Three days later, Princess Yongning arranged to meet Li Weiyang, but whether intentionally or not, she set the meeting place at that suburban garden.

“Does the Princess have something to say?” When Li Weiyang saw Princess Yongning, this was her first sentence. However, the other party waved her hand and said, “Let’s talk on the boat.”

With that, she ordered four maids to row the boat while she and Li Weiyang sat at the boat’s edge. The small boat then moved toward the center of the lake. Li Weiyang was momentarily puzzled by her actions, then gained some understanding. Was Princess Yongning afraid of walls having ears? But what matter could make the usually straightforward Princess Yongning so cautious…

“Weiyang, I called you here today to tell you that this time Yuexi’s imperial family—the Prince of Yan and Princess Anguo—have come for a marriage alliance with our imperial family.”

“A marriage alliance? With Princess Anguo?” Li Weiyang’s face showed only brief surprise before she became composed. Looking at Tuoba Zhen’s attitude, one could guess what the other party had come for.

“Not just Third Brother, but you as well.” Princess Yongning lowered her voice as she said this.

Li Weiyang was slightly stunned. Suppressing the shock in her heart, she said, “Is His Majesty planning to have me replace the Ninth Princess?” This question was very sharp, but she knew that with someone like Princess Yongning, one shouldn’t try to play mind games—being direct was better.

Sure enough, a trace of embarrassment appeared on Princess Yongning’s face, but she still spoke honestly: “Father Emperor indeed pities Ninth Sister. Moreover, she’s already engaged. No matter how powerful Yuexi is, they can’t forcibly take someone’s future wife, especially since Ninth Sister is marrying into Duke Luoguo’s residence. Apart from Ninth Sister, there are no other suitable-aged princesses in the palace, but there is one Princess Imperial. Speaking of it, it’s really too coincidental—the Empress Dowager had just enfeoffed you as Princess Imperial when Yuexi’s imperial family arrived.”

Li Weiyang sighed. There were never such coincidences in the world. The Empress Dowager had probably been calculating this long ago. Yes, compared to Consort De who used sinister methods to frame her, the Empress Dowager was so much more aboveboard. You rendered merit, didn’t you? So I’ll reward you handsomely. Not just anyone can become a Princess Imperial—isn’t such grace enough to make you delighted beyond measure? After you’ve been happy, good—the marriage alliance duty arrives. You’re unwilling? Why didn’t you say you were unwilling when accepting the Princess Imperial title? This is the price you must pay.

Compared to Consort De, the Empress Dowager’s methods were a hundred times more superior, leaving you like a mute eating bitter herbs—unable to voice your suffering. After all, Li Weiyang had originally been merely a concubine-born young lady from the Prime Minister’s residence. To gain the Empress Dowager’s favor and become a Princess Imperial was practically ascending to heaven in one step. Having enjoyed glory, wealth, and everyone’s envious jealous gazes, you should obediently go for the marriage alliance without the slightest room for refusal. Even knowing the other party calculated against you, you still had to dutifully express gratitude, because the Princess Imperial enfeoffment came first, and the marriage alliance matter came after.

“Speaking of it, Father Emperor is also helpless. I’m telling you this in advance so you can be mentally prepared.” Princess Yongning quietly observed Li Weiyang’s expression.

Li Weiyang merely smiled, showing no abnormality on her face as she said in a low voice, “Thunder, rain, and dew are all imperial grace. Since Weiyang has accepted the Empress Dowager’s favor, naturally I must help relieve His Majesty’s and the Empress Dowager’s worries. So even if the marriage alliance is real, Weiyang can only accept it.”

“At least it’s as principal consort.” Princess Yongning’s eyes flashed with secret delight. She had thought Li Weiyang would strongly object. After all, no one would willingly abandon a good life to start over thousands of miles away in an unfamiliar place. What she was doing was indeed selfish to the extreme, but it was for her younger sister, the Ninth Princess. If Li Weiyang didn’t go, the Ninth Princess would have to go. “That Yuexi is different from our Great Li. Adult princes are all enfeoffed as kings with their own residences. The Fourth Prince, Yuan Yu, is enfeoffed as Prince of Yan. His mother was originally a beautiful maid in Empress Pei’s palace. After his mother passed away, he was raised by Empress Pei, so he’s equivalent to being Empress Pei’s own child. His status is much more noble than ordinary princes. It’s not really wronging you.”

