My Prince said he'd break my legs.

Three days later

Liang Zhiyi and Chunmei bribed an old woman in the village and successfully got the job of delivering meals to the women along with the old woman.

The two spent two days in the village, getting a feel for its situation.

The estate wasn't large; several hundred people were divided into three courtyards for resettlement. But the term "resettlement" was more like throwing them in and locking them up haphazardly. Forget about having a bed for each person; in the dead of winter, being able to snag a spot on the floor was considered a blessing.

Suddenly transformed from pampered noblewomen into prisoners, these women suffered immense torment, both physically and psychologically.

It's unclear whether they thought these women wouldn't run away, but apart from soldiers guarding the outside of the estate, the security inside wasn't very strict.

Having familiarized themselves with the terrain of the village and planned the route for Liang Qingwan's escape, they intended to take her away this afternoon.

The old woman they bribed will go out to buy supplies this afternoon. Liang Qingwan can then be dressed in a maid's dress and go out with the old woman.

However, when delivering lunch, Liang Zhiyi didn't go inside. Instead, she waited in a secluded pavilion. Princess Chen had seen her before, and it wouldn't be good if she recognized her.

Before long, the old woman brought Liang Qingwan out.

Liang Qingwan was even thinner than before, her face was completely bloodless, and she staggered, each step feeling like she was walking on cotton, soft and yielding.

Liang Zhiyi's mouth opened slightly, and a look of disbelief flashed in her eyes. How could she have changed like this in just a few days?

"Big sister?"

Liang Qingwan looked up at her, her eyes unfocused, showing no surprise at seeing her.

Liang Zhiyi ran over and grabbed her hand: "What's wrong?"

As she asked this question, several unpleasant images flashed through her mind.

Liang Qingwan forced a smile: "Don't overthink it, I'm fine. The imperial decree hasn't been issued yet, and the people below don't know how His Highness the Crown Prince will deal with us, so they wouldn't dare to do anything reckless. I just..."

However, their fate wouldn't be much better; their ultimate destiny would either be to serve as military prostitutes or be reduced to lowly slaves—neither ending well.

She tilted her chin slightly and let out a deep breath: "The prince is dead, I'm just sad."

Liang Zhiyi couldn't understand how deep a relationship could exist between a prince with many wives and concubines, one that would cause her such emotional damage.

But then I thought about it again. Women in ancient times were taught from a young age to have multiple wives and to regard their husbands as their everything. So it's normal for them to be heartbroken.

"No one's coming here, you two chat for now, I'll come and get you when we go out," the old woman said before leaving.

After watching the old woman leave, Liang Qing changed the subject: "What are you doing here? The Crown Prince has won the struggle for the throne, you should be preparing to enter the palace."

Liang Zhiyi waved her hand: "Hey, in the end, I'm not much better than you. The Crown Prince won, but my father is a member of the Prince Chen faction. Just think, if I still stay by the Crown Prince's side, how miserable will my life be?"

She moved closer to Liang Qingwan: "So I sneaked out during the chaos, and thinking you were still here, I came to rescue you, so we could... Wow!!!"

Liang Zhiyi quickly pulled Liang Qingwan and Chunmei down to squat down, her heart pounding.

How could Pei Yue possibly be here?

"What's wrong?" Liang Qingwan asked softly.

"The Crown Prince has arrived," Liang Zhiyi replied in a breathy voice.

Oh no, if Pei Yue catches them here, he'll skin them alive. All she can do now is pray that he doesn't come this way, because once he gets close, he'll spot them immediately.

But the things people least want to happen are the things that happen most often. Pei Yue didn't stop walking; he walked straight toward them.

There was no time to run now, so Liang Zhiyi had no choice but to signal them to change their posture, and the three of them knelt down on the ground with their heads down.

Since they were all dressed as maids, it was unlikely that Pei Yue, the crown prince who was about to ascend the throne and rule the world, would notice the three maids.

Unfortunately, things are destined not to go as she wishes today.

A pair of boots embroidered with dragon patterns stopped in front of her. Liang Zhiyi buried her head even deeper, almost lying on the ground, her mind racing as she thought of ways to avoid being discovered.

"Liang Clan." Pei Yue's ambiguous voice rang out above her head.

Finished!

Liang Zhiyi felt that her journey through time had come to an end.

Furthermore, all the suffering she endured over the past ten days was for nothing.

She didn't raise her head immediately. After gathering her emotions, she squeezed out two drops of tears and first looked up at Pei Yue in disbelief.

"Your Highness."

Then she suddenly stood up and hugged Pei Yue: "Your Highness, you've finally come to find me! Waaaaah, I thought I'd never see you again, waaaaah..."

Pei Yue, seeing her clumsy acting, did not push her away, but instead reached out and stroked the back of her neck.

Liang Zhiyi stiffened and shrank into his arms. Was this guy trying to strangle her?

With teary eyes, she looked at Pei Yue, her will to survive strong: "Your Highness, please let me explain."

Pei Yue smiled faintly, his eyes devoid of emotion, his hand remaining on the back of her neck: "Then tell me, Zhizhi, how did you come from the mountain to the manor where the women of disgraced officials are imprisoned?"

Having spent over a year with Pei Yue, Liang Zhiyi had come to understand his personality to some extent; he was angry.

His calm madness sent chills down Liang Zhiyi's spine.

Liang Zhiyi sobbed and made up a story in a low voice: "That day I was so hungry that I wanted to go out to find something to eat, but I encountered a wild beast and was chased all the way. By some twist of fate, I went down the mountain and met Chunmei. But the soldiers in the city were fighting everywhere, and I was so scared that I had to find a place to hide. It just so happened that I hid in this manor."

"Oh? It's best if Zhizhi isn't deceiving me, otherwise..." Pei Yue said with a half-smile, but his tone was as cold as iron.

His other hand tightened around her waist, forcing their bodies to press completely together, and he leaned down to whisper in her ear,

"If I find out that Zhizhi ran away, I will break your legs and feed them to the dogs."

Liang Zhiyi had no doubt about the truth of these words. She nodded frantically, and this time she really burst into tears, terrified.

"I, I, I'm not lying to you, really, sob sob sob..." My life is so miserable, how did I end up with this damn Pei Yue?

Pei Yue didn't say anything more and suddenly released her.

She was already on edge, and the shock made her legs go weak. She couldn't react in time and fell to the ground.

"Ouch." Liang Zhiyi rubbed her buttocks; it really hurt.

Pei Yue looked at her silently for a long time before turning and leaving.

After taking a few steps, he stopped, turned back with a dark face, picked up Liang Zhiyi, and left.

"Miss." Chunmei called out as she followed closely behind, but before she could leave the pavilion, she was stopped by Pei Yue's personal guards.

Liang Zhiyi struggled desperately all the way, but Pei Yue's arms were as strong as iron, and she couldn't break free even a little.

Once they left the manor, Pei Yue abandoned her in the carriage.

Liang Zhiyi moved quickly and was about to get down.

Pei Yue glanced at her, his voice devoid of warmth: "You dare to come down."

Liang Zhiyi abruptly stopped, half her body dangling from the carriage, looking at him pitifully: "Your Highness, Chunmei has grown up with me since childhood, and I already consider her family. May she come along?"

Pei Yue sneered, "What makes you think I'll let a lowly servant who has repeatedly challenged imperial authority go this time?"