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

"To apologize?"

Lin Zuoqing took two steps back and sneered.

"After watching this great show I put on, why do you still think I need to apologize?"

"Xu Qianhui, you deliberately used the brocade pouch to lure me, just so I could help you marry into the second wife's household smoothly, right?"

He grabbed Xu Qianhui's chin and smiled wickedly.

"You've forgotten what I said: you could never marry into the Lin family."

"Never in this lifetime."

How could she forget?

He clearly said he wouldn't let himself enter the Duke's mansion.

And she has already gone in.

Since the force wasn't strong, Xu Qianhui didn't struggle and let him pinch her chin.

She really wanted to see it.

If he knew he had a child with him, would he still speak with such conviction?

Thinking this, she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Even if I gave you all my secrets, there was still no chance?"

"What do you think?" Lin Zuoqing leaned closer to her.

The two were about half a cup of tea's distance apart, close enough for her to see the water stains on his clothes.

Xu Qianhui not only didn't dodge, but moved closer to him: "Lord Lin, you're so smug today, be careful it doesn't backfire."

"You clearly hate me, yet you still smile. What a hypocrite." Lin Zuoqing looked at her for a moment, then suddenly released her: "You stay here quietly and wait for my good news."

Xu Qianhui raised her head: "What if I'm not honest?"

"You can give it a try."

"Lord Lin can't just tie me up here."

"Tie you up?" Lin Zuoqing scoffed. "No need."

Xu Qianhui hadn't understood what he meant when, in the next moment, he had already turned and left the room.

The door closed, and a click came from outside.

It's locked.

Xu Qianhui stood there for a while before going over to open the door.

The door remained completely still.

She looked down at the crack in the door, and after a long while, muttered a curse under her breath.

"You dog of a man."

No one answered from outside.

She knocked on the door again.

"Minister Lin, if you dare lock me up until dawn, I'll go and cry to the old lady tomorrow."

Still no one.

Xu Qianhui withdrew her hand and rubbed her palm.

"Fine, you win."

She turned and sat on the edge of the bed, but then felt uncomfortable because her skirt was wet, so she simply took off her outer garment and draped it over the screen.

The tea had evaporated halfway, leaving only a faint ring of water.

She stared at the mark for a while, then, remembering what Lin Zuoqing had just said, she suddenly smiled.

So tonight he's not only going to show off his brains, but also his skills...

I wonder which unlucky fellow under Prince An's command will fall victim to this.

Thinking this way, drowsiness gradually crept in.

Xu Qianhui only wanted to rely on someone.

But today, from Cixi Hall to the painted boat, I cried and acted, and was angered by Lin Zuoqing again.

She hugged the pillow to her chest, and her eyelids began to feel heavy.

The second act was being sung downstairs.

The music faded into the distance.

Half asleep and half awake, Xu Qianhui vaguely felt that the ship seemed to sway slightly.

She suddenly opened her eyes.

The lights in the side room had gone out at some point, and there were flickering flames on the window paper. Outside, there were many more chaotic footsteps.

Another loud bang.

Like planks hitting planks.

Immediately afterwards, the sound of clashing weapons rang out.

Xu Qianhui immediately rolled off the bed, and as soon as her feet touched the ground, the boat rocked again.

She steadied herself on the corner of the table and whispered, "Minister Lin?"

No one responded.

She hurried to the door and tugged at it twice.

The lock is still there.

"Minister Lin! Are you there?!"

There was still no one outside.

Xu Qianhui gritted her teeth, turned around, and ran to the window.

The window latch was pushed open, and the night wind rushed in.

The Huai River was lit up with scattered lights, and beside the painted boats in the spring breeze, two flower boats had collided at some point.

The bows of the ships collided, and the sounds of clashing weapons echoed continuously from the ships.

Xu Qianhui was greatly alarmed and hurriedly searched for Lin Zuoqing's figure among them.

One group of people was dressed in fine clothes, while the other group was dressed entirely in black.

The blade flashed across the railing.

A man in fine clothes fell into the water, thrashed about for a moment, and was then caught by a rope by a man in black.

The men in black were all masked, and their figures were similar. The river wind was strong, making it difficult to tell who was who for a moment.

