Chen Wangbei rushed to the Training Ground and cupped his fists in salute.
"Prince, I heard you have orders for ."
Li Ji motioned for Hua Manman to continue her sword practice without stopping.
He said to Chen Wangbei.
"Send soone to investigate if the Han Family has a woman nad Lin Qingzhi. Rember to be discreet. Don’t let anyone find out I’m looking into her."
"Yes."
Chen Wangbei departed in a hurry.
Hua Manman practiced with her sword for a full two hours.
When she was done, she was so exhausted she could barely breathe, and she collapsed on the ground, refusing to get up.
Li Ji said lazily.
"If you don’t get up, I’ll just leave you here to spend the night alone."
The Training Ground was deserted at night. As far as the eye could see, it was pitch-black and empty, giving it a rather sinister and terrifying feel.
Hua Manman looked at him pitifully.
"I’m too tired. I can’t get up."
’She wanted Prince Zhao to find soone to carry her back.’
Li Ji heard her thoughts. His lips curled into a slight smile as he deliberately asked, "Are you asking to carry you back?"
Hua Manman glanced at his legs. "But can’t you walk?"
Li Ji gently patted the armrest of his wheelchair. "I have a wheelchair. You can sit on my lap, and the wheelchair can take us back."
Hua Manman imagined it—
’The ntal image was too much; she was unworthy of such an experience.’
Mustering her last bit of strength, she struggled up from the ground and followed Prince Zhao back to the Mountain and Sea Residence.
Hua Manman was drenched in sweat from her practice, and it felt awful.
The first thing she did when she returned to her room was bathe and change her clothes.
anwhile, Li Ji was in the armory, selecting a weapon.
He was focused entirely on swords, of all different lengths and weights.
Chen Wangbei ca in and said in a low voice.
"Reporting to you, Prince. The n I sent have returned. They confird that the Han Family does indeed have a cousin nad Lin Qingzhi."
Li Ji casually picked up a sword, its gleaming blade reflecting his jet-black eyes.
He asked casually.
"Where is she now?"
Chen Wangbei answered truthfully, "Lin Qingzhi was taken away by people from the Crown Prince Mansion early this morning."
A flicker of movent showed in Li Ji’s eyes.
"How did she get involved with the Crown Prince Mansion?"
Chen Wangbei had anticipated Prince Zhao would ask this and had prepared an answer in advance.
"I heard the Crown Prince happened to et Lin Qingzhi at a poetry gathering and was smitten at first sight. That very afternoon, he sent people to the Han Family to propose marriage.
The Han Family was naturally overjoyed.
This morning, the Crown Prince sent people to the Han Family to escort her, and now Lin Qingzhi is a concubine in the Crown Prince Mansion."
Li Ji narrowed his eyes slightly.
’He had just started investigating Lin Qingzhi, and she imdiately entered the Crown Prince Mansion.’
’How could there be such a coincidence?’
Chen Wangbei hesitated. "While I was investigating Lin Qingzhi, I found out sothing else. I’m not sure if I should ntion it."
Li Ji put down the sword in his hand. "Speak."
Chen Wangbei said, "The Crown Prince not only proposed to the Han Family, but he also sent people to the Zhong’an Bo Mansion to propose marriage. I heard the Crown Prince has taken a liking to the eldest daughter of the Zhong’an Bo Mansion."
Li Ji raised an eyebrow. ’The Crown Prince isn’t very old, but he certainly has a lot of energy.’
’One has just entered his residence, and he’s already thinking about the next.’
’He must not be afraid of wearing himself out.’
Chen Wangbei asked cautiously, "This matter concerns Lady Hua’s older sister. Should you inform her about it, Prince?"
Li Ji said nonchalantly.
"I have it under control. You may leave."
"Yes."
After careful selection, Li Ji finally picked out a fine sword from among the many treasure swords—one that was light, yet didn’t lack sharpness.
’Hua Manman doesn’t have much strength, so this lighter sword is more suitable for her.’
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