You Jun had his wits about him. He had been waiting for the Crown Princess to ask about You Weixing. Once she asked, he would know who had rescued You Weixing and where he had been taken.

But Tie Ci had never asked, until this moment, when she inquired right in front of the prince’s manor. His heart suddenly tightened.

You Weixing should have been rescued by this person and sent to a safe place. Asking despite knowing the answer was just to make him uncomfortable, but why ask this question only at the manor’s entrance?

Suddenly recalling Tie Ci’s earlier words about putting on a good show for the common people, he felt an ominous premonition. But thinking it over, a show could be staged anywhere. Only at the prince’s manor—if the Crown Princess thought that just because she had entered once to rescue someone, she could cause trouble here, then it would truly be a case of having a path to heaven but refusing to take it, and having no door to hell but insisting on entering!

He smiled and said, “Weixing caught a slight cold and, fearing that the coming and going of guests for the manor’s celebration might affect his recovery, was sent to a villa outside the city.”

He spoke casually, and the Yannan people listened with complete indifference. You Weixing was just a fool anyway—however a fool was arranged was perfectly reasonable. Not sending him away—were they supposed to keep him in the manor to spoil the atmosphere during the celebration?

The Yannan officials smiled. Asking about You Weixing—how fearless! A mere fool, even if he ran off and got lost, no one could be blamed.

Insignificant. Did they really think they could use him as a breakthrough?

“Is that so?” Tie Ci’s tone revealed no emotion as she gazed at the long wall stretching into the distance. “Where is Weixing’s courtyard?”

“That would be Wanqing Garden, but right now…”

Tie Ci interrupted again. “Where is Wanqing Garden? Which direction?”

You Jun calmly pointed northwest, saying peacefully, “It’s rather secluded. Mainly because Weixing has quite a temper and tends to hurt people, so…”

He smiled with a mixture of pity and helplessness, and everyone nodded in understanding.

A madman, and a martial madman at that—truly difficult to handle.

Tie Ci nodded and headed in that direction. You Jun said nothing more and led the way.

The large group turned a corner in grand procession, where there was a small side gate. Seeing Tie Ci heading in that direction, You Jun said with difficulty, “Your Highness, as this is your first visit to the prince’s manor, you cannot enter through such a small gate that’s normally used for night soil and other filthy purposes…”

Tie Ci looked up at the wall. “Weixing’s courtyard isn’t far from here, is it?”

“It’s right against this wall, though there’s still a garden and corridor between.”

“The gate is too small. Just make it bigger.” Tie Ci tilted her head slightly.

Bu Qing let out a sinister laugh. Behind him, the Western Rong warriors lined up in formation, each drawing hook ropes from their backs. With swift motions, lotus-shaped precision iron hooks pierced through Yannan’s slightly humid air, carving countless pale streams in mid-air before brutally embedding into the solid manor walls built of red brick, rammed earth, and rice paste mortar. Countless muffled cracking sounds rang out.

“Heave!”

The Western Rong warriors’ exposed arms bulged with veins as the long ropes went taut. With a thunderous crash, the steel lotus hooks carried countless clouds of dust and bricks skyward, obscuring the hazy sunlight as an entire section of wall collapsed silently.

The wall now had an opening larger than a ceremonial gate.

You Jun, who had been smiling like a wealthy merchant, suddenly changed color.

Rapid footsteps came running from within the manor, mixed with cries of alarm. At the same time, a large group of guards hurried past You Jun to the breach, quickly moving aside broken bricks and rubble to clear a path.

These people worked without a word, moving swiftly with obvious training.

The manor’s guard troops who came to investigate the situation, after their initial surprise, quickly regained composure. Their footsteps were orderly and powerful—clearly You Jun had trained them well.

With dust still unsettled, the arriving manor guards couldn’t clearly see who had broken through the wall, but such behavior was intolerable. The lead guard had already drawn his blade, its bright gleam flashing in the deep yellow dust.

But an arrow whistled through the air, striking the blade’s hilt squarely and causing his hand to shake violently, dropping the sword back into its sheath.

A figure emerged from the group of manor guards. Though his face was unclear in the dust, his voice was sharp and full of killing intent: “Who dares destroy the manor’s walls? Death without mercy!”

Tie Ci raised an eyebrow—it was a woman’s voice.

But not You Weixuan’s voice.

This was interesting. The female heir of Yannan Prince’s manor couldn’t show her face publicly, yet here was someone unknown who had entered the inner chambers and was imperiously commanding the manor guards.

