Chapter 20.1

The next day dawned bright and clear.

When Qin Zheng woke up, the prince had already risen.

She couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty seeing the blanket covering only her.

But since the prince had gotten up earlier than her today, she wasn’t sure if she had hogged the blanket last night.

Qin Zheng got dressed and used a wooden comb missing a tooth from the cabinet to tidy her black hair.

Aunt Lu had found this comb for her. In the village of poor families, they didn’t care much about such things.

There was no mirror in the room.

Qin Zheng had just learned to tie a simple ancient hairstyle these past few days.

Without a mirror to see how she did it, she relied on the reflection in the basin to style her hair every morning.

With her long hair loose, she walked out of the room and saw the prince sitting on a bench in the courtyard, holding a file in his hand and sharpening something.

Two fluffy gray rabbits were lying at his feet, nibbling on vegetable leaves.

Wild mountain rabbits!

Qin Zheng was surprised. “Where did the rabbits come from?”

The prince was focused on sharpening a thin bamboo stick with a file and didn’t raise his head. “I went to the back mountain to find bamboo for making pens and happened to come across them.”

His voice was as clear as ever, like the sound of a rushing mountain spring colliding with rocks.

Qin Zheng didn’t believe his words for a moment.

Were wild mountain rabbits so easy to catch? And he just happened to come across them?

She walked over and squatted down, feeling the two rabbits.

Surprisingly, they weren’t afraid of people.

Only when she got closer did she notice that their front and back legs were tied up, explaining why they didn’t run away.

Qin Zheng stroked the rabbits, thinking of the injuries on the prince’s body. “Your injuries haven’t healed yet. You should rest properly.”

The prince’s hand paused slightly, and he glanced at Qin Zheng.

The golden morning light filled the courtyard.

She was squatting on the ground, gently stroking the rabbits with a soft smile on her face.

Her unbraided hair cascaded down, making her face look even smaller, like a piece of white jade.

The prince looked away and simply said, “It’s nothing.”

Qin Zheng glanced at the bamboo stick the prince was sharpening.

The length seemed suitable for a pen handle.

Thinking of this, she looked at the clump of dark purple hair on the bench.

The shape… looked a lot like a brush tip.

Qin Zheng quickly glanced at the two wild rabbits lying at the prince’s feet.

Perhaps because of their thick fur, she couldn’t see any bald spots on their backs.

Realizing the truth, Qin Zheng silently shed a tear of sympathy for them.

These two rabbits were clearly not just coincidentally caught by the prince after their encounter.

It was obvious that he went to the back mountain early in the morning specifically to catch them for making a purple hairbrush.

Qin Zheng’s gaze fell gently on the prince, but because she was half squatting, she had to raise her head to look at him. “So, Your Highness knows how to make brushes?”

“Mm.”

The prince sat on the wooden bench, and as their eyes met, he lowered his gaze.

The angle he sat blocked the sunlight, casting a shadow over him, leaving only the edges of his clothes bathed in morning light.

Qin Zheng was momentarily stunned, even feeling that the brilliant golden radiance emanated from him, yet he remained hidden in the shadows.

The kitchen door creaked open, and Aunt Lu came out with a basin of hot water. “Madam Cheng, please wash up quickly. I’ll cook a couple more dishes, and then we can eat.”

“Thank you, Aunt Lu.”

Qin Zheng snapped out of her daze, feeling her heart pounding fiercely.

She didn’t dare to look at the prince again, washed her face with the basin of hot water, and then awkwardly began to braid her hair using the reflection in the basin.

With her large sleeves hanging down due to her overhead posture, her two jade-like arms were exposed to the morning sun, slender and symmetrical, as white as snow, enveloped in a layer of faint golden light.

Because of her previous momentary loss of composure, the prince glanced at her exposed arms a few more times.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

Focused on smoothing the bamboo stick for the pen handle with a file, he caught sight of the wooden comb Qin Zheng had placed on the bench.

The missing tooth made it unsightly.

For breakfast, Aunt Lu cooked sweet potato porridge and stir-fried shredded meat with bamboo shoots brought back by Qin Zheng yesterday.

Qin Zheng thought the prince might not have much of an appetite in the morning.

He had eaten most of the bamboo shoot stir-fry she cooked last night, even adding half a bowl of rice.

Although Aunt Lu’s stir-fried bamboo shoots this morning were also delicious, he only ate a few bites.

Aunt Lu still had crops to tend to in the fields, so after finishing the meal, Qin Zheng took over the dishes and utensils, allowing Aunt Lu to focus on her work.

Before she could finish washing the dishes, Lin Zhao rushed over in a hurry.

But because the prince was in the courtyard, she didn’t dare to mention the bridge repair matter to Qin Zheng in the kitchen.

