Princess Zhenzhen shook her head repeatedly: “Mother Consort, I cannot do this. Miss Li cured my face—she has shown me kindness!”

“What does her kindness matter? Zhenzhen, don’t you understand yet? Your Father Emperor has hinted that Mother Consort handle this matter. If we don’t do it, do you know what will happen?”

Princess Zhenzhen’s face turned deathly pale, and she bit her lower lip tightly.

Consort Li placed the white porcelain bottle before Princess Zhenzhen, her tone heavy: “This bottle of medicine—either give it to Third Miss Li, or leave it for Mother Consort. Zhenzhen, you decide for yourself.”

Princess Zhenzhen stared at the porcelain bottle before her, her eyelashes trembling violently, as if seeing a flood or savage beast, stepping back repeatedly.

Consort Li didn’t rush her, maintaining her posture of holding the bottle, waiting quietly.

Princess Zhenzhen retreated until she reached the table with nowhere left to go, covering her mouth as she began to cry silently.

Consort Li turned her eyes away, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her eyes.

If she could avoid it, how could she bear to force her daughter like this? But living in the imperial palace, who wasn’t at the mercy of circumstances beyond their control?

She had never coveted positions like Empress or Noble Consort. Her only wish was for her daughter to find a good match and for herself to live out her remaining years in peace and safety.

She couldn’t let one bottle of medicine ruin everything!

The struggle and reluctance in Consort Li’s eyes flashed and disappeared, replaced by firm resolve.

After a long while, Princess Zhenzhen slowly stood up, wiped away the tears from her eyes, and reached out with trembling hands to take the white porcelain bottle: “I… I’ll go…”

Consort Li revealed a relieved smile: “Zhenzhen, you’ve finally grown sensible.”

Princess Zhenzhen looked at her mother, showing a smile more tragic than crying.

Consort Li embraced Princess Zhenzhen: “Zhenzhen, look at all these people of noble status in the imperial palace—they appear clean and respectable on the surface, but who among those who’ve reached high positions doesn’t have blood on their hands? Fortunately, you’re a princess and won’t need to stay in this sunless place forever. As long as you get through this ordeal and marry a good prince consort, you can live a clean and innocent life afterward…”

“Please don’t say anymore. I understand everything.” Princess Zhenzhen smiled bitterly, gripping the porcelain bottle tightly. “Mother Consort, I’ll return to my chambers first to tidy up, and have someone send word to Third Miss Li first.”

“Go ahead. It just so happens that Third Miss Li is ill, so your visit to see her would be perfectly reasonable.”

“Yes, Third Miss Li helped me so greatly—my visiting her is perfectly reasonable.” Princess Zhenzhen murmured.

“Zhenzhen—”

“Your daughter takes her leave.” Princess Zhenzhen turned and left without looking back once.

Consort Li watched Princess Zhenzhen’s figure disappear at the doorway with eager eyes, sighing deeply.

If there were a choice, who would want to force their daughter to stain her hands with blood?

Princess Zhenzhen returned to her chambers, her expression wooden as she instructed a young eunuch to go to the Li residence to deliver the message. She slowly sat before the Western mirror carved with climbing rose patterns, the mirror reflecting the girl’s peerless beauty.

Princess Zhenzhen raised her hand to gently caress her cheek, from her eyebrows to her lips, touching every inch. Suddenly, she collapsed on the table and began crying in anguish.

The attending palace maids exchanged glances. One stepped forward and called out carefully: “Your Highness—”

“All of you, get out!”

The palace maids dared not say more, silently withdrawing. Only the sound of Princess Zhenzhen’s weeping echoed in the room.

Jiang Yuanchao left the palace gates with dark clouds gathering on his face. He summoned his trusted subordinate and instructed: “Have someone secretly watch outside the palace gates. Follow any eunuch who leaves the palace to see where they go, and report back immediately.”

Shortly after Jiang Yuanchao returned to the Jinlin Guards headquarters, his trusted subordinate came to report: “Sir, a young eunuch left the palace and went to the Li residence on Xingzi Alley.”

