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

"Young lady...you're really something. How many did you find? Were they all high-ranking officials and nobles?"

Xu Qianhui lay on the couch, still feeling somewhat embarrassed.

She can't exactly say that all three bouts of bleeding were caused by the same person, can she?

That would be far too perverse.

"These marks on your body aren't serious, but if you need them in the short term, either blow out the light so it won't be discovered, or you'll need to apply medicine."

In light of the old woman's words, Xu Qianhui spent another two hundred taels to buy scar removal cream.

Before leaving the alley in the south of the city, she specially changed into men's clothing.

Even though it was still dark, she carefully observed her surroundings on the way back, afraid that someone might be following her and ruin her plans.

Only after closing the courtyard gate behind her did Xu Qianhui finally feel relieved.

"Bai Ze!" she called out with a smile.

Bai Ze came out to greet people, wagging its big black tail, its ears almost invisible as they were tucked back.

Xu Qianhui was in a great mood. He stroked the dog's head a couple of times. When he looked up, he saw Qingyi sitting under the eaves, guarding a small stove, her face full of resentment.

"Hey, who messed with my Qingyi?"

"Miss, you're still laughing!" The maid in green poured out the medicine that was warming on the stove: "When I went to get the medicine, Doctor Wang said that although this contraceptive soup is mild, it will overpower the cold medicine."

Xu Qianhui said nonchalantly, "I'm already mostly better after taking two doses of medicine yesterday, so it's no big deal if I don't drink the bitter soup."

"I can tell you just don't want to take your medicine..." The woman in green handed over the bowl of medicine. "Here, even if it's mild, you can only take this medicine once. If you try to take it again... I won't talk to you anymore."

"Okay, okay, I'll do whatever you say." Xu Qianhui smiled as she took the bowl.

After pinching my nose and drinking the medicine, the moment I let go, the intensely bitter taste exploded in my mouth.

"Honey, candied fruit, hurry, hurry, hurry!" Xu Qianhui stuck out her tongue in bitterness, and her toes curled up.

Seeing its master stick out its tongue, Bai Ze also stuck out its red tongue and exhaled, its black eyes squinting as if this was some kind of fun game.

The woman in green laughed so hard she almost fell over, and hurriedly handed over the candied fruit she had hidden under the stove.

Xu Qianhui hurriedly stuffed two candied fruits into her mouth, mumbling, "Uncle Wang hates me, doesn't he? Why did he put bitter melon in the contraceptive soup?!"

"Yes, Dr. Wang was furious," said the woman in green. "It was only because Dr. Shen persuaded him that Dr. Wang only added a tiny bit; otherwise, this bowl of medicine would probably have been half bitter."

"Sigh." Xu Qianhui sighed.

Uncle Wang thought he wanted to...

Okay, I did think about it.

But more importantly, this is the only way to do it, otherwise Lin Zuoqing's constant watching will affect her plans.

Xu Qianhui looked at Qingyi: "Did Shen Huaijin tell you why he came to the capital this time?"

"He just stayed at Huichuntang and saw patients, without saying anything else."

As if remembering something, the woman in green added, "Oh right, Doctor Bai isn't here this time. He must have come to the capital alone."

In the past, the master and disciple were inseparable, but this time Shen Huaijin stayed in the capital alone. Doctor Bai must have something he had to do on his own.

Thinking this, Xu Qianhui sat on the stone steps under the corridor and looked up at the sky as the first light of dawn gradually appeared.

"Many people in the capital owe me, but few have saved my life. If it weren't for him three years ago, I would probably have lost my life in the capital. Let's send some things over after noon."

As the saying goes, plans can't keep up with changes.

Just as Xu Qianhui and Qingyi finished preparing the gifts, the Duke's carriage stopped outside the small courtyard in the west of the city.

The coachman, Old Huang, was still driving the carriage, but the steward was accompanying him.

Butler Lin stood at the door and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Miss. The old lady was so happy to hear that the young master personally delivered riding clothes to you yesterday that she ate an extra bowl of bird's nest porridge this morning."

