Ning Wanwan had no idea what sedative Zhou Shu had included in her medicine. When she awoke, it was already early morning two days later.
Seeing the luohan couch empty, Ning Wanwan got out of bed and searched for Si Zhan. Fu Yi rushed in to support her.
“Your Highness, why are you out of bed?” Fu Yi asked.
“Where is the Prince?” Ning Wanwan responded.
Fu Yi replied, “The Prince was given a strong sedative called ‘Calming Spirit’ by Zhou Shu and has been sent to the Tranquil Water Deep Room to recuperate.”
“Bring me my clothes. I want to see him.”
As Ning Wanwan hurried towards the door, Fu Yi quickly blocked her, saying, “But Zhou Shu said the Prince will be deeply asleep for seven full days.”
During these seven days, he must not be disturbed, or the consequences could be unpredictable.”
Ning Wanwan paused and, regaining her composure, said, “I understand. I’m just going to take a look.”
Fu Yi replied, “But Your Highness, your wounds have not yet healed. Zhou Shu said you should not move around.”
Ning Wanwan glared at Fu Yi, “Since when did you start listening to Zhou Shu?”
Fu Yi lowered her head, “Your Highness, please forgive me.”
Ning Wanwan remained silent and prepared to go out. Fu Yi blocked her path again, stammering, “Your Highness, the weather doesn’t seem good. Why not go tomorrow?”
Ning Wanwan frowned at Fu Yi. “What has happened?”
Fu Yi hesitated. Ning Wanwan’s tone darkened, “If you still consider me your mistress, tell me immediately what has happened.”
Fu Yi confessed, “Your Highness, Zhou Shu said Director Di from the Secretariat has arrived, requesting to see the Prince.”
Di Jin?! Had he learned that Di Huan died at Si Zhan’s hands? No, if he knew, he would have reported it to the Emperor.
Ning Wanwan said expressionlessly, “Let him wait.”
“But Director Di came with Patrol Captain Liu, and Captain Liu brought over twenty patrol soldiers.”
Ning Wanwan’s heart skipped a beat. Although Si Zhan had not officially served, he was still a prince. Bringing soldiers into his residence was a breach of etiquette. She recalled the day she saw the mountainside covered with patrol soldiers’ corpses. Did Captain Liu dare to bring soldiers because they had evidence that Si Zhan killed Di Huan?
Ning Wanwan forced herself to remain calm, “Go tell Zhou Shu that the Prince is unwell and cannot receive guests.”
Fu Yi said, “Zhou Shu said that Director Di insists on waiting in the front hall until the Prince can see him.”
Since Di Jin spoke this way, it meant they had no evidence. Ning Wanwan’s heart calmed down completely.
“Let them wait,” she shouted outside, “Yuan Zhu!”
Yuan Zhu quickly jumped from the roof into the courtyard, “What are your orders, Sister?”
Ning Wanwan told Yuan Zhu sternly, “Watch those people carefully. Whoever dares to step into the inner courtyard, kill without mercy!”
“Yes!” Yuan Zhu nodded and went out.
Ning Wanwan sat by the bed, gently washing Si Zhan’s hands and face. Afterward, she ordered the servants to leave. She caressed Si Zhan’s hand, looking at his sleeping face, and softly said, “Brother Zhan, I’ve remembered how we first met.”
“You were that little brother back then.” She kissed the back of Si Zhan’s hand, “Wanwan was wrong to forget this. When you wake up, can Wanwan accept your punishment?”
Soft footsteps sounded outside. Ning Wanwan turned to the door and asked, “Who is it?”
“It’s me, Mi Yue,” came the soft reply.
Ning Wanwan quickly opened the door. Mi Yue stood there in a black hooded cloak, her face hidden.
After she entered, Mi Yue removed her hood and bowed to Ning Wanwan, “Mi Yue pays respects to Your Highness.”
Ning Wanwan supported her, saying, “You are Brother Zhan’s sister, which makes you my sister. Please call me Wanwan.”
