Check into Prince Heng's Mansion

The warm pavilion of Prince Heng's residence.

Jiang Wanzhi slowly awoke to a warm, calming, and delicate fragrance.

Before her eyes was an unfamiliar brocade canopy, and beneath her was a soft and comfortable brocade mattress. A clear, slight pain in her arms and wrists reminded her that what she had experienced yesterday was not a nightmare.

"Miss! You're awake!" Chun Tao, who was by the bedside, exclaimed in surprise, her eyes instantly reddening. She quickly stepped forward and carefully helped her sit up.

Jiang Wanzhi looked around. It was an extremely elegant and comfortable bedroom, with understated furnishings that could not hide its luxury. Outside the window was a meticulously maintained courtyard view, so quiet that the sounds of the city could not be heard.

This is not her Wanzhi Pavilion.

"here it is……"

“Miss, this is the Heng Prince’s residence.” Qiuju walked in carrying a bowl of warm medicine and explained softly, “You were frightened last night, and it was His Highness Heng Prince who rescued you. His Highness instructed that you rest here and recuperate, and the Prime Minister is also aware of this.”

At the Prince Heng's residence... Jiang Wanzhi's heart was filled with complex emotions. That man had appeared once again at her most critical moment. His murderous gaze in the cellar and the resolute tenderness when he picked her up were intertwined in her mind.

She took the bowl of medicine, sipping the bitter broth slowly, her thoughts racing. Night Hawk Pavilion…why did they kidnap her? Was it merely to threaten Zongzheng Hengyu?

"Where is His Highness?" she asked softly, putting down the medicine bowl.

"His Highness was handling official business outside and kept watch over you all night," Chun Tao replied softly, her tone carrying a hint of awe and gratitude towards Prince Heng.

Just then, steady footsteps sounded from outside. The beaded curtain rustled softly, and Zongzheng Hengyu's tall figure walked in.

He had changed out of his blood-stained robes and was now wearing a dark-colored casual outfit, but the coldness between his brows had not completely disappeared. However, when he saw her sitting there conscious, a barely perceptible softening appeared in the depths of his eyes for a moment.

"How are you feeling?" He walked to the bedside, his voice still low, but his tone was filled with concern.

"I feel much better. Thank you so much for saving my life, Your Highness." Jiang Wanzhi lowered her eyelashes and sincerely thanked him.

"Hmm." Zongzheng Hengyu responded, his gaze sweeping over her bandaged arm, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly. "This was my oversight, and I'm sorry you were frightened. From today onwards, you can live peacefully in the palace and will no longer be in any danger."

His tone was decisive and unquestionable; it wasn't a suggestion, but an announcement. Jiang Wanzhi opened her mouth, wanting to say that she could return to the Prime Minister's residence, but when she met his deep and firm gaze, she swallowed her words.

She knew that countless eyes were watching her, and staying in the heavily guarded Prince Heng's residence was indeed the safest option. But... wasn't that against propriety? After all, they weren't married yet.

Seemingly seeing through her concerns, Zongzheng Hengyu said calmly, "I have already consulted with my father, the Emperor. In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken, and no one dares to make any unwarranted comments."

Since he had said so, Jiang Wanzhi had no choice but to nod: "Yes, Your Highness, I will follow your arrangements."

"Take good rest. If you need anything, just tell the servants." Zongzheng Hengyu gave her a deep look, as if he wanted to say more, but in the end he only gave this instruction and turned to leave.

He still had many things to deal with, including clues about the Night Hawk Pavilion and the potential turmoil this matter might cause in the court; all of these required his personal attention.

Watching his figure disappear behind the beaded curtain, Jiang Wanzhi let out a soft breath. This man, domineering and forceful, always gave her an indescribable sense of security.

…………

Prince Zhao's Mansion.

Zongzheng Zhaoran's face darkened after hearing the Ghost-Faced Man's report. Jiang Wanzhi's being taken into the Heng Prince's residence for "protection" undoubtedly cut off all possible avenues for him to approach her. Furthermore, the Heng Prince's unprecedented intensity in his investigation of the Night Hawk Pavilion also put him under pressure.

"Your Highness, Prince Heng has mobilized his military informants and martial arts forces to thoroughly investigate Night Hawk Pavilion's strongholds. Several of our peripheral contact points have already been eliminated."

Mr. Ghostface said in a solemn tone, "Although we can't be traced here for the time being, if this continues, things may change."

Zongzheng Zhaoran rubbed his temples in frustration: "What's the reaction from Night Hawk Pavilion?"

"The Pavilion Master doesn't seem to care about these losses. Instead, he's very interested in the abilities that Prince Heng has demonstrated. He sent word that he hopes Your Highness can provide more information about the distribution of Prince Heng's power, especially his military power, as a 'show of sincerity' for the next step of cooperation."

"He's pushing his luck!" Zongzheng Zhaoran said coldly. "Does he want me to cut off my own arm?" He knew the principle of dealing with a tiger for its skin. The Night Hawk Pavilion's appetite was too big and could not be fully satisfied.

"Then we..."

“Play along.” Zongzheng Zhaoran calmed down, a calculating glint in his eyes. “Give him some insignificant or half-true information to buy time. Our focus should still be on finding the Night Hawk Pavilion’s weaknesses. Also,” he paused, “how is Su Yuyue doing?”

"Miss Su seems to have gotten some information from that old palace maid about the Ming King's mother... possibly having had close ties with a certain deceased imperial physician. She is investigating this further. She seems to want to stir up trouble with this."

