Chapter 20 Chapter 20 He was willing to take this wrong step. ...

Xie Zhi's appearance instantly dissipated the tension and panic.

"Your Highness...I feel so uncomfortable..."

As soon as he saw her affectionate eyes, Xie Zhi knew what had happened.

Just now at the banquet, he had only seen her drink a few cups of rose wine. He frowned, his usually cold voice taking on a rare stiffness. "Is there something wrong with the wine?"

Who drugged her? How dare she stir up trouble in the palace?

Nie Xiangyi rested her scalding forehead against Xie Zhi's cool neck. Her mind was in a turmoil, and she only uttered a vague hum, "It's either Pei Lang or Nie Yuanwei! They've always had a grudge against me!"

Her tone rose, carrying her usual arrogance. But her voice was softer, less overbearing, more like a spoiled kitten.

The girl's body was soft and boneless, like a ball of soft cotton. The ambiguous feeling of skin against skin made Xie Zhi frown.

He could feel Nie Xiangyi's warm and soft cheeks rubbing against the skin of his neck in a disorderly manner.

The warm breath flowed along the neck, causing the blood vessels in the neck to beat violently.

His body suddenly stiffened, and he tried to pull Nie Xiangyi away from his arms again.

However, as soon as she was pulled away, Nie Xiangyi fell down like a puddle of water.

Almost subconsciously, Xie Zhi stretched out his long arms and wrapped them around her slender waist.

The distance between the two people became closer.

Xie Zhi felt his throat tighten, and he almost didn't dare to look Nie Xiangyi in the eye.

"Then why did you suddenly appear in my palace?" His voice became colder and harder.

Nie Xiangyi's appearance was truly unexpected. Furthermore, she looked so overwhelmed with emotion, unable to contain herself.

It can be called a clumsy beauty trap.

He has always been perceptive, but in today's situation, he allowed Nie Xiangyi to cling to him until now, and only then did he realize the flaw.

He himself lost his mind.

Xie Zhi's usual interrogation tone was cold and harsh, making Nie Xiangyi feel uncomfortable and aggrieved.

She cried in pain and said incoherently, "The palace maid brought me here... I don't know..."

Under the influence of the drug, Nie Xiangyi only felt that the cool and refreshing fragrance on Xie Zhi's body was like green bamboo after rain, which was extremely pleasant.

"Your Highness...you smell so good..." She leaned against Xie Zhi's neck and pecked his skin gently.

But this method was like drinking poison to quench thirst, making her feel even weaker all over.

The jade-like arms softly climbed onto Xie Zhi's neck, and the golden hairpin slipped weakly from his hands and hit the bluestone floor with a crisp "ding-dang" sound.

"you!"

Such frivolous words made Xie Zhi frown, and he felt the soft touch on his neck from time to time.

He didn't even bother to ask her any more questions.

Nie Xiangyi raised her eyes and caught a glimpse of his impatient expression, with a pitiful red tinge at the corners of her eyes. "Your Highness, are you going to say that I'm shameless again?"

She sniffed, lowered her head again, and subconsciously rubbed her hot cheek against his cold skin.

Xie Zhi was like a piece of fine, cold jade. The coolness brought by the contact of their skin made Nie Xiangyi feel a little less hot.

"Anyway, I am such a shameless person..." She said this as if she had given up on herself, but her voice was filled with a nasal tone of grievance.

"If Your Highness doesn't help me..."

As she said this, she let go of Xie Zhi's neck as if in a fit of anger and reached out to push him away.

Maybe it was because she was too weak or for some other reason, but Xie Zhi stood in front of her, motionless.

His brows furrowed, revealing a strong sense of oppression. He asked in a cold voice, "Who else do you want to ask for help? Wang Wulang? Or the Crown Prince?"

Just now during the banquet, the imperial concubine said that she and the prince had been betrothed since childhood and that they were a perfect match.

The unfamiliar emotions he had never experienced before came like a huge wave, almost swallowing him up.

Whether it was Wang Wulang, the prince, or that unknown person who met during the Lantern Festival.

But he is not here.

Nie Xiangyi was already feeling uncomfortable from the effects of the drug, and hearing his harsh tone, she felt even more aggrieved.

"Yes! Anyone can do it!" Her eyes were filled with tears, and she said with aggrieved expression, "I am such a frivolous and indulgent person! Ugh!"

The sudden kiss sealed her lips, swallowing up all her accusations of grievance.

All the repression broke out at this moment, and the indifferent and cold disguise he had built up high was completely cracked.

