Encountering a cold face, Qin Zhao's expression also turned frosty as he said, "Am I displeasing to you by appearing here?
Well, I won't leave. I want to stay here, preferably until you're infuriated to death!"
Qi Yan Su Luo's eyes reddened as she questioned, "Do you enjoy seeing me in such a miserable state?
I wasn't harmed by them, and I'm sure you must be disappointed!"
Qin Zhao was taken aback, could it be that she had already noticed his presence?
If she had made him witness her destitute appearance, she would undoubtedly feel embarrassed, which must be why she was angry.
Qin Zhao's hostility softened as he said, "I'm sorry, but please don't misunderstand. I didn't intend to see you in distress.
What I wanted was to know how you usually deal with someone like Qin Hong.
The fact is, you're capable of protecting yourself.
Your quick and effective responses are admirable.
I hope you won't begrudge me for this small gesture in the end."
After listening to Qin Zhao's explanation, most of Qi Yan Su Luo's anger dissipated, but she still felt inexplicably wronged.
She squatted on the ground, hugging herself, silently shedding tears.
Qin Zhao sighed inwardly, semi-crouching in front of Qi Yan Su Luo, cupping her face and saying, "Will you come with me to the residence of Princess Zhao Yang?
No one will dare to bully you there."
Qi Yan Su Luo observed Qin Zhao's expression through tear-filled eyes, seemingly searching for traces of insincerity.
She pushed Qin Zhao's hands away and said, "Your Highness, haven't you forgotten that it was your father, the emperor, who brought me to this state?
As his daughter, what right do you have to say these things to me?
Or perhaps you're trying to atone for your father's sins?"
Qin Zhao stood up and straightened his slightly wrinkled robe.
After a moment, he asked, "Have you seen the red spots on my face? Do you know how they came about?"
Qi Yan Su Luo turned her face away and said, "I don't care."
Qin Zhao continued, "Yes, besides myself, no one else cares.
Similarly, I don't care about the national enmity and vendetta that led to the destruction of your country."
Qin Zhao abruptly grabbed Qi Yan Su Luo and whispered in her ear, "That's why I'm interested in you and want to bring you back to the Princess Zhao Yang Residence, whether you like it or not!"
Qi Yan Su Luo looked at him in disbelief. Just a second ago, he was gentle, but now Qin Zhao had suddenly become fierce. Trembling, she said, "Get lost!"
Qin Zhao glared at Qi Yan Su Luo and caught sight of a hemp rope in the courtyard!
He picked it up and, amidst her desperate resistance and screams, bound her up!
Then, like carrying a sack, he hoisted Qi Yan Su Luo onto the carriage.
During this time, they received peculiar gazes from the residents of this place.
Both of them were exhausted on the carriage.
But Qi Yan Su Luo persisted, staring at Qin Zhao with fierce eyes!
Qin Zhao nonchalantly yawned and, taking advantage of Qi Yan Su Luo's inability to resist, used her leg as a pillow.
Lying comfortably, he said, "Go ahead and shout all you want. Shout until the sky breaks, but no one will come to save you!"
Even if a street ruffian said these lines, it wouldn't feel out of place.
Qi Yan Su Luo, already feeling miserable enough, had encountered someone like Qin Zhao, a scoundrel. The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt, and she cried, "Why are you treating me like this?"
I am in the West Lin Country, did I owe anything to your Yue Country?
We only wanted to freely gallop on the grasslands, what does it have to do with your Yue Country?
Why should we end up with the fate of a broken country and a ruined family?"
Qin Zhao sat up and used his own sleeve to wipe away the tears from Qi Yan Su Luo's face. He said, "I originally wanted to talk to you nicely, but you refused to listen.
I have a temper too, that's why I resorted to this plan.
Well, whether you want to hear it or not, I have to tell you.
The red spots on my face were caused by the emperor's experimental medicine.
Because of his poison, I have died once already."
Upon hearing the word "death," Qi Yan Su Luo was somewhat astonished. "Death?"
