Princess Mia and Gu Qianyin each managed to slay a few monster beasts, bringing the team's spoils to a considerable amount.
"Master Terra Su."
With this call, a figure suddenly emerged from the bushes beside the path.
"Miss Xueying?"
Terra Su was a bit surprised to see her. "Weren't you with the Third Prince?"
"Master Terra Su, Xueying finally found you."
Xueying spoke, glancing around before getting straight to the point. "I want to tell you something and hope you'll believe me."
"What is it?"
"The Third Prince plans to use this autumn hunt as an opportunity to attack the Crown Prince. He already knows which area the Crown Prince is in and is heading there with his men."
Xueying spoke hurriedly.
Upon hearing this, Terra Su raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Princess Mia.
"Why are you telling me this?" Terra Su asked.
Xueying bit her lip and said, "I know it seems strange for me, someone from the Third Prince's side, to come and tell you this. But please believe me, the Third Prince truly intends to harm the Crown Prince. If he acts like this before even ascending the throne, imagine how ruthless he'll be once he does. Those who opposed him in the past will have no good end."
"Master Terra Su, I beg you, for the sake of so many innocent people, please stop the Third Prince from ascending the throne. Otherwise, many innocents will suffer in the future." Xueying's eyes were filled with pleading.
This truly surprised Terra Su.
His probing gaze fell on Xueying, as if trying to see through her.
It wasn't that Terra Su was overly suspicious, but Xueying's actions were indeed questionable. As someone from the Third Prince's side, she came to Terra Su to reveal the Third Prince's plans and even asked him to prevent the Third Prince from taking the throne.
No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like a plot against Terra Su.
However, in Xueying's eyes, Terra Su saw nothing but clarity, with no trace of deceit.
Xueying felt a bit embarrassed under Terra Su's gaze, her pale cheeks turning slightly red. "If you think I'm lying, you can go to the valley thirty miles east and see for yourself if what I said is true."
"In any case, I sincerely hope you can stop the Third Prince."
"Though this request might seem unreasonable, I know you are close to the Crown Prince, so perhaps you could consider it as saving him. Could you?"
Xueying looked steadily into Terra Su's eyes and spoke softly.
"Alright, I'll go take a look."
Terra Su nodded in agreement.
With Terra Su's promise, Xueying finally turned and left.
Once Xueying's figure disappeared from sight, Terra Su spoke calmly, "What do you think?"
"Terra Su, don't fall for her trick," Gu Qianyin immediately replied. "She's with the Third Prince. Coming here to say this must be a ploy to lure you to the valley she mentioned. There might be an ambush waiting for you there."
"I don't think so."
Princess Mia shook her head. "If the Third Prince really wanted to act against Master Terra Su, with his character, he would attack directly, not send a woman to deceive him first."
A faint smile appeared on Terra Su's lips. "So you think the Third Prince truly intends to harm the Crown Prince, to commit fratricide?"
Princess Mia sighed softly. "Father's assessment of the Third Prince was indeed spot on."
"What did Marquis Anyang say about the Third Prince?" Terra Su asked, curious about how Marquis Anyang viewed the heirs he personally selected.
Princess Mia shook her head. "Nothing more than ambitious but lacking talent, hypocritical, and unscrupulous in achieving his goals. It seems Father has a keen eye for people."
Terra Su was initially surprised to hear this, not expecting Marquis Anyang to have such an evaluation of the Third Prince. It seemed he understood him well.
But upon reflection, it made sense. If Marquis Anyang didn't understand the Third Prince's character, he wouldn't have hesitated to make him the heir. After all, the Third Prince was her own brother's son, much closer in blood than the Crown Prince.
If the Third Prince had a better character, perhaps there wouldn't be any competition for the heir's position now.
"So, did Marquis Anyang foresee that the Third Prince might act against the Crown Prince during this autumn hunt?" Terra Su asked.
Princess Mia sighed softly, not speaking, but her expression said it all.
"Does Marquis Anyang intend to let the heirs fight among themselves?" Terra Su sighed. Though it wasn't his concern, such matters were always disheartening.
Princess Mia, however, smiled. "You mentioned the rules of the monster beast realm earlier, where only one cub survives. Why is it different when it comes to humans? The survival rules of a noble family are even more brutal than those of the monster beast realm."
Terra Su chuckled, acknowledging the truth in her words.
Marquis Anyang allowing the heirs to compete was a form of natural selection, where only the fittest would prevail.
This method was the only way to choose the most suitable person to become the next county king.
If an heir couldn't survive such competition, it only proved they lacked the ability and fortune to be the next county king. Even if they were forced into the position, they wouldn't last long, let alone strengthen Anyang County.
Terra Su understood this, but having been an Elixir Path Emperor in his past life, he viewed things from a different perspective.
In Terra Su's view, while competition was essential in noble families, it shouldn't be the sole focus. The character of the heir was crucial.
Otherwise, as Xueying mentioned, if the Third Prince ascended, those who opposed him would suffer greatly. What would be the point of choosing such an heir?
With this in mind, Terra Su said to the two women, "Let's go to that valley."
Princess Mia smiled slightly. "So, you still want to help my brother?"
"Even if it has nothing to do with the Crown Prince, I have someone with him now, and I must save him."
Terra Su said, looking at Princess Mia. "Speaking of which, you previously stopped me from teaming up with the Crown Prince. Could it be that deep down, you don't want him to ascend and prefer the Third Prince?"
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