Unlike the brief kiss under the fireworks, he held Nie Xiangyi's soft cheeks with such force that there was almost no escape.

Their soft lips and tongues touched, and Xie Zhi could even taste the sweet scent of her lip balm.

The fragrance of gardenia suddenly became rich.

The air around him seemed to be robbed, and Nie Xiangyi almost suffocated, sobbing unbearably.

The illusion of lack of oxygen made her more and more unbearable. Even when Xie Zhi let her go, her eyes were still moist and misty.

"Okay, I'll help you."

Xie Zhi pursed his lips tightly, suddenly picked her up and placed her on the brocade couch.

Nie Xiangyi was so limp from his kiss that she wrapped herself in the quilt uncomfortably, humming unconsciously, "Your Highness..."

Xie Zhi leaned over and looked at Nie Xiangyi. Her lips were bright red and moist, as if he could easily kiss her just by lowering his head.

He knew he shouldn't do this.

Regardless of whether Nie Xiangyi's appearance was an accident that was exploited by someone, or an approach with ulterior motives, he should go back to being the cold, cautious and law-abiding Xie Zhi.

If you make a mistake, there will be no recovery.

However, the girl's soft voice was like some kind of pleasant spell, tearing apart his indifferent disguise bit by bit.

Xie Zhi had the answer in his heart for all his previous indulgence and acquiescence towards her.

He was willing to take this wrong step.

"Nie Xiangyi." His dark gaze fell on Nie Xiangyi's cheek, and his voice was hoarse, "Do you know who I am?"

It was not Wang Wulang, nor was it the person she met during the Lantern Festival that year.

Nie Xiangyi half-opened her hazy eyes and looked into his dark eyes, "Your Highness... Thank you..."

Hearing the name made him lower his head, and once again silenced all of Nie Xiangyi's voice with a long kiss.

Even if you mistook me for someone else, there is no chance to set things right. "No matter who you met on the Lantern Festival, from now on, it will only be me."

His voice was no longer cold and indifferent as before, but was thick with huskiness. "Nie Xiangyi, you asked me to help you. You should admit your mistake."

No matter who you like, no matter what your purpose is, from now on, there will only be Xie Zhi.

You bumped into it yourself.

Nie Xiangyi's mind was in a trance. She vaguely heard his pleasant voice, but couldn't distinguish it clearly. She could only sob and vaguely respond.

Even though Xie Zhi had never kissed before, he seemed to have learned it on his own and became proficient after the initial awkwardness.

He always suddenly pulled away when Nie Xiangyi was kissed so hard that she was dizzy and dazed, looking at Nie Xiangyi's expression that seemed to be about to cry, and humming and calling his name anxiously.

There is no sound more beautiful than this.

Xie Zhi had seen many young men from aristocratic families embrace beauties and indulge in sensual pleasures before. He only felt contempt for them.

To him, this was frivolous and vulgar.

Only mediocre people are troubled by love.

However, today, all his etiquette and restraints, as well as his indifference, were broken by his own hands.

He is just an ordinary person.

The night wind blew by, and gardenias bloomed in Xie Zhi's palm.

After a long time, Nie Xiangyi finally regained consciousness.

She recalled the situation just now and subconsciously met Xie Zhi's dark eyes. Such eyes made her feel that he was a beast, waiting in the dark, ready to tear its prey into pieces and eat it.

Nie Xiangyi looked away in panic, and then she realized it belatedly and felt embarrassed.

"Would you like some water?" Xie Zhi's voice was still slightly hoarse.

"I..." Without waiting for Nie Xiangyi to answer, he stood up.

His clothes were meticulously dressed, not even a hair was out of place, he was as cold and calm as the moon as usual, and even his expression was as indifferent as usual.

It was as if nothing had happened. Only the folds of clothes at the waist and abdomen were faintly visible with fine wrinkles.

Nie Xiangyi saw him washing his hands, and crystal clear water droplets fell along his slender jade-like fingertips, and then were wiped clean by a piece of white silk.

He held a bone china cup and handed it to Nie Xiangyi, "It shouldn't be hot."

Nie Xiangyi didn't dare to look into his eyes, let alone those bony hands.

She had seen these hands holding scrolls and pointing swords before, but she had never imagined them doing anything like this.

"Thank...thank you, Your Highness..." She took the teacup dryly, but suddenly heard a knock on the door outside.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

Nie Xiangyi was so frightened by the sudden sound that her hands trembled, and all the tea spilled on Xie Zhiru's knuckles.

The sudden knock on the door suddenly shattered the ambiguous atmosphere in the room.

