The ninth prince didn't panic; panic wouldn't help save him. Only a fool would dare to assassinate a prince within the palace, so whoever this stranger was, he might only be here to give the ninth prince a warning, or perhaps to kidnap him, but regardless, the ninth prince didn't think he would be in life-threatening danger.

As long as he were alive, he had a chance to break free.

When the ninth prince turned around to see the man behind him, however, he instantly relaxed. "Master!"

Zhang Lie calmly sipped his tea.

As though he had just thought of something, the ninth prince suddenly cried out, "Why are you here, Master?"

Zhang Lie rolled his eyes at him. "What, am I not welcome?"

The ninth prince shook his head. "Of course you are, but this is the palace!"

"So what? It's not a problem for me to enter the palace at will. The only place that poses even a little challenge to me here is your father's chambers—the rest of it might as well be my backyard. I even toured the palace before stopping here."

The ninth prince praised, "As expected, Master! Where...