If you were cold and aloof in your past life, why are you crying in this one?

Xi Yao stood there, her eyes blurry with tears, looking utterly pitiful. "Sister, that's not what I meant... I really just wanted to apologize to you..."

Just then, a figure walked over from the side.

"Miss Xi, since you are not in a good health to drink alcohol, tea can be used instead. The sentiment is what matters; why be so particular about the type of beverage?"

Xi Lingxian raised her head and glanced at the person who spoke.

She seemed to be a girl from a middle-class official family in the capital. She thought for a long time but couldn't remember her surname.

In my memory, they were an extremely low-key and cautious family.

A maid brought a clean teacup, poured tea from a peach branch, and Xi Lingxian, not wanting to continue the pretense, symbolically took a sip.

After a short while, Xi Lingxian felt the urge to relieve herself and left the room with Taozhi.

I hadn't walked for long when I suddenly felt a little dizzy, heavy, and sluggish.

At the same time, a strange heat rose from my lower abdomen.

That cup of tea was problematic too!

She had already been wary of Xi Yao's wine, but then she thought of...

The heat grew stronger and stronger, making her feel weak all over.

She bit her tongue, using the pain to force herself to stay awake.

Taozhi's voice trembled: "Young lady, how are you? I'll go find someone."

Xi Lingxian gritted her teeth, suppressing the surging dizziness and heat under her throat.

"Miss Xi—" a high-pitched voice drifted from behind.

The eunuch's tone carried a hint of ill intent as he chuckled, "Look at you, why are you still putting on such a show? His Highness the Crown Prince is just being kind to you, so just give in. You won't lose out by following him."

Xi Lingxian clenched her teeth so tightly they made a grinding sound.

Why should she give in? In her past life, she managed to take someone down with her when she was dying, and it's the same today!

I heard unhurried footsteps behind me.

The prince slowed his breathing as he saw the slender figure encased in a pale yellow dress, her high-bun hairstyle revealing her long, fair neck.

She was swaying precariously, her tearful, misty eyes particularly pitiful.

He quickened his pace, deciding to close the net.

"Miss Xi, you've gone the wrong way. The way back is this way."

Xi Lingxian gripped the short knife tightly in her sleeve.

As the medication became more potent, her legs began to weaken.

The two eunuchs were already a few steps away, ready to encircle them.

The short knife hidden in her sleeve flashed out.

The two eunuchs suddenly stopped in their tracks.

The prince stopped.

"Miss Xi," his voice was gentle, "what are you doing? I merely noticed you were unwell and wanted to have someone escort you home. Are you holding a knife to harm me, or to harm yourself?"

Xi Lingxian did not answer; the knife in her hand remained steadily pointed forward.

"Your Highness," her voice was hoarse, as if it had been sanded, "please step back."

The prince's smile faded slightly.

"Miss Xi, you're drunk."

He took a step forward, his voice as gentle as if coaxing a sulking child: "Put down the knife. You've hurt me, and even your father can't protect you."

The eunuch reached out to grab her arm, but she opened her mouth and bit him. The eunuch screamed and let go.

With her last ounce of strength, she cried out, "Help! Someone help me—"

The crown prince's expression changed slightly.

Two eunuchs lifted their feet and chased after them.

Xi Lingxian straightened up, the knife in her hand flashing coldly in the air. "Anyone who takes another step forward, I'll slit their throat!"

The crown prince's face darkened.

"Xi Lingxian, do you know what you're doing?"

"Help!"

She used almost all her strength to shout that.

The crown prince's expression changed drastically.

"You—" He reached out to cover her mouth.

Xi Lingxian thrust her knife-wielding hand forward abruptly.

Blood gushed from the wound. The prince clutched his arm, his face deathly pale, and staggered back a few steps.

"You're insane—how dare you hurt me—"

"Take her away!" he roared through gritted teeth at the two eunuchs. "Quickly!"

Xi Lingxian opened her mouth, wanting to shout, but her throat felt like it was blocked by something.

Peach branch had long been controlled by the Crown Prince's men.

A figure rushed out from behind the path shaded by chrysanthemums, his blue robe billowing in the night wind.

Xi Lingxian's gaze was already somewhat unfocused, but she still recognized him.

Zhou Shuhuai.

How did he get here? How did he find this place?

"Miss Xi!" He rushed to her in three steps, took a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve, uncorked it, poured out a pale yellow pill, held it in his palm, and handed it to her.

"This is a family heirloom antidote pill that can temporarily suppress the effects of other medicines. If you take it, young lady, you will at least regain your strength."

Things can't get any worse than they are now.

Xi Lingxian reached out and took the pill, then put it in her mouth.

The crown prince stared at the scholar in blue robes who had appeared out of nowhere, his eyes blazing with anger and murderous intent. "Who are you? Who gave you permission to come here? Get out!"

Zhou Shuhuai stood up and turned around.

"Your subject, Zhou Shuhuai, of the Zhou family of Yixing, witnessed and heard today's events firsthand. If Your Highness wishes to dismiss me, you may first explain why Your Highness was alone with the Xi family's daughter in this secluded veranda amidst the clinking of glasses and revelry. And why did she raise the knife in her hand?"

"Who do you think you are?" The Crown Prince's voice rose several decibels. "A mere descendant of a fallen family dares to question me? What business is it of yours to interfere in my affairs?"

"Your Highness's affairs are beyond my control." He paused, looking directly at the Crown Prince, and said, word by word, "Miss Xi is my friend. I cannot stand idly by when my friend is in trouble."

The Crown Prince took a step forward. "Zhou Shuhuai, do you believe that with just a word from me, you can disappear from this world? You're just a commoner from a fallen noble family; no one will even ask you a question if you die."

Zhou Shuhuai looked at the Crown Prince, his gaze as calm as a deep pool of water, unmoving.

"Your Highness is right. I am but a commoner, and my death is of little consequence. But if what Your Highness did tonight were to reach General Xi's ears, what do you think he would think?"

The prince paused.

"General Xi commands a large army and is utterly loyal to the court. His daughter was drugged at a banquet at the Prince of Huainan's residence and nearly violated. Your Highness, if this were to become public, what would the court officials think? What would the people of the world think?"

"Your Highness is the Crown Prince, the future Emperor. The Emperor's authority is not established through such means."

The crown prince's face turned pale and then flushed.

Zhou Shuhuai didn't look at him again, turned around and went back to Xi Lingxian's side, squatting down.

Not long after the pill went down her throat, Xi Lingxian felt as if a clear spring was flowing through her chest, extinguishing the surging heat inch by inch.

Her breathing gradually became steady, and the flush on her face subsided.

She looked at Zhou Shuhuai and said softly, "Thank you."

Zhou Shuhuai shook his head.

Xi Lingxian straightened up by holding onto a pillar and bent down to pick up the dagger from the ground.

She gripped the hilt of her knife tightly, raised her head, and looked past Zhou Shuhuai's shoulder, her gaze landing directly on the Crown Prince's face.

"I want to see my father! I want to go to the palace! I want to see His Majesty!"