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

The next day at noon, a group of strong martial artists arrived at the entrance of Weiyan Tower and swarmed inside.

It was as if this group had planned it in advance; without the waiter having to worry, the eight of them sat at one table and ordered the same food.

When Yuan Zhi returned from the winery, he was stunned to see the men sitting upright in the main hall.

Manager Li whispered, "He looks like someone from the government."

Yuan Zhi nodded and instructed his servants to take good care of him.

On the second and third days, this group of people arrived at the exact same time every day. Even though they hadn't been drinking, their voices were as loud as drunkards, scaring away several customers from the shop.

Yuan Zhi had a guess in his mind. After they finished eating, he followed the group and trailed them all the way to the Leopard Guard.

She tried to walk straight in, but was stopped by the guards who told her she couldn't go in.

Yuan Zhi said with a stern face, "You dare to stop the Commander's wife? Are you tired of living?"

The man immediately apologized, "Madam, please forgive me! I was blind to your greatness, please come in!"

"That's pretty much it!"

Yuan Zhi walked in, and the man muttered, "That's not right! Didn't the Commander and his wife divorce?"

The guard on duty nearby whispered, "Are you stupid? Didn't you see those guys who came back just now? What do you think they went to do? They were all sent by the commander to the store to put on a show!"

The man said "Oh," and then added, "So, our Lord Xiao... is pursuing his wife?"

"Yes!"

Yuan Zhi stopped a small flag and asked, "Where is Xiao Zong?"

Xiao Qi also went to Daishan and met Yuan Zhi. He hurriedly said, "They're interrogating prisoners in the jail. I'll take Madam in!"

Yuan Zhi followed behind him, thinking to himself, "Great Qi is prosperous and its people are thriving, so why are there so many corrupt officials to be investigated?"

The stench in the prison was unbearable. Yuan Zhi covered her mouth and nose, tears welling in her eyes. She told Xiao Qi that she would wait there and asked him to go and fetch Xiao Zong.

A short while later, Xiao Zong walked out of the passageway, holding a white silk handkerchief, wiping his hands as he walked.

Yuan Zhi frowned when she saw the bloodstains on the handkerchief.

It was a very small movement, but Xiao Zong noticed it. He folded the handkerchief and stuffed it into his pocket.

"Why did you decide to join the Leopard Guard?"

Yuan Zhi said, "Mr. Xiao, you've been so kind to my shop, I've come here specifically to express my gratitude!"

Xiao Zong paced back and forth, circling her once. "You came empty-handed?"

"Of course not, give me your hand!"

Xiao Zong obediently spread his hands, and Yuan Zhi slapped them on the ground.

"satisfied?"

The man grabbed her hand and quickly kissed it. "Satisfied!"

"you!"

Yuan Zhi raised his other hand to hit him, but Xiao Zong quickly let go and retreated.

The woman pouted, rubbing her hands on her clothes, her tone carrying a hint of threat.

"Wei Yan Lou is doing very well. You're not allowed to pay out of your own pocket to treat your men to meals at my restaurant anymore. How much money do you have to afford such extravagance?"

Xiao Zong stared at her provocatively, "We're already divorced, and you're still worried that I'll spend money recklessly? And you still say you care about me?"

"Don't be so conceited! I've come to Leopard Guard to demand an explanation. Your men were shouting and yelling in my shop, scaring away several of my customers. Therefore, your men will no longer be served in my shop!"

The man took a step closer to her. "Do you need compensation?"

Yuan Zhi put her arm in front of her, "I don't accept male beauty!"

"What are you thinking about!" Xiao Zong pulled off the money pouch from his waist and tossed it to her. "See if this is enough?"

Yuan Zhi opened it and looked inside. There was one gold ingot and five silver ingots. He had made a fortune!

She immediately changed her tune, "Enough! Enough! If there's nothing else, I'll be going now!"

"Don't rush off!" Xiao Zong grabbed her arm, pinning her against the wall, and whispered in her ear, "His Majesty is going on a spring hunt in the Western Hills in a few days. Would you like to join us?"

Yuan Zhi's almond-shaped eyes blinked, filled with longing. "Yes, will you take me?"

Xiao Zong sighed, "If you were still Madam Xiao, I could take you there legitimately. But you've already signed the divorce papers, so what right do I have to take you there?"

Yuan Zhi gritted her teeth, "If you won't take me, I'll find another way!"

"What plan do you have in mind? I don't know if Lan Yin can even leave the house. I heard that the Princess of Pingyi County has also fallen out with you. After returning from the Chu family's patriarch, Prince Kang swore that he would never eat meat or kill any living beings again. Otherwise, you could try to beg him!"

"Isn't there still Lord Feng?"

Xiao Zong was furious; Yuan Zhi always knew how to hit a nerve.

He put his hand on her waist. "You reminded me. So, I should give him a heads-up beforehand."

Yuan Zhi stomped on his foot. What a petty man! It seems that getting a divorce was the right thing to do!

Xiao Zong hissed in pain, rubbing her earlobe. "Say something I like to hear, and maybe I'll soften and help you!"

Yuan Zhi knew perfectly well that he wasn't looking for nice words; he was clearly possessed by a lecherous monster!

She put her hand on his shoulder, tiptoed, and kissed him. "This is more effective than sweet words. I'm entrusting the spring hunt to you, sir!"

Xiao Zong was moved and wanted to kiss her back, but Yuan Zhi crouched down and escaped from his arms, her laughter like silver bells. Sunlight streamed into the corridor through the window, and Yuan Zhi stood in the light, waving at him.

"Lord Xiao, don't forget what you promised me!"

After Yuan Zhi left, Xiao Zong rubbed his lips, a smile playing on his lips.

Little Fox!

*

On the 29th day of the first lunar month, a hunt was held in the Western Hills.

Flags flutter, and ten thousand horses gallop.

Li Kai, mounted on horseback, drew his bow and shot an arrow, his spirit undiminished from his prime.

Several princes followed closely behind, each one young and spirited, full of youthful vigor.

"Whoever hunts the most prey will be rewarded with this bow and arrow! My children, you must strive to do better and not be outdone by the Leopard Guards and the Imperial Guards! Xiao Zong, tone it down a bit, your eyes are practically glued to this bow of mine!"

Xiao Zong clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Majesty's words are law, you cannot go back on your word! I am determined to have this bow!"

"Of course, I am not such a petty person!"

At his command, the group spurred their horses and galloped into the dense forest.

Li Kai and his consorts watched from the platform, while the officials and noblewomen sat below. The area was surrounded by felt, providing both warmth and protection from the wind and sand—a double benefit.

Yuan Zhi was lounging on the cushion, peeling an orange with both hands, when she suddenly felt a burning gaze. She looked up and met His Majesty's teasing eyes.

She gave a stiff smile and quickly lowered her head.

Two days ago, Xiao Zong came to Wei Yan Tower and told her that she could participate in the hunt. His expression was exactly the same as the old emperor's eyes at this moment.

She couldn't understand what the two of them were up to!

Seeing the two seemingly exchanging glances, Zheng Xiangxiang felt a sense of impending doom and walked over to Li Kai, clutching her belly.

"Your Majesty, will there be venison later?"

Li Kai pulled her to sit beside him. "The imperial physician said you've been feeling nauseous lately, vomiting everything you eat. But today your appetite is good; you're even clamoring to eat venison!"

Zheng Xiangxiang said shyly, "I rarely eat these things. Perhaps... it's the baby in my womb that wants to eat them."

Li Kai laughed, pointing to her belly, "Little thing, even before you're born, your tastes are already so picky! You take after me, just like I was when I was a child!"