"Prime Minister Lang, you..."
Lang Xi Luo continued, "Previously, I admired your capability, but now I truly do. Your Highness, I believe he will return one day. He definitely will."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "He will."
Emerging from Prime Minister Lang's chamber, she walked a few steps before suddenly stopping. "Come out. I see you."
A figure emerged.
Xue Zi Ning turned back. "I never knew Mr. Li had a habit of eavesdropping."
"Since you know it's me, Guard Ning... no, should I now address you as Princess Chang Ning?"
Xue Zi Ning's gaze turned cold. "Mr. Li, do you truly believe that having overheard so much, I would let you leave?"
Mr. Li chuckled softly. Beneath his wide cloak, his eyes held a hint of amusement. "Does Princess Xue Zi Ning truly believe you are my match?"
"Whether I am or not, we'll only know after a fight," Xue Zi Ning declared, drawing the sword at her waist and preparing to attack Mr. Li.
Mr. Li dodged with ease. After a few exchanges, Xue Zi Ning ceased her assault, looking at him and saying coldly, "Mr. Li, what is the meaning of this?"
"Princess Chang Ning, I have no intention of making you my enemy."
"Is that so? But I don't believe you," Xue Zi Ning stated coldly.
"Then do you believe this person?" He suddenly removed the hat that had been covering his head.
Xue Zi Ning froze. "You..."
"Now, can you believe me?"
"Yan Zhao, it's you." Xue Zi Ning was astonished. She truly couldn't believe that the renowned Mr. Li was actually Yan Zhao.
"Can you trust me now?" Yan Zhao asked, looking at her.
"How did you become Mr. Li? And why are you only telling me now?"
Yan Zhao felt a mixture of amusement and exasperation, thinking to himself, *You never drew a sword against me before!*
"It's a long story, and this is not a place to talk. Shall we move elsewhere?" Yan Zhao suggested.
Xue Zi Ning nodded. If Mr. Li was Yan Zhao, she felt considerably more at ease.
They arrived at the Southern Manor and entered the same secret room as before. However, Flower Emperor was not present this time.
"Where is Hua Yun Jin?" Since her identity had been revealed, Xue Zi Ning no longer wished to pretend.
"I have moved him elsewhere. This place is no longer safe."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "Thank you."
Yan Zhao glanced at her, his gaze somewhat alluring. "Your Highness is too polite, it makes me unaccustomed. Please, continue as you normally would."
"Young Master, a large number of soldiers are approaching from outside," a voice suddenly called from outside the door.
Xue Zi Ning startled and looked at Yan Zhao. "What is going on?"
Yan Zhao replied, "It seems Prince Jing has become suspicious of me."
"Then what shall we do?"
Yan Zhao stood up, suddenly taking her hand. Before she could break free, he pulled her to a door and opened it. "You go out through here. At the end is the gate to the Prince's manor's backyard. Once you're out, hurry back to your room. Prince Jing will want to question you; act as if you know nothing."
"What about you? If Prince Jing is suspicious of you, then you are in danger."
Yan Zhao heard this and suddenly smiled. His already charming face became dazzlingly radiant with this smile. His alluring gaze sparkled like stars at that moment. He suddenly embraced her. "If... if I were to die, would you be sad?"
Xue Zi Ning shivered. "You..."
"Will you answer me?"
"No."
She could feel Yan Zhao's body stiffen for a moment, then he gave a bitter smile. "Indeed. Apart from him, you probably can't care about anyone else, can you?"
"I don't want to be sad anymore. If you die, it will only prove we were not fated. I don't need to remember those without fate," Xue Zi Ning pushed him away, stating each word clearly.
She saw him smile. His gaze was as bright as stars, shining with light. He said, word by word, "If I return alive, please remember your promise."
"I..."
Before Xue Zi Ning could finish speaking, he pushed her through the door, which slowly closed in front of her.
She knew she wouldn't be able to open this door. Since that was the case, she might as well go out and deal with it.
Walking to the end, she indeed found herself at the back gate of the Prince's manor. She leaped into the courtyard. It was the time of guard change, so there was no one around. She quickly slipped into her room.
Before she could change her clothes, she heard footsteps outside. She quickly dove into the covers.
"Guard Ning."
"Is something wrong?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
"The Prince wishes to see you."
"Alright, I understand."
Prince Jing wanted to see her? Although Xue Zi Ning felt a flicker of unease, she changed her clothes and headed towards Prince Jing's study.
"Your Highness," Xue Zi Ning said, bowing as she entered the study.
"Where did you go today?" Prince Jing asked directly.
Xue Zi Ning's heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained as usual. "Reporting to Your Highness, I was responsible for the security of the Zheng and Lang envoys, so I remained at the guesthouse."
"Did you see Mr. Li?"
She knew the main point had arrived. "Mr. Li? I have not seen Mr. Li."
Xue Zi Ning's expression was too natural for Prince Jing to discern anything amiss. "I understand. You may withdraw."
"Yes, Your Highness." After Xue Zi Ning withdrew.
Prince Jing turned to the person behind him. "Are you sure that was Ning An you saw?"
Lin Qian Qian trembled, steeling herself. "Yes."
"Are you sure?" Prince Jing looked at Lin Qian Qian with icy eyes.
"Your... Your Highness, it just looked somewhat like him..." Lin Qian Qian bit her lower lip. She wasn't entirely certain either, as the distance was too great.
"Useless," Prince Jing snarled.
Terrified, Lin Qian Qian immediately knelt on the ground. "Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me!"
"Scram. I don't want to see you right now," Prince Jing said angrily.
Lin Qian Qian did not dare to delay and quickly retreated.
"Your Highness."
Prince Jing looked up. "How is it? Did you catch him?"
"Your Highness, please forgive me. Mr. Li escaped."
"Useless! All of you are useless!" Prince Jing kicked a guard in anger.
The guard tumbled several times before quickly getting up and kneeling on the ground. "Your Highness, please forgive me!"
"Scram! All of you, scram! Useless!" Prince Jing roared.
"Your subordinate takes his leave!"
"All useless," Prince Jing fumed.
"Are you admitting defeat so soon?" a voice inquired. Prince Jing trembled and slowly turned around, looking at the person behind him, taking several steps back in regret. "You... you..."
"What? Don't you recognize me?"
"Father... Father Emperor..."
He could not believe that his Father Emperor, who had been dead for several years, had reappeared.
"Chang Jing, you truly disappoint me. After so long, you still haven't secured that position."
"Father Emperor, you... you're not dead?"
Emperor Huang Ze sneered. "Why? Were you hoping your father would die?"
"No... no, but that day you..."
"If I hadn't faked my death, how could I have deceived you all? However, today has indeed opened my eyes."