Nie Xiangyi suddenly became nervous. If someone saw her in such a disheveled state, who knows how bad the rumors would be?

Xie Zhi wiped the dripping water stains on his hands along the gaps between his fingers, his brows slightly furrowed.

He had guessed this would happen. Since they dared to send someone to his palace, how could they not have a back-up plan?

"Your Highness." Ling Zhu's cautious voice echoed outside the palace. "It's just that after the palace banquet tonight, a noble lady glimpsed a figure flashing through the palace and was frightened. The Imperial Concubine has ordered a strict inspection of every part of the palace to prevent any assassins from entering or leaving."

"Your Highness...what should we do..." Nie Xiangyi pulled Xie Zhi's sleeve and asked softly.

Her eyes darted around the room, finally landing on a pear wood cabinet in the corner.

Before Xie Zhi could answer, a knock on the door sounded like a death warrant.

"Me! I'm going to hide first!"

As soon as Nie Xiangyi turned over and got off the bed, the soreness in her legs caused her to fall to the ground with a "bang", and she immediately grimaced in pain.

"Your Highness?" Hearing the noise outside, someone couldn't help but call out tentatively.

Xie Zhi frowned, about to help Nie Xiangyi up, but the noise outside made her feel even more guilty, so she limped towards the cabinet, turned over, and hid inside.

Xie Zhi didn't have time to say a word.

Xie Zhi frowned, bent down to pick up the golden hairpin that had fallen on the ground, and opened the door of the palace.

"What's the matter?" His voice was cold and full of oppression.

The Yulin soldiers outside bowed their heads respectfully. "We are investigating the assassin and have disturbed your Highness's rest. Please forgive us."

The Yulin Army leader bowed and said, "Just now, a palace servant reported seeing a figure heading this way. We, your subordinates, thought that Jingming Palace had been deserted for a long time, and we were worried that the assassin might take this opportunity to hide here."

Xie Zhi's eyebrows were lowered, and although his tone was calm as usual, it made people hear a sharp meaning. "You want to search my palace?"

"I dare not." The leader of the Yulin Army hurriedly bowed and apologized. His tone paused slightly, and there was already a hint of hesitation in his voice.

"Also, the eldest daughter of the Nie family was drunk and was taken by a palace maid to a palace near Yuehua Gate to rest. But she is nowhere to be found now. A palace maid saw that the eldest daughter of the Nie family was also being helped here..."

Xie Zhi glanced at him calmly, "I didn't know Jingming Palace was so bustling these days. Everyone's flocking here?"

"That's not my intention." The Yulin soldier lowered his head even lower. "Firstly, I'm afraid assassins are hiding here and could harm Your Highness. Secondly, Second Miss Nie is worried that First Miss Nie has been abducted by an assassin."

Xie Zhi keenly grasped the message in his words, "Near Yuehua Gate?"

"Yes," the Imperial Guards replied. "Originally, I heard from the noble lady that the figure was heading towards Yuehua Gate. It was only later that a palace servant mentioned it, so I bothered Your Highness."

Nie Xiangyi should have been resting in the palace of Yuehua Gate, and the assassin should have been heading towards Yuehua Gate.

Xie Zhi already had a plan in mind.

If nothing unexpected happened today, Nie Xiangyi would probably be caught in bed near Yuehua Gate.

It is indeed a despicable measure.

Even if she hadn't caught the adulterer, if news got out today that Nie Xiangyi had been abducted by an assassin, even without any concrete evidence, it would probably damage her reputation.

A cold expression appeared between his brows. "About two quarters of an hour ago, when the banquet was over, I saw someone leaving the palace. I wonder if it was her."

The Yulin Army understood, "Thank you for telling me, Your Highness."

Xie Zhi frowned, knowing that they were just following orders, so he no longer stopped them from entering the hall to search.

Nie Xiangyi hid in the cabinet, and then she found that the items stored in the cabinet seemed to be all things from Xie Zhi's childhood.

In the faint light filtering through the cracks, he could vaguely see the finery of his youth, neatly stacked small pieces, still carrying his usual cool fragrance.

Nie Xiangyi couldn't help but recall the scene when she first met him in Shanzhou.

The cold and solemn young man, wearing clothes of this size and with a fanged ghost face, came to the general's mansion to find his grandfather.

She quietly hid behind the screen in the general's mansion and watched him. She was frightened by his terrifying mask, but was mesmerized by the pair of extremely beautiful eyes under the mask.

But Nie Xiangyi couldn't understand why he, who was not very old, came to the bitter cold borderland alone?

