Liu Ning's expression froze, and she couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed: "What exactly happened?"

Zuan then recounted the events that had occurred on the Golden Summit to her.

Upon hearing that Zhao Hao had used the secret technique of the wedding dress to assassinate Prince Qi decades ago, Liu Ning felt a chill run down her spine: "The emperor is truly amazing, so amazing that it sends shivers down one's spine."

Zu An thought to himself, "On this point, you agree with Bi Linglong."

"Tell me quickly, how did he die?" Liu Ning subconsciously tightened her clothes, no longer as unrestrained as before, as if afraid that Zhao Hao was still alive.

Zuan recounted the events in the secret realm to her, but this time he didn't say that he killed Zhao Hao. Instead, he said that the High Priest sacrificed his life to knock him into the great tomb, which then disappeared.

Bi Linglong killed Zhao Hao's split soul with him in the West Dog Hill Secret Realm, so it didn't matter to her. But it was best to keep it a secret from the others, since this matter was too big.

"So, there's still a chance he's alive?" Liu Ning's voice trembled slightly, the relaxed feeling from before completely gone.

"Don't worry, there are many extremely powerful monsters in the tomb. Zhao Hao is not even among them. Even those beings are trapped and unable to get out. Moreover, he was seriously injured by the priest and has most likely been devoured by other, even more powerful beings." Seeing that she was quite frightened, Zu An felt apologetic and comforted her.

"I hope so." Liu Ning had just broken out in a cold sweat. If Zhao Hao hadn't died, the entire situation in the capital would have been reshuffled.

After experiencing such a rollercoaster of emotions, the romantic atmosphere in the room has dissipated considerably.

"I heard that the two Dukes of the Qin family have been imprisoned. What does Your Majesty intend to do with the Qin family?" Zu An revealed the purpose of his visit.

"The Qin family? You're probably asking because of Miss Chu, aren't you?" Liu Ning sneered.

“After all, I have a deep connection with the Qin and Chu families, and it’s hard for me to just walk away from it.” Zu’an did not deny it.

“The Qin family has its own way of courting death, but now it’s not me who’s going to deal with them, but the Meng family and other families,” Liu Ning replied.

"The Meng family? Why is that?"

“Qin Zheng has always been upright, and we were previously on opposing sides, so there were many conflicts with the Meng family; Qin Se is a frivolous and dissolute person, and it was common for her to compete with Meng Yi and other families for his affections. After decades of fighting, it’s hard to tell who is right and who is wrong, and we have all become blood enemies,” Liu Ning explained.

Zu An's heart sank. This was the most troublesome kind of situation, like the feud between the Five Mountains Sword Sect and the Demonic Sect in "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," which was almost beyond human control.

That's just how things are played in a reasonable way; he could easily flip the table and act irrationally.

"As long as Her Majesty agrees not to interfere, I will handle this matter."

“I can’t let you hurt my allies,” Liu Ning shook her head. “However, if you agree to one thing for me, I can help you.”

"What's wrong?" Zu'an asked with some concern.

“Of course, it means breaking away from the Crown Princess’s side and completely joining my ranks,” Liu Ning said, her long, gold-jeweled fingertip rubbing against his face.

Zu An said in a deep voice, "The Crown Princess has been very kind to me. It is despicable for her to change her allegiance."

"That little girl is obsessed with power struggles, and her feelings for you are nothing more than those of a subject using his own. How can she compare to my complete openness towards you?" Liu Ning frowned, then suddenly looked surprised, as if she had thought of something. "You wouldn't be lusting after that girl's body, would you?"