Seeing her nearly bursting with excitement, Qin Zheng guessed that the construction of the bridge must have been going smoothly.

To facilitate their conversation, Lin Zhao suggested talking outside later.

After finishing washing the dishes, Qin Zheng said to the prince, “Your Highness, I’m going out with Zhao for a while.”

The prince nodded, but then calmly asked, “Where to?”

Qin Zheng hadn’t expected him to ask such a question and hadn’t thought of an excuse yet.

However, because of Qin Zheng’s words yesterday, Lin Zhao now found fault with the prince in every aspect, and she blurted out, “Sister Zheng is too frail. I’ll take her to my place to teach her martial arts!”

Their family always believed in “a woman without talent is virtue,” so Lin Zhao teaching Qin Zheng martial arts was quite a statement!

Qin Zheng was sweating bullets internally.

She had planned to say they were going to Lin Zhao’s place to borrow a blanket, but Lin Zhao came up with this reason out of the blue.

How could they round back to this lie?

When the prince looked over, Qin Zheng remained calm on the surface, but she was already panicking inside.

Lin Zhao, on the other hand, felt a bit intimidated by his gentle yet chilly gaze.

Despite her subconscious fear, she maintained a proud demeanor, seemingly bolstering Qin Zheng.

The prince’s expression remained indifferent as he said to Qin Zheng, “Go ahead.”

Once they stepped out of the courtyard, Lin Zhao let out a barely audible sigh of relief.

However, she couldn’t help but feel indignant for Qin Zheng. “Sister Zheng, you’re too gentle. You need to be more aggressive. In our village, Guiflor’s husband used to boss her around, but once she stood up for herself, he doesn’t dare to say a word now.”

Qin Zheng paused for a moment and asked, “Do you think being aggressive in front of him will work?”

Lin Zhao, who was filled with righteous indignation, was thrown off by this question.

She recalled the gaze they exchanged with the prince earlier, the oppressive feeling hidden beneath his gentleness, a sensation she had never experienced with anyone else.

Feeling like a deflated balloon, Lin Zhao muttered, “It seems like it won’t work.”

When she was on the pirate ship, she saw the prince kill someone, like cutting a melon.

Such ferocity from someone like him, who looked like a refined gentleman, was ironic.

Qin Zheng had no idea what thoughts were swirling in Lin Zhao’s mind.

Once they reached Lin Zhao’s house and made sure there was no one around, Qin Zheng asked, “How’s the bridge construction going?”

At the mention of the bridge, Lin Zhao’s spirit lifted again. “Sister Zheng, you’re amazing! After I told my brother and the others about your idea last night, they worked through the night.

This morning, they had already driven in the piles, and even with the strong river tide, the piles haven’t budged a bit! They’re so sturdy.

Now they’re stuck on the temporary wooden frame on the bridge pier, and we’re not sure how to assemble them.”

Qin Zheng took out the design sketch she drew yesterday from her sleeve and unfolded it for Lin Zhao to see. “Let the carpenter follow these joints.”

Although the sketch was simple, the bridge’s form had taken shape.

Looking at the connection points marked by Qin Zheng, Lin Zhao couldn’t contain her admiration. “So this is what the bridge will look like when it’s finished.

I can understand this sketch, and my brother and the others will definitely understand it too!”

As long as they can understand it.

Seeing Lin Zhao’s joyful expression, Qin Zheng’s mood couldn’t help but improve a bit.

She said, “Then you find a way to tell your brother, and I’ll go back first.”

“It would be suspicious if you go back so soon. Anyway, I have to pretend to go down the mountain first and then come back. Let me teach you some self-defense moves first!” Lin Zhao put away the sketch and led Qin Zheng outside with a lively expression.

Lin Zhao had a room specifically for storing weapons, with all kinds of knives and swords hanging on the shelves, their edges gleaming with cold light.

There were long halberds, nine-section whips, gilded maces, and many other weapons that Qin Zheng couldn’t name.

Lin Zhao stood with her hands on her hips in front of the weapon rack and said boldly, “Sister Zheng, take whatever you like!”

Qin Zheng chuckled and asked, “Do you know how to use all these weapons?”

Lin Zhao hesitated for a moment before nodding and saying, “I can use most of them, but there are a few I can’t. I just think they look good, so I collected them.”

Qin Zheng saw an exquisitely crafted long sword, but after picking it up and feeling its weight, she decided to put it back. It was too heavy.

In her original life, she was a young lady at home, and after marrying the crown prince, she lived a life of luxury.

Her body was delicate and couldn’t handle such a heavy sword.

After looking around, she couldn’t find anything suitable for her.

Lin Zhao seemed to have noticed this too.

