With Bai Zhen’er’s interruption, the corners of Shen Hanzhi’s mouth immediately tightened.
Shen Hanzhi frowned. “You!”
Bai Zhen’er grew anxious and lowered her voice.
“You can’t tie him up and hand him over to the princess!”
Liu Yueti: “…”
The Regent was probably only making a threat, but if her best friend said another word, he might actually lose his temper and do it.
Unfortunately, everyone present was an important figure. A nobody like her, the cousin with no family influence, had no place speaking up.
All she could do was quietly shuffle closer to Bai Zhen’er, trying to remind her not to pour more fuel on the antagonist’s anger.
Amid the confrontation between the princess and the Regent, Ling Buzhan helplessly bowed.
“Your Highnesses, please stop teasing me.”
“It took me a great deal of effort to pass the imperial examination. Naturally, I intend to devote myself to serving His Majesty and the state.”
“I have no interest in matters of love.”
Princess Pingyang stared at his face and inexplicably became distracted for a moment. Her expression softened slightly as she smiled.
“Fine.”
“Have it your way.”
Shen Hanzhi glanced coldly at Ling Buzhan and snorted.
“Such devotion to His Majesty and the state.”
He gave another cold snort and said nothing more.
Seeing that the two had temporarily called a truce, Bai Zhen’er finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She glanced regretfully at Wei Zhao.
Their plan had failed again.
They hadn’t managed to separate the male lead and Wei Zhao.
Shen Hanzhi noticed her gaze and discreetly glanced at Wei Zhao as well.
The female guard had deliberately stayed behind the others from the beginning, seemingly unwilling to draw attention to herself.
Then he remembered the secret letter that had been deliberately delivered to his residence a few days ago, informing him that the assassin from the Yue Lao Shrine would also be present at today’s Flower Appreciation Banquet.
Shen Hanzhi lowered his eyes.
Given his personality, he would naturally investigate the origin of that letter.
Besides, he recognized Bai Zhen’er’s handwriting.
That foolish girl hadn’t even thought to disguise it.
He still didn’t understand why Bai Zhen’er had saved the assassin that day, only to try to expose her today.
But when he saw the obvious disappointment on her face…
Shen Hanzhi silently sighed.
Princess Pingyang rubbed her temples.
“All right. Since all of you have been searched, let’s disperse and take your seats.”
“Wait.”
Shen Hanzhi suddenly spoke.
The atmosphere immediately became tense.
Princess Pingyang slowly opened her eyes.
“What is it, Your Highness?”
“A few days ago, I was attacked at Keyuan Mountain.”
His gaze fell on Wei Zhao behind Ling Buzhan.
“That person’s build was exactly the same as Young Master Xie’s female guard.”
“Since we have already conducted a search, I would like the female attendant who searched this woman to tell me…”
He suddenly drew the long sword from one of the guards and pointed it at Wei Zhao.
“Does she have a wound on her left arm matching the wound inflicted by this sword?”
Princess Pingyang froze and gave the female attendant beside her a meaningful look.
The attendant was just about to answer when Shen Hanzhi stepped forward.
“If you say there isn’t one, I’ll still have to personally verify it.”
“And if I discover that you lied…”
He chuckled.
The Regent’s fearsome reputation was well known. The female attendant stumbled in fright and immediately fell to her knees, too terrified to speak.
Princess Pingyang slammed her hand on the table and stood up.
“Shen Hanzhi!”
“What exactly do you mean by this?”
“There was a theft in the princess’s residence today, and I was attacked.”
Shen Hanzhi gave a faint laugh.
“Presumably, there is also an accomplice within the princess’s residence.”
His gaze settled on the female attendant.
“If she is covering for the assassin, then she must be the accomplice.”
Ling Buzhan frowned slightly and signaled Wei Zhao not to act rashly.
“Your Highness, please investigate carefully.”
Ling Buzhan smiled as he met Shen Hanzhi’s gaze, his tone equally confrontational.
“She does have an injury, but…”
Bai Zhen’er suddenly stepped between the two men, her eyes lighting up as she looked at Shen Hanzhi.
“But it was because of me!”
A sudden turn of events!
Bai Zhen’er was delighted.
Although she had no idea why he had suddenly brought up the assassin, Shen Hanzhi clearly hadn’t forgotten about her!
Wonderful!
Shen Hanzhi lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable.
“Oh?”
