Qin Zhao hid in the dark, thinking about whether she should search room by room in the clumsiest way.
Suddenly she overheard two maids chatting while walking this way.
Their conversation mentioned Huo Jun!
"Miss, you didn't have dinner again today. Aren't you worried you'll get hungry?"
"Alas, why must Miss argue with the Lord?"
"That's right, the Lord must have his reasons for confining Miss to her quarters."
"Let's not talk about this now. Hurry, we still need to attend Miss's bath..."
Qin Zhao followed them into Huo Jun's courtyard.
She hid behind a large pillar.
The maid knocked on Huo Jun's door and said, "Miss, it's time for your bath. We've come to serve you."
Huo Jun's voice came from inside. "I'll handle it myself today. You may leave. No one is to remain in the yard to serve me."
The two maids responded and withdrew.
Qin Zhao went to the door and knocked three times.
Huo Jun said, "Didn't I say I'd do it myself?"
Qin Zhao said, "It's me."
There was silence for a few moments inside before hurried footsteps could be heard!
Soon after, the door opened from the inside.
Huo Jun's eyes shone as she said, "Your Highness, it really is you!"
Qin Zhao smiled. "Won't you invite me in to sit down?"
Huo Jun immediately responded, "Please come in, Your Highness."
Qin Zhao stepped over the threshold. Huo Jun closed the door behind her.
The furnishings in the room were typical of a well-born young lady.
The furniture and decorations featured exquisite embroidery and carvings.
It did not match Huo Jun's temperament at all.
Qin Zhao sat in a square chair.
At over six feet tall, Huo Jun had to look up at her. Qin Zhao's neck grew tired. She said, "Sit down."
Huo Jun sat down as instructed.
Qin Zhao got right to the point: "I came because I want to take you with me to the northwest border. Are you willing?"
Huo Jun's eyes grew moist. She said, "Your Highness, you really came to take me away as promised. Of course I'm willing!
But Father won't allow me to leave..."
Qin Zhao patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, I have a plan."
Huo Jun's eyes lit up. "What is it?"
"Ten days from now, disguise yourself as a servant and go to Princess Zhaoyang's residence. I'll arrange for you to blend in with the group.
To avoid unnecessary trouble at the border, you can't use your real name or show your true appearance. You'll need to disguise yourself."
Huo Jun said, "I'll do as you say."
As they were talking, a voice suddenly called from outside, "Sister, who are you talking to?"
It was Huo Chengjin!
Huo Jun calmly replied, "No one. I was talking to myself."
Huo Chengjin paused briefly before speaking again. "Sister, I've brought you some treats.
Since you didn't have dinner, it's not good for your health. You should eat something."
"No need. It's late. I want to rest," Huo Jun replied.
But Huo Chengjin said, "That won't do. You're my only sister. I can't bear to see you go hungry.
Sister, if you don't open the door, I'll barge right in!"
Qin Zhao muttered to herself that Huo Chengjin was only superficially respectful to Huo Jun.
His words were full of arrogance, brooking no refusal from Huo Jun!
Living under the pressure of father and brother, it was hard to imagine how difficult Huo Jun's life was.
Huo Jun picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, chewed it a few times, and swallowed it down. She said, "That's enough. I've received your good intentions. Please leave now."
With a gentle smile, Huo Chengjin asked, "Sister, have you forgotten what I said?
I said I wouldn't leave until I saw you finish everything."
Huo Jun glanced at the wardrobe. Gritting her teeth, she grabbed a few more osmanthus cakes and started eating.
Huo Chengjin was very satisfied. "That's my good sister."
Suddenly, there was a loud bang in the room!
Huo Chengjin jumped in fright and hurriedly looked towards the source of the sound.
He saw Qin Zhao emerge from the wardrobe and stride towards him.
A thought flashed through Huo Chengjin's mind but he couldn't grasp it.
His heart inexplicably panicked and he unconsciously took a step back.
But the room was so small. Where could he retreat to?
Huo Chengjin stammered, "Why is Your Highness in my sister's room?"
Slap!
A slap answered him!
Huo Chengjin finally remembered what his father Huo Xiaosu had said - to beware of Princess Zhaoyang's slaps!
After being stunned by Qin Zhao slapping the Sixth Prince, Huo Xiaosu must have emphasized not losing face and staying too close to Qin Zhao when he returned home.
Otherwise there was a risk of getting slapped!
Sure enough, his father's prophecy came true instantly!
Qin Zhao looked contemptuously at Huo Chengjin and said, "Since you don't know how to be a good brother, I'll teach you!"
She then said to Huo Jun, "Stop eating."
Huo Jun, who didn't want to eat the cakes anyway, obediently put the plate down.
Huo Chengjin retreated to a safe distance. "I knew I wasn't hearing things. Sister, stop pretending you don't have someone hidden here.
To tell the truth, I didn't just hear sounds, I clearly heard your conversation!
Sister cannot go to the northwest border. That's impossible.
Father won't allow it, and neither will I!
As a young lady, sister should happily remain in the inner chambers and enjoy her blessings.
There's no need to risk your life by going to the border."
Huo Jun coldly said, "You want those blessings? Take them if you want.
I've long wanted to escape the Huo residence.
So I will certainly leave with Her Highness, and no one can stop me!"
Huo Chengjin anxiously said, "You! Defying Father is unfilial!"
He knew Huo Jun's abilities surpassed his own, as did their father.
Father was unwilling to let her outshine Huo Chengjin, so he insisted on personally supervising Huo Jun's upbringing.
To prevent Father's years of hard work from being in vain, no matter what, today he had to stop Princess Zhaoyang from taking Huo Jun away!
The word "Father" gave Huo Jun pause.
Qin Zhao took over, "Huo Xiaosu, who oppresses his daughter, has the nerve to call himself a father. How shameless!"
Huo Chengjin angrily questioned, "On what basis does Your Highness insult my father?
I can't believe Your Highness has such low character!
Sister, is this the kind of person you want to follow?"
Huo Jun kicked Huo Chengjin in the knee. "Don't disrespect Her Highness!"
The kick almost made Huo Chengjin lose his balance. He grabbed the table to stay upright.
His face was flushed red. "You're actually helping an outsider humiliate me!
Are you still of the Huo family?"
Huo Jun firmly stated, "If being in the Huo family means spending my whole life confined, then I'd rather give up my Huo identity!"
"Cough, cough!"
Huo Xiaosu appeared in the doorway, though no one knew when he had arrived. He asked, "Huo Jun, do you mean that?"