Li Weiyang smiled as she listened. In Princess Yongning’s view, that Yuexi Prince of Yan had imperial bloodline after all. Although his mother’s birth wasn’t high, he was personally raised by the Empress, equivalent to Empress Pei’s biological son with extraordinary status. You, Li Weiyang, although also concubine-born, without the Empress Dowager’s elevation, you would be nothing. So this marriage wasn’t just not wronging you—it was practically an elevating promotion.

She was now certain that Princess Yongning had come on the Empress Dowager’s orders to give her a hint. Incidentally warning her that if she dared say “unwilling” again this time, only death awaited her. One could imagine what fate awaited those who dared refuse.

“I heard that Prince of Yan hasn’t yet taken a consort. Once you marry over, you’ll be the Prince of Yan’s consort. Moreover, you’re marrying as Great Li’s representative—they wouldn’t dare wrong you no matter what.” Princess Yongning softly persuaded.

Li Weiyang sneered coldly. If a Great Li princess married over, the other party might still have some apprehension. But with her status—neither possessing distinguished imperial position nor having family close by, being thousands of miles away—even if wronged, she could only swallow it, unable even to return home to cry. Compared to those consorts of illustrious backgrounds, she really could only stand aside. Actually, never mind being wronged—if she accidentally died, as long as a document said she died of illness, who would investigate? By then, if the Prince of Yan married several secondary consorts from great clans, life would become even more interesting. Thinking this way, Li Weiyang instead smiled.

Princess Yongning continued persuading. Li Weiyang’s gaze had already shifted to the distance. In this world, the Emperor always had the final say. They could control everyone’s fate without allowing resistance. But the Emperor’s position—ultimately, one day it would change hands…

In the distance, the lake water was emerald green, lotus leaves fresh and tender, lotus flowers in full bloom—breathtakingly beautiful in the pool water. Li Weiyang’s body tilted slightly as she shallowly extended her fingers into the water, creating ripples across the surface with the boat’s movement.

“Weiyang, although I haven’t met that Prince of Yan, Yuexi’s imperial family’s handsomeness is renowned. Just look at Princess Anguo’s appearance to guess a bit. I’ll speak to the Empress Dowager and find a way to have you meet once.” Princess Yongning, seeing Li Weiyang smile, thought she was quite satisfied with this marriage. Though inwardly surprised, she continued, “In my view, marrying over is good. In Great Li, finding a man who matches you isn’t very easy…” Formerly when Li Weiyang was the Prime Minister’s daughter, one or two could be selected from noble houses. Now that she was noble as Princess Imperial, this marriage became even harder to arrange. It required both matching status and the other party’s willingness to marry. Who knew how long it would drag on? Li Weiyang was not young anymore—even the Li family’s Fourth Miss had people coming to propose marriage, yet she remained with no inquiries…

It was only because she had made things too bitter with the Jiang family initially, leaving herself no way out. She had spread quite a reputation for being fierce. Looking at it this way, going for the marriage alliance was actually an unavoidable path.

Li Weiyang’s arm shallowly extended into the water, parting the emerald waves. The smile on her face remained faint throughout—neither objecting nor agreeing, not even showing the shyness of an ordinary girl.

Yongning couldn’t help but secretly sigh in her heart. If not for the Ninth Princess, she really didn’t want to do this thankless task. In her view, why make this trip? Li Weiyang was originally a minister’s daughter—just issue an imperial edict directly. Why the fuss? But the Empress Dowager said she was someone with strong opinions. If something happened, it wouldn’t be good. It was better to first clearly analyze the pros and cons for her, making her sincerely express gratitude.

The imperial family was just this hypocritical—slap you in the face, knock out two teeth, yet still make you smile gratefully.

Li Weiyang was thinking about this matter when suddenly she heard a maid beside her shriek. Princess Yongning quickly turned toward the rear. Her face suddenly showed a horrified expression as she abruptly stood up. One of the maids, overly shocked, dropped her oar into the lake with a splash, creating a large spray of water.

Li Weiyang looked in the direction of their gazes and actually saw Tan Yun standing on the rocks outside the pavilion railing in the center of the lake, swaying precariously.

“Quickly row over there!” Princess Yongning was completely stunned, while Li Weiyang calmly and quickly ordered. Only then did the four maids react, hurrying to row the boat in that direction. But before they could reach there, Tan Yun had already jumped into the water with a “splash,” creating a huge spray.

Princess Yongning was completely frightened, almost unable to say half a word.

The maids all shouted for help at the top of their lungs—guards were stationed near the lake. Li Weiyang also ordered the rowing maids to quickly paddle the boat toward Tan Yun, extending the oars to her so she could grab on and not sink. Unexpectedly, Tan Yun had no intention of grasping the oar at all. Instead, she sank straight down into the lake water. Soon even her head couldn’t be seen.

