Tao Hua had endured the trials and tribulations of the martial world for decades, and had long been accustomed to life and death.
Today, he was simply outmatched, and even in death, he felt it was a fitting end.
With this thought, Tao Hua, lying on the ground, closed his eyes decisively.
At the same time, Ji Zizhao's voice calmly rang out, "It seems General Mu Man has safely reached the Turks."
Xie Jinglan looked at her composed demeanor and chuckled, "The Butcher is considered a renowned assassin in the Turkic realm. General Mu Man truly spares no expense on you."
Ji Zizhao did not deny it.
Indeed, at their parting, General Mu Man had promised to cooperate with her.
But cooperation was one thing, and hatred did not disappear with it.
She represented the men of the Ji family, and General Mu Man represented Mu Shizhen; their paths diverged, and they could not plot together.
Seeing Ji Zizhao's indifferent expression, Xie Jinglan paused and added, "You can reconsider marrying me."
As long as she was by his side, he could shield her from Mu Man's continued pursuit.
Although…
He himself wasn't sure how long he could protect her.
This statement was so outrageous that not only Ji Zizhao, but even Tao Hua, who was lying nearby, couldn't stand it.
He opened his eyes in exasperation, looking at the two people sitting not far away. Tao Hua was so angry his teeth nearly shattered. "I say, don't you two have any respect for me at all? I'm still lying here breathing, and you're just leaving me here, neither killing me nor letting me go, and on top of that, you're discussing marriage in front of me?!"
To be killed and then have one's heart stabbed…
Being an assassin these days was truly becoming more difficult.
Ji Zizhao looked at the man opposite her, amused to the point of exasperation. "In the eyes of His Highness the Fourth Prince, am I, a mere subject, so frivolous and unworthy?"
Xie Jinglan certainly didn't mean that. "General Mu Man is known as a mad dog on the battlefield; he has never failed to kill anyone he sets his sights on. Last time at the teahouse, the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family didn't give me a chance to finish speaking…"
Last time at the teahouse, Ji Zizhao had indeed not let him finish speaking.
But this time, Ji Zizhao had no intention of letting him continue either.
"Although I am divorced, I have never cared about my reputation. However, I am not someone who can be so frivolous as to allow others to trample on my dignity at will. If Your Highness the Fourth Prince still wishes to continue our cooperation, then please refrain from mentioning this matter again."
Her obsidian eyes turned frosty, and her tightly furrowed brows were now covered with a chilling aura of killing intent.
Xie Jinglan felt a sense of helplessness but was wise enough to stop speaking.
Otherwise, given Ji Zizhao's temperament, she might very well chase him down the street with a butcher's knife.
Ji Zizhao: "…"
If I couldn't beat you, do you think I'd let you sit here!
The alley suddenly fell silent.
The wounded lay scattered everywhere, while Ji Zizhao and Xie Jinglan sat in silence.
The atmosphere was inexplicably strange.
Tao Hua couldn't take it anymore; he felt that being alive was a painful ordeal for the first time!
Fortunately, hurried footsteps were suddenly heard from the head of the alley. The approaching torchlight gradually enveloped them, and they saw Fu Bao urgently leading the Prefect of Fengtian.
Upon hearing that the Fourth Prince was implicated, the Prefect of Fengtian's head was already aching.
However, when he saw who was sitting with the Fourth Prince, his head ached even more.
Based on his experiences from previous encounters, any trouble involving the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family was guaranteed to be troublesome.
"Who dares to be so audacious as to show disrespect to His Highness the Fourth Prince!" the Prefect of Fengtian's voice preceded his arrival.
Unfortunately, those lying on the ground had already fainted.
Tao Hua, the only one still conscious, lazily ignored them and played dead.
Without receiving an answer, the Prefect of Fengtian hurried to the Fourth Prince, bowing obsequiously, "Your subordinate arrives late, begging Your Highness's forgiveness. May I ask what has happened? If anyone dared to disrespect Your Highness, your subordinate will certainly deal with them severely!"
Xie Jinglan, of course, would not let anyone know he understood martial arts. He said softly, "They were merely a few drunkards who, emboldened by alcohol, took the opportunity to cause trouble and bully the common people. Fortunately, a kind soul extended a helping hand and drew their swords to assist."
Hearing this, the Prefect of Fengtian's eyes darted around.
