Princess, something terrible has happened! The prince consort has attempted suicide again!

Traveling at breakneck speed, Zhao Changning's skirt billowed as she disregarded royal decorum and rushed toward the courtyard where Zhang Xiaomeng was.

As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, the scene before her eyes instantly made her scalp tingle, and she felt both anxious and angry.

Zhang Xiaomeng, dressed in a brocade robe befitting a prince consort, stood casually with his hands behind his back, exuding an extremely arrogant air.

He actually allowed the elite black-clad guards in the mansion to punch him in the chest and abdomen!

boom!

The heavy sound of flesh colliding suddenly rang out, the force powerful and deep.

If this punch had landed on an ordinary person, their ribs would have been broken, their internal organs would have been injured, and they would have collapsed on the spot, coughing up blood.

Zhang Xiaomeng merely swayed slightly, took two steps back, his face calm and expressionless, showing no sign of pain, but rather a hint of boredom and provocation.

All the excruciating pain rebounded and was transferred to Zhao Changning.

My internal organs felt as if they were being crushed and torn apart by a tremendous force, my meridians tingled, a faint metallic taste rose in my throat, my legs went weak instantly, and I almost staggered and fell to the ground.

"Didn't you eat?"

Zhang Xiaomeng looked disgusted, his nostrils flared, and his posture arrogant and unruly. "The force was so weak, like a tickle. Next."

The guard looked embarrassed and hung his head, not daring to say a word.

Before long, a burly and robust guard strode out, his muscles and bones solid, his fists cracking as he clenched them together.

His expression was solemn as he bowed deeply and clasped his hands in a gesture of respect: "Your Highness, please forgive me! I have diligently cultivated my outer martial arts for twenty years, and this punch was incredibly powerful!"

"Twenty years?"

Zhang Xiaomeng sneered, his eyes filled with disdain, arrogant and unrestrained.

"Don't even mention twenty years, even if you train for another hundred years, you still won't be able to break through my iron body! Come on, go all out."

As soon as he finished speaking, he stood up straight, showing no intention of dodging.

Without further hesitation, the guard lowered his waist and gathered his strength, his right arm wrapped in a fierce wind, and he unleashed his full power, smashing his fist toward Zhang Xiaomeng's chest!

This punch was powerful and domineering. If it were to land, the severe backlash would be something that even Zhao Changning, with his strong physique from years of fighting, would absolutely not be able to withstand!

In a flash, she could no longer hold back and, with all her might, raised her voice and shouted.

"stop!!"

The sound echoed throughout the courtyard.

The guard reacted extremely quickly, his fist stopping just an inch away from Zhang Xiaomeng's heart. The force of the blow grazed past his clothes, a near miss.

The tense crisis dissipated instantly, and Zhao Changning secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but his face was already ashen, filled with suppressed anger.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

All the guards in the courtyard immediately straightened up, bowed, and stood solemnly and respectfully.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaomeng secretly curled his lip inwardly.

It was as if this woman had a surveillance camera installed on him; she always appeared just in time.

It's like a persistent ghost!

"What are you doing?"

Zhao Changning suppressed the surging emotions in his heart, his eyes cold and his voice frosty.

The head guard dared not conceal the truth and reported back: "Your Highness, the Prince Consort claims to have developed a body of copper and iron, and that no one can harm him in the slightest. He specifically instructed us to strike him. Anyone who can injure the Prince Consort will be rewarded with ten taels of silver."

Another guard quickly echoed, his eyes filled with admiration: "Your Highness, the Prince Consort's physical strength is unparalleled. Even when I went all out, I couldn't inflict the slightest injury. He is truly a hidden master, a rare talent indeed!"

The guards all nodded, their eyes filled with respect and awe as they looked at Zhang Xiaomeng.

In their eyes, this former playboy prince consort has been completely transformed and is now a master with unparalleled martial arts skills.

But to Zhao Changning, it sounded utterly absurd, and he was consumed by rage.

What copper skin and iron bones? What unparalleled hard skills?

From beginning to end, she was simply bearing all the severe injuries and pain for this madman!

This group of people knew nothing about it, yet they all praised it, which was ridiculous!

She could no longer contain her anger, and with a cold face, she sternly rebuked, "Insolence! A bunch of ignorant fools! The Prince Consort is of noble birth and precious status; how dare you lay a hand on him? If he has been injured in the slightest, I will punish you severely. Now, get out of here at once!"

When the prince is enraged, his imposing presence is awe-inspiring.

The guards were so frightened that they dared not utter a word, and quickly bowed and withdrew from the courtyard.