“No good—she has something tied to her body!” Li Weiyang frowned. In the blink of an eye, a maid who knew how to swim entered the water, quickly swimming toward where the other party was sinking. She dove down and directly fished up the unconscious Tan Yun. With others’ help, they temporarily dragged Tan Yun onto their boat. Li Weiyang saw that Tan Yun’s feet were indeed tied with a stone, making her whole body sink just now. This showed she was determined to seek death.

Li Weiyang personally massaged her abdomen. Seeing there was no water in her belly, she patted her face, trying to make her wake up a bit, and ordered the maids to remove their outer robes to drape over her.

Princess Yongning stared blankly, almost at a loss, while simultaneously feeling ashamed. She was the eldest princess and the host. Encountering such a sudden situation, she actually didn’t know what to do. On the contrary, Li Weiyang remained so calm, as if she were even more mature than her.

“Is she still alive?” Yongning said anxiously.

Li Weiyang gently brushed aside the disheveled hair on Tan Yun’s face and discovered her brows were tightly knit, teeth clenched, as if seeking death wholeheartedly. She couldn’t help but sigh: “Still alive, but not much different from dead.”

Yongning didn’t understand what she meant by this and was somewhat stunned. At this time, the maids had already rowed the small boat to shore. A group of people clumsily helped Tan Yun ashore, hurrying off in a panic to fetch a physician. Princess Yongning, seeing Li Weiyang’s expression was wrong, said, “What on earth is going on? Wasn’t she fine here?”

Li Weiyang glanced at Princess Yongning and shook her head. This—shouldn’t she be asking such an outsider about this, should she? Just then, Tan Yun suddenly woke up and immediately tried to get up. The maids beside her immediately tried to hold her down, but she bit one maid’s arm like a madwoman. Her whole face showed a crazed expression—even her eyes were blood-red. Li Weiyang keenly noticed that all ten fingernails on Tan Yun’s extended fingers had been peeled off. Every single finger had been crushed by something unknown into deformity, blood-soaked and terrifying. She involuntarily retreated half a step.

Tan Yun was a famous pipa master. With her hands in this condition, how could she perform in the future? Li Weiyang looked at Princess Yongning and saw her face also showed an extremely shocked expression as she shouted sternly, “What is going on?! What happened to Master Tan’s hands!”

In the Great Li dynasty, women with skills were usually respectfully called “Master.” Mo Niang was thus called, as was Tan Yun. At this moment, seeing Tan Yun’s such wonderful pair of hands become like this, Yongning couldn’t help but be startled. Her first reaction was that the maids hadn’t taken good care of her. Who knew all the maids looked at each other, completely unable to say half a word. “Princess… Princess, this slave doesn’t know either!”

The maid who had been caring for Tan Yun stumbled over at this time, knelt on the ground, and said, “Princess, spare my life, Princess spare my life! It’s this slave who was negligent in watching, which allowed Master Tan to wander around—”

Yongning, seeing Tan Yun’s crazed appearance, frowned and said, “What exactly happened? Master Tan was perfectly fine yesterday! How did she get injured like this today, even losing her sanity, and just now tried to jump in the lake! How exactly were you watching her!”

That maid trembled all over in fear: “This slave… this slave doesn’t know how it became like this either! These past two days after Master Tan moved into the residence, her mood remained depressed. Last night, whether from hallucinations or not, she suddenly said she saw some black-robed man. After that, she began acting strangely and quickly went mad. This slave watched her day and night according to the Princess’s orders, but she made a fuss all last night. All the slaves were utterly exhausted. At dawn, we couldn’t help but feel drowsy. She took this opportunity to run out. I truly don’t know how she got injured or why she wanted to throw herself in the lake—”

“Nonsense! How could she be perfectly fine yesterday and mad today! Where in the world is such logic!” Princess Yongning shouted sternly.

Li Weiyang looked at Tan Yun and couldn’t help but fall silent. She could basically guess why Tan Yun went mad. For someone who viewed the pipa as life, suddenly having her fingernails peeled off, her hands destroyed, making her unable to ever hold a pipa again—it was equivalent to killing her only reason to live. She suffered tremendous shock at once, wishing she could throw herself into the lake and die. This feeling was understandable. However, that someone could avoid so many people’s surveillance to strike at Tan Yun was truly too shocking. Moreover, just like with Mo Niang—if there was deep hatred, just kill her directly. Why torture people like this?

