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

Suddenly realizing that the woman was wearing undergarments and was running around aimlessly, he was so angry that he snapped and quickly chased after her.

Unexpectedly, as soon as this crazy woman stepped out the door, she started running wildly all the way. He shouted after her, but she ignored him as if she were deaf, which made him so angry that he was practically fuming.

They can only use light-footed skills.

I finally caught up with the person at the entrance of Plum Blossom Garden.

Shen Ningzhu stared blankly at the person blocking her way, wondering who he was trying to impress with that devilish face now that he had already achieved his goal.

Is it...

"What's wrong? Are you still under the effects of the poison? I'm busy right now. Let me check on Xiaoyi and make sure she's alright before we... Hey, why are you taking off your clothes? You're not going to... Ah—"

The magnificent robes slammed heavily against her face, the soft fabric sliding against her skin.

Shen Ningzhu was taken aback.

The man's dark voice carried a hint of gritted teeth, "If you dare to run around disheveled again, I'll have your legs broken, hmph—"

Shen Ningzhu then realized that in ancient times, her appearance would be equivalent to running naked.

If this gets out to those with ulterior motives, it will be a disgrace to the royal family, and in serious cases, it could cost them their lives.

He was so frightened that he didn't dare to breathe.

She quickly pulled off the outer robe hanging on her head and put it on herself in a couple of quick movements. The robe was so loose that it gave the impression of a child wearing adult clothes.

Shen Ningzhu looked up to thank him, but found that he had already disappeared.

So he quickly ran towards Liu Zhiyi's house.

Upon entering the room, she was surprised to find Pei Yun Chu sitting on the edge of the bed, holding Liu Zhi Yi's hand, her eyes filled with heartache.

Zhiyi, who was waiting on the side, said with red eyes,

“My lady, I went to the street to ask for a doctor, but the doctors in those clinics all seemed to have conspired together. No matter what I said, they all said they were busy.”

"Fortunately, at that moment, I met Young Master Pei and begged him, and that's how I managed to bring back a doctor."

"Now that doctor and the family physician have both examined Miss Xiaoyi. They said it's just a superficial injury, not internal. As long as she takes her medicine and applies it on time, and rests well, she will definitely recover completely."

At this moment, Pei Yun Chu, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, looked over here.

His eyes were cold and icy, with a hint of resentment.

"She disregarded everything to come to the Crown Prince's residence to be with you and take care of you. For you, she gave up her good status and willingly entered the lowly status. But how did you treat her? Since you can't protect her, then hand her over to me."

Shen Ningzhu's expression softened slightly.

She had long suspected that Pei Yun Chu's feelings for Liu Zhi Yi were unusual, and now it seemed to be true.

Just as he was about to speak, he heard the person on the bed speak weakly, but firmly, "Young Master Pei's kindness is too much for me to bear."

Shen Ningzhu was overjoyed. She rushed to the bedside, pushed Pei Yun Chu, who was in the way, aside, and tremblingly took Liu Zhiyi's hand, her eyes filled with tears.

Pei Yun Chu was furious, "You..."

Seeing that Liu Zhiyi's eyes were full of Shen Ningzhu and she didn't even look at him, he could only grit his teeth and stand aside, suppressing his anger.

"Little Yi~~~"

Shen Ningzhu wiped away her tears and choked up, while Liu Zhiyi gave her a comforting smile.

"Sister, I knew you would come back to save me."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ningzhu looked at Liu Zhiyi's pale, chapped lips and felt as if her heart was being torn apart.

She shook her head frantically, tears blurring her vision. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I underestimated that woman's wickedness. I didn't think things through enough."

Liu Zhiyi: "These were all accidents, but thankfully I'm still alive."

Shen Ningzhu took a deep breath. Yes, the original plan was for the two of them to go their separate ways after leaving the house, and then meet up again after returning to the city to go back to the Crown Prince's residence together.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Xuanyan appeared out of nowhere, forcing Liu Zhiyi to return home early, otherwise it wouldn't be right.

In addition, Shen Ningzhu and her group encountered assassins on their way back, which further delayed them.

This gave Jiang Qingyi an opening.

Liu Zhiyi paused after hearing Shen Ningzhu's words, then suddenly grabbed Shen Ningzhu's wrist and winked at her.

Shen Ningzhu understood immediately.

"Zhiyuan, Zhiyi, it's almost time. Go to the kitchen together and bring back dinner. Also, see if there's any nourishing food, and bring back more of what's suitable for Xiaoyi."

"Yes."

After confirming that the person had left, Liu Zhiyi excitedly asked, "Zhuzhu, you said you were attacked on your way back to the city?"

Shen Ningzhu thought she was worried about whether she was injured, so she quickly said, "Don't worry, the assassin has been subdued, I'm not injured."

Liu Zhiyi shook her head, her almond-shaped eyes bright and resolute, sparkling with wisdom.

“Zhuzhu, what I mean is, this matter may be related to Jiang Qingyi.”

"I remember her smugly telling me to give up, that I wouldn't have a chance to save me. From the way she said it, it seemed she was certain that you wouldn't return to the manor so soon."

Shen Ningzhu's eyes widened in shock.

Pei Yun Chu, who was standing nearby, was also shocked. "Are you saying that the assassins were sent by the princess? That's impossible."

Pei Yunchu rejected it on the spot.

He noticed the two women staring at him intently, their gazes somewhat unfriendly.

Pei Yun Chu immediately realized that she had overreacted and could only explain in a low voice.

“You don’t know this, but A-Yan was raised by Jiang Qingyi since he was a child. The princess treats him like an elder sister and a mother. How could she let him be in danger? After all, swords have no eyes.”

"Jiang Qingyi's family were members of the royal family. Her father and brothers all died defending the territory on the battlefield in the southern border."

"She herself took the initiative to propose a marriage alliance in order to consolidate the country and ensure that A-Yan could secure his position as crown prince."

“Such a woman has a grand vision in her heart and a sense of national righteousness in her eyes. She is different from you women who grew up in secluded courtyards. She would never commit assassination for the sake of jealousy.”

Shen Ningzhu had heard of these things as well.

Before meeting Jiang Qingyi, she probably wouldn't have believed that she was this kind of person.

But the Jiang Qingyi she met was not as noble, pure, and righteous as the outside world portrayed her to be.

Liu Zhiyi's gaze was indifferent. "What are women who grow up in secluded mansions like?"

Pei Yun Chu: ...

"Can't answer that? Or let me put it another way: Who do you think is responsible for my injuries today?"

Pei Yun Chu replied without hesitation,

"Need I say more? I've already asked about the ins and outs of today's incident. As for you, there's a limit to protecting your master. You even dared to slap the princess. Even if the princess wanted to save face, she had no choice but to punish you."

Shen Ningzhu: ...

Liu Zhiyi: ...

The other party was still rambling on.

"In the end, isn't your reckless and unruly behavior due to Shen Ningzhu's failure to properly teach you?"

"She not only failed to teach you properly, but also failed to protect you, causing you to get into trouble and thus being punished. In the end, you were all implicated because of her."

Shen Ningzhu and Liu Zhiyi exchanged a glance, their expressions both somewhat complicated.

After a long while, Shen Ningzhu spoke.

"So what did you mean when you asked me to give Xiaoyi to you? Who do you want her to be to you?"