The faint candlelight reflected on Mr. Li's black cloak. He lowered his gaze, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, he spoke, "Your Highness, Xue Changjun is dead."
"This prince knows, but he was so formidable, he might appear before this prince any day. Mr. Li, this prince wishes to ascend the throne as soon as possible," Prince Jing said, unable to wait another moment.
"Your Highness, do not be hasty. Impatience will ruin great matters. You have waited so long; please bear with it for a few more days."
"This prince truly cannot wait another day. Mr. Li, you do not know, but I dream of Xue Changjun every night. He questions me, and I..."
"Who is it?" Mr. Li suddenly said coldly.
Prince Jing leaped out. The outside was empty. Mr. Li then walked out. "Your Highness, where are the guards stationed outside?"
Prince Jing replied, "This prince dismissed them."
"Your Highness, this is not the imperial city. Your safety is paramount."
Upon hearing this, Prince Jing said, "This prince thought that with Mr. Li here..."
"Your Highness, remember not to be careless!" Mr. Li said lightly.
Prince Jing turned and looked at Mr. Nan, whose face was hidden by his black cloak. He said, "This prince is curious, who is more capable between Ning An and Mr. Li?"
"Your Highness," Mr. Li's tone grew colder.
Hearing this, Prince Jing chuckled, "This prince is merely thinking aloud. Mr. Li is this prince's strategist, not those people."
Mr. Li remained silent and walked into the tent. Prince Jing shouted, "All of you, come and guard this prince's location. No one is allowed to approach without this prince's permission."
Soon, several men in black entered and surrounded the tent.
Not far away, Xue Zining breathed a sigh of relief. She had only been eavesdropping for a moment before that Mr. Li discovered her. She considered her internal energy to be quite good, at least not to be discovered so quickly. Now, it seemed she had underestimated him; after all, there is always someone better.
However, where had Prince Jing found this Mr. Li? She had never heard of anyone named Mr. Li.
It seemed Mr. Li knew many of Prince Jing's affairs. If only she could capture Mr. Li.
But considering how quickly Mr. Li had discovered her, she felt that even if she fought Mr. Li, she wouldn't be confident of victory.
For now, she needed to keep a low profile. Prince Jing's probing of her was largely due to his suspicion of her. However, she believed her background was unlikely to be discovered by anyone.
Just as she was about to return to her tent, she saw Mr. Li emerge from Prince Jing's tent. This was a golden opportunity she couldn't miss. Thus, she quietly followed him.
When they were a distance from the tent, Mr. Li suddenly stopped. Xue Zining also stopped. In the blink of an eye, she found that Mr. Li ahead had disappeared.
The person vanished before her eyes. She considered her skills to be good, but Mr. Li simply disappeared, vanishing into thin air as if he had never been there. This truly astonished her. Mr. Li's skills were beyond her expectations.
To be able to leave so silently before her, she had encountered very few people capable of this, and Mr. Li was one of them.
Mr. Li? She found this Mr. Li rather mysterious.
Since she had lost him, she didn't continue searching, for there would be other days.
After she left, the leaves of the tree behind her rustled.
The next day, the hunt ended, and Prince Jing returned to the palace.
Because she had rendered meritorious service in saving the prince, she was specially promoted to a fourth-rank Imperial Guard with a sword by Prince Jing's side.
Her duties were simple: to protect Prince Jing at all times, even when he went to the restroom. After a few days, she knew how many moles Prince Jing had. Of course, she disdained looking at his lower body.
However, she did notice that there were no women around Prince Jing.
But soon, Xue Zining's attention was completely captured by a piece of news.
The Prince Consort and Ninth Princess, Princess Changyi, had been found.
In the imperial study, Ninth Princess Xue Changyi, dusty from her travels, bowed to Prince Jing. "Imperial Brother."
Prince Jing descended from his throne. "Changyi, you have suffered."
Ninth Princess Xue Changyi shook her head. "Changyi has not suffered, but the Prince Consort..."
Prince Jing nodded. "Hurry back and take care of the Prince Consort! Tell this imperial brother if anything is needed."
Ninth Princess Xue Changyi nodded, her eyes brimming with tears, which she held back from falling.
Prince Jing said softly, "Go!"
Ninth Princess Xue Changyi curtsied and left.
Prince Jing returned to his chair and, as if remembering something, said, "Ning An, go to the storehouse and retrieve two five-hundred-year-old ginseng roots to be sent to the princess's residence."
Xue Zining quickly stepped forward and said, "Yes, your subordinate obeys!"
She was contemplating how to find a way to see Sun Zihan and learn what had happened after she left. Now, Prince Jing's order provided her with a legitimate opportunity to see Sun Zihan.
Taking the ginseng, she headed straight for the princess's residence. Upon arriving and stating her purpose, a servant from the mansion hurried to fetch Sun Ming.
However, Sun Ming was still at the military camp at this time, so Sun Zixuan came out to receive the imperial decree. Seeing her, Sun Zixuan seemed surprised but quickly regained his composure.
"How is the Prince Consort's injury? His Highness is very worried and specially sent your subordinate to bring two five-hundred-year-old ginseng roots for the Prince Consort."
"His Highness's concern is appreciated!" Sun Zixuan said. "The Prince Consort is merely unconscious. The imperial physicians say his injuries are rather severe, but there is no danger to his life."
"Guard Ning, please accompany me to the study to rest for a moment. The imperial physicians are currently examining him."
"Very well, Young Master Sun, please lead the way."
Following Sun Zixuan to the study, Sun Zixuan closed the study door and ordered the servants to withdraw before saying, "It is safe here."
Xue Zining nodded and asked, "What happened to the Prince Consort?"
Sun Zixuan replied, "Zihan and the Ninth Princess went to the Sun family. They encountered some trouble en route, a flood. He was injured while saving the Ninth Princess."
Xue Zining knew that what Sun Zixuan knew was only partial information, as they were not the parties involved.
Suddenly, a voice came from outside the door, "Your Highness, you..."
"Yun Yan, leave this princess alone. Let me be quiet."
Xue Zining recognized this as Ninth Princess Xue Changyi's voice.
"Young Master Sun, this subordinate wishes to see the Prince Consort," Xue Zining said.
Sun Zixuan found no fault with Xue Zining's request and nodded. "Certainly, follow me."
Arriving at Sun Zihan's room, the imperial physician had just finished the diagnosis. Sun Zixuan and the imperial physician were discussing the injuries.