Mo Niang was a dancer. What she valued most was her slender body and a pair of soul-stirring beautiful eyes. So the other party destroyed her beautiful skin and gouged out her lovely eyes. But Tan Yun was a pipa master, so the other party unhesitatingly destroyed Tan Yun’s hands—such thinking was a thousand, ten thousand times more vicious than directly killing the other party.

Princess Yongning’s face was deathly pale: “Who exactly dares to strike inside the Princess’s residence?”

Li Weiyang stared at Tan Yun’s mangled hands: “Naturally the one who murdered Mo Niang.”

Princess Yongning showed a puzzled expression: “But if they wanted to strike, they clearly could have killed Tan Yun together that day. Why go to such trouble and wait three days?”

Li Weiyang sneered coldly: “That you’d have to ask the mastermind behind it.” Actually, she could vaguely guess some clues. Mo Niang’s death was because of Tuoba Zhen’s inadvertent help—Princess Anguo couldn’t tolerate her. As for Tan Yun, it was because out of sisterly affection she had helped Mo Niang speak a few words. That person’s meaning was: You want to help her? I’ll make you watch the other party die in agony. Then you must live in constant terror of being silenced, and bit by bit I’ll torture you to death.

This twisted mindset couldn’t be explained to outsiders and sounded so incredible. But Li Weiyang could roughly guess, because just looking at Princess Anguo’s eyes, she felt the other party harbored unfathomable darkness in her heart. Imperial family members often viewed human life as grass, but in Princess Anguo’s eyes, human lives were even more unfortunate than grass—entirely a game, a game to make her happy. Everyone was a chess piece in this game. In her innocent face was hidden infinite cruel malice. Extremely clever and strange, yet willful and capricious—her behavior was simply incomprehensible, completely unreasonable.

“I’ll order the Capital Magistrate to thoroughly investigate this case and definitely root out the mastermind behind it!” Princess Yongning said indignantly.

Li Weiyang shook her head. Root them out? Even if rooted out, what could be done? Would Great Li risk antagonizing Yuexi to punish Princess Anguo? No matter if the Capital Magistrate initially held the spirit of discerning truth, in the end it would become chasing shadows and calling a deer a horse. Because no matter how just or selfless he was, he couldn’t possibly dare accuse a Yuexi princess. Because Great Li’s relationship with Nanjiang had always been tense—they desperately needed Yuexi’s stance… Yao Changqing was an upright official, but he also knew what constituted major principles. Yuexi’s princess killing someone was minor; the country and people were major. If truly investigated to the end, not only would it create wrongful cases, but the wrongful cases would snowball bigger and bigger until uncontrollable. Li Weiyang knew this. Princess Yongning wasn’t stupid either—she must understand in her heart. Otherwise, she wouldn’t, like Tuoba Zhen, choose to tolerate Princess Anguo’s arrogant behavior. So Li Weiyang merely said, “Princess, first treat Master Tan’s illness.”

Princess Yongning was instantly speechless. She glanced at Li Weiyang, cursing Princess Anguo a thousand times in her heart. They were all imperial family members—no one was nobler than anyone else. Although Great Li couldn’t compare to Yuexi’s wealth and power, it wasn’t a weak country either. If it were any other time, she would have long since ordered people to detain Princess Anguo. But now the situation was very special. Even Father Emperor was fawning over her, attributing all of Princess Anguo’s behavior to being pampered and willful… Two days ago when the Ninth Princess returned to complain, she had thought the Emperor would help seek justice and severely discipline Princess Anguo. Who knew Princess Anguo merely handed over a guard as a scapegoat for accidentally injuring the Ninth Princess and that was that? Father Emperor also turned a blind eye and sought peace. Yongning was helpless about this abnormal situation and simply couldn’t understand. At this moment, she could only sigh and wave her hand: “Take her down.” The maids exchanged glances before helping Tan Yun down.

Princess Yongning looked at Li Weiyang: “Weiyang, regarding today’s matter—”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Princess, as you said, leave everything to Magistrate Yao. I’m sure he’ll quickly find the culprit.” She wouldn’t manage this matter because it had nothing to do with her. She wasn’t a savior—she wouldn’t save unimportant people. Tan Yun and Mo Niang—even if she wanted to save them, she couldn’t meddle. Provoking the Yuexi imperial family would bring endless trouble to Minde. She naturally understood which was more important. So as long as Princess Anguo didn’t provoke her, she would act as if nothing had happened.

