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

She was just a maid.

Even if she "accidentally" killed someone, it would be due to her own weak constitution and the servant's negligence. At worst, there's still that idiot Shen Ningxue as a shield.

Ah Yan cares about her so much, how could he possibly have a grudge against her because of a maid?

"What are you standing there for? Didn't you hear what I said?"

The guards at the gate looked at each other, and also felt that they should not offend the princess for the sake of a mere servant girl, so they stepped forward to seize Liu Zhiyi.

She gave a cold laugh.

"It is utterly ridiculous that the guards of the Crown Prince's residence would help outsiders bully their own people."

“Servants should have some self-awareness and think clearly about who their masters are. Are you sure His Highness the Crown Prince won’t kill you for doing this?”

Guard: ...

The two stopped, looking hesitant.

Jiang Qingyi chuckled softly, as if she had heard a joke, and held her handkerchief to her lips.

"You lowly servant, you're just as sharp-tongued as your uncouth master. In that case, I, the princess, will show you today who truly lacks self-awareness."

"Aren't you going to make a move? Are you all just sitting around doing nothing?"

As the guards drew closer, Liu Zhiyi's heart tightened. She knew that Jiang Qingyi was here for Shen Ningzhu.

Since we can't touch Shen Ningzhu for the time being, we'll target her instead.

Furthermore, given that she is currently only a servant, while Jiang Qingyi is a princess, even if she were beaten to death, no one would say anything.

Liu Zhiyi frowned as she looked at Jiang Qingyi, and sure enough, she saw a venomous glint in Jiang's eyes.

That was murderous intent.

She really wanted to kill her; that board was definitely not an ordinary board, but one that had been tampered with.

No, she absolutely cannot surrender.

Liu Zhiyi narrowed her eyes, then suddenly turned and ran towards the bustling street.

The others were completely taken aback by the audacity of the servant girl and stood frozen in place. Once they realized what was happening, they quickly gave chase.

"How dare you! Stop right there!"

"Stop, don't run."

Liu Zhiyi rolled her eyes as she ran. "Tch, do you think I'm stupid? If I don't run, I'll be tortured to death."

The only way now is to try to buy time until Shen Ningzhu and the Crown Prince return to the mansion, so that her crisis can be resolved.

Fortunately, she was in good physical condition and used all her strength, so the guards couldn't catch up with her at first.

The two stopped, exchanged a glance, and simultaneously used their lightness skills to land in front of Liu Zhiyi with a few leaps, blocking her way.

Liu Zhiyi cursed angrily.

Is this bullying her because she hasn't learned light-body skills?

His eyes darted around, and he shouted loudly, "Help! Someone is trying to kidnap a young woman!"

Guard: ???

"Shut up! How dare you tarnish the reputation of the Crown Prince's residence? Don't you want to live?" The two guards shouted angrily to stop her.

Liu Zhiyi sneered.

"So what? We'll die anyway if you catch us. Rather than being tricked to death by that princess without doing anything, we might as well fight to the death and die honorably."

One of the guards kindly tried to dissuade him.

"Young lady, you're overthinking it. The princess is only punishing you; when did she say she wanted your life?"

Liu Zhiyi shook her head firmly.

"You're wrong. That woman is just jealous of my master's favor with the Crown Prince, so she's trying every means to get rid of her."

"Unfortunately, I failed several times, which is why I held a grudge. Today, I deliberately picked a fight."

"You two are planning to make an example of me. Please, brothers, have some mercy and go easy on me, or I'll really die."

While trying to persuade the two, Liu Zhiyi secretly adjusted her breathing, storing up her strength, ready to start running again at any time.

Just as the two hesitated, they saw Zhi'er, the princess's maid, catch up.

"You lowly servant, how dare you run away! You're dead! What are you two waiting for? Quickly take her back to the Crown Prince's residence!"

The two men sighed, cast sympathetic glances at Liu Zhiyi, and whispered, "Miss, we're sorry, we were just following orders. Please don't make things difficult for us."

"Yes, we are of lowly status and cannot afford to offend a noble person like the princess. Now, you can only blame your bad luck."

Liu Zhiyi cautiously observed the two, subtly taking a step back. "Obeying orders? When did the Crown Prince's residence change masters?"

The two shook their heads helplessly, unwilling to argue with her any further, and planned to forcibly take her back.

Seizing the opportunity, Liu Zhiyi swiftly struck, inserting a silver needle into each of their pressure points to induce sleep.

puff-

The two opened their eyes wide and fell silently.

Liu Zhiyi looked up at Zhier again, who was now terrified, her eyes wide with fear, her voice trembling as she pointed at Liu Zhiyi.

"You... what kind of sorcery did you use? Why did they suddenly... Help! Someone help me..."

"Shut up, you."

Liu Zhiyi used the same trick again and gave Zhi'er a needle as well.

With no one around, Liu Zhiyi seized the opportunity to escape. She ran through an alley, then turned back.

If she wasn't mistaken, there seemed to be a... person lying in that alley? Out of a doctor's instinct, Liu Zhiyi decided to go and check on the situation.

The alley was narrow and deserted. The man was dressed in a black Shu brocade robe and wore a half-silver mask, and appeared to be unconscious.

Liu Zhiyi frowned, reached out to take the other person's pulse, and then quickly took out silver needles and inserted them into several acupoints.

Not long after, the man slowly opened his eyes and said blankly:

"Who are you, young lady? And what's wrong with me?"

Liu Zhiyi pushed away the man in her arms, stood up and said, "You were born with a weak constitution. This illness cannot be cured, only carefully managed."

"Don't wander around like that in the future. If you hadn't run into me just now, who knows what might have happened!"

The man stood up and, to express his gratitude, took out a jade pendant and gave it to Liu Zhiyi.

"This jade pendant can grant you one wish. If you ever need it in the future, go to Hongfu Inn in the east of the city and find Manager Li. Tell him your needs, and he will do his best to help you."

Liu Zhiyi hesitated for a moment.

She prefers transactions that are settled immediately upon payment, so why does this jade pendant feel like a worthless check? She doesn't know who the other party is, and naturally, she can't determine how much gold the pendant contains.

But then I realized I hadn't done anything wrong; I'd just given him a few acupuncture needles, and I felt relieved.

"Okay, then I'll be going now."

"Young lady, until we meet again."

Liu Zhiyi smiled, waved casually, and left. As she walked, she thought to herself, "What a joke! The world is so big, how easy is it to meet someone like that?"

Just as I was thinking this, someone blocked my way.

Princess Qingyi grinned menacingly, "Oh, weren't you so good at running? Why aren't you running anymore?"

Liu Zhiyi's lips twitched violently.

Is this woman determined to kill her? She even brought so many people to chase her?

If she had known this would happen, she would never have meddled in other people's business.

"Serve this to the princess—"