“Okay, Wanwan,” Mi Yue replied. She glanced towards the inner room’s bed and said, “I’ve heard from Zhou Shu about A-Zhan’s condition. I entrust A-Zhan to you.”
Ning Wanwan responded, “Brother Zhan is my husband. His honor is my honor, his loss is my loss. I will certainly live and die with him, so please be assured, Sister.”
You can rest assured with this statement.
” Mi Yue nodded, then said, “The situation is critical, so I’ll be brief. I found out that Di Jin has called in five hundred soldiers from the outer garrison, and they are now hiding outside the Yi Wang Mansion. The three patrol camps near the Yi Wang Mansion have also received orders from Liu Duewei to stand by, indicating they intend to forcibly demand someone from A Zhan.” She frowned, “It appears that the leverage we previously used against Di Jin no longer matters to him.”
“Leverage?” Ning Wan Wan asked, startled. “What leverage?”
Mi Yue looked at her in surprise, “A Zhan didn’t tell you?”
Ning Wan Wan shook her head.
Mi Yue thought for a moment, “Then wait until A Zhan wakes up and ask him directly.”
Ning Wan Wan probed, “Is it related to the incident at Mudan Terrace?”
Mi Yue nodded, “Yes.”
Ning Wan Wan understood why, after Si Zhan had disabled one of Di Huan’s hands in front of many noble children, Di Jin had taken no action, and there were no rumors about her in Biandu city. She later learned that those noble ladies who had mocked her had either been caught in adultery or exposed for harming their sisters. “
She had thought it was too coincidental at the time, and now she realized Si Zhan must have done something behind the scenes.
Mi Yue continued, “Now that Di Huan is dead, we cannot hand him over to Di Jin, so we must prepare for the worst.”
Ning Wan Wan came back to her senses as Mi Yue handed her a map. “This is a Biandu defense map and an escape route map, with routes already marked.”
“Escape route?” Ning Wan Wan opened the map.
It detailed the city of Biandu, showing every river, bridge, street, alley, and the contents of each shop.
A clear blue line marked a water route escape path from the Yi Wang Mansion.
“Three months ago, A Zhan secretly brought over two thousand elite soldiers to Biandu under various identities. Combined with our original three hundred agents, we now have three thousand people in Biandu,” Mi Yue explained, indicating several red-circled locations on the map. “These marked locations are where our people are hidden. Keep this map safe; if it falls into outsiders’ hands, A Zhan’s efforts will be wasted, and you’ll be in greater danger.”
Ning Wan Wan was deeply shocked. Three months ago… it was from the time Si Zhan disabled Di Huan’s hand that he had been making secret deployments, controlling Di Jin while quietly gathering forces into Biandu.
The past three months had been turbulent beneath the surface.
Mi Yue explained the details of their escape and the critical nature of their situation.
Di Jin glanced at the tea, slapped the table, and asked Zhou Shu angrily, “Did you inform your Wang Ye that we are waiting for him?”
Before Zhou Shu could answer, a loud voice announced, “Wang Fei is here!”
Zhou Shu turned to see Ning Wan Wan entering the main hall, flanked by Yuan Zhu and Fu Yi. She wore a pomegranate red embroidered long dress, exuding elegance and dignity.
Zhou Shu hurried to greet her, noting that Ning Wan Wan had dressed up today. Her complexion was fresh, resembling peach blossoms in March, despite her recent injuries.
“Wang Fei.”
Ning Wan Wan nodded at Zhou Shu, who led her into the main hall.
Di Jin and Liu Duyou stood up as she entered, with one cupping his hands and the other bowing formally.
“Di has seen the Yi Wang Fei.”
“This subordinate pays respects to Wang Fei.”
Ning Wan Wan’s cold gaze swept over the two men, and without speaking, she sat in the main seat. Then she smiled slightly, saying, “Two lords, please be at ease.”
Di Jin exchanged glances with Liu Duyou, remaining standing with a displeased expression.