"The old lady also thought that since all the people attending the polo match were dignitaries, and Miss Biao might not understand some of the rules, she specially sent this old servant to fetch Miss Biao back to the mansion."

Xu Qianhui chuckled inwardly.

Three years have passed, but the old lady's impatient nature has not changed at all. As soon as she learned that Lin Zuoqing had not returned home all night, she immediately sent her to Fu Shi to compete in the martial arts tournament.

Qingyi gently tugged at Xu Qianhui.

Xu Qianhui returned a reassuring smile and looked at Steward Lin: "Please wait a moment, Steward, while I change my clothes."

Steward Lin was personally sent by the old lady, so naturally he responded without hesitation.

Back in the room, Qingyi asked anxiously, "Miss, are you really going?"

"Since the old lady personally sent someone to pick me up, I naturally can't let her down. Besides, it's more likely I'll run into Zuo An once I'm inside the manor; I can't just waste my time again, can I?"

"But your body..."

"I know my own body." Xu Qianhui handed the deposit token to Qingyi, her tone soft: "I have to go to the Duke's mansion, and we can't neglect our own business. In the capital, I don't trust anyone except you and Uncle Wang. Everything outside and the shop depends on you."

The woman in green looked down at what she was holding, her eyes reddening.

"Miss, I'm worried about you going into the manor alone."

"I'm not walking into a wolf's den."

After saying that, Xu Qianhui laughed first.

Isn't the Duke's mansion a den of wolves?

But in this den of wolves, someone wants to eat her.

Some people also wanted to borrow her teeth.

And she hadn't bitten anyone in a long time, so she was itching to bite.

Knowing that her mistress had something she had to do, Qingyi could only nod in agreement.

After helping Xu Qianhui change her clothes, the maidservant packed up the two riding outfits from yesterday and put the gold-threaded purple bamboo lotus leaf bag she had bought inside.

The carriage drove out of the small courtyard in the west of the city.

When the carriage curtain fell, Qingyi was still standing at the door, and Bai Ze was squatting at her feet, its tail sweeping the ground as it watched the carriage leave.

Xu Qianhui looked away, the coolness of the silver deposit token still lingering in her palm.

Zuo An, I'm ready.

Are you ready?

......

The carriage stopped in front of the main gate of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion. As soon as the curtain was lifted, the gatekeeper came forward and placed a footstool.

"Miss, please slow down."

The sound was very soft, but Xu Qianhui heard it clearly.

Three years ago, on that day, Xu Qianhui was driven out of the side gate with her child in her arms. The rainwater mixed with mud, and the hem of her skirt was covered in dirt.

The old woman thought she was unlucky and wouldn't even give her an umbrella.

Everyone in the household disliked her as a troublemaker, and no one called her Miss Biao anymore.

Xu Qianhui slowly clenched her fists.

This time, she entered through the main gate on her own, and it was unclear whether her aunt was surprised or delighted.

Butler Lin whispered from the side, "Miss?"

Xu Qianhui chuckled and stepped onto the footstool: "Let's go."

She stepped over the threshold and felt the cold, smooth bluestone beneath her feet.

It turns out that in the same mansion, just by changing the gate, even the stones no longer hurt your feet.

At the second gate, Granny Fang was waiting in person. Upon seeing Xu Qianhui, she immediately gave a half-bow and led her to Ci'an Hall.

The maids and servants on the road all gave way.

Some people were secretly glancing at her, while others lowered their heads and pretended not to see her.

Xu Qianhui ignored them all.

Rules are the kind of things that best judge people.

She was not worthy before, but now, with just one word from the old lady, she is worthy.

The medicinal smell in Ci'an Hall had faded somewhat, the stove was burning very brightly, and the old lady was leaning against the soft couch with a thin blanket covering her knees.

When she came in, he didn't make her kneel.

"They're here."

Xu Qianhui said with a smile, "Ahui greets the old lady."

"Sit down," the old lady said, pointing to the embroidered stool beside her.

Xu Qianhui sat down as instructed.

Do you know why I brought you here?

Does this even need to be guessed?

"The young master didn't return last night; his aunt must have been very worried," Xu Qianhui said with a faint smile. "I wonder how the young master managed to appease her."