"The Prince of the Commandery is indeed well-informed. The Regent died in prison after taking poison."
Xue Jingzhao supported his chin, laughing softly, then erupting into hearty laughter.
Xue Zining gazed indifferently at Xue Jingzhao, the eldest prince of Xue country, seated above.
Xue Jingzhao seemed to realize his loss of composure, restrained his smile, and cleared his throat, saying, "May I know the lady's name?"
"Feng Ning," Xue Zining replied.
Xue Jingzhao nodded, "So it is Miss Feng. Traveling such a long distance, Miss Feng must be tired. Miss Feng should rest early."
Xue Jingzhao stood up, only to find that the young girl seated there had not moved. He smiled lightly, "Miss Feng, please return to your rest!"
The young girl looked up at him indifferently and said, "Your Highness, I have a request."
"I am tired, Miss Feng. If you have anything to say, let's discuss it tomorrow!" With that, Xue Jingzhao moved towards the door.
The young girl's voice slowly sounded from behind him, "Your Highness, since the Regent is dead, do you intend to unilaterally break the contract? Does all our previous cooperation count for nothing?"
"Insolence..." Xue Fù, the Prince of the Commandery, Xue Jingzhao's guard, shouted boldly.
"Your Highness, please do not forget that although the Regent is dead, Princess Yun Lan is still alive," the young girl's clear voice rang out again.
Xue Jingzhao turned, his eyes filled with ice, his tone no longer polite, "Miss Feng, are you threatening me?"
"Your Highness misunderstands. I am merely conveying a message. After all, my master is the Princess. If Your Highness does not intend to fulfill the contract, then my presence here is of no use."
As she spoke, the young girl stood up, her slender figure exuding a certain dignity.
Though still a young girl, she possessed the nobility and authority befitting royalty.
Xue Jingzhao's gaze turned cold, a smile curving his lips, the smile not reaching his eyes, "Miss Feng, you jest. Am I the kind of person who breaks faith and abandons justice? I merely thought that Miss Feng must be tired from your journey and wanted you to rest for a few days."
Hearing this, the young girl looked as if she had suddenly understood. She curtsied and smiled, "I thought Your Highness intended to unilaterally break the contract. So that's how it is. I have wronged Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will not be angry."
"Am I the kind of petty person?" Xue Jingzhao asked with a smile.
"How could Your Highness be such a petty person? Otherwise, the Princess would not have sent me to seek refuge with Your Highness."
Xue Jingzhao nodded, "Miss Feng, please rest well. We can discuss anything in a few days. I am rather busy recently and cannot attend to Miss Feng, but I will certainly not mistreat Miss Feng. My nephew will accompany Miss Feng."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Xue Zining curtsied.
Xue Jingzhao departed.
Xue Zining stood up, and Xue Yan beside her stepped forward, saying in a low voice, "Miss, this Prince has been absent for several days."
Xue Zining narrowed her eyes. With Xue Wenjie dead, Xue Jingzhao had become even more arrogant.
"We'll take it one step at a time."
This was not Huang Ze. She was just an ordinary person here.
In the evening, a maid from the Prince's mansion knocked on Xue Zining's door. Xue Yan opened the door, and the maid curtsied and said, "Miss Feng, my young master asks if it is convenient to see you now?"
"Yes," Xue Zining nodded.
A moment later, a man clad in jade-green brocade robes entered.
The man's eyes brightened when he saw Xue Zining.
"Xue Yan, close the door," Xue Zining instructed.
Xue Yan nodded, walked out, closed the door, and stood guard outside.
"This humble subject, Qiao Weihai, greets Your Majesty." Qiao Weihai knelt and bowed.
Xue Zining did not stop him, accepting Qiao Weihai's kowtow.
"Your Majesty, when I heard you were coming, I still found it hard to believe."
How could he believe that the monarch of a country would venture into another land at great risk?
"Young Master Qiao, what do you know about the Divine Hall?" Xue Zining asked directly.
Qiao Weihai froze, looking at the young girl before him and asking, "Is Your Majesty's visit related to the Divine Hall?"
Xue Zining nodded, "To be frank, Your Majesty has come for items from the Divine Hall."
"Your Majesty, I still advise you not to covet anything from the Divine Hall any time soon."
"Why?" Xue Zining asked.
Qiao Weihai's gaze was profound, "Your Majesty may not know, but countless people go to the Divine Hall every year, yet none return alive."
"I know."
Qiao Weihai was startled, and looking up, he saw the young girl's clear eyes, devoid of any hesitation. He couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, knowing this, you still intend to go?"
He saw the young girl nod, her gaze clear yet firm, "Your Majesty, the Divine Hall is a place of no return, a devilish land."
"Young Master Qiao, I am determined to obtain what is in the Divine Hall, for I must save someone."
Qiao Weihai trembled all over. He lowered his gaze and said slowly, "Your Majesty, you are acting rashly this time. The Divine Hall is not as simple as you imagine."
"I know."
"Even so, Your Majesty still wishes to obtain it?" Qiao Weihai looked up at the young girl and asked.
The young girl nodded, her pure and beautiful face resolute.
"Your Majesty, from what I understand, the Divine Hall has three levels. The first level is the entrance, accessible only to royalty. Anyone not of royal blood is annihilated. The second level is said to require passing eighteen checkpoints to enter the third level. The third level is the most terrifying, known as hell on earth."
"How do I enter?" the young girl asked.
"You must be accompanied by the Prince of the Commandery. The Divine Hall recognizes royalty. With the Prince of the Commandery accompanying you, you can enter the main gate," Qiao Weihai said with difficulty.
"I know. Young Master Qiao, please keep an eye on news from the Divine Hall. I will handle the rest myself."
"Your Majesty, the items within the Divine Hall are also desired by the Prince of the Commandery."
Qiao Weihai reminded her.
Xue Zining heard this and was not surprised. Since the items in the Divine Hall were so alluring, how could the Prince of the Commandery not be tempted?
After Qiao Weihai left, Xue Yan entered the room.
Xue Zining sat there, propping her chin, the Divine Hall presenting her with a significant challenge.
How could she get the Prince of the Commandery to accompany her to the Divine Hall?
In the study
Qiao Weihai bowed to the Prince of the Commandery seated above, "Your Highness, Weihai has met with Miss Feng."
The Prince of the Commandery looked up and asked faintly, "How is it? Are there any abnormalities?"
Qiao Weihai shook his head, "There are no abnormalities. However, Your Highness intends to keep them? After all, they are from Huang Ze. Furthermore, in less than half a month, the Crown Prince will arrive here. If the Crown Prince learns that Your Highness harbors people from Huang Ze, it will be difficult for Your Highness to explain yourself."
The Prince of the Commandery smiled, "It matters not. My Crown Prince brother will not come."
Qiao Weihai froze and instinctively asked, "Why?"
Upon speaking, he quickly bowed, "Weihai has overstepped."
The Prince of the Commandery waved his hand, "It matters not. It's fine to tell you. If the Crown Prince dares to come, I will ensure he never returns."