The other party looked at her, staring for a long time, before snapping back to attention. The person behind them closed the door.
Xue Zining quickly recovered and saw the other party smile at her, "Imperial Sister, long time no see!"
Xue Zining nodded slightly and said to that person, "I never knew Huan'er was yours." She had always thought Huan'er belonged to Hua Yunjin.
Xue Changjun smiled, his handsome face exuding a gentle and refined demeanor. The formerly frail boy had finally grown into a man, becoming cunning and resourceful, so much so that she could no longer recognize the boy from before.
"Imperial Sister, don't joke with me. How could you, being so intelligent, not know that Huan'er is mine?" Xue Changjun picked up the teacup in his hand and said calmly.
It was clear that Hua Yunjin and Xue Changjun had joined forces. Xue Zining could only think of it that way.
"What? Aren't you going to sit down and talk? Or do you feel it's better not to have seen me?" Xue Changjun continued.
Seeing this, Xue Zining had no choice but to walk over and sit down, looking at him and saying, "Speak, what is it?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Changjun smiled, his eyes also filled with amusement. This gave Xue Zining the illusion that the current Xue Changjun was completely different from the imperial brother she remembered from the palace.
"Could it be that Imperial Brother cannot see you without a reason?"
Xue Zining then realized that Xue Changjun was trying to play the emotional card with her.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze exceptionally cold, "Xue Changjun, if you have something to say, just say it. I find this indirect approach difficult to understand."
Xue Changjun was taken aback. He had originally intended to create a warm reunion, but it seemed the other party was not receptive.
"I..."
"Don't say you have nothing, and that you just came to see me. I find such words tiresome. Speak, what is it?"
One doesn't visit the Three Treasures Hall without a reason; she didn't believe Xue Changjun was here solely to see her.
She never assumed things about herself, let alone wanted to.
"Xue Changjing, he..."
"It seems he was afflicted with a蠱 poison. When his emotions become agitated, he needs to consume blood to suppress it." This was the conclusion she had reached after many days.
Xue Changjun was stunned. He hadn't expected his introverted imperial brother to be poisoned by a 蠱.
"Is it reliable?"
Xue Zining sneered upon hearing this, "If you don't trust me, you don't have to."
"It's not that I don't believe you. I'm asking if there's a possibility that he's faking it."
Xue Zining faltered. Faking it? Xue Changjun continued, "You might not know, but Imperial Brother has always been a man of deep thoughts since childhood. At least, I've never been able to figure out what he's thinking."
"I cannot confirm that either," Xue Zining replied. Her conclusion was merely based on the events that had transpired recently.
"Imperial Sister, it is too dangerous around Imperial Brother. Why don't you come back?"
She was startled and looked up at Xue Changjun, then said sarcastically, "Come back for what? To watch you ascend the throne step by step?"
"Imperial Sister, at least I know what I've done is wrong. As long as you come back, I promise not to resort to any means for the throne." Xue Changjun said.
"Xue Changjun, you have no control over that."
Xue Changjun's gaze deepened considerably. "Imperial Sister, we've been through those events together. How can you dismiss our relationship with just a few words?"
"Relationship? I have no relationship with you, neither in the past nor in the future. Xue Changjun, I hope you recognize this fact, otherwise, we won't need to meet again."
Xue Changjun was taken aback. He looked at her, his gaze filled with a hint of anger, "Why is it that no matter how hard I try, you don't have me in your heart? Xue Changjing betrayed Father Emperor, he killed Father Emperor and usurped the throne. How can you still have any softness for him, yet none for me? Sister, I am also your imperial brother!"
"Xue Changjun, there's no point in saying more, and I don't want to argue with you about this. With me here, you won't be able to ascend the throne, unless you let me leave here." She said coldly, word by word.
"Sister, I will never let you leave here, never..." Xue Changjun said angrily.
"Then you can only watch the throne slip away from your grasp." She raised an eyebrow, looking at him coldly.
"Sister, I was originally your closest person. Don't you know that Xue Changjing might not be Father Emperor's child? Do you want someone who is not of the Xue family's bloodline to occupy this position?"
"Xue Changjun, even if Xue Changjing is not Father Emperor's child, so what? This world was never meant to be solely possessed by the Xue family. Dynasties change; one day it will be taken by others."
Xue Changjun heard this and chuckled softly, filled with bitterness. "Imperial Sister, I will not give up."
"Xue Changjun, and I will not let you have your way."
"Sister..."
Before Xue Changjun could finish speaking, a "bang" suddenly came from outside the door, the sound of a teacup falling to the ground.
Soon, a cold voice was heard, "My apologies, your voices were too loud and disturbed my tea."
Xue Changjun's gaze turned sharp, and he gave a look, signaling Mingchao to go and investigate.
Xue Zining, however, was startled because the voice was very familiar to her.
"It's getting late. I bid you farewell!" She turned and left.
Xue Changjun looked at the teacup in his hand and smashed it fiercely onto the ground. Just then, Li Chao also rushed back and came before him, saying in a low voice, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I did not find that person."
He waved his hand, stood up, and said, "Let's go back."
At this moment, Xue Zining sat in the carriage, looking at Mr. Li, who was closing his eyes opposite her. She felt an indescribable sensation in her heart. It was as if she and Mr. Li had only met a few times, so why did she feel this way about him?
Moreover, the crucial point was that she had inexplicably gotten into Mr. Li's carriage. Now, Xue Changjing was already suspicious of the relationship between her and Mr. Li. If this were discovered, wouldn't it be an admission of guilt?
Thinking of this, she wanted to leave but didn't know what to say. Seeing Mr. Li's eyes closed, she decided to sneak away.
So, she intended to lift the carriage curtain, but before she could move, a cold voice came, "Where are you going?"
She let out a few awkward laughs, "Uh, Mr. Li, the Prince has quite an opinion about the relationship between us. To avoid making things difficult for you in front of the Prince, perhaps I should leave first?"
The previously closed eyes suddenly opened, as if a brilliant light had been instantly switched on, exceptionally dazzling. "You want to leave?"
Despite the dazzling eyes, she felt a coldness she had never experienced before, as if it were invading her entire body, down to her limbs. This made her frown slightly.
"Mr. Li, I am considering this for your sake." She said, bracing herself.
Then she heard a chilling voice that pierced her heart, "You're afraid I'll implicate you, aren't you?"
She let out a few laughs. "How... how could I?"