Xue Zining was awakened by the noisy clamor. The unfamiliar atmosphere grew closer, and when she opened her eyes, she saw vibrant clothing swaying before her.
She sat up and saw that the several people before her were all concubines of Han Xiwen.
"Is something the matter?" Xue Zining asked indifferently.
The concubines nudged each other, and one finally stepped forward. "You all may leave, except for you," Xue Zining said coldly.
The concubines sensed a powerful aura from the maiden before them and dared not approach. They immediately turned and left.
Only the representative remained. "Who are you?"
"Concubine... Concubine Liu'er..." Liu'er bit her lower lip, trembling. If she had known this would happen, she wouldn't have come even if beaten to death.
"Is there something?" Xue Zining asked indifferently.
Liu'er braced herself and said, "Sisters... the sisters hope that if you enter the Prince's manor, you will give us sisters a way to survive."
Having only just entered the manor, she could already prevent the Prince from visiting their courtyards. If she were to truly enter the manor, what then?
They had heard that this was a princess of Anguo. A princess would surely have a temper, as long as they weren't driven out.
They could choose not to serve the Prince.
Xue Zining listened for a while before understanding what Liu'er meant. She said, "You've misunderstood. I am merely your Prince's friend, not the kind of relationship you imagine."
Liu'er was taken aback. A friend? Wasn't she the one the Prince wanted to marry?
"Go back. I won't be staying long, and besides, I already have someone I like," Xue Zining said.
Upon hearing this, Liu'er's heart trembled slightly. Her Prince was truly unfortunate.
In his youth, he did not receive the treatment of a prince. If it weren't for the Empress's suicide by well attracting the King's attention, he would likely be worse off than them now. Finally, he fell for a woman, only for her to already have a beloved.
Prince, you are so pitiful!
Liu'er returned and shared the news she had received. All the sisters felt injustice for their Prince and lamented his fate.
Their Prince was too miserable.
Han Xiwen returned to his manor from the imperial court and was summoned by his concubines. For some reason, the moment he entered, he saw his eight concubines standing in a line, and he felt an indescribable feeling.
When he saw the sympathy in their eyes, he became even more confused. How had he evoked their sympathy?
"Liu'er, what is wrong with you all?" Han Xiwen sat on a chair and gestured for Liu'er to speak.
Liu'er stepped forward, crouched down, and looked up. "Prince, this concubine knows the pain of loving someone unattainable, but you must persevere. As the saying goes, with enough effort, an iron rod can be ground into a needle."
Han Xiwen frowned and said coldly, "Liu'er, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
Liu'er continued, "Prince, Liu'er knows you are currently unable to attain your love, but you must persevere. Perhaps there will be a day when a withered tree blooms."
Han Xiwen: "..."
"Exactly, Prince, don't give up. You can definitely wait until the withered tree blooms."
"What are you all talking about? I don't understand..." Han Xiwen was furious. What was all this? What withered tree blooming?
Liu'er and the others exchanged glances, feeling that their Prince was even more pitiful.
"Liu'er, you tell me, why do you look at me with such pity?"
Liu'er said, "This morning, I met Princess Anning."
"Why did you see her? Didn't I instruct you not to disturb Princess Anning?" Han Xiwen's expression darkened.
See, he loved so cautiously. His Prince was truly pitiful.
"Prince, although Princess Anning has someone she likes, as long as she is not married, you can still win the beauty's heart."
Han Xiwen finally understood something after listening for a long time and asked, "Do you think I'm going to marry a Prince Consort?"
Liu'er said, "Prince, isn't that obvious?"
Han Xiwen rubbed his forehead. "She is not any Prince Consort; she is merely a guest of this Prince. Please do not misunderstand."
Liu'er sighed inwardly. The Prince loved so humbly, he didn't even dare to speak it aloud. No, she must help the Prince.
"Prince, Liu'er will help you."
"Liu'er, don't misunderstand. It's really not the kind of relationship you think," Han Xiwen explained.
Liu'er stood up and bowed. "Prince, we are grateful that you have taken us sisters in, and we hope to see you married and have children."
"Liu'er..." Han Xiwen's tone grew heavier.
Liu'er and her sisters smiled. "Prince, please rest assured, we will protect you and Princess Anning."
"She will not marry me," Han Xiwen said slowly.
Liu'er said, "This concubine knows, so I hope the Prince will strive to bring the Prince Consort home."
"Marry a Prince Consort? No, I will never marry. This Prince has you all, which is enough."
Han Xiwen stood up and walked to Liu'er, putting his arm around her waist. "Why don't you serve this Prince tonight?"
Liu'er pushed Han Xiwen away. "Prince, Liu'er is unwell tonight."
Han Xiwen clicked his tongue twice. "You've been in the manor for two and a half years, always feeling unwell. Where is all that millennium ginseng going?"
Liu'er smiled charmingly, a hint of killing intent flashing in her eyes. She curled her lips and said, "Prince, Liu'er can kill, but she cannot on the bed."
Han Xiwen's gaze deepened. "Don't worry, it will arrive soon."
Liu'er nodded. "Whenever the Prince says it will, it will. We sisters can wait."
They had waited for five years, so what was a little longer?
Han Xiwen looked into the distance and said, "Soon, my grievances, along with those of this Prince, will be settled."
Liu'er and the others looked at Han Xiwen, a flicker of affection passing through their eyes.
After waiting a few more days, a perfect opportunity finally arose. The Emperor of Han liked hunting, especially in winter. This time, the hunt was not in the royal hunting grounds but in a hunting ground outside the palace.
After a night of deployment, Xue Zining and Han Xixia had made most of their preparations, only waiting for the day to arrive.
That day finally came. Xue Zining followed Han Xiwen's carriage to the hunting grounds.
What she and Han Xixia discussed and planned, Han Xiwen never asked, but she felt he probably knew everything.
She also did not avoid Han Xiwen.
She did not wish to become enemies with Han Xiwen, and she had obtained a guarantee from Han Xixia that once the throne was seized, Han Xiwen would not be harmed.
This was what she could obtain for Han Xiwen. As for whether Han Xiwen would have any ambitions in the future, she could not control it.
"We've arrived," Han Xiwen's voice rang out.
Xue Zining opened her eyes. Just as she was about to alight from the carriage, Han Xiwen suddenly stopped her and said, "Be very careful!"
"Thank you!" Xue Zining alighted from the carriage.
This hunt had no rules. Whoever shot the most game would receive an imperial decree personally granted by the Emperor of Han.
Xue Zining mounted her horse and found Han Xixia amidst the crowd.
Han Xixia nodded to her, and the horses began to run.
They moved towards the Emperor of Han.
Initially, there were many people around her. Xue Zining shot a few rabbits symbolically. As they moved further, the crowd thinned.