Then, they fell upon Ji Zizhao.
It was known throughout the court that the Fourth Prince did not practice martial arts. If it wasn't for the Fourth Prince acting heroically, then it must be…
Ji Zizhao, who also did not reveal her skills, proactively said before the Prefect of Fengtian could ask, "What Your Highness the Fourth Prince says is true; today, we are indeed indebted to a kind person."
The Prefect of Fengtian began to feel confused.
Oh, so it wasn't the Fourth Prince, nor the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family. Could it be ghosts?
Tao Hua, lying on the ground waiting for death, stared wide-eyed at the two who refused to admit the truth, his astonishment growing with every moment.
Before he could even recover his senses, he saw Ji Zizhao point her hand towards him, "He is the one who defeated those drunkards and helped the old man protect his wonton stall."
Tao Hua: "…"
He truly felt like spitting out a mouthful of old blood!
He finally understood that these two not only had good martial arts skills but were also excellent liars…
Scoundrels!
The Prefect of Fengtian looked at the drunkards lying on the ground, and then at Tao Hua, who was lying beside them…
He clearly looked like he had indigestion.
However, since the Fourth Prince and the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family had said so, the Prefect of Fengtian had no choice but to believe them, even if he didn't.
"May I know whose child this is?" The Prefect of Fengtian forced a kind smile towards Tao Hua, as saving the Fourth Prince was a merit, and to commend him, one must know his identity.
Tao Hua, who had inexplicably become the kind person who extended a helping hand and drew his sword, could do nothing but look at Ji Zizhao in shock!
Xie Jinglan also did not expect Ji Zizhao to protect Tao Hua. As he stroked his chin, pondering her intentions, he saw Ji Zizhao walk towards him with small steps.
She first curtsied gracefully, then lowered her gaze and said, "Regarding today's events, we are indebted to the child adopted by Your Highness the Fourth Prince for stepping forward to uphold justice. On behalf of the old man, this subject thanks Your Highness the Fourth Prince for saving his life."
Xie Jinglan: "…"
He felt as though he had been tricked.
However, since Ji Zizhao had spoken, Xie Jinglan could not deny it and could only hook his lips into a half-smile.
It was considered…
Tacit consent.
This girl, as expected, was someone who would repay every grievance.
Upon hearing that the child belonged to the Fourth Prince, the Prefect of Fengtian felt that matters were much easier to handle. After praising Tao Hua extensively, he instructed the constables to arrest the culprits and tend to the injured.
Seeing that the old man was still unconscious, Ji Zizhao took the opportunity to slip a bag of silver ingots into his sleeve.
The old man had only suffered minor shock, and this silver was enough for him to set up another stall.
After everyone had left, Tao Hua looked at Ji Zizhao warily, "What exactly do you want?"
"Since you accepted Mu Man's mission, if you don't take my head, you will face death when you return to the Turks."
Tao Hua: "…"
Could this woman be so kind?
Ji Zizhao paused, her bright black eyes shining like flowing light, "And after you die, Mu Man will continue to send assassins to kill me. Since that is the case, you might as well stay by the side of His Highness the Fourth Prince. This way, you can save your life, and I will no longer be troubled by other assassins."
Tao Hua: "…"
He knew this woman wouldn't be so kind!
So she was keeping him here to use him as a shield.
Ji Zizhao bowed to the Fourth Prince again, then turned and left with Fu Bao.
Looking at the graceful figure in the distance, Tao Hua gritted his teeth and shouted, "You're keeping me here, do you think I won't try to kill you again?"
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly, her eyes sparkling with brilliance, "You are always welcome."
Tao Hua: "…"
He was utterly speechless by her forwardness.
Watching Ji Zizhao gradually walk out of the alley, Tao Hua frowned and turned his head, "Do you really intend to take me back?"
Xie Jinglan's long eyes swept over Tao Hua, and he took the lead in walking away, "If you can escape, feel free to do so."
Tao Hua was truly so angry he stomped his feet.
If he could escape, would he still be standing here?
"That woman is sinister and full of schemes! What is your relationship with her that you have to indulge her so much?" Tao Hua couldn't understand why a prince would obey a woman's every command.
Xie Jinglan's footsteps paused, and his eyes, which seemed to encompass everything, also froze for a moment.
Yes, since when had he become so indulgent towards her?