Chapter Forty-Nine: A Midnight Visit to the Imperial Palace

Feng Xiaoli continued to gasp for breath, her face flushed with a deep crimson. Zilin watched her, a laugh escaping lightly from his lips.

This fellow, how could he still be laughing!

“Zilin, you didn’t come here just to force ginger soup down my throat, did you?” Feng Xiaoli guessed, for whenever Zilin appeared before her, something was bound to happen. And it was never something good. Clearly, this time would be no exception.

“You know me too well, Li’er!” Zilin flicked his sleeve, smoothing out the wrinkles at once. “Li’er, your wit always makes me feel ashamed of myself!”

Wit? Nonsense. In front of him, cleverness was never the right word to describe her; Zilin was the truly clever one.

Feng Xiaoli looked at Zilin. This man often managed to slip past the hidden guards placed by Prince Chun all around, proving he was anything but simple. At the very least, his martial skills were formidable—perhaps extremely so.

She wondered how he compared to Yue Wanqing.

In Feng Xiaoli’s memory, Yue Wanqing was equally skilled, yet she had never seen Yue Wanqing evade the guards’ watchful eyes. She always stormed into the prince’s residence, causing a commotion as if afraid no one would notice her arrival. She’d rush in with an air of self-assurance, leap onto your bed, insist on exchanging a dozen blows before discussing business, and once the matter was settled, she’d leave in a whirlwind as though she’d never been there.

But that was impossible, wasn’t it?

Feng Xiaoli shared her thoughts with Zilin, who propped his chin thoughtfully and said, “When I enter, the guards remain unaware. But when Yue Wanqing arrives, the whole area stirs with movement.”

Clearly, Yue Wanqing’s martial arts did not match Zilin’s.

With that, Feng Xiaoli pressed him urgently, “Zilin, take me to the palace!”

“You want to see Luo Wensheng?” Zilin raised an eyebrow.

Feng Xiaoli marveled at his insight. He saw right through her; before him, her intentions were laid bare. Indeed, she needed to go to the palace to find Luo Wensheng. She was not one to give up easily; she couldn’t rest until she saw for herself what poison Luo Wensheng had been afflicted with. It wasn’t that she distrusted the imperial physicians, but rather that she trusted herself more.

Following her master, she hadn’t learned exceptional martial arts, but her medical skills were, in her estimation, not lacking.

There was a reason she wanted Zilin to bring her inside. Her own martial arts were mediocre; she feared that before she even reached Luo Wensheng’s quarters, she’d be discovered. Then she’d be the one turning the palace upside down.

Moreover, these were extraordinary times. Luo Wensheng’s quarters were guarded night and day, layer upon layer. To see him, she’d have to slip past all their vigilant eyes, and now, the only one she could rely on was Zilin.

Zilin, on the surface, seemed unreliable, but in truth, he was utterly dependable.

Feng Xiaoli’s request was nothing to him; he immediately led her toward the palace.

On the way there, Feng Xiaoli refused Zilin’s assistance. She still hoped to rely on her own strength to get into the palace, only needing his help once inside.

Zilin took note of her actions. Since Feng Xiaoli did not wish for his help, he wouldn’t insist. Everyone has their own pride, and now he was safeguarding hers. He would not help her unless she asked, for someone who always needs help can never grow. He sensed that Feng Xiaoli was slowly growing stronger, step by step.

He looked forward to it.

－－－－－－Side Note－－－－－－

First of all, I must apologize; due to personal reasons, I returned home, but accidentally copied the wrong draft with me. So what you’re reading now was typed in the moment, and I feel it isn’t up to standard. When I return, I will repost a complete chapter! Once again, my sincere apologies!