The mistress has no feelings, why do you provoke her?

The carriage suddenly broke down, causing it to lurch and nearly throw Song Wenjun off.

Fortunately, it was a close call; the car was damaged but didn't fall apart.

Song Wenjun had no choice but to get out of the carriage. The coachman knelt on the ground in fear, saying, "Young Madam, please forgive me, Young Madam, please forgive me."

The car nearly tipped over the master's head; that would be a serious offense.

Song Wenjun looked at the wheel and saw neat cut marks on the wheel axle.

It was damaged by human intervention.

She was so close to Zhou's carriage, and the other party didn't even turn his head, it was obvious who did it.

"Get up," Song Wenjun said to the coachman.

The driver didn't dare get up. They had traveled halfway, and if they went back to change cars now, it would take a long time to make the round trip.

If you miss the appointed time to enter the palace, you're doomed.

Just as Song Wenjun was at her wit's end, a luxurious carriage slowly came to a stop in front of her.

The car body is inlaid with gold leaf, and the huge luminous pearl on the top is dazzling.

The carriage stopped, and the curtain was lifted by a pair of well-defined hands.

Song Wenjun noticed the thin, cicada-wing-like skin and the prominent blue veins on the back of the man's hand.

Every single one of them displayed the power of its master.

It was King Chu, Xiao Ji.

Song Wenjun quickly took two steps back, bent her knees and bowed her head to make way.

The carriage did not move. Xiao Ji's face was partially visible through the carriage window. He looked down at Song Wenjun with a warm smile in his eyes, which was as comforting as a spring breeze.

"Is the carriage broken down again?" he asked.

Song Wenjun gave a slightly embarrassed smile, this being the first time she had witnessed Xiao Ji's carriage going out of control.

The second time I met him, the carriage broke down again.

The coincidence is a bit too much.

"Your Highness, please excuse my poor appearance," she replied.

Xiao Ji chuckled lightly: "Come on up, I'll give you a ride."

Upon hearing this, Song Wenjun looked up in surprise, her eyes filled with confusion: "I dare not trouble Your Highness. I have already sent someone to change the carriage, and it will be here soon."

"It takes three-quarters of an hour to get from the Marquis's residence to the palace. Are you sure you can make it in time?" Xiao Ji's words hit the nail on the head, making Song Wenjun's face blush even more.

She hesitated, wondering how much gossip would ensue if she got into Xiao Ji's carriage.

But if she didn't go, she would hate the time and couldn't afford to offend anyone.

Just as she was in a dilemma, Xiao Ji got off the carriage and said to her, "I'll lend you my carriage, and you can lend me your horse."

After saying that, he nimbly mounted his horse, gripped the reins with both hands, and gave a soft shout: "Giddy up!"

When Song Wenjun came to her senses, she only saw his elegant departing figure and his long hair fluttering in the wind.

Song Wenjun was somewhat lost in thought. He... just like that, he left?

"Madam, His Highness the King of Chu is so majestic!" Xiao Tao's eyes were full of admiration.

Xiao Ji was exceptionally handsome, a top-tier beauty.

He was born into nobility and possessed an exceptional temperament.

Unfortunately, his cold and indifferent nature, and his lack of interest in romantic relationships, shattered the hearts of the women who had been vying for his attention over the years.

Xiao Ji's return to the capital is likely to stir up another storm.

Song Wenjun boarded Xiao Ji's carriage, secretly thinking that she owed him another favor.

The carriage moved slowly, its interior filled with a crisp, refreshing scent, just like the one emanating from Xiao Ji.

Song Wenjun sat upright, not daring to move at all, for fear of breaking something.

Just then, a woman screamed from outside: "Ah, His Highness the King of Chu! It's His Highness the King of Chu..."

"Oh my god, I finally saw His Highness the King of Chu. He is so handsome!"

"Your Highness, Your Highness!" Someone cried out, and soon someone shouted in panic, "Ah, someone has fainted!"

Song Wenjun raised her eyebrows slightly. Xiao Ji's horsemanship was superb; he hadn't even fallen behind the carriage.

She lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside, only to see that the roadside was surrounded by women, all staring at Xiao Ji with adoration.

He bought a sugar figurine from a roadside vendor.

The crowd erupted into chaos, packed so tightly that it was impossible to breathe.

The carriage was surrounded by people, and as the carriage swayed, Song Wenjun couldn't help but frown.

If the traffic jam continues, she will miss her appointed time.

She looked at Xiao Ji with resentment, wanting him to leave quickly.

Just then, Xiao Ji turned around and glanced in Song Wenjun's direction.

The divine thread swept across her body and landed on the crowd in the distance.

The surrounding noises must have bothered him.

Xiao Ji frowned, leaped back onto his horse, and then rode off.

As soon as he left, the crowd behind him went wild.

Some cried, some laughed, but none of them had the courage to chase after them.

It's often said that women are the source of trouble, but clearly the same applies to men.

After Xiao Ji left, all the women left with resentment in their eyes.

The road was finally clear, and the carriages were able to pick up speed.

Before long, the carriage stopped in front of the palace gate.

Lady Zhou and many other ladies were waiting in front of the palace gate, chatting warmly with everyone.

Not seeing Song Wenjun, someone asked, "Why didn't Madam Song come?"

Although a woman can take her husband's surname, people from well-off families will still address her by her own surname.

Song Wenjun was quite well-known among the wealthy ladies, and she had financial dealings with many of their shops, so everyone called her Madam Song.

Zhou's face instantly turned green, and she asked rudely, "Who is this Madam Song you're talking about?"

"Of course she's the young mistress of your Marquis's mansion. Where is she?" Those people seemed oblivious to Zhou's unpleasant expression and asked with smiles.

"She probably won't be able to come." Madam Zhou drew out her voice in an annoyed tone: "The carriage broke down on the way, so she probably won't be able to enter the palace."

The ladies exclaimed in surprise, their faces showing regret: "Why did the carriage break down at this time? Could it be that someone deliberately sabotaged it? Madam, you must investigate this thoroughly and not let Madam Song suffer any injustice."

"That's right, the carriage of the young mistress of a noble family was deliberately damaged. This person is truly wicked."

"They're willing to resort to such underhanded tactics; aren't they afraid of retribution?"

Song Wenjun never spoke of the Marquis's family's scandals to outsiders; she resolved her family's scandals within the household.

There's no need to make a big fuss and become a laughing stock.

Therefore, all the ladies thought that she and Zhou got along well, just like a biological mother and daughter.

Zhou was so angry she almost bit her teeth off. How could these women have such a sharp tongue?

Even though she was furious, she couldn't say anything.

He could only force a smile and agree, "Who says otherwise?"

At the same time, Zhou was secretly shocked. What a capable Song Wenjun was, to have such a great reputation among these ladies.

These people only recognized Song Wenjun, but none of them tried to curry favor with her.

The ladies looked regretful and stopped talking to Zhou.

Zhou Shi disdained to chat with them; as long as Song Wenjun didn't appear, she was in a good mood.

Just when she was feeling smug.

A clear, crisp voice rang out: "Oh, isn't that Madam Song?"

Everyone looked on in confusion, only to see Song Wenjun step down from a luxurious carriage.

Upon seeing the carriage again, everyone nearly fainted: "How could it be the carriage of the King of Chu?"