Jiang Yuanchao’s eyes turned cold as a frozen pond. He picked up his brush to write a letter, thought for a moment, then tore the paper to shreds and summoned Jiang He with instructions.

Jiang He looked pained: “You want me to find that Chen Guang?”

He didn’t want to see that boy’s face at all—smiling as brilliantly as spring flowers while harboring a belly full of mischief!

“What, don’t want to go?”

“I’ll go, I’ll go! This subordinate will go immediately!” Jiang He hurried away.

Good heavens, today’s superior was too frightening—he’d rather go see Chen Guang.

After careful disguise, Jiang He appeared near the Li residence dressed as a beggar.

He weighed the broken bowl in his hand and smiled with satisfaction.

Hmm, he was getting more and more skilled at disguising himself as a beggar. At least it counted as a survival skill.

A strong wind struck from behind. Jiang He quickly dodged to the side and turned around: “Don’t attack, don’t attack!”

Chen Guang held a brick and sneered: “Boy, you think I won’t recognize you just because you dressed up like this?”

These damned Jinlin Guards were still lurking around the Li residence. If anything happened to Third Miss again, he’d just slit his own throat.

“Do I look that unconvincing?” Jiang He suddenly began to doubt himself.

It was one thing for Third Miss Li to recognize him at a glance, but why could this seemingly dumb boy also recognize him immediately?

He refused to accept this!

“I’d recognize you even if you turned to ash! Speak up—what are you plotting by lurking around here?” Chen Guang crossed his arms and asked.

Jiang He glanced around and lowered his voice: “I’m here to deliver a message.”

Chen Guang’s eyes narrowed, his hand instinctively raising: “Deliver a message? What message?”

“Watch your brick—keep it away from me!”

Chen Guang raised his hand and threw the brick away, sneering: “I haven’t even complained about your sour smell, yet you’re being picky? Hurry up and speak—I don’t have time to waste words with you!”

“Our superior wants you to tell Third Miss Li to be wary of visitors from the palace.”

Chen Guang suddenly narrowed his eyes: “What do you mean?”

Jiang He smiled smugly: “You definitely wouldn’t understand. As long as Miss Li understands, that’s enough.”

Chen Guang glanced at him and suddenly smiled: “Heh, whether I understand or not doesn’t matter. If your superior wants to speak with Miss Li, he still has to go through me.”

Jiang He’s face darkened—he was almost bursting with anger.

What kind of person was this? Just because your general was better at charming young ladies than our superior, you could act smug in front of him? You could only act triumphant because you were basking in your general’s glory—truly a petty person achieving success!

Speaking of which, their superior wasn’t competitive enough.

Jiang He suddenly felt somewhat disheartened and walked away dejectedly.

Chen Guang’s triumphant smile faded once he was serious again.

Hmph, daring to say he didn’t understand? One casual remark was enough to provoke you to death!

Chen Guang didn’t dare delay and quickly relayed the message to Qiao Zhao.

Although Qiao Zhao remained deeply wary of Jiang Yuanchao, she believed he wouldn’t say such things without reason. She pondered for a long time without reaching any conclusions, until she heard that Princess Zhenzhen from the palace would come to visit her. Only then did she understand where Jiang Yuanchao’s warning was pointing.

Princess Zhenzhen was coming to visit her, with the commander of the Jinlin Guards specifically sending someone to warn her—the connection was intriguing indeed.

Qiao Zhao slowly turned over, staring at the silver hooks on the bed canopy thoughtfully.

This meant Princess Zhenzhen’s visit would be harmful to her?

But what could Princess Zhenzhen’s purpose be in doing this?

One wave had barely settled when another arose—there was never a moment of peace. Qiao Zhao felt stifled and called out, “Binglu, open the window.”

Binglu opened the window. Outside, banana plants swayed gently in the breeze, their emerald green leaves washed clean, refreshing to behold.

Qiao Zhao lay on her side on the couch, gazing out the window, her lips curving slightly.

Whatever storms might come, she would be waiting.