Naturally, Xue Zi Ning and Jiang Bei’s rooms were next to each other. The other two were opposite. After those two left, Jiang Bei awkwardly scratched his head and said, “Ning An, they didn’t mean anything by it.”
“It’s fine.” She didn’t care at all.
Jiang Bei heard this and smiled, saying, “Ning An, you fought with Prince Jing yesterday, you were truly amazing.”
“It was just luck.”
Jiang Bei shook his head, “How can it be luck? Prince Jing’s skills are quite good. You could even defeat Prince Jing, you are truly impressive.”
“Not as impressive as you say, Your Highness also held back,” Xue Zi Ning replied.
“Don’t be so modest, I saw it all yesterday,” Jiang Bei said excitedly.
“I’m a bit tired, I’ll go in and rest now,” Xue Zi Ning said.
Jiang Bei scratched his head, looking a little confused. Had he said something wrong again?
As noon approached, Prince Jing returned. The steward sent people to escort them to Prince Jing’s study.
Xue Zi Ning was the last one. Her peripheral vision caught Prince Jing wearing his official robes, not yet removed. Above were magnificent flying dragons. Although the color of the robe was not imperial yellow, it was enough to display his nobility.
“Your subordinate pays respects to Your Highness!” Xue Zi Ning and the other two quickly bowed to Prince Jing.
Prince Jing raised his eyes and said indifferently, “Rise.”
Xue Zi Ning and the others stood up. She felt a gaze fall upon her from the front.
“Ning An?” Prince Jing said.
Xue Zi Ning quickly stepped forward and bowed, “It is your subordinate.”
“You will be on night duty today!” Prince Jing said, then stopped looking at them.
The guard beside Prince Jing walked over and said, “Everyone else withdraw.”
Except for Jiang Bei, the other two cast disdainful glances at her before leaving.
Prince Jing began reading memorial documents in his study. Knowing her place, she stood by the door, trying her best to be as inconspicuous as possible.
“Your Highness, the eldest son of the Sun family, Sun Zi Xuan, requests an audience!” a guard outside the door reported.
Prince Jing looked up and said, “Let him in!”
Sun Zi Xuan? Xue Zi Ning looked towards the entrance. Soon, figures appeared in the distance. He wore a robe of emerald brocade and possessed an extraordinarily handsome face.
Sun Zi Xuan entered the study and bowed, “Your Highness!”
Prince Jing looked up and smiled, saying, “Zi Xuan, you are a rare visitor. Please sit!”
Sun Zi Xuan sat down and said, “Your Highness, I…”
“Zi Xuan, have you had lunch yet?” Prince Jing suddenly interrupted Jin Jun Xuan’s words.
Sun Zi Xuan replied truthfully, “Not yet.” He had no appetite to eat. His father did not care about Feng Hua, but he couldn’t ignore it. If Chang Ning returned later and knew that they, for their own safety, had disregarded Feng Hua’s well-being, he felt he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself. This was likely all he could do for Chang Ning.
“Since you haven’t eaten, please join me for lunch,” Prince Jing said.
Sun Zi Xuan couldn’t refuse and nodded, “Yes.”
“I will go change my clothes first. Ning An, please escort Young Master Sun,” Prince Jing said.
Xue Zi Ning approached Sun Zi Xuan and said, “Young Master Sun, please follow me.”
Sun Zi Xuan had to stand up and said, “Thank you for your trouble.”
As they walked out of the study, Xue Zi Ning could feel Sun Zi Xuan’s distractedness behind her. She glanced around and saw no hidden guards nearby. She suddenly stopped.
Sun Zi Xuan was startled and asked, “Why have you stopped?”
“Young Master Sun, if you are here today regarding Feng Hua’s matter, I advise you not to mention it.”
Sun Zi Xuan’s entire body trembled. His gaze turned cold, and he said, “Who are you?”
“Young Master Sun, I am a shadow guard,” Xue Zi Ning bowed and said.
“I have not seen you. Who are you, exactly?” Sun Zi Xuan looked at her with a cold gaze.
Seeing Sun Zi Xuan’s caution and vigilance, Xue Zi Ning felt that telling him the truth was not rash, especially since Sun Zi Xuan was not Sun Zi Han.
“I was taken in by my master when he traveled south,” Xue Zi Ning said.
Sun Xuan’s gaze relaxed slightly but did not fully let go of his guard. “You and Song Jiang?”
“I have already contacted Song Jiang. Song Jiang is currently in the Imperial Guard training camp,” Xue Zi Ning said.
This time, Sun Zi Xuan fully trusted that she was a shadow guard. “Why are you here?”
She replied, “Feng Hua’s whereabouts are unknown. I thought that perhaps by being by Prince Jing’s side, I might find a clue.”
“No, this is too dangerous,” Sun Zi Xuan said.
“Young Master Sun, I am not afraid of danger. However, you must not get involved in this matter again,” Xue Zi Ning said.
Sun Zi Xuan frowned, “But…”
“Young Master Sun, your indifference is the best protection for us. Do not mention this matter again in the future.”
Sun Zi Xuan looked at the person before him. Although her face was ordinary, her eyes were exceptionally bright. “Alright, I understand.”
After lunch, Sun Zi Xuan used an excuse to take his leave.
Prince Jing looked at the uneaten food on the table, lost in thought.
“All of you withdraw,” he waved for people to leave.
Xue Zi Ning also retreated a few meters away. Before long, a person dressed in a black cloak hurried into the room.
She frowned. She couldn’t see the face of this person, but from their appearance, they must be one of Prince Jing’s people.
Prince Jing saw the person arrive and said, “Sun Zi Xuan came today.”
The person heard this and said, “In that case, why does Your Highness seem displeased?”
“He did not ask about Feng Hua.”
This person frowned slightly. “How is that possible? He should have asked.”
“Is your intelligence inaccurate?” Prince Jing’s gaze grew colder.
“Your Highness, this can only mean that the Sun family has begun to be cautious and prudent.”
Prince Jing let out a cold snort upon hearing this. “This is not good. I was waiting for them to make a mistake so I could catch them all in one net. Now that they have become vigilant, if it weren’t for you, I would have already…”
“Your Highness, haste makes waste. You still need to plan carefully.”
“Plan carefully? I have waited for so long to get this opportunity. I don’t want to wait anymore,” Prince Jing said, clenching his fists in anger.
“Your Highness, this realm will be yours sooner or later.”
“It’s a pity I don’t have the Imperial Seal.” Thinking of this, Prince Jing gritted his teeth and said each word. He could never have imagined that his father would still have a trick up his sleeve for him.
At that time, he never thought that the Imperial Seal would be fake.
If not for the fake Imperial Seal, why would he have to be this Prince Jing? That position should have been his long ago.
“Your Highness, don’t rush.”
“You always tell me not to rush. Chang Ning has also disappeared. It’s likely she will return to contend for the throne with me. If I wait any longer, I might not be able to sit securely on this throne.”
“Your Highness, it will be yours.”
Prince Jing looked at this person and said, “I understand. You may withdraw.”