Did Miss become a nun today?

Suddenly, a maid entered the courtyard and whispered something in the ear of one of the ladies. The lady's expression changed, and she spoke to the others. She paused on the steps she was taking, then turned and left.

"It seems the people outside have left."

Disappointment flickered in Meng Qi'an's eyes as he glanced at the lake beneath his feet, wondering if jumping in would even count.

Thinking this, Xie Yun Chu slowly loosened her grip on the windowsill. Just as she was about to fall, her wrist tightened, and she pulled her back.

"Young Master Meng, please come up quickly, the people outside have left."

Meng Qi'an, with his other hand still on the windowsill, smiled and nodded, "Okay."

After closing the windows and seeing that no one came outside, I felt relieved enough to open the door.

"I'll escort Miss Xie back."

Thank you.

As the two left the courtyard, they didn't encounter Lan Yue along the way, and Xie Yun Chu began to worry.

Meng Qi'an reassured her, "Don't worry, everything will be alright."

She nodded. "I'm sorry to have troubled Young Master Meng today."

"It's alright, I wasn't much help anyway. Miss Xie, please be careful these days and don't fall into any more traps."

"I know. Does Young Master Meng have any thoughts on today's events?"

Meng Qi'an pondered for a moment, "Knowing that I'm here for the banquet and that I know you, either they're trying to harm me or they're here for you. Miss Xie, you can also think about who you've offended recently."

Not knowing who he was after, Xie Yun Chu dared not make any rash judgments. In her opinion, framing Meng Qi'an would bring more benefits than framing her. If he succeeded, his reputation would be ruined, and even if he could still participate in the imperial examination, he would not be able to be among the top three.

Seeing her furrowed brows, Meng Qi'an chuckled, "Scared?"

Yes, she does want to become a nun, and ruining her reputation is indeed a way, but she hasn't reached the point of having no other choice.

"Don't be afraid, we're alright now, aren't we?"

"Young Master Meng has a good attitude."

"I'll take it as a compliment from the girl."

The two walked halfway when they met Pei Changfeng, who had come looking for her.

Pei Changfeng immediately noticed Meng Qi'an beside her, and his eyes darkened slightly.

"Meng Qi'an? What are you doing here?"

Meng Qi'an raised an eyebrow: "That's the wrong question. It's the same chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, but the Du family invited you but not me?"

Pei Changfeng glared at him irritably, his gaze sweeping between him and Xie Yun Chu. He instinctively wanted to be sarcastic, but before he could speak, he changed his tune, "Aren't you going to change? Why have you been gone for so long?"

Meng Qi'an smiled and said, "Miss Xie got separated from her maid, and I happened to be passing by, so I brought her back."

He didn't mention what happened in the courtyard; it was not advisable to publicize the matter, and Xie Yun Chu understood that.

Pei Changfeng scoffed, "You're quite the coincidence. How come no one else ran into you? Don't you have any servants at home?"

It's no wonder he overthinks things; Wei Lin is just a scoundrel who's eyeing his cousin. If another one shows up, he'll really kill her!

Meng Qi'an was not annoyed and remained as amiable as ever. "Today, the Du family is hosting a banquet. With so many people and so many things to do, it's common for the maids to be overwhelmed."

Pei Changfeng was annoyed. If he had gone earlier, would he have needed him?

He pulled Xie Yun Chu to his side, saying, "This is my cousin, stay away from her."

Meng Qi'an shook his head helplessly, "Alright, the person has been delivered, I should go now."

Xie Yun Chu curtsied, "Thank you, Young Master Meng."

"Miss Xie, you're too kind. Just don't forget what you promised me."

After she left, Pei Changfeng stared at her resentfully. "What was it?"

Xie Yun Chu didn't answer and walked back on her own.

"What exactly did you promise him?" he asked urgently.

Seeing that she didn't answer, he blocked her way, "Xie Yun Chu, say something to me!"

Giving a good luck charm is nothing to be ashamed of, but Pei Changfeng's behavior annoyed her.

She had been cultivating her mind and body at Qingyun Nunnery for many days, and now she rarely gets angry or loses her temper. But his behavior always reminded her of herself.

Hysterical, with a ferocious expression, she used to be like that too.

She didn't understand. If she didn't like him, why bother him? Wouldn't it be better to just leave each other alone?

"What good would it do to tell you?"

"Second cousin, are you asking this as an elder brother? If so, I will tell you."

Pei Changfeng's eyes reddened again, and he couldn't speak for a long time. "Yun Chu, do you have to talk to me like this?"

"It was my cousin who said that first."

