Han Huang sneered, "Xue Zining, what right do you have to manage the affairs of my Han Kingdom?"
Xue Zining chuckled softly, her smile not reaching her eyes. "I don't want to interfere, but Han Huang is forgetful. I don't mind reminding Han Huang that you made an agreement with Xue Changan. Since you're the one interfering in the affairs of Huangze, don't blame me for interfering in the affairs of the Han Kingdom."
Hearing this, Han Huang's gaze turned cold. "You know everything?"
"If you don't want anyone to know, you shouldn't have done it. Han Huang, you've tried to kill me several times. We should settle this score."
Han Huang narrowed his eyes. "Xue Zining, do you think you can defeat me?"
"How will you know if you don't try?" Xue Zining replied.
"Very well, take this!" Han Huang suddenly attacked, charging towards Xue Zining.
Xue Zining dodged, and she had to admit that those who grew up on horseback were different from others.
She had sparred with Han Xixia and fought to a draw, but she hadn't expected Han Huang, as royalty, to possess such excellent combat skills.
After a few rounds, Xue Zining felt her strength waning.
Indeed, in terms of stamina, women were weaker than men. "Are you already tired? Xue Zining, if you cannot defeat me, then you likely won't be able to reclaim Huangze. Xue Changan is currently recruiting experts from all over the world; you are no match for her."
Xue Zining retreated with a sudden leap, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. Han Huang sneered, "Is that all you've got?"
Xue Zining bit her lower lip and lunged forward again. Suddenly, she saw Han Huang pull something from his chest.
Han Xixia's expression changed, and she shouted, "Ning'er, dodge!"
Xue Zining didn't know what it was, but judging by Han Xixia's cry of alarm, it must be something powerful.
However, she had no time to dodge. She saw Han Huang fling the object towards her, and she caught a glimpse of green.
Liu'er's expression grew grim. "A bamboo viper."
A bamboo viper? Xue Zining recalled it was a poisonous snake.
"That looks like a bamboo viper dipped in poison," Liu'er added.
As the bamboo viper flew towards her, Xue Zining couldn't evade it. Suddenly, a zither melody rang out. The bamboo viper, which had been about to bite her, suddenly turned its head and bit Han Huang on the neck.
Han Huang froze, staring at the bamboo viper that had bitten him, his face filled with disbelief. "How... how is this possible?"
How could the creature he raised bite its master?
As the zither music ceased, a figure emerged.
He stood before Han Huang, clad in dark robes.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Han Huang trembled. "Ninth Prince... you..."
"Do you know that Mother didn't fall into the well by accident? She jumped in willingly, just so I could have a princely status."
"Ninth Prince, I... I didn't know..."
Han Xiwen nodded. "Indeed, there's much you don't know. Mother was from Miao Jiang. Poisons were her specialty. I started playing with such things as a child."
Han Huang's gaze faltered. "Ninth Prince..."
Han Xiwen turned away, no longer looking at him. He then walked towards Han Xixia and, after a long moment, knelt on one knee. "Your subject greets His Majesty, the Han Emperor!"
Liu'er and the other hidden guards also knelt.
Han Huang spat out a mouthful of blood in anger. He wasn't dead yet, not yet!
"Father Emperor was injured by a venomous creature while hunting and needs immediate treatment. Return to the palace at once," Han Xixia declared.
After days and nights of treatment, the imperial physicians were helpless. On the seventh day, Han Huang passed away.
Before his demise, Han Huang left an oral decree to pass the throne to the seventh prince, Han Xixia. The ninth prince and Princess Anning served as witnesses, along with Han Huang's guard, Master Zhang, and four hidden guards.
Han Xixia declined the throne, citing a three-year mourning period, but moved into the Zhenping Palace as the future crown prince.
Han Xixia and Xue Zining signed a three-year peace treaty. During this period, the Han Kingdom would not proactively invade Huangze and would provide military aid to quell rebel forces in times of crisis.
"Is three years enough? Lifelong would also suffice," Han Xixia said, looking at the young woman before him.
Xue Zining replied, "There will likely be many in the court who object to your ascension to the throne. If such an agreement is signed, it may not be conducive to your enthronement in three years. By then, I will have reclaimed the throne, and we can then sign a treaty that benefits both of us."
Han Xixia smiled slowly. "Ning'er, you truly consider everything. Do you really not need me to send troops to help you now?"
Xue Zining shook her head. "No, I don't. If I need it, I won't hesitate to ask."
Han Xixia nodded, his gaze shimmering slightly. "Don't be polite."
Xue Zining turned her face away, gazing into the distance. "I must go now."
"I'll escort you," Han Xixia said.
"No need. High mountains and flowing water; we will meet again."
Han Xixia's gaze dimmed. "Ning'er, I suddenly don't wish to be the Emperor anymore."
"Why?"
"Then I could stay by your side." How could he bear to let the person he had finally found again leave alone?
"Han Xixia, there are no eternal farewells, but there are also no opportunities for never meeting again. Farewell for now!"
With that, Xue Zining mounted her horse and rode towards the city gates.
"Take care!" Han Xixia turned and left.
Outside the city gates, Xue Zining spotted Liu'er's figure, and another person surprised her immensely.
She rode up to the person and said, "Are you here to see me off? Thank you!"
Liu'er smiled. "Who said Master and I came to see you off?"
Xue Zining was startled. "You're not seeing me off?"
Liu'er smiled. "Master and I have decided to follow you and wander."
Xue Zining looked up at the man before her and asked, "Have you thought it through?"
"Have you thought it through?" the man suddenly asked.
"What do I need to think through?" Xue Zining asked, confused.
The man said slowly, "We have no experience in wandering, so we'll likely need Miss Ning to take care of us."
Xue Zining smiled, her beautiful face blooming like a flower. "Then be good and listen."
"Alright," the man nodded.
"Han Xiwen..."
"Call me Xiwen."
Xue Zining nodded. "Thank you."
If it weren't for Han Xiwen's appearance at the last moment, she might not only have failed to kill Han Huang but also lost her own life.
Han Xiwen had killed her father for her. Although he had silenced everyone who knew, the matter had somehow spread, and his patricide became known to all.
She felt guilty about this.
Han Xiwen mounted his horse and followed the young woman. He sighed in relief. Liu'er was right; only by abandoning everything could he follow her without any reservations.
Being behind her was enough.
"Miss, where is our next destination?" Liu'er asked.
"Flower Country," Xue Zining said slowly.
"Hua Yunjin, here I come, Xue Zining."
Flower Country.
The man in the upper position looked at the secret report in his hand, his gaze devoid of surprise. He handed the report to the person beside him.
The person beside him glanced at it and exclaimed, "Han Huang has actually passed away?"