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

Jiang Xuan Yan's expression remained indifferent.

"No need, I don't believe in ghosts and gods."

Shen Ningzhu hurriedly said, "I know Your Highness is a descendant of the dragon and phoenix, and must be blessed with great fortune, but I am truly worried... Please grant me permission, Your Highness, just to put my mind at ease."

Jiang Xuan Yan narrowed his eyes.

"You are unusually gentle today, unlike your usual self."

Shen Ningzhu's heart tightened. Meeting those deep eyes, she felt inexplicably flustered, afraid that he would notice something. She could only clench her hands tightly, using the pain in her palms to force herself to remain calm.

"I...I just..."

Jiang Xuan Yan raised his hand to stop her from speaking, "Alright, tomorrow at 3:45 AM, just go to the gate of the mansion to take the carriage."

Shen Ningzhu was overjoyed. "Thank you, Your Highness."

After saying that, she turned around, lifted the hem of her skirt, and left like a fluttering butterfly.

The next day, Shen Ningzhu got up very early, which was unusual for her, and dressed very formally.

She specially chose the embroidered dress that the Crown Prince had given her last time, and also asked her maid to bring along the Suzhou embroidered moon-flower dress, the floor-length water-sleeved pleated phoenix-tail dress, and the jade-colored embroidered folded branch and flower-patterned ruqun.

The excuse is: it's easy to sweat in the summer, so you can bring it along so you can change it anytime if needed.

Young ladies from prominent families in the capital would bring spare clothes, jewelry, fruits, snacks, cosmetics, and so on when they went out. Those who were more particular would also bring tea and teacups.

Therefore, no one questioned this action.

She was adorned with a complete set of ruby ​​headdresses, and her snow-white wrists wore a pair of translucent, high-quality Hetian jade bracelets. Judging solely from this bright and flamboyant outfit, she didn't seem like someone going to sincerely worship Buddha.

Paper Kite cautiously reminded:

"My lady, if I may be so bold, is it inappropriate for you to be dressed like this to worship Buddha today?"

"I meant nothing by it, I was just afraid that it would be too ostentatious, and that Buddha might take offense..."

Shen Ningzhu smiled, pursing her lips.

"It doesn't matter, that's it."

She didn't actually go to worship Buddha; she just symbolically lit an egg. She didn't go in front of Buddha, so why blame her?

After getting ready, they headed towards the gate of the mansion, with Liu Zhiyi carrying a chest full of clothes and jewelry on one side.

Soon, the two arrived at the gate of the mansion, where a carriage was already waiting.

When the coachman saw her coming, he bowed respectfully and placed a footstool. Shen Ningzhu stepped onto it herself, and as soon as she lifted the curtain, she froze on the spot.

Seeing that she hadn't moved for a long time, the person inside grew impatient, his brows furrowing.

"Aren't you coming in?"

The man looked over with a cold gaze, his tone forceful.

Lying on the grass—

What's this plague god doing here? What's he doing here? Judging by his appearance, is he planning to accompany her to worship Buddha? What a lunatic! Doesn't he not believe in ghosts and gods?

Shen Ningzhu felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, leaving her feeling utterly chilled.

The original plan was instantly disrupted.

But we've already come this far, so we have no choice but to grit our teeth and continue.

With the Crown Prince present, Liu Zhiyi couldn't ride in the carriage. She could only put the trunk inside and walk alongside it. Fortunately, the temperature wasn't too high at this time, so walking wasn't too uncomfortable.

After Shen Ningzhu was settled, the carriage slowly began to move.

Halfway there, Shen Ningzhu slightly lifted the curtain of the car window and exchanged a glance with Liu Zhiyi outside.

The other person immediately understood, and as planned, suddenly bent over, clutched their stomach, and whispered "Ouch!"

Shen Ningzhu quickly told the driver to stop the car.

"Xiaoyi, what's wrong?"

Liu Zhiyi's face scrunched up as if she was trying to suppress her discomfort. "My lady, my stomach suddenly hurts so much."

"How could this be?"

"In reply to your question, my lady, perhaps I accidentally ate something bad this morning. But don't worry, my lady, there seems to be a clinic up ahead. I'll go there and have a doctor take a look. But that might take up some time."

Shen Ningzhu quickly said it was alright and told her to go see a doctor first.

Liu Zhiyi was a little worried, "But..."

"It's alright. His Highness is with me here. What are you worried about? Go quickly, get the medicine, and then go back to the Crown Prince's residence to rest."

Liu Zhiyi nodded, clutching her stomach as she walked toward the pharmacy.

The carriage started moving slowly again, and Shen Ningzhu sat back down, no longer looking out the window, preparing to close her eyes and pretend to sleep.

But she inadvertently met Jiang Xuan Yan's scrutinizing gaze.

Shen Ningzhu was startled and unconsciously sat up straight. "Your Highness... why are you looking at me like that?"

Jiang Xuanyan's cold eyes held a half-smile.

"Your maid is unwell, aren't you going to go see her?" Is it really necessary to go to Putuo Temple today? Before, you were so angry with him that you almost wanted to fight him, and you cried so ugly.

Today, he didn't even care about that maid.

He wanted to see what it was about Putuo Temple that attracted her so much, making her so reckless.

Shen Ningzhu chuckled twice.

"Well, you heard it too. She just had an upset stomach and is fine. Besides, Your Highness is about to leave, and I am really worried. I just want to get a good luck charm for Your Highness as soon as possible. Only with Buddha's protection can I feel at ease."

Jiang Xuan Yan looked straight at her.

After a long while, he finally smiled meaningfully.

"I never imagined that Zhuzhu was so devoted to me."

Shen Ningzhu quickly replied with a fawning smile, "That's right, that's right. My heart for Your Highness is as clear as day and night. I would do anything for Your Highness without hesitation."

Tsk——

Listen to how touching these words are! She can't tell what that scoundrel is thinking, after all, he always has that deadpan expression.

Anyway, she was quite touched.

Half an hour later, the carriage stopped at the foot of a mountain. The driver whispered, "Your Highness, we have arrived at the foot of Putuo Temple."

Shen Ningzhu let out a deep breath, thinking, "Finally, we've arrived."

She had been sitting next to an iceberg the whole way, and even without an ice basin, she was freezing. Finally, she could breathe some fresh air.

So when Jiang Xuanyan got out of the car, he jumped down right after him. When he looked up, he saw that Jiang Xuanyan had one arm hanging in mid-air and his handsome face was ashen.

The driver next to him was so frightened that he didn't dare to breathe, keeping his head down and pretending that he hadn't seen anything.

Shen Ningzhu blinked.

Is he... planning to help her down from the carriage?

Honestly, she didn't see it, nor did she expect him to be so gentlemanly. After all, he used to be known as an aloof and unapproachable person.

What to do now?

How awkward! Should I say something to ease the tension?

Before she could think any further, the other person had already withdrawn their hand and walked ahead without looking back.

Shen Ningzhu quickly ran forward to catch up, but the other person suddenly stopped and turned around with a malicious smile.

"Didn't Zhuzhu want to ask for a talisman for me?"

Shen Ningzhu looked puzzled. "Ah...yes, that's right."

The other person gestured with their lip, "In that case, look, over there they're all asking for amulets, why don't you join them?"