Chapter 2

Clearly, no one noticed the unusual presence of that person on the bed. As soon as Shiyu saw her wake up, she was overwhelmed with joy, rushing forward in three steps to embrace her tightly, tears of happiness streaming down her face: "Sister, sister, sister, you have finally woken up"

But do you know that this is a grave offense against the emperor, punishable by death

Your Highness is overthinking; this humble minister has fought on the borders and harbors no personal feelings.

Upon thinking of this, Zhi couldn't help but smile again, baring her teeth as she attempted to make a fierce expression

After all, he is just a poor boy who has never seen the world, and it seems he wants to use this minor injury to extract some money from the young lady! As for Zhi and this muddy little rascal, Lianhua felt a deep sense of dissatisfaction in her heart.

At least a journey of half a month

As she placed her piece, Empress Changsun appeared nonchalant, yet she was acutely aware of his concerns

At this moment, a flash of inspiration struck, and only Zhi understood, causing her to gasp in astonishment.

Thinking of this, she directed all her anger towards Shiyu, believing that it was entirely his fault for her suffering. Although she no longer resorted to violence, the hatred had already taken root in her heart

Sister, do you still feel any discomfort now?

As they walked along, Zhi kept asking Mo Chou about the person she was about to meet, inquiring about what kind of character he was.

Then let us hurry and leave

The rise and fall of black and white, the world changes its colors

The mere thought of such a scenario sends a shiver down Zhi's spine, being torn apart by five horses, decapitated like a tiger... No, someone like her wouldn't even be worthy of a tiger's decapitation; a mere dog decapitation would be a heavy burden to bear. Alas, the future is exceedingly perilous

Upon hearing Shiyu's words, Zhi jumped up immediately, her eyes wide open like copper bells, waving her hands incessantly. She jumped to the side, refusing to agree to Shiyu's suggestion no matter what.

Moreover, even if she becomes the top scholar, it does not guarantee that she will receive the Emperor's favor or have the opportunity to glimpse the palace. Furthermore, the Emperor always enjoys bestowing some tribute treasures upon meritorious ministers, so even if she achieves the top rank and enters the palace, it is uncertain to whom the ancient jade will be awarded by the Emperor

Although she is not a person of this era, she is still aware of such a heinous crime against the emperor, given the numerous historical dramas being aired on television now

Grinning, Zhi asked in a strange tone: "Do I look fierce like this?"

With a scowl, she raised her head, and before Zhi could cry out her misfortune, dozens of gleaming long spears were already pointed at her neck

I said I am here to find someone, why are you chasing me

Changping could no longer care about the demeanor of a princess; with a single glare, she exclaimed in anger: "Nonsense!"

I have matters to attend to and cannot finish this game with Your Highness. I beg Your Highness to impose any punishment.

However, young master need not worry, the estate owner will not kill without reason

Feeling wronged and cursing inwardly, only Zhi has managed to come to terms with it, scaring one person is equivalent to having one person.

They all failed to notice that upon hearing Lianhua's words, Shiyu's eyes turned red. In her heart, scenes of only Zhi waiting for her kindness played out one after another

In this situation, it can be said that losing is not the issue, but winning is difficult. It is not that Li Mu's talents and learning are inferior to those of Empress Changsun; rather, he fears that winning too much may earn him a reputation for bloodthirstiness. If he were to provoke the Empress, it would naturally be a case of losing more than he gains, so it is prudent to limit his victories to one and a half pieces.

Fearful though it may be, what needs to be said must still be expressed

Unable to cry, one does not kill without reason. If she impersonated a guest of their family’s lord, their lord must be furious, so why wouldn’t he kill her? Oh my! How they love to torment her!

What would be a good way to do it

What? How could someone have such a strange habit. Cold! ... So terrifying ... . ... No, if that's the case, does that mean that liars are also excluded from being killed?

This young lady

I am utterly devastated. Had I known, I would not have listened to Shiyu and come here to search for that useless Li Mu and that worthless Chang Ping. I found no one, but I did come across quite a few knives. Sigh! If she can escape this calamity this time, she must sincerely pray and make offerings in the future, asking the heavens to improve her fate and not to be so unfortunate all the time.

Empress Changsun smiled, just as she was about to admire the scenery of the pavilion by the pond, when suddenly she heard a commotion not far away.

With a slight pause, Mo Chou feigned surprise and said: "Like, like, like. Young master, you nearly startled this young lady!"

