The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

After a moment of silence, Yun Jin spoke first.

She didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the biggest question swirling in her mind: "Sir, those assassins tonight were sent by the eldest prince, weren't they?"

"Yes." Su Che nodded, without hiding anything.

"Did you foresee this, sir?"

"The Crown Prince is impatient and vindictive. Your Highness's suggestion touched his interests, and he suspects that Your Highness knows his secrets. He will definitely want to get rid of him as soon as possible and test Your Highness's strength. Although this move is risky, it is in line with his nature." Su Che's tone was calm, as if he were analyzing the weather.

"So you were prepared all along, using me as bait to turn the tables on him?" Yun Jin's voice trembled slightly, not from fear, but from a cold, clear-headed awareness.

She realized that she was not only a beneficiary, but also a part of the game.

Su Che looked up at her, his gaze honest: "Yes. Your Highness is caught in a whirlpool, with no way to avoid it. Rather than passively enduring it, it is better to take the initiative to set a trap, cut off its outstretched claws in one fell swoop, and give it a warning. This is self-preservation, and also establishing authority. After today, if the First Prince wants to make a move against Your Highness again, he will have to think twice."

"Establish authority..." Yun Jin murmured repeatedly, her fingertips tracing the warm rim of the cup.

Yes, after tonight, all the eyes in Lin Yuan City who are watching the turmoil at Lin De Palace will know that the Third Princess Yun Jin is not a soft persimmon to be easily manipulated. She has a terrifying power by her side that is enough to instantly annihilate the "Night Owl" assassins.

This is perhaps more intimidating than any verbal defense or the emperor's favor.

"And what about the gentleman?" Yun Jin suddenly raised her head, her gaze sharpening as she stared directly at Su Che.

"Why are you helping me, sir? What do you truly seek? Do not deceive me with 'seeing injustice on the road' or 'a traveling scholar.' Your abilities far surpass those of ordinary strategists and knights-errant. Your plans are far-reaching and meticulously planned, not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Yun Jin is now all alone, possessing nothing but the empty title of princess, which is in danger of being lost at any moment. You are helping me with all your might, even at the cost of directly opposing the First Prince. What... what is it that you are after?"

This is a question she needs to clarify.

No matter how deep the gratitude, if she didn't know its source or its meaning, she wouldn't feel at ease, and she wouldn't dare entrust her entire life and fortune to it.

Su Che looked at her quietly without answering immediately.

The only sounds in the study were the occasional crackling of the lamp wick and the two people's soft breathing.

He was weighing what could be said and what needed to be kept secret.

After a long silence, he picked up his teacup, gently blew away the floating leaves, took a sip, and slowly said, "Since Your Highness has asked so frankly, I will not lie. I do indeed have a request."

"Firstly, it was for self-preservation, and also for revenge."

Su Che put down his teacup, his gaze fixed on the deep night outside the window, as if piercing through the walls to see the far north. "I am not from Jiangqiong, but from the Tianming Empire in the north. In Tianming, I once devoted everything to helping someone ascend to the throne, only to be betrayed and discarded after being used. My close friends and comrades were slaughtered; I myself nearly lost my life. This grudge must be avenged. This person must be eliminated. However, Tianming is powerful, and I cannot stand alone. I need a base to accumulate strength. Jiangqiong is the base I have chosen."

Yun Jin's heart trembled violently.

Tianming Empire!

That northern neighbor that borders Jiangqiong and is far more powerful and wealthy than Jiangqiong!

Mr. Su is from there, and it sounds like he has a blood feud with the rulers of Tianming!

This explains why he possesses such extraordinary insight and ability, and also explains why he chose Jiang Qiong, the weakest and most chaotic region, as his foothold.

The more chaotic and weak a place is, the easier it is for it to take root, and the less likely it is to arouse the vigilance of Tianming's side.

"Secondly," Su Che withdrew his gaze and returned it to Yun Jin's face, calm and composed.

"To verify the truth in my heart, I, Su, once tried to use wisdom and tactics to support a wise ruler and reform the corrupt government during the Tianming era, but ultimately I ended up in such a state. I wonder if there is no true 'wise ruler' in this world, and only systems, rules, and power can restrain people's hearts and create order. Jiangqiong is deeply entrenched in corruption, like a blank sheet of paper that can be painted on. Your Highness has a special identity and a precarious situation, but you have the will to change things and are not bound by any old forces. Perhaps, in Your Highness, I can verify some different possibilities and see if, with our combined strength, we can bloom a different kind of flower in this rotten soil."

He didn't utter any empty words about "serving the people," but rather frankly discussed his personal grudges and his exploration of ideals.

This, on the contrary, made Yun Jin feel that it was more real and believable.

Personal grudges motivated his actions, while his ideals gave him a goal that transcended personal grudges.

Such people actually have a more solid foundation for cooperation.

"Thirdly," Su Che said, his tone softening slightly.

"Your Highness is also a factor. Even in dire straits, Your Highness still harbors resentment and a will to fight. Moreover, Your Highness is able to assess the situation, knows how to leverage resources, and is receptive to dissenting opinions. It is always better to cooperate with intelligent people than to associate with mediocre or arrogant madmen. My assistance to Your Highness is also an investment in you. If Your Highness truly comes to power one day, I hope you will remember the kindness shown to you in your time of need, grant me and my followers a place to stay, and support me in seeking revenge against Tianming for our blood debt. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement."

The three reasons, progressing step by step, are clear, logical, and reasonable, moving from personal grudges to the validation of ideals, and then to practical interests and prospects for cooperation.

Upon hearing this, Yun Jin's doubts vanished, replaced by a strange sense of reassurance. Mr. Su's request was clear, neither unrealistic nor unattainable.

As long as you have the ability and determination, you can give back.

Alliances built on clear exchanges of interests and common goals are far more stable than those based solely on favors or empty promises.

"I admire your frankness, sir."

Yun Jin took a deep breath, straightened her back, and the confusion in her eyes disappeared, replaced by a resolute determination.

"The hatred you feel for the master is also the hatred for the bullying and betrayal of the powerful. The path you seek to verify is the path that Yun Jin has been thinking about day and night to change after witnessing the depravity of the country and the hardships of the people. Your help today is not only a life-saving grace for Yun Jin, but also a grace that illuminates the way forward and gives her possibilities."

She stood up, faced Su Che, and solemnly curtsied, performing an extremely dignified bow: "Yun Jin hereby swears that as long as you do not betray me, I will never betray you in this life. If one day I am fortunate enough to achieve my wish, I will share power with you. Your enemies will be my enemies; whatever path you wish to follow, I will wholeheartedly support, even if it means facing a million enemies! If I break this oath, may Heaven and Earth condemn me, and may gods and men punish me!"

This is the most significant promise she could make as a royal princess.

Su Che also stood up, accepting her bow without flinching, and then returned the greeting with a cupped-fist salute: "Your Highness's resolve is my greatest fortune. From this day forward, Your Highness and I are allies, sharing both glory and ruin. The road ahead is fraught with peril and danger, but I am willing to work together with Your Highness to overcome these difficult times."

The alliance was forged at this moment in the most candid manner.

The two sat down again, and the atmosphere was different.