Chapter 352: A Toad Lusting After Swan Meat

"Hahaha, that’s hilarious." Nanxiang had never seen them look so pathetic.

Sang Zhi turned around.

Nanxiang immediately stifled her smile and said in a soft, wheedling voice, "Eighth Brother."

"You’re still laughing? If your father and mother find out, they won’t let you off easy," Sang Zhi said, his face stern.

"They were the ones who picked a fight. It’s not our fault," Nanxiang said with a pout. Thinking of the previous scene, she broke into a smile. "They’re just stupid."

"Pfft."

Seeing her cute expression, Ye Qianning couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

Sang Zhi sighed helplessly and turned back to look at her.

"Ahem." Ye Qianning suppressed her smile, walked over, and blinked. "I didn’t realize you could sound so authoritative."

"It’s not that."

"Hm? But it seemed like the Sixth Princess and the Ninth Princess were both terrified of you." They were acting so high and mighty, but the moment he called out, they got scared and ran off.

’I really didn’t see that coming.’

"It’s not just them. Everyone in the Imperial Palace is afraid." Sang Zhi raised a finger and pointed to his eyes.

Ye Qianning understood instantly. Rumors were rampant in the Imperial Palace. Though Sang Zhi rarely made public appearances, everyone knew of him. He was considered a bad omen, so people couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread whenever they met his gaze.

"They’re afraid, so they don’t dare to confront me openly. They only resort to scheming behind my back. But I’m not afraid of them." A deep resilience shone in Sang Zhi’s gray eyes.

Ye Qianning got it. ’To survive, you have to have your own protective camouflage. His eyes were a curse, but they had also become his shield.’

’The little fuddy-duddy’s method for survival was truly heartbreaking.’

"Don’t be afraid. From now on, I’ll protect you," Ye Qianning said, patting her chest.

"Eighth Brother, don’t be afraid. If they bully you behind your back, just tell me. I’ll have my Royal Father teach them a lesson," Nanxiang said chivalrously.

Sang Zhi patted her head. "You should try to stay out of trouble. It would put your father’s mind at ease."

"I am very good." Nanxiang tilted her head, shaking his hand off.

Sang Zhi sighed. "Our Imperial Sister has lost face. She’s definitely going to tattle to our Imperial Father. I’m afraid it won’t be long before a eunuch comes to summon us."

"I’ll go find Mother and Royal Auntie and get them to back us up." Nanxiang wasn’t scared at all. "You two hide. I’m going to get my mother."

"Okay," Sang Zhi nodded.

’The Empress and Consort Yuan don’t get along, so she definitely won’t help Sixth Imperial Sister.’

Nanxiang trotted away.

Sang Zhi looked up and saw Ye Qianning staring into space. "You don’t have to be afraid," he said. "If Imperial Father summons us, I’ll go with you."

"I’m not afraid."

’Sang Zhi figured she was just putting on a brave face. Kids don’t know their own strength.’

’His ninth younger sister’s hand was swollen sky-high, and as for his sixth imperial sister’s head... though he hadn’t seen the crown of her head, judging by the amount of loose hair, she must have a bald spot now.’

"By the way, what are you doing here?" Ye Qianning asked. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

’Didn’t the Emperor forbid him from leaving West Splendor Garden?’

"I heard you came to the palace today."

"Did the Seventh Princess from East Shu tell you?"

Sang Zhi nodded.

"So you came all this way just to see me?"

Sang Zhi simply nodded again.

Ye Qianning felt a little thrill of joy. "Did you get the medicine I had Du Yi bring for you? Have you been taking it regularly?"

"Mm," Sang Zhi replied.

"Keep taking the herbal medicine for a while. The effects might be slow, but it’s crucial for your long-term treatment. You have to remember, no matter how busy you get, don’t forget to take your medicine..."

"I heard Imperial Father arranged a marriage for you," Sang Zhi interrupted her suddenly.

"Uh... yeah. Did the Princess from East Shu tell you that, too?"

Sang Zhi shook his head. "It’s been the talk of the palace ever since the banquet."

"Good news never travels, but bad news travels fast," Ye Qianning lamented. ’But on second thought, the Sixth and Ninth Princesses’ timing today was perfect. Absolutely perfect.’

