Exile? A mad, wicked woman empties the national treasury to escape famine.

"Alright, Your Highness, don't worry. I'll take care of the Prince. Just be careful when you go over there."

Ji Yunshu nodded gently, took the largest wooden vine, went to the edge of the cliff, and tied the vine to herself.

He gripped the withered branches and weeds beside him and walked forward step by step.

Everything was going smoothly until suddenly, a commotion arose ahead.

Ji Yunshu's heart skipped a beat. She looked up and saw three people standing on the cliff: two guards and Doctor Li. The two guards were talking to Doctor Li, who was arguing with them, their faces red from the argument.

She didn't take it to heart at first and continued walking forward with her head down, but in that instant, she saw one of the guards reach out and give Doctor Li a push from behind.

"what!"

Then came Dr. Li's screams of agony.

Then, Dr. Li rolled bouncyly down the cliff.

Ji Yunshu paused. Had she seen correctly? That guard had actually pushed Doctor Li down.

Isn't this Doctor Li one of the Crown Prince's men?

The guards are also the Crown Prince's men, so how did these two get into a fight?

Could it be one of Chu Jingsheng's own people, fighting amongst themselves?

But even if they fought, where would that guard get the audacity to push Doctor Li down?

It is said that Doctor Li had been by Chu Jingsheng's side for many years and was considered one of Chu Jingsheng's confidants. He was killed by the guards. Chu Jingsheng must be furious.

Thinking this, she slowed her pace and looked up in Chu Jingsheng's direction.

Unexpectedly, Chu Jingsheng didn't make any unnecessary movements. He sat on the ground without even lifting his eyelids, as if the person who rolled down the cliff was not Doctor Li, but just an insignificant person.

Ji Yunshu's heart sank, and in the blink of an eye, she understood the whole story.

A cold smile appeared on her lips. Yes, Doctor Li was Chu Jingsheng's man. Without Chu Jingsheng's authorization, who would dare to kill him directly?

She had overheard the two guards saying that they were acting on the orders of the Crown Prince to protect Doctor Li!

Looking back now, it's truly ironic. Perhaps Dr. Li only realized he had followed the wrong person when he died.

She didn't have any deep-seated hatred for Dr. Li, and seeing him end up like this, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

This made her realize once again how important imperial power was in ancient times, as it could easily determine a person's life or death.

She pulled herself out of her thoughts and slowly walked forward.

Before long, she reached the other side, just a few steps away. She grabbed a dry branch with her right hand, preparing to leap across, but before she could get up, a person stood out from the edge of the cliff.

"I say, Your Highness, you really know how to take advantage of others. We went through so much trouble, losing two people to make a path, and you just came over directly. Isn't that a bit too much of a bargain?"

She's the other woman.

Xiao Wu was standing next to Xiao San when she heard what he said. She wanted to stop him, but it was too late.

The mistress had already stood up, facing Ji Yunshu directly on the edge of the cliff, her posture upright.

That was the only way for Ji Yunshu to get here, and now he was blocking the way, clearly not wanting Ji Yunshu to come over.

Xiao Wu was dumbfounded. Was this mistress really so brainless?

There were so many of them, yet not a single one dared to step forward and stop the princess. What, did he think he was the only smart one who could jump out?

He subconsciously glanced at the eldest prince and saw Chu Jingsheng lying on the ground, seemingly oblivious to everything around him, showing no intention of stopping the conflict.

Xiao Wu couldn't figure out Chu Jingsheng's intentions, so he could only stay where he was, not daring to make any move, and just kept winking at Xiao San.

Considering that they both worked under the Crown Prince, he still didn't want the mistress to die too soon. After all, with the mistress around, the burden on his shoulders would be lighter.

But Xiao San seemed to be blind, ignoring Xiao Wu's constant blinking.

The other guards stood still. Some of them had come from the capital with Xiao San and knew nothing about Ji Yunshu's journey, treating her only as an exiled prisoner.

The other guards, knowing Ji Yunshu's methods, saw that Xiao Wu didn't make a move, so they just stood there blankly, silently mourning for Xiao San.

Ji Yunshu was almost laughing in anger. She had already come all this way, and this mistress was only now telling her not to leave. Was that what she meant?

Is that what she meant?

Don't let her leave?

Where does he get the audacity and the nerve?

"Get out of here."

Those two simple words sent shivers down the spines of everyone else.

"Hmph, why should I? I won't allow it! Ji Yunshu, you can't go too far. You saved the First Prince's life before, and now you're extorting a thousand taels of gold from him."

"We've found this path; you've just been following behind us, reaping the benefits. So, you should at least offer some compensation to our eldest prince!"

That's fair! Why should she be allowed to extort money from the eldest prince, but they're not allowed to ask her for money?

Ji Yunshu doubted her ears. This mistress actually said that they had painstakingly found this road.

Where did this face come from?

She was too lazy to waste words with the person in front of her, and said again in a calm voice.

"I told you to get out of my way!"

"I won't! Unless you return some of the gold you extorted from the First Prince, I absolutely will not allow it. Let me tell you, I command tens of thousands of Imperial Guards. What right do you, a mere exiled prisoner, have... Ah!"

Before the mistress could finish speaking, he felt his sleeve being pulled forcefully, and he fell to the side.

With a whoosh, something flew past the spot where he had been standing.

The person who pulled him was Xiao Wu, while Xiao San was still somewhat confused.

"Xiao Wu, are you crazy? Why are you grabbing me? You're all cowards, so afraid of her. I'm not afraid of her at all. Let me tell you, today I'll show you what the proper attitude should be towards an exiled prisoner!"

As he spoke, he tried to get up from the ground again.

Xiao Wu was absolutely furious with this incompetent teammate. Given their current situation, it was not appropriate for them to have a conflict with the princess!

That idiot mistress, does she think she can stump the princess with such a simple difficulty?

It's a waste that he's a military commander. Didn't he notice something whizzing past him?

He could no longer tolerate this incompetent teammate, so he slapped the mistress on the back of the head.

"Enough, you idiot! Look closely at what that thing just flew past you, and look at what's in the tree behind you!"

Xiao San couldn't get up because Xiao Wu was pulling his sleeve. He glared at him impatiently and turned to look behind him.

"Look, look, what are you looking at? What could she possibly have? It's just a pebble or some weeds. I really don't understand why you people act like mice before a cat when you see her, wanting to stay far away from her. What is she...?"