When Xue Zi Ning entered the study, His Highness the Prince of Jing was already examining memorial reports. She stepped forward to bow, "Your subordinate greets His Highness!"
His Highness the Prince of Jing looked up and glanced at her, asking, "Has Sun Zi Han awoken?"
"Replying to His Highness, not yet awakened!"
His Highness the Prince of Jing nodded, "You may withdraw!"
"Yes, Your Highness!" As she turned to leave, His Highness the Prince of Jing suddenly called her back, "Are you acquainted with Sun Zi Xuan?"
Xue Zi Ning froze. How did His Highness the Prince of Jing know about her and Sun Zi Xuan?
Could it be that the Princess's manor also had people from His Highness the Prince of Jing?
"Your Highness, this subordinate hails from Qinling Pass. Young Master Sun once visited Qinling Pass and saved this subordinate," Xue Zi Ning replied.
His Highness the Prince of Jing nodded, "In a few days, my cousin will be coming from Qinling Pass. Since you have been to Qinling Pass, it is clear that my cousin should have things to talk to you about?"
"Your Highness, this might not be appropriate!" Xue Zi Ning said.
His Highness the Prince of Jing glanced at her, his gaze icy, "Why is it not appropriate?"
"Your Highness, there are distinctions between men and women, and this subordinate's status..."
"I am merely asking you to converse with my cousin. Do not overthink anything else."
Upon hearing this, Xue Zi Ning had no choice but to say, "Yes, Your Highness. This subordinate obeys!"
"Withdraw!" His Highness the Prince of Jing waved his hand.
After Xue Zi Ning departed, the Prince of Jing's gaze became unpredictable.
Leaving the Prince of Jing's study, Xue Zi Ning felt a vague sense of unease. Someone from Qinling Pass? Who could it be?
After thinking for a long time, she could not find any place where she had revealed a flaw. Since she could not figure it out, she decided not to dwell on it, as there was a saying that one would deal with difficulties when they arise.
She would wait until the cart reached the cliff before deciding. One step at a time!
Soon, Xue Zi Ning forgot about the matter.
In the past few days, one after another, ministers in court had fallen ill and retired, or met with accidents even when healthy. Although the newly appointed officials were all under the Prince of Jing's control, he still felt a sense of unease.
However, he could not pinpoint anything amiss, so the people in the Prince's manor suffered. Previously, when minor issues arose, the Prince of Jing paid them no mind. Now, minor offenses were punished, and more serious ones resulted in dismissal from the Prince's manor.
"Ning An, take this bucket of water to His Highness." Sun Hao placed a bucket of water in front of Xue Zi Ning.
Xue Zi Ning glanced at Sun Hao. Sun Hao was one of those selected from the Imperial Guard training camp along with her to serve under His Highness the Prince of Jing.
She could tolerate Sun Hao and Qin Huai's disdain, and even their covert attempts to cause trouble, as she was not truly intending to be His Highness the Prince of Jing's guard. However, Sun Hao was now going too far.
"Sun Hao, what do you mean by this?" Xue Zi Ning asked coldly.
Sun Hao snorted upon hearing this, "Don't you love currying favor with His Highness? Isn't this giving you an opportunity?"
"Sun Hao, speak with respect." Xue Zi Ning's gaze turned slightly cold.
"What? You can do it, but others cannot speak of it?" Sun Hao said dismissively and mockingly.
Xue Zi Ning frowned and was about to speak when someone walked over and picked up the bucket, "I'll take it!"
The speaker was none other than Jiang Bei.
"Lapdog," Sun Hao said before leaving.
Jiang Bei stood there, his dark face showing an indescribable awkwardness.
"Jiang Bei..."
"Ning An, let me take it to His Highness!" Jiang Bei interrupted her and left directly.
Xue Zi Ning stood there, her gaze somewhat profound.
Suddenly, whispering voices came from behind her, "Who is taking water to His Highness?"
"I don't know, it seems to be some of the new guards."
"Looks like more bad luck?"
Xue Zi Ning trembled. She turned around and saw two servants talking. These two servants seemed to have not expected anyone to be behind the tree. They took two steps back and were about to run away. She stepped forward, grabbed a young maidservant, and asked coldly, "Why did you say 'more bad luck'?"
"You... you must have misheard, I didn't say anything." The little maidservant trembled in fear.
"If you tell me the truth, I will let you go and pretend that what just happened never occurred. If you don't speak, you know I can kill someone without anyone noticing."
The little maidservant's body stiffened. If others spoke like this, she might not believe them.
But she recognized this person. It was said that His Highness had specifically selected her from the Imperial Guard training camp. She was merely a maidservant; if she were killed, His Highness would not blame her. However, her own life would be gone.
Seeing that the little maidservant remained silent, Xue Zi Ning said coldly, "Speak..."
Terrified, the little maidservant quickly said, "I'll speak, I'll speak."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. The little maidservant said, "When His Highness bathes, those who deliver water rarely come out alive."
"What?" Xue Zi Ning trembled all over.
Startled by Xue Zi Ning, the little maidservant quickly added, "I... I'm not spouting nonsense. I saw it with my own eyes. That person was stripped naked, covered in blood..."
Something flashed through Xue Zi Ning's mind.
She looked at the little maidservant and asked word by word, "Does His Highness have a preference for men?"
The little maidservant took a step back, her face filled with terror, "I... I don't know, I don't know."
Xue Zi Ning stepped forward and said coldly, "You do know."
"I don't know, I don't know." The little maidservant shook her head and, taking advantage of her distraction, ran away.
Xue Zi Ning did not pursue her. What came to her mind was Jiang Bei replacing her to deliver water to His Highness the Prince of Jing.
"Sun Hao," she gritted her teeth, her heart filled with rage as she sprinted towards the Prince of Jing's chambers. If Jiang Bei was in danger, she would not forgive Sun Hao.
"Ah... Your Highness, spare me..."
Before she even reached the Prince of Jing's chambers, Xue Zi Ning heard Jiang Bei's voice from inside. She wished she could kick the door open, but she knew she could not act rashly at this moment, or all her efforts would be in vain.
"Your... Your Highness, what are you doing?" Jiang Bei's voice came from within, a mix of terror and something else.
"Your Highness, this subordinate has an urgent matter to report!" Xue Zi Ning could no longer restrain herself and said from outside the door.
Jiang Bei's voice inside stopped abruptly, followed by the Prince of Jing's muffled voice, "Whatever it is, discuss it after I come out. You may withdraw for now."
"Your Highness, the matter is urgent!" Xue Zi Ning said through gritted teeth.
"Withdraw!" The Prince of Jing's voice was not only impatient but also filled with anger.
"Your Highness..."
Suddenly, the door was flung open, and a suction force pulled her entirely into the room.
She could have refused, but at this moment, she could not.
The room was filled with mist. Behind the screen, she saw a faintly discernible figure. That figure could only be the Prince of Jing.
She looked around for Jiang Bei but did not see him. Could he be behind the screen?
"What is it? Speak," His Highness the Prince of Jing said.
Xue Zi Ning froze, "Your Highness..."
"Speak..." His Highness the Prince of Jing roared.