more than just cold; it was biting and merciless, making her crave the warmth of Xinling city.

While enjoying the warm and pleasant weather of Xinling City, she had almost forgotten about the biting cold weather of the capital city. 

Yang Ning stood near the window in her dimly lit chamber, her eyes fixed on the distant cold lake. The water looked almost frozen, and its icy breeze brushed against her cheeks, causing her to shiver. 

But the physical cold was nothing compared to the chill in her thoughts. Her mind was a storm of confusion and anxiety, so much so that she hardly felt the wind's sting.