She walked inside and saw the person on the couch. She almost didn't recognize him. Where was the exceptionally handsome youth in her memory in this person lying on the couch?
The person on the couch was pale and gaunt, so different from the spirited and heroic Prime Minister she remembered.
A strange pang of sadness struck her heart. She saw an old acquaintance again, but things had changed.
"Ning'er... Run..."
Her body trembled. "Guard Ning, please don't mind him. The驸马 is already delirious."
She turned around and saw the Ninth Princess, Xue Changyi, standing behind her with a deathly pale face.
She remembered that Xue Changyi had always been spoiled and overbearing when facing anyone. Now, she was just like an ordinary person, hurt and grieved by love.
"Your Highness, the 驸马 will wake up." She didn't know what words of comfort to offer Xue Changyi. Perhaps, at this moment, nothing would be more reassuring than Sun Zihan waking up.
Xue Changyi startled, then nodded. "He will."
"Your Highness, you must also take care of yourself!"
Xue Changyi looked at her and said, "You look unfamiliar to me. Are you new?"
She bowed and said, "Your subordinate is a newly appointed Fourth-Rank Sword-Bearing Guard."
Xue Changyi said upon hearing this, "No wonder I haven't seen you before."
"Princess Changyi, you should go rest! Yun Yan can handle things here, and Zihan will also be worried about you," Sun Zixuan said as he walked in, addressing Xue Changyi.
Xue Changyi nodded. "Very well, I will return now."
"Young Master Sun, do you have something to tell me?" Xue Zining felt that Sun Zixuan likely had something more on his mind than just sending the Ninth Princess away.
Sun Zixuan nodded. "What do you think of Prince Jing?"
Xue Zining was startled. She had expected Sun Zixuan to ask something else, but she never thought he would ask this.
"Young Master Sun, why do you ask about this?" Xue Zining wanted to know what Sun Zixuan was thinking.
Sun Zixuan paused slightly. He chuckled softly, his smile tinged with bitterness. "I don't know why either. Seeing you, I suddenly felt like speaking my mind. You... you don't mind, do you?"
Xue Zining shook her head. "Young Master Sun, you are too kind. How could your subordinate mind?"
Sun Zixuan nodded. He walked to the couch and looked at his younger brother, who had been spirited when he left but was now in this state. The world is indeed unpredictable.
"Prince Jing has changed," he said, turning back to look at Xue Zining, speaking every word deliberately.
Xue Zining was slightly taken aback, then said calmly, "In that position, with power supreme, how many can remain true to their original intentions?"
Sun Zixuan was surprised. "You mean?"
She smiled faintly. "Perhaps he never changed at all."
Sun Zixuan trembled. "You mean..."
"Young Master Sun, the human heart is unfathomable. Perhaps he was just putting on an act from the very beginning?"
Sun Zixuan suddenly understood and sighed softly. "You are right. Perhaps he was just pretending from the start. We were all mistaken."
"Young Master Sun, whether Prince Jing is vying for the throne or is ambitious, at least he is considered a wise ruler for now. Widespread suffering, your subordinate believes, is something our master would not wish to see?"
Sun Zixuan nodded. "What you say is the same as what Father said. The Huangze Kingdom, which has finally stabilized, cannot withstand any further turmoil."
"Your subordinate dares not compare herself to General Sun, but your subordinate believes that General Sun also acts for the sake of the people of Huangze Kingdom," Xue Zining said.
Sun Zixuan sighed. "If only Prince Jing could understand this principle."
Xue Zining fell silent. Immersed in the allure of the throne, could anyone resist such temptation? Especially when Prince Jing was the closest to the throne.
However, no matter who it was, she wanted to protect the countless people of Huangze Kingdom. Their peace and prosperity were what mattered most. She believed her father would have thought the same.
After leaving the princess's manor, Xue Zining returned to the prince's manor. Just as she was about to report to Prince Jing, she found that Prince Jing's study was closed. Guards were stationed outside. After observing for a few days, she knew that Prince Jing was holding important discussions at this time.
Inside the study, Prince Jing slammed his fist onto the table, exclaiming angrily, "In just a few days, the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Works have both been found with faults. Who is opposing me?"
Suddenly, Prince Jing's gaze turned cold. "Could it be Sun Ming?"
The man sitting on the other side slightly raised his eyes. A wide black cloak covered most of his face, leaving only his burning eyes visible.
"Your Highness suspects General Sun?"
Prince Jing turned to look at the person sitting on the chair. To be honest, if the person on the chair hadn't spoken, he would have temporarily forgotten about his existence.
"Shouldn't we suspect him?" he retorted.
"Your Highness, what is the reason?"
Reason? Prince Jing narrowed his eyes and slowly said, "General Sun has always been resentful of me becoming Prince Jing."
"Your Highness." Prince Jing saw the person on the chair stand up. The black cloak slipped down with his movement, surprisingly without a single crease.
"Does Lord Li have a different opinion?" Prince Jing asked.
"Your Highness, General Sun has had many opportunities to take that position."
Prince Jing was taken aback. He looked at Lord Li and asked, "Does Lord Li seem to know General Sun very well?"
Lord Li did not change his words or actions in response to his question. He merely glanced at him and said, "Your Highness, know yourself and know your enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat."
Lord Li's gaze was calm, so calm it seemed devoid of any warmth, giving him an indescribable feeling.
"Since Lord Li believes it is not Sun Ming, then who else could it be?" Prince Jing asked.
"Who does Your Highness think has the best chance?" Lord Li asked.
Prince Jing replied, "If I knew, I wouldn't need to ask Lord Li."
"Your Highness, until there is concrete proof, I hope you will not act rashly. Any move now will affect the whole situation."
Prince Jing nodded. "I understand this."
"Since Your Highness is aware, it is not appropriate for me to say more. However, I still have a word of advice for Your Highness."
Prince Jing's expression turned cold. "Lord Li, please speak."
"Your Highness, a ruler should govern with benevolence."
Prince Jing was stunned. "Lord Li, you..."
"Your Highness, please consider this carefully. I shall take my leave now!"
After speaking, and before Prince Jing could reply, Lord Li had already departed.
Prince Jing sat in his chair, lost in thought. After a long while, he opened his eyes. "Shadow Guards!"
Shortly, someone appeared before him. "You will follow Lord Li. See who he contacts and what he does."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Go," Prince Jing waved his hand.