How foolish she was before, unable to see her cousin's impatience with her. Now that she understands, she has figured things out. She will treat others the way they treat her.

Now, the two of them should avoid suspicion.

"I'm not trying to be mean to you, I'm just... I'm just concerned about you..." Pei Changfeng said calmly.

Xie Yun Chu didn't want to argue with him anymore, so she said, "I promised to give him a peace charm that I got from Qingyun Temple. Are you satisfied now?"

"Amulet for safety?"

"What amulet? Why are you giving him amulets?"

I don't want to talk anymore. I should have known she shouldn't have come today.

"You gave him a talisman, why didn't you give me one?" Pei Changfeng caught up with him.

"Didn't you say you didn't want it?"

She had previously sought amulets at the temple, but each time she gave them to him, he would reject them with disdain.

They always say he doesn't believe in Buddhism, so what's the point of him carrying it?

She didn't believe it either, but she heard that kneeling before the Buddha for a full hour would make the amulet most effective, so she went and gave it to him the first day. The next day, the amulet appeared on the servant's body.

If you don't want it, why give it to her? It saves her the trouble.

"Cousin, I..." His voice trembled as he reached out to pull her.

Xie Yun Chu took a step back to avoid it.

"It's time to go back." She stepped aside, her steps unhurried, her back straight, and said nothing more to him.

Pei Changfeng's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, his fingertips curling slightly before he slowly withdrew it into his sleeve.

Xie Yun Chu turned the corner of the corridor, and Lan Yue hurriedly came to greet her, "Miss, are you alright? I got separated from that maid and got lost."

"I'm fine, you can go back now."

The two returned to the garden, and Lan Yue asked worriedly, "Miss, did something happen today?"

"It's nothing, I got lost too, and it took me a while to find my way back."

The garden was bustling with activity. Before the master and servant could even sit down, a commotion suddenly arose from not far away, and everyone bowed in greeting.

Someone in the crowd said, "His Highness Prince Su has arrived."

A group of people knelt down in the garden, and a voice as warm as the spring sun came from above, "No need for formalities. It's my bad timing that has spoiled everyone's fun."

Xie Yun Chu didn't look up, but saw several pairs of feet pass in front of her and finally stop in the pavilion on the other side of the lake.

Once inside, guards immediately stood on both sides, keeping strangers away.

Everyone then stood up and couldn't help but look into the pavilion, whispering among themselves.

"Why has His Highness Prince Su come today?"

"I don't know. This prince has always kept to himself and rarely appears in public, but he is highly trusted by His Majesty and the Crown Prince."

"After all, he is His Majesty's youngest brother, the same age as His Highness the Crown Prince. Both of them were raised by His Majesty, so their relationship is naturally close."

Even though they rarely appeared in public, no one dared to neglect them.

Hearing the surrounding chatter, Xie Yun Chu looked over, but she was too far away to see clearly, though she spotted her older cousin.

He sat upright beside Prince Su, talking about something, his smile incredibly gentle and refined.

She didn't look much, and as soon as she turned around, the people in the pavilion opposite looked up at her.

Prince Su followed his gaze and glanced at him briefly before asking with a smile, "Changyu also has a girl he likes?"

Pei Changyu lowered his head and poured tea, "Your Highness, please don't tease me."

Prince Su teased, "You're just too quiet. If you really like a girl, you'd better hurry up, or you'll regret it when she gets away."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I have noted it down."

After the small talk was over, Prince Su looked at him and said, "Tell me, why did you summon me here?"

"It has been a long time since I last saw Your Highness. I heard that Your Highness loves chrysanthemums, so I invited you to have a cup of tea."

Prince Su glanced at him. "Stop playing games with me. Did you really invite me here today just for tea?"

Pei Changyu lowered his voice, his smile undiminished, "Nothing can be hidden from Your Highness."

"So, you've achieved your goal?"

"Yes."

"You, Pei family's eldest son, you even dare to use me."

"Your Highness, please forgive me. I was in a hurry and thought Your Highness would be nearby today, so I stopped your carriage."

Prince Su waved his hand, "Never mind. His Majesty and the Crown Prince both rely on you. I heard that you will be transferred to the Ministry of Personnel after the New Year. You will probably be very busy before the New Year. I won't hold it against you."

"However..." Prince Su paused, tilting his head to look at him, "You're going around in circles today, it's not for some girl here, is it?"

Pei Changyu did not answer, and Prince Su was not annoyed. "You are indeed not young anymore. Do you really not plan to get married?"

"If you have someone you like, just tell me, and I'll act as your matchmaker."