This accusation was unfair to Chu Dingjiang. He hadn’t deliberately tried to brainwash An Jiu; it was entirely subconscious behavior. Now that it was pointed out, he didn’t deny it.
“How’s your physical recovery?” Chu Dingjiang asked.
Injuries caused by spiritual attacks weren’t easy to heal, but An Jiu felt no discomfort. “Pretty good. It shouldn’t affect normal combat. I heard Elder Zhi has sided with the Crown Prince?”
Chu Dingjiang replied, “It seems so for now.”
An Jiu paused, raising an eyebrow at him. “Are there other Transcendent State experts with the Second Prince?”
Chu Dingjiang shook his head.
“So you plan to face two Transcendent State experts alone?” An Jiu had thought Chu Dingjiang was different from her father, which was why she gradually accepted him. But now she felt his tendency to silently bear everything alone wasn’t good either. “Are you in such a hurry to die?”
“Nonsense. If we can’t match their strength, we’ll use strategy. Great martial power doesn’t mean invulnerability,” Chu Dingjiang said, his mood improving as he watched her anger.
“Chu Dingjiang, I have a question,” An Jiu said.
Seeing her serious expression, Chu Dingjiang replied equally seriously, “What is it?”
“You said the Second Prince isn’t suitable to be emperor yet. If so, why didn’t you use the medicine you have to extend 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 of silence, he said, “In the past, I wouldn’t have hesitated to use the medicine to extend the Emperor’s life. Before meeting you, I thought Heaven had given me a second chance to help unify the empire. I thought only by fighting with my back against the wall could I not waste this life. But now, my thinking has changed.”
An Jiu remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
“Even if one must strive for a lifetime, one must keep some bottom line for oneself,” Chu Dingjiang pulled her into his embrace, his rich voice near her ear. “A life without love is a wasted journey in this world.”
Human nature inherently includes greed. People constantly acquire but are never satisfied. Even those at the pinnacle of power feel they lack many things. From the moment we enter this world, we continuously receive gifts from heaven and earth. Some greedily seize power, money, and beauty, enjoying a lifetime of glory and wealth, yet still feel they’ve gained nothing, dying with endless regret and loneliness.
In truth, what people need most is companionship. Having someone to grow old with doesn’t guarantee contentment. But without such a person, one will surely end up full of regret.
This was the truth Chu Dingjiang had realized.
No matter what earth-shaking deeds he accomplished, he hoped An Jiu would always be within sight when he turned around.
“I don’t understand,” An Jiu said. Though she had faced life and death, her experiences were different. It was hard for her to have such deep life insights. Moreover, she was too lazy to think so much. If she pondered life as diligently as Chu Dingjiang, she wouldn’t have been confused about what she wanted until now.
But having simple thoughts had its advantages. Once she set a goal, she would ignore all obstacles and charge straight towards it.
“A young girl doesn’t need to understand these things,” Chu Dingjiang released her.
An Jiu frowned, returning to their previous topic. “So how do you plan to use strategy? That Elder Zhi is also cunning and crafty, a match for you.”
Chu Dingjiang leaned in slightly, whispering, “The Mei clan may not be willing to support the Crown Prince. That’s the key.”
Why wouldn’t the Mei clan support the Crown Prince? An Jiu was clueless about court politics and didn’t know many things. Unable to understand the reasons, she decided not to think or ask about it. She simply patted Chu Dingjiang’s shoulder. “Then it’s up to you.”
“Let’s go,” Chu Dingjiang grabbed her hand.
They returned side by side.
The Second Prince was carefully studying a map of the imperial city, holding a steaming cup of tea.
This map was already imprinted in his mind. Closing his eyes, he could see every detail.
“Your Highness,” Chu Dingjiang bowed respectfully.
An Jiu imitated his actions.
“No need for formalities,” the Second Prince set down his teacup and looked up at them.
Chu Dingjiang raised his head. “My wife was worried about me and insisted on coming along. I hope Your Highness will allow it.”
He spoke this way to prevent the Second Prince from directly considering An Jiu as one of his subordinates. After all, there was still a difference in status between a subordinate and a subordinate’s wife.
“Such deep love between you two is truly enviable!” The Second Prince didn’t think too deeply about it at first, but he welcomed An Jiu’s arrival. “No matter the reason, Lady Chu’s willingness to help is a kindness Zhao Huo will remember.”
“Your Highness is too kind,” Chu Dingjiang replied.
An Jiu carefully examined the Second Prince. After all, if successful, he would be the future emperor.
The Second Prince hadn’t expected this woman to be so bold, looking at him directly without any restraint. He wasn’t angered but met her gaze openly.
In the dim candlelight, her emotionless, pitch-black eyes held no killing intent, yet her gaze felt almost tangible. The Second Prince felt as if he had one foot in the underworld! It took all his composure to remain seated calmly.
An Jiu was completely unaware of her power. Having looked her fill, she moved her gaze away.
The Second Prince finally breathed a silent sigh of relief, his expression never changing.
Chu Dingjiang, ever observant, couldn’t help but probe An Jiu with his spiritual power.
An Jiu glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
Chu Dingjiang quickly withdrew his spiritual power. As he had thought, An Jiu’s spiritual power had advanced again.
After they left the room, An Jiu asked him, “Why did you probe me just now?”
“Your spiritual power has suddenly advanced again,” Chu Dingjiang said, puzzled. “Why?”
“Is it strange for such things to happen to a genius?” An Jiu asked seriously.
Chu Dingjiang laughed.
An Jiu was displeased. “You don’t believe me? Countless facts prove that the vast majority of mentally ill patients have talents surpassing normal people in certain areas.”
“In what area does your talent manifest?” Chu Dingjiang asked with a smile.
An Jiu confidently and seriously told him, “In all areas.”
Seeing her serious expression, Chu Dingjiang couldn’t help but want to laugh. Afraid of upsetting her, he held back his amusement. “Thank you for the lesson, genius.”
An Jiu turned away dissatisfied. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking.”
The night was hazy.
Amidst the tolling of the death knell, all of Bianjing seemed uneasy.
A carriage stopped at some ruins in the western part of the city. Two large men dragged a bound woman from the carriage and threw her into the grass.
The woman let out a muffled groan, struggling fiercely. In such a situation, others might feel terror and despair, but in her phoenix eyes, these emotions had transformed into anger and sorrow.