The young girl suddenly narrowed her eyes and coldly said, "The Snow Fragrance Pool is a forbidden area of the Falling Phoenix Villa. Are you not aware of this?"

The young attendant Yu continued to cry incessantly, cursing and accusing the two of their "crimes." Seeing Changping's face growing increasingly pale, Li Mu felt a pang of pain in his heart

At the moment she was stunned, she had already been struck several times, and even her face had been scratched by Shiyu.

What crime has Lord Mu committed? How could I be someone who lacks understanding? If the lord has matters to attend to, I would not impose punishment upon you for such a trivial game of chess

Rather than dying inexplicably, whether from freezing, starvation, or some chaotic manner, it is better to take a risk and give it a try. Not to mention that if she manages to steal the ancient jade and return to the modern era, at least she would have achieved the status of a top scholar.

When Zhi woke up again, it was already three days later

That eunuch with the shrill voice is the most detestable! It is all because of his incessant chatter that so many fierce individuals are relentlessly pursuing him with their gleaming knives and swords.

Unconsciously sweating, the young attendant Yu finally realized that this seemingly astute benefactor was actually quite muddled

Are you suggesting that I replace your young master to go to the capital for the imperial examination? If I succeed in passing the examination and become a jinshi, I would then have the opportunity to participate in the palace examination, and if I were to achieve the top rank, I would be closer to the imperial palace

He covered Zhi's mouth with one hand, and after looking around to see if anyone was nearby, Shiyu slowly revealed his plan

"You are right! Shiyu, from now on I am Yin Yaoyu!"

He has been a servant since childhood, even his name was taken from that of his young master, named Shiyu. Shiyu, Shiyu, it is clear that he is destined to serve his master, Yin Yaoyu, forever

A wet wipe was snatched from Li Mu's hand, and the young attendant Shiyu glared at the two, crying out, "It's all your fault! It's all your fault! Stop pretending to be kind! If anything happens to the benefactor, I, Shiyu, will not spare you even in death!"

With a loud "bang," she collided, followed by a scream. Not only did she fall in a most ungraceful manner, akin to a dog eating excrement, but she also ended up with her mouth full of lime.

The young girl cast a glance with her beautiful eyes at Zhi and said, "What is it? Please tell me."

She should take a look at her own status. If she were to reveal the identities of her master and Prince Mu, she would see whether these two ignorant individuals would still dare to come and find fault with her master

After biting, that little fellow raised his head and, with his innocent big eyes wide open, asked: "Does it hurt?"

Hmph, anyway, your family’s master is not a good person, so I might as well play tricks on you too! If I don’t play tricks on you, I’m afraid that when I see the master, I won’t fare well either, I’ll scare you to death! I’ll scare you to death!

Inside the pavilion, an incense burner emits fragrant smoke, and in the center, there is a stone chessboard placed.

Looking at the girl who was in a deep slumber, Li Mu could only remain silent

Feeling anxious about Zhi Zhi's injury, he hurried to pour water for her to drink. After drinking several cups of tea in succession, Zhi Zhi finally felt a strong hunger in her stomach

Li Mu has always been indifferent and does not feel perplexed by her actions

If caught, it would be certain death! Even dying a hundred times would not be enough!

He cast a cold glance at the little attendant Yu and said in a deep voice: "Enough! We will cure your benefactor, stop making noise!"

After the storm had finally passed, the long spear that had caused a sense of unease in her heart was also withdrawn. Zhi sighed in relief, wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, and was just about to leave when she suddenly heard a voice calling out from behind her

Before she could catch her breath and enjoy a moment of relief, she heard Mo Chou continue with a fact that left her feeling utterly overwhelmed

"I am sorry, Brother Mu, I thought he wanted to assassinate me..." murmured Princess Changping softly, gently defending herself.

Unconsciously frowning slightly, I saw a slender figure stumbling towards my Thinking Pavilion, followed by a large crowd behind, and I couldn't help but smile.

Seeing the generally timid Shiyu, who resembled a rabbit, daring to strike someone, everyone was momentarily taken aback. Even Lianhua was momentarily stunned.

Looking at this sly little fellow with suspicion, Zhi only pursed her lips, wanting to see what his intentions were

She is quite rational; after a long period of contemplation, she has finally made her decision

Seeing Zhi's reaction, Mo Chou couldn't help but chuckle inwardly

Seeing her in this state, Mo Chou smiled and pretended to be curious, saying: "Young master, what are you doing?"

