This matter truly wronged Chu Dingjiang. He hadn't deliberately brainwashed An Jiu—it was entirely subconscious behavior. Yet when pointed out, he didn't deny it either.
"How's your recovery going?" Chu Dingjiang asked.
Injuries inflicted by mental strain weren't easy to heal, but An Jiu didn't feel any discomfort. "Quite well. Shouldn't affect normal combat. I heard Elder Zhi has sided with the Crown Prince's faction?"
"Seems that way for now," Chu Dingjiang replied.
An Jiu paused, raising an eyebrow at him. "Does the Second Prince have other Transformation Realm experts by his side?"
Chu Dingjiang shook his head.
"So you plan to take on two Transformation Realm masters alone?" An Jiu felt Chu Dingjiang was completely different from her father, which was why she'd gradually accepted him. Yet now she thought his habit of silently shouldering everything alone wasn't good either. "Are you in such a hurry to die?"
"Nonsense. When strength fails, strategy prevails. Great martial power doesn't mean one is without weaknesses." Chu Dingjiang's mood lifted seeing her angry expression.
"Chu Dingjiang, I have a question for you," An Jiu said.
Noting her seriousness, Chu Dingjiang responded earnestly, "What is it?"
"You said the Second Prince isn't suitable to be emperor yet. Since that's the case, and you possess the Medicine, why not prolong the emperor's life?" An Jiu looked up as if trying to see his expression through his hood.
Chu Dingjiang hadn't expected this question. After a moment's silence, he replied, "In the past, I wouldn't have hesitated—I'd have given the Medicine to extend the emperor's life immediately. Before meeting you, I thought the heavens granted me a second chance to continue unifying the realm. I believed only an all-or-nothing struggle could make this life worthwhile. But now... my perspective has changed."
An Jiu remained silent, waiting.
"Even dedicating one's life to a cause requires setting boundaries." Chu Dingjiang pulled her into an embrace, his rich voice by her ear. "A life without love isn't worth living."
Greed is inherent in human nature—constantly acquiring yet never satisfied. Even those at the pinnacle of power feel they lack many things. From birth, everyone receives heaven and earth's gifts. Some greedily seize power, wealth, and beauties, enjoying lifelong prosperity, yet ultimately die full of regret and loneliness, feeling they gained nothing.
In truth, what people need most is companionship. Having someone to grow old with may not guarantee fulfillment, but lacking such a person inevitably leaves one full of regrets.
This was the truth Chu Dingjiang had realized.
No matter what world-shaking deeds he undertook, he wanted An Jiu always within reach—just a turn away.
"Don't understand." Though An Jiu had also experienced life-and-death situations, different experiences made profound realizations difficult. Moreover, she couldn't be bothered with such thoughts. Had she pondered life as diligently as Chu Dingjiang, she wouldn't have wandered aimlessly until recently discovering her desires.
Yet simplicity had its merits. Once she set a goal, she'd charge toward it relentlessly, ignoring all obstacles.
"Little girls don't need to understand such things," Chu Dingjiang released her.An Jiu frowned and jumped back to the previous topic, "Then tell me how to outwit him? That Elder Zhi is just as cunning and sly as you are."
Chu Dingjiang leaned slightly closer and whispered, "The Mei family may not be willing to support the Crown Prince. That's the key."
Why wouldn't the Mei family support the Crown Prince? An Jiu was completely ignorant of court politics and unaware of many things. Naturally, she couldn't figure out the reason, so she simply stopped thinking about it and didn't ask further. Instead, she raised her hand and patted Chu Dingjiang's shoulder. "Then it's up to you."
"Let's go," Chu Dingjiang said, taking her hand.
The two walked side by side as they returned.
The Second Prince was carefully examining a map of the imperial city at his desk, holding a cup of steaming tea.
The map had long been imprinted in his mind. Even with his eyes closed, every detail was crystal clear.
"Your Highness," Chu Dingjiang bowed in greeting.
An Jiu mimicked his gesture.
"No need for formalities," the Second Prince set down his teacup and looked up at them.
Chu Dingjiang straightened. "My wife was worried about me and insisted on coming along. I hope Your Highness will permit it."
He said this to prevent the Second Prince from directly recruiting An Jiu under his command. After all, there was still a difference in status between a subordinate and a subordinate's wife.
"Such deep affection between the two of you is truly admirable!" The Second Prince didn't dwell on it too much, but he was very welcoming of An Jiu's arrival. "Madam Chu's willingness to assist, whatever the reason, is a favor I, Zhao Huo, will never forget."
"Your Highness flatters me," Chu Dingjiang replied.
An Jiu scrutinized the Second Prince for a few moments—after all, if they succeeded, this would be the future emperor.
The Second Prince didn't expect this woman to be so bold, staring directly without any hesitation. He wasn't angered but instead met her gaze openly.
In the faint candlelight, her emotionless, pitch-black eyes held no killing intent, yet the weight of her gaze was palpable. The Second Prince felt as if half his foot had already stepped into the underworld! It took all his composure to remain seated calmly.
An Jiu, completely unaware of her own intimidating presence, looked her fill before shifting her gaze away.
The Second Prince finally breathed a quiet sigh of relief, though his expression remained unchanged.
Chu Dingjiang, ever observant, couldn't help but probe An Jiu with his mental strength.
An Jiu glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
Chu Dingjiang quickly withdrew his mental strength. Just as he suspected, An Jiu's mental strength had advanced yet again.
After the two took their leave and stepped out of the room, An Jiu asked him, "Why were you probing me just now?"
"Your mental strength suddenly improved again," Chu Dingjiang said, puzzled. "Why?"
"Is it strange for something like this to happen to a genius?" An Jiu asked with utmost seriousness.
Chu Dingjiang laughed heartily.
An Jiu frowned in displeasure. "You don't believe me? Countless facts have proven that the vast majority of mentally ill individuals possess extraordinary talent in certain fields."
"And in what field does your talent lie?" Chu Dingjiang asked with amusement.
An Jiu answered firmly and seriously, "Every field."
Chu Dingjiang couldn't help but laugh at her earnest expression, though he suppressed it to avoid angering her. "Thank you for the lesson, genius."
An Jiu turned her face away in dissatisfaction. "Don't think I don't know what you're really thinking."
The night was thick with mist.
Amid the tolling of funeral bells, the entire city of Bianjing seemed restless.
A carriage stopped in the ruins at the western part of the city. Two burly men dragged out a bound woman and threw her into the grass.The woman let out a muffled groan, struggling with all her might. Such an ordeal would have filled anyone else with terror and despair at this moment, yet all those emotions transformed into fury and sorrow within those phoenix-like eyes. (To be continued...)
PS: Sleeve has heatstroke. The makeup update is being typed nonstop and will be very late. Everyone, go to bed early.
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