The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Zheng Xun stroked his chin, thinking with some distress:

However, Song Zhiling is a natural spy. If we could send him to infiltrate the Brown Kingdom, he would likely gather a lot of information. The only problem is that the people of Dayong look different from the people of the Brown Kingdom, so what identity he would use to go there is a question.

Most importantly, if I tell him, will he be willing?

Song Zhiling was both excited and apprehensive.

He's willing! He really is willing!

Having spent some time in the Patrol Guard, he had come to realize that the world was not as simple as he had imagined, and that making a name for oneself was not so easy.

He wanted to repay Zheng Xun's kindness in saving him, and he also wanted an opportunity, which is why he appeared here today.

He didn't know at the time that the future Zheng Xun spoke of was something that was supposed to happen. If he had known, he would have had to add an excuse to forgive him.

Zheng Xun hesitated, but ultimately didn't ask. Instead, he said, "Did you wait here specifically for something?"

Song Zhiling bluntly stated, "This humble subject would like to ask the princess for a chance."

"What kind of opportunity do you want?" Zheng Xun raised an eyebrow.

"A chance to get ahead."

His young face was full of determination, and Zheng Xun could even see the persistence in his eyes through his long eyelashes.

Zheng Xun asked meaningfully, "Is it okay to do anything?"

"Anything is fine with me."

Zheng Xun's sharp gaze suddenly fell on his face: "There is an opportunity, but can you do it?"

"This humble citizen is capable!"

"Don't rush, I haven't told you what I need you to do yet," Zheng Xun smiled subtly, watching his fingertips tremble slightly with nervousness. "What if I need you to revert to your female identity?"

Song Zhiling's pupils contracted slightly.

Zheng Xun's voice wasn't loud, but every word struck her heart like a heavy hammer, making her weak in the knees and dizzy.

The brief moment stretched out for an eternity; it felt like an eternity before she finally regained her senses.

“Princess…” She knelt on the ground, unsure of what to say.

Zheng Xun said softly, "Song Zhiling, nothing can be hidden from me."

Song Zhiling lowered his head and remained silent for a moment before speaking: "Princess, please forgive me. I am just unwilling to accept this. You are also a woman, and I am sure you can understand my thoughts."

Zheng Xun knew perfectly well what she was unhappy about.

Song Zhiling has had a strong competitive spirit since childhood. She always wants to compete with her older and younger brothers in everything she does. She doesn't think she is inferior to others, and naturally she is unwilling to live an ordinary life.

Of course, she could choose to marry a good husband and wholeheartedly support him, but Song Zhiling was unwilling. Rather than quietly helping others achieve success, she wanted to achieve success for herself.

There's nothing wrong with that. Zheng Xun is most grateful that the world is relatively open-minded, and women are not restricted to staying at home. Most importantly, they still have the ambition to change the status quo.

"What's the rush? I don't intend to punish you. But if I were to send you to the Brown Kingdom as a spy, could you possibly do it?"

Song Zhiling nodded hurriedly, then couldn't help but ask, "Is it necessary to restore my female identity?"

“Yes, but not necessarily now,” Zheng Xun smiled gently and steadily helped Song Zhiling up. “Zhiling, I hope that one day you can stand tall and proud as a woman, as a beacon, and tell everyone that what men can do, you can also do.”

What does it mean to be truly mind-blowing? This is it.

Song Zhiling had never imagined such a scenario; not that he couldn't, but that he dared not.

Can she really?

She absolutely must!

She clutched her chest, feeling her heart pounding wildly: "I am deeply honored by the princess's trust. If the princess were to grant me any assistance, I would certainly live up to your expectations!"

Zheng Xun was overjoyed: "Good! I was right about you!"

She claimed that her ability to make empty promises was second to none, and that she could not only make promises, but also get people to actually eat them. She said there was no one kinder or more lovable than her.

“You can’t go to the Brown Country without knowing anything about it. I’ll arrange for a few Brown Country people to teach you. You should study hard.”

Those spies who were caught but not executed in the past should be put to good use now.

Song Zhiling nodded obediently.

Zheng Xun, considering her youth, couldn't help but add a few more words of advice: "This is no child's play. For the people of Dayong, Heguo is no different from a dragon's den or a tiger's lair. You need to be prepared. If you change your mind, you can tell me at any time."

Song Zhiling was touched by her thoughtfulness, but such words were nothing short of belittling and provocation to her. Could she withstand that?

No, this will only fuel her fighting spirit.

Zheng Xun nodded in satisfaction: "You can go back now."

When she received a difficult task, she was not unhappy at all, but rather excited. Only someone who lacks opportunities would be so easily satisfied.

However, once she actually arrives in the Brown Kingdom, she will realize how fortunate she is to be a citizen of the Great Yong Kingdom. At that time, I believe she will love the Great Yong Kingdom to the point of death.

Of course, if she still chooses the path of the predetermined future, she will kill her with her own hands.

After sending Song Zhiling away, Zheng Xun turned to Duan Yunfeng and Liao Hongsheng and asked for a few prisoners, instructing them to make sure that the guards protecting Song Zhiling were properly arranged.

She made her request naturally, and Duan and Liao agreed readily, without ever even considering consulting the emperor's opinion.

Zheng Xun returned to the palace satisfied.

There was another person in the Imperial Study, the Crown Prince, who had been under house arrest for a long time.

Recently, a rumor has surfaced that Zheng Xun wields too much power, is dissatisfied with the Crown Prince, and is suspected of interfering with the succession.

Overnight, rumors spread like wildfire, as if Zheng Xun and the Crown Prince had become irreconcilable enemies.

Zheng Xun went through the system, and the emperor also investigated, but they found no trace of anyone stirring things up.

Actually, this was not unexpected. Zheng Xun had been very assertive since he appeared in the public eye, which left those who didn't know the truth confused. It can only be said that things broke out faster and more violently than expected.

But both Zheng Xun and the Crown Prince acted as usual on the surface, seemingly unaware of the conspiracy theories.

After Zheng Xun finished reviewing the memorials for the day and was about to leave, the Crown Prince called her back.

"Yuanjia, would you like to take a walk together?"

The lights flickered, blurring his face, but a faint, relaxed smile was visible at the corners of his mouth.

Zheng Xun nodded.

They said they would take a walk together, so their pace was naturally very slow.

Zheng Xun pulled his cloak tighter around himself. It was made by Zhichun, and the material was excellent; it wasn't heavy but was very warm.

"Is sister-in-law okay?"

“Great, the child is very healthy, and she has been looking forward to your visit to the East Palace.”

The crown prince spoke more and more slowly, and eventually seemed to hesitate.

Zheng Xun was the kind of person who never liked to let things linger overnight, so he simply said, "Brother, just say what you want to say."

“There have been some unpleasant rumors circulating outside lately…”

Zheng Xun turned around, took two steps closer to him, raised his head, and said earnestly, "Did you hear me, brother?"