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

Xu Qianhui looked at Lin Zhiwei, her fingertips curling slightly inside her sleeve.

Could it be that she found out that Lin Zuoqing stayed overnight at the small courtyard in the west of the city?

How could that be?

Xu Qianhui steadied her breathing and said, "No one taught me."

Lin Zhiwei was speechless at her words, then looked at her with disdain: "You're good-looking, and you have hands and feet, why do you have to interfere in other people's lives?"

"What do you mean by that, Miss Lin?" Xu Qianhui asked.

"Miss Xu, why pretend to be stupid?" Lin Zhiwei's expression turned even more disgusted: "You know perfectly well that the Second Young Master has already agreed to the marriage with Miaoyun, yet you still want to move into the Duke's mansion. That's why I want to ask you what your intentions are."

The tightness in Xu Qianhui's heart instantly subsided.

So she was referring to Lin Zuo'an.

Seeing her displeased expression, Xu Qianhui felt a rare, damned sense of guilt.

If Lin Zhiwei knew what Lin Zuoqing had done, wouldn't she hate herself to death?

After all, they were already engaged, and she seemed to really like Lin Zuoqing.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Lin Rulan quickly stepped forward.

"Sister Lin, didn't we agree to feed the fish? Why are you talking so much? Here, let me get you some more fish food."

Lin Zhiwei pushed away the fish food offered by Lin Rulan and was about to speak when footsteps echoed through the winding corridor.

Lin Zuoqing carried a plate of tangerines into the pavilion.

Lin Zhiwei suppressed her displeasure and put on a docile demeanor.

"Zuo Qing, you've arrived so quickly."

Xu Qianhui also felt that Lin Zuoqing had arrived quickly, probably because he was afraid that she would bully his sweetheart.

Then look at how carefully the tangerines were peeled, even the white pith was removed.

Lin Zuoqing had peeled them for her before.

He said she was spoiled, but he was more patient with her hands than anyone else.

It turns out that once you've mastered gentleness, you can still be skilled at it even if you're with someone else.

Xu Qianhui suddenly felt quite bored and looked at Lin Zhiwei: "Miss Lin, what exactly did you mean when you said I was interfering in Zuo An's marriage?"

Lin Zhiwei was surprised that Xu Qianhui dared to persist, and she almost dropped the tangerine in her hand.

She quickly grabbed Lin Zuoqing's sleeve: "Zuoqing, I only asked why Miss Xu moved into the Duke's mansion, I didn't say anything else..."

Xu Qianhui looked at her quietly.

This is the skill of a lady from a respectable family.

He could accuse her in front of her, but in front of the person he loved, he said nothing at all.

If she hadn't seen so many of Fu's true colors, she would have actually felt a bit of admiration for him.

Lin Zuoqing did not speak immediately.

His gaze passed over Lin Zhiwei and landed on Xu Qianhui's face, as if warning her to help her fiancée out of the predicament.

Xu Qianhui looked at him and smiled.

"The old lady has allowed me to stay in Ci'an Hall. If Miss Ruolin wants to know why, she should ask the old lady herself."

Lin Zhiwei looked a little embarrassed, while Lin Zuoqing almost imperceptibly raised the corners of his mouth, but quickly concealed it.

"Now that you've settled in, don't cause any trouble. Go back to Ci'an Hall to serve your grandmother."

Xu Qianhui couldn't help but laugh when she heard this.

It's unclear who caused the trouble, or who climbed out of the window and into the bed.

Even if those in high positions say one thing and do another, they will always claim to be right.

That's really interesting.

Xu Qianhui bowed respectfully: "Yes, Lord Lin."

She was very polite, but she didn't even say goodbye before turning around and leaving the pavilion.

The sweet aroma of tangerines filled the air, and the pavilion fell silent for a moment.

Lin Rulan grasped Lin Zhiwei's hand: "Sister Lin, you were too impulsive just now."

Lin Zhiwei was still dissatisfied.

"The second young master has already agreed to the marriage with Miaoyun, but she insists on pestering him all the way to the Duke's mansion. I am on good terms with Miaoyun, so naturally I have to stand up for her."

"But she is my second brother's fiancée," Lin Rulan sighed. "This is unfair to her to begin with, so why did you have to stab her in the face?"

"So what?" Lin Zhiwei said matter-of-factly, "She comes from a humble background, how can she compare to Miaoyun?"