Li Weiyang emerged from the Princess’s residence. Bai Zhi and Zhao Yue were waiting for her by the carriage. Seeing her come out, Zhao Yue immediately followed her into the carriage.

Li Weiyang glanced at Zhao Yue and asked thoughtfully, “Zhao Yue, if you siblings joined forces, could you defeat that scarred man beside Princess Anguo?”

Zhao Yue was stunned, as if not realizing Li Weiyang would ask this question. For a moment she couldn’t speak, her face slightly pale.

The carriage had now started moving forward, leaving the Princess’s villa for the official road. Li Weiyang, seeing her troubled appearance, said, “If you don’t want to say, forget it.”

Zhao Yue shook her head and said through gritted teeth, “If it’s just him alone, this slave and elder brother together should be able to hold him off. But if all four of them joined forces, it’s hard to say.”

Li Weiyang nodded: “This is already much better than I imagined.” Seeing Zhao Yue’s face showing shame, she was about to comfort her with a few words when suddenly she heard horse hooves behind the carriage—fast and urgent. In the blink of an eye, four riders charged up from behind the carriage’s side, surrounding the carriage on all sides. One of them laughed heartily: “I heard the Ninth Princess of Great Li is riding in this carriage. Lift the curtain and let me see!”

Li Weiyang was stunned. Zhao Yue had already lifted a corner of the carriage curtain but blocked Li Weiyang behind her. With just one glance, all the Li family guards had already been knocked to the ground, and she hadn’t even had time to notice.

“Have your princess come out to see me,” that person laughed loudly.

Zhao Yue raised her head to look at the other party and couldn’t help but be shocked.

What met her eyes was an extremely young man in gorgeous robes, splendid and brilliant as a phoenix. He had an unbelievably beautiful face—phoenix brows, expressive eyes, vermilion lips, jade nose. His exquisite features were so perfect not a single flaw could be found. This kind of charm was a transcendent magnificence beyond gender and appearance. Zhao Yue, following Li Weiyang, had seen countless handsome men and beautiful women. Apart from Li Minde, whose beauty couldn’t be gazed upon directly, she had never seen such a pretty man. Yes—although Li Minde’s appearance was beautiful, it absolutely wouldn’t make you think of a woman. But this man before her eyes was extremely feminine, extremely gorgeous. If not for the Adam’s apple on his throat, you simply couldn’t believe he was a man.

He tilted his head. A smile rippled across his face, beautiful enough to startle the heart. Yet the corners of his mouth contained a playful smile with an ill-intentioned flavor—possessing a beauty between man and woman, dangerous yet evil: “Tsk tsk, this girl is actually not bad-looking!”

Behind him were six guards in green robes. The leader was broad-shouldered and barrel-chested, appearing even uglier beside this beautiful youth. He struck forward flatteringly and smiled: “Your Highness, should this subordinate thoroughly lift the curtain?”

That gorgeously-dressed young master smiled: “No need, no need. The Ninth Princess should also be very happy to meet me!”

Zhao Yue, seeing him speak thus, was furious and rebuked, “This is not the Ninth Princess’s carriage. Please leave immediately, sir!” If it were ordinary times, she would have already flown up to give this fellow a sword strike. But seeing those six guards in green robes, she didn’t move. Just from their internal energy, those six unremarkable-looking people were top experts. She could fight them, but she couldn’t risk Li Weiyang’s safety.

That gorgeously-dressed young master dismounted with a rein pull, smiling: “Not the Ninth Princess? That’s fine too. Such a luxurious carriage—the owner must be a beauty! They say Great Li women have unique charm. These days I’ve played with several—bland as white dough, letting you knead them however you want. Truly tiresome. Even the maid in this carriage is so pretty—the mistress must be no worse. Quickly lift the curtain for me to see!” That guard in green robes joined in laughing: “Your Highness speaks thus—could it be you want to taste her fragrance?” The gorgeously-dressed young master smiled: “I’m just afraid this young lady won’t be willing.” The guard in green robes smiled: “With this subordinate here, for Your Highness to have this woman is easier than reaching into a bag to retrieve an object!”

Zhao Yue’s face had already turned livid. Li Weiyang said calmly, “Just lift the carriage curtain. With my appearance, I’m afraid the young master will lose his appetite upon seeing.”

The gorgeously-dressed young master clearly didn’t believe her. His slender, pale hand held a fan, the corners of his mouth lightly hooked, beautiful eyes like water. Before speaking, he already contained three parts smile—call it romantic if you will, call it frivolous if you prefer. He just waited for Li Weiyang to lift the carriage curtain.