"You think it’s a bad thing?" Sang Zhi’s eyes flickered.

"Of course it is! His looks, his temper... what part of the Crown Prince can even compare to you? It’s a case of a toad lusting after a swan. He can dream on."

’Marriage? Not a chance!’

’She might be in a six-year-old’s body, but her mind was that of a woman in her twenties. To her, they were all just a bunch of kids.’

The light shimmering in Sang Zhi’s eyes seemed to grow brighter. He spoke with a mixture of excitement and solemnity, "I will not disappoint you."

"Huh?"

"I’ve been thinking a lot lately, and I believe you’re right. You can rest assured, even if I can’t go to Lou Mountain Academy, I won’t give up on myself. I’m going to get stronger—stronger and more exceptional than anyone." A rare hint of pride colored Sang Zhi’s voice.

It was the first time Ye Qianning had ever seen such defiant pride on Sang Zhi’s face. Combined with his stunning features, the effect was ridiculously handsome. ’Even in the modern world, she’d never seen anyone as exquisitely beautiful as him.’

’Some people look as if they were kissed by the goddess Nüwa, while others look like they were trampled by her.’

’Sang Zhi must have gotten the most passionate kisses of all. He was beautiful beyond words.’

"That’s the kind of spirit a young man should have." The corners of her lips curved up. She had heard from Ximi earlier that he wasn’t doing well, and she had been worried he’d backed himself into a corner.

’Who knew he’d not only understand her letter but also have such a revelation.’

’He’s so quick on the uptake. He’s destined for greatness.’

Sang Zhi seemed to be in a very good mood. He bent down and took her hand. "Let’s go."

"Where are we going?" Ye Qianning asked, puzzled.

"Sixth Imperial Sister will definitely go complain to Imperial Father. I’ll go with you."

"You’d better not go." ’She was afraid that damn Emperor would give him a hard time.’

"Who will be your witness if I don’t go?"

Ye Qianning was surprised and wanted to laugh. "You’ll be my witness?"

"Mm." Sang Zhi was very serious.

"Alright." Ye Qianning couldn’t bring herself to refuse his good intentions.

’Be my witness?’

’When he arrived, wasn’t I sitting on Sang Shu’s back, yanking her hair out? How is he going to be a witness for me?’

Sang Zhi led her by the hand.

’Ye Qianning felt that her little fuddy-duddy had really grown up. At least he wasn’t so cold and insecure anymore. Back at the academy, he was always so serious, but even then, he’d secretly let his mind wander sometimes.’

’Seeing him change bit by bit, developing this new resilience, made her heart fill with joy.’

’It felt like watching a baby you’d been nursing suddenly take its first steps... The feeling was truly indescribable.’

Sang Zhi held her hand tightly, the warmth spreading from his palm. The corners of his mouth curved up slightly.

If the little fuddy-duddy knew what was going through Ye Qianning’s mind, he’d probably cry himself unconscious in the latrine—

As she was walking, Ye Qianning suddenly stopped, her gaze fixed on something up ahead.

Sang Zhi looked back. "What’s wrong?"

He turned and followed her gaze. In the distance, by the shore of a lake, were two small figures—it looked like the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince, Sang Rui.

Ye Qianning’s hearing was sharp enough to make out their words. Sang Rui was begging the Crown Prince to let him return to Lou Mountain Academy and also asking to see Dean Chen. Sang Qi sounded very reluctant.

He only gave a temporary promise, telling him to return to the Cold Palace and wait for word.

Sang Rui had grown to fear the Cold Palace. He had just barely managed to sneak out today during the changing of the guards; there was no way he was willing to go back.

"Let’s go. We’ll take a detour," Sang Zhi said, not wanting to run into them.

"It’s too late."

From a distance, Sang Qi casually glanced over, and his gaze locked onto Sang Zhi and Ye Qianning.

Even from a distance, Sang Qi could clearly see Sang Zhi holding hands with his future Crown Princess Consort. His face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a wok.

Sang Rui had just been cursing Ye Qianning in his head. When he followed Sang Qi’s gaze, he saw them too—wasn’t that Ye Qianning, the one who got him expelled, along with his ’dear’ Eighth Brother?