Her thoughts were wandering, she felt Xie Zhi's presence enveloping her. The sounds from outside were muffled and indistinct through the dull wooden box.

She was already extremely tired and fell into a drowsy sleep.

The Yulin army made a symbolic inspection in the room and found that everything was normal except that the quilt on the couch was slightly messy. He bowed and retreated to the door.

"Excuse me, Your Highness."

After leaving with the Yulin Army, Xie Zhi ordered in a cold voice, "Ling Zhu, go to the palace gate. Leave a record of Nie Xiangyi leaving the palace two minutes ago."

Ling Zhu had heard clearly the conversation between Xie Zhi and the Yulin Army. Hearing his orders, he was suddenly startled.

His Highness knew that Miss Nie had not left the palace! Otherwise, why would he let him go to make up for it?

"Go prepare the carriage, I want to leave the palace."

Ling Zhu hesitated for a moment, "Your Highness, it's getting late now, and the palace gates are already locked. If Your Highness leaves the palace now, it will inevitably be a problem. If others ask..."

Xie Zhi's tone hardened, "The assassin in the palace may be related to the remnants of Prince Jin. I want to leave the palace to investigate thoroughly."

A perfect reason.

But Ling Zhu was puzzled. His Highness had always been diligent and cautious in his official duties, but today he would use this as an excuse.

Xie Zhi returned to the hall and opened the pear wood box, only to see Nie Xiangyi curled up inside, fast asleep.

She was always lively and cheerful, but Xie Zhi had never seen her sleeping so peacefully.

Her long, crow-feather eyelashes drooped, and the lip balm on her red lips had long since faded away due to her previous absurdity. She seemed to be holding a piece of fabric from her childhood in her palm.

No different from a sleeping kitten.

Xie Zhi reached out and took her out of the cage. She must have been extremely tired. She only half opened her eyes in a daze, hummed softly, and fell asleep again leaning on Xie Zhi's shoulder.

Xie Zhi took the clothes from her hand and was about to put them back into the box.

Suddenly, a pink and white handkerchief fluttered out from under his clothes and landed silently on the ground. Xie Zhi's eyes were fixed on the handkerchief, and a faint smile rose at the corner of his mouth, but it disappeared in an instant.

He put away the handkerchief, turned around, and carried Nie Xiangyi into the carriage.

In the Eastern Palace, Xie Chengxin listened to Mo Jiu's report, and a faint smile appeared on his pale face. "That girl is from the Nie family?"

"Exactly. I heard that General Anxi doted on her to the extreme, even his own granddaughter did not do as much."

Mo Jiu hesitated for a moment, "Miss Nie, it was originally prepared by the Imperial Concubine and granted to you for marriage."

"Although I have never seen her, I think she is just a spoiled and frivolous young lady from a wealthy family. It's better not to marry her." Xie Chengxin walked to the antique display cabinet in the hall, his eyes fixed on a beautiful white jade mask for a long time.

He stretched out his pale fingertips and carefully stroked the white jade mask. He was silent for a long time, not knowing what he was thinking.

Mo Jiu said: "But if this happens, His Highness the Third Prince will benefit..."

"A bargain?" Xie Chengxin sneered, "Because of the Jin prince's rebellion in the past, my father is now most afraid of the princes fighting with each other."

He coughed lightly. "The Pei family is fine, but they don't have any real power. Xie Zhiyi holds the power of the Divine Strategy Department. If he were to become involved with General Anxi, do you think Father would become suspicious of him?"

"Your Highness means..."

"Didn't you see him carrying Miss Nie out of the palace?" Xie Chengxin raised his eyes to glance at Mo Jiu and said calmly, "Just spread the news."

When Nie Xiangyi woke up again, he found himself back in his own mansion.

What happened last night was like a beautiful dream, hazy as if covered by a veil. As I swayed, I could only remember Xie Zhi's beautiful, white jade-like knuckles.

The soreness in her waist made Nie Xiangyi blush instantly.

She curled up in bed, hugging the quilt. The more embarrassed she was to think about what happened last night, the clearer it became in her mind.

How she pestered Xie Zhi, and how Xie Zhi, despite his cold and aloof face, reached out to help her...

"Ah!" She even wanted to scream to calm the chaotic noise in her heart.

"Young lady!" Han Xu saw that she was awake and hurried forward, her eyes full of joy. "Young lady was drunk last night, and it was His Highness who personally carried her back home!"

Nie Xiangyi buried her head in the quilt like a quail, and said weakly, "Stop talking..."

She no longer knew how to face Xie Zhi...

