"A friend helped me on the way here. Check over there."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

At this moment, the aura Ji Xiaoli exuded was no longer the same terrified young lady, but that of a leader. Commander Huan sent his men away while escorting Princess Ji Xiaoli back to her carriage. At the same time, the soldiers were making a circle around them to prevent anyone from seeing the princess.

Ji Xiaoli scanned the area and noticed that there were several people on the intersections to the city. Her eyes narrowed as she understood that if she stayed in that place any longer, her reputation would have gone to drain. It was lucky for her to meet with those two, whoever they were.

Not long afterwards, the soldiers returned with the report.

"There's a mark of battles, but we can't see anyone there."

"Not even a dead body?" Ji Xiaoli asked.

The soldiers shook their heads. "There's only some trace of blood on the ground, but there's no body."

Ji Xiaoli pondered a bit. Her eyes darkened. The men escaped, probably with some kind of agreement with that young lady if she couldn't defeat them. After all, both sides have their disadvantages.

"Princes…."

"On my birthday in three months, I want to invite all young ladies in the capital city including the lower ranking officials," Ji Xiaoli declared.

Commander Huan's eyes almost popped out when he heard what the princess said. He was speechless. Wait, was the one who helped Ji Xiaoli was a woman? And that woman didn't even leave behind any trace whatsoever…

Who in the world would train their daughter with martial arts?

No matter how much he racked his brain, Commander Huan couldn't think of anything. He glanced to the side and saw a bunch of young masters were sneaking away with several wine casks. He shook his head.

Some young masters only knew how to create trouble.

"We'll return back."

"Yes!"

Ji Xiaoli sighed as she watched the soldiers around the carriage. With her failing this time, she understood that there was no other chance for her to escape from the palace anymore. When it was the time for her 16th birthday, it was clear that they would proceed with the deal.

At that thought, Ji Xiaoli's eyes narrowed. She genuinely needed to find another plan to run away.

…

- Wei Household -

Wei Liuying was the first one to return back to the residence. She knew that her father and his concubines were leaving for a stroll in the city, so she returned back to her quarter directly. After changing her clothes, she burned the dress that she wore just now.

"Miss, is it not a waste to burn it?" Xiao Yu asked in a timid voice when she watched the dress burn.

"Which one is more important, money or life?"

Xiao Yu pursed her lips and didn't reply. Her large eyes were watching the flames burn the dress completely. It was truly a waste in her opinion since Wei Liuying only had a few dresses and there was only one with purple color. Now, it had to be burned.

On the contrary, Wei Liuying was perfectly calm. She didn't want anyone to know about what had happened today. Besides, the bloodstain was harder to erase and it would be difficult to explain the position at her sleeve.

If it was at her back, it might be easier.

Though she hadn't started her period yet, it didn't really matter. It should be soon considering that she had already reached 14 years old.

"Miss, the others have returned."

"I'll be there."

Wei Liuying came out to the main courtyard and saw Wei Zilin and Wei Hong Zheng. The two of them returned one by one after having enough fun from the Lantern Festival. Wei Hong Zheng had the smell of wine. It seemed like he slipped out to drink a bit without any of them.

"Second Sister, Second Brother, do you enjoy the festival?"

Wei Zilin pursed her lips. "It's not that fun. First Sister got all the fun by meeting His Highness the Fourth Prince."

"First Sister is lucky," Wei Liuying said politely. She could guess that they all must be doing everything they could to be able to meet with the Imperial Family. However, some people could easily blend in with the crowd while some others just simply stuck out even amongst the crowd.

Even though Wei Zilin was still dissatisfied, she didn't say anything more. She chose to wait for the other's return.

Not long afterwards, Wei Xiao Hua came back with a smile on her face. Even when they were all greeting each other, it didn't wipe the happy smile on Wei Xiao Hua's face. Wei Zilin even had the urge to scratch Wei Xiao Hua just to see whether the latter would still smile even when she was wounded.

"Father will only return back later, so we should rest first," Wei Xiao Hua said calmly.

"First Brother hadn't returned yet," Wei Hong Zheng pointed out. "Don't we need to wait for him?"

"Ah right." Wei Xiao Hua glanced to the gate and saw Wei Yijun walking back with a solemn expression. Even though she saw that, her smile didn't disappear in the slightest bit.