This time, she had to find Pei Zhiheng before Yin Manlin, and prevent him from repeating the same mistakes. 

Lin Suisui got up, leaving a note on the table to avoid causing a commotion in the family. 

News of Pei Zhiheng’s arrival spread, and the people couldn’t wait to see the fallen prince of Donglin. 

Lin Suisui hurried along, using the detailed descriptions from the original novel to find her way, and spent the whole night squatting on a street he was sure to pass. She was awakened by the noise of the crowd at dawn. 

Opening her eyes, she saw many people gathered on the street. Lin Suisui was startled, thinking she had overslept, and quickly squeezed into the crowd to look, but she didn’t see him for a long time. 

Just as she was getting tired of standing, the crowd suddenly erupted in whispers: 

“He’s coming, that must be the prince of Donglin’s carriage.” 

“Donglin is really down and out. A prince’s carriage is so plain, and he only has two attendants.” 

“Keep your voices down. I heard that this prince has a bad temper. Be careful he hears you.” 

Another person said unconcernedly, “What’s there to be afraid of? He’s come here to be a hostage. His life is even cheaper than ours.” 

Lin Suisui was squeezed almost breathless and couldn’t get close to Pei Zhiheng. Just as she was thinking about how to break through the crowd, she was tripped by someone, and she fell heavily. 

“Stop!” 

Lin Suisui watched helplessly as the horse’s hooves stopped two steps away from her. Her heart dropped, feeling that she had survived another day. 

The driver quickly jumped down to check on her, saying sincerely, “Miss, are you alright? Did you hurt yourself? It’s dangerous here with so many people. You should go home quickly.” 

This reminded Lin Suisui. She immediately lay down on the ground and wailed, “It hurts! It hurts so much! I can’t walk anymore.” 

Song Ci was flustered by her actions and could only stand stiffly in place. 

Having heard gossip along the way, Pei Zhiheng was already extremely irritable. He lifted the curtain impatiently: “Song Ci, why are you dawdling? If she’s not dead, give her some money and let her go.” 

Song Ci took out his purse and handed it to Lin Suisui, comforting her, “This is twenty taels of silver, Miss…” 

Before he could finish, Lin Suisui covered her abdomen and cried, “Everyone, look! The prince of Donglin’s carriage hit someone and won’t take responsibility. He wants to dismiss it with twenty taels of silver! He’s so arrogant right after arriving. In the future, he’ll surely disregard the lives of us commoners like grass!” 

The original owner was only a concubine daughter of the Xiangfu, so no one on the street recognized her. No matter how much she acted up, her reputation wouldn’t affect the Lin family. 

These words worked. The onlookers, who had been watching the show, couldn’t stay idle and began to criticize: 

“That’s right, I didn’t expect the prince of Donglin to be like this.” 

“That’s too much, the poor girl.” 

“…” 

Pei Zhiheng couldn’t bear it anymore and dismounted with his sword. Lin Suisui saw the gleaming sword approaching her and her heart sank, but her legs were really weak and she couldn’t get up. 

Damn it, this guy wouldn’t attack her in broad daylight, would he? She regretted her actions. 

Lin Suisui closed her eyes, trying to focus on where she would be resurrected this time to distract herself, but the expected pain didn’t come. 

“Miss, did you injure your eyes as well?” Pei Zhiheng smiled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. His words were full of sarcasm: “But I saw that the horse’s hooves were still two steps away from you. How did you get hurt?” 

If it weren’t for the mission, Lin Suisui would have punched him in the face. 

Pei Zhiheng sheathed his sword and threw it to Tang Shi, saying, “Today, I accidentally injured this young lady, and I will take full responsibility. Tang Shi, take her to the sedan chair.” Then he got back on Song Ci’s horse. 

Song Ci looked at his master, asking, “Your Highness, what about me?” 

He’d forgotten about him. Pei Zhiheng flicked his whip, saying, “Figure it out yourself. Go!” 

Song Ci: “…” 

He hung his head. It was still dozens of li to the imperial palace. If he walked, his legs would be ruined. 

Just as he was feeling dejected, a voice came from above: 

“Get on. His Highness instructed that you’re too slow, and he doesn’t want to wait.” 

Thank goodness! Song Ci gratefully mounted Tang Shi’s horse, and the group continued towards the palace. 

In the sedan chair, Lin Suisui, having just faked an illness, was anxiously thinking about how to deal with the lovesick fool when the curtain was suddenly lifted, revealing Pei Zhiheng’s smiling face. 

Lin Suisui poked her head out curiously: “We haven’t reached the palace yet, why did we stop?” 

Pei Zhiheng reached out and grabbed her wrist, smiling, “Miss, aren’t you injured? I’ll take you to the doctor first, lest you become stupid from the fall and then shamelessly claim it’s my responsibility.” 

His grip was strong, and Lin Suisui struggled but couldn’t break free. 

“Uh-huh, Your Highness still has important matters to attend to. Don’t delay because of me.” 

How could she dare to see a doctor? The embarrassment of being exposed aside, the lovesick fool might kill her on the spot. 

“Your Highness,” Song Ci couldn’t bear to watch them struggle, so he turned and said, “Princess Beiping should be waiting at the palace. We’ve already wasted a lot of time on the way, and we can’t delay any longer.” He then looked at Lin Suisui with a pleading look in his eyes. 

Lin Suisui was happy he said that, immediately agreeing, “Yes, yes, Your Highness should hurry. My injury is nothing important.” 

Pei Zhiheng looked at her meaningfully, then threw her hand away and got back on his horse. 

“Report! Your Majesty, the prince of Donglin requests an audience.” 

Shen Qiu didn’t even lift his eyelids, waving his hand: “Let him in.”