"What does he mean? Ah, what does he mean? What's your relationship with Yun Zhang?"
On her way back to the Princess's residence from Chunsheng County after dealing with Li Liang's affairs, Zhao Zhi encountered a constant stream of problems with Shen Hanshan.
He relentlessly pressed her about her relationship with Yunzhang.
"Yun Zhang is the Prince Yi of Yun Dynasty, known for his womanizing ways." Seeing they were almost at the princess's residence, Zhao Zhi decided to have a frank talk with Shen Hanshan. "You saw his attitude towards Li Liang; he's a madman. Don't take anything he says or does to heart, okay?"
"How could I not take it to heart?" Shen Hanshan said aggrievedly. "Based on a man's intuition, this Prince Yi's feelings for you definitely go beyond the relationship between ruler and subject. He's coveting you!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhi chuckled softly, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes. "Shen Hanshan, your intuition is sometimes truly laughable. I admit that Yun Zhang does act somewhat unpredictably, but you really don't need to worry that he has any improper thoughts about me."
“But the way he looked at you was clearly…” Shen Hanshan wanted to argue, but Zhao Zhi interrupted him.
"That Yunzhang guy, he's surrounded by women like fish in a river. He looks at every woman with such lustful eyes, yet he doesn't even have a maidservant by his side!"
He just enjoys manipulating power and sowing seeds of unease in others. He only used me, nothing more.
Zhao Zhitang lied openly.
"Use?" Shen Hanshan frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the answer.
“Yes, it’s exploitation.” Zhao Zhi sighed and continued, “Yun Zhang is ambitious; he wants more than just the title of Prince Yi. His influence in the court is deeply entrenched. Furthermore, he commands absolute obedience; all officials, both civil and military, follow his lead. I’ve only recently ascended the throne and cannot rashly harm him. We’re essentially using each other. He was sent to Yunluo as a child and raised as a medicine man by Li Liang. Therefore, he knows Li Liang’s secret. He used Li Liang’s secret to make a deal with me…”
Shen Hanshan remained silent for a moment, then finally understood Zhao Zhi's meaning. "So, your relationship with him is just one of mutual exploitation?"
Zhao Zhi nodded, a determined glint in her eyes. "That's right, but I'll be careful and won't let him succeed. Don't worry, I won't put myself in danger."
Shen Hanshan looked at Zhao Zhi, a surge of inexplicable admiration welling up within him. He knew that although Zhao Zhi appeared gentle on the surface, she actually possessed an incredibly resilient heart. It was truly remarkable that she could remain clear-headed amidst this complex political vortex.
“Alright, since you say so, I’ll believe you.” Shen Hanshan finally relented, but a hint of wariness remained in his eyes. “However, if Yun Zhang really dares to do anything untoward to you, I will never let him off the hook.”
Zhao Zhi smiled slightly and patted Shen Hanshan on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I won't let him succeed. Let's go back to the Princess's residence first. I miss our Xuan'er and Xiao Xiao so much."
The two walked side by side into the princess's residence, each pondering their next plan.
Zhao Zhi was planning to tell Shen Hanshan about Li Yunzhang being made Imperial Noble Consort at a suitable opportunity, while Shen Hanshan was thinking that Li Liang's arrest had gone too smoothly, as if someone was helping him in the dark.
"Who could it be?" Shen Hanshan frowned, muttering to himself. Zhao Zhi, standing beside him, looked at him blankly: "What?"
Shen Hanshan sighed, turned his gaze to her, and explained, "Zhizhi, don't you think Li Liang was caught too easily?"
Zhao Zhi frowned, puzzled, and asked, "What's the problem? Don't we already have enough evidence to arrest him?"
Shen Hanshan shook his head and said in a serious tone, "Things are often not that simple. There must be something fishy going on when things are not going smoothly! I always feel that there is a force behind all this, and it is very likely that it is someone or some force that we do not yet know about."
After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Zhi said, "Perhaps it's because our operation was too secretive, catching them off guard."
Shen Hanshan shook his head, indicating his disagreement: "But I still feel something is not right. How could someone like Li Liang be captured by us so easily? He should have more means and resources to protect himself."
Zhao Zhi smiled helplessly: "Then who do you think it could be? Could there be some other, even more powerful enemy lurking in the shadows?"
Shen Hanshan remained silent, but a sense of unease welled up in his heart.
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