Han Xu was somewhat puzzled by her reaction and continued, "His Highness also instructed that if anyone asks about the young lady, they should say that she returned home on her own after sobering up. There's no need to mention anything else."

"I know..." The voice from under the quilt was deep and muffled.

What does it mean to not mention anything else? Was Xie Zhi implying that she should pretend nothing had happened? Nie Xiangyi pursed her lips, but her mind was involuntarily filled with random thoughts because of these words.

While she was trying to convince herself that Xie Zhi was doing this for the sake of her own reputation, she was also uncontrollably worried about gains and losses.

Last night seemed like just a drunken escapade.

I should have known not to drink that wine!

She was reluctant to blame Xie Zhi, so she pounded the pillow hard in anger, "If I knew who drugged you, I'd make you pay!"

After spending half a day doing nothing, Nie Xiangyi heard the doorman announce that the Crown Prince's wife, Zhong Lingyu, had arrived.

"Please come in!"

As soon as Zhong Lingyu entered the room, she saw Nie Xiangyi wearing casual clothes, with her black hair spread out like a waterfall, leaning lazily on the chaise longue.

"You seem to be so carefree in this mansion by yourself that you don't even bother to comb your hair."

She jokingly sat down next to Nie Xiangyi, only then realizing that she looked unhappy. She couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Are you feeling a bit hungover?"

Nie Xiangyi couldn't explain it, so she just nodded awkwardly, "I've had some hangover soup, it's okay."

Zhong Lingyu then gave her a reproachful look and said, "Why didn't you tell me you came back last night? I was so worried, I was afraid you'd been kidnapped by an assassin."

Hearing this, Nie Xiangyi touched the tip of his nose guiltily and said vaguely, "I was still drunk at the time and forgot."

As she spoke, her mind moved, and she followed Zhong Lingyu's words and asked, "Is there an assassin?"

"It's just hearsay. I didn't actually see anything. The Yulin Army didn't capture anyone either." Zhong Lingyu paused, "I just heard that the Third Prince left the palace overnight. I heard that it was related to the remnants of Prince Jin."

The remnant of Prince Jin? Was that the reason His Highness the Third Prince took her out of the palace last night?

Nie Xiangyi felt an indescribable sense of loss in her heart. She had thought that His Highness had deliberately sent her out of the palace.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. I'm glad you're okay." Seeing her lost in thought, Zhong Lingyu changed the subject, "I was busy yesterday, so I came to talk to you today."

As she spoke, she winked at Nie Xiangyi.

Nie Xiangyi knew that she probably had something to say, so he dismissed the servants in the room and left the two of them alone in the room.

Zhong Lingyu then held Nie Xiangyi's hand, a look of vague worry on her face. "Xiangyi, are you serious about not marrying anyone but the Third Prince?"

Nie Xiangyi was stunned when she heard this, wondering why she suddenly brought up this. She opened her mouth blankly, not knowing how to answer.

"I……"

"Actually, neither my grandfather nor I want you to marry into the royal family," Zhong Lingyu said straight to the point. "Firstly, you're simple-minded and straightforward. If you were to marry into the royal family, I'm afraid you'd be eaten alive. Secondly..."

She paused for a moment, as if unsure where to begin. After a moment's thought, she said, "Do you know why the Third Prince left the palace?"

"For the business of the Shen Ce Division?" Nie Xiangyi's answer was a little hesitant.

"This is just the apparent reason." Zhong Lingyu shook her head and lowered her voice.

"This is actually a palace secret. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has always been in poor health, suffering from long-standing illnesses. When he was twelve years old, he suffered a serious illness and nearly lost his life."

"The Astronomical Bureau said that the Third Prince and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince were born on the same day, and their fates conflicted, which led to this situation. To avoid offending the Crown Prince, the Emperor ordered His Royal Highness the Third Prince to live far away from the palace."

This reminded Nie Xiangyi that she had moved to another courtyard because of the Taoist priest's words.

For some reason, she giggled foolishly, "It seems that Your Highness and I share the same suffering..."

"What are you pitying?"

Zhong Lingyu knocked her head in annoyance. "Even the character 'Cheng' in the Third Prince's name has been banned by the Emperor! It symbolizes the inheritance of the royal family!"

"So the Third Prince should be called Xie Chengzhi?"

Nie Xiangyi frowned, then immediately became indignant, feeling indignant for Xie Zhi. "The Emperor's actions have allowed the Third Prince to be called a prince, but in reality he's even worse than a member of the royal family! Isn't this excessive favoritism?"

"It's because His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was born to the late Queen." Zhong Lingyu shrugged indifferently.

