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

"Zuo An, who is Miao Yun?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of the lamp wick popping open could be heard clearly inside the room.

Lin Zuo'an was clearly flustered for a moment, his grip on Xu Qianhui loosened slightly, then quickly tightened again.

"Which Miaoyun?" he asked softly, but his voice trailed off.

Xu Qianhui stared at him blankly, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"How many more Miaoyun do you have?"

"Zhang Miaoyun, Liu Miaoyun, isn't there also a Liang Miaoyun?"

"No, no, no, Ah Hui, that's not what I meant." Lin Zuo'an quickly grabbed her hand: "I was asking which Miao Yun you were talking about, no, oh dear, I meant, who told you about Miao Yun?"

He was at a loss, his brows furrowed.

Xu Qianhui glared at him, sobbing, "It wasn't me who brought up Miaoyun, why are you asking me? Go ask Miss Lin."

Lin Zuo'an's face instantly darkened.

"Lin Zhiwei?"

Xu Qianhui turned her face away and remained silent.

Lin Zuo'an sat by the couch, remaining motionless for a long time.

The lamplight fell on his blue robe, casting a narrow fold.

He pulled his hand out of his sleeve and then released it again, repeating this several times.

Xu Qianhui thought, he's probably calculating.

He calculated how much Lin Zhiwei had said, and how much he himself knew.

She clutched her handkerchief, her sobs subsiding slightly: "Zuo An, if you have someone else in your heart, you can tell me. You know I'm not shameless. If you truly love someone else, I won't cling to you."

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

Lin Zuo'an moved forward a little, then stopped. As if afraid of startling her, he softened his voice.

"How can you believe her utter nonsense? I love you so much, how could I possibly have someone else?"

"Then why did she say you agreed to marry that Miaoyun?" Xu Qianhui looked up at him, tears still clinging to her eyelashes. "I thought we were soulmates and would stay together forever. I never imagined that in the end I would be the most ridiculous one."

That Lin Zhiwei is something else.

That Lin Zhiwei!

Lin Zuo'an suddenly stood up, his face filled with undisguised anger: "So it was her who bullied you! Ah Hui, you wait, I'm going to the Marquis of Wu'an's residence right now to ask her why she's stirring up trouble and trying to drive a wedge between us!"

Xu Qianhui sat on the edge of the couch and gently sniffed.

If that's true.

Such righteous indignation.

How can it be fake?

It turns out that the most powerful deception is not that every word is a lie.

Rather, it's nine parts truth concealing a hidden dagger.

Lin Zuo'an strode to the door, his hand already on the curtain.

Even though she knew he wouldn't really go, Xu Qianhui still called out to him.

"No! You've only been back in the capital for a short time, how could you possibly handle the vast Marquis of Wu'an's residence?"

Lin Zuo'an visibly relaxed his shoulders, but when he turned around, his face was still full of indignation.

"So what if it's the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion? They dare to bully you like that, thinking you have no one backing you? If I don't demand an explanation, how can I face you?"

"So..." Wiping away her tears with a sorrowful expression, Xu Qianhui stood up and walked three steps away from him: "You really don't know this Miaoyun?"

"Of course! You're so wonderful, how could I possibly go looking for someone else behind your back?"

Lin Zuo'an took two steps closer, his voice urgent.

"As you know, I've been running errands for my father these days and haven't had any time to get to know other people."

Xu Qianhui lowered her eyelashes slightly and did not reply.

Lin Zuo'an gently pulled her into his arms, coaxing her softly, "Ah Hui, think about it. After returning to the capital, we were practically inseparable. Before that, in Jiangnan, we were together every single day, right?"

His eyes were sincere, and his every glance and gesture was full of tenderness.

Xu Qianhui stared at him for a long while before whispering, "Then why would Miss Lin say that? Did she think I still admire your brother, so she deliberately slandered you to force me to leave the capital?"

"That must be it." Lin Zuo'an immediately said, "Ahui, don't be sad. I'll go find my brother right now and tell him to keep his people in line and stop them from doing those shady things."

Xu Qianhui bit her lip, as if she had been persuaded by him.

Just then, a deep male voice came from outside the curtain.

