The Dark Moonlight returns to the capital, and the mad prince is accused of forcing love.

Xu Qianhui had just come out of the brothel in the alley of the South City when she saw Lin Zuoqing standing under the crabapple tree.

He was dressed in purple robes and a gold belt, and a constable was reporting something to him beside him.

He is currently the Prefect of Jingzhao, a third-rank official, and is clearly handling a case.

Xu Qianhui didn't want to meet him, so she pulled her veil up and walked quickly forward, enduring the pain between her legs.

"Miss, Miss, please wait a moment, please wait for me."

The maid in green quickly caught up, carrying medicine in her hand.

"The old woman said that although we have given enough money, there is no guarantee that this method will work. It is best to do it as soon as possible... lest things get complicated."

This girl was only fifteen, pitifully naive, and didn't even know to check if anyone was around before speaking.

Especially in a dead end with only one exit.

Xu Qianhui absentmindedly hummed in agreement, then quickened her pace.

The woman in green then said, as if seeking credit, "I even asked her specifically, and she said that no one else, except us and her, would ever know about this."

What a silly girl.

There are already three of us: you, me, and her.

I really should teach you how to count.

Xu Qianhui lowered her head, pulling her veil tighter: "I know, there are too many people and too much gossip here, let's go back quickly."

Qingyi then realized what was happening and immediately fell silent.

As she passed by Lin Zuoqing, Xu Qianhui couldn't help but steal a glance at him through the curtain.

Three years have passed, and he has become much more upright.

Even his handsome face now has angular features.

Xu Qianhui looked away and brushed past him, afraid that he would recognize her.

On second thought, I couldn't help but laugh at myself for being presumptuous.

He loathed himself so much that even without this veil, he probably wouldn't want to see his own face again.

Five years ago, Xu Qianhui was sent to the Rongguo Duke's Mansion as a distant cousin. She was only a guest, but after she came of age, she slept with Lin Zuoqing.

They were inseparable every day, enjoying themselves immensely.

However, their happiness was short-lived; after only a year of bliss, she was expelled from the Duke's mansion.

She threw herself into the river in front of Lin Zuoqing, but he only watched her sink to the bottom.

Fortunately, Qingyi, who was a beggar at the time, jumped into the river to save her, but it took her more than a month to recover.

During this time, Minister Lin did not visit her even once, and the Duchess even held a special flower-viewing banquet to announce it to the capital.

Xu Qianhui was just a cousin of the Duke's family. A girl must eventually marry when she grows up, but her marriage will not fall into the Duke's family.

Lin Zuoqing also told everyone that Xu Qianhui was just a merchant's daughter, and that even marrying a ninth-rank official would be considered a step up for her.

Xu Qianhui was about to walk out of the alley when a long sword blocked her way.

She took two steps back to create distance between him, which startled Qingyi.

Qingyi had only seen Lin Zuoqing once from afar, and due to the long time that had passed and her naturally poor memory, she did not recognize Lin Zuoqing in his purple robes for a moment.

"Sir, what is it?" the man in blue stammered.

Lin Zuoqing only looked at Xu Qianhui: "What did you do that you can't let anyone know?"

Xu Qianhui bowed to him and said, "Greetings, Lord Lin."

"say."

Xu Qianhui remained silent.

After a long standoff, Lin Zuoqing spoke again: "How long have you been back?"

"It's been over a month."

Two months ago, her fiancé's father received a transfer order to return to Beijing. Her fiancé couldn't bear to leave her alone in the city, so he sent her letters every day after arriving in Beijing, expressing his longing for her.

She was also brought over a month ago and settled in a small courtyard in the south of the city.

"What are you doing in a place like this?"

Lin Zuoqing glanced at the brothel behind him, his tone sarcastic as if he wasn't even asking for an answer.

Xu Qianhui lifted the curtain, revealing her gentle and beautiful face.

"Selling oneself to get money to buy jewelry."