“Actually, she’s my guard!”
Bai Zhen’er tilted her head up and smiled at him.
“The injury on her body happened when she went out picking flowers with Yue’er and me. She scratched herself in the flower bushes. It isn’t a sword wound!”
She turned around and blinked at Wei Zhao.
“Right?”
Wei Zhao looked somewhat startled, but she realized that Bai Zhen’er was trying to help her.
After a brief hesitation, she nodded.
“Yes.”
Bai Zhen’er smiled even more sincerely and secretly gave Liu Yueti a thumbs-up.
Liu Yueti, however, was watching in terror.
Bestie, stop smiling!
The Regent looks like he wants to eat you alive!
Shen Hanzhi looked down at her.
Bai Zhen’er remained completely oblivious and continued smiling.
“So she’s my guard. How could she possibly have tried to assassinate you?”
“It must have been a misunderstanding!”
Princess Pingyang watched the group thoughtfully.
She knew that Xie Anshi had quite a few secrets, but his face reminded her of someone from her past.
Just based on that face alone, she had to protect him.
And since Miss Bai had taken the initiative to step forward and save him, she might as well go along with it…
Princess Pingyang suddenly spoke.
“Since Miss Bai says so, then it must have been a misunderstanding.”
Shen Hanzhi stared at Bai Zhen’er in silence.
You deliberately sent that letter to expose her, only to step forward and protect her yourself…
Could it be that you wanted to save him once and curry favor with me?
Shen Hanzhi’s gaze shifted to Ling Buzhan’s face.
He gave a cold laugh.
“Fine.”
“If Miss Bai says it’s fine, then it’s fine.”
He swept his sleeve and walked away.
“Wait…”
Bai Zhen’er watched his retreating figure and nervously tugged at her skirt.
Why does it feel like he’s angry?
Could he think I played him and is throwing a tantrum?
How am I supposed to make it up to him?
Princess Pingyang breathed a sigh of relief.
If Shen Hanzhi had insisted on killing someone in her residence, she might not have been able to stop him.
She stood as well.
“All right. Take your seats, all of you. And stop causing trouble.”
She was still thinking about that letter and didn’t linger.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The group bowed and watched the princess leave.
Bai Zhen’er immediately grabbed Wei Zhao’s hand and smiled at Ling Buzhan.
“Well then, Young Master Xie, I’ll take my guard and be on our way.”
“Wait!”
Feiying stared at them in shock as they walked away.
“Master, aren’t you going to stop them?”
“Why would I?”
Ling Buzhan chuckled.
“Wei Zhao has legs of her own.”
“Besides, nothing ever gets into the Bai residence without permission. Now Miss Bai is personally taking her inside.”
“Oh…”
Feiying nodded as though he understood.
“Wait, Young Master, why are you following them?”
Ling Buzhan didn’t even turn around.
“I have something to discuss with Miss Liu.”
That letter was still with her.
“Huh?”
Feiying looked completely baffled.
……
Meanwhile, Bai Zhen’er and Liu Yueti each hooked an arm around Wei Zhao and dragged her along like they had just captured some valuable spoils of war.
They found a quiet corner and sat down.
“Hehe.”
Bai Zhen’er wrapped an arm around her and grinned.
“Hehe.”
Liu Yueti leaned against her and grinned too.
Wei Zhao couldn’t help rubbing the goosebumps on her arms.
“Ladies, what exactly are you two…”
“Do you remember the token you gave us as a pledge of gratitude?”
Liu Yueti held up the jade token engraved with the character Zhao.
“Ta-da!”
“What pledge of…”
Wei Zhao’s ears turned red.
“What nonsense are you two talking about? It was to repay a debt of gratitude. A token of gratitude!”
“Right, right.”
Liu Yueti coaxed her.
“Then you can become our guard to repay that debt of gratitude.”
Wei Zhao frowned hesitantly.
“But I already…”
“I know. You’re currently Young Master Xie’s guard.”
Bai Zhen’er waved toward the back.
“Jianshu.”
The super-efficient maid, who was practically invisible whenever she wasn’t needed but appeared instantly whenever Bai Zhen’er called, immediately placed a box into her mistress’s hands.
Bai Zhen’er opened it.
Wei Zhao’s eyes widened.
Bai Zhen’er casually sifted through the silver inside and asked her,
“How much does Young Master Xie pay you each month?”