"Damn it."

Prince Min slammed his fist heavily on the table, unable to vent his anger fully, then swept all the objects on the desk to the floor.

Clang.

A maid carrying a bowl of medicine had just reached the doorway when she witnessed the scene, frightened so badly that her hand shook and the bowl fell to the floor.

Prince Min’s sinister gaze fell upon her, full of undisguised murderous intent.

The maid knelt down with a thud, kowtowing and pleading for mercy, "Please spare me, Prince, please spare me."

"Someone, come." Prince Min called out sharply, and immediately a guard appeared, kneeling on one knee.

"Drag her away and beat her to death."

"Yes."

The maid’s face turned pale instantly, she screamed sharply for mercy, but was quickly dragged away by the guard who covered her mouth, and her voice soon faded.

Prince Min stared at the mess on the floor, his agitated emotions lingered, and his chest was aching with pain.

He took a deep breath before leaving the study, with a trusted aide naturally following behind.

As he walked to the fork leading to the North Garden, he encountered Princess Consort Min returning to the residence from the main hall, and he paused his steps.

Princess Consort Min gracefully made a bow.

"Where is Princess Consort coming from?"

Princess Consort Min replied respectfully, "Just came out from Consort’s residence, heading back to the courtyard." She glanced in the direction of the North Garden, after a moment of silence she asked, "Is Prince heading to the North Garden? Is there a guest there, do you need servants to attend?"

Prince Min glanced at her and said, "Princess Consort is mistaken, I merely had the warm pavilion in the North Garden cleaned, plan to sit quietly when I have leisure, no need for you to worry."

"Oh." Princess Consort Min took a step back, indicating for him to proceed first.

Prince Min looked at her fixedly for a long time before heading to the North Garden.

Once he was out of sight, Wan Chun stepped forward softly, saying to Princess Consort Min, "Mistress, Prince seems frightening, like a different person, looking particularly somber."

Princess Consort Min looked at her calmly, hushed softly, then looked towards the direction of the North Garden, turned and walked towards her own courtyard.

...

North Garden warm pavilion.

It was a tall building, upon ascending one could see the clusters of houses and palaces in the capital; when Prince Min arrived, Mr. Ning was standing outside with his hands behind his back.

Prince Min walked over, stood beside him, and said, "Only by climbing high can one feel that the scenery is exceedingly wonderful. What do you say, sir?"

Mr. Ning did not turn his head, saying, "Indeed it is, standing at the peak, all mountains appear small, the mood is naturally pleasant, but..."

He turned his head, looked at Prince Min, and pointed downwards, "The high places are cold, one careless move, and you’ll crash beyond repair. This is what you’ve got to be extremely cautious about when ascending."

Prince Min’s face darkened slightly, following his finger to look down, a sense of vertigo struck him, so he withdrew his gaze, endured it, bowed to Mr. Ning, and said softly, "In the past, it was Zhe’s reckless behavior, all because Zhe was immature. May sir overlook past grievances and guide the way once more."

Mr. Ning’s lips curled imperceptibly, thinking that the situation had gotten out of control, feeling the mess was too tough to manage, so he had conceded?

He turned his face away, said blandly, "Why demean yourself, my lord; I am old and useless now."

Playing hard to get?

Prince Min pursed his lips, lifted his robe, and surprisingly knelt down, bowed his head, saying, "Zhe asks sir for forgiveness, asks sir to aid once more in the grand cause of reviving Xia."

Mr. Ning glanced at the back of his head for a long time, then supported Prince Min with both hands, saying, "My lord, you’re killing me, I can’t bear it. Under a man’s knees lies gold, you are even more noble, mustn’t kneel lightly. Now, Emperor Chu suspects you, to preserve the years of efforts in Xuzhou, you must push that person in front of Emperor Chu. And you, by any means, return to your domain swiftly."