Zhao Yue turned to look and was greatly shocked, then awakened with a smile: “Then, young master, look carefully.” With that, she completely lifted the carriage curtain, revealing Li Weiyang’s appearance inside the carriage.

Sitting in the carriage was a beauty with delicate features. Unfortunately, somehow, that beautiful face was covered with pockmarks—not only a great spoiler to the scenery, but one pockmark actually grew on her eyelid, extremely strange and ugly. That gorgeously-dressed young master was shocked. Then the curtain suddenly dropped. Zhao Yue called loudly, “You’ve already seen my young miss’s appearance. Can you leave now?”

The gorgeously-dressed young master and the six guards were all dumbfounded, even forgetting to speak. The gorgeously-dressed young master turned and slapped that guard in green robes with a crack: “Where did you find such an ugly monster? You actually dare make me look! You’re simply tired of living!”

The broad-shouldered, barrel-chested guard in green robes was completely stunned, kneeling on the ground trembling: “Yes, yes, Your Highness spare me! This subordinate must have made a mistake! This subordinate knows my crime!”

Zhao Yue suppressed a laugh: “Won’t you let us pass?”

The gorgeously-dressed young master waved as if shooing flies: “Go, go, go!”

Zhao Yue secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She knew Miss didn’t want to provoke trouble today, so she ordered the carriage driver: “Move quickly.”

Who knew before the carriage had gone a few steps, that guard in green robes murmured, “How could I have made a mistake? Clearly they said it was this carriage!”

The gorgeously-dressed young master thought something was wrong and shouted sternly, “Stop!” Zhao Yue’s heart sank. That guard in green robes had already pressed forward. She drew her long sword, suddenly feeling a very powerful soft force deflect her long sword. Involuntarily, her chest was completely exposed. That broad-shouldered, barrel-chested guard’s pair of iron palms, like a great axe and long halberd, cleaved through the air. Zhao Yue hastily touched ground with her left foot, her right foot soaring. She flew down from the carriage. In an instant, the two—one long sword, one pair of fists—fought for twenty rounds.

The more Zhao Yue fought, the more uneasy she felt. That guard in green robes was also shocked. This trip to Great Li, he had encountered no opponents. Who expected to meet this slip of a girl Zhao Yue—not only could he gain no advantage, but was faintly restrained by her. Zhao Yue seized an opening and sent a signal into the air. The man in green was stunned, immediately understanding, but without a word, quickly attacked upward.

That gorgeously-dressed young master, seeing the two in deadlock, his expression uncertain, glanced at the others and smiled: “Are you all foolish?” The others immediately snapped to attention. Five long swords attacked Zhao Yue together.

Rip—

Zhao Yue’s clothing was torn by a long sword. Her back was already injured. She gritted her teeth, turned to block the second sword, while entangling several people so they had no opportunity to approach the carriage. During her movements, the wound on her back split open. Blood kept flowing. In this situation, she couldn’t hold on much longer.

Recently the capital’s atmosphere was tense—everywhere searching for those who murdered the Jiang family. Originally, hidden guards assigned to protect Li Weiyang had all been targeted, so they had no choice but to temporarily withdraw. Going out, they only sent capable Li residence guards for protection. But this wasn’t strange—who would dare openly rob in the capital, and on the official road at that! As long as she held on a bit longer, seeing the signal, Master and elder brother would definitely bring people for rescue! Zhao Yue hesitated no more. Her movements became even swifter and fiercer. Her left hand turned, snapping onto a guard’s wrist with a crack, instantly breaking the other’s wrist bone.

Li Weiyang had already lifted the curtain, frowning as she watched this scene. She indeed had a mind full of schemes, but at this moment, they were completely useless. If reasonable people had come, she could still try to negotiate with them, haggling, because her status was special and she had a silver tongue—she had absolute confidence she could turn danger into safety. However, what came was a group of inexplicable people. What exactly was the other party’s purpose! No, wait—looking at the young master’s appearance, and they called him Your Highness—could it be—

Although Zhao Yue was a top expert, facing the siege of six highly-skilled guards, she had no way to easily win. Suddenly her left shoulder took a palm strike. She knelt with a thud, making a crisp sound of bone breaking. Blood gushed out in large masses, dripping on the ground—shocking to see.

Li Weiyang couldn’t help but clench her hands, eyes wide as she watched this scene—”Stop!”

The gorgeously-dressed young master suddenly glanced at her, waving his fan leisurely: “What are you? By what right do you tell me to stop!”

