With that, Zhi Wan lowered her head.

’Honestly, she wasn’t sure if this trip today would be a waste of effort.’

’But she had to take the gamble.’

’After all, Princess Chang Le was the only one who could keep that Xuanyuan Jing in check.’

After listening to her, Princess Chang Le watched her pensively. "Did she really say that?"

"I wouldn’t dare lie to you, Princess. Everything I said is true," Zhi Wan said, nodding quickly.

Hearing this, Princess Chang Le’s expression softened. She made a small gesture with her hand. "You may rise."

’She knew better than anyone what kind of person Xuanyuan Jing was.’

’This was exactly the sort of thing she would do.’

"Thank you, Princess." Zhi Wan breathed a silent sigh of relief and stood up as she was told.

"Bring her a seat!" Princess Chang Le commanded.

A servant immediately brought over a chair.p>"Thank you, Princess." After expressing her thanks, Zhi Wan gathered her skirts and sat down.

Princess Chang Le flipped through the art book on her lap. "You brought this art book to me because you want my protection?"

Zhi Wan gave a slight nod. "I am an orphan. It is only by my aunt and uncle’s grace that I have a roof over my head. But Princess Gao Yang has been relentless in her pursuit of me. I had no other choice but to come and seek your aid, Your Highness. I can only hope that you will help me."

Princess Chang Le sized her up and said coolly, "Xuanyuan Jing may be reckless, savage, and cruel, but if you hide in the Duke Dingguo Mansion and never come out, there’s nothing she can do to you."

"But I can’t hide in the Duke Dingguo Mansion forever," Zhi Wan said with a sigh.

’She was only living as a dependent in the Duke Dingguo Mansion. In the future, once she found a suitable husband to marry into her family, she would have to move out and live separately.’

’And given Xuanyuan Jing’s petty and vicious nature, she would never let the matter drop.’

’At that point, without the protection of the Duke Dingguo Mansion, it would be laughably easy for Xuanyuan Jing to crush her.’

’Of course, even if she moved out to live on her own, her uncle, aunt, and cousin wouldn’t simply abandon her.’

’But Xuanyuan Jing had endless ways to cause trouble for her.’

’After thinking it over and over, she realized that in the entire Capital City, the only person who could control Xuanyuan Jing was Princess Chang Le.’

’If she could obtain Princess Chang Le’s protection, Xuanyuan Jing would have to think twice before causing her trouble again.’

Princess Chang Le nodded. "You have a point. And that wretched girl, Xuanyuan Jing, is petty and vindictive. Now that she’s targeted you, she won’t give up.

But how do you want me to help you?

Or are you saying you want to move in and live with me?"

As she spoke that last sentence, her expression was laden with meaning.

Zhi Wan was speechless.

’Ouyang Zhenzhu’s words came to mind—Princess Chang Le liked both men and women...’

A shiver ran down her spine, and she quickly shook her head. "How could I dare disturb Your Highness’s tranquility? If you don’t mind, Princess, could you perhaps give me a token? That way, the next time Princess Gao Yang comes looking for trouble, I can use your token to scare her off."

A half-smile played on Princess Chang Le’s lips as she looked at her. "And why should I give you a token? On account of this art book, or... on account of your cousin?"

"This has nothing to do with my cousin. Coming here today was entirely my own idea. As for this art book, if you like it, Princess, please keep it to enjoy. If not, you can just throw it away.

The reason I came to seek your help, Princess, is because I believe that deep down, you are a kind person who can’t bear to see the innocent and weak bullied," Zhi Wan said with a sincere tone.

Princess Chang Le’s smile faded. "No one has ever called me kind. What have I done to give you such a mistaken impression?"

"I can just feel that you’re a kind person, Princess," Zhi Wan said earnestly.

At that, Princess Chang Le looked at her with amusement. "Did you know that I’m not much better than Xuanyuan Jing? I may not have hundreds of lives on my hands, but I certainly have more than a dozen. Aren’t you afraid that I might kill you, too, if you displease me?"

"You wouldn’t, Princess," Zhi Wan said with certainty.

