Hua Yun Dan looked at it and found no issues, signed it, and stamped it with the imperial seal.
The imperial seal had actually always been in Hua Yun Dan's possession. When he ceded the throne to "him" back then, he hadn't given up everything; the imperial seal was with him.
This way, even in times of danger, Hua Huang's life could be spared.
Prince Jing had the border trade clauses collected and said, "It's always a pleasure to cooperate with Prime Minister Hua."
Hua Yun Dan looked at Prince Jing and said, "Now that I have agreed to Your Highness's request, shouldn't Your Highness also restore my personal freedom?"
Prince Jing heard this and replied, "Prime Minister, you have always been free. It's just that the situation is currently unclear. To protect your safety, we must ask the Prime Minister to stay here for a few more days. Once everything calms down, I will personally escort the Prime Minister out."
"Alright." Hua Yun Dan did not refuse Prince Jing's suggestion.
After leaving Hua Yun Dan's room, Prince Jing summoned the guards protecting Hua Yun Dan. "Protect the Prime Minister well."
Having done this, Prince Jing looked at the Imperial Clear Palace not far away. He knew that one day he would sit on the dragon throne in the Imperial Clear Palace, receiving the kowtows of his officials and the admiration of all the people, and this thought was no longer far from him.
After Prince Jing left, Hua Yun Dan poured himself a cup of tea. After taking a sip, his inner unease was somewhat relieved. He took out the slip of paper from his sleeve.
The words on it were only three: Agree.
He had been a little confused at first, but then Prince Jing arrived, and he understood. It was asking him to agree to Prince Jing's request.
Such an act of selling his loyalty was not something he could do. But he had to do it because the person who wrote these words was Princess Chang Ning.
She had come, and she was within the imperial palace, even not far from him. Just thinking about it warmed his heart.
He had not told Li Chen Xi. The more people who knew, the greater the chance of Princess Chang Ning being in danger. He would rather Li Chen Xi misunderstand him, as this was also protecting Li Chen Xi's safety. After all, only Li Chen Xi's anger could make Prince Jing believe that he had truly defected to Prince Jing.
Soon, Li Chen Xi was escorted to the dungeon, and the news of Hua Yun Dan's continued imprisonment reached Xue Zi Ning's ears.
The slip of paper in Hua Yun Dan's hand was written by her. She knew that if she didn't reveal her identity, Hua Yun Dan would never collude with Prince Jing, and then neither Hua Yun Dan nor Li Chen Xi could be saved. Now that both were safe, it was time to see what Prince Jing's intentions were.
However, there was no need to guess; it was obvious that he wanted Hua Country to submit to Huang Ze Country. But she suspected that Prince Jing's ambition was not limited to Hua Country. Perhaps he had long harbored ambitions towards other countries as well, but had delayed his actions, deeming the pretext for military intervention insufficient, especially since he was not the Emperor.
Soon, Xue Zi Ning learned that she had underestimated Prince Jing; his ambition was indeed vast.
Prince Jing invited people from Zheng Country and Lang Country to Huang Ze Country.
And she, as Prince Jing's fourth-rank guard, also went to welcome the envoys.
This included Lin Qian Qian, who had been enfeoffed as a county princess.
However, what Xue Zi Ning had not expected the most was that the person sent by Lang Country was her savior, Lang Xi Luo.
Back then, she had single-handedly drawn the attention of the bandits, allowing Hua Yun Jin to save Xue Chang Yi and Sun Zi Han. In reality, she could not have resisted so many people alone; it was Lang Xi Luo who came to her aid.
Afterward, she learned that sitting in the carriage behind Lang Xi Luo was the Empress of Lang Country.
"I am deeply grateful for the Empress's kindness. If everything goes smoothly, I will certainly visit Her Majesty." Xue Zi Ning said.
Lang Xi Luo replied, "Your Highness is too kind. Her Majesty said that as long as Your Highness returns safely, that is all that matters."
Xue Zi Ning heard this and said, "Her Majesty's words make me feel truly ashamed."
"Your Highness has no shortage of things to be ashamed of, so this is nothing," Lang Xi Luo said indifferently.
Xue Zi Ning was startled. She looked at Lang Xi Luo with some confusion. This Lang Xi Luo seemed to have something unsaid, as if harboring some hostility towards her. Yet, in her memory, there seemed to be no conflict with Lang Xi Luo, as this was only their second meeting.
"If Prime Minister has nothing else, then I shall take my leave!" Xue Zi Ning stood up, feeling it was best to say less to someone who seemed to harbor hostility towards her.
Lang Xi Luo did not speak, merely raised her eyes to look at her, her gaze cold, even showing a hint of mockery. "Your Highness is living quite a leisurely life now. You've likely forgotten that many people did many things for you in the past..."
However, before Lang Xi Luo could finish her words, Xue Zi Ning pointed her long sword directly at her chest. "Prime Minister Lang, if you have something to say, say it properly. I'm afraid I don't understand veiled words."
Lang Xi Luo seemed to grit her teeth upon hearing this. "Your Highness misunderstands. This subordinate is not speaking indirectly."
"Then, speak directly. I am all ears." Xue Zi Ning withdrew her long sword and looked at Lang Xi Luo, speaking each word carefully.
Lang Xi Luo's gaze flickered slightly, then she turned her head away. "This subordinate is merely speaking up for General Yan."
Xue Zi Ning was startled. "For him? Why?"
Lang Xi Luo's gaze became flustered upon hearing this. Xue Zi Ning frowned slightly and slowly said, "Prime Minister Lang, you like him, don't you!"
Lang Xi Luo trembled all over. "This subordinate... no."
"It's quite normal if you do, after all, he is very outstanding. However..."
"However what?" Lang Xi Luo asked, looking up.
"Unfortunately, his eyes are only on me. Prime Minister Lang, you are merely unrequited."
Lang Xi Luo bit her lower lip, appearing somewhat unconvinced, and said, "So what? My liking is enough."
"Prime Minister Lang, thank you for your affection."
Lang Xi Luo was stunned. She seemed to find it hard to believe such words coming from Xue Zi Ning. "Your Highness... aren't you angry?"
"Why should I be angry? I am happy that someone likes him. I thought no one would remember him after his disappearance. Now I know that's not the case. Many people still care about him, even like him. This is good, at least..."
Xue Zi Ning raised her head and gazed into the distance. "At least, don't let me be the only one remembering him. It makes me feel like he's becoming more and more blurred, more and more forgotten."
"Your Highness, no. This subordinate will not forget, nor will anyone who knew him."
"Therefore, Prime Minister Lang, thank you for remembering him, and thank you for liking him."
"In the past, there were many times when I was jealous, and even wondered if it would have been me he protected wholeheartedly if I had met him first. But now, it seems that no matter when, I can never compare to Your Highness. The one destined to be by his side will always be Your Highness."