Li Weiyang lightly brushed her face, already revealing her originally delicate appearance: “I am Princess Imperial Anping, the person you’re truly looking for.” Just now she had merely dotted her face with sesame seeds from pastries. Now she revealed her true face.

The gorgeously-dressed young master was stunned, then laughed heartily: “So what? Since this girl dared resist, I can kill her first, then take you away.”

“Crack!” Another sound of bone breaking. Zhao Yue’s left leg was also kicked hard, as if the bone itself cracked open with a sound. She knelt on the ground. Clearly unable even to stand, she still straightened her spine, wildly swinging her long sword like a madwoman, not letting the other party have a chance to break free.

Li Weiyang watched coldly, as if Zhao Yue’s life or death had nothing to do with her. But her voice was more cruel and icy than ever before: “Prince of Yan, for every wound on my maid’s body, I want one of your men dead. If she dies, I want you, dignified Prince of Yan, to be buried with her. Do you believe it?!”

The gorgeously-dressed young master found her words interesting and couldn’t help but wave his fan and laugh heartily. Deep in scheming, he naturally wouldn’t truly believe Li Weiyang had this ability. He laughed a few times, looked at Li Weiyang and said, “You—” Originally he wanted to say, if you have this ability, I’ll kneel and kowtow to you. But when he met that pair of icy eyes, he was momentarily speechless.

How could anyone in this world possess such a gaze—icy, melancholic, without the slightest emotion? She was simply stating a fact, definitely not threatening him. She was merely telling him that if Zhao Yue was injured in one place, she would have his guard die. If Zhao Yue died, she would avenge that girl, taking his life, the Prince of Yan, as burial.

No, wait—she called him Prince of Yan! She clearly knew his identity! Yuan Yu was completely stunned. He stared fixedly at Li Weiyang. Yet the other party also looked at him. Those eyes like ancient wells revealed not a trace of fear.

From the intelligence he’d obtained, Li Weiyang was merely a lady of noble upbringing who gained the Princess Imperial position by currying favor with the Empress Dowager. He hadn’t expected her to have such icy eyes—simply unlike those of a living person, without a trace of mortal warmth. A girl this age shouldn’t have such eyes. Even among his group of heaven’s favored daughters sisters, including Princess Anguo and other ruthless girls, none would reveal such terrifying eyes.

“Stop!” he said instinctively. Those six guards in green robes immediately stopped. Zhao Yue had already sustained multiple injuries but still forcibly supported herself to stand. Dragging her injured leg, she returned to the carriage side. She didn’t even have the strength to board the carriage—she could only lean against it. The driver had long been frightened into trembling, not daring to speak at all. As for those Li family guards, they had long since fled who knew where.

Yuan Yu stared at Li Weiyang, not speaking for quite a while.

This seemingly delicate young woman radiated an imposing aura like an unsheathed sword. On her beautiful face, not the slightest panic or fear could be seen, as if she weren’t in a desperate situation of being coerced.

This young woman was truly arrogant! Yuan Yu scrutinized Li Weiyang. Though he remained impassive, undoubtedly Li Weiyang had already left him with this impression: This was a proud and formidable young woman. Though her situation was unfavorable, she neither retreated nor felt herself at a disadvantage. Of course, there was also one possibility—Li Weiyang was blindly arrogant. However, Yuan Yu also understood this possibility was extremely small. No woman had ever been like Li Weiyang in giving him such tremendous pressure, making it difficult to breathe. He instinctively broke the frozen silence, saying coldly, “Bring the carriage back.”

Li Weiyang lowered the curtain. She didn’t even ask where they were going. Yuan Yu increasingly couldn’t fathom Li Weiyang’s thoughts. He waved his hand: “Bring that maid too!” Afterward, the group passed through the official road and disappeared into the forest at the side, quickly vanishing from sight.

Upon reaching a residence in a hidden location, Yuan Yu had people remove the blindfolds from Zhao Yue and the others. He politely invited Li Weiyang into a room, then stared at her, examining her up and down with seven parts provocation, three parts wariness.

Yuexi’s Prince of Yan, Yuan Yu, had grown up beside Empress Pei. His status and position were a cut above others. To this day, he was already noble as Prince of Yan. Only, clearly he had captured Li Weiyang, yet he truly didn’t understand why her expression remained so calm.

“Are you worried?”

“Naturally worried.” Li Weiyang said indifferently. Yuan Yu’s face momentarily showed disappointment. He had originally thought Li Weiyang would definitely say something, but hadn’t expected she was only like this—frightened by him into obediently speaking, seemingly without even the desire to resist. Yet Li Weiyang calmly continued, “I wonder when I can see those six guards’ heads?”

