The poison on the dagger was lethal upon contact with blood. The man in black didn't even see how Song Zhiyu made her move before he fell to the ground, his eyes wide open in death.

The white knife went in and the red knife came out. Song Zhiyu withdrew the dagger, and blood splattered on her fair face. Her silky black hair fell down, and the jade hairpin fell to the ground and broke into two pieces. In her disheveled state, there was a kind of broken and terrifying beauty.

She endured the sharp pain in her shoulder, slowly straightened up, gripped the dagger in her hand even tighter, and stared intently at the black-clad man who was slashing at her with a knife.

The expected tragic scene did not occur. The black-clad man's knife was blocked by the suddenly appearing man, and the weapons clashed, producing a series of ear-piercing sounds.

"Yu'er, how are you?" Zhou Xingzhi quickly supported Song Zhiyu's shoulder, looking at her wounds with heartache, his deep, dark eyes filled with intense violence and killing intent.

His large hand wrapped around Song Zhiyu's waist, avoiding her wound, and he scooped her up in his arms.

The Crown Prince, who would never have shown a change of heart even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, lost his composure for the first time. His face darkened with murderous intent. "Yu'er, I will avenge you a thousandfold for the injuries you suffered today."

"I'm fine, take me back to the Marquis's residence." Song Zhiyu took the hemostatic pill, and her pale face improved slightly. She did not notice the change in how Zhou Xingzhi addressed her.

She vaguely sensed that the atmosphere between the two was a bit strange. The faint but dangerous aura emanating from Zhou Xingzhi made her wary, and she couldn't help but want to get away.

But Zhou Xingzhi clearly wouldn't do as she wished. His deep eyes were filled with madness and obsession, a far cry from the refined and dignified Crown Prince of the past.

But Song Zhiyu had a strange feeling that this was Zhou Xingzhi's original self.

"A doctor cannot heal himself. Your injury cannot be delayed. Listen to me." Zhou Xingzhi grabbed Song Zhiyu's hand, his large, well-defined hands tightly embracing her slender waist, holding her in his arms with a forceful and irresistible posture.

With the warm, soft body in his arms, Zhou Xingzhi's heart was instantly filled.

Song Zhiyu couldn't break free from Zhou Xingzhi's embrace, nor did she dare to use too much force for fear of aggravating her wounds, so she had no choice but to give up.

Looking at the carriage's trajectory, which didn't seem to be heading back to the Marquis's residence, she couldn't help but ask, "Where are you taking me?"

“I have a physician at my residence outside the palace. Although his medical skills are not as good as yours, he can still treat my wounds.” Zhou Xingzhi’s hand trembled slightly. Even someone as strong as him could feel fear.

When he saw the wounds on Song Zhiyu's body, he almost couldn't suppress the violence in his heart, but he was afraid of scaring her, so he tried his best to restrain himself and couldn't calm down for a long time.

Song Zhiyu felt Zhou Xingzhi's hand trembling as he held hers, and her heart softened. "Don't worry, these injuries only look terrible. They haven't actually damaged the inside. I know what I'm doing."

"I will never let you get hurt again." Zhou Xingzhi's bloodshot eyes stared intently at Song Zhiyu, and the emotions hidden deep in his heart were finally revealed.

He originally intended to slowly boil the frog in water, gradually infiltrating Song Zhiyu's heart and making her slowly accept him.

So he desperately suppressed his desires and obsessions, but now he doesn't want to endure it anymore.

Song Zhiyu looked away uncomfortably, not daring to meet Zhou Xingzhi's affectionate gaze. "This time it was my negligence that gave them an opportunity. There won't be a next time."

She is currently unable to reciprocate Zhou Xingzhi's feelings; all she wants is revenge.

Moreover, she felt only gratitude towards Zhou Xingzhi, and had no other feelings for him, Song Zhiyu kept reminding herself.

"Why don't you dare look at me?" Zhou Xingzhi's long, broad hand gripped Song Zhiyu's chin, the force was light yet undeniable, forcing her to look directly into his eyes, obsessively and frantically.

He gave Song Zhiyu no chance to escape. His deep, cold eyes were filled with a dangerous aura. For every step she took back, he took a step closer, leaving no room for retreat.

"Your Highness, please have some self-respect." Song Zhiyu felt an intense burning sensation wherever Zhou Xingzhi touched her, just like him, invading her world with an irresistible force.

"I will never let go." Zhou Xingzhi gently kissed Song Zhiyu's forehead, his gesture restrained yet tender, as if he were handling a fragile treasure.

"I'll give you time." He finally couldn't bear to pressure Song Zhiyu for a response any longer, and suppressed the dark thoughts that were stirring in his mind.

He just didn't know how long he could endure not getting a response.

But Yu'er, please don't keep me waiting too long.

*

Night falls at Songxi Courtyard.

Lu Bai paced anxiously in front of Song Zhiyu's door, looking at the darkening sky, her heart filled with worry.

"Lu Bai, I'm back."

Song Zhiyu broke free from Zhou Xingzhi's hand around her waist, stepped forward, and patted Lu Bai's shoulder.

"Miss, you're finally back! I was so worried." Hearing the familiar voice, Lu Bai turned around, but was startled by the injuries on Song Zhiyu's body.

Lu Bai's eyes were red-rimmed, her attention focused on Song Zhiyu, and she didn't notice Zhou Xingzhi standing to the side. "Miss, what happened to your injuries?"

"It's a long story, let's go inside first." Song Zhiyu smiled, left Zhou Xingzhi behind her, and took Lu Bai's hand to walk back to the room.

Zhou Xingzhi watched Song Zhiyu's retreating figure until the door closed, his gaze never leaving her, his eyes filled with doting affection, showing no sign of dissatisfaction at being ignored.

"Master." A dark figure knelt silently before Zhou Xingzhi, speaking respectfully.

"Have those people all confessed?" Zhou Xingzhi stood with his hands behind his back, his gentle expression gone, replaced by a violent aura.

"They confessed; they are from the Lian family." The guard lowered his head, and even though he didn't dare to look up at Zhou Xingzhi, he could guess his expression at that moment.

He had never seen such a terrifying master before, and only when it came to Miss Song's matter would his master's calm expression change.

I fear the Lian family will soon disappear from the capital.

*

Lotus Mansion.

"A bunch of useless trash! They can't even kill a weak woman. What use are they to the Lian family?" Lian Siyi angrily swept the teapot off the table, her anger still not subsided.

The maid helped Lian Siyi sit down and gently comforted her, "Miss, please don't get angry and harm your health. If you can't get rid of Song Zhiyu this time, there will be a next time. I don't believe she will always be so lucky. You should focus your attention on His Highness the Crown Prince."

Lian Siyi didn't want to listen to Consort Lian's words and wait for the right opportunity. She already had a plan in mind. "You're right. Song Zhiyu has no power or influence. What can he use to compete with me?"

But I can't wait any longer; I must have His Highness the Crown Prince.

Lian Siyi held the medicine packet in her hand, her wavering expression slowly turning into determination.