When Yi Zhici woke up, she was lying in an old dilapidated temple. Soft straw was spread beside her, and her clothes were still the same as those after being groomed in the Flower Pavilion.
The statue enshrined in the temple was that of Prince Yue. Yi Zhici got up and piously bowed to it. After thinking for a while, she walked around and found a statue of a red - clothed man in the corner. She placed it neatly beside the statue of Prince Yue and bowed again.
She sat in the temple for a long time, but no one came. Yi Zhici felt a bit disheartened. Since the person had saved her, why didn't they even show their face? Didn't they even give her a chance to thank them in person?
However, it might be for the best. She had been forced to drink the aphrodisiac, and her embarrassing state must have been seen by the other person. It would be better if they never saw each other again.
Yi Zhici sighed. She... seemed to care too much about that Young Master Lin.
She stood up and found that there were neatly folded casual clothes and steamed buns in the temple. This Young Master Lin was really considerate.
For a moment, Yi Zhici had an illusion of being cared about.
She quickly shook her head. Maybe she was wrong. The person didn't even show their face. How could they care about her?
Yi Zhici pursed her lips. Afraid that Du Wenting might come looking for her, she didn't even change her clothes. She just grabbed the buns and quickly returned to the mansion.
When she returned to the Marquis Mansion, Yi Junshi had just come back from the palace. In his magnificent brocade clothes, he looked elegant and handsome. The two met at the mansion gate, and Yi Zhici was about to run inside.
Yi Junshi frowned his good - looking eyebrows. "What's this gaudy outfit? Where have you been fooling around?"
Yi Zhici turned around and blinked. "Oh, Father, why did you come back from court so late today?"
Thinking of this, Yi Junshi smiled. "Today, all the young masters from noble families entered the palace for a military strategy drill. I was so engrossed in watching that I came back a bit late... That young fellow who just returned to the capital is quite good. He's even more talented and brilliant than his father. If you..."
"Father, you should rest well. I'm not interested!"
Yi Junshi shook his head and laughed. "I don't know who you take after with such a naughty personality. There will surely be someone who can control you in the future."
When she returned to her own courtyard, she quickly took off the gorgeous clothes adorned with jewels. Zhong Qing and Zhong Yi quickly took them.
In the Kingdom of Guyue, after the official ladies turned thirteen and had their hair - pinning ceremony, they would be allocated a separate courtyard to live in. The only people with Yi Zhici were Zhong Qing and Zhong Yi. Adding the two guards, Shi Yi and Shi Er, who were assigned to her by Yi Junshi a few days ago, there were only five people in total.
Although there were few people, it was peaceful and free.
The first thing she did after coming back was to order Shi Yi and Shi Er to beat Du Wenting up. It would be best to beat him until he didn't recognize his own family.
Shi Yi and Shi Er replied with an "Yes" and then retreated. Yi Zhici looked at their tall and straight backs with satisfaction. They would surely make that Du Wenting know that she, Yi Zhici, was not someone to be provoked casually.
While Zhong Qing was taking down the hairpin from Yi Zhici's head, she said, "Your Highness, you're finally back. The Lady has come several times in the past two days, urging you to go and see her."
"Mother has come several times?" Yi Zhici fell into deep thought. "Then Mother should know that I went out... But Father doesn't seem to know?"
Zhong Yi said, "Your Highness, did you have any fun during this trip?"
Thinking of the disgusting Du Wenting, Yi Zhici shook her head. "There wasn't much fun, but I did meet a few interesting people. I've seen the world."
After getting rid of the heavy clothes and head ornaments, Yi Zhici comfortably lay on the bed. "Zhong Qing, Zhong Yi, if I'm betrothed at the Chrysanthemum - viewing Banquet and the person is someone I really dislike, what should I do?"
Zhong Qing said, "Your Highness needn't worry. The Marquis loves you so much that he will surely not let you be wronged."
Zhong Yi said, "Then beat him until he submits and make him beg the Emperor to cancel the engagement himself."
"..." Yi Zhici was speechless for a moment. She knew that Zhong Yi's impatient personality couldn't be changed. "By the way, Mother is looking for me. I'll go now."
The Marquis's Lady, He Weining, was sitting by the window reading a book. Her elegant and noble demeanor was like the calmness after experiencing the world, being generous and dignified.
"Mother—"
He Weining looked up. Her beautiful, somewhat aloof eyes now showed a bit of a smile. "Finally willing to come back?"
Yi Zhici scratched her head and coquettishly said, "Mother, I just went out to play for two days. You and Father are still my favorites."
"You're so glib - tongued," He Weining tapped her on the forehead. "Tomorrow is the Chrysanthemum - viewing Banquet. You'll go with Mother. See which young master from a noble family catches your fancy."
Yi Zhici nodded. "I know."
He Weining sighed and put down the book in her hand. "A Ci, you're not a little girl anymore. You should do what a princess should do and don't cause trouble for your father."
Yi Zhici let out a long breath. "A Ci knows. Father has always been protecting A Ci and doesn't restrict me. Naturally, I shouldn't let Father worry." But her eyes dimmed a bit.
She was a princess, and her fate was not in her own hands. It was already not easy for her to be able to look for someone she liked.
She should be grateful.
When she returned to her own courtyard, Shi Yi and Shi Er were waiting in the courtyard to report to her.
Shi Yi was holding back his laughter. "When we got there, that Du Wenting was already in a terrible state. His face was swollen like a pig's head. He really looked like he didn't recognize his own family."
Shi Er said seriously, "Your Highness, I also heard the servants in their mansion say that after Du Wenting was beaten up by someone, he... he was even impotent."
Yi Zhici spat out a mouthful of tea. "Im... impotent?"
Shi Yi and Shi Er nodded stupidly.
Yi Zhici waved her hand to let them go, but she was still extremely shocked inside. Who else had a grudge against Du Wenting? Could it be that the young girls who had been poisoned by Du Wenting had joined hands and hired a killer? Otherwise, how could one explain beating someone until they were impotent?
Yi Zhici rubbed the space between her eyebrows and simply stopped thinking about it.
Because what she should worry about was not this, but the Chrysanthemum - viewing Banquet.