“I’m not as reckless as the Grand Preceptor, who would probably have a hundred or so sets of night clothes just to make it easier to peep at other men bathing.” Xiao Xiyou looked at Zhou Zhizhi with a half-smile.

"I do not have such clothes."

"Second Prince, what are you saying? I couldn't bear to see your beautiful and charming face being ruined by that villain, so I acted rashly in a moment of panic."

While laughing it off, Zhou Zhizhi reached out and pushed Xiao Xiyou toward the bed in the study.

"I don't believe the Second Prince didn't have it." After saying that, he retreated to the door.

"This time, I will definitely close my eyes tightly and cover my ears with all my might, so that not a single sound or movement made by Your Highness the Second Prince will reach my eyes or ears."

"Your Highness, please put it on without worry. Don't delay any longer, the sun will be setting soon."

Zhou Zhizhi urged Xiao Xiyou to change his clothes quickly outside the study.

Their purpose this time was to see how many young and able-bodied men were still working in the fields inside and outside the city.

Although it is daytime, the Third Prince has many eyes and ears, and her and Xiao Xiyou's identities are too conspicuous. If they were dressed in plain clothes, they could not appear openly.

Zhou Zhizhi was certain that they would be riddled with holes in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

"Alright, let's go." Xiao Xiyou changed his clothes, pushed open the door, and walked to Zhou Zhizhi's side.

"Alright, then please keep up, Second Prince." Before she finished speaking, Zhou Zhizhi lightly touched the ground and skillfully moved left and right in the small woods behind the study.

Xiao Xiyou's face darkened; it seemed that Zhizhi knew about more than one secret passage this week.

We absolutely cannot let her stay!

The two arrived at the fields cultivated by the people outside the city, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun.

"Has the Second Prince noticed anything unusual here?" Zhou Zhizhi asked tentatively.

However, alarm bells were ringing in his heart. Although it was the Third Prince who had secretly conscripted young men, the Third Prince was unaware that his most trusted confidant was his own man.

"What exactly does the Imperial Advisor want to say?" Xiao Xiyou asked after a moment's thought.

"The Emperor suddenly summoned me to the palace this morning; I suppose the Second Prince already knows about it."

"After all, the Second Prince has many spies under his command, and such a small matter could not possibly escape your discerning eyes."

Ignoring Xiao Xiyou's expression, he continued speaking to himself.

"Oh? So, does the Imperial Advisor want to tell me what my father said?" Xiao Xiyou raised an eyebrow, looking at Zhou Zhizhi with interest.

Zhou Zhizhi remained silent for a while, unable to figure out how to tell Xiao Xiyou and make him believe that his good brother of many years would eventually betray him.

He was imprisoned and subjected to torture.

If I were to speak rashly and tell Xiao Xiyou directly, I'm afraid I wouldn't gain his trust and would instead arouse his suspicion.

"Grandma, why are you farming here all by yourself? Where are the rest of your family?" Zhou Zhizhi didn't answer the question she was concerned about, but instead casually asked an old woman by the roadside.

The old woman, seeing that the two were dressed in the guise of night, probably knew they were not people to be trifled with, and was unwilling to say anything more.

"I have something to do right now, but I'll be there in a bit."

This was exactly the answer Zhou Zhizhi wanted: these people had already been dealt with.

Is Guan Zhouzhi wearing a bright and gorgeous dress today, or is she dressed in a mysterious night outfit?

If you ask openly and honestly, you will get the same answer.

"Second Prince, do you believe it?" Zhou Zhizhi asked Xiao Xiyou in a low voice.

Xiao Xiyou remained silent and did not answer.

“The Emperor’s thoughts are the same as the Second Prince’s,” Zhou Zhizhi continued.

However, due to the plot of the original book, after the original owner helped Xiao Xiyou successfully become emperor, Xiao Xiyou, who was ungrateful, not only did not help the original owner clear his name, but also gave him a meal of being torn apart by five horses.

In this life, Zhou Zhizhi does not want to help Xiao Xiyou become emperor.

All she wanted was to save her own life and then escape from him.

Therefore, Zhou Zhizhi did not tell Xiao Xiyou that the emperor was now critically ill, very weak, and tightly controlled by the Eastern Depot.

"His Majesty mentioned the need for military provisions," Zhou Zhizhi said calmly.

“That’s something the third brother should worry about,” Xiao Xiyou replied.

“Yes, this is the Third Prince’s matter, and His Majesty is aware of it as well,” Zhou Zhizhi continued, following up on his words.

"The imperial court already knows about this matter, and the less they interfere, the better." As she spoke, she raised her bright eyes to look at Xiao Xiyou.

"After all, privately incorporating troops is a serious matter, and now every move is under the court's surveillance," Zhou Zhizhi kindly reminded her.

"Understood." Xiao Xiyou nodded.

"You didn't bring me out here just to tell me this, did you?" Xiao Xiyou said, looking at Zhou Zhizhi.

After all, these things can be said in the study, so there's no need to change into night clothes.

“The Second Prince is a smart man, but the time is not yet right,” Zhou Zhizhi said with a smile.

“When I invited you out, I said it was for sightseeing. The scenery around here is all the same, just farmers busy with spring planting. What’s so interesting about it? I’ll take you to a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters. I guarantee the Second Prince will like it.”

Although Xiao Xiyou gave the original owner a dismemberment in the original novel, Xiao Xiyou's face is still very handsome and perfectly matches Zhou Zhizhi's aesthetic.

He has a great physique, so going out with him won't hurt you.

Once she's saved her own life, she'll make a quick getaway and stay far away from Xiao Xiyou. Zhou Zhizhi thought happily.

The two, each with their own ulterior motives, embarked on their journey.

"Second Prince, look, this is the best spot to watch the sunset." Zhou Zhizhi held a wildflower she had just picked from the roadside and pointed to the setting sun on the opposite mountain, introducing it to Xiao Xiyou.

Xiao Xiyou wasn't actually interested in this kind of thing, but for some reason, he felt good about it.

"The place the Imperial Advisor mentioned is indeed wonderful, it has a unique charm." As if making up for his past self, Xiao Xiyou didn't say anything discouraging about this matter.

The two watched the sunset in silence, neither saying a word.

Unaware that danger was lurking nearby.

Xiao Xiyou and Zhou Zhizhi sat side by side on the edge of the cliff. Zhou Zhizhi, feeling bored, stuffed the flowers in her hand into Xiao Xiyou's hand.

Looking at the tender yellow flower in his hand, a gentle light flashed in Xiao Xiyou's eyes.

However, due to years of neglect and lack of attention, he had long since closed himself off from the world in order to survive in this cannibalistic palace.

This small act of kindness was not enough for him to let Zhou Zhizhi go.

Xiao Xiyou silently raised his hand behind Zhou Zhizhi's back, using ten times his strength.

He planned to smash Zhizhi's neck and then push her off the cliff.