Hua Yun Jin turned around and looked at the person in front of him, saying, "Sun Yao Qin, are you doing well!"
"Your Highness, this concubine has finally waited for your return."
"Sun Yao Qin, have you thought it through?"
"I have, but this concubine has a condition."
Hua Yun Jin frowned and asked coldly, "What condition?"
"This concubine wants to be Your Highness's Empress."
He sneered, looking up at her. "You think you're worthy?"
"This concubine is indeed not worthy, but what if this concubine can help Your Highness marry Princess Chang Ning?"
Hua Yun Jin's gaze sharpened. He said coldly, "Sun Yao Qin, do you know what you are saying?"
Sun Yao Qin smiled, "This concubine naturally knows what she is saying. This concubine asks Your Highness, does Your Highness need it?"
"What method?"
"This concubine cannot say it now. Your Highness just needs to tell me whether you agree to let this concubine be your Empress."
Hua Yun Jin looked at her, his gaze as cold as frost. Thinking back to when she first entered, his gaze had not been this cold. She felt jealous. Why did everyone like that Miss Xue, and how was she inferior?
"How can this palace be sure that what you say is true?"
"Your Highness, for Your Highness to have this concubine as Empress, it will only bring benefits and no harm."
Hua Yun Jin looked at her and asked coldly, "How is it without harm?"
"Firstly, this concubine is not a jealous person. After Your Highness seizes the throne, no matter how many concubines Your Highness wishes to take, this concubine will not interfere. If Your Highness trusts me, this concubine can personally select them for you.
Secondly, although this concubine is no longer the Crown Princess, she is still a member of the Jin family. My father and brother will still consider this concubine. The third point is the most crucial, and it is what Your Highness desires – Princess Chang Ning."
Hua Yun Jin looked at her, his gaze exceptionally sharp. The air around them seemed to freeze.
Sun Yao Qin shivered, "Your Highness, you will not be at a loss."
Hua Yun Jin did not reply until she thought there was no hope. A voice came from above, "Fine, this palace agrees to you."
Sun Yao Qin, whose hands were clenched in her sleeves, finally slowly relaxed them. She quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This concubine congratulates Your Highness on rebuilding the Hua Kingdom and becoming the Hua Emperor."
"Sun Yao Qin, mere words are not enough. You must show sincerity, mustn't you?"
Sun Yao Qin took out a letter from her sleeve, "This can show my sincerity."
Hua Yun Jin took it and glanced at it, his eyes showing some surprise. He looked at Sun Yao Qin and said, "Sun Yao Qin, you truly have great sincerity. Aren't you afraid that General Sun will find out about this?"
"Your Highness, please rest assured. While this concubine may not do things perfectly, it is also foolproof. This was copied from my father. All the officials listed are confidantes and informants of Xue Chang An."
"Sun Yao Qin, this palace believes that we will have a pleasant cooperation in the future."
Sun Yao Qin smiled upon hearing this, "As long as Your Highness does not forget what you promised this concubine."
"Once this palace speaks, a team of horses cannot retrieve it. Sun Yao Qin, rest assured."
Sun Yao Qin bowed and said, "If that is the case, this concubine shall take her leave. This concubine has been out for too long, and my family will become suspicious."
"Li Chao, send someone to escort Sun Yao Qin. Ensure Sun Yao Qin is safely returned to the Jin residence," Hua Yun Jin commanded.
"Yes, Your Highness." Li Chao received the order and left.
"Ping Lin," Hua Yun Jin suddenly said.
A person appeared from nowhere and landed in front of Hua Yun Jin. "Your Highness, this subordinate is here."
"Go and invite Lord Zhou and Lord Wu."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Present matters for reporting, no matters for withdrawal!" As the eunuch's sharp voice rang out, the morning court ended.
Sun You Wen was about to walk out of the palace when he was stopped by a young eunuch. He asked, "Does this eunuch have something?"
The young eunuch said, "General Sun, Prince Jing wishes to see you."
Sun You Wen was surprised, then nodded, "Eunuch, please lead the way."
Upon arriving at Prince Jing's mansion, Prince Jing had already stood up to greet him. "This king will have to take up some of General Sun's time again."
"Your Highness, has something happened!" Sun You Wen asked.
Prince Jing nodded, "Do you remember the list that this king and General Jin drafted?"
Sun You Wen nodded, "Of course, I remember. But is there a problem with the list?"
Prince Jing nodded, "This king only discovered today that many people on the list have not appeared in their expected official positions."
Sun You Wen was startled and asked with some surprise, "This… how is this possible? Only Your Highness and your humble servant knew the list. How could it be?"
"General Sun, do not rush. This king is still speculating. It might just be a coincidence, as nothing has been finalized yet. This king has also sent people to investigate those appointed, and has not found anything unusual."
Sun You Wen breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good. Otherwise, it would be quite frightening."
"How are the Princess Consort and Chang Yi at the Sun family?" Prince Jing asked.
Sun You Wen replied, "They wrote to this humble servant half a month ago, saying that they had completed the flood relief and were helping the local county magistrate deal with it along with Princess Chang Yi."
"Now you can rest assured. Zi Han has indeed grown up and is reliable in handling matters."
Sun You Wen nodded with satisfaction, "Indeed. Finally, this humble servant can relax a bit."
"General Sun, how is the situation at the military camp?"
"Your Highness, please rest assured. Not a moment has been slackened."
Prince Jing nodded and suddenly remembered something. "What about Zi Li's shadow guards? This king heard they are also in the Sun family's camp?"
Sun You Wen replied, "They were indeed with the Sun family camp before, but now they are in the Imperial Guards."
"Imperial Guards? That's good. They are all skilled, so it's fine for them to be in the Imperial Guards. This king intends to grant them official ranks after some time."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
"What is there to thank? This is what this king should do. They have followed Zi Han for so many years, and this king should do something for them."
Upon hearing this, Sun You Wen's gaze dimmed slightly.
Prince Jing saw this and sighed, "This king has mentioned Zi Han. If…"
"You… you want to go to the Imperial Guards?" Huan'er looked at Xue Zi Ning with disbelief.
She felt it was bad enough that she wasn't being provided with good food and drink, but now she had to go and squeeze in with those smelly men?
Xue Zi Ning nodded, "I promised someone that I would go in and see her friend."
"If you want to see, you can just say the name. Why do you have to go yourself?"
Huan'er truly didn't understand.
"Huan'er, this is something I've already promised. You can wait at the inn for a few days. I…"
"Sister Ning, do you think I, Huan'er, am that kind of person? We agreed to share blessings and hardships together. We are sworn siblings," Huan'er said indignantly.
Xue Zi Ning nodded, "If that's the case, let's go and register!"
Huan'er reluctantly followed Xue Zi Ning to register, thinking that after this was over, she must ask her master for more money. Wasn't it easy for her?
She had to accompany them to eat and drink, and now she had to accompany them to join the army.