With her keen eyesight, she could already make out through the dust a rather beautiful woman’s face, quite young, about the same age as You Weixuan.

She had heard that You Jun had one son and two daughters, and that he doted on his children greatly. This must be his daughter.

Acting like the lady of the manor.

The foremost guard had already charged forward with raised blade.

Wan Ji and the others placed their hands on their waists.

You Jun shouted, “Stop!”

This prevented a brawl.

As the dust settled, Tie Ci was already standing at the breach, smiling. “Isn’t this much more spacious?” She entered first.

A flash of anger crossed You Jun’s face.

How tyrannical the Crown Princess was!

You Weinan had forgotten to fan himself, staring open-mouthed at the great hole, murmuring after a long moment, “Domineering!”

He wanted to quietly add “I like it,” but Murong Yi, walking behind Tie Ci, suddenly turned back and fixed him with a stare, causing You Weinan to swallow his words.

The Yannan Prefect, who had always been called the “Yannan Buddha,” turned to look at You Jun.

The reason for the “Buddha” title wasn’t that this prefect had a kind temperament, but that he was like a clay Buddha, sitting daily in Yannan’s nominally highest official position, neither speaking nor moving, showing neither joy nor sorrow, only receiving official incense while ignoring human love and hate.

At this moment, he was also watching You Jun’s expression, using his eyes to inquire whether, faced with such provocation, they should deploy the manor guards or call in troops.

You Jun shook his head slightly and took out a candied fruit to eat leisurely.

Because of this, he was a step slow and didn’t see that someone had blocked Tie Ci’s path.

Standing before Tie Ci was You Weiqing. She had ordered an attack but been stopped by her father and was feeling confused, when she saw the white-robed youth walking through the dust with composure.

You Weiqing was momentarily dazzled.

But the large group of guards that subsequently appeared behind the youth immediately made her understand who this person was who had so boldly demolished the wall.

A flash of anger and jealous hatred crossed her eyes.

The Crown Princess.

The most noble woman in Da Qian, who would be the most noble emperor in the future.

She, You Weiqing, should have been the most noble woman in Yannan, but had been suppressed by You Weixuan for over ten years. Now that You Weixuan had finally become fish on the chopping board, she had grown accustomed these past few days to striding confidently through the manor with everyone bowing and scraping to her. Suddenly, a more noble woman appeared right before her.

And in such a nearly tyrannical manner.

You Weiqing saw the Crown Princess advancing alone, with only a black-robed man behind her while the other guards hadn’t yet followed. She glanced back at the mass of manor guards behind her.

Suppressing a sinister smile, she covered one eye, pretending to have dust in it, while her other hand pretended to wave away the dust, calling out, “Where did this thief come from, daring to attack the manor!” Her waving palm intentionally aimed for Tie Ci’s face.

If this slap landed solidly, the Crown Princess would lose all face. And she could claim “ignorance is no crime” and “unintentional mistake,” couldn’t she?

The Crown Princess was merciful and wise—surely she wouldn’t quibble over such a thing?

She had heard that her father had repeatedly suffered losses outside the city. Now let her vent some anger for her father!

The excitement of wanting to show off and the hidden jealousy and resentment in her heart made her slap cut through the air with tremendous force.

You Jun, who had fallen a step behind, saw this and his face changed dramatically.

Whether or not this slap reached the Crown Princess’s face, it would create trouble!

He hurried forward: “Your Highness, please—”

Tie Ci suddenly raised her hand.

Blocking Murong Yi’s extending hand.

And saving You Weiqing’s life.

You Weiqing hadn’t yet reacted. She only saw a snow-white hand suddenly appear before her face, and no matter how she tried, she couldn’t avoid it. That hand looked clean and beautiful, but she felt an inexplicable palpitation.

Suddenly the hand stopped. You Weiqing saw the Crown Princess grasp that person’s wrist and turn to smile at him.

Whenever Murong Yi saw Tie Ci, he lost all temper, smiled, and lowered his hand.

Tie Ci turned to look at You Weiqing. You Weiqing had just relaxed when she realized she should pretend to have just recognized the Crown Princess and beg forgiveness.

Before she could arrange her pretentious expression, Tie Ci raised her hand again. You Weiqing’s body stiffened, but she saw Tie Ci reach out to touch the hairpin on her head, saying, “This hairpin is quite nice.”

