In truth, he was more successful than Zhao Yi.
Zhao Shu squinted. He actually thought Hao Shumei and Sun Jiao deserved it. They were so heartless and ungrateful. Putting everything else aside, these two women were victims in terms of their relationship. However, considering all other factors, they did deserve it.
Good men are all equally good, but bad men come in all sorts of ways.
“I don’t think they deserved it. They were just blind to have met you. If they hadn’t met you, they would probably be living a hundred times better lives than they are now. Sun Jiao wouldn’t have died either. Do you know why you failed? It’s because you were too cold-hearted.”
After saying this, Zhao Shu flung her sleeves and left the cell. As she rushed out of the prison, she realized she had forgotten the purpose of her visit: to ask Yi De where he might be.
Just as she was about to go back and ask again, Xiao Guozi whispered, "Princess, someone is here."
There was a long staircase in front of the prison gate, and someone was climbing it. He was completely wrapped in a hooded cloak, so his face was not visible, but his figure looked somewhat familiar.
“Princess, it seems to be Zhen Qizhong,” Xiao Guozi said.
Zhao Shuling had a sudden idea and lifted her skirt to return to the prison. The prison guards all recognized her and dared not stop her, allowing her to enter her usual resting place.
Zhen Qizhong came alone. He was very generous and handed over gold. He had a gold ingot in his hand, and the jailer wouldn't let him go.
After Zhen Qizhong was released, the jailer immediately brought over the gold, saying, "Princess, this is the rule, it wouldn't be right not to accept it."
The gates of the government office face south; those with reason but no money should not enter. This is the rule. If you bring money to the prison, you will be allowed in for a visit. This is an unspoken rule.
Although Zhao Shu disapproved of these unspoken rules, she didn't say anything. "If the water is too clear, there will be no fish; if a person is too discerning, there will be no followers." The jailer also had elderly parents and young children to support, so he didn't take the money. "Stay outside and remind me if anyone comes."
After she finished speaking, she walked back in along the same path.
Not far away, near Zhao Bi's cell, they heard a faint voice: "Your Highness, have they tortured you?"
It was Zhen Qizhong's voice, trembling slightly, filled with worry and excitement.
"It's nothing, why don't you leave? You should leave quickly, the farther the better." Zhao Bi was also very agitated, and he strongly disapproved of Zhen Qizhong's decision.
Perhaps, in his heart, he only loves Zhen Qizhong, which is why he said that Hao Shumei and Sun Jiao deserved it.
"Your Highness, rest assured, I will definitely rescue you, I definitely will!" Zhen Qizhong said solemnly.
"Do you know how many Shadow Division and Imperial Guards are guarding this place? Go back, fly far away, go wherever you want, just don't stay in the capital." Zhao Bi's tone was filled with reluctance and helplessness, but even more so with powerlessness and emotion.
"Zhao Yi has ascended the throne, and the palace is very busy right now, which is why I dared to come here," Zhen Qizhong said resentfully. "Your Highness, your residence has been sealed off."
"Money is just an external thing. You should leave quickly. I only care about your well-being." Zhao Bi's words were earnest and sincere, not perfunctory.
Zhen Qizhong didn't speak, but after a short while, Zhao Bi said, "Don't cry." He choked up.
This time, after a long, long time without hearing any sound, Zhao Shu wanted to peek out. Just as she was about to do so, she heard Zhen Qizhong say, "I'm not going anywhere. Without you, I don't want to go anywhere. Home is where you are. Without you, I feel like I'm just wandering wherever I go. You know I don't like being a wanderer."
"As long as you're here, I'm alive, Xiao Qi. You must live well for my sake." Though his face was obscured, Zhao Bi's deep affection was palpable.
If Hao Shumei had received such a remark from Zhao Bi, she probably wouldn't have gone to the Taihe Hall.
"Wait for me, wait for me to come and save you. Let's leave this place and go somewhere where no one knows us, okay?" Zhen Qizhong pleaded almost implying that the life he longed for was one of farming and weaving... no, it should be more like planting beans in the southern mountains.
In my previous life, Zhen Qizhong didn't seem to exist. Perhaps she did exist, but at that time she was at the level of Lin Xiuxue, so naturally I didn't know much about her.
Zhao Bi did not reply, but he nodded, though Zhao Shu could not see it.
The lack of a reply meant he was leaving himself an escape route; in reality, it was impossible to get him to give up the throne.
Zhen Qizhong was overjoyed and wanted to say something, but the jailer came and said, "It's time. Let's go."
"Wait for me," Zhen Qizhong said finally.
Zhao Shu left the prison first, and then stopped on the road leading to the prison to wait for Zhen Qizhong.
When Zhen Qizhong saw Zhao Shu, he was startled. He pretended to be calm, but the hand that pulled down the brim of his hat betrayed him. He was so nervous when he saw Zhao Shu that he could hardly walk.
"Don't you have anything to say to me?" Zhao Shu asked bluntly.
Jiecao died young, leaving many things she wanted to know unsaid. Zhen Qizhong, having had much contact with her, must know many secrets that are not shared with outsiders.
"Your Highness has sharp eyes and can recognize me. What? Does Your Highness not want to have me arrested?" Zhen Qizhong composed herself and quickly regained her composure.
As expected of the man Zhao Bi liked, Zhao Shu secretly praised, "What's the use of capturing you? It's not a merit. Let me ask you, what else is Jie Cao hiding from me?"
"Does the princess think I would say that?" he retorted coldly to Zhao Shu.
Zhao Shu calmly circled around him twice. "Can't you talk? My brother, the emperor, will immediately order Zhao Bi's execution after he ascends the throne. Don't you want to save him?"
"You're willing to let him go?" Zhen Qizhong looked at Zhao Shu excitedly, wanting to reach out and take Zhao Shu's hand, but was blocked by Xiao Guozi.
Zhao Shu didn't speak, she just smiled, as if there were infinite possibilities, yet also as if there were none. Zhen Qizhong's mind was in turmoil. "You...you really are willing to let him go, I am willing to go through fire and water to repay you."
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