A look of panic crossed Sang Zhi’s face, but it subsided when he saw that Pangtuan had fallen onto a palace maid.

"Pangtuan, are you okay? Did you get hurt?" Nanxiang hurried over, pulling her up with some effort.

Ye Qianning stood up. "I’m fine, it’s just..."

As she spoke, she lifted her small hand, her fingers clutching a huge tuft of hair.

Nanxiang craned her neck, her pupils widening. Her mouth formed an "O" as she silently turned to look at Sang Shu.

Sang Shu was clutching her scalp, her gaze fixed on Ye Qianning’s small hand...

The scene was now exceptionally quiet.

Sang Zhen’s hand was finally free. She clutched it to her chest, sobbing. When she looked up, she too saw the hair in Ye Qianning’s hand and was so shocked she forgot to cry.

A spring breeze blew past—

Ye Qianning opened her little hand, and with a SWOOSH, the hair was carried away by the spring breeze.

Sang Zhi: "..."

Sang Zhen’s scalp tingled at the sight. ’That was a huge clump of hair!’ She subconsciously turned to look at Sang Shu.

"Aaaah...!"

The sharp, ear-piercing sound echoed throughout the area.

It was Sang Shu, screaming her lungs out.

Seeing this, the palace maids rushed over. "Princess, are you alright, Princess...?"

"Get lost! All of you, get away from me!" Sang Shu yelled as she was helped up, her hands still clutching her head.

The terrified palace maids retreated to the side.

"Ye Qianning, you dare... You dare to strike me, and you even dared to rip out my hair! I will not spare you...!" Sang Shu’s entire body ached, but the worst pain was on her head.

"Bring it on. You think I’m scared of you?" Ye Qianning said, jutting her chin out and taking a step forward.

Sang Shu instinctively took a step back. "Someone! Where are the guards? Guards!"

The patrolling guards had been drawn by the sounds of the fight for a while now. However, it was just a squabble between children, all of whom held noble status. Taking either side would be a mistake.

So they had been watching from the shadows. Now, hearing the summons, they had no choice but to step out and face the music.

"Seize them! Seize them all and throw them in the imperial dungeon!" Sang Shu shrieked, her eyes bloodshot with fury.

Sang Zhen clutched her hand, her eyes swollen like walnuts from crying. ’If my hand is crippled, I’ll make Ye Qianning pay with her life!’

The guards were in a bind, but she was a princess. After a moment’s hesitation, they moved to surround Ye Qianning and Nanxiang.

"I’d like to see any of you try," Nanxiang said, completely unafraid.

"Commandery Princess, Miss Xiang, our apologies." A guard raised his hand to restrain Nanxiang.

Just as Ye Qianning was about to step forward, Sang Zhi pulled her back, moving her behind him as he stepped forward himself.

"All of you, stand down," Sang Zhi commanded coldly.

The guard’s outstretched hand froze in mid-air. He turned to look at Sang Zhi, and when his eyes met the boy’s gaze, he couldn’t stop an involuntary shiver from running through his body.

"Yes."

The guards retreated. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Stop! I ordered you to seize them! Seize them!" Sang Shu’s voice was shrill with fury.

The guards merely bowed to Sang Shu before departing.

Sang Shu stomped her foot in a rage and glared at Sang Zhi. "Who do you think you are to speak before me? Now get out of my sight!"

"Sixth Imperial Sister." Sang Zhi’s young face was tense, his eyes fixed on her without blinking.

Standing behind them, Sang Zhen caught sight of his gaze and instinctively looked away.

When Sang Shu’s furious glare met Sang Zhi’s eyes, her heart suddenly felt hollow, as if something had seized it. His grey eyes were chillingly cold.

It was the first time she had truly met his gaze. ’His eyes... they don’t seem human.’

"You... I’m going to tell Father Emperor! You just wait...!" She threw out the threat, clutching her head as she turned and scurried away in a panic.

When Sang Zhen saw Sang Shu flee, she didn’t dare look at Sang Zhi. She shot a glare at Nanxiang and Ye Qianning before running off after her.