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

Even after nightfall, the streets of Nancheng remained bustling with activity.

An old man selling sugar carried his load through the crowd, the sound of a gong echoing from the alley entrance to the bridgehead.

The Huai River was ablaze with lights, and several flower boats passed by, their red gauze lanterns swaying gently in the wind, casting shimmering gold reflections on the water.

When Xu Qianhui boarded the ship, Lin Zhiwei had already arrived.

Today she wore a moon-white embroidered orchid skirt, with only a jade hairpin in her hair, looking simple and elegant.

Xu Qianhui thought that after what happened at Biyouchi, she would inevitably hear some harsh words when they met again.

Lin Zhiwei only glanced at her before turning around and following Lin Zuoqing.

A stage was set up in the center of the first floor of the Spring Breeze Painted Boat.

Several women danced with long sleeves, their shadows sweeping across the lights, while the audience sat quietly listening to the music.

Unlike ordinary restaurants, this place is not noisy; even the waiters who serve tea walk very quietly.

The group of four entered a private room on the second floor.

The private rooms are separated by beaded curtains, and the soft chairs are for two people, with a narrow passageway in between.

Lin Zuoqing and Lin Zuoan sat next to each other, while Xu Qianhui and Lin Zhiwei sat on either side.

As soon as Xu Qianhui sat down, he looked down at the stage.

All the private rooms on the second floor are arranged in a square shape.

Looking down from here, you can clearly see the first-floor countertop.

There were no lights on in the private room.

The light from outside couldn't shine in, and even the color of the clothes looked pale as the person sat inside.

Xu Qianhui raised her hand and brushed aside the beaded curtain; the beads touched lightly and made a soft rustling sound.

Lin Zuo'an leaned closer: "Ah Hui, do you like it here?"

"Yes, these layouts are quite ingenious."

Lin Zuo'an laughed and said, "When we return to Jiangnan, I will also build you a pleasure boat. You can listen to opera or music whenever you want."

Xu Qianhui responded with an "okay".

The words had barely left his lips when the sound of a teacup gently falling echoed through the narrow passage.

Xu Qianhui didn't look, but heard Lin Zhiwei ask, "Minister Zuo, is the tea cold?"

"It's acceptable."

"This sugar pastry is one of your favorites, have a taste."

Upon hearing the words "sugar crisp," Xu Qianhui traced a line on the edge of her cloak with her fingertip.

Lin Zuoqing used to dislike sweets.

When she ate sugar pastries, he always said they were too sweet.

She insisted on stuffing it into his mouth and watched him grimace as he ate it.

After she finished eating, she asked him to pour her tea.

Now it has become one of his favorite foods.

Lin Zuo'an suddenly picked up a piece of candied fruit and held it to her lips.

"Try it, it's sweet and sour."

Xu Qianhui lowered her head and took a bite; the candied fruit was so sour that it made her tongue numb.

She didn't spit it out; she swallowed it.

Lin Zuo'an hurriedly asked, "Is it delicious?"

"Of course it tastes good if you give it to me."

"Then I'll get you another one."

No sooner had she finished speaking than a drumbeat suddenly blared from the first floor, saving Xu Qianhui from saying anything.

After several "thump thump thump" sounds, the lights around the stage went out, leaving only the center of the stage brightly lit.

The performer stepped onto the stage with small steps, flicked her water sleeves, and the entire audience fell silent.

This play depicts a scholar on his way to the imperial examinations, arriving in the capital for the first time. At a poetry gathering, a young lady from a noble family watches him through the flowers.

She asked him, "Would you, sir, be willing to admire the plum blossoms in winter and the moon in autumn with me?"

The scholar bowed and said, "I am poor and need not hinder Miss's future."

The young lady laughed and said, "If you're afraid of ruining my life, I'll elope with you."

The scholar, unwilling to let the young lady bear a bad reputation, studied diligently day and night, hoping to pass the imperial examination and be worthy of her.

But after the spring imperial examination, his name was not on the list.

Before he returned to his hometown in despair, he brought back a white dog.

"Miss, you've waited for me for three years."

"When I return to the capital, I will bring you home in a grand sedan chair carried by eight men."

As Xu Qianhui sang this part, she suddenly remembered that night when she pretended to be asleep, and Lin Zuoan had said the same thing.

