What may seem like an ordinary home-cooked meal is actually a hidden undercurrent of trends.

Everyone was tacitly playing mind games, testing each other openly and secretly, making frequent small moves, but all trying their best to cover it up.

Zhao Shouzhen pretended to be deaf and dumb, turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to all of this.

After the meal, Zhao Shouzhen felt he would have to live a few years less.

He rubbed his temples wearily, gripped Zhang Wan's arm tightly, and sighed helplessly, "Who says having many children brings good fortune? But I don't even have a son now. My two daughters alone are driving me crazy."

Zhang Wan watched the busy maids tidying up quietly, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

Disappointment was beginning to show in her eyes as she looked at her eldest daughter, Zhao Yun.

First, when Prince Rui came to annul the engagement, Zhao Yun deliberately revealed that Zhao Zhi was not at home and would not return home overnight, in an attempt to push Zhao Zhi into the limelight.

Furthermore, today's crab roe lion's head meatball incident has made Zhang Wan even more suspicious of Zhao Yun.

She felt that Zhao Yun's personality was becoming increasingly obsessive and her behavior was becoming more and more unpredictable.

At this moment, Shen Hanshan's slightly mocking voice came from afar, "Lord Zhao, the Emperor only allows you to return to your residence for lunch, but he didn't say you could skip work in the afternoon."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shouzhen frowned and said unhappily, "No need for Prince Rui to remind me, I will remember!"

He reluctantly let go of Zhang Wan's hand, turned and walked towards the door, "Madam, I'm going to the palace now. I'm leaving the affairs of the household to you. Thank you for your hard work."

Zhang Wan nodded slightly, signaling him to hurry up and get on the carriage so as not to miss the appointed time.

Fortunately, the palace was not far from the Zhao residence, so Zhao Shouzhen did not need to rush.

Shen Hanshan's carriage and Zhao Shouzhen's carriage passed each other on the official road. Not long after, Shen Hanshan's carriage suddenly made a sharp turn and turned back along the original road.

Zhao Zhi and Cui Shenghe had just stepped onto the steps, preparing to return to their residence.

In the distance, the sounds of horses' hooves and wheels rolling could be heard again.

Zhao Zhi initially thought that her father had forgotten something important and had turned back, so she stopped and decided to wait for him.

As the carriage drew nearer, she saw the insignia of the Prince Rui's residence on it, and her face immediately darkened.

Zhao Zhi looked at Shen Hanshan, who jumped down from the carriage, and asked in confusion, "Is Your Highness planning to skip work this afternoon?"

Shen Hanshan had already changed into casual clothes inside the carriage.

At this moment, he was dressed in a vermilion casual robe, with an exquisite jade belt around his waist. The belt buckle was carved with delicate auspicious beast patterns, which were lifelike.

He walked straight toward Zhao Zhi, and said with a hint of smugness, "I don't have anything important to deal with, so it doesn't matter whether I go to work or not."

But Lord Zhao is different. He's a cabinet minister, and he's required to be on time for his shift.

Reminded by Shen Hanshan, Zhao Zhi recalled that her teacher had told her that since Emperor Wenxuan of the Great Xuan Dynasty, the power of princes had been weakened, and most princes had little real power.

After the morning court session, they spent most of their time socializing and engaging in entertainment.

So she said irritably, "My father has already gone to the palace, and there is nothing in our mansion for Your Highness to enjoy. Your Highness, please leave!"

Shen Hanshan was somewhat angry when he saw that Zhao Zhi was turning him away.

Just as he was about to forcibly pull Zhao Zhi away, Cui Shenghe stepped between the two, his sharp gaze meeting Shen Hanshan's as he said, "What, does Prince Rui intend to forcibly abduct a female member of an official's family in broad daylight?"

Shen Hanshan looked at Cui Shenghe with a leisurely air and said with a smile, "I have something to discuss with Zhizhi, so how can it be called robbery? It seems that you, Young Master Cui, are a little too concerned about my private affairs with Zhizhi."

Cui Shenghe scoffed, "She is just the daughter of an official of the imperial court, and also my sworn sister. I naturally cannot stand idly by when it comes to her affairs."

If Your Highness has something to discuss, you can speak openly and honestly. Why resort to actions that could lead to misunderstandings in broad daylight?

Seeing this, Zhao Zhi frowned and wondered, why do these two always end up fighting every time they meet?

With obvious impatience, she strode up to Shen Hanshan and asked in a low voice, "What kind of trouble are you going to cause now?"

Shen Hanshan glanced disdainfully at Cui Shenghe beside him and questioned Zhao Zhi why she could keep Cui Shenghe here but wouldn't stay with him a little longer.

“You are different.” Zhao Zhi frowned, looking quite irritated.

Shen Hanshan leaned close to his ear and said affectionately, "Of course, he and I are different. We've shared a bed, and we've done everything intimately—"

His voice grew softer and softer, the last few words almost drowned out by his breath.

Zhao Zhi saw Shen Hanshan's teasing expression and felt both ashamed and annoyed.

She frowned and muttered, "Shen Hanshan, you're just a toad! Getting involved with you is disgusting!"

After saying that, she raised her leg without hesitation and kicked Shen Hanshan in the groin.

She had to teach this man who always thought with his lower body and threatened her a lesson.

Although Shen Hanshan was chatting and laughing, his eyes were sharp, and he had already noticed Zhao Zhi's intentions.

With lightning speed, he reached out and grabbed Zhao Zhi, pulling her legs and all, tightly into his arms.

This sudden action surprised both Cui Shenghe and Zhao Zhi.

Anxious, Cui Shenghe took a deep breath, gathered all his strength, and suddenly swept his leg towards Chen Hanshan's lower body.

Caught off guard, Shen Hanshan lost his balance and swayed backward.

Zhao Zhi seized the opportunity, flipped her wrist, and a silver needle accurately pierced the back of Shen Hanshan's hand.

Shen Hanshan winced in pain and loosened his grip, allowing Zhao Zhi to break free from his hold.

Cui Shenghe rushed forward and firmly grabbed Zhao Zhi's waist, pulling her away from Shen Hanshan's attack range.

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