At that moment, Zhi finally woke up

Shiyu is still just a child, young and weak. Lianhua slapped the frail Shiyu far away with a single blow, and immediately his face swelled up like a steamed bun

At a loss for words

Her face instantly fell, and Zhi now wished she could bite off her own tongue. Why tell this particular lie when there are so many others? Well, now she has it, instant karma!

A wave of dizziness washed over, and the burning pain on Xia Shiyu's face had not yet subsided, when she was kicked a few times by the furious Lianhua who had rushed over.

The pavilion is at the end of the blooming flowers, and if one is not careful, it will be engulfed by the dense shadows of the forest. The octagonal pavilion is small and exquisite, winding gracefully outside the pavilion.

Silence, Li Mu did not respond, only quietly replaced the wet cloth covering the forehead of the slender girl in front of him. She had a fever and had also received a blow from him; if her temperature was not lowered quickly, her life would soon be extinguished

Seeing the crimson blood on Li Mu's arm where he had been bitten fiercely by that young man, Chang Ping was taken aback. She pushed aside Zhi, who was still dizzy and had not yet recovered, and angrily exclaimed: "Why don't you bite yourself and see if it hurts!"

Mo Chou smiled, naturally not believing

Yes, yes! Sister, let's do it this way!

If you do not like Chang Ping, why must you play this game on her behalf with me, allowing me to return to the palace with you, so that the Emperor will not blame her

Li Mu, you like Changping, don't you

Is there a mistake? She simply does not usually burn incense, worship Buddha, or believe in any gods or ghosts. Those beings in the heavens are, after all, also gods and Buddhas. Is it really necessary to treat her this way?

In the aster garden, the peach blossoms flutter, and a hidden fragrance pervades everywhere

Great anger

"Hiss," she gasped, feeling a tightness in her chest that made her anxious. She hurriedly clenched her fists and pressed them against her chest to suppress the discomfort. With her round, wide eyes, she looked curiously at the little one beside her, her mind in a daze, completely stunned.

Lotus was inherently fiery in temperament, and being favored by Princess Changping, no one dared to provoke this young lady. At that moment, disregarding that Shiyu was merely a child of about ten years old, she retaliated with a slap.

Upon hearing this, Mo Chou couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh. Suddenly realizing her loss of composure, she quickly adopted a serious expression and said, "Is that so? The master of the manor mentioned that a guest would be arriving today, could it be you?"

Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace

Shiyu has calculated it quite clearly; his purpose in following the original young master is to go to the capital for the examination

Suddenly, I heard Changping's maid, Lianhua, speaking indifferently in defense of her master, making sarcastic remarks.

She was praying chaotically here, while the group of soldiers disguised as servants paid no attention to whether she had burned the incense properly. With their long spears raised, they pressed down on this unfamiliar little thief, shouting as they pushed towards the Snow Fragrance Pavilion

After a long while, once Zhi Zhi had finished eating, Shi Yu then recounted to Zhi Zhi everything that had happened over the past two days in detail

Li Mu listened to her words, his brows slightly furrowed. Considering that she was the personal maid of Princess Changping, he did not say much more

Drenched in cold sweat, what exactly has she gotten herself into?

Continue with tearful eyes

A long string of words, only Zhi spoke a great deal. Mo Chou initially did not believe it, but upon hearing her every word was true, she couldn't help but believe it completely.

Fortunately, fortunately, she knows that the host is actually very kind, so even if she is aware of her intention to deceive, she probably wouldn't say anything. Alas! She just knows that her luck won't be so bad after all.

What kind of person is the master of your estate, sister?

Li Mu's Bai Zi, while capable of offense, deliberately adopts a defensive stance. In his indifferent and handsome visage, there is no trace of anxiety, embodying a calm and composed demeanor.

How far is it from the capital city?

Taking the purple clay teacup handed by the maid, she took a light sip of the fragrant tea and smiled, saying: "Does Prince Mu know the rules of this palace? As long as you can surpass me, everyone in the Falling Phoenix Villa, including myself, will be at your disposal. However, if you lose this round, do not blame me for being heartless. Although Falling Phoenix Villa will still treat the prince and the princess with great courtesy, I must ask Prince Mu not to mention returning to the palace."