"The late Empress and the Emperor were young married, and they faced the Jin Prince's Rebellion side by side. Later, the late Empress died in childbirth during the years when the Emperor loved and cherished her the most. How could the Emperor not miss her?"

Nie Xiangyi pursed her lips, feeling that Xie Zhi was being treated unfairly.

Zhong Lingyu then continued, "So, do you know what this means?"

Nie Xiangyi shook his head in confusion.

"This means that it is unlikely that His Highness the Third Prince will be able to inherit the throne."

"The emperor is so partial!" Nie Xiangyi felt even more distressed for Xie Zhilai.

Such an outstanding person, at such a young age, could single-handedly lead the Divine Strategy Division and plan strategically. However, due to his background, he had already lost everything before even competing.

She tilted her head again in confusion, "But what does this have to do with us?"

Zhong Lingyu sighed helplessly, "Grandfather loves you, and everyone knows it. If you marry someone, you'll be tying the entire Zhong family down with you. Do you understand?"

Nie Xiangyi nodded naively. "So if I marry the Third Prince, and the Crown Prince ascends the throne someday, my grandfather will definitely be feared because of me. Is that right?"

"It's wise to protect yourself, that's the truth." Zhong Lingyu nodded. "In fact, no matter who inherits the throne, it's best not to marry into the royal family."

She looked at Nie Xiangyi's unhappy expression and couldn't help but sigh again, "If you insist on marrying, marrying the Crown Prince is much better than marrying the Third Prince."

"I understand, cousin Lingyu." Nie Xiangyi's voice was muffled, and her expression was also depressed. "I won't marry."

Seeing her like this, Zhong Lingyu couldn't bear it any longer and reached out to gently rub her head. "I'm just telling you the pros and cons. It's up to you whether you listen or not."

She sighed deeply, "Besides, if the Imperial Concubine really wants to grant you a marriage, there's nothing we can do about you marrying into the royal family."

"Why does the Concubine want to bring me and the Crown Prince together so badly?"

Seeing her mention the Imperial Concubine, Nie Xiangyi was still puzzled. "If they say the Zhong family is behind me, wouldn't this only help the Crown Prince? And how should the Third Prince deal with this?"

She sighed, "The Third Prince is her own son, doesn't she consider the Third Prince?"

"I secretly suspect that perhaps it's because the Third Prince won't be able to ascend the throne. The Imperial Concubine isn't the Crown Prince's biological mother, nor is she his legal mother. If the Crown Prince ascends the throne one day, how will the Imperial Concubine cope? She might as well do him a favor. After all, you and the Crown Prince already have a marriage agreement... Firstly, this will earn her favor with the Crown Prince, and secondly, it will preserve her reputation as a virtuous woman."

She shrugged nonchalantly, "How can we possibly understand all the twists and turns in the palace?"

"So that's how it is..."

Zhong Lingyu gently stroked Nie Xiangyi's hair. "Anyway, your happiness is the most important thing. How can one think so much about the future?"

"Thank you, cousin Lingyu. I understand."

Ever since Zhong Lingyu came that day, Nie Xiangyi has had a lot more worries.

She originally thought that as long as she got the favor of the Third Prince, there would be no more obstacles in matters of the heart.

But family background and status were all like mountains standing in her way. At this point, it seemed that liking someone was the least important thing.

No wonder everyone laughed at her wishful thinking.

"Why haven't you been to see His Highness lately?" Han Xu saw that she was always unhappy, so she wanted to cheer her up. "It was a rare occasion that His Highness brought me home that day. You should strike while the iron is hot!"

Nie Xiangyi shook his head gloomily.

How could she dare to go back to Xie Zhi after her cousin Lingyu had explained everything so thoroughly? If she married Xie Zhi, what would she do if the Zhong family got involved?

But how could she easily give up on the person she had been thinking about for so many years?

She didn't dare to go look for Xie Zhi, and her mind was full of thoughts about Xie Zhi.

When she was alone in the mansion, Nie Xiangyi could not help but think of his cold and abstinent face.

He was always so cold and aloof, even when he was helping himself.

But even though I have had physical contact with him, I now have to force myself not to look for him and not see him again.

Thinking of this, she felt that she was being sentimental. His Highness might not be interested in marrying her, but she started to think about it.

Nie Xiangyi felt extremely conflicted.

"When I was in Shanzhou, I would always go for a ride whenever I felt unhappy."

Seeing that she was dwelling on her own thoughts, Hanxu racked her brains to cheer her up. "That's perfect! The Crown Prince's wife was worried that you'd be bored, so she sent you a small pony from the Western Regions the other day. Would you like to go for a stroll in the stables?"

