The abstinent and powerful minister is cold and aloof during the day, but he adores her in his dream

Chapter 162 She had to take a gamble.

After saying that, Zhiwan lowered her head.

She wasn't really sure if her trip today would be a waste of her time.
But she had to take a gamble.

After all, only Princess Chang Le could control Xuan Yuan Jing.

After hearing what she said, Princess Chang Le looked at her thoughtfully, "Did she really say that?"

“Zhiwan would not dare to deceive the princess; everything she said is true.” Zhiwan nodded hurriedly.

Upon hearing this, Princess Chang Le's expression softened slightly, and she gestured with her hand, "You may rise."

She knew better than anyone what kind of person Xuanyuan Jing was.

This is something she is perfectly capable of doing.

"Thank you, Princess." Zhiwan breathed a sigh of relief and stood up as instructed.

"Please take a seat!" Princess Chang Le ordered.

Immediately, servants brought over chairs.

"Thank you, Princess." After thanking her, Zhiwan adjusted her skirt and sat down.

Princess Chang Le flipped through the picture book on her lap. "You brought this picture book to me, are you asking for my protection?"

Zhiwan nodded gently. "I am an orphan. I was only able to find shelter thanks to the pity of my aunt and uncle. However, Princess Gaoyang has been relentless in her pursuit of me. I have no choice but to come to Your Highness for help. I hope Your Highness can help me."

Princess Chang Le glanced at her and said indifferently, "Although Xuan Yuan Jing is willful, unruly and ruthless, if you hide in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion and don't come out, she can't do anything to you."

“But I can’t stay hidden in the Duke of Dingguo’s mansion forever,” Zhiwan sighed.

She was only staying at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion; once she found a suitable husband, she would move out and live separately.

Given Xuan Yuanjing's narrow-minded and vicious nature, he would definitely not let her go.

Without the protection of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, it would have been incredibly easy for Xuanyuan Jing to crush her.

Of course, even if she moves out and lives separately, her aunt, uncle, and cousin will not abandon her.

But if Xuanyuan Jing wanted to cause her trouble, she had plenty of ways to do so.

After much thought, she realized that the only person who could control Xuanyuan Jing in the entire capital was Princess Chang Le.

If she can gain Princess Chang Le's protection, Xuan Yuan Jing will have to think twice before trying to cause her any more trouble.

Princess Chang Le nodded. "You're right. Besides, that brat Xuan Yuan Jing is petty and vindictive. Once she's set her sights on you, she won't let it go."

But how do you want me to help you?

Or perhaps you wish to move in with me?

When she said that last sentence, the expression on her face was somewhat meaningful.

Zhiwan: "..."

She recalled what Ouyang Zhenzhu had said: Princess Chang Le was liked by both men and women…

She shuddered and quickly shook her head, saying, "How dare I disturb Your Highness's peace? If Your Highness doesn't mind, could you give me a token? That way, if Princess Gaoyang causes me trouble again next time, I can use the princess's token to scare her away."

Princess Chang Le's lips curled into a half-smile as she looked at her. "Why should I give you a token? Is it this picture book, or... your cousin?"

"It has nothing to do with my cousin. I came here today on my own initiative. As for this picture book, Your Highness, if you like it, you may keep it to enjoy it; if you don't like it, you may throw it away."

"The reason I came to seek Your Highness's help is because I believe Your Highness is a kind person who cannot bear to see the innocent and weak being bullied." Zhiwan's tone was sincere.

Princess Chang Le's smile faded. "No one has ever said I'm kind. What have I done to cause you to misunderstand me like this?"

“I can sense that Your Highness is a kind person,” Zhiwan said earnestly.

Hearing this, Princess Chang Le looked at her with amusement, "Do you know that I am not much better than Xuan Yuan Jing? I have at least a dozen, if not hundreds, lives on my hands. Aren't you afraid that I might kill you if I'm unhappy?" "Your Highness will not," Zhi Wan said firmly.