However, the queen's chess is truly remarkable, with a subtlety that makes it difficult to discern between reality and illusion

Lord Mu and Princess Changping both disembarked to visit their old friends in Fengyang County, leaving only the two of them on the boat. Attendant Yu hurried to prepare something for Zhi to eat

It was too late to react; they were indeed the guests of the host. Why had the host not informed them in advance? Everyone hurriedly apologized.

Fengyang County, Luofeng Mountain Villa

Master, you are teasing Mo Chou. You know that Mo Chou has never won against the Empress, yet you say this on purpose. Mo Chou does not agree.

Mo Chou's eyes turned, recalling the instructions of Empress Changsun, and she smiled, saying: "My master is indeed a very good person..."

Shiyu walked over, wiped the bloodstain from his lips caused by a slap from Lianhua, and tugged at Zhi's clothing. Just as he was about to ask her why she had bitten the rather pleasant-looking Li Mu, before he could even voice the question, Zhi had already fainted with a silly grin on her face

However, as the saying goes, there is no way out; after all, she chose to get involved in seeking out Li Mu and Chang Ping, whom she has hardly met a few times. Alas! One can only take it one step at a time

Sister, um, no, it's 'brother'... We simply do not have the money and provisions to go to the capital.

My goodness, the people here truly lack a sense of danger, chasing others with weapons is so unethical

Tears! ... Intentionally putting her in this godforsaken place ... ... Uh, it's strange that this godforsaken place is not a place where birds would defecate, subjecting her to such a heap of suffering, and she is neither a celestial being nor a Buddha, sob ... ...

What does this have to do with me pretending to be your family's young master, Yin Yaoyu?

Ah... ah. He will feel pain! It hurts! And there is bleeding, he is a living person! He is a living person! That's wonderful!

Ah... I see, no wonder the master of my family has so warmly invited you, young sir

Between the black and white realms, one is free to determine their own fate

That means it hurts a lot

"Young master, please help this young lady understand, how could this young lady possibly have misfortune?" Focused solely on the misfortune mentioned by Zhi Zhi, Mo Chou was quite frightened and repeatedly questioned Zhi Zhi.

An imposing aura emanated imperceptibly, and Shiyu, after all, was merely an eleven-year-old child, who had never encountered such a presence, leaving her momentarily speechless.

Who is he? How could he be sitting by his own bedside

She has always been intelligent, and although it is often difficult to fathom Li Mu, who has been granted a royal surname by the emperor, his affections are still easy to discern for Empress Changsun, who is accustomed to the affairs of the court

Did those officials say that your jade is of the finest quality, and that they intend to present it to the Emperor

At this thought, she smiled with delight.

Yes.

My young master, Yin Yaoyu, is one of the few scholars in Fengyang County this year

Upon hearing that the guests were invited by the manor lord, the soldiers finally realized that the fellow had mentioned coming to the Falling Phoenix Manor to find someone, and they understood that they had been neglectful towards the visitors

Startled, Zhi hurriedly shouted: "Do not indiscriminately kill the innocent! I am not a petty thief! I came here for a reason. Yes! A matter of importance, a matter of importance!"

After a long while, Empress Changsun took a sip of fragrant tea and smiled gently.

With a wave of her hand, she smiled lightly at the maid behind her and said, "Mo Chou, come and have Prince Mu finish this game. I have promised that whoever wins this round against me shall have their wish granted. Come now."

On one hand, his indifferent personality; on the other hand, he is concerned that the Emperor might favor him and insist on marrying Changping to him, which would lead to resentment and unhappiness in Changping, something he does not wish to see

Sunlight streamed through the window frames into the cabin, illuminating the face of a slender and delicate young boy resting on the soft couch. Beside the boy's bed, a beautiful child was anxiously tending to him.

Whether horizontally or vertically, death is inevitable! In any case, she has already been so unfortunate as to arrive in this broken Tang Dynasty. Her knowledge of history is lacking, but generally, those ancient dynasties were filled with chaos and turmoil, and one could easily meet their demise with just a moment's carelessness

Her face was originally not large, and it was covered in dust. Although her originally delicate features were not clearly visible, they were still far from being fierce; it seemed she was simply extremely adorable

Although the protagonists in stories like "The Female Imperial Consort" and "Meng Lijun" can always turn misfortune into fortune and ultimately find a good ending, she has always believed that these individuals are merely lucky. Furthermore, she thinks that the directors aim to attract viewers and cannot create tragedies. She does not believe that her own luck is that good

Everyone was taken aback

nodding incessantly

The people in the pavilion are indeed charming and elegant.

