"By the way, Zaozao, the Divine Doctor Clan's foot injuries have all healed now, and they've opened many pharmacies and clinics in the Cold City.
And guess what? Master Doctor Ji is also overseeing one of the clinics outside the palace. Zaozao, would you like to go and see them?"
"Go outside the palace? Han Ye, do you really agree to let me leave the palace?" Lin Zaozao asked incredulously.
"Of course, I agree. My Zaozao is the Empress of Han Country, not a bird locked in a cage. As long as you wish, you can go out anytime," Han Ye said warmly.
"Han Ye, there aren't many reports left for me to handle. The remaining ones are mostly trivial matters.
My dear Han Ye, you can help me with the rest of the reports! I'm going to see Little Fan Tian outside the palace now, la la la..."
Without hesitation, Lin Zaozao climbed up from Han Ye's lap, planted a few kisses on his face, and then turned around to run towards the door.
As she reached the door, she collided with Xiao Liuli, who was carrying snacks.
Steadying herself, Lin Zaozao reached out and half-lifted Xiao Liuli, who had fallen to the ground.
"Xiao Liuli, are you hurt? It's my fault for running too fast."
"Sister, I'm fine. But Sister, where are you going now?" Xiao Liuli asked as he picked up the dropped snacks.
"I'm going to find Little Fan Tian. I heard that all the Divine Doctor Clan's foot injuries have healed, and they've opened many clinics outside the palace. I'm going to check it out now," Lin Zaozao said, placing the picked-up snacks in the plate carried by Xiao Liuli and patting his head before turning to run ahead.
Watching Lin Zaozao's departing figure and the broken snacks in his plate, Xiao Liuli felt like his heart was as shattered as the snacks in the plate.
"Prince Five!"
"Your Highness Han Ye!"
Quickly regaining his composure, Xiao Liuli turned calmly to face Han Ye.
"Prince Five, Princess Zaozao is going to Canglan Country to save your paternal clan and the Night Yi. But, after she leaves, I need a favor from you."
"What favor?"
"Come in! Let's talk more inside."
Watching Han Ye walk into the room, Xiao Liuli hesitated for a moment before following him inside.
"High Priest Han Ye, what favor do you need from me?"
"Prince Five, to put it simply, it's not helping me, but helping yourself," Han Ye said, sipping his tea and speaking coldly.
"High Priest, please be clearer. I don't understand. What do I need your help with?" Xiao Liuli asked, puzzled.
"Prince Five, after Princess Zaozao leaves, I want you to return to Canglan Country before her, secretly.
Do your best to become the sharpest blade for Princess Zaozao in Canglan Country!"
"Your Highness Han Ye, I don't know martial arts. I can't be a blade," Xiao Liuli said, lowering his head, feeling somewhat flustered.
"Prince Five, killing doesn't always require real swords and spears. Sometimes, rumors and gossip can easily kill a person."
Upon Zhuzhu's arrival in Canglan Country, with her fiercely righteous nature, she would undoubtedly openly assassinate the Empress of Canglan. Although the Empress of Canglan may not be admirable, her death would inevitably fuel the hatred of the Canglan people towards Zhuzhu.
And I need you to clear Zhuzhu's name of the crime of killing your Empress Mother. Fifth Prince, can you do it?"
Confronted with Han Ye's cold and profound gaze, Xiao Liuli thought of his deceased elder sister, his clan, and the poison on Ye Yi and Father's body.
After a moment of contemplation, he nodded firmly at Han Ye.
His body had already recovered, so it was time for him to shoulder the responsibilities of a man.
Seeing Xiao Liuli nod, the frost on Han Ye's face immediately disappeared, restoring his gentle expression.
"Fifth Prince, I will guide you in what you should do next after returning to Canglan Country. Zhuzhu's reputation is now in your hands."
Han Ye stood up, patting Xiao Liuli's shoulder before turning to leave.
"Wait, Your Highness Han Ye," Xiao Liuli called out urgently.
"What is it?" Han Ye asked indifferently, not turning back.
"Your Highness Han Ye, I want to ask you something. Do I still have a chance to be with Ruo Ruo in this lifetime?"
"Fifth Prince, there will be people to match you and Zhuzhu. However, that person is not me.
Also, let me tell you a few words: where there is sincerity, there will be success!
For Zhuzhu's sake, Fifth Prince, stay by her side in the future! This, you deserve."
With that, Han Ye turned and walked away.
"Where there is sincerity, there will be success? What I deserve?" Xiao Liuli repeated to himself, a smile immediately appearing on his face.
Since Han Ye said so, then he still had a chance, right?
