The Imperial Study
His Highness Prince Jing looked up at Sun Ming and said, "General Sun? When did you arrive, and why was I not informed?"
"Your Highness, I saw you were busy and did not wish to disturb you," Sun Ming replied.
"How can that be? General Sun is no stranger. I will certainly discipline these palace attendants later."
His Highness Prince Jing stood up and walked over, continuing, "General Sun is a rare visitor. Is there something you need?"
Sun Ming bowed and said, "This subject has something to ask for Your Highness's grace."
Prince Jing was taken aback. He quickly stepped forward to help Sun Ming up, saying, "General Sun, are you trying to make me feel guilty? Have we become so estranged that you must address me like this? Just tell me what's on your mind."
"Your Highness, I heard that someone attempted to assassinate you last night," Sun Ming said.
Upon hearing this, Prince Jing replied, "Yes, but I have already subdued the assailant."
Sun Ming suddenly bowed again and said, "I implore Your Highness to show mercy and spare him."
Prince Jing's gaze shifted slightly. He stepped forward and helped Sun Ming up, saying, "General Sun, this situation puzzles me. He is one of my Shadow Guards. What I did was entirely justified. For you to intercede on his behalf leaves me at a loss. I had my own considerations for acting as I did."
"What does Your Highness mean?" Sun Ming asked.
Prince Jing said, "To be frank, they were originally my Imperial Father's Shadow Guards. Now that Imperial Father is poisoned and his fate is unknown, they failed to protect him. If Imperial Father were to pass away, and they were still alive, General Sun, I would be uneasy. How could I command the respect of the court? What would the officials think? What would the common people think?"
Sun Ming was stunned and quickly said, "Your Highness, they have done what they ought to have done. If His Majesty returns, they..."
"General Sun, I am most aware of Imperial Father's condition. It is I who governs now. General Sun, you need not concern yourself with these matters. I heard that young Master Sun and Changyi are still missing. Perhaps General Sun should be more concerned about young Master Sun and my sister. If anything were to happen to my sister, how would you account for it to me?"
Sun Ming's body stiffened, and he bowed, "Yes, this subject understands."
Hearing this, Prince Jing sighed and said, "General Sun, it's not that I am inconsiderate, but rather that my heart feels uneasy."
"This subject understands," Sun Ming said.
Prince Jing nodded. "I knew General Sun would understand me."
Sun Ming walked out of the Imperial Study. Sun Zixuan, who was waiting outside, quickly stepped forward. Just as he was about to speak, Sun Ming stopped him, "We'll discuss it when we get back to the manor."
Sun Zixuan nodded. The entire carriage ride back, Sun Ming stared out of the window, remaining silent.
Upon returning to the Sun manor, Sun Ming instructed everyone to stay away from his study.
Sun Zixuan then asked, "Father, what exactly happened? You seemed unsettled after leaving the palace. And Feng Hua's matter..."
Sun Ming looked at Sun Zixuan and asked, "What do you think of His Highness Prince Jing?"
Sun Zixuan replied, "His Highness Prince Jing has been diligent and conscientious lately. He is a rare and good ruler."
Sun Ming nodded. "Since that is your assessment, then you need not ask any further questions."
Sun Zixuan shivered and looked at Sun Ming, asking, "Father, what do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I said," Sun Ming replied.
"Father, are you saying that Feng Hua... is not to be saved?" Sun Zixuan asked, looking at Sun Ming word by word.
Sun Ming sighed. "Zixuan, you yourself said that His Highness Prince Jing has performed well as a ruler. Although this matter was entrusted to me by Princess Changning, you must remember that the Sun family and Yigong are now one family. After His Highness Prince Jing ascends the throne, will you follow Prince Jing or the Empress?"
Sun Zixuan trembled. "Father, but Aunt..."
"I know what you wish to say, but ever since Zihan married Princess Changyi, our Sun family has been closely tied to Yigong and His Highness Prince Jing. Zixuan, it's not that I wish to choose, but the reality is laid bare before us. With Prince Jing inheriting the throne, our Sun family can only follow in his footsteps. This is unavoidable."
"Father, isn't this unfair to Aunt? Unfair to Changning?" Sun Zixuan thought, enjoying the glory brought by his aunt and Changning, only to cast them aside when they are no longer useful?
"Zixuan, you are too naive. This is an inevitable course of events. Do you know what those in power fear most?"
Sun Zixuan shivered. "Father, His Highness Prince Jing..."
Sun Ming nodded and sighed. "His Highness Prince Jing has told me not to interfere anymore. Zixuan, we cannot fulfill the request made by Changning. The Shadow Guards cannot be kept. They will always be a thorn in His Highness Prince Jing's side."
Sun Zixuan shook his head. "Father, they are now masterless. They pose no threat. If Prince Jing is uneasy, Father, we could take them into our manor. They would never do anything untoward."
"Zixuan, I also believe they would not act improperly, but His Highness Prince Jing does not trust them. What am I to do?" Sun Ming said with difficulty.
"Father, I will go and see His Highness Prince Jing tomorrow," Sun Zixuan said.
"Nonsense," Sun Ming said angrily.
"Father, are you truly going to abandon them? They have done nothing wrong. They are His Majesty's people. If His Majesty knew, wouldn't he be deeply saddened? Wouldn't Changning be heartbroken?" Sun Zixuan asked Sun Ming word by word.
"Zixuan, all I can do is protect the Sun family. I cannot protect others," Sun Ming shook his head.
"Father, I'm not asking you to protect anyone. It's merely a fair exchange. Just because we have a marriage alliance with Yigong, must we always consider Yigong's interests and forget what sacrifices Aunt made for the Sun family, how much she endured? Father, we cannot be ungrateful."
"Presumptuous! Zixuan, how could you say such a thing? Do you know that by marrying into Yigong, the Sun family is now bound to Prince Jing? If the Sun family does not wholeheartedly support Prince Jing, do you know what the consequences would be?"
"Father, I said this is a fair exchange. Prince Jing needs to rely on the Sun family, on Aunt's influence, to secure his position as Prince Consort, and eventually, that supreme position."
"Zixuan, I know you have a good relationship with your aunt, but Zixuan, you must also consider the Sun family carefully."
"Father, I am already considering the Sun family. But don't you also forget that Aunt entered the deep palace for the sake of the Sun family all those years ago? Has Father forgotten that today?"
Sun Ming turned away. "But she also gained the power she desired, didn't she?" Sun Zixuan knew that no matter what he said, his father would not listen.