All was silent except for the rumbling of the carriage wheels.
Zhao Zhi was exhausted from reviewing memorials in the imperial study all day, her mind preoccupied with her brother, and she remained restless throughout. Now, sitting in the swaying carriage, she unknowingly drifted off to sleep.
After a safe and uneventful journey, the group finally arrived at the Prince Yi's residence.
After the carriage came to a slow stop, Qin Han lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, we have arrived at the Prince Yi's residence." He called out twice before Zhao Zhi inside the carriage came to her senses and replied in a hoarse voice, "Oh, I know."
At this time, servants had been waiting at the gate of Prince Yi's mansion for a long time. As soon as they saw them arrive, they hurriedly went into the mansion to announce their arrival.
Zhao Zhi rubbed her sleepy eyes and slowly got off the carriage.
The cool night breeze brushed against my cheeks, carrying a faint fragrance of flowers.
She then noticed that the walls outside the Prince's mansion were covered with honeysuckle. The honeysuckle flowers had turned golden yellow, indicating that they had been blooming for some time.
Zhao Zhi was surprised; it was the first time she had ever seen a minister plant honeysuckle outside his own courtyard.
Just as she was lost in thought, a servant from the manor respectfully came forward to inform her that the Prince was changing his clothes and asked her to wait inside the manor for a moment. Zhao Zhi looked up at the brightly lit manor, her heart filled with doubt.
Changing clothes? Ha, is he just making up an excuse not to come out and greet me?
The servant led Zhao Zhi through the long corridor to the outside of Prince Yi's bedroom.
"Why didn't you bring me here? Why didn't you take me to the front hall? Is this how you treat your Prince's Mansion? You have no manners at all!" Zhao Zhi glanced behind her and saw that Zhu San Niang and Qin Han had been blocked in front of her at some point.
"My lord, our prince's bedroom is not a place for ordinary women. To be able to enter this inner courtyard, you must be quite capable." The servant spoke with a sarcastic tone and a hint of contempt. Who was this person, so ignorant of their place, daring to question the way their prince's household treated its guests?
Just wait and see. After the prince tires of her, she'll cry and beg him, but he won't let her step into their prince's mansion! The servants didn't know the newcomer's identity, assuming she was like the other women, a prostitute who treated the prince as a patron. Therefore, their glances at her were filled with disdain.
"Step back," Zhao Zhi said coldly. She didn't want to say another word to this kind of person, especially the gaze that fell on her, which made her feel uncomfortable.
Hearing the arrogance in Zhao Zhi's tone, the servant suddenly felt uncomfortable, but considering that this woman was someone the prince had ordered to wait for no matter how long it took, she must be someone the prince cared about very much. He could only snort lightly, glance at the veiled Zhao Zhi with disgust, and leave.
Zhao Zhi thought to himself: Like master, like servant!
"Endure a word, quell a rage, forgive a mistake, and take a step back." A cold voice suddenly came from inside the house.
Zhao Zhi quickly composed herself. The formidable opponent was in that room ahead!
The door suddenly swung open, and a domineering force emanated from inside, engulfing Zhao Zhi.
The door slammed shut from the inside.
Zhao Zhi suddenly felt her waist being embraced by a pair of long arms, and a refreshing scent of soapberry wafted towards her.
She realized that the person who was holding her might have just finished showering.
She seized the opportunity, carefully flipped her wrist, and tried to use the silver needle hidden in her hand to prick the other person's Hegu acupoint.
However, the other person seemed to have anticipated her move. He quickly slid his hand, which had been on her lower back, down her arm to her fingers and gripped them tightly. Her hand loosened in pain, and the silver needles fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
Although her opponent successfully deflected her attack, he also exposed the back of his forearm.
Zhao Zhi immediately seized the opportunity and forcefully stabbed the opponent's Shousanli acupoint with his left hand. This acupoint is located on the radial side of the back of the forearm, on the line connecting Yangxi and Quchi, two inches below the elbow crease. Once struck, the opponent's arm will feel numb and their movements will become stiff.
Taking advantage of the moment when her opponent's arm was temporarily out of control, Zhao Zhi raised her leg and suddenly thrust it upwards at an angle. A cry of pain came from above, and her opponent finally released her.
Zhao Zhifei took a few steps back, stopping at what she considered a safe distance. Her eyes sharpened as she stared intently at the man in front of her, who was bending over and covering his groin with his hands—Prince Yi, Yunzhang.
He was groaning in pain, his face as pale as paper, and his forehead covered in cold sweat. Clearly, that kick had caused him considerable injury.
She sneered, "This is my first time visiting your Prince's residence. I didn't expect your hospitality to be so unique!"
Yun Zhang took a deep breath and slowly straightened up. Half of his face was hidden in the shadows, while the other half was brightly lit by the candlelight.
Zhao Zhi was startled. She had seen him in the Imperial Study during the day, but she hadn't observed him closely then. Now, however, Yun Zhang appeared aloof and handsome, with a tall and straight figure, alluring eyes, and a superior appearance.
"Your Highness has come to visit us under the cover of night. Your humble servant should bathe and burn incense to show respect."
As Yun Zhang spoke, he took a step forward, and Zhao Zhi involuntarily took a step back.
"Prince Yi, what are you going to do?" Zhao Zhi quickly calculated in her mind. Judging from the fight just now, she couldn't beat Yun Zhang in terms of martial arts. In terms of physical strength, he was far superior to her. So she could only try to outmaneuver him.
But how could she obtain it cleverly? She couldn't afford to offend him. Perhaps he possessed the antidote to save her brother!
"Your Highness, why have you come here so late at night? Could it be that you took a fancy to my appearance during the day and wish for me to serve you tonight?" Yun Zhang said, taking another step forward. His face was fully revealed in the candlelight, revealing a truly handsome appearance.
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