Xue Zi Ning nodded. Song Jiang suddenly asked, "Where did you go?"
Xue Zi Ning hadn't expected Song Jiang to ask such a question, but fortunately, she was prepared. She replied, "I heard that someone had attempted to assassinate Prince Jing. I didn't see Feng Hua's whereabouts today, so I suspect Feng Hua might have been the one who attempted to assassinate Prince Jing."
Song Jiang was taken aback. He then said, "You are correct. However, Feng Hua did not assassinate Prince Jing. He went to plead with Prince Jing to allow us to return to His Majesty's side."
Xue Zi Ning was startled and asked doubtfully, "Then how did it become an assassination attempt on Prince Jing?"
Song Jiang shook his head, a look of confusion on his face. "I don't know. I was supposed to go, but Feng Hua went to the palace ahead of me."
Xue Zi Ning frowned. Thinking of the bloody clothes torn by Prince Jing's pet, she wasn't sure if it belonged to Feng Hua.
Thus, she decided not to tell Song Jiang for now. She feared that Song Jiang would return to seek revenge from Prince Jing. With only these few shadow guards remaining, she had to protect them.
With this thought, she said, "I went to the Ministry of Justice but did not see Feng Hua. I suspect Feng Hua might not be in the Ministry of Justice's prison."
Song Jiang nodded. "Prince Jing's thoughts are unfathomable. Feng Hua might no longer be in the Ministry of Justice's prison."
"What are your plans after this?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Song Jiang shook his head. "Let's wait for news about Feng Hua first."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "That's fine."
After parting ways with Song Jiang, she returned to her tent, only to find that Huan Er was not there. She stepped out of the tent and saw Huan Er returning from not too far away.
Huan Er looked surprised to see her. After a moment, she walked over and said, "You're finally back! You had me worried sick."
"Where did you go?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Huan Er's gaze was somewhat evasive, and she didn't dare to meet Xue Zi Ning's eyes. Her tone was unsteady. "Where could I have gone? I just couldn't find you, so I came out to look for you."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "I'm sorry I made you worry. Let's go back!"
Huan Er stepped forward and took her arm. She smelled a faint, lingering fragrance. When did Huan Er start smelling like this?
She clearly remembered that Huan Er had not smelled like this before.
However, she didn't ask further. After all, Huan Er had never harmed her; instead, she had helped her countless times. Sometimes, people have things they don't want others to know. Since that was the case, it was better not to ask.
The incident of the assassination attempt on Prince Jing seemed to vanish without a trace after causing a splash, like a stone dropped into water.
For several consecutive days of training, the chief instructor, Yao Chen, was nowhere to be seen. It was said that after Yao Chen had fallen unconscious that day, a doctor was called. The doctor diagnosed him with a head injury and prescribed a month of bed rest. Only a few assistant instructors conducted the training.
Today, it was said that an important figure would visit the training grounds for observation.
Yao Chen, whom she hadn't seen for many days, also appeared.
Xue Zi Ning felt a bit puzzled. What kind of person would require even the bedridden Yao Chen to be present?
She looked towards the distance, in the direction of Song Jiang and the others. She felt an intense, indescribable unease.
"Prince Jing has arrived!" As a voice rang out, Xue Zi Ning finally understood why she felt uneasy. It was because Prince Jing had arrived.
"Greetings, Your Highness!" She knelt on one knee to pay respects, following the majority of the new recruits.
She recalled a time when others used to bow to her.
"Rise!" a voice called, and everyone got up.
Xue Zi Ning raised her head to look at the person standing on the platform. Although not far, she could only see Prince Jing's robes clearly, which were embroidered with the dragon totem.
"Your Highness's arrival is truly..."
"Enough, no need for superfluous words. I am here today to find individuals with good skills to serve as my guards."
As soon as Prince Jing said this, the new recruits below became excited. To be Prince Jing's guard was such a fortunate event!
The Emperor was currently in a coma, and Prince Jing was regent. Although Prince Jing was not the Emperor now, he wielded imperial power. Being Prince Jing's guard was no different from being the Emperor's guard.
Prince Jing was selecting guards? Xue Zi Ning narrowed her eyes. It seemed that the events of yesterday had indeed alerted the enemy.
"Your Highness. Among the recruits selected this time, there are a few with good skills."
Prince Jing heard this, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Is that so? Have them come up, I'll take a look."
Yao Chen quickly acknowledged the order and pointed out several individuals.
Huan Er, standing beside her, said, "Brother Ning, look, the chief instructor is only selecting those who have paid him bribes. Those with true strength were not chosen at all."
Xue Zi Ning glanced at Prince Jing and said, "Prince Jing is not a fool. He wants those who can fight to the death for him. He won't choose these kinds of people."
As expected, Prince Jing looked at the individuals pointed out by Yao Chen, his brows furrowed. He beckoned to someone beside him and gave a few instructions. Afterward, his guard stepped forward and said, "You only need to defeat me to pass."
The individuals who were pointed out rushed forward. After a few exchanges, there was no one left on the platform who could compete with Prince Jing's subordinates.
Prince Jing looked at the result and let out a cold laugh. Then, he said sternly to Yao Chen, "Yao Chen, is this what you call good?"
Yao Chen was terrified and immediately knelt on the ground, begging for mercy. "Your Highness, forgive me. Your Highness, forgive me."
"Are these the people selected by the Imperial Guards? Yao Chen, have you grown old and lost your mind? I think you should hand over your position as chief instructor to someone else?" Prince Jing said coldly.
Yao Chen felt a cold sweat. He quickly said, "It's because the people by Your Highness's side are too powerful."
Prince Jing sneered. "If they can't even defeat my own people, what kind of Imperial Guards are they? Yao Chen, I think your tenure as instructor is over?"
Yao Chen's body stiffened. He quickly begged for mercy. "Your Highness, forgive me. Your Highness, forgive me!"
Prince Jing waved his hand impatiently and said, "Drag him away. I don't want to hear his voice or see his face anymore."
Someone from Prince Jing's side stepped out, approached Yao Chen, and skillfully dislocated Yao Chen's jaw. Yao Chen was still trying to speak, but he couldn't make any sound.
By the time Yao Chen realized what had happened, he had been kicked off the platform and was being dragged away.
"Brother Ning, this... this is too terrifying. The chief instructor, who was so glorious and arrogant just now, has been dealt with like this?" Huan Er said incredulously.
"Don't speak," Xue Zi Ning quickly stopped Huan Er from saying more.
Huan Er was startled and obediently closed her mouth, but it was already too late. A token fell at Huan Er's feet.