What? Let me play the role of your young master, Yin Yaoyu? No way, no way!

Mo Chou smiled

From now on, Shiyu, you shall call me 'Brother'!

Smiling foolishly, only Zhi has a face full of happiness

However, things were not as such; Zhi Zhi treated him as her own brother, often imparting numerous lessons to him inadvertently. Gradually, he developed his own sense of right and wrong, as well as his own thoughts. He not only regarded Zhi Zhi as an elder sister but also viewed her as his master and benefactor

The master, he particularly enjoys killing good people. Alas! This is truly a bad habit, as he is especially ruthless when it comes to killing kind, intelligent, and upright individuals

Li Mu said, "Your Highness, your chess skills are extraordinary. I only ask for your compassion towards the Emperor's deep affection, and not to hold the Princess accountable for the grave offense of leaving the palace without permission, in order to bring you back."

This time, no matter how one puts it, it is oneself who is at fault. If she is not awakened, it is certain that one will not be able to leave in peace.

With a faint smile, Empress Changsun's elegant features revealed no hint of reproach

Upon hearing the queen's words, Li Mu was momentarily taken aback, yet his cold and stern demeanor remained indifferent as he replied calmly

Suddenly, a rockery made of stone piles appeared ahead, visible from a distance, yet only Zhi was distracted and did not see it

Although it was the Empress Zhangsun who had yielded her position, Li Mu did not dare to treat the matter lightly. The Empress Zhangsun has always been quick-witted and well-read, possessing a naturally exquisite mind.

Collapse and spitting blood

When Princess Changping was fifteen years old, she rejected the Emperor's proposal for their marriage. Li Mu has always believed that Changping had no feelings for him. Therefore, in order to avoid troubling the princess, he never revealed his feelings in front of others

Poor Zhi, she only thought that by becoming the top scholar, she could get closer to the Emperor. Little did she know that it is not so simple for an ordinary person to achieve the title of top scholar.

As soon as the crowd turned around, they saw a beautiful young girl hurrying towards them

Enough! Let you go!

The woman smiled, lightly flicking her fingers, striking the center of the heavens.

"Oh, the master of the village," she paused and said with a smile, "the master merely has a penchant for killing; it is not uncommon for him to take a few lives in a single day..."

Miss Mo, please do not be angry; we shall immediately execute this little thief on the spot

Straining to swallow, she felt a surge of dissatisfaction within her, cursing the heavens several times in her heart

Only Zhi was pulling Shiyu, wanting to leave without even figuring out the direction

Hehe, indeed, I, Yin, only... Yin Yaoyu is quite a local tyrant, how could that not be frightening

Li Mu was indeed reticent in conversation; upon receiving just a few words from Empress Changsun, he found himself at a loss. He was originally a person of exceptional talent and intelligence, but when it came to matters of romantic affection, he truly lacked the means to respond.

Although Lord Mu has good character, his personality is too cold, which is why everyone is afraid of him

Sister, isn't that the ancient jade that was taken by those soldiers from you?

Poor Mo Chou, listening to her speak so eloquently, how could she have imagined that Zhi had been so frightened by her that she was in a daze, yet still had the energy to tease her. Little did she know that while she intended to play tricks on others, she herself was being tricked.

Breathless and bewildered, why are these people chasing her relentlessly with such fierce expressions? She cannot let them catch her, or her life will be in jeopardy

At that moment, Zhi Zhi, who had never encountered such a situation, was frightened to the point of breaking out in a cold sweat

The font is graceful, and the pavilion's name is extremely elegant. If it were not for a well-read scholar with a heart full of profound knowledge, how could one discover such an exquisite scenic spot? How could one bestow such a meaningful name upon a mere octagonal pavilion?

Unaware of the lingering resentment, the lotus still yearned to unleash its fury. One could only hear Li Mu's cold voice saying: "Enough is enough! He is just a child!"

The young lady does not believe in any ghosts or deities

Hurry! Capture him! Do not let him escape to the Siyiting! If the master sees him and is displeased, be careful for your heads

After a pause, she continued: "Then we had the opportunity to approach the imperial palace, and without hesitation, we stole the ancient jade that was to be presented to the palace! Isn't that right?"

