Three days later, Princess Zhenzhen, whose spirits had recovered considerably, bid farewell to Qiao Zhao.

“Miss Li, I’ve caused you trouble this time, making you treat me with acupuncture to drive out poison while you were ill yourself.”

Qiao Zhao had only suffered external injuries, and after these days of recuperation, her complexion looked much better. Hearing this, she smiled: “Your Highness, why say such things? If you can live the life you want in the future, it’s worth it.”

Princess Zhenzhen suddenly covered her face and cried.

Long Ying stood at a distance. Seeing Princess Zhenzhen cry made him somewhat uneasy, but he didn’t approach.

Qiao Zhao didn’t offer comfort either, only taking out a handkerchief to pass over.

Princess Zhenzhen took the handkerchief, wiped her tears, and smiled at Qiao Zhao: “Sorry, I don’t know why I suddenly felt like crying.”

Today, bidding farewell to Third Miss Li, she and Long Ying would leave the capital far behind. They probably would never return in this lifetime. Her ties to that cage were finally completely severed. Though she felt relieved, her heart still ached somewhat.

That was the place where she had lived for seventeen years.

“Miss Li, we’re leaving now.”

“Your Highness, take care.”

Princess Zhenzhen pursed her lips: “Don’t call me Your Highness anymore. Even Long Ying calls me Zhenzhen now. Don’t tell me you’re unwilling to call me by name?”

Qiao Zhao smiled and said sincerely, “Zhenzhen, take care.”

Princess Zhenzhen smiled back, then suddenly stepped forward to embrace Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao instantly stiffened slightly.

Aside from having grown accustomed to a certain someone’s hands-on behavior, she wasn’t comfortable with being too close to others.

But soon Qiao Zhao relaxed and returned to Princess Zhenzhen’s embrace.

Princess Zhenzhen released her grip, her face slightly red: “I know I wasn’t likeable before and even brought you quite a bit of trouble, but now that I’m leaving, I still want to tell you—regardless of whether you consider me a friend, in my heart I consider you one. I’m very glad to have met you.”

Miss Li was the most special girl she had encountered in her seventeen years as a princess. It was precisely because she had seen Miss Li living so freely and carelessly that she didn’t hesitate to cast off her princess identity.

“I’m leaving now.” Princess Zhenzhen smiled at Qiao Zhao.

“Zhenzhen—” Qiao Zhao called out.

Princess Zhenzhen stopped and looked at her.

“In my heart, you’re also a friend worth having.”

“Really?” Princess Zhenzhen’s eyes flashed with delight.

“Of course.”

Chen Guang approached: “Let’s go quickly. With so many people around now, it’s a good time to leave the city.”

“Then we’re off.” Princess Zhenzhen quietly left the Li residence accompanied by Long Ying.

Seeing Qiao Zhao standing motionless, Chen Guang comforted her: “Third Miss, don’t worry. Long Ying will take good care of the Ninth Princess.”

“Mm, Long Ying is utterly loyal—there’s indeed no need to worry about that.”

Chen Guang looked at Qiao Zhao with surprise: “Third Miss, you don’t think Long Ying’s feelings are simply those of protecting his master, do you?”

Seeing Qiao Zhao’s confused expression, Chen Guang said with exasperation: “Long Ying’s feelings for the Ninth Princess are those of a man for a woman!”

My God, Third Miss is so slow on the uptake—how hard must it be for their General?

Speaking of which, he was so clever and witty—why hadn’t he found a wife yet?

Chen Guang felt sorry for himself, looking at Qiao Zhao with melancholy.

Miss Qiao curved her lips: “Binglu, let’s go.”

What hadn’t she noticed?

A grown man being so gossipy—no wonder he didn’t have a wife.

Early summer had arrived. The weather outside was fine, and one princess’s death hadn’t had any impact on the capital. The streets were still crowded with people, bustling and lively.

The disguised Princess Zhenzhen and Long Ying mixed in with the crowd, walking toward the city gate.

A hand fell on Long Ying’s shoulder.

Long Ying, protecting Princess Zhenzhen, spun around abruptly.

“If you don’t want to make a move here, follow me,” the newcomer said in a low voice.

Long Ying glanced at Princess Zhenzhen and nodded slightly.

Princess Zhenzhen’s face went deathly pale, her body trembling like autumn leaves in the wind.

In that instant, various fates of having her identity exposed flashed through her mind like a carousel, but in the end, only unwillingness remained.

She had already planned where to go next, and had already planned how she and Long Ying would live frugally together in the future.

She understood fragrance blending—in the future, she could open a small spice shop, and perhaps she could even—

Princess Zhenzhen couldn’t continue thinking. She lowered her head, hid behind Long Ying, and silently followed forward.

The newcomer stopped in a secluded alley.

Light azure robe corners appeared in Long Ying’s vision. When Long Ying saw the person’s appearance clearly, his expression changed dramatically: “Commander Jiang?”

Jiang Yuanchao gestured for the Jinlin Guard who had led them here to stand watch at the alley entrance. He silently examined Long Ying, then turned his gaze to Princess Zhenzhen.

Long Ying blocked Princess Zhenzhen, his face full of wariness: “What do you want?”

Jiang Yuanchao smiled: “The antidote pill was delivered in time, wasn’t it?”

“So it was you!” Long Ying looked incredulous.

Why would the Jinlin Guard Commander help them?

Jiang Yuanchao smiled faintly: “I didn’t expect a small guard like you to be so bold as to take a princess from the palace.”

“Are you here to arrest us and take us back?”

“No, I just want to ask you—do you think a noble princess’s disappearance can truly be covered up? You should know that while the death of a random palace maid in the deep palace doesn’t matter, the loss of a guard will always draw questions.”

“I can’t worry about all that. Today, either I take the princess away, or you’ll have to step over my corpse to take the princess back,” Long Ying said coldly.

“You might as well take both our corpses back.” Princess Zhenzhen stepped forward, slightly lifting her chin and looking at Jiang Yuanchao expressionlessly.

She had long experienced how hard this person’s heart was. At least when Ran Ran died, she hadn’t seen him show the slightest pain. She didn’t believe he would kindly spare them.

Jiang Yuanchao smiled slightly: “I don’t have that hobby. However, I want to remind you that Consort Li’s actions haven’t escaped the Eastern Depot’s eyes. Wei Wuxie has already sent people out to quietly search for you.”

Princess Zhenzhen and Long Ying exchanged glances.

“What’s your purpose in telling us this?”

“Only one purpose—if you don’t escape the Eastern Depot’s pursuit, don’t sell out Third Miss Li. Otherwise—” Jiang Yuanchao’s smile faded, a cold light flashing in his eyes, “otherwise you’ll learn why crossing the Jinlin Guards leads to a fate worse than death.”

Princess Zhenzhen stepped forward to meet Jiang Yuanchao’s gaze, straightening her spine: “I don’t know your purpose in mentioning Third Miss Li, but you don’t need to say this. Miss Li is my life-saving benefactor—I wouldn’t stoop to such ingratitude.”

Jiang Yuanchao smiled: “I’ll believe that for now.”

If Princess Zhenzhen hadn’t chosen to take poison rather than harm her, how could he have possibly sent out that bottle of medicine?

“Alright, you may go.” Jiang Yuanchao tossed a token to Long Ying. “I hope you won’t need to use this. If you’re caught by the Eastern Depot’s people, remember to destroy it.”

Jiang Yuanchao turned and strode away, with Jiang He quietly following.

“Sir.”

“Mm?”

“Why bother whether they live or die?”

“Shut up!”

Jiang Yuanchao squinted in the brilliant sunlight.