In this life, Zanying couldn’t take care of everyone, but if she could help within her means, she shouldn’t turn a blind eye.

Wei Yu watched as the young woman anxiously explained, and simply said, “Ah Nu, just handle your own matters.”

There was no need for such caution.

Zanying remembered that Uncle Du had also said something similar—no matter how outrageous her actions, they would all follow her.

Such unconditional favoritism might be the reassurance of having family around.

She smiled and acknowledged this, no longer troubled.

She returned to her inner quarters to change into a jade-white embroidered silk dress and asked Uncle Du to bring the Prince of Huai County up the mountain to the meeting hall.

Li Rongzhi had been waiting at the foot of the mountain for a day and a night.

Hearing that Lady Fu was finally willing to see him, he was nearly moved to tears.

As the eldest son of the Shu king’s lineage, he had been reminded countless times by his father to serve his grandmother, the Empress Dowager Xi, well.

Li Rongzhi was deeply aware of the strong bond between his grandmother and his father.

He had come to the capital not to enjoy luxury but to fulfill his filial duty on behalf of his father.

If anything happened to his grandmother, no amount of sacrifice could atone for the sin.

It was also somewhat embarrassing.

Lady Fu had previously taken such good care of his grandmother in the palace, while he and the princess, as proper grandchildren, had failed to maintain a consistent morning and evening visit schedule.

He felt regretful and grateful towards Lady Fu.

And now, before he could even repay her kindness, he had to shamelessly ask her for help.

Entering the palace gates and crossing the winding bridge, he followed the maidservant’s guidance to a hall with open windows and wooden beams.

Upon seeing the delicate figure sitting at the head of the table, Li Rongzhi immediately bowed deeply, his head touching the ground.

“I apologize for the intrusion. Please forgive my rudeness. However, regarding my grandmother’s life, I have no choice but to speak up.”

Zanying said, “You need not bow so.”

She remained composed and first inquired about the Empress Dowager Xi’s condition.

Li Rongzhi described the Empress Dowager’s illness with urgency.

His eyes were red, and his voice choked with emotion, which seemed sincere.

Zanying’s expression grew serious.

She pondered, “The Prince of Huai County must be aware of the recent matters in the palace. I will definitely not set foot inside the palace gates. If I return, I will be detained by the Xianyang Palace before I even reach the Empress Dowager’s quarters. At that point, even the prince would not be able to rescue me.”

Li Rongzhi quickly responded, “Please, Lady Fu, help us save her. I would never dare to trouble a benefactor. You need not enter the palace. If you are willing to appear and persuade my grandmother to eat and drink, I will go into the palace and bring her out.”

Zanying was momentarily surprised by this suggestion. “Will the palace allow anyone to leave?”

After all, she was a highly esteemed Empress Dowager, mother of a powerful prince.

Li Rongzhi, with a resolute expression and a hint of the princely demeanor of the royal family, said, “If people are being forced out, what can we do? If His Majesty does not permit it, I will stand at the palace gates with a sword at my neck. Even if I must use my blood to appeal to the throne, I will make sure my grandmother is brought out.”

His sincerity was undeniable as he bowed repeatedly. “If Lady Fu is willing to help this time, it will be as if you have re-created the favor for our three generations.”

“Very well, Prince. You may go and bring her out.”

Li Rongzhi looked up abruptly, momentarily unable to believe what he had heard.

“Really?” He had been turned away for two whole days by the Grand Marshal, and had prepared a lot to say before entering, only to find that Lady Fu herself was so kind and agreeable, immediately agreeing to his request.

Zanying said, “Life is of utmost importance. If Prince can bring her out, I will certainly do my best.”

Prince Hui was immensely grateful and then thought of another matter, hesitating. “Lady Fu, your noble intentions are appreciated, but the elderly lady is frail and cannot endure the long journey. She might not make it to the mountain in time. Could I ask if you would consider staying at my residence? The Prince’s residence will make arrangements for you.”

“I do not stay in other people’s homes,” Zanying said without hesitation.

Her past experiences of being confined in the palace and being at the mercy of others had left a deep scar.

Even though they were asking something of her, she could not bring herself to live under someone else’s roof.

She rubbed her right arm, thought for a moment, and called in Manager Du. “Uncle Du, you mentioned before that the Tang family has property in Wuyi Alley, is that correct?”

