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

Lin Zuo'an turned to stare at Lin Zhiwei, his words filled with barely concealed anger.

"What gossip have you been spreading about to my fiancée this time?"

Lin Zhiwei was at a loss, wanting to say something, but only managed to stammer, "I, I didn't, I..."

Xu Qianhui couldn't help but sigh.

If she were Lin Zhiwei, she would definitely question Lin Zuoan directly about why he was trying to please both women and manipulate her friend.

Instead of looking like they've done something wrong and being unable to utter a complete sentence.

Lin Zhiwei dared to humiliate herself, but dared not say a word to Lin Zuo'an. She thought the merchant's daughter was easy to bully, but dared not offend Lin Zuo'an.

Just then, the beaded curtain rang out again.

Lin Zuoqing walked in and asked in a deep voice, "What's wrong?"

Lin Zhiwei, her eyes red, went over and hid behind Lin Zuoqing.

"Minister Zuo, I thought Xu Qianhui was pestering the Second Young Master to become his mistress, so I said a few words to her... I, I also said something to Miaoyun..."

Lin Zhiwei's behavior was completely different from how she acted so matter-of-factly at the Duke's mansion, which suggests that she must have taken Lin Rulan's words to heart.

"It's alright," said Lin Zuoqing.

Just two words were enough to show his attitude of protecting Lin Zhiwei.

Lin Zhiwei visibly relaxed, and her whole demeanor was no longer as tense as before.

She stepped out from behind Lin Zuoqing and looked at Xu Qianhui.

"Xu Qianhui, I'm so sorry, I didn't know you were also kept in the dark. If I had known you were unaware of the truth, I wouldn't have said those things to you. But Miaoyun and the Second Young Master..."

"Shut up!"

Lin Zuo'an roared, his fierce gaze almost tearing her apart on the spot.

Xu Qianhui remained seated on the ground, tears streaming down her face, looking as if the sky had fallen and everything was shattered.

If a gust of wind were to come at this moment, it would surely blow her away.

Lin Zhiwei was so frightened that she shrank back, her face turning deathly pale, even her lips losing all color.

Lin Zuoqing shielded her behind him, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Zuo An, apologize."

Lin Zuo'an was furious. He picked up Xu Qianhui and didn't even glance at Lin Zhiwei.

"Brother, Ah Hui has been frightened. I'll take her back to the manor first."

"What kind of scene would you make if you went back like this?" Lin Zuoqing stopped him.

Lin Zuo'an opened his mouth, but ultimately did not disobey Lin Zuoqing: "Then I'll take Ahui upstairs to rest for a while."

As he went upstairs, ignoring the noise from the flower boats, he whispered in Xu Qianhui's ear, "Ahui, don't listen to her nonsense. I'll explain things to you clearly."

Even after entering the side room, Xu Qianhui sat on the bed, still looking completely lost.

She didn't speak, didn't make a fuss, and even stopped crying.

She thought that perhaps Lin Zuoqing hadn't set a trap for Prince An at all when they boarded the pleasure boat.

The only person he ever wanted to trap was himself.

Just like how he forced himself to return to the capital.

He wanted to expose the bloody truth to Lin Zuo'an, so that he would have no face to stay in the capital.

He wanted her to see his beautiful wife by his side.

He wanted her to see things clearly.

Xu Qianhui is only fit to rot in the mud; she's not even worthy of being the mistress of the second young master of the Duke's mansion.

It was only when Lin Zuoan's voice came that she was pulled back from her reverie.

"Ah Hui, listen to me. After I pass the imperial examination, I will divorce Qin Miaoyun, using my connections with the Grand Tutor's family. I don't like her, really, not at all. The only reason I agreed to the marriage was for my career advancement."

As Lin Zuo'an spoke these words, he stared intently into Xu Qianhui's eyes.

"Ah Hui, you know that the second branch of the family has always had a difficult time in the Duke's mansion, so... my career is very important to me."