Nie Xiangyi couldn't bear to refuse her kindness, and thought it would be nice to go out and relax, so he nodded.

"That's fine. I haven't ridden a horse for a long time since returning to the capital."

The horse farm that Hanxu mentioned is in Yujin Garden in the west of the city. It is a place exclusively for royal family members and court princes to ride horses and hunt.

The pony that Zhong Lingyu sent was extremely beautiful, with a chestnut mane, big, bright eyes, and small, pointed ears. It was obvious at first glance that it was a rare and good horse.

"Wow! What a beautiful pony!" As soon as Nie Xiangyi saw the pony at the horse farm, his eyes lit up and he immediately felt itchy.

Her worries were thrown to the back of her mind. She suddenly jumped onto the horse, clamped her long legs on the horse's belly, and galloped away across the stables.

The spring breeze rustled past, lifting her high ponytail. She was dressed in a dark red outfit today, galloping on her horse, looking heroic.

Han Xu's eyes lit up and she puffed out her chest with pride, "This is what a girl should be like!"

At this moment, Nie Xiangyi seemed to have no thoughts about anything else. She only felt the rushing wind blowing towards her face. The horse, like her heart, leaped high and then fell heavily.

Only when the sun was setting did Nie Xiangyi reluctantly dismount from her horse. Beads of sweat oozed from her forehead, but her eyes were clear and bright.

"I haven't felt this good in a long time."

Since returning to Beijing last year, everyone has told her to be a qualified lady from a noble family, and all the rules and etiquette have bound her.

It was like being forced into a pair of ill-fitting shoes, and she had to force herself to fit them.

"I haven't seen you so cheerful and bright in a long time!" Han Xu handed her a cup of tea at the right time. "If you like it, I'll make arrangements. We'll come here often in the future!"

"Um!"

Nie Xiangyi nodded heavily and waited for Hanxu to lead the horse back to the stable.

There were servants taking care of other horses not far away. They must have had nothing to do, so their idle chatter reached Nie Xiangyi's ears.

"Hey! Have you heard about what happened in the palace recently?"

"Who hasn't heard about it? It's spread all over the palace! Even those of us in the Imperial Garden have heard a little bit about it."

"I never thought that someone as aloof and self-respecting as the Third Prince could do such a thing."

When Nie Xiangyi heard the words "Third Prince", she couldn't help but take it to heart and listened carefully with a frown.

I only heard that person lower his voice, with a mysterious and ambiguous attitude.

"I heard someone saw the Third Prince carrying Miss Nie out of the palace!"

"I think it's that girl from the Nie family who has no sense of shame!" Someone spat, "Haven't you heard that she's always obsessed with the Third Prince? Maybe she's using the palace banquet as an excuse to climb up the social ladder."

"Girl?" Han Xu came out of the stable at the right time. When she heard this, her eyebrows raised and she immediately wanted to roll up her sleeves and go forward to argue with them.

Nie Xiangyi reached out to stop her.

She heard what those people said seemed to be related to the palace banquet that day, and even the Third Prince was involved, so she couldn't help but worry.

How many people saw what happened that night?

Even the imperial gardens outside the palace started talking about it. I'm afraid that rumors have already spread inside the palace and are becoming very rampant.

Xie Zhi has always had a good reputation and holds great power in the Shen Ce Department. If these remarks were to reach the emperor's ears, would he be punished for them?

Nie Xiangyi couldn't help but feel worried.

"I heard that the Emperor has summoned His Highness the Third Prince to the palace today. I guess it's because of this matter."

In the palace, the hall was quiet and silent.

A loud slap suddenly broke the stagnant atmosphere. "You've grown up a lot. You actually dared to do such a thing behind my back."

The imperial concubine was dressed elegantly, leaning lazily on the couch, her voice neither slow nor fast, as if she was chatting as usual, very graceful.

She chuckled softly and glanced at Aunt Wu who was kneeling on the ground, "You teamed up with that bitch Jiang Yun'e to drug Nie Xiangyi. You really don't take me seriously."

Although she spoke softly, Aunt Wu's face suddenly turned pale.

Naturally, she had a hand in drugging Nie Xiangyi that day, but she hadn't expected the Imperial Concubine to find out.

"I found it strange when there was an assassination in the palace that day. Coincidentally, the assassin was heading towards Yuehua Gate."

The imperial concubine looked at Aunt Wu, her tone light but with absolute control, "Who do you think you can hide this little trick of yours from?"

Aunt Wu naturally knew this truth.

