The second prince realized Ning Shu was attacking him as if he had wronged her deeply, prompting him to take the situation seriously. As he dodged her strikes, he attempted to close the distance to restrain her, but Ning Shu was determined not to let him get close.
If not for the small amount of energy coursing through her body, she would have likely succumbed to exhaustion by now. How the hell is this pervert so strong?
Finally, the second prince, seemingly out of patience, abruptly seized Ning Shu's whip. The barbs dug into his palm, drawing blood.
Startled, he released the whip and stared at his injured hand. "What are you doing? I just wanted to talk to you a little. Are you a psycho?"
Ning Shu was slick with cold sweat, but she felt less dread facing him now. Though they weren't in Great Yong's domain, she didn't dare provoke him too much, so she opted to ignore his antics.
"Are you Jiahui?" he asked, disregarding his bleeding hand.
Ning Shu lifted her chin haughtily and replied coldly, "Of course I am Princess Jiahui. How audacious of you to block my carriage."
Upon hearing her acknowledgment, the second prince's eyes lit up. "You probably know who I am. I'm the one who will marry you—He Lianying, got it?"
Ning Shu almost laughed in anger. What made him think I wanted to marry him? Instead of engaging further, she re-entered the carriage, instructing the driver, "To the palace."
This time, He Lianying didn't attempt to block her again. He simply watched as the carriage turned a corner and vanished from sight, then lowered his head to examine his palm, blood dripping onto the bluestone pavement, creating splashes like red blossoms.
"Princess Jiahui, Li Xueshan."
Ning Shu returned to her palace, Orchid Garden Palace, where Miao Qing greeted her enthusiastically. However, Ning Shu noticed that Miao Qing looked considerably more worn since their last meeting. Watching over an empty palace was hardly different from being exiled to the Cold Palace, but Ning Shu felt she deserved it.
Just moments after settling in, the Empress arrived, her first question about how long Ning Shu planned to stay in the palace.
When Ning Shu nodded, the Empress's smile brightened, and she began to rattle off polite remarks. Yet soon, her expression turned somber. "It's such a shame you're to be married off for peace. Sister-in-law will try to persuade your Imperial Older Brother to reconsider sending you to that barbarous place. But it will be challenging, as Noble Consort Du's maternal family is advocating for the peace marriage in court. How can Noble Consort Du be so cruel as to have you, a girl, leave your home?"
The rivalry between the Empress and Noble Consort Du had always been fierce. Even in this situation, the Empress seemed to expect Ning Shu to engage in a battle of wits with Noble Consort Du before the marriage. It was clear the Empress thought Ning Shu wouldn't escape this predicament.
Ning Shu was growing tired of this back-and-forth. "Imperial Sister-in-law, it's Imperial Older Brother who will decide whether I'll get married, not you or Noble Consort Du."
Her tone was far from polite; she almost said, Keep your nose out of this princess's affairs!
The Empress noticed Ning Shu's displeasure and felt a wave of irritation. Internally, she cursed the princess, thinking it served her right to be married off. Yet, on the surface, she maintained a facade of understanding. "You shouldn't worry too much. Your Imperial Older Brother cares for you deeply; there's no way he'll send you away alone."
Though intended as a comforting remark, the Empress's tone dripped with acrid jealousy. Ning Shu simply responded, "Imperial Sister-in-law, I'm tired."
The Empress's expression stiffened momentarily before she left, having no other recourse.
Once the Empress departed, the consorts and concubines of the Inner Palace began to swarm Orchid Garden Palace. Ning Shu felt weary at the thought of spending time with them.