You Weiqing was stunned, then smiled with slight pride.

See? Even the Crown Princess was showing her favor.

Wasn’t it because she knew she couldn’t afford to offend her father, who was Yannan’s real power holder?

She said softly, “Your Highness has a good eye. This hairpin is made from Huishan Purple Fluorescent Snow Stone, naturally purple with mixed natural snowflake colors. Moreover, it was carved with the exclusive ‘layered transparency’ technique of Da Qian’s premier Mingtang workshop, depicting the Purple Qi from the East landscape in multiple layers. It combines form, color, spirit, and meaning—a unique piece in this world, worth a thousand gold…”

Before she finished speaking, Tie Ci had gently pulled out the hairpin. You Weiqing’s color changed slightly, then she said with slight pride, “Since Your Highness likes it, I’m not unwilling to part with it…”

Tie Ci turned the hairpin, saying, “At the academy, I saw Weixuan wearing this.”

You Weiqing froze.

Tie Ci raised her hand, and the hairpin traced a purple arc, silently embedding itself in the flower wall opposite.

“I don’t want things from thieves,” she said. “I’m sure Weixuan wouldn’t want a hairpin that’s been defiled by a thief either.”

The jade hairpin pierced the hard stone wall, leaving only a small tip visible. Moments later, as a breeze passed, it crumbled to powder.

You Weiqing stood rigidly in place. In that instant of lightning speed, she had clearly felt the sharp, fierce wind cutting across her cheek, instantly chilling half her face to the bone. Then she heard someone in the crowd of common people cry out in alarm, and several women pointed at her face. The numbness throughout her body hadn’t yet faded when she instinctively raised her hand to touch her face, only to feel sticky wetness and red blood.

Across from her, countless people pointed at her face. Her father approached with an iron-dark expression, seeming to say something, but though his mouth opened and closed, she couldn’t hear what they were saying.

You Weiqing’s eyes rolled back and she collapsed.

She was supported by manor guards and carried away rather embarrassingly to treat the wound on her face.

Before You Jun could say anything, Tie Ci had already turned around, fixing her gaze on You Jun and saying gently, “The crime of failing to properly educate one’s daughter—I pardon it. Minister You need not thank me for my grace.”

These words nearly choked You Jun, while You Weinan had already started coughing loudly.

Gentle as wind and rain in attitude, tyrannical and domineering in action—the Crown Princess was truly a remarkable person.

After a long moment, You Jun’s breathing seemed to finally calm. The smile on his face had dimmed somewhat as he cupped his hands in salute, saying, “This humble official thanks Your Highness for your magnanimity.”

The Yannan officials all showed indignant expressions.

Tie Ci looked at him with amusement.

Perhaps only she noticed that until now, You Jun had been calling himself “this humble official” rather than “your subject.”

This was a subtle way of telling her that Yannan didn’t recognize the court’s authority.

Tie Ci wouldn’t quibble over a form of address.

If you don’t recognize it, I’ll just beat you until you do.

Standing at the breach, she looked back at the common people behind her.

The people at the back hadn’t expected that the seemingly gentle and approachable Crown Princess would act so tyrannically, and couldn’t help frowning, their hard-won good impression greatly diminished. But with the wall torn down and the breach opened, the usually mysterious and noble Yannan Prince’s manor lay exposed before their eyes. Everyone couldn’t help craning their necks, wanting to see more of the manor’s furnishings to have more material for conversation when friends gathered at teahouses and taverns.

Then Tie Ci turned back, beckoned with her hand, and said, “Come on, I said I’d bring you to watch a good show.”

The people were delighted and surged through the breach.

The opening was so large that entry was easy. The manor guards stared in shock, instinctively looking to You Jun. You Jun’s gaze fell on a middle-aged man across from him—his trusted aide and the manor’s chief steward. The man shook his head slightly, and You Jun relaxed, signaling everyone to step back.

Let them enter if they wanted. They’d see who would be unable to back down in the end.

He simply said, “Your Highness, do you plan to bring all three thousand of your guards into the manor? I fear the manor is small and weak, unable to accommodate so many people.”

“Minister You, don’t try to squeeze me into a corner,” Tie Ci laughed. “Princely armies may not leave their territories without cause, and likewise, Da Qian armies may not enter any princely manor without cause. I need only bring a few people inside.”

You Jun bowed and stepped aside, watching as Tie Ci indeed headed toward Wanqing Garden with familiar ease, his smile growing even broader.