Manager Du, standing by the door, looked at Prince Hui with some surprise, vaguely guessing Zanying’s intention.

He replied, “Yes, Mr. Tang did buy three houses in Wuyi Alley. One was exchanged for another by the owner many years ago, leaving two adjacent houses with five courtyards and seven rooms each, which are currently vacant.”

Wuyi Alley is located five miles south of Jiankang’s palace city, along the Qinhuai River, adjacent to Zhuque Bridge.

It has long been the residence of the Wang and Xie families, two prominent clans, known for their nobility and elegance, unparalleled by ordinary gentry.

Thus, houses on this street are valuable not merely for their price but for their rarity; even with money, they are hard to acquire.

This explains why Zanying’s maternal grandfather was able to acquire three luxurious houses there.

It was not just due to his financial prowess but also because the Tang family, though wealthy, had the strength to attract the attention of these illustrious families.

As a result, the Tang family had an unwritten rule: houses in Wuyi Alley were not sold, regardless of the offer; they were only rented.

“I am willing to rent,” Li Rongzhi, having heard of this, quickly added. “Any price is acceptable, as long as Lady Fu can save a life.”

Manager Du was taken aback.

Here was a prince, someone who might one day inherit the title of King of Shu, lowering himself to ask to rent a house from a merchant family.

He looked sincere, as if he feared Lady Fu might refuse.

It seemed this Prince Hui truly was a person of pure filial piety.

Zanying did not think too much about it. Since she had already achieved her purpose of drawing attention by moving to the Western Mountain Palace, changing residences was not a significant loss.

Moreover, she had never seen the city’s streets before.

Even without this matter, she had planned to move back to the city after reclaiming the royal belongings for convenience.

As for why she chose Wuyi Alley, it was still related to the “why use the Wang family” question.

She had no answer after much thought, so it was better to stay nearby and deliberate further.

With the Wang family as a neighbor and the Xie family next door, it would be difficult for the palace to carry out any shady activities openly under the watchful eyes of the prominent families.

Even the royal family would have to maintain some face.

Zanying casually said, “As for the rental money, just discuss it with Steward Du.”

As a prince, Li Rongzhi surely had the means.

She saw no need for false pleasantries.

She had learned not to suffer from hidden losses due to unconditional generosity and was determined to be straightforward about financial matters.

As a descendant of the Tang family, she would be clear and upfront about what she was owed.

Li Rongzhi observed the graceful demeanor of Lady Fu and was reminded of the last time he saw her, at the Empress Dowager’s banquet.

Back then, she had seemed like a quiet, beautiful daffodil, simply following the Crown Prince.

Today, while her appearance remained as elegant and poised as before, there was a sense of resolve and dignity that was noticeably different.

Relieved, the Prince left quickly to head to the palace.

Zanying, feeling a bit weary after the meeting, sank into a soft seat and let her mind wander.

Thinking about leaving the mountain soon made her reluctant to move, so she called for some ice dessert.

Manager Du, seeing her preoccupation with food, couldn’t help but smile.

He confirmed once more, “Lady Fu, are you sure you want to move to Wuyi Alley?”

Zanying nodded and asked, “Is there something wrong? If there are any issues I might not be aware of, please tell me honestly. I’d rather be informed than be naive.”

Manager Du smiled, his eyes showing his amusement, “Not at all. As I’ve said before, you can go wherever you wish. It’s just that you’re too kind-hearted.”

Zanying shook her head, not entirely for the sake of others, but also for her own reasons.

As the ice dessert arrived, Manager Du went off to arrange for the carriage.

Zanying picked up a spoon and slowly ate her dessert.

After a while, Wei Yu came over.

Seeing her look at him with curious eyes while savoring the dessert, he didn’t speak first.

Instead, he noticed her gaze and, recognizing the situation, said with some resignation, “The wind chill has passed.”

Zanying understood that he wasn’t going to reveal anything further and smiled gently, a little pleased with herself.

Her smile was subtle and charming, like a red lotus blooming from a snowy ice, pure yet striking.

She stood up, slightly adjusting her snow-white sleeves, and said, “I’m really fine. Besides, it’s just a carriage ride; it won’t tire me out.”

She then added, “I’ve heard the house there is quite large. If you’re not coming down the mountain, maybe you could stay there with me.”