Although Sun Hao was very unwilling, Ning An was not someone he could bully as he pleased anymore. He never expected her to have clung to Mr. Li so quickly. One should not underestimate Mr. Li; even His Highness Prince Jing held him in high regard. Crucially, by staying by Mr. Li’s side, she would never have to worry about her life being extinguished one day.
When Xue Zi Ning heard Sun Hao’s words, she was truly astonished. She never imagined that Mr. Li would ask His Highness Prince Jing to request her.
“Guard Feng, His Highness wishes to see you.” The personal guard by His Highness Prince Jing’s side approached her and said.
“Alright, I understand. I will head over immediately.”
After the guard left, she composed herself. Mr. Li requesting her at this time was certainly not a wise move. After all, His Highness Prince Jing was still suspicious of the relationship between her and Mr. Li. Even if she said she had no connection with Mr. Li, His Highness Prince Jing probably wouldn't believe her this time.
After all, if there was no relationship, why would Mr. Li request her?
The decision she made would also determine her future path with Mr. Li.
“Ning An pays her respects to His Highness!”
“Rise!”
As she stood up, she realized Mr. Li was also present.
“Ning An, I summoned you here because I have something to ask you.”
She quickly bowed and said, “Your Highness, please speak.”
His Highness Prince Jing glanced at her, a single look conveying a multitude of emotions.
“Mr. Li has requested you to be his attendant. I have come to ask for your opinion,” His Highness Prince Jing said.
Hearing His Highness Prince Jing’s words, she inwardly sneered. She was merely a mere attendant, her life and death decided by His Highness Prince Jing. For His Highness Prince Jing to ask for her opinion was simply laughable. “Your subordinate will obey His Highness’s command.”
Upon hearing this, His Highness Prince Jing said, “Don’t be afraid. No matter what decision you make, this Prince will respect your choice.”
Hearing this, she knelt on the ground. His Highness Prince Jing was taken aback, “What is this…?”
She kowtowed, “I implore Your Highness not to dismiss your subordinate.”
His Highness Prince Jing was stunned, then he said angrily, “Ning An, what exactly do you mean? Does Mr. Li displease you that much?”
“Your subordinate is Your Highness’s attendant. Your subordinate does not wish to leave the Prince’s manor. I beg Your Highness to grant my wish.” After speaking, she kowtowed again.
“Mr. Li, you see, it’s not that this Prince is not helping you, but he is unwilling,” His Highness Prince Jing said with difficulty.
“Your Highness, I have never forced anyone. Let this matter drop!” A clear, cold, low voice echoed faintly, conveying no discernible emotion in its words.
She could not see Mr. Li’s expression. She simply kept her head buried on the ground. Then she heard footsteps receding, and she knew it must be Mr. Li’s footsteps.
After a long while, she heard His Highness Prince Jing’s voice from above, “Why did you not agree?”
She raised her head and looked into His Highness Prince Jing’s cold gaze, saying, “Once I recognize a master, I am theirs for life.”
Upon hearing this, His Highness Prince Jing said, “You may withdraw!”
“Your subordinate takes leave!” She withdrew.
His Highness Prince Jing watched her retreating figure and narrowed his eyes. After a moment, he said, “Feng Yu, do you think he and Mr. Li know each other?”
A person appeared before His Highness Prince Jing and said, “Your Highness, this subordinate cannot say for sure. After all, what this subordinate saw yesterday was Mr. Li protecting Ning An.”
“Go and probe further,” His Highness Prince Jing said, leaning back in his chair.
“Yes, your subordinate obeys!” Feng Yu withdrew.
Xue Zi Ning exited His Highness Prince Jing’s study, feeling somewhat suspicious. Did His Highness Prince Jing know something?
Otherwise, why would His Highness Prince Jing come to ask her when Mr. Li requested her?
This was a deliberate act by His Highness Prince Jing. And why would His Highness Prince Jing do this? Clearly, he had discovered something. But what could he have discovered that would make His Highness Prince Jing act this way?
Xue Zi Ning felt she couldn’t quite make sense of it. After all, she had been with Mr. Li only a handful of times. What could have caused His Highness Prince Jing to be so suspicious? Perhaps he saw her with Mr. Li. But she hadn’t been with Mr. Li recently.
Suddenly, she remembered something. Come to think of it, she had been held in Mr. Li’s arms, the closest they had ever been. Could it be…? Her gaze turned cold. If her interaction with Mr. Li today was the fuse that ignited His Highness Prince Jing’s suspicion, did that mean the assassination attempt in the forest today was orchestrated by His Highness Prince Jing?
But what was the purpose of His Highness Prince Jing doing this?
Suddenly, something flashed through her mind, but it was too quick for her to grasp.
Now, she had to stay far away from Mr. Li. It was not only good for her but also for Mr. Li.
“Ning An, did something happen? I heard the servants in the manor say that you were with Mr. Li…” Jiang Bei hurried in and stopped speaking the moment he saw her.
Xue Zi Ning quickly put on the clothes she had taken off, her gaze icy, “Get out.”
Jiang Bei hastily fled, his heart pounding as if it would jump out of his chest. Ning An, he… he was not a man, but a woman.
Xue Zi Ning felt a sense of shame and anger. How had she not noticed when Jiang Bei entered her room? It was all because she was too engrossed in her thoughts, forgetting to listen to the sounds outside.
Now, Jiang Bei had seen her chest-binding tape and knew she was a woman. However, she was not worried about Jiang Bei spreading the word. It would just be a bit awkward facing Jiang Bei in the future.
As expected, the next morning, when she went for breakfast, she intended to greet Jiang Bei. Little did she know that Jiang Bei saw her as a mouse encountering a cat and fled in panic, which made her want to laugh and cry. But this was fine, as she didn’t want to get too close to Jiang Bei. Otherwise, she feared that her matters with Mr. Li might involve Jiang Bei.
Since the day she refused Mr. Li, Mr. Li’s attitude towards her had changed drastically. Although Mr. Li didn’t treat her well before, he at least acknowledged her existence. But now, he simply ignored her.
Instead, he had some contact with her arch-nemesis, Sun Hao. She felt that she might have truly offended Mr. Li, but she still believed this was for the best.
After all, His Highness Prince Jing would no longer suspect any connection between her and Mr. Li.
However, something soon captured Xue Zi Ning’s full attention. Half a month later, the sovereign of Yun Country would visit the Huangze Country for border trade negotiations.
As the one currently handling the state affairs of the Huangze Country, His Highness Prince Jing would, without a doubt, be the one to negotiate with the Emperor of Hua Country.
And Xue Zi Ning, as a fourth-rank imperial guard with a sword, would also be among those selected to protect His Highness Prince Jing that day.
Others might not know who the sovereign of Yun Country was, but Xue Zi Ning knew. She hadn’t expected Hua Yun Jin to successfully restore the country in just a few months. It was indeed a joyous occasion.