"Ninth Sister, it's good that you've come to your senses," Prince Jing breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's not that I've come to my senses, it's that this is the cruel reality of disappearance," Xue Changyi had to admit a fact: Xue Chang'an dared to speak to their father Emperor like that, but she did not.
Since that was the case, she truly recognized her own capabilities. Yes, she couldn't even compare to Xue Chang'an, so what qualifications did she have to think she could snatch Hua Yunjin back from Xue Chang'an?
It was simply wishful thinking.
Prince Jing looked at Xue Changyi and said, "Ninth Sister, your understanding is correct. Only with supreme power can you obtain everything you desire."
Xue Changyi was stunned. Prince Jing stepped forward and stroked her head, saying, "If Imperial Brother becomes Emperor, then whatever Ninth Sister wants, Imperial Brother will give it to you."
"Then Changyi thanks Imperial Brother first," Xue Changyi said.
Prince Jing whispered, "Even Hua Yunjin, what is he? When that time comes, if Changyi wants Hua Yunjin, Imperial Brother will snatch him for you."
Xue Changyi's body trembled, and she looked at Prince Jing, "Imperial Brother, you..."
"Power is a good thing, Changyi."
After Prince Jing left, Xue Changyi was still unable to recover for a long time.
Consort Yi returned and saw Xue Changyi's state. She was displeased. "Even your Imperial Brother couldn't persuade you, so is there anything else for this Consort to say?"
Xue Changyi looked up at Consort Yi and said, "Mother Consort, I want to marry Yan Zhao."
Consort Yi was stunned, seeming to disbelieve her own ears. She asked again, "Could you repeat what you just said?"
Xue Changyi said, "If we are to be Imperial Brother's support, isn't General Yan a better choice than the Sun family?"
Consort Yi looked at her. "Why aren't you single-mindedly thinking about Young Master Hua anymore?"
"Imperial Brother is right. If he becomes Emperor, what is there that I cannot obtain? Therefore, the person who helps Imperial Brother ascend that throne is the most important. Mother Consort, I understand now."
Consort Yi felt a sense of relief, relieved that Princess Changyi had finally awakened. "This Consort still needs to discuss it with your Imperial Brother."
After all, the Sun family had the Empress as a great pillar of support. However, the Yan manor was also not to be underestimated. Old General Yan had a distinguished military record, and even His Majesty had to show him respect. If they could form this marriage alliance with the Yan family, then the hundred thousand troops held by Old General Yan would naturally be under their control.
Xue Changyi nodded. "Mother Consort can discuss it with Imperial Brother properly."
Since marrying anyone was marrying, it was better to marry someone she favored.
She had met Young General Yan. He was handsome and did not have the roughness of a martial man. Looking at such a person every day would not lead to annoyance.
Moreover, it was rumored that Princess Changning also had some interest in Young General Yan. Although she was rejected by Young General Yan, who knew if Young General Yan would change his mind later?
She couldn't compete with Xue Chang'an, but she could still compete with Xue Changning.
Consort Yi relayed Xue Changyi's words to Prince Jing verbatim. Prince Jing pondered for a long time before saying, "Mother Consort, this may not be a bad idea."
A hundred thousand troops, this was something that would make anyone's eyes turn red.
Consort Yi said, "If you can think of it, can Consort Yan not think of it?"
"Mother Consort, it's better to strike first," Prince Jing said.
Meanwhile, Consort Yan told Xue Changjun her thoughts. Xue Changjun sneered, "Mother Consort, do you think Eldest Sister will agree?"
He dared to guarantee that Xue Chang'an would not agree. Consort Yan did not understand her daughter, but he, with his experiences across several lifetimes, already understood Xue Chang'an very well.
She wanted to be Emperor herself. Whether it was in the past, present, or future, she would never give up this idea.
"But if Chang'an can marry Young General Yan, it would be very beneficial for you to ascend that position." Consort Yan only thought about how to make Xue Changjun Emperor, and nothing else was within her scope of consideration.
"Mother Consort, perhaps I don't want to be Emperor?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Consort Yan was stunned. "Changjun, you..."
"Mother Consort, everything you do, in the end, is because of your unwillingness. This is your selfishness."
"Changjun, how can you speak to Mother Consort like this? Am I not doing all this for you? How can you... how can you say that to me? Don't you want to become Emperor?"
Consort Yan did not believe that Xue Changjun did not want to be Emperor, to become a revered ruler?
"Mother Consort, I have truly never thought of becoming Emperor, neither in the past nor in the present."
"You..." Consort Yan's face turned dark with anger. "Say that again."
"No matter how many times I say it, it's the same. Mother Consort, your son has never thought of becoming..."
Consort Yan could not tolerate it any longer and slapped him. "Xue Changjun, do you know how much your words hurt this Consort? Why did I meticulously plan and cautiously strategize? Wasn't it all for you to ascend that position? But you?
You're so good, with one sentence of 'I don't want to,' you've completely wiped away all of Mother Consort's years of planning. Fine, if you don't want to, that's fine. There are plenty of people who do."
Consort Yan then roared towards the door, "Get out..."
Xue Changjun's expression was blank. He bowed and said, "Your son takes his leave!"
"Ah..." Consort Yan smashed things to the ground like a madwoman.
What was all this painstaking effort over the years for? For what?
Consort Yan suddenly realized that she didn't seem to know what she was doing it all for.
Everything that happened in Shu Palace was known by Xue Chang'an. At this moment, Xue Chang'an was sitting by Hua Yunjin's bedside, playing with Hua Yunjin's long hair. She said, "Look, isn't this my opportunity?"
Hua Yunjin raised his head. Although his back still hurt, he could at least support himself. "Your Highness, aren't you afraid that the Third Prince did this intentionally?"
"It doesn't matter what he does. I have never considered him a rival, nor is he worthy. If he behaves himself, I will let him be a prince with no real power out of consideration for being born of the same mother, otherwise..."
Xue Chang'an revealed a terrifying expression. "I don't mind sending him on the road to the Yellow Springs."
Hua Yunjin looked at Xue Chang'an. For the first time, he saw in her the decisive, ruthless, and merciless nature of a ruler.
Perhaps she could truly become the first female Emperor in the history of Huang Ze.
"Hua Yunjin, you follow me and do not betray me. This Huang Ze will be mine, and it will also be yours."
Hua Yunjin lowered his gaze. He dared not think about the future. He did not know what the future would be like, nor did he know. As long as he could restore his country, it would be enough.
Xue Chang'an seemed to know what he was thinking. She tilted his chin up. "Hua Yunjin, rest assured, I will help you restore your country."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Xue Chang'an gazed into the distance. She seemed to see the day she would ascend the throne as Emperor.
"Your Highness, wake up."
Xue Zining woke up abruptly, finding herself in an unfamiliar environment. She saw Yan Zhao looking at her with concern.