She scratched her head, seeming to remember something, and took out a wooden box from under the bed.

When she opened it, there was a dagger inside.

Lin Zhao handed the dagger to Qin Zheng and said, “This was what I used before. It’s very sharp, but now I prefer using a whip. Weapons are all about being strong inch by inch! I’ll give this dagger to Sister Zheng.”

Qin Zheng took a glance at the dagger.

It was exquisitely crafted, with a shining blade.

After experiencing the assassination attempt that night, Qin Zheng felt it would be good to have a self-defense weapon, so she accepted it without hesitation.

Given her current physical condition, it would take her at least a year or more to learn martial arts properly.

In order to learn quickly, Lin Zhao only taught her a few simple stabbing techniques.

“If someone grabs you from behind, pull out the dagger and stab them directly in the abdomen. Stabbing at this height with your reverse hand is optimal.” Lin Zhao’s eyes sparkled as she explained her area of expertise, gesturing and demonstrating to Qin Zheng.

“If you have the chance to stab someone head-on and they’re taller than you, don’t stab straight, stab diagonally. This way, it’s easier to exert force and avoids hitting the ribs.”

Qin Zheng nodded appreciatively.

Lin Zhao was about to teach her a few more moves when the sound of fireworks exploding outside the village reached them.

Lin Zhao quickly walked to the door and glanced at the color of the fireworks, her expression suddenly changing. “Is someone attacking Qi Yun Village?”

Upon hearing this, Qin Zheng was also shocked.

She quickly recalled the terrain of the Liangyan Mountains she had observed earlier.

She comforted Lin Zhao, “Don’t worry too much. Liangyan Mountain is surrounded by cliffs on all sides. It’s not easy to attack.”

“It’s probably the water bandits. My brother and the others are still building the bridge at the foot of the mountain. If the water bandits have a large force, my brother and the others might not be able to handle it!” Lin Zhao picked up her whip and tied a machete to her waist before heading out. “Xique, you take Sister Zheng back. I’ll take some people to check out the situation near the dam cave!”

The dam cave was the place where the Liangyan Mountains were accessed by basket.

Lin Zhao hurriedly left, her expression filled with anxiety.

Qin Zheng could see Lin Zhao’s concern, so she said, “You go with Lin Zhao. I remember the way back. I can go by myself.”

Xique’s face also showed worry.

She said as they walked, “Let me escort you back first. If Qi Yun Village is under attack, people from both the east and west villages will go to the dam cave to reinforce it. With so many people around, if Wu Xiao tries anything tricky, it will be hard to defend against.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Zheng abandoned her plan to return by herself.

In such a situation, she couldn’t help, so not causing any trouble was the best cooperation.

As they left Lin Zhao’s courtyard, they could see men wielding weapons running towards the dam cave everywhere.

Xique was anxious, so she walked quickly with Qin Zheng.

As they approached a fork in the road, a group of people came towards them.

The leader was a tall, sturdy man with a square face, as solid as a small mountain.

Qin Zheng found them unfamiliar, but Xique’s expression turned panicked. “This is bad!”

Qin Zheng guessed what was happening and asked, “Are these people from the western village?”

Xique nodded. “That big guy is Wu Xiao.”

Qin Zheng thought to herself that it was a narrow escape.

Wu Xiao had sent someone to assassinate the prince not long ago. With the people from the eastern village gone to the dam cave, she didn’t know how to deal with him if he caused trouble now.

Xique wanted to avoid Wu Xiao, but it was too late. She had no choice but to continue forward.

Qin Zheng deliberately kept her head down as they walked.

However, just as they were about to pass by the group of people from the western village, Wu Xiao suddenly called out to them, “Stop.”

Xique was afraid that Wu Xiao might harm Qin Zheng, so she discreetly positioned herself in front of her, facing Wu Xiao. “Someone is attacking Qi Yun Village, and everyone in the village has gone to the dam cave. Why is Boss Wu still here?”

Wu Xiao didn’t pay any attention to her, his gaze fixed on Qin Zheng behind her. “Who is behind you?”

Xique stood up straight and shielded Qin Zheng even more securely. “She is the honored guest of the village chief. Boss Wu, please show some respect.”

The guest of Lin Yao could only be the couple named Cheng.

As soon as she said that, Wu Xiao immediately guessed Qin Zheng’s identity.

He had heard from his men that she was an exceptionally beautiful woman, and now that he saw her with his own eyes, he realized their words were not exaggerated.

Although the young lady was still lowering her head, standing by the roadside, she was like a beautiful scenery.

Just the glimpse of her snow-white neck was enough to stir his desires.

Wu Xiao said to Qin Zheng, “So, you are Mrs. Cheng. There have been misunderstandings before. I hope Mrs. Cheng can forgive and forget.”

