My stepsister tried to steal the prince's hand in marriage, but little did she know I had been

Chapter 165 Late Night Visitor

Night fell like a curtain, and the entire capital city became quiet.

The market town where the post station was located had the strictest curfew; as curfew approached, not a single person could be seen on the road.

Even the slightest noise will be magnified at this moment.

At that moment, a dark shadow flashed past.

Immediately afterwards, more than a dozen dark figures appeared outside the post station.

They were dressed in all black, with only their eyes showing, almost blending into the night.

The tallest person in the group stepped forward slowly.

At the same time, the chirping of crickets sounded beside him.

Almost instantly, the window on the second floor of the inn was opened, and a person stood by the windowsill, gazing intently at the people below.

The leader leaped up to the second floor.

"It's been a long time." Yelü Dan sat down and poured herself a cup of tea. Despite her young age, she spoke to Prince Xin, who was more than twenty years her senior. "My dear nephew, what brings you here tonight?"

Prince Xin's face darkened. He was a proud man, and he was very dissatisfied that Yelü Dan, who was decades younger than him, addressed him in such a contemptuous tone.

However, he came today to reach a cooperation agreement with Yelü Dan.

"I'm here to help you."

As soon as Prince Xin spoke, Yelü Dan sneered: "You want to help me? Before I came to the capital, I inquired about you. In everyone's eyes, you are a cripple with both legs. The court officials avoid you like the plague. What can you do to help me?"

"Tell me," Yelü Dan said. "What do you want from your aunt?"

Yelü Dan uttered wild words, calmly watching Prince Xin.

Upon hearing this, Prince Xin's face turned ugly.

But soon, he raised his head and stared intently at Yelü Dan: "Do you really think the King of the Northern Di will pass the throne to you? You are just a woman."

“If you were a man, you wouldn’t be alive now.” Prince Xin looked at Yelü Dan’s face, which had suddenly turned ugly, with satisfaction, and continued, “No matter how incompetent or stupid your brothers are, they were born men, which means they are destined to receive more favor from the Northern Di King than you.”

"Even if you put in ten or a hundred times the effort, it won't compare to their innate status." Prince Xin sneered. "You came to the capital this time precisely because of the plan I mentioned?"

“Now we are in the same boat. I want Dali, and you want Beidi.” Prince Xin’s tone softened a bit. “Why beat around the bush? Let’s be frank. I need your help.”

"At the same time... I will also point out a clear path for you."

As Prince Xin spoke, Yelü Dan slowly tightened his grip on the teacup in his hand.

As Prince Xin said, she was able to become the most beloved child of her father because she put in more effort than others. Even so, the things she did for the Northern Di were still considered the achievements of her brothers.

Years earlier, she had discovered the connection between her father, the Khan, and Prince Xin. Seeing that her hopes of seizing the throne were fading, she took the initiative to contact Prince Xin.

Even his trip to the capital was at the behest of Prince Xin.

"You said that as long as I marry Xie Jinghan, you can help me ascend the throne." Yelü Dan squinted and stared at Prince Xin. She had the deep features unique to the Northern Di people, and at this moment her dark eyes made her seem even more insightful.

But Prince Xin hesitated for only a moment before saying, "Xie Jinghan is a beautiful woman."

With just one sentence, Yelü Dan believed half of it.

"I've heard he dotes on his queen. Is she truly as beautiful as a fairy?" Yelü Dan touched his face. "In your opinion, how does she compare to me?"

"I saw her from afar, and she was indeed beautiful." Prince Xin took a sip of tea and glanced at Yelü Dan again. "Compared to you... you each have your own charm, and you are equally beautiful."

Upon hearing this, Yelü Dan became interested.

She had complete confidence in her face, but Prince Xin said that there were other women in the world who were just as beautiful as her.

"What?" Yelü Dan's smile vanished as he thought of this. "Is your plan to have me seduce Prince Jing and induce him to betray the country?"

“No…no.” Prince Xin shook his head, his tone very calm. “Although Prince Jing is fond of beautiful women, he is not one to be indiscriminate in his dealings with enemies. Between the throne and the beauty, he always chooses the former.”

“However…” Prince Xin smiled, “you can use Prince Jing’s residence as a refuge. As far as I know, you have been targeted by many assassination attempts along the way, and most of your personal guards have been lost.”

“If you return to the Northern Barbarians, these guards won’t be enough to escort you safely to the capital.” Prince Xin glanced at Yelü Dan’s unpleasant expression and slowly took a sip of tea. “But if you become Prince Jing’s woman, at least your safety in the capital can be guaranteed.”

"Besides..." Prince Xin's words were full of temptation, "The entire border defense map of Dali is in Prince Jing's mansion. Don't you want to get it? If you get it, none of your brothers will be your match."

The King's words did indeed shake Yelü Dan's resolve.

—She had this idea in mind before she came.

“But my identity dictates that Prince Jing will be extremely wary of me,” Yelü Dan said coldly. “How important is the border map? How could he allow me to access it so easily?”

"That depends on your skills," Prince Xin smiled. "But I believe you won't leave empty-handed."

Don't you even have this much confidence in yourself?

The king's last words successfully persuaded Yelü Dan.

Yelü Dan knew that her beauty and wisdom were invincible weapons.

If she is used properly, not only Prince Jing, but even the Emperor...

"Why won't you let me into the palace?" Yelü Dan glanced at Prince Xin again. "You want to deal with Prince Jing?"

“That’s right.” Prince Xin nodded. “The emperor is nothing to fear. The true foundation of Dali lies with Prince Jing and his generals.”

“If Prince Jing marries you, he will have to hand over his military power,” Prince Xin sneered. “Even if he doesn’t marry you, as long as he has any entanglement with you, powerful families will swarm in and devour him.”

“By then, won’t your border defense map be in your hands?” Prince Xin stared intently at Yelü Dan. “I guarantee that after you succeed, I will send my most elite troops to escort you out of Dali.”

Yelü Dan met his gaze, and after a long while, she tapped the table lightly, as if deep in thought.

Just then, the sound of crickets began to chirp outside the window again.

Prince Xin knew that he was about to leave.

"Princess, your future is in your own hands."

When Prince Xin spoke, they had already reached the window.

Watching his retreating figure, Yelü Dan's hesitation finally vanished, and she decisively said, "I promise you."

After Yelü Dan finished speaking, Prince Xin had already disappeared from the window.

She looked out the window, and Xinwang waved to her.