Shang Xize couldn't believe that such a stroke of good luck would fall from the sky and hit him.

He clenched his hands behind his back and pinched himself hard several times;

Only when you truly feel the pain can you believe that it's all real.

Crown Prince Shang Dongyang leisurely accepted the gift along the water corridor. He noticed Shang Xize pinching himself excitedly in his quest for the truth and couldn't help but laugh, "If Fourth Brother isn't fully awake, go back and take a nap. Be careful, the wind here is strong and might blow your sweet dreams away. Wouldn't that be a real downer?"

Upon hearing Shang Dongyang's voice, Shang Xize was startled and turned around abruptly: "Your Highness, what are you doing here?"

"Why do you ask such a question, Fourth Brother? This is the Imperial Garden. Palace maids and servants are allowed to come here to enjoy the scenery. Why can't I?" Shang Dongyang looked like a cat playing with a mouse, having completely outmaneuvered Shang Xize. Both his words and demeanor completely suppressed Shang Xize.

Shang Dongyang's power is great.

At least in Shang Xize's eyes now, Shang Dongyang's power is as great as that of the Ninth Prince, and he dares not confront him directly, so he can only pretend to be submissive.

"Since Your Highness likes this place, I will go elsewhere so as not to disturb Your Highness's enjoyment," Shang Xize said respectfully but timidly, bowing to the Crown Prince before leaving.

Shang Dongyang smiled dismissively and said, "A gentleman does not take what others cherish. Besides, since Fourth Brother has already made an appointment, it would be inconvenient to suddenly change places. You should just wait here."

After saying that, Shang Dongyang walked away with a meaningful smile.

Shang Xize was deeply shocked:

He never expected that the Crown Prince and the Empress would find out about the Empress Dowager's plot with him so quickly. It seems that the Crown Prince and the Empress's power is far greater than he imagined!

Since that's the case, it's too late for him to back down now; he has no choice but to go all out!

The Crown Prince's outburst caused this.

Shang Xize knew that the bandits were probably not going to make it across.

After a moment's thought.

Shang Xize then went to Cixi Palace to discuss countermeasures with the Empress Dowager.

Ji Fengyao came out of Chengxiang Palace with three maids. The four of them strolled around half of the Imperial Garden, but no one from Cixi Palace came to meet them.

Bai Lu asked in a low voice, puzzled, "Your Highness, I've heard that people in the palace often drag others into wells. Could it be that the palace maid just now was also dragged away and thrown into the well by someone?"

Lin Shuang: "Bai Lu, you must be careful with your words and actions in the palace, and don't talk nonsense."

Magpie: "What's there to be afraid of? Who would dare throw us into a well?"

Ji Fengyao paused for a moment, then turned back and said, "Perhaps the Empress Dowager's people really were thrown into the well by the Empress's people, otherwise why haven't any of them shown up?"

The palace servants passing by: "..."

The topics these bandits are discussing are so daring and terrifying!

Openly slandering the Empress Dowager and the Empress, without even fear of being sentenced to death, this is probably the most stubborn bandit group in history.

The four people, master and servants, were wondering what was going on when suddenly the person in charge arrived.

A pretty palace maid with her hair in two buns came to Ji Fengyao and greeted her respectfully. Her voice was clear and melodious: "This servant greets Princess Chonghe. My master has something he would like to ask the princess. He is waiting for the princess at Xiaoqing Lake ahead. Please do me the honor of coming with me."

"I've been waiting for you for a long time, hurry up and go," the magpie said impatiently, unable to bear the flowery language.

"Huh?" The palace maid was bewildered.

Did they know all along that the Crown Prince would send her to invite them?

The four servants followed the palace maid to Xiaoqing Lake in the southern corner of the Imperial Garden.

Shang Dongyang stood under a willow tree by the lake, his left hand behind his back, striking a pose that exuded nobility and elegance.