The man sitting opposite smiled like the spring breeze in March, harmless and gentle.
But Ji Zizhao knew it was all fake.
This fox was not only sharp-eyed but also utterly black-hearted.
So, hearing his words, Ji Zizhao didn't deny it, "I don't dislike him that much."
So, she did dislike him?
Xie Jinglan's smile remained unchanged, "Eldest Daughter of the Ji family is indeed candid."
"When speaking with the Fourth Prince, there's no need for pretense."
No matter what she said, he would understand, so why bother with self-torment?
The little beggar sitting beside them looked at Ji Zizhao in surprise, "Sister, is this the Fourth Prince?"
Ji Zizhao took the wontons handed over by the boss and gently stirred the soup in the bowl, showing no intention of answering.
The little beggar seemed a bit excited and looked at the Fourth Prince again, "I never expected the Fourth Prince to be so distinguished and elegant. You've truly opened my eyes!"
Xie Jinglan didn't pay any attention to the little beggar, not even glancing at him.
His dark eyes remained fixed on Ji Zizhao, "I heard that Eldest Daughter of the Ji family will soon enter the palace to take up an official post. If there's anything I can help with, I will spare no effort."
Ji Zizhao found this amusing.
He said this only because he was afraid she would be dazzled by the power within the palace and betray their cooperation.
She hadn't even entered the palace yet, and he had already laid the groundwork.
This man...
He was indeed playing a meticulous game.
She supposed it was because she had refused to marry him back then that he felt he couldn't control her.
So, his desire to marry her was merely to ensure their mutual peace of mind.
"Fourth Prince, rest assured. Since I have chosen to stand with you, I will never abandon you midway. If you don't trust this humble daughter, you can turn around and leave right now, and we'll go our separate ways, never crossing paths again." Ji Zizhao hated seeing him; the moment she saw him, an inexplicable anger would rise.
Xie Jinglan watched the young woman sitting opposite, wishing he could burn her with his eyes. He just...
Found her intriguing.
He simply felt that once she entered the palace, she might become constrained, so he had given her a reminder in advance.
But it seemed...
He had angered her again.
Xie Jinglan actually wanted to ask if Ji Zizhao had any misunderstandings about him.
But thinking about it, he decided against it.
Ji Zizhao appeared steady and experienced, but her temper wasn't the best.
It was rare for them to sit together, and it wouldn't be good if things devolved into a brawl.
For a moment, the atmosphere at the table became unusually quiet.
The little beggar, having been repeatedly ignored, felt a strange sense of balance as the two stopped talking.
As the atmosphere here grew calmer, the other table became increasingly noisy.
Several drunken men had finished their wontons but had no intention of paying. They got up and prepared to leave.
If it were just a few bowls of wontons, the old man would have gritted his teeth and let it go. But seeing the braised beef that had been trashed by the drunkards, the old man reluctantly walked over.
"A few esteemed guests haven't paid yet!"
Upon hearing this, the drunkards looked at the old man with ill intentions, "Do you know who we are? You dare to demand money from us! Are you tired of living?"
The old man trembled all over, but still humbly extended his calloused hand, "This is my small business. Please pity me, esteemed guests. I truly..."
Before the old man could finish speaking, one of the drunkards grabbed him by the collar.
The old man was lifted into the air, his entire face turning purple with strain.
The drunkard holding his collar didn't let go, "Haven't you inquired? This street has always been under our watch. We haven't even collected protection fees from you, and you dare to demand money from us!"
The old man tried to speak, but his throat was so tight that he could barely breathe.
The drunkard continued, "Today, we'll teach you a lesson. Brothers, give him a beating!"
The other drunkards, seeing this, swayed over to the stall and began to rummage through it wantonly for money. Where they found no money, they simply smashed things to smithereens.
The old man frantically waved his hands, but he was powerless to stop them.
The drunkard holding the old man found this amusing, bursting into laughter.
Ji Zizhao, who had initially found the wontons on this stall to be quite delicious, had completely lost her appetite, "Within the imperial city, under the Emperor's nose, such ruffians are rampant. Truly, one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel."
The little beggar heard this and quickly exclaimed, "I never expected Sister not only to be beautiful but also kind-hearted. Little brother truly admires you profoundly..."
Before he could finish, the little beggar felt something fly past him.
Immediately afterward, the drunkard who had been holding the old man by the collar let out a scream and fell to the ground.
The other drunkards were startled by this.
The little beggar was completely stunned.
Even if one wanted to act heroically, shouldn't they at least issue a threat first!
Why would anyone directly attack without a word?
Was this acting heroically?
This was clearly asking for death!
Ji Zizhao suddenly looked at the little beggar, "What did you just say about me?"
The little beggar: "..."
I said, Sister, are you a bit reckless?
"How dare you meddle in other people's business! I think you're tired of living!" The drunkard who had been knocked down by the chopstick holder clutched his chest and slowly got up, his eyes glaring ferociously at Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao turned slightly, tilting her chin up to look at the drunkard, "If you want to move me, you'll have to see if you have the ability."
The other drunkards were stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter.
Just a woman who couldn't even lift a chicken, she truly didn't know her own limits.
Ji Zizhao paused and added, "My younger brother is skilled in martial arts and excels in boxing. Even if you want to move me, you'll have to ask my brother if he agrees."
The little beggar heard this and became curious, looking around to see where this so-called younger brother was...
Suddenly, his shoulder was pressed down, and he saw Ji Zizhao place her arm around his shoulders.
The little beggar: "..."
So, the so-called younger brother was him?!
"Sister, I, I'm just a beggar. How could I fight? Sister, I..."
The little beggar hastily explained.
However, Ji Zizhao didn't listen at all.
Before he could finish speaking, she lifted him up and threw him towards the drunkards.
The drunkards, seeing a child who hadn't even fully grown his hair flying towards them, paid him no mind.
The drunkard who had just been hit by Ji Zizhao strode forward and reached out to grab the falling little beggar, intending to slam him to the ground.
However, the moment the drunkard caught the little beggar, the little beggar nimbly wrapped his limbs around the man's arm. Before the drunkard could react, he saw the little beggar twist his body with force.
"Crack!"
With a crisp snap, the drunkard's arm was twisted off from the root!