"What, do you think I'm too old? Or do you think I shouldn't get involved in this kind of thing?"

Liang Shuyan's eyes were fixed on the man before her, filled with a chilling aura.

The men following behind said, "That's not how it is. She's the curator's mother, and also the Tea Lady personally appointed by the Emperor!"

Upon hearing this, the man began to scrutinize Liang Shuyan seriously: "What's wrong? You're the Tea Lady personally appointed by the Emperor? So this is who you are. It's alright. I'll ask you, what makes you qualified to be the Tea Lady of Jing'an County? I can choose any two women to be Tea Ladies, but you are the only one who cannot!"

"Me? Isn't this a prince? But there are quite a few princes, so which one is it?"

Liang Shuyan muttered to herself for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, could it be a prince?"

Among the Emperor's princes, besides the eldest prince Su Ling, are there any others who can oppose him?

Liang Shuyan stared at the man in front of her and said, "May I ask, are you His Highness the Crown Prince?"

The man narrowed his eyes slightly: "What? How did you know that I am the First Prince?"

Liang Shuyan smiled and said calmly, "That's natural. As far as I know, among the princes, the eldest prince is the most favored by the empress and also controls most of the military power in the court. Don't the other princes have to do things according to the eldest prince's wishes?"

Upon hearing this, Su Ling's expression changed drastically. She spread her hands and sneered, "Oh dear, I really didn't expect you to be such a clever person. However, I came here today hoping to use this place as my place of recuperation and rest. This place is indeed a good choice!"

Liang Shuyan snorted coldly: "But this is the Jin Family Martial Arts School. Please understand, Your Highness, that with so many people here, there's nowhere for everyone to practice. Besides, with Your Highness here, how can these people practice?"

"What? How dare you, a mere lowly lady, refuse me like this? Aren't you afraid I'll lock all of you up?"

Liang Shuyan bowed slightly: "How can I let them go? There are so many people who have nowhere to practice martial arts. I can't let the martial arts school close down because of this. Or is the Crown Prince going to drive all these people out and let the Emperor know that the Crown Prince is so powerful in a small place like Jing'an County? Wouldn't that be detrimental to the Crown Prince?"

Isn't that a blatant threat? How could Su Ling not understand it?

"How dare you! I am a prince! How dare you speak to me like that? Do you have any respect for me?"

"This humble woman dares not, please, Your Highness, calm your anger!"

Just then, a voice came from behind: "What? The First Prince? What First Prince?"

Upon hearing the magistrate's voice, he looked him up and down and immediately said, "Your Highness, this humble subject greets Your Highness!"

The county magistrate had met the eldest prince once and learned that the eldest prince was the empress's beloved son. Now, the emperor listened to the empress's words and paid great attention to the eldest prince. All the ministers in the court knew about this.

The eldest prince was dressed in magnificent royal attire, embroidered with gold dragons, and exuded extraordinary bearing.

The sunlight slanted down, casting his shadow on the ancient bluestone pavement, like a dazzling ray of light.

The magistrate's eyes widened as he recognized the distinguished guest.

He hurriedly knelt down, his head bowed low, not daring to look directly at the First Prince's imposing presence.

The surrounding people also knelt down, and for a moment, the whole street fell silent, with only a gentle breeze blowing, making the prince's robes flutter.

The magistrate was filled with emotion. He knew that the eldest prince was the empress's beloved son and the emperor's favored crown prince.

He was well aware of his position in this political vortex, and he had to carefully maintain this fragile balance.

“My lord, the eldest prince wants to stay at the martial arts school, but there are so many people there, how can that be possible?” Liang Shuyan glanced at the county magistrate!

The magistrate hesitated for a moment: "This martial arts school, I'm afraid..."

"What's there to be afraid of? Do I not even have the right to a place to stay in this wretched place of yours?"

The eldest prince's face was contorted with rage, his voice filled with discontent and threat. He glared at the magistrate, his eyes sharp as knives, as if he wanted to pierce him.

County Magistrate Liang Shuyan felt a chill run down her spine. She looked down at her hands, the hands that had once held the lives of countless people in their hands, and now they were trembling.

The surrounding people quieted down. Looking at the scene, they all understood what kind of turmoil the arrival of the Crown Prince would bring to this small county.

“My lord, the Crown Prince is of noble status. If he were to stay at the martial arts school, it might cause unnecessary trouble…” Liang Shuyan tried to explain, but her voice was so weak that she could barely hear herself.

"Shut up! How dare you make such a decision? Don't even mention a lowly lady like you. Even if the Emperor were here, he might not be able to control me!"

The Crown Prince's words caused Magistrate Liang Shuyan's expression to change. She already understood that the turmoil in this small county was now unavoidable.

Liang Shuyan felt a cold wind blowing from the Crown Prince's mouth, which instantly made her feel icy cold all over.

She seemed to see a group of guards behind the eldest prince, each of them expressionless, holding long swords, as if the eldest prince could turn this small county into a sea of ​​blood at a moment's notice.

Liang Shuyan felt her legs were too weak to support her body, and she couldn't help but tremble slightly. The surrounding people also felt the First Prince's majesty, and they all lowered their heads, not daring to look him in the eye.

Liang Shuyan pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and finally mustered up her courage to say, "Your Highness, your status is noble. If you were to stay at the martial arts school, it might cause unnecessary trouble. Moreover, it is said that you are an exceptionally filial person. If you speak like this, what will the Emperor think? Won't people think you are disobedient, disloyal, and unfilial?"

The eldest prince frowned, his eyes sharpening. The surrounding air seemed to freeze instantly, leaving only the sound of his angry breathing.

"Guards, seize this woman for me!" The First Prince's voice, like thunder, instantly shattered the surrounding tranquility.

As soon as she finished speaking, two guards rushed forward and grabbed Liang Shuyan's arm.

A flicker of fear crossed Liang Shuyan's eyes. She hadn't expected the First Prince to treat her, a mere county magistrate, this way. The sudden appearance of the two guards was like a tiger pouncing on its prey, catching her completely off guard.

Her arms were gripped tightly, and pain shot through her entire body as if iron clamps were digging into her flesh. She couldn't help but frown, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

The surrounding people were stunned, their hearts filled with mixed emotions as they watched this scene unfold. Some felt indignant at Liang Shuyan's plight, while others secretly rejoiced that they were not the county magistrate.