He mimicked the gestures of those literati while making a bow, but his gaze was fixed directly on Qin Zheng.

Xique found his awkward attempt at courtesy nauseating and coldly said, “Boss Wu, you should hurry to the dam cave. It won’t be good if you’re late, and Second Master will not be pleased.”

With that, she grabbed Qin Zheng and hurriedly walked away, avoiding Wu Xiao who had blocked their path.

Wu Xiao behaved like a rogue, jesting, “I greeted Mrs. Cheng properly. Since Mrs. Cheng seems to be a person of manners, why not return the courtesy to me?”

“Stop it, Wu Xiao!” Xique scolded him loudly.

Ignoring her, Wu Xiao slapped her aside forcefully.

Xique stumbled, wanting to protect Qin Zheng again, but was held back by a group of lackeys.

Qin Zheng watched as Wu Xiao approached, instinctively taking a step back and tightening her grip on the dagger hidden in her sleeve.

She wondered if she would have to use the self-defense techniques Lin Zhao had taught her so quickly.

However, the opponent was tall, robust, and skilled in martial arts, so her chances of success were slim.

As Qin Zheng was anxiously pondering how to escape, Xique, who was being held by several men from the western village, suddenly exclaimed in delight, “Mr. Cheng!”

Qin Zheng raised her head and saw the prince approaching with his sword on his back.@@novelbin@@

The black robe fluttered in the wind, and the long sword gleamed with a cold light. The path he walked seemed to lose its light under the shade of the trees, as if all brightness had faded away after his passing.

In the shadows, Qin Zheng could see him clearly, his eyes shining with light. “My lord!”

At the moment Qin Zheng raised her head, Wu Xiao felt as if the world had lost its color, leaving only her smiling face with its captivating charm.

Could there really be such a beautiful woman in the world?

However, faintly, he felt that he had seen this face somewhere before.

Wu Xiao stared at Qin Zheng’s face intently, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t remember where he had seen her.

Qin Zheng, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, didn’t shy away like a frightened quail this time.

Instead, she bypassed Wu Xiao and ran towards the prince, like a chick running to its mother hen after being wronged outside.

Although there was no discernible change in the prince’s expression, he raised his sword-bearing hand to protect Qin Zheng, his indifferent gaze falling on Wu Xiao.

Although he didn’t appear threatening, Wu Xiao felt as if there were sharp blades hidden behind those eyes, cold and piercing.

He heard the prince ask, “Why are you harassing my wife?”

Wu Xiao licked his lips and replied flippantly, “So this is Mr. Cheng. My apologies, I didn’t realize. I wasn’t harassing your esteemed wife, just exchanging greetings when we met on the road.”

Qin Zheng listened to Wu Xiao’s shameless words without saying a word, but seeing the expression of grievance on the Qin Zheng’s face, from her eyebrows to her eyes, conveyed everything.

It was as if she was saying, “Look, even in your presence, he dares to flirt with me. Hurry up and teach him a lesson.”

The prince met Qin Zheng’s gaze, then suddenly said, “Courtesy demands reciprocity. Madam, you should respond to him.”

At first, Qin Zheng was about to dismiss the scoundrel, but then she realized that the prince was backing her up, giving her the opportunity to retort and vent her frustration.

A smirk formed at the corner of Qin Zheng’s lips. “I have nothing to say to this so-called hero, but I am willing to extend my greetings to his esteemed mother.”

If Wu Xiao wanted to exchange pleasantries, then she would oblige him by greeting his mother!

Just as Xique managed to break free from the lackeys, she couldn’t help but chuckle at Qin Zheng’s remark.

Even the prince’s lips twitched slightly.

Wu Xiao didn’t quite understand the meaning behind Qin Zheng’s words.

As for the few men under his command who did understand, they struggled to contain their laughter.

Then, in a swift motion that left everyone bewildered, the prince’s sword flashed, and Wu Xiao’s hair was effortlessly sliced off, leaving his scalp bare.

The prince’s voice was icy. “If there’s a next time, it won’t just be a matter of cutting hair as compensation.”

Qin Zheng watched as Wu Xiao’s hairstyle was abruptly altered by the prince’s sword.

Feeling pleased, she understood the prince’s implicit warning: if there’s a next time, he won’t be just cutting hair.

Wu Xiao stared at the tuft of hair on the ground, his expression extremely grim.

He hadn’t even seen the prince draw his sword, let alone evade it. It was clear that the prince’s martial skills were unfathomable.

Being an outsider who had risen to become the second-in-command in the mountain stronghold, Wu Xiao’s greatest advantage was his ability to endure.

Despite the humiliation he faced in front of all the men from the western village, knowing he was no match for the prince, he swallowed his pride and endured.