If Nie Xiangyi had been caught in bed with someone that day, naturally all the blame would have fallen on Nie Xiangyi, and no one would have cared whether she had really been drugged or something else.

But unfortunately, she didn't go to Yuehuamen.

Aunt Wu didn't care about anything else and just begged for mercy in a hurry, "Your Majesty, please spare me! Your Majesty, please spare me! This is all Jiang's idea!"

"Jiang?" The imperial concubine sneered. "She's just a lowly servant. I just used her for my own convenience back then. Does she really think she can get close to me?"

As she spoke, she narrowed her eyes. "As for you, whether you're a palace maid or an assassin, how could anything be so seamless without your arrangements? Wu Fan, you've been in the palace for many years, but you've become confused and can't tell your master from your master anymore?"

Her voice was not harsh, but it made Aunt Wu break out in a cold sweat. She banged her head until it made a loud noise. "Madam, please spare me! It was my fault for being confused! Please spare me!"

"Your momentary confusion has ruined all my years of painstaking efforts!" The imperial concubine's voice suddenly grew colder. "Now the matter between Nie Xiangyi and Ruheng has become so outrageous that even the Emperor knows about it!"

Her eyes seemed to want to tear a hole through Wu Fan. "Now that things are like this, if Yu Ruruo wants to marry Nie Xiangyi again, I'm afraid it will be difficult!"

How can His Royal Highness the Crown Prince marry a girl with a bad reputation?

Wu Fan was a little confused. The person most affected by this matter should be the Third Prince. Why was the Imperial Concubine worried about the marriage between the Crown Prince and Nie Xiangyi?

She could only kowtow and continue speaking along with the Imperial Concubine's words, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is of noble status, so naturally there are countless beauties who would be his match. Nie Xiangyi's character is not good, and I'm afraid she is marrying up to the Crown Prince..."

Before she could finish her words, the imperial concubine gave her a look, and the nanny beside her came forward and slapped her twice, making her shut up.

"A bunch of useless idiots!"

She coldly ordered, "Drag this traitor out and give her eighty lashes. If she's still breathing, tell her to come back and give me an answer."

It was not until Aunt Wu was dragged out that the personal nanny beside the imperial concubine reported, "Your Majesty, the Third Prince has been summoned into the palace by the Emperor."

"I understand." The imperial concubine rubbed her temples lightly with her fingertips, looking like she had a headache. "Send someone to find out what the emperor's attitude is."

At that time, Xie Zhi was kneeling in the center of the hall. All the palace servants around him had left, leaving only the emperor sitting in the hall.

"Ruheng, I handed over the Shen Ce Division to you, which actually made you feel much more confident."

The emperor's voice was low and hoarse. Although it was calm, it carried the innate sense of oppression that an emperor should have.

He was a middle-aged man of about forty years old, tall and strong, but his hair was slightly stained with the weather, and he looked much more vicissitudes of life than ordinary people.

"Your son dare not." Xie Zhi answered in a neither humble nor arrogant voice, with his usual cold tone.

The emperor's eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. "There are rumors swirling in the palace right now. Do you dare to say that you didn't deliberately approach Miss Nie?"

Xie Zhi paused abruptly, then pursed his lips, "No."

"Whether it is true or not, it doesn't matter. Now that rumors are spreading, Miss Nie's reputation has been damaged. I must give Zhong Qi an explanation." The emperor did not seem to care too much about this issue.

His cold gaze never left Xie Zhi's face, as if he wanted to read his thoughts from his expression.

"But Ruheng, you must remember the duties of a prince." His words seemed to contain a warning, "I don't want to see another Jin Wang rebellion."

Xie Zhi remained silent.

He understood what the emperor meant.

Now that he has control of the Shen Ce Department, if he gets help from the Zhong family, it will threaten the prince's position.

The emperor hated the Prince of Jin the most for his rebellion and his attempt to seize power from him. Now, he also did not want him to have too much power and get in the way of the prince.

He was never the firm choice.

Even though they were both princes, and even though he held all the power in the Divine Strategy Department, it was still only because he was the backup candidate after the crown prince.

The emperor wanted him to be inferior to the crown prince forever.

He never concealed his preference for the prince.

Xie Zhi pursed his lips and kowtowed, "Your son understands."

The emperor's cold gaze swept over him, "In that case, you will marry the girl from the Nie family and relinquish your position in the Divine Strategy Department for the time being."

He paused, "Of course, if you don't want to let her go, you don't have to marry her."

In the face of Xie Zhi's gloomy expression, he gave Xie Zhi a choice.

"You choose."