The Eastern Palace.
"Your Highness, this pot of orchids was just delivered by the flower shop. Each palace has one. Where would you like to put it?" Jiang Huai held a pot of exceptionally vibrant orchids in his arms, his expression slightly conflicted.
Zhou Xingzhi didn't even look up, continuing to handle his official duties. "Whatever."
Jiang Huai scratched his head, glanced around the entire palace, and then carefully placed the orchid by the window.
These flowers are so beautiful, I hope they don't get blown over by the wind.
As soon as he finished speaking, a fragrant breeze wafted towards his face. His nose twitched slightly, and he muttered softly, "The fragrance of this flower is really strong."
Seeing that the prince's teacup was empty, he stopped dwelling on the fragrance of the orchid, picked up the teapot, and walked out of the hall.
Once Jiang Huai's figure had disappeared into the distance, Lian Siyi quietly emerged from behind a pillar.
"Miss Lian, you should just take a quick look at His Highness. Don't linger too long. If His Highness finds out I secretly brought you into the East Palace, I'll lose my head." The eunuch looked around nervously, his heart pounding, unsure if what he was doing was right.
But Lian Siyi offered too much, and he really couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to take the risk.
Fortunately, the eunuchs who were guarding outside the main hall were not there today, which gave them a chance.
Besides, Miss Lian only wanted to catch a glimpse of His Highness from afar. Even if she were discovered, His Highness would probably not make a fuss about it out of consideration for Consort Lian.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Lian Siyi suppressed her excitement and made an excuse to send the eunuch away.
Watching the eunuch's retreating figure, Lian Siyi loosened her tightly clenched hands, straightened her clothes, and stepped into the palace she had longed for for so long.
Hearing footsteps different from those in Jianghuai, Zhou Xingzhi's eyes sharpened, and he cast a highly oppressive gaze at the newcomer.
Who are you? What are you doing here?
Lian Siyi's breath hitched. She had imagined many scenarios of her meeting with His Highness the Crown Prince, but she never expected that His Highness would not recognize her.
“Your Highness, I am Lian Siyi. Consort Lian is my aunt. We met at the palace banquet last year.” Lian Siyi took two steps forward, her words vehement. She could not accept the cruel fact that His Highness the Crown Prince did not recognize her at all.
Upon hearing Lian Siyi's words, Zhou Xingzhi paused in his actions, his deep voice carrying a hint of unfathomable emotion, "A member of the Lian family."
"Does Your Highness recognize me?" Lian Siyi's face lit up with joy, and she took two steps forward. She knew that His Highness would not forget her.
"Stop." Zhou Xingzhi looked at Lian Siyi, whose face was full of joy and who was unaware of the danger that was about to befall her, and a flash of killing intent crossed his eyes.
In his eyes, Lian Siyi was practically a dead person.
"How did you get in?" Zhou Xingzhi's voice was as cold as ice, completely lacking its former warmth, but Lian Siyi, immersed in joy, did not notice anything amiss.
Lian Siyi was filled with trepidation. "Your Highness, do you remember that we met at Mingyin Mountain? I was wearing a veil that day, so it's normal that Your Highness didn't recognize me. I don't blame Your Highness."
"Mingyin Mountain? You mean you're the one who saved my life?" Zhou Xingzhi put down the memorial in his hand, a captivating smile appearing on his handsome face.
"I know Your Highness has been looking for me, but I did not save Your Highness that day to seek repayment." Lian Siyi's infatuated gaze fell on Zhou Xingzhi's face, and her thoughts became more and more firm.
She glanced at the orchid by the window out of the corner of her eye, and continued under Zhou Xingzhi's inscrutable gaze, "Your Highness, I am in love with you. I only ask that Your Highness allow me to stay by your side, and I will be content."
She walked a few steps to Zhou Xingzhi, and looked at him tenderly across the table.
The fragrance in the air grew stronger, and Lian Siyi's smile deepened.
Seeing Zhou Xingzhi's eyes begin to glaze over, Lian Siyi was overjoyed; it seemed the medicine was working.
"Your Highness..." She reached out to touch Zhou Xingzhi, but before she could even touch his clothes, he grabbed her neck tightly, leaving her hanging in mid-air. The force, like an iron clamp, made it difficult for her to breathe, and her eyes rolled back.
Zhou Xingzhi coldly glanced at Lian Siyi's face, which was gradually turning purple. "Impersonating her? You dare to say you're worthy?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he exerted force on his hand, and with a crisp "crack," Lian Siyi's eyes widened suddenly as she died unwillingly.
It wasn't until she was on the verge of death that she realized how foolish she had been.
It turns out that His Highness the Crown Prince already knew that Song Zhiyu was his savior, and also knew that she had sent assassins to kill Song Zhiyu.
Her actions today are tantamount to courting death.
"Your Highness." Jiang Huai walked in carrying a teapot, his expression calm, and respectfully handed over a handkerchief.
He was not surprised at all by the scene in the hall. If His Highness the Crown Prince were so easily manipulated, he would not be His Highness the Crown Prince.
The reason for deliberately sending away the eunuchs guarding the door was simply to make it easier for Lian Siyi to take action.
Otherwise, she wouldn't think the Eastern Palace was a place she could come and go as she pleased.
From the moment Lian Siyi sent assassins to injure Miss Song, her fate was already sealed.
Zhou Xingzhi tossed aside Lian Siyi's body, took the handkerchief, and carefully wiped it. "Lian Siyi attempted to murder the Crown Prince and has now been executed."
Throw her body back into the Lian family's home, to make it clear to them that I am not someone they can touch.
To murder the crown prince is a capital offense. After today, the Lian family will disappear from the capital.
*
Songxiyuan.
"Miss, I heard that Miss Lian was executed on the spot for drugging the Crown Prince in an attempt to harm him, and the Lian family was also implicated and their property was confiscated." Lu Bai told Song Zhiyu all the news she had found out, feeling very gratified.
Song Zhiyu didn't expect Zhou Xingzhi to act so quickly; before she could even make a move, he had already resolved everything.
However, her trouble with Lian Siyi was also related to Zhou Xingzhi; the injury on her shoulder still hurts.
In this way, they are even.
Lu Bai quickly put the Lian family's affairs out of her mind. "By the way, Miss, it seems that the eldest young lady has been inquiring about your past lately."
They planted spies in Songyun Courtyard to keep a close eye on Shen Jinshu's every move.
However, Shen Jinshu was too cautious; apart from his confidante Xiuyue, he didn't trust anyone else.
The information they could get was limited, but it was better than nothing.
"It seems she wants to ruin the family reunion banquet in a few days." After a moment's thought, Song Zhiyu guessed Shen Jinshu's idea. She cherished the identity of the Marquis's daughter very much, so how could she easily give it back to her?
Song Zhiyu handed Lu Bai a piece of white paper covered with names, a half-smile on his face. "Lu Bai, I need you to bring these people over for me. We'll put on a good show for Shen Jinshu."
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