"Ning... Brother Ning."
Xue Zining was startled, and it took her a moment to react. "Huan'er, what are you doing here?"
"Brother Ning..." Huan'er looked at her expectantly.
"Let's talk over there," Xue Zining said, pointing to a more secluded spot not far away.
Huan'er nodded.
They moved to the secluded corner. "Huan'er, are you doing well at the training camp?"
Huan'er nodded and said, "Sister Ning, I'm fine. How about you? I heard the rumors about His Highness the King of Jing are true. Is he really..."
Xue Zining looked at Huan'er and nodded after a long pause. "Yes, he is."
Upon hearing this, Huan'er tugged at her. "Sister Ning, you shouldn't stay here either."
"Huan'er, I can't leave. I haven't finished what I need to do."
"Sister Ning, is there anything that can't be solved? This place is too dangerous." If His Highness knew, she wouldn't know how he would blame her.
"Huan'er, I know you're worried about me, but I really can't leave," Xue Zining said firmly.
Seeing that she couldn't persuade Xue Zining, Huan'er said, "Then, Sister Ning, you must take good care of yourself."
"Don't worry, I'll protect myself," Xue Zining replied.
"Isn't this our fourth-rank imperial guard with a sword? Are you having a secret rendezvous with a lover?"
Xue Zining's eyes turned cold as she looked at the person who had spoken. It was none other than Sun Hao.
Sun Hao came up to her and Huan'er, tutting twice. Huan'er was dressed in women's clothing today. While not extraordinarily beautiful, she was at least a demure young lady.
"Guard Ning, you have quite the good fortune," Sun Hao said to Xue Zining, his tone tinged with jealousy.
"Huan'er, you should go back first. I'll find you when I'm free," Xue Zining said, shielding Huan'er behind her.
Huan'er kept her head lowered. Although she was dressed as a woman now, she had had dealings with Sun Hao before.
"Why the hurry? Why doesn't Guard Ning introduce me?" Sun Hao looked at Huan'er behind Xue Zining.
"Brother Ning, I'm leaving now," Huan'er said, about to depart.
"Hey, don't go!" Sun Hao quickly said as Huan'er was about to leave.
"Sun Hao," Xue Zining said coldly.
Sun Hao withdrew his gaze from the departing Huan'er and looked at her. "Why are you in such a hurry? Is there something unspeakable going on?"
"Sun Hao, you're meddling too much."
Sun Hao snorted dismissively. "How boring." With that, he left.
Xue Zining breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Sun Hao hadn't seen Huan'er's face, or it would have been hard to prevent him from becoming suspicious.
However, the fact that Sun Hao had followed her without her noticing meant her vigilance needed to be strengthened.
Upon returning to the training camp tent, Huan'er was momentarily surprised by the person inside. "Li..."
"Huan'er, where did you go?" Li Chao turned to look at her.
Huan'er lowered her gaze. "I... I went to see Sister Ning."
Li Chao heard this and asked, "Is Miss Xue alright?"
"She's fine." Huan'er suddenly paused. She looked up and asked, "Li Chao, you... you know?" She covered her mouth. "Does that mean His Highness knows too?"
Li Chao nodded. "Yes, His Highness already knows."
Huan'er's gaze fell uneasily. "Then... what did His Highness say?"
Li Chao shook his head. "His Highness didn't say anything, but he wants to see you."
"See me? Li Chao, why didn't you say so earlier?" Huan'er exclaimed.
Li Chao glanced at her, thinking to himself that she hadn't asked.
"Your Highness, you wish to see Huan'er?" Huan'er curtsied to the tall, slender figure in the center of the room.
"Is she... alright?"
Huan'er was startled. "Your Highness, Huan'er thinks Sister Ning is not well. His Highness the King of Jing has a penchant for men, and Sister Ning is in great danger."
Xue Changjun frowned. "A penchant for men?"
Huan'er nodded and quickly added, "Sister Ning also admitted it."
"Li Chao?" Xue Changjun called out to Li Chao.
Li Chao quickly walked over. "Your Highness."
"How did the rumor of His Highness the King of Jing's penchant for men come about?" Xue Changjun asked.
Li Chao reported what he had learned about His Highness the King of Jing to Xue Changjun.
Upon hearing this, Xue Changjun's lips curved into a slight smile. "Xue Changjing, I didn't expect to find your weakness so soon."
"Ah..." His Highness the King of Jing swept everything off the table and looked up, his eyes now a deep crimson.
"Guards."
A guard cautiously entered from outside the door. "Your Highness."
"Where is Mr. Li?"
"This subordinate doesn't know," the guard replied.
"Go and fetch Mr. Li for me," His Highness the King of Jing ordered angrily.
"Yes, this subordinate will go immediately." The guard, not daring to delay, retreated quickly.
His Highness the King of Jing looked at the glaring characters on the table and suddenly raised his head, shouting outside, "Guards!"
Xue Zining, standing outside the door, saw that no guards were present, and she was the only one left. She had no choice but to steel herself and walk in. "Your Highness."
She felt the gaze upon her, but it was not the usual gaze. There was an indescribable feeling. It was as if... her body stiffened.
It was as if she were being stared at by a beast.
"Come here..." a voice came from above.
"Your Highness, is there any command you need this subordinate to carry out?"
"Come here," His Highness the King of Jing suddenly said.
Xue Zining stepped forward, and with each step, that feeling intensified.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her wrist. She instinctively prepared to strike back but quickly suppressed the urge.
"Your Highness, you..."
"Look up."
She raised her head and saw His Highness the King of Jing with his eyes red. He looked different from his usual self.
"Your Highness, you..."
"Give me, give me..."
She was stunned. Before she could react, he suddenly pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers.
She frowned and channeled some internal energy into her left hand, preparing to strike His Highness the King of Jing.
Just then, there was the sound of footsteps outside the door. She quickly withdrew her left hand, but at this moment, her collar had already been undone by His Highness the King of Jing.
Just as His Highness the King of Jing was about to continue, the door was kicked open.
The loud noise seemed to bring His Highness the King of Jing back to his senses somewhat, clearing his crimson eyes.
Seizing the opportunity, she quickly broke free from His Highness the King of Jing and pulled her clothes up.
She looked towards the person who had entered. It was none other than Mr. Li.
Mr. Li seemed to have arrived in a hurry, still bearing the signs of travel.
"Your Highness, you summoned me?" Mr. Li said.
His Highness the King of Jing closed his eyes, then opened them again. The redness in his eyes had faded considerably. "Yes, I have something important to discuss with you."
"Aren't you going to leave?" Mr. Li suddenly looked at Xue Zining.
Xue Zining was contemplating how to leave. Mr. Li had provided her with a legitimate opportunity.
"This subordinate takes leave!" Before His Highness the King of Jing could reply, she left.