Chapter 128: You Have Injured Our Master

"If the Princess is feeling hot, you may use a fan to cool the ice, but if you intend to keep lying on the reed mat, then forget it."

The ice contained in the wooden bucket beside Zhong Shi had already begun to melt; as a martial artist, his body temperature was naturally higher.

Qiao Qingyun, who had waited so long for the ice to arrive, could not sit still upon hearing this. She hurriedly stood up, gesturing wildly for the servants to remove the reed mat. She sat obediently on a chair, tilted her head with a smile, and asked, "Is this alright?"

Zhong Shi was momentarily dazed by her actions. Once he regained his composure, he lowered his head and walked silently before Qiao Qingyun, placing the ice on the table. The maid immediately began fanning the cold air toward her, and a rapidly cooling Qiao Qingyun reclined comfortably in her chair.

"Mmm... that’s much better."

Watching her, Zhong Shi could not help but linger with his gaze. Although it was not a blatant stare, it brought an immense sense of stability to his heart.

News of this incident spread like wildfire. Initially, it was only known to those in Zijing Palace, but soon, nearly every maid—and even the masters—within the imperial palace had heard of it. Although no one knew for certain what had occurred, the fact remained that Zhong Shi had spent the entire night in Qiao Qingyun's room.

"My Lord, shall we head straight back to the Crown Prince’s mansion, or go to Zijing Palace first?"

Liu Fu had been waiting for Yuan Zaichun after the morning court session and immediately stepped forward to greet him. Ordinarily, the Prince would have rushed to see Qiao Qingyun first, even if it meant being turned away at the door.

But now...

"Return to the mansion."

There was already a beauty waiting at home; it would be unseemly to neglect her for too long. Just as Liu Fu had inquired, Yuan Zaichun chose to return home.

"Hey, have you heard? Princess Qingyun is actually with Young Master Lu!"

"Yes, yes! It’s likely that good news is on the horizon, after all, they spent the whole night together!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Young Master Lu has status and is handsome, but our Princess has been married before—can he really accept that?"

"Have you forgotten? He was originally the Princess’s bodyguard; he must know more than any of us. If he doesn’t mind, why are you worrying about it?"

Every word of this conversation reached Yuan Zaichun’s ears.

He felt an inexplicable, piercing irritation. Even Liu Fu was shocked by the rumors!

"My Lord... that cannot be true. The Princess is not that kind of person. You have seen her character yourself in the past."

Liu Fu instinctively tried to defend Qiao Qingyun, but he was met with a sharp, icy glare from Yuan Zaichun.

The man was trembling with rage, his hands clenched into fists, his eyes bloodshot like a beast on the verge of madness. It took a long while before he managed to suppress his fury.

"Go to Zijing Palace." Yuan Zaichun forced the words out with all his remaining strength.

Liu Fu dared not say another word and hurriedly followed Yuan Zaichun as he strode toward Zijing Palace.

"Hey! Zhong Shi, can't you go easy on me? I don't know how to wield a sword, and you keep slashing at me—what if you hurt me?"

Qiao Qingyun was somewhat displeased. Having already changed her clothes, she held a precious sword, sparring with Zhong Shi and fearing she might accidentally lose to him. However, Zhong Shi was a seasoned expert; he might be mediocre at other things, but he was undeniably masterful with weapons.

After a few rounds, Zhong Shi caught a flaw in her stance. He immediately lowered his sword and stood to the side. "Hold the hilt firmly and thrust forward."

At his instruction, Qiao Qingyun raised her arm to thrust, but because she lacked sufficient power in her palm, she could not maintain her grip, and the sword clattered to the ground.

Zhong Shi frowned. "Do you realize your mistake?"

Qiao Qingyun stood still like an obedient student and nodded. Her gentle demeanor softened Zhong Shi’s heart for a fleeting moment. Yet, he immediately steeled his gaze; he could not be by her side twenty-four hours a day. If he were ever away and she lacked the ability to protect herself, he would surely regret it.

"So, do you know how to correct it?"

Zhong Shi’s voice was stern. Qiao Qingyun was about to respond, but then realized something and shook her head. "I don't..."

"..."

Fine, he lost to her.

Zhong Shi helplessly picked up the sword she had been using. He let her hold the hilt while he gripped the back of her hand. Though the contact was brief, it was enough to send ripples through his heart.

"Follow my lead!"

With that, he performed a downward slash toward a nearby osmanthus tree, then retracted the blade with a swift, graceful movement, his body and the sword becoming one.

Qiao Qingyun followed his movements, gradually finding her rhythm. As she became more fluid, she failed to notice the two figures standing at the entrance.

"I didn't realize you were so... comfortable."

The sharp, biting sarcasm in his tone made Qiao Qingyun pause. She turned to see Yuan Zaichun, and an inexplicable sense of guilt washed over her.

"The Princess is practicing her swordplay; I am merely assisting her."

"Does 'practicing' require holding her hand?"

The question caught Qiao Qingyun off guard. Was he suggesting long-distance instruction? What would be the point of that?

"I am learning, what does that have to do with you? Furthermore, shouldn't the Crown Prince have just finished court? Why not return to the mansion? Why have you been running to Zijing Palace so frequently these past few days?"

Qiao Qingyun had long since mastered the art of sarcasm; if she hadn't learned anything else during her time in the palace, she had certainly learned that.

"You!"

Yuan Zaichun was pushed to the brink of losing his sanity. He stepped forward, shoved Zhong Shi aside, and grabbed Qiao Qingyun’s arm, shouting, "You want to learn? I will teach you myself!"

"I don't need you to teach me!"

In her agitation, she swung the hand holding the sword, accidentally leaving a bloody scratch on Yuan Zaichun’s arm.

"Hiss..."

The man frowned in pain, instinctively clutching his arm. Seeing this, Liu Fu rushed forward. "My Lord! My Lord, you're bleeding! Princess, you have wounded our Master."

Qiao Qingyun instinctively wanted to step forward, but Zhong Shi immediately blocked the space between them. "The Crown Prince grabbing a young lady’s hand without consent—even if he is injured, it is of his own doing. Even if you were her brother, you should not be so reckless!"

Zhong Shi’s words were entirely reasonable. Thinking of the cloak Yuan Zaichun had soiled earlier, Qiao Qingyun gritted her teeth and turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

"Fine... very well."

Like a wounded lion, Yuan Zaichun glared with bloodshot eyes, clutched his bleeding left arm, and turned to leave, not sparing them another glance.

"Princess..."

Zhong Shi looked at the young woman with concern. Though he could not see her expression, he could feel the sorrow radiating from her.