In the palace, Lin Zaozao was changing clothes with the help of the eunuchs. She had been in Han Country for so long but hadn't truly ventured outside the palace.
Today, finally, she could go out for a genuine look around, thanks to the excuse of the Divine Doctor Clan opening a clinic.
Han Ye, her elder brother, was really kind today!
She wondered what Xiao Taohua and Ruo Qiu were busy with all day long? Ever since she decided to go to Canglan Country, these two fellows had disappeared without a trace.
Lin Zaozao looked at herself in the bronze mirror, wearing a deep purple top with light green accents, paired with brightly colored pants, feeling extremely satisfied.
So colorful, so eye-catching! Once she stepped out, she would be the most eye-catching one on the street.
Hmm! Satisfied! Super satisfied.
Thinking that she would be going out in disguise later, she turned around and looked at Zhaocai and Jinbao guarding the door.
"Zhaocai, Jinbao, I'm going outside the palace to see Fan Tian's new clinic.
I'll be in disguise this time, going to understand the sentiments of the people. So, you two, stay obediently inside the palace.
When I come back, I'll buy you both barbecue, alright?"
The response to Lin Zaozao was a disdainful look from Zhaocai and Jinbao.
"Ah! Zhao Cai, Jin Bao, even if you're not happy with my decision, there's no need to give me that look!
I'm going out this time with Matchless and Invincible by my side. Plus, Dashan is waiting outside for me. I'm sure nothing will happen."
Giving Zhao Cai and Jin Bao a pat on the head, Lin Zaozao nodded to Matchless and Invincible, then began walking outside.
But just as she took a few steps, her big flower-patterned pants were caught by Zhao Cai and Jin Bao.
"Zhao Cai, Jin Bao, you two naughty fellows, you're almost pulling my pants off."
Lin Zaozao bent down, trying to pry open Zhao Cai's mouth, signaling it to let go.
But instead, Zhao Cai and Jin Bao bit even harder.
As they bit, they also tried to drag Lin Zaozao backwards with force, blocking her way out.
"Zhao Cai, Jin Bao, my pants are all torn by you two, please stop. If you like sister's flower pants, I'll have the palace servants make one for each of you when I come back."
Lin Zaozao steadied herself, supporting Zhao Cai's big head to prevent herself from falling due to the dragging.
Despite Lin Zaozao's roaring, Zhao Cai and Jin Bao paid no attention, stubbornly biting her pants and pulling her backward.
"Stop pulling, stop it, my pants are about to be torn off by you two. Zhao Cai, Jin Bao, let go!"
Just as Lin Zaozao was about to be dragged down by Zhao Cai and Jin Bao, Han Ye appeared in time, rescuing her.
"Zhao Cai, Jin Bao, let go!"
Han Ye's simple six words made Zhao Cai and Jin Bao quickly release their grip.
They glanced at Han Ye, then at Lin Zaozao, and then turned and ran off into the distance.
"Ah! Zhao Cai, Jin Bao, you two naughty fellows, you tore my pants and ran away, how outrageous!"
Lin Zaozao watched Zhao Cai and Jin Bao's departing figures, roaring with anger.
"Pearl, don't be angry. Although Zhao Cai and Jin Bao are big in size, they're still in their infancy.
Your pants are too fancy, they probably found it amusing to bite them!"
Lin Zaozao looked down at the large holes in her pants legs, smiling helplessly. Oh well, if it's torn, it's torn! At least it's not exposing skin.
Anyway, it's hot now, wearing torn pants is cool.
"Han Ye, I'm going to find Fan Tian and Xiao Taohua outside the palace. I'll be back before sunset."
"Okay, go ahead! Remember, be careful on the road."
"I know, Han Ye!"
Han Ye watched Lin Zaozao's departing figure, and the next moment, his face turned cold.
"Someone!"
"High Priest," a shadow kneeling on the ground said.
"Pearl is in danger today. Except for Uncle Zhang and Dashan, all the shadow priests in the sacrificial hall will follow secretly."
Remember, unless absolutely necessary, do not intervene. Once you casually alter the threads of fate, calamity will rebound doubly on Zhuzhu."
"Yes, High Priest."
As the shadow departed, Han Ye took a few steps forward in the chilly night.
He watched Lin Zaozao, accompanied by the matchless and invincible, happily skipping away. His hand, initially reaching out, slowly withdrew.
No, he couldn't interfere.
Otherwise, in the end, it would be Zhuzhu who suffered.
After a moment of contemplation, Han Ye turned and walked towards the sacrificial hall. If he continued watching, he would surely be unable to resist getting involved.
