"Miss, the people from the Nanfeng Escort Agency have taken their leave, saying their escort mission is complete."
Xue Zining nodded and said, "Settle their payment."
Xue Yan nodded.
At noon, Xue Zining heard from Qiao Weihai that the Crown Prince of Xue Kingdom was coming to Fenzhou.
Xue Zining's eyes flickered slightly, and she suddenly asked, "If it were the Crown Prince, what level of the Divine Hall could he enter?"
Qiao Weihai was startled. Although he didn't understand why Xue Zining asked this, he still shook his head, "This commoner doesn't know, but since he is the future legitimate ruler of Xue Kingdom, this commoner believes it should be an easy matter."
Xue Zining nodded, but soon felt it was a great challenge. How could the Crown Prince of Xue Kingdom enter the Divine Hall?
"Young Master Qiao, tell Xue Fu County King that I have something to discuss with him."
Qiao Weihai subconsciously looked up and saw the girl's clear eyes, which were so bright at that moment that one could not look away.
"Do you want to resolve my difficulties for this County King?" Xue Fu County King was looking at this young girl, who was merely in her early teens, formally for the first time.
Her appearance was indeed peerlessly beautiful, but she had not yet come of age, and still had some childishness. However, in the future, she would certainly be a beauty that could topple nations.
But that was for the future. For such a beautiful and childish girl to resolve his difficulties, and to go near the Crown Prince, who was more cunning than a fox?
He simply couldn't imagine it, feeling it was like hitting a rock with an egg.
He did not wish to alarm the snake by trying to catch the bird out of greed.
To have his years of planning go to waste.
Thinking of this, Xue Fu County King said coldly, "Miss Feng, this is the only time I want to hear such words. If there is another time, I will not be polite to you just because you are associated with Princess Yunlan."
Upon hearing this, Xue Zining bowed and said, "This commoner was too presumptuous. This commoner thought that Xue Fu County King was unwilling to be suppressed by the Crown Prince, so I wanted to offer some advice. After all, the County King and my Princess are allies. If you can seize the throne of Xue Kingdom, it would be of great help to my Princess in her bid for the throne. Now it seems my Princess has acted unnecessarily."
She paused, then looked up and continued, "We have different paths, and cannot plan together. This commoner has disturbed the County King these past days. I will now take my leave."
Saying this, she turned and left without looking back.
Xue Fu County King frowned but did not speak.
After leaving, Xue Zining returned to her room and closed the door. Xue Yan asked, "Are you just going back like this?"
Xue Zining shook her head, "I am gambling, gambling on his ambition."
"But, that person might not necessarily be you?" Xue Yan was confused.
Xue Zining smiled and shook her head, "Xue Yan, you don't know, I am from Guangze. Once the truth is revealed, he can push all the blame onto Huangze, what does that have to do with him?"
Xue Yan suddenly understood, "Then the County King will definitely agree."
Xue Zining shook her head again, "Not necessarily."
The rest depended on Qiao Weihai.
Indeed, not long after Xue Zining left, Xue Fu County King summoned Qiao Weihai and his strategists.
He recounted Xue Zining's matters.
The strategists were opposed. One of them said, "My Lord County King, the background of this Miss Feng is unknown. It is hard to guarantee that she was not sent by the Crown Prince."
"She is indeed someone under Princess Yunlan. Young Master Sun worries too much," Qiao Weihai said.
Sun Zhuang heard this and raised an eyebrow, looking at Qiao Weihai and asking, "Young Master Qiao knows quite a lot. Could it be that Young Master Qiao knows Miss Feng very well?"
Qiao Weihai glanced at Sun Zhuang and sneered, "Isn't it natural to understand one's opponent?"
"You..."
"Enough, I am still here," Xue Fu County King said with a cold frown.
Sun Zhuang snorted and looked at Qiao Weihai, "My Lord County King, I do not agree with you cooperating with people from Huangze."
Qiao Weihai said, "My opinion differs from Young Master Sun's. It is precisely because she is from Guangze that this matter has a chance."
Seeing Xue Fu County King remain silent, Qiao Weihai continued, "My Lord County King, you have sent beauties to the Crown Prince before, but each time they were rejected by the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince rejects this one as well, there will be no loss for you. However, if the opposite happens, it will be greatly beneficial to you, my Lord County King. After all, as someone from Huangze, if she does not act according to your wishes, her identity will be exposed, and it will likely lead to a death sentence."
Seeing the County King's eyes flash, he pressed his advantage, "At that time, you can shift the blame, and what does it have to do with you?"
"My Lord County King, absolutely not. I..."
"Sun Zhuang, you may withdraw!" Xue Fu County King waved his hand, signaling Sun Zhuang to leave.
Sun Zhuang was somewhat unwilling. Before leaving, he said, "My Lord County King, be careful of deception."
"My Lord County King, you have all the evidence of Xue Yunlan's crimes. With this in hand, she will not dare to disobey you, especially since she is waiting for you to send troops to help her seize the throne," Qiao Weihai stopped speaking. Saying too much would be counterproductive.
"My Lord County King, someone from Miss Feng's side has come to take leave!"
Xue Fu County King looked up. Qiao Weihai beside him said, "Let her in."
A young maid entered. Xue Fu County King had some impression of her; she was the maid beside Miss Feng.
"My Lord County King, Miss Feng sent this servant to take leave!" The young maid bowed respectfully.
After a long time, seeing that Xue Fu County King did not speak, the young maid boldly asked, "My Lord County King, may this servant rise?"
Xue Fu County King was startled and said, "Rise!"
The young maid said, "This servant has delivered my lady's farewell message. This servant will now take her leave!"
Saying this, the young maid turned to leave.
Xue Fu County King was startled and blurted out, "Did Miss Feng say nothing else?"
The young maid said, "My lady said, 'We have different paths, and cannot plan together.' My Lord County King, take care!"
Watching the maid's unhesitating departure, Xue Fu County King fell into deep thought.
Qiao Weihai also remained silent. After a while, Xue Fu County King said, "Weihai, why aren't you advising me?"
"My Lord County King, your contemplation must have its reasons. Weihai has said all that needs to be said. As for the decision, it is up to you, my Lord County King."
Xue Fu County King's gaze darkened, and he said coldly, "Go and retrieve Miss Feng."
Qiao Weihai was pleased in his heart but maintained a neutral expression, "My Lord County King, if you don't trust me, perhaps..."
"Hurry..." Xue Fu County King said.
Qiao Weihai did not delay further and walked out.
Xue Fu County King narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with coldness, and summoned those by his side to give orders.
A hundred miles outside Fenzhou, a large procession was heading towards Fenzhou. In the middle of the procession was a luxurious carriage.
The procession suddenly stopped, or rather, the carriage stopped. A girl in magnificent attire stepped out and said coldly, "His Highness said to wait here."
The procession rested in place. Someone looked at the girl in magnificent attire and sighed, "There is such a difference between people. Even the carriage has a beautiful woman accompanying it."
Another person quickly covered his mouth, whispering, "What are you talking about? That is His Highness's maid."
"Even the maid is so lavish?" What else could there be besides astonishment?
Inside the carriage, the woman in splendid attire, with a beautiful face, was filled with sternness. She looked at the two men before her and asked word by word, "Crown Prince, where exactly has he gone?"