As everyone departed, they were all secretly filled with sighs and lamentations.

The princess's anxiety and constant favoritism towards her husband truly shows her deep love for him.

Only Zhao Changning herself knew that it wasn't favoritism, but fear! It was terror! It was being forced into a corner!

The courtyard was suddenly empty, leaving only the two of them standing facing each other.

Zhao Changning turned to look at Zhang Xiaomeng, who seemed completely indifferent, her eyes filled with deep anger and helplessness: "Zhang Xiaomeng, if you continue to act so recklessly, don't blame me for being ruthless and locking you in this courtyard, forbidding you from stepping outside even a half step!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaomeng looked indignant and retorted confidently, "You won't let me go out, so I'm just bored and looking for some entertainment to pass the time. What's wrong with that?"

"If you have nothing to do, you can read books to cultivate your character and calm your mind," Zhao Changning said coldly in a deep voice.

"You're yelling at me again, I don't want to live anymore."

Zhang Xiaomeng turned around and slammed hard into the solid courtyard wall!

The movements were swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation, clearly indicating that they were already proficient in this procedure.

Zhao Changning was almost driven to the brink of collapse by him, his heart aching and a sense of powerlessness sweeping over him.

This guy does this every time, is he trying to kill us?

She strode forward, grabbed his sleeve tightly, and forcibly stopped him.

The princess's proud dignity was completely worn away, and her voice carried an undisguised weariness and pleading: "Please, I'm begging you, just behave yourself, okay?"

Zhang Xiaomeng, with an arrogant expression, said without hesitation, "No way."

"you!"

Zhao Changning felt a tightness in his chest and a surge of blood rushing to his head from his words.

Helpless, he was so angry that he trembled all over.

Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, a palace attendant rushed through the courtyard, bowing and urgently reporting the situation.

"Your Highness, Your Highness! Eunuch Li has come to the residence to deliver His Majesty's decree, requesting an immediate audience with both of you!"

Zhao Changning had no choice but to suppress his anger and frustration, compose himself, and turn to the front hall to receive the imperial decree, his mind filled with irritation.

In the front hall, Eunuch Li held the imperial edict, his face full of gentle smiles.

Upon seeing the two approach, he quickly bowed and greeted them: "This old servant greets Your Highness the Princess and Your Highness the Prince Consort."

"What imperial decree does Your Excellency have?" Zhao Changning asked calmly.

Eunuch Li straightened up and solemnly conveyed the imperial decree: "His Majesty decrees that Huang Cheng, the second prince of Nanzhao, has wreaked havoc on the border, framed our court officials, and deliberately instigated conflict. The evidence against him is irrefutable. Therefore, the Prince Consort is hereby ordered to immediately prepare his journey and represent Dongling as an envoy to Nanzhao to hold the Nanzhao royal family accountable and to demonstrate the might of our dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Changning was taken aback.

Previously, Huang Cheng's collusion with the Black Lotus cult and his secret dealings with Zhao Jinrui had been exposed, and the court had already discussed sending envoys to hold Nanzhao accountable.

She never expected that the person her father ultimately chose would be Zhang Xiaomeng!

The journey to Nanzhao was long and arduous, and the situation was complex and dangerous. There was no guarantee that the Black Lotus Cult might still be lurking in the shadows.

With Zhang Xiaomeng's unrestrained and lawless nature, he is bound to cause countless troubles!

If he gets into danger or injured in Nanzhao, or if he acts recklessly again, all the fatal backlash will fall on her!

This is not a diplomatic mission at all; it's risking her life!

Zhao Changning was extremely anxious and immediately spoke up to stop him: "Eunuch Li, my husband and I have only recently married and should be settling down at home. It is not appropriate for us to travel to a foreign land and be separated by thousands of miles. Please return to the palace to report on this matter and send another court official instead."

Eunuch Li looked troubled: "Your Highness, His Majesty's mind is made up. His Majesty said that the Prince Consort is the best candidate to be sent to Nanzhao because he has stopped Huang Cheng's conspiracy, is exceptionally intelligent and calm, and no one can replace him."

"I forbid it!"

Zhao Changning's gaze darkened, and her princess-like majesty was fully displayed, her aura intimidating. "This matter is dropped. You may return to the palace to report!"

Eunuch Li's heart skipped a beat; he was caught in a dilemma and was about to retreat as instructed.

A clear yet resolute voice suddenly rang out, stopping him in his tracks.

"Wait!"

Zhang Xiaomeng's eyes shone brightly, his joy and anticipation barely concealed. He declared loudly, "I'll go to Nanzhao this time!"