Lin Zuoqing sneered, "To be so down on your luck and still have to bring a maid along, Xu Qianhui, you've really gotten used to a comfortable life."

Xu Qianhui lowered the curtain and bowed again: "I will not disturb Lord Lin's work."

Xu Qianhui only breathed a sigh of relief after pulling Qingyi back to the courtyard.

Upon hearing "Lord Lin," Qingyi immediately thought of this person.

She quickly went to prepare the medicine, not daring to ask Xu Qianhui at all.

Xu Qianhui lay under the grape trellis and drifted off to sleep. During this time, Qingyi woke her up and she took some medicine.

There's an old woman in the brothel in the alley south of the city who specializes in repairing women's private parts. Although it's a secret, someone of Lin Zuoqing's status would surely be able to find out about it.

As the sun set, Xu Qianhui heard the voice of the woman in green through the hazy light.

"Young Master is back!"

She brushed aside the thin blanket covering her and opened her eyes, only to see a drunken Lin Zuo'an being helped into the courtyard.

The person supporting him was none other than Lin Zuoqing.

Xu Qianhui quickly stepped forward to support Lin Zuo'an, frowning slightly: "Why did you drink so much?"

Lin Zuo'an seemed to still be somewhat conscious, and smiled at her.

"My brother invited me to Zuixianlou today. Don't worry, Ahui, I only drank some wine and didn't even glance at the dancers."

Xu Qianhui coaxed him, "Okay, okay, I'm just worried that you'll drink too much and hurt your health."

Then she looked at Lin Zuoqing and said, "Lord Lin, please don't be offended. I'll help him into the house first."

Regardless of what Lin Zuoqing said, Xu Qianhui helped Lin Zuoan back to his room.

They even locked the door with a "click".

After finally getting Lin Zuo'an onto the bed, he was still grinning foolishly.

"Ah Hui, it's so good to have you by my side, it's really so wonderful..."

Xu Qianhui said gently, "Me too, I dream of being with you forever. It's just that I had an unpleasant experience at the Duke's mansion before, and I don't want to see that person again."

The fact that the Duke's cousin jumped into the river was such a big deal, coupled with the way the mansion belittled her, meant that even Lin Zuo'an, who was in office with his father, would inevitably know about it.

They met in Jiangnan. At first, Lin Zuo'an simply reminisced with her about the interesting things that happened in the Duke's mansion in the past.

Later, during a casual conversation, I learned that when Xu Qianhui came of age, Lin Zuo'an was called back to Jiangnan by his father to take over his maternal grandfather's business. Among the dry rations prepared by the Duke's mansion, the osmanthus sugar pastry that he had been savoring for so long was actually made by her.

The two later became even more involved, until a year ago, when Lin Zuo'an released a thousand sky lanterns for her on the riverbank, saying he wanted to marry her.

There were no candles lit in the room. In the dim light, Lin Zuo'an gently stroked Xu Qianhui's cheek and buried his head in her neck, biting her cheek.

"Ah Hui, Ah Hui, you are mine, and always will be..."

His voice grew softer and softer, but then there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Ah Hui, if you don't want to see him, then send him away..."

After that, there was no further news.

The knocking became more urgent. Xu Qianhui straightened her clothes and went to open the door, only to find that Qingyi had been sent away to do something else.

She closed the door and bowed, saying, "Lord Lin, thank you for bringing Zuo An back. It's getting dark, so I won't keep you any longer."

Lin Zuoqing didn't move, and Xu Qianhui, not wanting to remain in a stalemate with him, turned around and was about to go back into the house.

But just as she turned around, Lin Zuoqing suddenly grabbed her.

The grip was so strong that Xu Qianhui struggled several times but couldn't shake it off.

She glared at him, only to meet his gaze as he looked at the bite mark on her neck.

"What do you want to do!"

Lin Zuoqing lowered his head and leaned closer to her, his warm breath tickling her neck.

Why are you with Lin Zuo'an?