Xue Xing Yue looked at Shi Zhi Yuan for a long time before saying, "Minister Shi, who did you expect me to be?"
Shi Zhi Yuan fell silent. Just then, Ji Wu Ran said, "Since she can produce the late Emperor's exempt-from-death token, Minister Shi, who did you expect her to be?"
Shi Zhi Yuan trembled all over. Who could it be? It must be someone from the royal family, someone related to the late Emperor. Could it be...
He instinctively raised his head to examine the maiden's face. A sense of familiarity washed over him. Is this... Princess Xing Yue?" The moment he uttered this, he himself was stunned.
How could it be Princess Xing Yue? Wasn't Princess Xing Yue missing?
However, looking at the maiden's expression and extraordinary bearing, Shi Zhi Yuan felt that he had guessed correctly.
"That's right, you guessed correctly."
Shi Zhi Yuan heard these words that greatly shocked him. "Pr... Your Highness Princess..."
"Minister Shi, I believe you already have a plan for what I wish to do. I ask you, are you willing to join me in cutting down the incompetent ruler, killing the useless officials, and finally earning the merit of assisting the dragon?"
The maiden's voice was low yet clear, but it was like a sudden splash of cold water, drenching him thoroughly.
Cutting down the incompetent ruler, killing the useless officials? Was this what he, as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, should be doing?
But the merit of assisting the dragon was not something everyone had the fortune to participate in. If successful, he would indeed have the merit of assisting the dragon, and his future would be boundless. Conversely, it would be a crime punishable by extermination of his entire clan.
The Shi family was a prominent clan, with thousands of members. Did he want all these thousands to accompany him on this gamble?
"Minister Shi, opportunities often fleeting. Do you not wish to surpass the rank of Vice Minister? Do you not wish to bring honor to your ancestors?"
He did. He wanted to escape the position of Vice Minister held by his uncle. He wanted to earn glory for his family himself.
"Minister Shi, what is your answer?" Xue Xing Yue asked coldly.
Shi Zhi Yuan suddenly raised his head and looked at the maiden before him, who was incomparably noble.
"This minister is willing," Shi Zhi Yuan said, word by word.
Let him stake all the glory of the Shi clan on this maiden. Let him see whether his choice was right or wrong.
"Minister Shi, release the Duke of Ning and gather all the men you can, then proceed to the palace," Xue Xing Yue commanded coldly.
Having confirmed her resolve, Shi Zhi Yuan did not hesitate. He quickly ordered the Duke of Ning to be released and then personally led men to gather reinforcements.
Although the Duke of Ning was not present, he knew that a major event had just occurred, and Shi Zhi Yuan had likely rebelled.
Shi Zhi Yuan was someone he knew. Although timid, it did not detract from his being a loyal minister and a capable general. There must be someone who could make the timid Shi Zhi Yuan willing to rebel. Who could that person be?
The Duke of Ning slowly raised his head and looked at the man and woman walking towards him. He recognized the man as the young marquis, Ji Wu Ran. As for the maiden, he couldn't place her for a moment, yet she gave him a familiar feeling.
"Duke of Ning," Ji Wu Ran said, bowing slightly with a cupped hand.
The Duke of Ning nodded. "Thank you for what happened today. Had you not shown mercy, I fear I would have lost my life here today."
"You are too kind, Your Grace. What you are doing and what I intend to do are aligned, hence I saved you."
Ji Wu Ran's meaning was clear. If he were not doing the same thing as them, his head would have truly been severed.
"May I ask what Marquis Ji intends to do next?" the Duke of Ning inquired, raising his eyes.
Ji Wu Ran looked at Xue Xing Yue. Xue Xing Yue removed her felt hat and looked at the Duke of Ning, saying, "Duke of Ning, it has been a long time!"
The Duke of Ning raised his eyes. Upon seeing the maiden's face, his whole body trembled. "You... you..."
"Does Your Grace not recognize this princess?" Xue Xing Yue asked, looking at the Duke of Ning word by word.
The Duke of Ning took a step back involuntarily. "How is that possible? You were not..."
"Yes, this princess was missing, but I was not. I am still here. Duke of Ning, you know that with the Xue family's bloodline, I am the true heir to the throne."
The Duke of Ning trembled all over, looking at Xue Xing Yue, and asked in astonishment, "You intend to seize the throne?"
"Why not?" Xue Xing Yue asked, looking at the Duke of Ning.
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Ning frowned. After a long pause, he asked, "The Empress Dowager is with Your Highness, isn't she?"
"Yes," Xue Xing Yue replied without concealment.
The Duke of Ning looked up, gazing at the sky, and thought in his heart, "Sister, you are putting the Duke of Ning's mansion into the fire!"
"Duke of Ning, what is your answer?" Xue Xing Yue asked.
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Ning gave a bitter smile. "At this point, do I still have any chance to think?"
"Since that is the case, Duke of Ning, do not blame heaven or man. I promise you, should I ascend the throne successfully, all your past actions will be forgiven, and you will be reinstated to your former position. What does the Duke of Ning think of this?"
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Ning knelt on one knee. "Your subject obeys."
At this very moment, Shi Zhi Yuan had gathered over twenty thousand men.
Xue Xing Yue looked at Ji Wu Ran and suddenly said, "Ji Wu Ran, take these twenty thousand men and ambush outside the palace."
Ji Wu Ran was startled. "Your Highness, you..."
Xue Xing Yue placed her hand on Ji Wu Ran's shoulder and said, word by word, "You are this princess's last line of defense. You... will not disappoint me, will you?"
The maiden's eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, and her clear eyes were full of trust in him. He slowly nodded. "Your subject obeys."
"Duke of Ning, Minister Shi, accompany this princess to the palace." Xue Xing Yue mounted her horse and headed towards the palace.
Shi Zhi Yuan glanced at Ji Wu Ran and couldn't help but say, "Marquis Ji, my life is entrusted to you."
Ji Wu Ran looked at Shi Zhi Yuan and said indifferently, "Minister Shi, rest assured, heaven will not claim your life."
Shi Zhi Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and followed Xue Xing Yue to the palace.
At the palace gate, Xue Xing Yue tightened her reins and saw the fallen imperial guards. In their midst, several people stood holding long swords.
One of them rushed forward and knelt on one knee. "Your subject Meng Jiang Ming has come to welcome Your Highness."
Xue Xing Yue looked at Meng Jiang Ming and slowly walked forward, helping him up. "Young Master, you have worked hard!"