Xu Qianhui held onto the window frame, her fingertips pressing against the wooden edge.

She dared not call out, and could only search by looking at her.

"Don't let anything happen..."

If you die, the opera in the Duke's mansion will never be performed again.

On the two pleasure boats, a well-dressed man with impressive skills forced back three men in black.

But then two more people came up behind him, one grabbed his wrist and the other kicked him in the back of the knee.

The man fell to his knees and was instantly pinned down by the back of his neck.

Xu Qianhui's palms went numb from watching.

As the sounds of fighting faded, the sounds of people falling into the water became more frequent.

The man in black made a very clean move.

They didn't kill people, they just removed the knives, pinned them down, gagged them, and took them away.

It appears to be an official operation.

Xu Qianhui's gaze swept over one man in black and then fell on another.

Finally, he recognized Lin Zuoqing among the men in black.

He pulled off his face mask, his long hair tied up high and dancing in the wind. His tall figure moved about, directing something, and it was impossible to tell if he was injured.

Xu Qianhui breathed very softly as she watched the richly dressed men being taken away one by one.

Lin Zuoqing stood on the opposite ship's side, holding a long sword. He turned his head and met her gaze.

Across a stretch of water, a patch of fire.

The night wind blew open the outer garment she was wearing over her shoulders.

She stood inside the window, her hair slightly loosened, the firelight on the river reflected in her eyes.

The river, which had been shouting and threatening just moments before, fell silent for a moment in this sight.

Xu Qianhui suddenly had an absurd idea.

If only he had stood in front of her like this three years ago.

Would she then not jump into the river?

The thought had barely formed in her mind when she forcefully closed the window halfway.

"Idiot, what am I thinking?" she muttered to herself. "He's here to kill people, not to save them."

Not long after, the lock on the side room was opened.

Lin Zuoqing stood outside the door, turning his head to gesture for Xu Qianhui to leave.

Xu Qianhui immediately ran over.

As she passed by him, she smelled a faint scent of blood.

It's very light.

It was scattered by the river breeze.

Only after he was seated in the carriage and casually placed his longsword aside did Lin Zuoqing speak.

"how?"

Arresting more than ten people in one go is certainly impressive.

Moreover... Xu Qianhui could not forget the imposing figure who had just drawn his sword and slaughtered everyone in his path.

He did eventually learn swordsmanship.

She once begged him to accompany her to see a sword dance.

He always said, "What's so interesting about a pretty facade?"

She laughed at him, saying, "Cousin, you can't wield a sword, that's why you say it doesn't look good."

He tapped her forehead with a book: "I'm not good at these things."

In these three years, he not only learned.

And you've learned it so well.

Like a belated childhood dream.

Xu Qianhui would not say these things.

She looked up at him: "What if the Prince of An's heir asks you for people?"

"Those who came today are all the Crown Prince's personal guards; he wouldn't dare."

"Hmm." Xu Qianhui nodded, then asked, "Is the master injured?"

"What's it to you?" Lin Zuoqing looked at her. "Xu Qianhui, you saw it tonight. I have the ability to get away with anything without having to apologize. If you interfere in my case again, you will be charged with obstructing official business."

Xu Qianhui immediately turned her head away and stopped looking at him.

The carriage drove through the bluestone street.

The capital city gradually quieted down at night.

Xu Qianhui was extremely sleepy, but dared not sleep.

Lin Zuoqing sat opposite him, like a sword with its edge sheathed.

Even when drawn, it is still sharp and uncomfortable.

When the carriage stopped at the side gate of the Duke's mansion, it was already past 1 AM.

The side courtyard of Ci'an Hall was very quiet, with only one lamp left on under the corridor.

The wind blows the lamplight, making the stone steps appear white.

Xu Qianhui forced herself to go to the bathroom to wash up before going to bed.

As soon as she pulled back the covers, she saw Lin Zuo'an lying in her bed wearing only his undergarments.

Her black hair was spread out on the pillow, and her eyes were still wet.

He blinked at her.

"Afen."

"Why did it take you so long to get back?"

As he spoke, he reached out from under the covers and gently hooked his hand around her sleeve.

"It's so cold while I'm waiting."