Best friends dressed up in ancient times to become mistresses? You run, I run too!

Meeting Shen Ningzhu's cold face, Jiang Xuan Yan smiled.

"Zhuzhu has a real talent for food. I only found out today that there is a snail rice noodle workshop here. I asked around and found out that it was founded by you and your sister."

I just don't understand. These two women look so delicate and frail, how come they have such strong tastes? Why do they have to create such smelly food?

Can't it be a little more fragrant and normal?

Shen Ningzhu was unwilling to elaborate, and casually replied, "That's all thanks to Xiaoyi."

After we'd had our fill of sightseeing, the crowd dispersed.

Such treatment is rare even during festivals. The maids, servants, and guards all returned home laden with spoils, their faces beaming with happiness.

Of the things Shen Ningzhu bought, she kept some for herself and distributed the rest to the people who served in the courtyard.

……

After a few uneventful days, Shen Ningzhu finally recovered and had Fuling spread the word a day in advance. The next day, she prepared to go out.

Jiang Xuan Yan couldn't refuse her, so he had no choice but to accompany her to town. Little did he know that this was exactly what Shen Ning Zhu wanted.

The group visited a cosmetics shop and a rouge shop, and then went to the largest restaurant in Luoshui Town, where they ordered a table full of food.

Halfway through the meal, a group of men in black suddenly broke down the door and surrounded Shen Ningzhu and the others.

A moment later, the crowd parted to make way, and Jiang Yanche, dressed in pristine white, strode through the door.

"It's been a long time, my dear brother."

When his gaze fell on Shen Ningzhu's face, he winked at her knowingly, "Zhuzhu, we meet again."

Jiang Xuan Yan visibly pursed his lips, quickly drew the sword from the guard's waist, and with a flick of his wrist, the tip of the sword flashed with a dazzling cold light as he thrust it towards Jiang Yan Che.

The opportunity is here.

Taking advantage of a moment when no one was paying attention, Shen Ningzhu pushed Jiang Yi aside and rushed in front of Jiang Yanche, using her body to shield him.

"Madam, what are you doing?"

Jiang Yi screamed in fright.

Fortunately, Jiang Xuanyan reacted quickly, managing to stop his momentum at the last second and changing the direction of the sword tip.

"Pfft-"

The blade that was meant to pierce Jiang Yanche's chest pierced Jiang Xuanyan's chest instead.

Warm liquid sprayed onto her fair face, sticking and sliding down her white skirt like bright red plum blossoms on winter snow.

Shen Ningzhu paused for a moment, then returned to normal.

Jiang Yi's eyes widened in fury, and he immediately rushed forward to support Jiang Xuan Yan's arm. "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

Jiang Xuan Yan shook off his support and stared coldly at the person opposite him. Only then did he remember that Shen Ning Zhu had never worn white before, except for the time she attended the flower viewing banquet with Jiang Yan Che.

Today, she specifically asked her maid to find her a moon-white brocade dress.

It turns out, it was to be a good match for him.

Looking at the handsome man and beautiful woman standing side by side in front of them, they really did seem to be of one mind and united against the common enemy.

Jiang Xuan Yan felt as if his heart had been squeezed tightly and then plunged into ice water, where it had been soaked for a long time. It was icy cold to the bone, bitter and unbearable, making it hard to breathe.

Ignoring his own injuries, his narrow phoenix eyes gradually turned crimson and distorted. He raised his head in confusion, staring silently into her eyes.

Even Jiang Yanche hadn't expected this turn of events.

He looked at Shen Ningzhu in surprise.

"you……"

"Shut up. If you want to live, take me hostage."

The other person raised an eyebrow, but instead of taking out a knife, he pulled her into his arms, his large hand firmly holding her soft, slender waist.

Jiang Xuan Yan's eyes turned bloodshot from the shock of this scene.

"Release her, and I'll consider leaving you a whole corpse."

"Is that so? It's still uncertain who will emerge victorious."

"You can try it."

"Hahaha, of course I know that my royal brother is quite capable. But... is my royal brother really not afraid that swords and spears have no eyes and might accidentally hurt your beloved little darling?"

Jiang Xuanyan:......

"Tsk tsk, it seems that my royal brother's charm is not so great after all. The beauty would rather go with me than you."

"Indeed, what normal person would like a monster who eats raw meat and drinks blood, who kills his father and regicide? Wouldn't he be living in constant fear and anxiety, sleeping in the same bed with his brother but dreaming different dreams?"

Jiang Xuanyan clenched his fist under his wide sleeves, his nails digging deep into his flesh, and bright red blood flowed out, dripping onto the ground in large drops.

My chest hurts terribly; I don't know if it's from a sword stab, or...

His vision blurred slightly. He blinked, then slowly curved his lips into a smile and reached out to Shen Ningzhu.

"Zhuzhu, come here."

His humble tone revealed a coaxing and fawning intent.

"My dear child, it was my fault before. I promise I will never force you to do things you don't like again, nor will I hurt the people around you. Please don't leave me, okay?"

Shen Ningzhu lowered her eyes and did not respond.

Jiang Yanche finally laughed.

His arrogant elder brother, could he really be as humble as a dog? Ah, it seems that even the most shrewd and capable person cannot escape the power of emotions.

Jiang Yanche suddenly became very curious: what would his elder brother become if he lost this woman again?

His original goal for today was to assassinate Jiang Xuan Yan, but now he has changed his mind.

"Everyone, listen to my command and cover my retreat."

"Yes."

Jiang Yanche gave Jiang Xuan Yan another wicked smile, "Royal brother, I've taken your woman."

After saying that, he quickly grabbed Shen Ningzhu and stepped back, with the people around him quickly blocking his way to cover his retreat.

"Trying to leave? Do you think I'm dead?"

"is it?"

Jiang Yanche slowly pulled out a dagger and held it to Shen Ningzhu's neck. With a slight tightening of his wrist, beads of blood immediately welled up on her snow-white neck, trickling down her delicate collarbone and rolling into her collar.

"Stop! Don't hurt her."

"Jiang Yi, let them go."

"But the emperor..."

They've been tracking Prince Chen for so long, and he's finally shown up. If they don't capture him all in one fell swoop, there will be endless trouble in the future.

Jiang Xuan Yan's sinister gaze swept over him.

"I say, let them go."

Jiang Yanche laughed triumphantly and quickly returned to their hiding place with Shen Ningzhu in his arms.

Good heavens, it was in a canyon, in a very large cave. No wonder Jiang Xuan Yan couldn't find him before. Such a hidden place is something most people wouldn't think of.

However, with the marks she left behind, it was easy to find her.

Jiang Yanche, you can't blame her for this. You can only blame him for being too arrogant and complacent, and for not taking her, a weak woman, seriously.

Shen Ningzhu found a clean spot to sit down and quietly stayed in the cave, keeping track of the time.

Just then, Jiang Yanche finished washing up and walked over.

He seems to have obsessive-compulsive disorder about cleanliness; even in this situation, he still makes sure to keep himself spotless.

He wore a jade crown and a gold and jade belt.

The robe, made of moon-white brocade, is exquisitely crafted and ironed perfectly, clearly indicating that it was recently made.

Even at this point, the burden is still so heavy; no wonder they can't go far.

At this moment, looking down at Shen Ningzhu, his gentle and captivating peach blossom eyes scrutinized her with great interest.

"I never expected you to suddenly save me."