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In the pharmacy, Li Ziyun nervously approached Chu Qingning with small steps and bowed deeply, “Sister Qingning, I want to apologize for something that happened yesterday.”

Chu Qingning stopped what she was doing and turned to ask, What happened?”

Li Ziyun slightly lowered her head and recounted everything that had transpired between her and Sun Xialan the day before.

After explaining, she placed a cup she had bought as compensation in front of Chu Qingning and sincerely apologized.

Chu Qingning frowned upon hearing the story and glanced at the cup, questioning Sun Xialan’s character.

“Ziyun, go find Xialan and bring her here. You two need to explain the situation to me clearly.” It’s unfair to make a judgment after hearing only one side of the story.

“Yes,” Li Ziyun obediently went to fetch Sun Xialan.

Standing before Chu Qingning, Sun Xialan fidgeted with her fingers, her head bowed in guilt, while internally, she pondered how to navigate through the accusation.

Chu Qingning said, “Ziyun has already told me about the incident. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”

Sun Xialan denied any wrongdoing, “Sister Qingning, I didn’t intentionally bump into Li Ziyun. It was an accident. She’s twisting the truth. Please, don’t believe her.”

Chu Qingning’s frown deepened and she sternly said, “Xialan, I’ll give you one more chance to tell the truth, or else I’ll have you leave.”

Terrified, Sun Xialan immediately knelt down and confessed everything, “Sister Qingning, I… I was just resentful. It wasn’t me who broke the cup.” Disappointment flashed in Chu Qingning’s eyes, “If you hadn’t started the trouble, the cup wouldn’t have been broken. You should take full responsibility for this incident.”

She asked Li Ziyun, “How much did the cup cost?”

Li Ziyun replied, “I bought it from Sister Qingshuang. She gave me a discount, and it cost fifty copper coins.”

Chu Qingning said, “Xialan, give fifty copper coins to Ziyun.”

Then she added sternly, “Considering this is your first offense, our family gives people a chance to rectify their mistakes for the first time. If you repeat this behavior, you’ll no longer be welcomed in the pharmacy. Make sure you understand.”

Sun Xialan glared at Li Ziyun secretly and nervously responded, “Yes, Sister Qingning, I will reform myself.”

Chu Qingning nodded, “Go back to your duties.”

“Yes,” Li Ziyun and Sun Xialan left the pharmacy together.

Outside, Sun Xialan shot Li Ziyun a harsh look, “Happy now?”

“What do I have to be happy about? Sun Xialan, I really didn’t want to compete with you. Can’t you stop being so petty?”

“Me, petty?” Sun Xialan pointed at herself, indignant, “Wasn’t your performance in front of Sister Qingning just now an act of non-competition?”

“I…”

Sun Xialan cut off Li Ziyun, “You better not cross me, or I won’t let you off easily.” With a threat, she stormed off.

Li Ziyun watched Sun Xialan’s retreating figure, lips pressed tightly together. Being Sister Qingning’s assistant wasn’t a role meant for just one person, so why must she fixate on targeting her?

Speechless!

That night, the weather was so cold that frost formed on the grass by the roadside, turning it a stark white.

On abroad and flat official road, a procession was advancing, the rhythmic sounds of the carriage wheels and horse hooves echoing in the night.

Judging by the escort and the luxury of the carriages, it was evident they belonged to a distinguished and affluent party.

The procession carried a strong foreign flavor, immediately identifiable by the discerning eye as belonging to a foreign delegation.

From inside a carriage came the impatient voice of a man, “How much longer until we enter the city?”

The head of the guards rode back and replied, “Your Highness, the city gates are insight.”

As the words fell, the carriage curtains were lifted, and a foreign-dressed man declared, “Hurry up. This prince is nearly dead from exhaustion.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” the head guard responded, then shouted orders, “Speed up!”

The procession’s pace quickened, approaching the city gates and entering the town.

In the woods, Chu Qingzhi, arms crossed and leaning against a tree trunk, frowned slightly, “Which country’s prince is this?”

Tang Jinghong, standing aside, said, “He’s from Chen’an, a vassal state of the eastern border. It’s almost the end of the year; I wonder why their country sent a prince at this time?”

Chu Qingzhi pondered, “The brother of Mou Yongfeng mentioned their master would arrive around this time. Could it be this prince?’

Tang Jinghong was uncertain, “The situation in the eastern border is chaotic; none of them are good people.”

At this, Chu Qingzhi suddenly asked, “After the new year, are you going to the eastern border?”

Tang Jinghong held Chu Qingzhi’s hand, “Yes, the Emperor and the agents I sent to the eastern border have either died or been injured, and conspiracies are rampant. If we don’t check in soon, the eastern border might descend into rebellion.”

Chu Qingzhi remained silent, then pointed ahead, “Let’s follow and see if this prince is indeed their mastermind.”

Tang Jinghong nodded, “Alright.”

Midway, the third parrot flew to Chu Qingzhi, “Mou Yongfeng has arrived.” Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong had agreed to meet with Mou Yongfeng the next day, but he had arrived earlier than expected.

Chu Qingzhi was puzzled, “Did Mou Yongfeng’s master change his schedule?” Otherwise, why would he come to meet them instead of welcoming his master?

Tang Jinghong was confused, “Without instructions from above, what would he discuss with us?”

Chu Qingzhi couldn’t figure it out either, “Let’s go see.”

Tang Jinghong nodded, “Alright.”

The two of them, swift as hawks, disappeared into the darkness beyond.

In the inn, Mou Yongfeng was reading a letter sent by his elder brother via pigeon, “The master has entered the city. Hearing about your failed plan, he s very angry. Think about how to explain yourself!”

After reading the letter, Mou Yongfeng’s face paled, and he slumped into a chair, burning the letter over a candle.

The failure of the plan was all due to Chu Qingzhi’s interference. The person who should be killed is Chu Qingzhi!

Yes, Chu Qingzhi!

Mou Yongfeng called out in a low voice, “Someone!”

A subordinate approached, “My lord.”

Murderous intent filled Mou Yongfeng’s eyes, “Gather our men, head to Chu’s village, and kill Chu Qingzhi!”

The subordinate hesitated, advising, “My lord, please reconsider!

Mou Yongfeng was frantic, “There are so many people in the village, just grab a few and threaten them. Chu Qingzhi has so many family members; if we capture all of them, I don’t believe she won’t compromise!”

With no other choice, the subordinate complied, “As you command, my lord.” “Remember, gather our most elite assassins and use the most ruthless methods. Chu Qingzhi must die!” Mou Yongfeng believed that only by killing Chu Qingzhi could he redeem himself and perhaps even gain fame in the underworld.

Awhile later, another subordinate entered the room to report, “My lord, those two who claim to be under Lord Zhang’s command have arrived.

Mou Yongfeng suppressed his murderous aura, “Let them in!