However, their fate was destined to be different from that of the excerpted opera.

When the scholar returned to the capital, he indeed achieved the highest rank of Tan Hua (third-place scholar) and eventually married the young lady.

After the performance, applause filled the hall, and Lin Zhiwei pressed a handkerchief to the corner of her eye.

"Zuo Qing, I also want a white dog, just like the one in the play."

In the darkness, Lin Zuoqing hummed in response.

Xu Qianhui suddenly remembered why she had asked Lin Zuoan about dogs that day.

The woman in green spoke so clearly, even mimicking Qin Miaoyun's joyful expression when she received the dog.

She wanted that kind of joy too.

Suddenly, she felt a warmth on the back of her hand, and Lin Zuo'an covered her hand with his palm.

"Why are your hands so cold?"

As he spoke, he picked up the cloak beside him and carefully draped it over her shoulders.

Xu Qianhui looked up and kissed him on the cheek.

Lin Zuo'an chuckled softly, cupped her face, and pressed his lips to hers.

The kiss came so quickly that it took them a while to separate.

Lin Zuoqing, who was standing nearby, had already disappeared.

Lin Zuo'an smiled and said, "I'll go change my clothes and then I'll take you to the bow of the boat for some fresh air."

After the beaded curtain fell, only two breaths remained in the private room.

The music downstairs has changed to Qingqu.

The pipa's delicate sound, like a mountain stream flowing into one's ear, is exquisite.

Lin Zhiwei sat for a long time before finally speaking.

"Xu Qianhui, didn't you hear what I said to you during the day? If you had any sense of shame, you shouldn't have continued to pester the Second Young Master."

Xu Qianhui sipped her tea and said calmly, "When have you ever seen me pestering him?"

"If you hadn't pestered him, why would he have brought you here? Do you know that if Miaoyun found out about this, she would be heartbroken?"

Lin Zhiwei walked to her side and looked down at her.

"Xu Qianhui, if I were you, I would know better than to leave. Aren't you from Jiangnan? You must have had enough to eat there. If you stay in the Duke's mansion now, you'll only be the one who suffers in the end."

Xu Qianhui looked up at her and said, "Miss Lin, do you think I'd believe such fabricated stories?"

"Stop pretending to be confused." Lin Zhiwei lowered her voice: "How could you be so shameless as to become a mistress who can't be seen in public?"

Xu Qianhui looked at her without saying anything.

Lin Zhiwei thought she had been hit where it hurt, and her tone became even colder.

"If you need money, I can give it to you. Take the money back to Jiangnan, and don't bother the Second Young Master anymore, nor cause any more trouble for Minister Zuo."

"The Left Minister?"

Xu Qianhui repeated softly.

"You don't actually want to drag Zuo Qing into this, do you?" Lin Zhiwei's eyes showed wariness. "I advise you to give up on that idea. Zuo Qing only has me in his heart. Even if you kneel in front of him, he won't even glance at you."

is it?

If he wouldn't even glance at me, why would he climb through the window and break into my room?

Such passionate and intense love, such a taste that makes you crave more.

That's how it is...

I can't let go.

Xu Qianhui lowered her eyes and smiled, when she suddenly heard footsteps outside.

Then, the beaded curtain of the private room was lifted.

Xu Qianhui swayed and fell to the ground.

The teacup was knocked over by her sleeve, and with a "clatter," the cold tea spilled onto her skirt, making her look like a weak woman who had been bullied.

Lin Zhiwei was stunned: "What are you doing?"

Xu Qianhui raised her head.

The light from the first floor shone through the gaps in the beaded curtain, illuminating her pale face.

She looked at Lin Zhiwei, her eyes just the right amount of red.

"Miss Lin, why are you humiliating me like this?"

Lin Zhiwei panicked slightly and took a half step back before saying, "Don't talk nonsense. How have I humiliated you?"

"Ah Fen!"

Lin Zuo'an rushed over to help Xu Qianhui, but she abruptly shook off his hand.

"Don't touch me."

Lin Zuo'an's hand froze in mid-air: "Ahui, what's wrong with you?"

Xu Qianhui stood up, leaning on the soft chair. The tea on her skirt soaked into her shoes and socks, chilling her to the bone.

She looked at him, tears streaming down her face.

"Zuo An, why did she call me a mistress? When did I become such a shameless mistress?"