Qin Zhao's question left everyone in the hall momentarily silent.
Third Princess Qin Pei was the first to speak: "What happened that day was an unexpected incident that no one could have foreseen.
The death of Eldest Imperial Brother was an accident, no one is to blame.
Fourth Prince, do not unfairly blame Ninth Imperial Sister."
Fifth Princess said: "Ninth Imperial Sister has no obligation to protect anyone, let's be rational."
Afterwards, there were people who spoke up for Qin Zhao.
But Qin Lie said: "You're all right.
However, I saw it - when the assassin appeared, Zhao Yang immediately shielded that princess of the grasslands behind her.
Our imperial sister knows how to prioritize.
She wants the beauty, not the Eldest Imperial Brother!"
His words caused the atmosphere in the hall to freeze again.
A sharp female voice rang out unexpectedly, "How dare you take the Emperor's life!"
Zhao Shi suddenly rushed towards Qin Zhao!
Qin Zhao dodged to the side, Zhao Shi was unable to stop in time and stumbled to the ground!
Unable to bear the grief of losing her husband, Zhao Shi's mind was a little deranged.
She charged around wildly, but was easily avoided by Qin Zhao.
Qin Zhao said to the eunuchs outside the hall: "Come, take the Eldest Imperial Son's wife to rest."
Several eunuchs ran in, grabbed Zhao Shi, and took her away.
Qin Lie added fuel to the fire: "Eldest Imperial Brother has just passed, yet you treat his wife like this. Be careful he comes to settle scores with you in the dead of night."
Slap!
Qin Zhao turned around and slapped him!
Five finger marks instantly appeared on Qin Lie's face!
Qin Lie shouted angrily: "Zhao Yang, how dare you hit me!"
Slap!
Another slap!
Qin Zhao laughed: "Hitting you, why would I need your consent?
Second Imperial Brother, you're right.
Father dotes on me, so I can hit you without consequences.
As for you, with that gossipy mouth, like a vicious gossip.
If you tattle to Father over such a trivial matter, you'll only earn his disgust."
Qin Lie's face was swollen, looking extremely ridiculous. Some people couldn't help but snicker.
Qin Lie looked towards them red-eyed, and they pretended nothing had happened, lowering their heads silently.
Qin Lie, covering his face, tongue-tied, said to Qin Zhao: "Zhao Yang, I will repay this humiliation tenfold!"
Qin Lie angrily strode away.
Qin Su was afraid Qin Zhao would hit him, and hid behind a pillar in fright.
Qin Zhao had no intention of playing ring around the pillar with him. She said to the others: "Well then, I'll take my leave first."
After she left, the princesses quietly discussed among themselves.
Sixth Princess Qin Ling asked: "Isn't Ninth Sister becoming more and more brazen?"
"I think she's fine, Second Imperial Brother is more out of line," said Fourth Princess Qin Fan.
Eighth Princess Qin Yi: "That's true, if it were me in that situation, I'd probably just cry. Actually I'd prefer to fight back like Ninth Sister."
Fifth Princess Qin Yu: "Although Ninth Sister has always been arrogant and domineering, I don't know why, but I like her more now."
Qin Ling had wanted to mock Qin Zhao with her sisters, but unexpectedly they were all praising her. Feeling it was pointless, she stopped talking.
After Qin Zhao took the carriage out of the palace, she had the driver stop at Tai Ping Street.
"Does Your Highness want to walk back to the manor?" Cong Han asked.
"Yes, it's too stuffy in the carriage."
Luckily she was wearing a black blindfold today, so there was no need to worry about being recognized by the commoners.
The two got off the carriage together and walked along the bustling street.
"Candied haws for sale! Sweet and sour candied haws!"
The cries of the hawker carried from afar, full of the mundane aura of human life.
Cong Han asked: "Has Your Highness eaten candied haws before?"
Qin Zhao: "Yes."
"This subordinate has not."
"Why not?"
"When I was little my family was poor and could not afford them. Back then I really wanted to try what candied haws tasted like.
Now I can afford them, but don't want to eat them anymore."
"What's the reason?"