"Similarly, you are the person I love most and are very important to me, which is why I dare not tell you the truth."

Xu Qianhui's eyes slowly focused, and after a long while, she murmured something.

"But if you divorce her, wouldn't she, a noblewoman, become a discarded wife? How could she possibly agree to that?"

"I will not share a room with her, but I will arrange a good marriage for her, one that is no less prestigious than that of the Duke's mansion. She will agree."

At this point, Lin Zuo'an avoided Xu Qianhui's gaze.

"Ah Hui, believe me, in my heart, you are the only one I'm engaged to. It's just... these three years will be tough on you, and during this time, I can't be with you openly."

Xu Qianhui originally thought that after he confessed, he would let her return to Jiangnan and stay away from the vortex of trouble.

He kept saying he loved her the most, but all he wanted was for her to stay.

She stayed in the capital, becoming a mistress who couldn't be seen in public.

Even though she had already decided to leave him, Xu Qianhui still couldn't help but feel heartbroken.

She knew that Lin Zuoan would not divorce Qin Miaoyun.

In the complex and intertwined capital city, the benefits Qin Miaoyun brought him went far beyond simply being a newly appointed scholar.

The entire Grand Tutor's Mansion behind her would help this grandson-in-law advance steadily in the court.

Moreover, Qin Miaoyun's willingness to marry Lin Zuo'an must mean she is deeply in love with him.

Otherwise, why would a noblewoman marry the son of an illegitimate child?

Even the Duke's mansion wouldn't.

She spoke in a hoarse voice, "Zuo An, if you develop feelings for her, you must tell me. I will stay far away from you and never bother you in the slightest. In my life, I will never be anyone's mistress."

Lin Zuo'an stepped forward and hugged her tightly, as if afraid that she might suddenly disappear.

"No, Ah Hui, never."

Xu Qianhui didn't reply or hug him back.

Sensing Xu Qianhui's aloofness, Lin Zuoan leaned on her shoulder and silently shed tears.

Tears soaked her skin, and Xu Qianhui felt her shoulders were very cold and icy.

Until the knocking came.

Lin Zuo'an hurriedly wiped his face before asking in a hoarse voice, "Who?"

The door opened, and Lin Zuoqing strode in.

He acted as if he hadn't noticed Lin Zuo'an's embarrassment and sat down without looking back.

"I've seen Zhiwei off; you should go back to your residence now."

He was referring to Lin Zuo'an.

Lin Zuo'an was unwilling to let go of Xu Qianhui: "Why can't I return to the manor with Ahui?"

"If you don't want the marriage with the Qin family, you can go back like this."

After a moment, Lin Zuo'an finally let go.

"Brother, you must ensure Ah Hui's safety, and you must not be harsh with her."

Lin Zuoqing waved his hand.

Lin Zuo'an then left, turning back every few steps.

The room remained quiet for a long time, so long that Xu Qianhui suspected that Lin Zuoqing had laughed himself hoarse.

She straightened her clothes and said in a hoarse voice, "Lord Lin, I want to go back to my residence."

She's tired today and doesn't want to play along with his act.

Lin Zuoqing leaned over her, bracing himself on the bed with both hands, trapping her inside.

"Do you regret kissing him just now?"

His voice was low and warm, making Xu Qianhui's ears itch, so she turned her head away.

"Lord Lin's plans are flawless; he truly leaves no way out for anyone."

"A way out?" Lin Zuoqing chuckled. "You're capable of earning it yourself, do you really need me to give it to you?"

Xu Qianhui finally looked at him: "So, Lord Lin's way of repaying me is to make me completely sever ties with Zuo An?"

"Xu Qianhui, you should have known this when you gave me the brocade pouch, shouldn't you?"

Yes, on the way to Biyou Pond, Xu Qianhui secretly slipped the brocade pouch containing the message for Lin Zuoqing to apologize into his hand.

She didn't hesitate.

And it had been planned for a long time.

"So, is Lord Lin ready to go and apologize?"