"Fortunately, I encountered the divine physician from the Wujitang and miraculously gained a second life.
I'm telling you all this not to make you pity me.
I want to say that the former Zhao Yang Princess no longer exists.
At this moment, all I want is to seek revenge against Qin Zheng.
If you don't mind, I can also help you exact revenge on him."
Qi Yan Su Luo asked, "The things you're talking about are enough to get you executed by the emperor.
Aren't you afraid that I will inform others?"
Qin Zhao smiled and said, "If you really do that, it will only prove your foolishness. It won't harm me in the slightest. You can give it a try."
"So, if you don't curse at people, you won't survive?"
"You were the one who threatened me first."
Qi Yan Su Luo leaned weakly against the carriage wall and said, "For now, I'll believe you. But I will seek my own revenge."
Qin Zhao said, "Since our goals align, why not make a bet to see who reaches the finish line first?"
"What's the wager?"
"Whoever wins will grant the other person a request, how about that?"
"Any request?"
"Yes."
"Alright."
In the shadows, several pairs of eyes watched as the carriage of Princess Zhao Yang entered the princess's mansion.
·
At the residence of the Second Prince Qin Lie
The secret guard reported Princess Zhao Yang's activities to Qin Lie, bowing his head and waiting for his instructions.
Qin Lie dispersed the heat from his teacup and said, "This royal sister of mine has become increasingly restless lately.
Arrange a few more people to keep an eye on her."
"Yes."
"Also, add another rumor, claiming that Princess Zhao Yang seduces women and forcefully kidnaps them in public.
She has caused such a commotion, and there are many witnesses among the common people. This will leave her speechless!"
"Yes."
After the secret guard left, Qin Lie's official consort Zheng Wanyun entered and said, "Your Highness, it seems like you're very concerned about Zhao Yang?"
Qin Lie pulled Zheng Wanyun to sit on his lap and said, "She's more troublesome than my other royal brothers."
"Why do you say that?"
"The informant I have near the Emperor overheard a conversation between the Emperor and Wei Chen a few days ago. It was not clear since he was far away, but he caught a few key words—Zhao Yang, Purple Forbidden Enclosure Star, and annihilation of a country.
No matter what, Zhao Yang's identity is not simple, and we need to be prepared in advance.
Who knows, Zhao Yang might be the biggest obstacle on my path to seizing the throne."
Zheng Wanyun asked, "What are Your Highness's plans then?"
"First, we need to understand the whole story. Before that, let's trip up Zhao Yang a little."
·
Qin Zhao arranged Qi Yan Su Luo in the adjacent room and assigned Linglong to handle the matter while he went about his own business.
Linglong tidied up the room for Qi Yan Su Luo and took her to see the room, saying, "His Highness is really good to you, Miss."
Qi Yan Su Luo asked, "Where did His Highness go?"
Linglong replied, "He should have gone to Miss Mo's courtyard."
Ever since Miss Mo came to the princess's residence, His Highness has been either practicing stick fighting in the main yard or going to Miss Mo's courtyard to watch her carve wooden objects."
"Oh, how many girls did she bring back..."
Qi Yan Su Luo's voice was too low, and Linglong didn't hear clearly, so she asked, "What did you just say, Miss?"
"Nothing."
Mo Qianqiu was making a pair of eagle wings in the courtyard when she heard footsteps approaching. She looked up and saw the princess walking over, so she quickly stood up and saluted.
Qin Zhao stopped her, saying, "No need for formalities, please continue."
Qin Zhao sat down next to Mo Qianqiu and carefully observed her technique of carving wood.
Her technique was skillful, almost achieving the desired effect with a single stroke, without the need for repeated carving.
"Your craftsmanship is really good," Qin Zhao praised.
Mo Qianqiu replied, "I started learning from my father when I was five years old. Practice makes perfect."
After watching Mo Qianqiu work for half an hour, Qin Zhao finally asked her question, "Mo Qianqiu, have you ever heard of the Big Dipper?"