"Who are I to you?"

The curtain was lifted from the outside.

Lin Zuoqing, dressed in a black brocade robe, entered under the moonlight.

He carried the chill of the night, and even his clothes were disheveled.

His angular face was hidden in the lamplight, revealing no emotion.

Only when his gaze lingered on Xu Qianhui's face did it stay for a while longer.

Xu Qianhui broke free from Lin Zuo'an and bowed slightly: "Greetings, Lord Lin."

Lin Zuoqing did not respond.

Lin Zuo'an saw the person approaching and went to greet him in a few steps.

"Brother, how did you know I was here?" he asked, his voice filled with surprise. "Is there something you need?"

Lin Zuoqing withdrew his gaze and looked at him: "The Spring Breeze Painting Boat has put on a new play, and I was thinking of inviting you to go and see it together."

As he spoke, he looked at Xu Qianhui with a meaningful smile in his eyes.

"Looks like you're busy..."

Spring Breeze Painted Boat, isn't that the place that Lin Zuoqing took me to after I was chased that day?

Instead of figuring out how to get out of this case, this guy actually has the mood to visit brothels?

Could it be...?

Did he set a trap for the Prince of An's heir on the Spring Breeze Pleasure Boat?

But what does this have to do with Lin Zuo'an? Why drag him along?

Lin Zuo'an did not have Xu Qianhui's tactful thinking.

His eyes lit up when he heard there was a new play.

"Of course I have time!" He turned to Xu Qianhui. "Ah Hui, the plays performed by the Spring Breeze Painting Boat are famous throughout the capital. You must not have seen them. Shall we go together?"

Xu Qianhui naturally wouldn't refute him in front of Lin Zuoqing.

Her eyes were still red at the corners, but her voice was very gentle.

"Since you wish to go, I will naturally accompany you." She paused, then looked at Lin Zuoqing: "I just don't know if Lord Lin would be willing."

"Does my cousin want to go too?"

Lin Zuoqing smiled, and even the corners of his eyes curved up. He seemed to suddenly remember something and gently patted his forehead.

"I almost forgot, I also made plans to go with Zhiwei."

Xu Qianhui looked at him in surprise.

Lin Zuo'an was also stunned: "Miss Lin is going too?"

The Grand Tutor's residence had strict rules; all female members of the household were not allowed to leave the residence after sunset.

A few days ago, he was able to stay at the Grand Tutor's residence until late at night by taking the opportunity to discuss knowledge with the Grand Tutor.

The reason he wanted to go see the play was because he was certain that Qin Miaoyun wouldn't be able to go.

But if Lin Zhiwei also wants to go...

Xu Qianhui smiled inwardly as she looked at the troubled expression on Lin Zuo'an's face.

Men are all greedy, as expected.

We want both the future and the past.

He wanted a noblewoman, yet he couldn't bear to part with the warmth and fragrance of her bedside.

Xu Qianhui said softly, "Since Miss Lin is going too, I won't go."

Lin Zuo'an was about to speak.

Lin Zuoqing asked first, "Why?"

"She already misunderstood me a lot at the pavilion today. If we sit together again, wouldn't that annoy her?"

"Zhiwei is straightforward, so why should my cousin hold it against her?"

Lin Zuoqing spoke in a calm tone.

Xu Qianhui did not respond.

He added, "Furthermore, you two will be sisters-in-law in the future, so it's best to clear up any misunderstandings as soon as possible to avoid any unrest in the household."

Lin Zuo'an took this as his brother covering for him and quickly echoed, "Brother is right. From now on, we're all family. If Miss Lin is willing to apologize to Ahui, we'll let this matter drop."

Listening to the two brothers take turns singing, Xu Qianhui suddenly wanted to laugh.

A man who had a past relationship with her climbed through her window at night.

One man who had pledged his life to her turned around and agreed to marry into the Qin family.

Now they stand here, one talking about the future, the other about family.

That's really respectable.

Very well, since the stage has been set up at the Spring Breeze Painting Boat, she might as well go and take a look.

Let's see what Lin Zuoqing is really up to.

"In that case, we will listen to Lord Lin."