"What if that's the case?" Xue Changan asked, "I'm not afraid. I am a complete soul, why should I fear her remnant soul?"
"Since Your Majesty has decided, I will obey," Fan Min said. "However, I need some time to prepare."
"Alright. When?" Xue Changan asked.
Fan Min glanced at the sky. "The next time the moon is full, on the fifteenth."
"Good," Xue Changan said.
Fan Min left.
Xue Changan walked into the courtyard and looked at her own hands. Perhaps, in a while, these hands would no longer be hers. But she had no regrets. Everyone had something they desired in this life. For the greed in their hearts, what was wrong with paying a price?
In her previous life, she had gained nothing and died with regret. This life would be different.
Han Kingdom
Xue Zining stepped into the Han Kingdom's imperial palace once more. She never thought she would be here again.
The scenery remained, but where were the people?
She didn't know.
She glanced at Han Xiwen beside her. He seemed a little nervous.
"Scared?" she asked.
Han Xiwen blinked. "Why would I be scared? This is a place I frequent."
"But you don't see the Han Emperor often."
Han Xiwen's expression shifted. Xue Zining was right. He rarely saw his father. If he hadn't volunteered to lead the troops to attack Dongling Pass this time, he wouldn't have realized how much his father had aged.
"His Majesty summons the Ninth Prince and Princess Anning!"
Xue Zining glanced at Han Xiwen. He let out a long sigh and then said, "Right!"
Xue Zining nodded and walked into the hall side by side with him.
"Your subject greets Father Emperor!" Han Xiwen bowed.
Xue Zining stepped forward and curtsied slightly. "Anning greets His Majesty, the Han Emperor."
"Princess Anning's visit to Han Kingdom is Han Kingdom's honor. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner. Bring a seat for her."
Xue Zining said, "Your Majesty is too kind. Anning has come uninvited. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!"
The Han Emperor laughed heartily. "How could that be?"
A palace attendant brought a chair. The Han Emperor said, "Princess Anning, please be seated."
Xue Zining sat down. Only then did she notice that besides the Han Emperor, Han Xixia was also present.
Han Xixia looked at her, a hint of an emotion she couldn't understand in his eyes.
"Does Princess Anning have matters to discuss with me?" the Han Emperor asked.
Yesterday, he had received the letter from the Ninth Prince and knew in advance that Princess Anning had matters to discuss with him.
To be honest, he hadn't taken it to heart. What could a princess possibly discuss with him?
Xue Zining also saw that the Han Emperor seemed unconcerned. What she was about to say was within her expectations.
She stood up from her chair and bowed. "Your Majesty, I just want to confirm, if one day I go to war with the Empress of Huangze, and the Empress of Huangze needs Your Majesty's support, will Your Majesty agree?"
The Han Emperor's gaze flickered, and his look towards Xue Zining lost its previous indifference, replaced by a sharp edge. "Princess Anning, I don't understand these words."
Xue Zining looked up and said earnestly, "To be frank, the Crown Prince of Xue Kingdom is currently in the imperial palace of Huangze. Xue Changan harbors a deep hatred for me regarding the matter of the husband. Xue Changan and I will inevitably clash. However, Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will not involve Han Kingdom in this. I merely hope that if war breaks out, Han Kingdom can remain neutral."
The Han Emperor looked at her and said slowly, "Princess Anning, do you know that Huangze is now the second largest country after Xue Kingdom? What strength does Han Kingdom possess to resist Huangze? If we anger the Empress of Huangze, Huangze might turn its attention to Han Kingdom?"
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, if that day comes, Xue Kingdom's Anguo will definitely intervene to assist Han Kingdom."
The Han Emperor sneered. "Princess Anning, when you engage in conflict with Huangze, how will you be able to concern yourself with Han Kingdom? This losing proposition, I will not agree to."
"Your Majesty, what do you wish to obtain?" Princess Anning asked.
The Han Emperor's eyes gleamed. "Dongling Pass."
"Your Majesty, we are merely at war with Huangze, not in control of Huangze. I cannot fulfill Your Majesty's request."
The Han Emperor smiled. "Princess Anning, you can depose Xue Changan from the throne. For this, our Han Kingdom will spare no effort to assist Princess Anning."
Princess Anning's gaze turned cold. She hadn't expected the Han Emperor's ambition. It was indeed immense.
Furthermore, even if she agreed, she feared that once the Han Emperor obtained Dongling Pass, he would covet other territories.
However, she would never agree. Dongling Pass belonged to Huangze. How could she give Dongling Pass to someone else?
"I apologize, Your Majesty the Han Emperor, I cannot make any promises regarding your request."
The Han Emperor spread his hands. "Since that is the case, it seems we cannot reach an agreement with Princess Anning."
"Yes, Anning takes her leave!" Xue Zining turned and left.
Han Xiwen watched Xue Zining leave, feeling restless. The Han Emperor said, "Ninth Prince, come and tell me what happened on your journey."
"Father Emperor, you haven't seen Ninth Brother in a long time and must have many things to discuss. Your subject will take his leave first!"
The Han Emperor nodded. "Alright, go!"
Xue Zining exited the imperial palace, feeling no discouragement, for she knew this outcome was within her expectations.
However, the Han Emperor's appetite made her feel it was a bit too much.
"Princess Anning..." a voice called from behind.
Xue Zining turned and saw Han Xixia walking towards her.
Han Xixia walked step by step. For some reason, his heart was pounding.
"Princess Anning..." As he approached, this feeling intensified.
"Prince Xixia." Xue Zining curtsied.
"Princess Anning, there's no need for formalities," Han Xixia said.
"May I ask if Prince Xixia has something to discuss?" Xue Zining looked up and asked.
Han Xixia was slightly startled. A familiar feeling gradually emanated from the depths of his heart.
He had never felt such a strong sensation when meeting Princess Anning before. What was happening now?
"Princess Anning, could you step aside for a moment?" Han Xixia said.
Xue Zining had little reason to guard against Han Xixia. After all, she had deceived Prince Xixia and taken the Han Kingdom's most precious treasure. In a way, she felt some guilt towards him.
"Certainly," Xue Zining said.
Han Xixia led her to a palace. As they approached, Xue Zining discovered it was empty.
"This was where my birth mother lived," Han Xixia explained.
Xue Zining was slightly taken aback. "Then you..."
"It's been many years." Han Xixia didn't directly answer her question, but Xue Zining knew that Han Xixia's mother had passed away.
"There is no place in the palace safer than this. Princess Anning, please don't mind."
Xue Zining shook her head. "No, it's very quiet here. It's very suitable."
After a long silence, Han Xixia said, "Princess Anning, are you trying to reclaim the Crown Prince of Xue Kingdom, or..."
"I want Huangze," Xue Zining didn't offer any other flowery words to Han Xixia, but truthfully stated what she wanted to do. She believed Han Xixia would not reveal it.
Han Xixia's gaze sharpened. "You..."
"Xue Changan does not deserve to possess Huangze," Xue Zining said word by word.
Han Xixia trembled, his eyes watching her vigilantly. After a long moment, he asked, "Who exactly are you?"