Dress up as a sickly person to capture the villain princess!

Zhao Changlin spoke seriously, almost facing her own heart, because she knew that if she didn't say it now, she might never have another chance in the future.

Now, the remnants of King Wen will arrive at Yong River soon, and a bloody battle is inevitable. Zhao Changlin asked herself, but she felt guilty because she could not face Xia Zhiyuan without distraction.

“It’s the same with Zhiyuan.”

"Your Highness, it's time to say goodbye. Although the fragrance and softness of the jade are beautiful, Your Highness should not be too obsessed with it."

Xia Zhiyuan pressed her fingers against Zhao Changlin's back and pushed him out. Zhao Changlin sighed helplessly, followed her instructions, and walked out.

She looked at Xia Zhiyuan behind her, with a smile between her eyes and a pair of thin eyebrows, but never showing any sadness, as if she already knew the outcome of the game.

If my previous impression of Zhiyuan was that she was extremely smart, now I have a completely different understanding of her. Zhiyuan is more like the goddess recorded in ancient books.

"Farewell, Your Highness..."

Chunni quickly put down the fire tongs in her hand. She had been suppressing her curiosity just now, telling herself in her heart not to look at, see or listen to anything indecent.

However, even so, she still heard some things that she shouldn't have heard, so at this moment Chunni's cheeks were redder than her master's.

She suppressed the urge to rush forward to straighten her young lady's clothes and stepped aside.

Zhao Changlin was stopped by her shout and stopped walking out. He took a quick look and saw silver charcoal burning in the exquisite stove.

Yes, if the weather continues to get this cold, it will probably snow heavily soon.

You should prepare more silver charcoal so that you don’t have to go out to get it when the weather gets cold.

Zhao Changlin originally thought that if he specifically asked the people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take care of the Empress Dowager's courtyard, it would inevitably attract a lot of unnecessary attention.

So, it’s better to save some trouble.

"But what's missing?"

Hearing His Highness asking about him, Chunni quickly waved his hands, indicating that he did not lack anything.

"Your Highness, there is everything here. There is nothing missing! And...and the Queen Mother has already prepared everything. I just went to get it."

She spoke a long speech in one breath. Seeing her like this, Xia Zhiyuan was worried that Chunni would choke to death on his words, so they looked at each other and smiled.

Xia Zhiyuan placed her fingers on her red lips, not wanting her smile to look too happy.

But it was difficult to conceal the upturned corners of her eyes.

"Wipe the dust off your face first."

Taking out a handkerchief from her sleeve, Xia Zhiyuan handed it over. Her eyes fell on Chunni's fair profile and she saw a hint of black on that pretty face.

Apparently Chunni accidentally rubbed the charcoal ash on his face when he was fiddling with it, which is why he looked so funny.

"Miss... is there dust on Chunni's face?"

"Chun Ni, wipe it right away!"

She took out her handkerchief in horror and wiped her face with it.

Seeing this scene, Xia Zhiyuan shook his head unconsciously, as if he had already gotten used to Chunni's panicked look.

"Your Highness, please let Zhiyuan see you off."

After saying that, Xia Zhiyuan walked to the clothes rack and took down a cloak to keep warm. She put it on her arm and returned to Zhao Changlin's side.

He unfolded the cloak with his fingers and carefully put it on Zhao Changlin. Xia Zhiyuan lowered his eyes and moved seriously.

"It's windy in the evening and you're weak, so it's better not to do it."

Although he was reluctant, Zhao Changlin knew that it was not a wise move to let Xia Zhiyuan send him off in the cold wind at this time.

"After today's separation, you and I may not see each other again for a long time."

The affairs of the court have not yet been concluded, and the situation is changing rapidly, so she must now concentrate and take time to deal with Lu Boshan.

However, thanks to Zhiyuan's reminder, Zhao Changlin already knew how to make the choice.

"Zhi Yuan knows this, so he wants to see Your Highness off."

"Just leave the Cining Palace."

"how?"

Xia Zhiyuan made a small concession, thinking that he would not be able to see the prince for a long time, so it would not be a big deal for him to see him off.

"it is good…"

Unable to persuade her, Zhao Changlin had to agree.

The two walked out of the gate side by side. Only then did Zhao Changlin remember that he had left his palace maids and eunuchs outside the courtyard when he came in.

I don't know when I turned back, it was already dark, and the leading eunuchs were holding lanterns, standing in the cold wind, shivering with cold.

No one dared to breathe, only breaths of white air spread between the lips and teeth, and the dim candlelight reflected on everyone's face.

The lanterns also drifted away in the wind.

"See Your Highness!"

Zhe Ji was the first to react. She came forward and bowed. Although she was very curious, her upbringing prevented her from looking around randomly.

"See Your Highness!"

Immediately afterwards, the other young eunuchs and palace maids followed Zhe Ji's movements and bowed, fearing that they would be a step slower.

Zhao Changlin didn't say much.

Just nodded.

"Okay, no need to be polite."

Turning her head, Zhao Changlin took a last look at Xia Zhiyuan standing in the wind. She felt a little reluctant and stretched out her fingers to push Xia Zhiyuan's hood down a little.

When his fingers touched the soft white fur, Zhao Changlin felt as if his heart was being tickled by the white fur.

Zhao Changlin took out a familiar ink-colored token from his sleeve and handed it over.

"Here, take this for self-defense."

"Even the people in the Queen Mother's palace wouldn't dare to do anything to you."

Although Zhao Changlin had lived with the empress dowager since childhood, the empress dowager often disliked her for being noisy and quarrelsome at that time, so the relationship between the two was not as good as the outside world said. To be honest, it was probably interests that brought them together.

The token in His Highness's hand looked very familiar. Under the dim candlelight, Xia Zhiyuan saw the small golden words - Changlin.

This is the one that His Majesty gave me in the Imperial Mausoleum. However, today, His Majesty has nothing to ask of me.

Instead, use this token to protect yourself.

"Your Highness... Such a valuable item..."

Before Xia Zhiyuan could finish his words, he felt his wrist was warm. Zhao Changlin grabbed his wrist and pulled it upwards, and his palm felt cold.

The token fell up and lay in the palm of his hand.

"Zhiyuan, I believe you can use it not only to protect yourself, but also to protect me."

Zhao Changlin rarely entrusts his life to others, but this time, unlike the past, Zhao Changlin is sure that Xia Zhiyuan can do it.

She raised her eyes and spoke in a serious tone.

"I give you everything I have."

"Ji Yuan, this is because... I believe you can protect me."