Lin Rulan released her hand and didn't say anything more. Only then did Lin Zhiwei realize that she had gone too far.

She looked at Lin Zuoqing: "Zuoqing, I didn't mean to be rude."

Lin Zuoqing lowered his eyes, peeled a segment of tangerine, and handed it to Lin Rulan.

"Don't meddle in other people's business."

Upon hearing the word "other people," Lin Zhiwei's displeasure dissipated considerably.

She smiled and handed over the tangerines, saying, "Okay, okay, I don't care."

Lin Zuoqing did not answer, and Lin Zhiwei was not annoyed.

"It's almost time for dinner. Let's go back to the main courtyard and have dinner with your aunt."

Lin Rulan nodded, but Lin Zuoqing looked in the direction Xu Qianhui had left.

There was no one there anymore.

At the end of the corridor, only the shadows of the curtains swaying in the wind remain.

......

When Xu Qianhui returned to Ci'an Hall, the old lady was leaning against the couch taking her medicine. She glanced at her for a moment before briefly mentioning the pavilion.

The old lady praised her highly, then mocked Fu Shi.

"After the Marquis of Chengen's mansion was demoted to a count's mansion, Fu acted like a quail for many years. But after getting this marriage to the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion, she became arrogant and conceited. She is truly vicious and foolish."

"Xiao Fang, get a box of bird's nest soup for Hui'er. She's so thin, she needs to be properly nourished."

Xu Qianhui accepted the reward, and seeing that the old lady was in a good mood, he chatted with her for a while before leaving.

When we returned to the side courtyard, it was getting dark, and the lights inside the house were already on.

Xu Qianhui had just sat down when footsteps sounded outside.

Soon, the curtain was lifted, and Lin Zuo'an came in carrying several food boxes.

"Ah Hui, I brought crystal shrimp dumplings, osmanthus lotus root starch, crispy cheese, and steamed chestnuts with sugar, all of which are your favorites."

As he spoke, he filled the table with food boxes and sat down next to Xu Qianhui.

Xu Qianhui forced a smile as she poked the chestnuts with her chopsticks.

Lin Zuo'an chuckled: "What's wrong? What did this chestnut do to you?"

Xu Qianhui remained silent and poked several more chestnuts.

Lin Zuoan finally noticed that she was in a bad mood and took the chopsticks from her hand.

"Why do you look so listless today? Did someone bully you?"

Xu Qianhui remained silent, and Lin Zuoan's smile slowly faded.

"Ah Hui, talk to me. Who bullied you? I'll stand up for you."

Perhaps provoked by this remark, Xu Qianhui got up and went straight to the bedside to lie down.

She had her back to him, and hadn't even taken off her shoes.

Lin Zuo'an stood there dumbfounded, completely bewildered.

She used to throw tantrums, but most of the time, she would back down gracefully.

But today was different; she wouldn't even glance at him.

But everything was fine during the day, wasn't it?

I even received a letter from my twins.

Lin Zuo'an walked over and squatted down beside the bed: "Ahui, tell me what exactly happened."

Xu Qianhui ignored him and moved her body further inside.

Lin Zuo'an sat down on the edge of the couch: "Hey, Ahui, you were fine during the day, weren't you? Can't you talk to me for a bit? Are you trying to drive me crazy?"

Xu Qianhui hugged the soft pillow, her voice muffled: "What's your rush?"

Seeing that she finally responded, Lin Zuoan quickly bent down to look at her.

"Of course I'm anxious when you ignore me."

Xu Qianhui said softly, "Second Young Master has plenty of people to rely on, surely you don't need me?"

Lin Zuo'an was taken aback upon hearing this, and after a long pause, he asked, "Who said that to you?"

Xu Qianhui buried her face even deeper, and Lin Zuoan felt a sudden pang of panic and quickly reached out to hug her.

She struggled slightly, but Lin Zuo'an held her even tighter, his large hand covering hers.

"Ah Hui, don't hide from me, tell me what happened."

Xu Qianhui finally turned around.

Her eyes were red at the corners, her hair was loose on her cheeks, and her lips were completely bloodless.

Lin Zuo'an felt a pang of heartache at the sight and reached out to help her tidy up.

Xu Qianhui turned her head away, but her tears fell onto Lin Zuo'an's hand and quickly seeped out.

She looked at him and asked, word by word, "Zuo An, who is Miao Yun?"