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

Shen Ningzhu put on a flawless smile.

"I was bored and thought of weaving this for Your Highness. But then I thought, Your Highness is so noble, how could you wear such a worthless and vulgar thing? So... oh? Your Highness, you..."

Shen Ningzhu's face cracked.

Jiang Xuan Yan slowly raised his hand, pinched the red bracelet between his fingers, and leisurely fiddled with it. (Image of the "Love Knot" bracelet) "You're still the same as before, always making ugly things to please me."

Shen Ningzhu: ……

Hey, you idiot, why are you still holding onto this ugly thing?

Shen Ningzhu felt a tightness in her chest from anger, and her gaze inadvertently fell on his hand.

That hand looked incredibly precious, with long, slender fingers, distinct knuckles, and flawless, white skin.

But it was this very hand that easily plunged the dagger into the chest of the beautiful female prisoner, pushing it in little by little, and even slowly turning the handle before pulling it out.

Shen Ningzhu recalled that terrible scene again.

Jiang Xuan Yan coldly lowered his head, wiping his blood-stained fingers. His snow-white skin and bright red blood were as indifferent as if they were commonplace.

His phoenix eyes, filled with countless shards of ice, lazily slanted upwards at the corners, revealing a sharp, sinister glint.

Shen Ningzhu shuddered and stumbled back a few steps.

This action instantly caught Jiang Xuan Yan's attention. He glanced at her, and the temperature in his eyes suddenly turned cold.

He moved his boots, his heavy footsteps landing on the marble floor. He moved closer to Shen Ningzhu, his thin lips slightly pursed, and breathed a cool breath close to her ear.

"Zhuzhu~~~Are you afraid of being alone?"

Her voice was alluring yet sinister, sending chills down one's spine.

Shen Ningzhu sensed a strong killing intent emanating from him and quickly shook her head. The other party gave a mocking smirk.

"Oh? Then why are you hiding, hmm?"

His large hand caressed her slender waist, slowly pinching it before suddenly pulling her into his arms, while his other hand pressed against her cheek.

He lightly and almost imperceptibly brushed her skin with his fingertips, gently caressing it.

Wherever it passed, it brought a tingling, trembling sensation.

Finally, his slender fingers rested on the delicate, white swan neck, applying slightly more pressure.

He smiled warmly, but his dark, deep eyes, as deep as an ancient well, were gloomy and devoid of any warmth.

He was like the Grim Reaper, giving off an invisible sense of oppression, and Shen Ningzhu couldn't help but feel afraid.

After what he did, he still has the nerve to ask others why they're hiding? Shen Ningzhu's heart pounded in her chest, and she wished she could run away as fast as she could, away from this sickly slut.

Just when Shen Ningzhu was about to give up, the other party suddenly released her.

She lightly stroked the delicately embroidered cloud pattern on her clothes, flicked away non-existent dust, and looked up, her eyes cool and aloof.

"Shen Ningzhu, I know perfectly well how much of what you just said was true and how much was false. I can tell you clearly that the princess is not your enemy, and she will be leaving in a few days. So, you better behave yourself."

"Don't try to figure out who I am with, lest you ruin her reputation. Do you understand?"

???

That scoundrel of a man is definitely not easy to fool.

He even called her filthy, but she thinks he's the filthy one, his whole family is filthy, humph.

However, since he saw through her, he neither exposed her nor punished her, which suggests that he wasn't entirely without merit.

Since that's the case, Shen Ningzhu was too lazy to pretend with him anymore.

“Brother Yan, as you saw, she didn’t even leave the courtyard today. She was the one who came and bullied me first. My retaliation was just to protect myself.”

Jiang Xuan Yan nodded.

"The princess is only doing this for my own good, she doesn't mean to target you. You should stay in your own courtyard for the next few days and don't go out for the time being. I will make arrangements for the princess. Also, I need to go on a long trip."

"It will probably take about half a month to return to Beijing. During this time, you should behave yourself and not give anyone a reason to do something wrong. Otherwise, with your annoying and irritating personality, no one will care if something happens to you."

Shen Ningzhu was overjoyed.

Is that jerk going out?

Could she possibly fake her death? Thinking this, Shen Ningzhu couldn't help but smile. Great, good riddance, get out of here quickly.

Are you happy that I'm going out?

A sinister voice suddenly rang in her ears, startling Shen Ningzhu back to her senses. She dared not let her mind wander any further. This man was too sensitive; he had noticed her thoughts as soon as she had them.

"No, no, I..."

The fact that she answered so quickly clearly showed that she had something to hide, but it didn't matter. He didn't have time to figure out a woman's thoughts.

"In a little while, two old women and two maids will come to your courtyard. While I am away, they will stay by your side and supervise your every word and action."

That's all he could do; the rest is up to her to pray for the best.

After saying that, he left without looking back.

Shen Ningzhu found it amusing. This arrogant brat, arranging for someone to protect her but calling it supervision.

He cursed her for making ugly bracelets, but once he picked them up, he didn't put them down and took them with him when he left.

No, you idiot, what are you thinking? That's a serial killer, a living devil, and you dare to laugh at him? Shen Ningzhu, I think you've really had enough of living.

He slapped himself twice, trying to regain his composure.

……

Not far from the pavilion, seeing that her sisters were safe, Liu Zhiyi smiled with relief and found a secluded spot to continue eating sunflower seeds.

A moment later, a noise came from behind.

Hearing the familiar footsteps, Liu Zhiyi couldn't help but twitch her lips, continuing to eat sunflower seeds without turning around.

"Cough-cough-"

"Hey, you damned woman, didn't you hear I'm here?"

Liu Zhiyi rolled her eyes, turned around, put on a flawless smile, and bowed respectfully to him.

"Meet Master Pei."

"you……"

When did she become so polite? She wasn't like this before when she was with him. Now, her behavior felt strange to him, as if there had been an inexplicable distance between them.

He doesn't like this feeling.

Could it be that she met her master and successfully stayed by his side, achieving her wish, so she no longer needs to ask for his help?

Ha, it's all his fault for being too soft-hearted and agreeing to help her so easily. He should have delayed it for a while longer.

"Ahem, well, I'm going on a trip with His Highness the Crown Prince in a few days, and it might be a long time before I return. I came to see you before I leave. By the way, is there anything you want to say to me?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhiyi forgot all about eating her melon seeds.

"Are you going out? How long will you be gone, and when will you leave?"

Could she then try to run away with Zhuzhu? Thinking this, Liu Zhiyi felt a surge of excitement.

Pei Yun Chu paused, narrowed her eyes, and said in a deep voice, "You're happy to hear I'm leaving?"