Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 135 Danger at the Snow Lodge

After leaving the room, Duan Zhian went to the Crown Prince's bedroom.

A maidservant at the door responded, "Grand Tutor, His Highness has retired for the night."

"It's just past dusk, Your Highness, why are you resting so early today?"

"Perhaps due to the fatigue of the journey, His Highness rested after having dinner."

Duan Zhian frowned, sensing that something was amiss.

Ning Zhi has been picky since childhood, especially when away from home, and has always had trouble sleeping in a particular bed. How could she possibly be resting so early?

He stood in front of the door for a moment, squinting slightly. Such an excuse was most likely an excuse to meet someone under the cover of darkness.

"Fine. Meeting them wouldn't hurt. Holding it in for too long is bound to cause problems..."

Duan Zhian muttered to himself, somewhat wistful.

It's unclear whether these words were directed at Ning Zhi or at himself.

Jiang Mian walked back along the long corridor. The wind swirled snow in the temple garden, making it cold and silent.

She lowered her head and hurried forward.

Suddenly, the candlelight under the eaves flickered, and in the dim light, someone called out to her.

"Miss Jiang."

Jiang Mian paused, looked in the direction of the sound, and saw a person standing in the lamplight. She could vaguely recognize him as Ning Zhi's personal guard, Lu Fang.

"Lu Fang? What are you doing here?"

Lu Fang lowered his voice and said, "His Highness specifically ordered me to invite you, but I didn't expect to run into you here."

"Your Highness?"

"Yes, Your Highness is waiting for you in the Fu Palace."

Jiang Mian was taken aback, a hint of joy flashing through her heart.

As long as Ning Zhi is still willing to see her, that's fine.

"Miss Jiang, please come with me."

"Well, thank you."

She took two steps, and as if a string had been plucked in her mind, she suddenly remembered her past life.

"and many more!"

Lu Fang turned around: "What's wrong?"

"It is late at night, and I fear that if I go there rashly, it will cause gossip. Please tell His Highness that I will wait for him at the Snow Pavilion after the worship tomorrow."

Lu Fang didn't know why she was being so cautious, but he still went back to report to Ning Zhi.

At that time, Ning Zhi was still waiting in the Fu Palace.

The door was pushed open, and he rushed over, only to find Lu Fang alone.

"Why are you the only one who came back? Where is Miss Jiang?"

"Your Highness, Miss Jiang said it is late at night and inconvenient to meet."

“She’s gone…” Ning Zhi murmured softly, then asked, “Did she say anything else?”

Lu Fang's eyes flickered for a moment before he replied, "No."

Ning Zhi's gaze gradually turned cold. He didn't press further, but simply waved for Lu Fang to leave.

......

The following morning, the bells rang throughout the mountains, and the worship ceremony was held as scheduled.

The snow had not yet stopped, and the temple was covered in white snow, solemn and majestic.

The noble families sat or knelt outside the main hall, while the imperial relatives knelt on cushions to listen to the abbot and his disciples chanting scriptures.

The gods and Buddhas are above, and those kneeling in worship are all ordinary mortals, their expressions one of utmost piety.

But how many of these people are truly praying for the well-being of the nation?

Jiang Mianwang stole a glance from inside the palace, but the many figures in front of her blocked her view, so she couldn't see where Ning Zhi was.

After the worship ceremony, she went to the Snow Lodge to wait as promised.

The snow-covered hut was silent, save for the clear, melodious sound of the wind chimes on the eaves.

But after waiting for a long time, Ning Zhi did not appear.

Suspicion began to creep into her mind, and as she pondered, she prepared to get up and leave.

However, as soon as he took a step, he heard a sharp whooshing sound as the wind rushed by!

She turned around abruptly and saw several men appear in the snow.

His white robes blended seamlessly with the snow, and were almost unnoticeable were they not for the sharp longswords that were revealed during his movements.

Jiang Mian knew she was in trouble! She started running and fled in a panic.

Why is this happening?

In her previous life, she was discovered having a secret rendezvous with Ning Zhi at night, which led to her being kidnapped by the Empress's men.

But she didn't see him last night, so why were there still people lying in ambush?

They even waited for her at the Snow Pavilion with such precision.

Could it be Lu Fang?

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind, but she didn't have time to think about them.

The man in white was closing in on her from behind, and she gritted her teeth and ran for her life.

The snow was slippery, and in her panic, Jiang Mian lost her footing and tumbled down a long slope, crashing heavily into a broken tree. The pain nearly made her faint.