The man in white, appearing to be in his twenties, had a handsome face and a demeanor as cold as ice and snow. Opposite him sat a woman in her thirties, dressed in a pale skirt and white blouse. Although she no longer possessed the innocent charm of a young girl, her beauty remained captivating, not to mention the subtle nobility and literary grace reflected in her features.

However, after the young master died, he encountered Zhi Zhi. If Zhi Zhi had only given him steamed buns to eat, he might have only known gratitude. When someone offered him more steamed buns, he would still leave Zhi Zhi.

The more she listened, the more confused she became. Although Zhi considered her intelligence to be quite high, this young man spoke in such a disjointed manner that it always left her feeling lost.

Since you are a guest invited by the master of my family estate, please allow this young lady to accompany you to meet the master

At that moment, it did not occur to Zhi that the young lady referred to by Mo Chou was herself, and Mo Chou curiously asked, "Are you addressing this young lady, sir?"

Upon hearing that indifferent voice, Lianhua felt a sudden jolt in her heart, realizing that Prince Mu was also present. Moreover, Prince Mu had always disdained those who abused their power to bully others. It seemed that she had indeed run into a hard wall this time, and Prince Mu must have a very poor impression of her.

Li Mu was puzzled as to why this girl looked at him with such strange eyes, and then he saw that the petite girl actually got off her bed and stumbled towards him.

Instinctively catching her, before Li Mu could comprehend why she reacted so strongly upon seeing him, his arm was suddenly pierced by a sharp pain, as he was unknowingly bitten hard by Zhi.

Then, staring at Li Mu for quite a while, fearing that he was seeing things, he rubbed his eyes vigorously

Do not say anything more, Mo Chou, as Zhi has not listened at all, and she walks along dejectedly with her... Whether it is horizontal or vertical, death is inevitable; her luck has indeed turned against her all the way, oh...! ... Heaven, you are so unfair!

Although the master of our household is fierce, he despises being deceived by others the most

In a flurry, Zhi was startled and broke into a cold sweat, and could only hastily reply, "I, I came here at the invitation of your manor's master."

Conversing with intelligent individuals is different; they only need a hint, and they can deduce everything that follows! Shiyule danced with joy.

Without having the time to ponder the understanding behind Empress Changsun's gentle smile, Li Mu hurriedly rose and left. Watching his elegant white figure grow more distant, Empress Changsun couldn't help but smile.

Uh?

The young lady does not believe; I can calculate the Four Pillars of Destiny for her. You are fifteen years old this year, born in the Year of the Rabbit, and have been separated from your parents since childhood, yet ... ...

The queen's black pieces move freely, both offensive and defensive, embodying a sense of calm and composure.

She opened her eyes and took a while to adjust to the sunlight. Upon seeing everyone, she was momentarily taken aback.

If by any chance I accidentally hurt someone, I would have to serve time in prison for half my life... Oh... what a society governed by law... Before I could finish my self-pity, I suddenly realized that I was inexplicably in the Tang Dynasty, and my delicate face involuntarily fell.

If that day the young master had not been killed by the bandits, he might have lived his life in a daze, continuing to serve the young master, being bullied by others, and lacking his own consciousness

Tears streaming down his face, he let out a loud roar and lunged forward, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks at the lotus.

Uh, young lady, I have a slight understanding of divination. Looking at your facial features, particularly the area between your eyebrows, it appears dark, indicating that you may be facing misfortune

On the pavilion, a line of characters dances like a dragon and phoenix—Siyiting

Upon hearing Lianhua's words, Shiyu could no longer care about her own fear of Li Mu, and her anger burned more fiercely within her heart

The two of them, mistress and servant, have always been close, and Empress Changsun is known for her generosity and kindness. Therefore, in the presence of Empress Changsun, the mother of the nation, Mo Chou has become more relaxed, unlike the restraint she exhibited when Prince Mu was here just moments ago

Brothers, let us speak amicably

A glance swept over the crowd, pausing momentarily on the disheveled figure of Zhi Zhi, before scanning towards the officials and soldiers.

Upon seeing the young girl angry, everyone became flustered and in a hurry, drawing their swords in preparation to kill Zhi in order to quell the lord's wrath

An hour had passed in the blink of an eye, and Li Mu had settled his white pieces. Due to his reservations, he found himself in a stalemate with the queen's black pieces on the chessboard.