Cong Han thought for a moment, then replied: "I'm afraid the taste won't live up to what I imagined as a child.
It won't be able to carry the longing I had for it back then."
When the hawker passed by, Qin Zhao called out to him, "Two skewers please."
"Coming right up!"
The hawker pulled out two skewers of candied haws and gave them to Qin Zhao. Cong Han gave the hawker four coins.
Looking at the bright, glossy candied haws, Qin Zhao said: "The taste of candied haws certainly can't compare to the delicacies you've eaten.
But it will definitely live up to your childhood."
Cong Han didn't understand. "Why is Your Highness so certain?"
"Can you describe what those delicacies tasted like?"
Cong Han pondered for a moment, then replied: "I can't describe it specifically, but I vaguely know what they tasted like."
Qin Zhao handed a skewer of candied haws to Cong Han and said: "If you can't clearly remember the taste, then those so-called delicacies are unable to leave an imprint in your memory.
But this skewer of candied haws is different - it only has two flavors, sour and sweet.
No matter how much time passes, you'll remember what they taste like.
Life is made up of memories. Things you can't remember drift away like smoke.
What remains belongs to you."
Cong Han nodded. "Thank you Your Highness, for giving me the courage to finally taste candied haws."
She took a bite and carefully savored it, then said: "Delicious."
As the two walked past a alleyway, they were suddenly bumped by someone rushing out!
Qin Zhao reached out to steady the person, but their belongings spilled all over the ground.
After regaining her balance, she lowered her head and apologized: "I'm sorry for the offense."
This person had delicate features, a slender figure, and wore simple clothes. Carrying so many books, she had the air of a down-and-out scholar.
Qin Zhao squatted down to help pick up her things.
She inadvertently opened one of the books, and saw the writing was vigorous and forceful, penetrating deeply into the page!
Looking closely at her annotations on the content, they were also incisive.
She had unique perspectives on some political points, giving people sudden insight!
Qin Zhao asked 502: "Who is she?"
502 replied: "Liu Yu, a scholar from Jin Province. She placed first in the county and provincial examinations, and is about to take the palace examination."
Seeing Qin Zhao looking at her annotations, Liu Yu was a little embarrassed.
Qin Zhao returned the book to her, then frowned and held the place where she had been bumped.
Liu Yu quickly asked with remorse: "Are you hurt, miss?"
Her tone was full of guilt.
Qin Zhao shook her head. "Just a little painful."
But her words and expressions were completely contradictory!
Liu Yu felt even more mortified. She urgently said: "Let me take you to see a doctor!"
Qin Zhao's mouth curved imperceptibly. She said: "Thank you."
Liu Yu and Cong Han supported Qin Zhao to No Illness Hall.
On the way, they exchanged names.
Seeing Qin Zhao, Yu Qingzhu immediately came over and asked: "What happened to you?"
Liu Yu explained on Qin Zhao's behalf: "I bumped into this young lady and injured her."
Yu Qingzhu had Qin Zhao sit down and asked: "Where did you get hit?"
Qin Zhao pointed to her own waist.
"Then you'll have to take your clothes off for me to examine it. Come with me."
Liu Yu and Cong Han wanted to follow along, but were stopped by Yu Qingzhu. "You two wait here."
They could only halt reluctantly, watching Qin Zhao's back as she left.
Yu Qingzhu brought Qin Zhao to the back room. Inside, Yu Qingzhu said: "Take your clothes off."
Qin Zhao laughed. "Doctor Yu, you're so serious when seeing patients."
Yu Qingzhu: "Of course I have to be responsible with my patients."
Seeing Qin Zhao was still unwilling to undress, Yu Qingzhu took two steps forward to pull at her sash.
Qin Zhao quickly backed away and said: "Sorry, I'm actually fine."
Yu Qingzhu: "......"
"Then what are you doing here?"
"Coming to see my great senior martial sister!"
Yu Qingzhu was stunned for a moment. She said: "Stop joking around."
Qin Zhao quickly said solemnly: "Yes sir!"
Qin Zhao's antics made Yu Qingzhu laugh. "Come on, tell me why you're really here?"