She suddenly remembered the eagle whistle that Xiao Hengzhi had once given her.

He quickly took it out and blew it with all his might.

The crisp whistle echoed across the empty snowfield, but no one appeared for a long time.

"Someone, help!"

Jiang Mian shouted for help, but the place she chose was secluded and deserted, and her voice was swallowed up by the snow.

As the man in white approached step by step, wielding a long sword with a blindingly cold glint in his eyes, Jiang Mian felt a wave of despair wash over her.

Suddenly, a cold shout came from not far away: "Stop!"

Upon seeing the newcomers, the men in white seemed hesitant to make any rash moves and quickly dispersed, disappearing into the snow.

Jiang Wan looked up and saw a familiar figure approaching against the light, a voice tinged with anxiety: "Miss Jiang!"

"Your Highness!"

Jiang Wan's voice trembled, a mixture of lingering fear and delight.

Ning Zhi took off his cloak and threw it to her: "Hold on tight, I'll pull you up!"

Jiang Mian gritted her teeth and propped herself up, clutching the corner of her cloak tightly, as he laboriously pulled her up the snow slope.

Her legs went weak and she almost fell, but Ning Zhi caught her.

"how?"

"Thank goodness, I thought His Highness wouldn't come."

Jiang Mian tried to calm herself, but her voice trembled uncontrollably.

"Are you perhaps waiting for me?"

"This... Your Highness, you didn't come to see me, did you?"

Ning Zhi steadied her and said, "I didn't know you were here. Last night you said it was inconvenient to meet, and I thought you were blaming me for being impolite. I wanted to apologize to you today, but I found you were gone, so I came here..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Mian frowned and asked, "Last night I told Lu Fang that I would be meeting His Highness here today... Did he tell His Highness?"

Ning Zhi paused for a moment, then shook his head: "No..."

In that instant, he seemed to understand something.

Jiang Wan took a deep breath, suppressing all her doubts, and said softly, "It seems that Your Highness is indeed surrounded by wolves."

"I will investigate this matter thoroughly and give you an explanation."

Jiang Mian shook her head: "I don't need to give any explanations. I have something more important to remind Your Highness today."

"What's the matter?"

"Does Your Highness know of Mirror Flower Workshop?"

Ning Zhi raised an eyebrow and nodded slightly: "I've heard about it, what's wrong?"

"I had a dream a while ago. In the dream, an old man reminded me to be sure to tell Your Highness to be wary of this place, as something unexpected might happen."

Ning Zhi remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.

Jiang Mian continued, "I had heard that this place was run by the Third Prince's men. Although the Third Prince has been convicted, this place has not been investigated for some reason. I am worried that some of the Third Prince's former loyalists may do something detrimental to Your Highness. Moreover, this dream seems to be a warning, so I am telling Your Highness this. Please be careful."

Jiang Wan lowered her head, feeling uneasy.

Using a dream as an excuse, I wonder if Ning Zhi will believe it.

In his previous life, Feng Ying bullied others at Jinghua Fang, but was beaten up by a group of chivalrous people and fell into a coma.

His father, Lord Feng, was very fond of his son and filed a complaint with the emperor, saying that Jinghua Fang was run by the crown prince and that he was determined to get an explanation.

Although it was later found out that the place belonged to the Third Prince and had nothing to do with Ning Zhi.

But in this life, Ning Zhi has lost the emperor's favor. Even if it is found that he has nothing to do with Ning Zhi, it will probably still displease the emperor.

She didn't want Ning Zhi to suffer this torment any longer.

After a moment, Ning Zhi gently supported her arm and said softly, "Alright, I will be careful about this. You were frightened today, go back and rest."

Jiang Mian didn't notice Ning Zhi's changing expression, nodded, and walked back with him.

The stinging pain in her back became more and more obvious. She looked down at the eagle whistle in her hand, her fingertips turning slightly white from the force she was using.

This whistle was given to her personally by Xiao Hengzhi.

Tell her to carry it with her and blow it if she encounters danger.

She actually listened to him for once, and carried the little gadget with her at all times.

But just a moment ago, she blew the horn with all her might, but nothing came of it.

Did Xiao Hengzhi not send anyone to follow her at all?

Or was all that so-called protection just something he said offhand?

Jiang Mian took a deep breath and felt somewhat ridiculous for actually taking his empty promises seriously.

She casually tossed the eagle whistle into the snow.