Meeting her clear, beautiful eyes, Princess Chang Le paused, then said with an air of boredom, "Forget it. You’ve already flattered me to high heaven. If I don’t help you, wouldn’t I be letting down all your earnest efforts? I can’t give you my token, but I happen to be free. Come to the Princess Mansion tomorrow morning, and I will personally accompany you to see that wretched girl, Xuanyuan Jing. I’m rather curious to see how she plans to give you a hard time."

Overjoyed, Zhi Wan rose to her feet and knelt. "Thank you, Princess."

"Alright, stop kneeling at the drop of a hat. I’m not a fan of all that." Princess Chang Le reached out to help her up, then pointed to the art book in her lap. "Did you draw all of these?"

Zhi Wan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Please keep this a secret for me, Princess."

"It certainly should be a secret. You look so meek and mild, yet you’re able to draw such risqué things. I can only imagine how shocked your cousin would be if he found out," Princess Chang Le said, watching her with a playful glint in her eye.

Zhi Wan gave a light cough. "It’s all just for a bit of money. I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you, Princess."

"I knew your art style looked familiar. So you’re the one who draws those albums for He Xu Bookstore?" Princess Chang Le said, looking at her pensively.

Since the princess already knew, Zhi Wan didn’t hide it. She nodded honestly. "Yes."

Princess Chang Le said, "I quite like your art style. How about this: stop drawing for the bookstore and draw exclusively for me. I’ll make sure you’re well compensated."

Zhi Wan was tempted, but after a moment’s thought, she tactfully refused.

"Thank you for your generous offer, Princess, but I cannot draw exclusively for you just yet. I have a signed contract with Manager Jin, and for the next two years, my work must be supplied to them first."

’While drawing for the princess had many benefits, she worried that the princess might grow tired of her art. When that happened, she would still have to find a bookstore to work with.’

’Besides, attending a royal is like attending a tiger.’

’Today, she might have won the princess’s favor, but tomorrow, she could just as easily anger her and be met with her disgust.’

’In any case, she was quite satisfied with the prices the bookstore was currently paying. There was no need to give up her cooperation with them for the princess’s sake.’

Fortunately, Princess Chang Le didn’t force her. "Then forget it. In any case, every time you sell your paintings to the bookstore, they send them to me first anyway."

The two chatted for a while longer about art before Zhi Wan took her leave.

Once she was in the carriage, Shuang’er anxiously asked, "Miss, how did it go? Will the princess help?"

Zhi Wan nodded. "The princess will accompany me to the Prince’s Villa tomorrow."

Shuang’er let out a huge sigh of relief. "You’re incredible, Miss! To actually persuade the princess to help. With Her Highness backing you up, that arrogant Princess Gao Yang won’t dare bully you anymore."

Zhi Wan thought back to Princess Chang Le’s attitude during their meeting, and she broke into a cold sweat just at the memory.

’If Princess Chang Le hadn’t fallen for her act, she didn’t know what she would have done.’

’Her aunt was in a bad mood at the moment, so she didn’t dare tell her about the trouble with Princess Gao Yang.’

’She could have asked her uncle to intervene, but he was swamped with military duties. He could help her once, but she couldn’t keep imposing on him.’

’Besides, if her uncle were to step in, he could only approach Prince Gao Yang. Prince Gao Yang might give her uncle some face, but it was precisely the prince’s indulgence that had made Princess Gao Yang so tyrannical. Why would he admonish his own daughter for an outsider?’

’Only Princess Chang Le could directly control Princess Gao Yang and make her feel apprehensive.’

’Thankfully, her efforts today had not been in vain.’

’Since Princess Chang Le had promised to accompany her to the Prince’s Villa tomorrow, she would certainly keep her word.’

Zhi Wan’s mind was finally at ease.

Upon returning to the Duke Mansion, she sent the salted goose she had brought back from Zhimei Restaurant to her aunt and accompanied her for dinner.

As she was leaving, she couldn’t help but tell her aunt what her uncle had said to her outside Lan Courtyard the previous day. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"...Your uncle was plotted against by Aunt Wang all those years ago."