A glint flashed in Zongzheng Zhaoran's eyes. The past of the Ming King's mother... this was an unexpected delight.

If this can be used to damage the remaining reputation of the Ming King, or even implicate others, it might divert some of the Heng King's attention and increase one's own bargaining power.

"Let her investigate. If necessary... we can provide her with some assistance, but be careful not to get herself into trouble."

"yes."

…………

The Northern Abyss Mission's Post Station.

Princess Munasha carefully applied her glamorous makeup in front of the bronze mirror, but her eyes burned with the flames of jealousy and resentment.

"He actually brought her into the Prince's mansion! He guards her day and night!" She slammed the snail-shell ink she was holding onto the dressing table, making a crisp sound. Zongzheng Hengyu's attention to Jiang Wanzhi was like a poisonous thorn, deeply embedded in her heart.

"Princess, please calm down." The trusted maid beside her whispered, "In my opinion, Jiang Wanzhi only gained Prince Heng's favor because of her proximity to the emperor and the fact that the marriage was arranged by imperial decree. In terms of status, beauty, and assistance to His Highness, in what way can she compare to you, Princess?"

Munasha snorted coldly: "What's the use of just saying all this? This princess doesn't even have a chance to get close to him now!"

A sly glint flashed in the maid's eyes as she whispered, "Princess, if we can't do it openly, we can do it secretly. I've heard that in three days, the Empress Dowager will be hosting a 'Lotus Appreciation Banquet' in the palace, inviting all the noble ladies and wives of officials in the capital. Jiang Wanzhi... is probably among those invited."

Munasha's eyes lit up: "The palace?"

“Exactly.” The maid smiled sinisterly. “There are many rules in the palace, and with so many people watching, it’s perfectly normal for accidents to happen. As long as we arrange things properly, we can not only get rid of that troublesome woman, but also clear our names. When His Highness is heartbroken, and you, Princess, are kind and considerate, how can we not take advantage of the situation?”

Munasha revealed a vicious and satisfied smile: "Good! That's settled! Go and find that box of 'Drunken Dream Powder' we brought! Also, find a way to bribe one or two low-ranking palace servants who are responsible for serving or delivering items! This princess will make her... utterly disgraced, and even die in front of everyone!"

She seemed to already see Jiang Wanzhi's tragic end and the scene of herself nestled beside Zongzheng Hengyu, and her smile became even more arrogant and smug.

…………

The study of Prince Heng's residence.

A detailed map of the capital and its surrounding areas was spread out in front of Zongzheng Hengyu. Several points were marked on it in red ink, which were the outer strongholds of the Night Hawk Pavilion that had been destroyed recently.

"Your Highness, according to the remaining survivors from the interrogation, although they committed suicide by poison, we were able to extract some information and clues from them. The core members of the Night Hawk Pavilion are extremely cautious and meticulous in their actions, and their strongholds mostly maintain single-line communication. What we have removed are only the outermost tentacles," Yan Cheng reported.

Zongzheng Hengyu's gaze was cold: "Continue the investigation! Follow the clues, and we'll eventually find their trail. Also, focus on monitoring all suspicious individuals who have had contact with the Beiyuan delegation, especially that Princess Munasha."

He never believed in coincidences. Jiang Wanzhi had just been kidnapped when someone from the Northern Abyss delegation was already making moves in secret. There must be a connection between them.

"Yes!" Yan Cheng accepted the order, and then said, "Your Highness, there is one more thing. Three days from now, the Empress Dowager will be holding a lotus appreciation banquet in her palace. Miss Jiang... according to custom, must enter the palace."

Zongzheng Hengyu's brows furrowed instantly. The palace? It seemed heavily guarded, but in reality, it was infiltrated by various forces, making it far more dangerous and complex than the outside world. Especially after the recent kidnapping incident, he absolutely did not want Jiang Wanzhi out of his sight.

“I declined. I told her she was too frightened and needed to rest,” he said without hesitation.

"This..." Yan Cheng looked troubled. "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager personally sent the invitation. If we refuse it directly, it may be considered disrespectful and will attract more criticism, which would be detrimental to Miss Jiang's reputation."

Zongzheng Hengyu remained silent for a moment, knowing that a complete refusal was unrealistic. The Empress Dowager held a position of great prestige, and even he could not easily refuse her invitation.

"Then be prepared." His eyes flashed coldly. "Double the manpower, secretly escorting her. You personally select several alert and reliable female bodyguards to disguise themselves as maids and protect her closely. During the banquet, anyone who approaches her or any food offered to her must undergo strict inspection!"

He wanted to build an invisible iron barrel around her.

"I understand!"

…………

Inside the warm pavilion, Jiang Wanzhi also received an invitation to the palace's lotus-viewing banquet. Looking at the gold-embossed invitation, she felt little joy, but rather a strange chill. After the kidnapping incident, she was wary of any public occasion.

"Miss, how about... we pretend to be sick and not go?" Chun Tao said worriedly.

Jiang Wanzhi shook her head, her gaze falling on the swaying shadows of the trees outside the window, her resolve gradually hardening: "Not going would only make me seem guilty and give people something to gossip about. Since I can't avoid it, I'll go." She took a deep breath, "Besides, I also want to know just how many people are secretly watching me."

She could no longer remain fearful and evasive. Since she was destined to be drawn into this game of power, she had to learn to face it, and even fight back.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror, her face still somewhat pale, but her eyes gradually brightening, and gently clenched her fist.