Did Miss become a nun today?

On the wall outside the courtyard, Prince Su sat there, watching intently, suppressing his laughter.

How amazing! Even a gentleman who is usually so proper and polite can swallow his pride and pitifully admit his mistakes.

See, this is better. This way, they are the same kind of people.

The guards around him sighed inwardly. It was the middle of the night, and His Highness really had some free time.

"Your Highness, is this really a good idea? What if the Crown Prince finds out...?"

"It's alright."

As soon as he finished speaking, footsteps approached from below the wall. Zhao Yu had clearly been woken up from his sleep and was rushing over.

"Uncle, what are you doing in the Eastern Palace in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

Having watched the play for a while, Zhao Zhang jumped down, dusted himself off, and replied irrelevantly, "Oh dear, it's getting late, we should head back."

"Tsk, your view from the Eastern Palace is quite impressive."

Yes, I'm in a good mood.

Zhao Yu breathed a sigh of relief. Having such an uncle was really enough.

Unfortunately, there was really no other way. His Majesty doted on his younger brother the most, raising him like a son. If it weren't for his uncle's lack of interest in the throne, the position of Crown Prince would not have been his.

"Uncle, could you please let me know in advance what you're going to do next time?"

In the middle of the night, he thought a thief had broken into the Eastern Palace.

Zhao Zhang waved his hand, leaving him with only his back view.

Just then, the young eunuch who had just gone in ran out and whispered, "Your Highness, Minister Pei is inside."

Zhao Yu's eyelids twitched. Why was he here too?

No, the Eastern Palace is heavily guarded. When did you get in?

I rushed in and saw a person slumped at the door, reeking of alcohol and completely drunk.

In this situation, what is there not to understand? It seems I should talk to my father tomorrow and find something for my uncle to do.

The next day, Xue Xiurong called her over and handed her the box. "These are all invitations from outside. They all want to see you. Take a look. If you want to see them, then see them. If you don't want to see them, then we won't."

Xie Yun Chu glanced through the list a few times, and only her aunt was someone she wanted to see.

But... since she wouldn't give up becoming a nun, she shouldn't see anyone.

She had been staying at the East Palace for the past few days, and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had treated her very well. She had originally planned to ask His Highness the Crown Prince for a favor so that she could become a nun.

No one can disobey the imperial decree.

But she dared not speak up, fearing that if His Highness the Crown Prince did not agree, she would truly lose all hope. By not asking, she could still hold onto a sliver of hope.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I'll take my leave now."

"The Lady of the Marquis of Zhaoping's residence has sent invitations several times, but you haven't seen her?"

Xie Yun Chu shook her head. "My aunt is very good to me, but I am a Buddhist and will become a nun in the future. I should not have any further involvement with her."

Xue Xiurong took her hand. "Yun Chu, you're still young. Are you really sure you want to become a nun?"

"Yes, I've thought it through. If it weren't for the unexpected events, I would already be a Buddhist disciple by now."

She had never encountered any setbacks in her life, and only now did she realize how difficult it is to accomplish something.

After seeing her off, Xue Xiurong went to the study to bring Zhao Yu some soup. Meng Qi'an was about to leave when she noticed his expression brighten. "It's rare for Hanlin Meng to come to the East Palace, so why don't you stay for lunch?"

"I've heard you know Yun Chu, so we can have a chat."

Meng Qi'an bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Princess."

Xue Xiurong placed the food box on the table and told Zhao Yu about Xie Yunchu's intention to become a nun.

"That child is only seventeen this year. He hasn't even lived his whole life yet, and he already has such thoughts. I'm worried about him."

Zhao Yu understood that Xie Yun Chu had been living quietly in the East Palace all day. Not only did she not eat meat, but she also recited scriptures for several hours every morning and evening.

Most girls at this age are lively and energetic, just beginning to experience romantic feelings, and dressed in bright and cheerful colors. But she was pure and untouched by worldly concerns.

"I do have an idea," Xue Xiurong said.

Tell me about it.

"I think that Meng Hanlin is quite good. He's upright, kind, and knows Yun Chu. Why don't we let the two of them get to know each other?"

"Talking to people is better than being alone. Who knows, it might actually change her mind about becoming a nun."

People need to go out and socialize, and it's easy for a person to overthink things.

Having someone by your side will prevent you from thinking about things you shouldn't be thinking about.

Zhao Yu hesitated. Last night, Pei Changyu had taken advantage of his drunkenness to break into the East Palace. If Pei found out, who knew what he might do next.

But compared to Xie Yun Chu becoming a monk, it seems insignificant, since the young girl doesn't like him.

Fortunately, no one objected, and Xie Yun Chu was taken to the pavilion in the front yard that day.

Both of them were stunned. Meng Qi'an was the first to react. He stepped forward and cupped his hands, saying, "Miss Xie, we meet again."

Xie Yun Chu returned the greeting, "Young Master Meng, what a coincidence."

"It's just a coincidence. I'm compiling water conservancy policies from previous years, and there are some things I need to discuss with Your Highness. That's why I've been coming here more often lately."

The two sat in the pavilion for a while, talking little, mostly small talk, but there was no awkwardness.

Meng Qi'an was always smiling and approachable. Although he had entered the court as an official, he had no arrogance and was no different from before.

"Last time in Changning, I didn't protect Miss Xie well," he said.

"It's my fault for being of low rank and having little influence. My status and position are not as good as Minister Pei's, so I can't compete with him." He said with some guilt, lowering his head with a face full of regret.

"Young Master Meng, you flatter me. I am already very grateful that you are willing to help me."

She and Meng Qi'an were not related and had only met a few times, yet she was willing to help her, which was already more than enough.

"Young Master Meng, you'd better stay away from my cousin in the future. That kind of person..."

They are vengeful and will seek revenge for even the smallest wrongdoing.

She didn't finish her sentence, but Meng Qi'an should have understood.

That person is too cunning. If you offend him, you'll be plotted against without even realizing it.

He's just become an official, how can he possibly win?

"Miss Xie... are you concerned about me?"

She pursed her lips. "I guess so. You've been implicated because of me, and I can't cause you any more trouble."

Meng Qi'an smiled gently, "It's alright. I'm a government official, he won't go too far. Even if I'm targeted... it's not a big deal. For you, I don't care."

Xie Yunchu: ?

...Doesn't this sound a little off?

Before she could think it over, Meng Qi'an changed the subject and started talking about interesting things happening outside.

Xue Xiurong laughed from a distance, "I told you it would work! Look how happy those two are."

The Crown Prince frowned. "It's a pity that Meng Qi'an's status is too low. With his current status, he is not worthy of Yun Chu."

"The Meng family may not be good, but that doesn't mean he is. He was the top scholar in the imperial examination and only entered the Hanlin Academy a few months ago. Yet he has already put together a good water conservancy plan and has also properly handled those long-standing problems in government affairs. He is a capable person."

"If you nurture him well, he will be no less than Pei's eldest son in the future."

Zhao Yu, however, found it displeasing no matter how he looked at it. Shen Heng's daughter was his daughter, and she deserved to be married to the best man in the world.

Meng Qi'an is indeed young and has a promising future. Once he gets promoted, he'll be a decent match for him.