Meeting her clear and beautiful eyes, Princess Chang Le paused for a moment, then said listlessly, "Fine, you've already flattered me. If I don't help you, wouldn't I be letting you down? I can't give you my token, but I happen to be free. Come to the princess's residence tomorrow morning, and I'll accompany you to see that wretched girl, Xuan Yuan Jing. I want to see how she plans to make things difficult for you."

Zhiwan was overjoyed, rose and knelt down, "Thank you, Princess."

"Alright, stop kneeling all the time. I don't follow that custom." Princess Chang Le reached out and helped her up, then pointed to the album in her arms and asked, "Did you paint all of these?"

Zhiwan paused for a moment, then nodded. "Please keep this a secret, Your Highness."

“It really needs to be kept a secret. You look so gentle and delicate, and you have such a sweet personality, yet you can draw such erotic things. If your cousin knew, I wonder how surprised he would be?” Princess Chang Le looked at her teasingly.

Zhiwan coughed lightly, "It's all for a few taels of silver, Your Highness, please forgive my rudeness."

"I was wondering why your art style looked so familiar. So you also drew those picture books for Xushu Bookstore?" Princess Changle looked at her thoughtfully.

Seeing that she knew, Zhiwan didn't hide it from her and nodded honestly, "Yes."

Princess Chang Le said, "I quite like your painting style. Otherwise, don't paint for Shu Si anymore. Paint for me alone instead. I won't let you suffer any losses."

Zhiwan was somewhat tempted, but after thinking about it, she politely declined.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. However, I cannot paint for Your Highness alone for the time being, because I have signed a contract with Manager Jin, and the paintings I make in the past two years will be given priority to them."

Although there are many benefits to painting for the princess, she might get tired of her paintings after seeing them too many times. In that case, she would still have to find a bookstore to collaborate with.

Moreover, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger.

She may win the princess's favor today, but she might anger her and incur her hatred tomorrow.

Anyway, she was satisfied with the price the bookstore was offering, so there was no need for her to give up the cooperation with the bookstore for the sake of the princess.

Fortunately, Princess Chang Le did not force her. "Then forget it. Anyway, the paintings you sell to the bookstores will always be delivered to me first."

The two chatted about painting for a while longer before Zhiwan took her leave.

After boarding the carriage, Shuang'er hurriedly asked, "Miss, how did things go? Will the princess help?"

Zhiwan nodded. "The princess will accompany me to visit the Prince's villa tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Shuang'er breathed a sigh of relief. "Miss is truly amazing. She managed to persuade the princess to help you. Now that the princess is backing you up, that arrogant Princess Gaoyang won't dare to bully you anymore."

When Zhiwan thought about Princess Changle's attitude when she met her earlier, she broke out in a cold sweat.

If Princess Chang Le doesn't buy into her act, she doesn't know what to do.

Her aunt was in a bad mood, so she didn't dare tell her about Princess Gaoyang.

She could ask her uncle to help, but he was busy with military affairs and could only help her once; she didn't want to bother him too much.

Moreover, if the uncle were to intervene, he could only approach Prince Gaoyang. Prince Gaoyang might give the uncle face, but it was precisely Prince Gaoyang's indulgence of his daughter that made Princess Gaoyang so arrogant. How could Prince Gaoyang reprimand his own daughter for the sake of outsiders?

Only Princess Chang Le could directly control Princess Gao Yang and make her wary.

Fortunately, what she did today was not in vain.

Princess Chang Le promised to accompany her to the Prince's villa tomorrow, and she will definitely go with her.

Zhiwan was relieved.

Upon returning to the Duke's mansion, she delivered the salted goose she had brought back from Zhiweizhai to her aunt and had dinner with her.

As she left, she couldn't help but tell her aunt what her uncle had told her outside the Orchid Courtyard the day before.

"...My uncle was tricked by Aunt Wang back then."

(End of this chapter)