Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

The thief was an acquaintance, so even though they were from opposing sides, Su Zhi wasn't too afraid.

She composed herself and began to probe for information.

"Getting back to the point, what brings you here today?"

Pu Hong smirked. "I guess you got a map from Jiang Rou. Give it to me."

The elevator car was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

After a long pause, Su Zhi chuckled, "How can you ask for something like this? I'll give you a map, what can you give me in return?"

Pu Hong revealed the silver needle between his fingers, his eyes gleaming with an air of unwavering determination.

"I can't give you anything, but I can make you lose something, like your child."

Su Zhi was not afraid at all. She slowly stroked her belly and looked at him defiantly.

"The map is in my mind. If you dare to make any rash moves, I'm ready to fight to the death. Neither of us will get what we want!"

Pu Hong was surprised to find that she was truly fearless, and the message in his eyes vanished instantly.

How much of this selfless sacrifice was for Xiao Zong, and how much was for herself?

"what do you want?"

The woman's dimples deepened. "Tell me who's behind this? Also, hand Xing'er over to me!"

This request made Pu Hong laugh.

What a lion!

His warm fingertips traced the silver needles as he said coldly, "Based on my deduction, Jiang Rou didn't tell you the secret of the map. You went out so early probably to find Jiang Xin to answer your questions! Trading a fragmented clue for all my trump cards, this deal is too much of a loss for me!"

Su Zhi closed her eyes. "Otherwise, you might as well just kill me, and we'll both have some peace and quiet!"

Pu Hong suddenly stood up, grabbed her shoulder, and pressed the silver needle in his hand against her neck. His knuckles inadvertently brushed against her earlobe, and the man's throat bobbed a few times as he suppressed the dryness in his throat.

"Since you refuse to submit, I have no choice but to take you away. You're not in a hurry, and neither am I. Let's see if your husband can sit still!"

Su Zhi opened her eyes, her long, raven-feather-like eyelashes fluttering, revealing her clear, bright eyes beneath.

"good idea."

She stretched out her arm and knocked on the side wall, "Uncle Qian, let's not go to the other courtyard, let's go somewhere else..."

She paused for a moment, then asked, "Where do you live now?"

Pu Hong frowned. Not only did she not make a fuss, but she was also very obedient. Could it be that she had discussed it with Xiao Zong and wanted to follow the clues to find their hideout?

He remained silent, so Su Zhi pressed her advantage, "What, you're afraid to tell me?"

Pu Hong gritted his teeth and moved quickly, immediately inserting the long needle into her acupoint.

Before she could utter a sound, Su Zhi was unable to speak. She saw the man holding a long needle and aiming it at her eyes, so she immediately closed her eyes tightly.

As Pu Hong performed his actions, he muttered under his breath, his voice filled with resentment and a hint of struggle, like an executioner holding a butcher's knife and shedding tears.

Soon, Su Zhi's vision went dark, and she was unable to move. Pu Hong tried to check on her several times, but when she didn't respond, he lifted the curtain and went out.

He drew his long knife and raised his foot to kick the coachman, but the old man was surprisingly agile and rolled down in one go.

His purpose was to obtain the map; he had no intention of committing murder. He changed direction and drove away.

After an incense stick had burned, the carriage stopped in front of a residence on the outskirts of the imperial city. When the servants saw him coming, they rushed forward eagerly, but he pushed them aside.

Pu Hong lifted the curtain, preparing to lift the person down, when an arrow whistled through the air, grazing the back of his hand and embedding itself in the stone lion at the gate.

Blood welled up instantly. He glanced to the side and saw Xiao Zong riding a tall horse ten feet away.

The man charged ahead without slowing down. The Leopard Guards followed closely behind, like a dark cloud covering the area.

The horse neighed and reared up, stomping at his face. He quickly dodged and galloped all the way to the steps, banging his palms against the door.

"Open the door quickly!"

The people who had greeted Pu Hong reacted quickly and ran over to join him in banging on the door. Soon, there was movement inside, and the door slowly opened, revealing a man dressed as a butler.

"Commander Xiao, Physician Pu," the steward bowed to the two men. "If you two have a misunderstanding, you can come inside the manor to discuss it in detail. Why did you have to fight like this in front of the gate?"

Xiao Zong glanced at the "Ma Mansion" signboard, then lowered his eyelids—the residence of the Ninth Prince.

Consort Liang, the Ninth Prince, and Pu Hong are all extraordinary figures. Once their alliance is formed, he and his child will have no chance of winning. Strike first, and now is the perfect opportunity to dismantle the alliance!

"There's no need for you to come to the manor. Please inform His Highness that I, Xiao, will visit you another day to apologize!" He waved his hand. "Take the prisoner away!"

The Leopard Guards quickly surrounded Pu Hong, twisted his arms behind his back, and dragged him away.

Pu Hong struggled violently and was about to speak when someone next to him quickly covered his mouth.

The steward stepped over the threshold and said, "Physician Pu is a distinguished guest invited by my master. I would like to ask Lord Xiao to give His Highness the honor of not taking him away yet. Otherwise, we servants will have difficulty explaining to our master."

"Pu Hong is suspected of plotting to murder Consort Yuan and attempting to kidnap my wife. I am upholding the law impartially, and I believe His Highness, being a man of principle, will not make things difficult for you over such a trivial matter!" He didn't want to waste any more words and lazily uttered two words, "Take him away!"

Upon receiving the order, the subordinates escorted Pu Hong back. The steward was so anxious that he stamped his feet and ordered the servants to rush to the palace to report the news.

Xiao Zong rode his horse to the side of the carriage and knocked on the side wall. "Zhi'er, it's safe outside now. Come out."

There was silence inside; not a sound could be heard.

Xiao Zong frowned, and with the scabbard in his hand, he lifted the carriage curtain and saw Su Zhi sitting opposite him.

From this angle, she should have been able to see him, but her eyes were extremely empty, staring blankly ahead, unable to focus. Her mouth was open, but no sound could be heard; her posture was too straight, as if she had been paralyzed.

Pu Hong did something wrong!

Xiao Zong was heartbroken. He should have realized it sooner. That southern barbarian possessed extraordinary skills and was far from benevolent. How could he possibly submit so easily?!

He jumped off his horse, leaped onto the carriage, and embraced Su Zhi.

"Don't be afraid, I've already captured Pu Hong. Once we get back, I'll have him release your pressure points immediately!"

Hearing his voice and feeling his body temperature, Su Zhi's heart finally calmed down.

She wanted to tell him that she was alright, but unfortunately she couldn't speak, so she could only blink at the source of her breathing.

Xiao Zong lifted her onto the horse's back, spurred the horse forward, and galloped to catch up with the group ahead.

Upon arriving at the Leopard Guard, Xiao Zong settled Su Zhi and then had Dou Zhao bring Pu Hong over.

He glanced coldly at the man on the ground and ordered, "Release her pressure points!"

Pu Hong rubbed his wrist, which was marked with red welts from the straps, and said nonchalantly, "Sure, give me a map in exchange!"

"If I had a map, how could I allow a child to put herself in danger? Only the child in the whole world knows what a map looks like. You should help her release her pressure points first. Once she recovers, she will naturally draw it for you!"

"No wonder she was so fearless; she was prepared all along. Commander, don't take me for a fool. What if I release her pressure points and you two turn your backs on me?"