“The Duke of Ning's case is rather significant, and His Majesty is personally overseeing the trial.”
Ji Wuran relayed the news he had gathered to Xue Xingyue.
“Ji Wuran, who exactly are you?” Xue Xingyue asked him coldly.
This Ji Wuran made her feel somewhat like a stranger.
Ji Wuran chuckled softly, “Your Highness, please do not concern yourself with who this commoner is. It is enough that I would not frame Your Highness.”
Xue Xingyue frowned. Ji Wuran spoke with such sincerity that she found herself compelled to believe him. Besides, she was alone; even if he intended to scheme against her, he would gain nothing.
“What do you plan to do next?” Xue Xingyue inquired.
Ji Wuran replied, “The usurpation of power, both had the Duke of Ning's hand in it. If he can publicly admit to framing the late Emperor, then Your Highness can take this opportunity to bring down Xue Tianyue.”
“And then? A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day,” Xue Xingyue said, looking at Ji Wuran.
Ji Wuran countered, “Many years ago, Empress Chang Jiu governed Chang Jiu for several years, diligently and with great care for her people. Does Your Highness not wish to restore the glorious reign of Empress Chang Jiu?”
Xue Xingyue trembled all over. After a long moment, she lowered her head. “I fear I do not possess my mother’s strategic brilliance.”
“Incorrect. Empress Chang Jiu also stumbled through many detours in the beginning, but Your Highness Xue was always by her side.”
“My mother was fortunate to have my father’s companionship; I have none…”
Upon hearing this, Ji Wuran suddenly knelt, saying, “Your Highness, if you do not find me unworthy, I am willing to serve you with all my might until my dying breath.”
Xue Xingyue’s body trembled. “Ji Wuran, you…”
Ji Wuran raised his head, his eyes sparkling with starlight. “Your Highness, my heart already beats for you…”
Xue Xingyue took several steps back. “But I…”
“Your Highness, I understand that you might say you have not considered personal affections. I will not press you for an answer now. When Your Highness has successfully ascended the throne, I will ask for your answer then.”
After Ji Wuran left, Xue Xingyue remained in a state of bewilderment. Ji Wuran liked her? How could Ji Wuran possibly like her?
She found it hard to believe, yet she had genuinely heard him confess his affection just moments ago.
She tilted her head back, gazing at the sky. Though it was still completely dark, for some reason, she felt an immense warmth. Perhaps it was because she knew she was no longer alone, or perhaps because she knew there was someone standing silently behind her, someone she could see as soon as she turned around.
Suddenly, a knock on the door jolted Xue Xingyue back to the present. She opened it to see Meng Jiangming, looking weary and weathered.
“Young Master, is there something you need at this late hour?” Xue Xingyue asked respectfully, lowering her gaze.
Meng Jiangming looked at Xue Xingyue for a long time before saying, “Little Yue, the Duke of Ning’s mansion is finished.”
Xue Xingyue blinked in surprise, then said, “Young Master, what are you talking about? How could the Duke of Ning’s mansion be finished? For one thing, the current Empress Dowager is your aunt. The Duke of Ning’s mansion will be fine.”
Meng Jiangming smiled upon hearing this. “You are right. The Duke of Ning’s mansion will be fine.”
Xue Xingyue continued, “Furthermore, everything the Duke of Ning’s mansion has done was for His Majesty. If His Majesty cannot tolerate those who serve him, then His Majesty is too foolish.”
“Mind your words!” Meng Jiangming’s face paled, and he quickly interjected.
Xue Xingyue, somewhat confused, asked, “Did I say something wrong? But I feel I didn’t. The Duke of Ning’s mansion has been loyal to His Majesty. Even General Xie said that His Majesty’s throne was not stable without the Duke of Ning’s mansion.”
Meng Jiangming’s expression changed upon hearing this. “General Xie said that?”
“Of course. I heard it very clearly. If you don’t believe me, you can ask General Xie.”
Meng Jiangming’s expression shifted. He looked at Xue Xingyue and asked, “Have you told anyone else this?”
Xue Xingyue smiled. “Young Master, I’m not foolish. Telling anyone else about this would be seeking capital punishment, wouldn’t it?”
Meng Jiangming nodded. “That’s wise of you.”
“Young Master, it is getting late. I am feeling a little sleepy.”
Meng Jiangming looked at Xue Xingyue, who was wearing only a thin garment. “Put on more clothes. The Duke of Ning’s mansion cannot afford any more mishaps now.”
After Meng Jiangming left, Xue Xingyue breathed a sigh of relief. She wondered if her words had had any effect.
Meng Jiangming returned to his study, his mind replaying Xue Xingyue’s words. In fact, he had been pondering a question these past few days: perhaps the Duke of Ning’s mansion knew too much, and His Majesty did not want to have too many of his secrets in the hands of his subjects.
After all, the death of the late Emperor was related to the current Emperor. Although his father had never spoken of it, Meng Jiangming knew there had to be a connection. Besides His Majesty, his father was also involved.
Thinking this, he felt sweat bead on his forehead. If this were true, then his father was likely in grave danger. But what if he used this information to threaten the Emperor?
Would His Majesty be intimidated by him?
He had no sure path to victory, but wasn't it worth trying even without a guarantee? Otherwise, the Duke of Ning’s mansion would truly fall into decline.
No, his father absolutely could not die.
With this thought, he stood up abruptly and said in a low voice, “Meng Ying.”
Meng Ying appeared before him. “Young Master.”
Meng Jiangming handed Meng Ying two letters he had written. “If I do not return within two hours, deliver these two letters to Young Master Ji and Young Master Zhao.”
Meng Ying was taken aback. “Young Master, you…”
“Since I cannot be certain of success, I must still fight with everything I have. Meng Ying, I can trust you, can’t I?”
Meng Ying knelt on the ground. “Your subordinate will not fail you.”
Meng Jiangming nodded, straightened his robes, and called out, “Prepare the carriage. I am going to the palace.”
Upon hearing that Meng Jiangming was going to the palace overnight, Xue Xingyue knew her words had had an effect. Now, she would simply wait for news from Meng Jiangming.
Meng Jiangming’s carriage reached the palace gates, where the Imperial Guards blocked his path. “It is curfew. No one is permitted to enter the palace without a summons.”
Meng Jiangming stepped out of the carriage and produced a gold tablet from his sleeve, saying coldly, “This Young Master possesses a gold tablet personally bestowed by His Majesty. Make way at once!”
Upon seeing the tablet, the guards immediately knelt. “Greetings, Your Majesty!”
“Open the way,” Meng Jiangming commanded coldly.
The guards quickly moved aside. Meng Jiangming returned to the carriage and ordered, “Go.”