Yuan Yu didn’t catch on, instinctively replying, “What did you say?” With his status, saying such words made even himself feel somewhat embarrassed. He could only cough lightly to cover his awkwardness.

Li Weiyang looked at him coldly: “The Prince of Yan and Princess Anguo are both Great Li’s honored guests—allies His Majesty invited. Yet you struck to abduct Princess Imperial Anping, even injuring my guards. This is Yuexi’s provocation toward Great Li, an undisguised conspiracy. Your entry to the capital this time, ostensibly for goodwill alliance, is actually colluding with Nanjiang—your purpose is to subvert our Great Li’s realm and slaughter our Great Li’s people!”

“You’re spouting nonsense! I merely invited you as a guest—”

After pinning such an unbearable hat on Yuan Yu, Li Weiyang continued, “Princess Anguo first humiliated our country’s princess—that was already not knowing propriety, not understanding rules! Considering the imminent alliance, since she voluntarily pushed forward a scapegoat, our His Majesty temporarily forgave her arrogance. Then she sent people to kill Mo Niang and harm Tan Yun. After all, we have no evidence and didn’t catch her in the act—this can also go unmentioned! But today I was forcibly abducted/kidnapped on the official road. My personal maid had to fight desperately to protect me. This matter was witnessed by dozens of Li residence guards—I didn’t fabricate it myself. If I cannot return safely, my father, Prime Minister Li, even for the sake of our Li family’s reputation, will bring this to the Golden Throne Hall. By then, the Prince of Yan’s evil deeds will be proclaimed throughout the realm.”

“I—Li Weiyang, don’t spout nonsense everywhere. I was sent by the Yuexi Emperor for alliance. When did I collude with Nanjiang!” Yes, he captured Li Weiyang with other purposes, but the Yuexi Emperor sending him was genuinely, truly for alliance. This was absolutely not false.

The Yuexi Emperor had of course sent the official Xiao Zhengtian specifically for alliance. This person was upright and straightforward with renownedprestige. Now, he had already negotiated terms with Li Xiaoran and signed the alliance treaty, showing Yuexi people were serious about alliance. Moreover, not only did Great Li need them—they also needed Great Li. If Great Li’s alliance was to avoid Nanjiang’s harassment, then Yuexi wanted to swallow all of Nanjiang. When dealing with Nanjiang, they naturally hoped Great Li could become an ally, then the two countries could share benefits and spoils of war.

Princess Anguo clearly came with Yuexi’s envoys to tour Great Li… Prince of Yan ostensibly was Yuexi’s envoy, but he had actually come for other matters. The person behind him was Yuexi’s Empress Pei! In a short time, Li Weiyang had already sorted out this entire matter. Precisely because Empress Pei’s purpose was unspeakable, the Prince of Yan used this method to “invite” her. But this matter could only proceed privately. If exposed all at once, the Prince of Yan couldn’t bear the consequences, and Empress Pei would also be accused of obstructing the alliance and bringing calamity to the country and people.

“You—” Yuan Yu stared at Li Weiyang in shock. He, the kidnapper, hadn’t spoken yet, and she actually dared to seize the initiative. “If this matter is exposed, your reputation will be ruined. Do you dare speak?!”

Li Weiyang suddenly laughed softly. Her smile was simply full of malice. She raised her head, staring at Yuan Yu’s overly beautiful face, sneering, “Reputation? What kind of dogshit is that! Prince of Yan, do you know what kind of person I, Li Weiyang, am? Do you know why at my age I’m still unmarried! Without investigating clearly before coming to make trouble—you’re really, stupidly enough!”

Yuan Yu’s face turned alternately livid and pale, almost unable to say half a word—what kind of person was Li Weiyang? How would he know! He had never taken this girl seriously. She was merely a frail woman. Though intelligence said this person was highly suspicious, with strong character, he had never believed it. But now, look at what a hot potato he’d captured!

He captured Li Weiyang with ulterior motives—naturally he couldn’t let her die. But if the Li family truly exposed this matter, he would become the sinner who destroyed this Great Li-Yuexi alliance. Even if Empress Pei protected him, Father Emperor and those stubborn Yuexi old ministers would devour him alive—

Li Weiyang, truly damnable!

Thinking this, he put on a smiling face: “Princess Imperial, I merely invited you as a guest. It hardly counts as abduction. Why must you stake your own reputation to slander me?”

Li Weiyang glanced at him: “Then execute those six guards, and we’ll talk again.”