The Prince of Nanping returned to his residence in the capital and was informed by a gatekeeper that someone wished to see him.
"Who is it?" the Prince of Nanping asked.
The servant replied, "It is two young ladies and a young master. They do not appear to be ordinary people."
"Take them to the study," the Prince of Nanping instructed.
After changing his attire, the Prince of Nanping proceeded to the study and saw the two young ladies and the young master mentioned by the servant.
The Prince of Nanping observed the three individuals carefully, admitting to himself that he had never met any of them before. "I have never met you all. May I ask why you have come to see me?"
He noticed the young master glance at one of the ladies. He surmised that this woman was the true mistress of the group and began to study her.
He hadn't noticed anything earlier, but now he realized that this woman possessed a bearing that set her apart from the others; her every gesture and movement exuded a regal aura.
He was somewhat surprised. This woman appeared to be around Ze'er's age, yet she evoked such a feeling in him, a man seasoned by countless battles.
"Prince of Nanping, I am Zhao Yan Luo, a former collaborator of the young prince in Xing Jiu Kingdom," Zhao Yan Luo said slowly.
The Prince of Nanping's brow furrowed. He had indeed heard the name Zhao Yan Luo before. Ze'er had told him that the Zhao family was a hereditary marquisate, a noble lineage. Ze'er's collaboration with him back then was merely a cover for his true identity.
Now, why had he come to Qi Kingdom? With this thought, the Prince of Nanping's expression grew colder. "Lord Zhao, you have not come to see me merely for old times' sake, have you?"
"Naturally not. I heard that the young prince has been unjustly imprisoned, and I wish to save him."
The Prince of Nanping looked up at Zhao Yan Luo and said coldly, "You, a citizen of Xing Jiu Kingdom, wish to save someone from Qi Kingdom? Do you truly believe I would trust that?" It would be more likely for him to add fuel to the fire.
Zhao Yan Luo replied, "Very well. If you do not trust me, Prince of Nanping, then perhaps the people of Marquis Ji'an's estate will earn your trust?"
The Prince of Nanping stiffened. Marquis Ji'an's estate?
"You are..."
The woman who carried herself with such a distinguished air stepped forward. "Prince of Nanping, I am from the Leng clan of Marquis Ji'an's wife. My name is Leng Liu Yue."
The Prince of Nanping frowned. He knew of the Leng family, but he had never heard of Leng Liu Yue.
"May I ask why Miss Leng has sought me out?" the Prince of Nanping inquired.
"I wish to meet the young Prince of Nanping."
The Prince of Nanping paused slightly, examining Leng Liu Yue from head to toe. He found her neither humble nor arrogant, showing no fear even in the face of his imposing demeanor.
"Zhao Xiaohouye mentioned that you wish to save Ze'er?" the Prince of Nanping asked.
Xue Xing Yue nodded. "Yes. We just don't know if Your Highness believes us."
Believe? How could he? He did not believe them at all. This matter concerned Ze'er's life; one wrong step could cost him his life.
"Miss Leng, I appreciate your kind intentions, but this matter is beyond your capabilities. You should leave quickly, lest His Majesty discover this and accuse me of colluding with the enemy and treason!"
"I wish to meet the young Prince of Nanping."
The Prince of Nanping's expression darkened. "I have made myself clear, Miss Leng. Do not mistake my courtesy for weakness."
"Your Highness..." A servant from the manor hurried in from outside and whispered a few words into the Prince of Nanping's ear. The Prince of Nanping's face changed drastically.
Seeing this, Zhao Yan Luo quickly asked, "Prince of Nanping, has something happened?"
The Prince of Nanping replied, "The Third Prince has arrived outside the manor with his men, accusing me of harboring criminals from Xing Jiu Kingdom."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yan Luo turned to look at the Empress. This Third Prince was truly persistent.
"You should hide yourselves quickly..." Before he could finish, the Third Prince's voice was heard from outside, "Imperial Uncle, your nephew has arrived."
The Prince of Nanping frowned and said to Zhao Yan Luo, "Act according to the situation. Do not act rashly without my permission."
"Yes, Your Highness," Zhao Yan Luo quickly agreed.
The Prince of Nanping walked out of the study, smiling. "Third Prince, please come in."
The Third Prince did not stand on ceremony and entered. Seeing the two women and one man in the study, he could not help but ask, "Imperial Uncle, who are these three?"
The Prince of Nanping replied, "These three are distant relatives of my wife. They came to the capital seeking employment and have sought my assistance."
"Imperial Uncle, my estate has a suitable position. Would you entrust it to me?" the Third Prince said slowly, looking at the two women.
The Prince of Nanping was about to reply when he heard someone say coldly, "I intend to be the young prince's consort. I will not be a mere servant."
"Impudent! Do you speak to a prince like that?" the Prince of Nanping scoffed.
The Third Prince was unperturbed. "It seems you believe I am not good enough?"
"You are not good-looking."
"How dare you!" the eunuch beside the Third Prince shrieked.
The woman sneered, "The Third Prince himself has said nothing, yet you, a castrated one, are shouting here. Anyone who doesn't know would think you can make decisions for the Third Prince."
The young eunuch's face turned pale, and he quickly knelt. "Your Highness, I did not mean that."
"Only you know what you meant."
The young eunuch wished he could sew this woman's mouth shut. Did she think his life was too long?
"I dare not, I dare not!"
The Third Prince, finding the woman daring and reckless, studied her with interest. He noticed she was rather ordinary, with her only distinct feature being her clear eyes.
"I am very interested in you."
"Then I am very sorry, but I am not interested in you, Your Highness the Third Prince."
The Third Prince let out a loud laugh. "Imperial Uncle, are your wife's clansmen this amusing?"
The Prince of Nanping responded, "Does the Third Prince have business here at the Prince of Nanping's estate?"
The Third Prince replied, "Imperial Uncle, some say you are harboring criminals from Xing Jiu Kingdom. I believe it is better to kill the innocent than to let the guilty go free. What do you say?"
"The Third Prince speaks wisely, but as you can see, Your Highness, there are only my wife's clansmen here, no criminals as you described."