Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 212: Betrayal

Looking at Prince Han, the strategist said in a deep voice, "Today, Zizhan is here to bid farewell to Your Highness."

For all these years, Su Juan had risen from an unknown merchant’s daughter to the position she held today, while Prince Han repeatedly lost power, which truly disappointed him.

Prince Han was slightly taken aback, "Sir, are you joking with me?"

Back then, it was him who had found me, saying that we shared the same aspirations and wanted to help me achieve greatness, assisting in everything.

And now he says he wants to leave?

Sensing Prince Han’s anger, Yan Zizhan did not back down, "Your Highness, the tides of the world are ever-changing. The alliance of the past was only for that time. Now, you and I are ultimately not on the same path, and thus I feel it’s time to leave."

"These past years, Your Highness has treated me with courtesy. I, Zizhan, am very grateful. If we meet again someday, I shall not forget our past acquaintance."

Saying this, without waiting for Prince Han to speak, he cupped his hands in salute and walked past Prince Han with large strides, leaving the Han Prince Mansion without looking back.

Prince Han clenched his fists and summoned someone, "Follow Yan Zizhan and see where he goes."

Over the years, he understood Yan Zizhan’s temperament. This person has strong ambitions and a ruthless mind. Previously, even when our conversations didn’t resonate, he never said he was leaving. Now he suddenly bids farewell; surely, it’s been long planned.

He had long known that this person couldn’t be kept, and he wanted to see what new opportunities Yan Zizhan had found.

...

The next deep night, Li Ming waited for a long time at the back door of the Prince Jing Mansion. After hearing footsteps, he opened the door, and someone, wearing a bamboo hat, walked in front of Li Ming, then followed him inside.

Li Ming led the person into the study, closed the door, and stood guard outside the study.

Song Qianfan lifted his eyes and glanced at the person, "You are an entire day late."

"Prince Han’s people were persistent. I used quite a bit of effort to shake them off."

Song Qianfan sneered, "Prince Han may wield military power, yet you’ve chosen me, the Heir. What is your intention?"

He would never think that a mere titular heir without power or troops would attract such attention.

The person removed the bamboo hat, revealing himself as Yan Zizhan, who said farewell to Prince Han the day before, "While Prince Han holds military power, he does not have the Heir’s grand ambitions, which is what I admire deeply."

"Besides, it’s not like the Heir has no soldiers."

Song Qianfan’s eyes suddenly turned cold, and Li Ming burst in, holding a long sword to Yan Zizhan’s neck.

He sharply rebuked, "What nonsense are you spouting!?"

Yan Zizhan chuckled disdainfully, "The Heir’s private military camp and recruitment of private soldiers aren’t something you thought no one knew about, are they?"

He took note of Song Qianfan’s reaction, "The disaster relief funds that the Heir seized that day must have run out by now."

Song Qianfan’s face looked grim, "How do you know?"

Yan Zizhan reached out to move the sword from his neck, but Li Ming didn’t budge. Only then did he say seriously, "I am here to pledge my loyalty to the Heir. Is this how the Heir treats someone with such intentions?"

Song Qianfan’s gaze deepened, and he waved his hand. Only then did Li Ming withdraw the sword, though he didn’t leave the study, waiting for his master’s command to take Yan Zizhan’s head.

Yan Zizhan’s lips curved slightly, "Having previously served Prince Han, I naturally knew some of the movements of the Prince Jing Mansion and Princess Mansion. Learning those things is not surprising."

"I did not inform Prince Han of these matters and even cut off Yu Zhong’s investigation from the Ministry of Justice, which shows my sincerity to the Heir."

"Otherwise, with the inefficiency of the Heir’s subordinates, you would likely be in the Ministry of Justice Prison by now."

Song Qianfan was slightly surprised, "It was you?"

That day, he found it strange that when the people sent to silence others arrived, they were already dead. He hadn’t imagined it would secretly be this person’s doing.

With a vigilant look, he asked, "What exactly do you want?"

Yan Zizhan smiled, "I have wealth and can help the Heir recruit more troops, aiding you in reaching the skies in a single bound. When you achieve greatness, all I ask for is a Dukedom. What does the Heir think?"

Song Qianfan’s narrow eyes slightly narrowed, "Your appetite is rather large."

Yan Zizhan laughed, "If my appetite wasn’t large, would I pledge loyalty to the Heir?"

Song Qianfan laughed twice, "Good, you suit my taste. As long as you faithfully assist me, when the great deed is accomplished, what harm in dividing the kingdom with you!"

Such a person, truly wasted under Prince Han!

Now that he’s used by me, will I fear not succeeding in our plan?

Yan Zizhan laughed obsequiously, "Thank you, Heir."

That night, upon leaving the study, Yan Zizhan’s demeanor turned somber, utterly different from his previously obsequious appearance.

He originally intended for Prince Han and Prince Heng to inflict mutual destruction on each other, allowing Prince Jing to benefit, and ultimately, using the charge of treason against the Pei Mansion to eliminate Prince Jing. Yet, Prince Heng brought ruin upon himself.

He had thought of using Prince Jing to eliminate Prince Han, but now Princess Jinyang emerged, completely beyond his control, and unknowingly she had taken control of the court, leaving no usable people within the six ministries.

Even from the Southern Country, there was no news, disrupting his entire plan, forcing him to deviate from it and plot anew.

Yan Zizhan coldly sneered, fortunately, this Song Qianfan was foolish enough.

Killing intent filled his eyes; the Emperor, Prince Han, Prince Jing, and that Princess Jinyang, he wouldn’t spare any of them.

He would make everyone in the world repent and atone.

...

At this time, in the Princess Mansion, Shen Ruhui informed Su Juan of the news just obtained from the Ruyi Building.

"That Yan Zizhan was originally a strategist by Prince Han’s side, and now he’s at the Prince Jing Mansion, likely now loyal to Prince Jing’s heir."

This matter occurred too suddenly; the people watching on Prince Han’s side reported swiftly that Yan Zizhan, having some abilities, eluded those following him. If not for others watching the Prince Jing Mansion, this might have gone unnoticed.

This Yan Zizhan was no ordinary strategist.

Su Juan wasn’t surprised by this news. Previously, during Song Qianfan’s ascension and rebellion, Yan Zizhan was with him. However, earlier, Yan only pledged allegiance after Prince Han’s death. Now, Prince Han hadn’t completely lost power, still holding military force, and the Emperor still trusted him, yet Yan hurriedly pledged loyalty to Song Qianfan.

Her brow slightly furrowed, she had previously thought this person merely a sycophant, not taking him seriously. Now, it seemed this person clearly understood the situation... and knew of Song Qianfan’s ambitions.

"Find someone to thoroughly investigate this Yan Zizhan, uncover his background, leaving nothing out."

Shen Ruhui nodded, "Alright, I intended to do that too."

After Shen Ruhui left, Su Juan brought up the system’s note panel, reviewing the events recorded from the previous two restarts. Most had already diverged entirely from before.

In hindsight, in past events, it was as if an unseen hand was pushing matters forward, but she wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination.

In the steps ahead, she needed to act with even more caution.