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

Lin Zuo'an's fingertips were still resting on the curtain.

Inside the carriage, Xu Qianhui kept her eyes down, her fingertips pressed against the dark patterns on her cuffs, and remained silent.

"Ah Hui, don't be afraid." The curtain fell, and Lin Zuo'an's voice was very soft: "You are my person, so you should stand by my side with dignity."

Xu Qianhui looked up at him.

The young man had bright eyes and a gentle air about him, a quality nurtured by the water towns of Jiangnan. Yet, when he spoke these words, he displayed an unyielding and resolute spirit.

"Okay." Xu Qianhui nodded, "I'll go with you."

She followed Lin Zuo'an down from the carriage, her skirt sweeping across the carriage shaft, the blue brocade pressing down on the toes of her shoes, her movements perfectly proper and without a single mistake.

Inside the Linglang Pavilion, the room was filled with dazzling pearls.

Madam Fu sat on a rosewood chair, with Lin Zuoqing standing beside her.

The girl in the pale yellow brocade dress stood in front of the counter, a string of pearls draped over her wrist.

With fair skin, delicate features, and a poised demeanor befitting a young lady from a prominent family.

As soon as Xu Qianhui entered the room, Madam Fu's face darkened.

"Ah Hui greets Aunt." Xu Qianhui stepped forward and curtsied, "It's been many years since we last met, Aunt has become even more radiant."

Fu's lips twitched slightly: "Get up."

Lin Zuo'an greeted her with a smile, "Greetings, Auntie."

He then bowed to Lin Zuoqing and said, "Brother."

Lin Zuoqing stood in the light, his dark robes so imposing that no one dared to approach.

The slight smile he had when he was putting flowers in Lin Zhiwei's hair had completely vanished.

Where are you going?

This question was directed at Lin Zuo'an.

His gaze, however, passed over him and landed on Xu Qianhui.

Xu Qianhui lowered her eyes, staring only at the blue brick on the ground.

"Take Ah Hui for a stroll around the capital," Lin Zuo'an replied with a smile. "She's just returned, and many places are unfamiliar to her."

"The capital city has many roads and a diverse population," Lin Zuoqing said calmly. "It would be best if my second brother kept a close eye on things."

Lin Zuo'an took it as a well-intentioned gesture from Lin Zuoqing.

"Brother, rest assured, I will protect her."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qianhui's fingertips curled slightly.

The word "protect" was a rare commodity in the Duke's mansion.

It sounds too expensive to say it out loud.

After watching for a while, Madam Fu suddenly laughed: "Zhiwei, come here."

Lin Zhiwei put down the pearl and walked to Fu's side as instructed.

Fu took her hand, her smile becoming more genuine.

"This is Lin Zhiwei, the young lady of the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion." Then, looking at Lin Zuo'an, she said, "Zhiwei, this is Zuo'an. He only returned to the capital two months ago. This Linlang Pavilion is the property of Zuo'an's maternal grandfather's family. Feel free to choose whatever you like; consider it a gift for your future sister-in-law."

Lin Zhiwei blushed slightly and curtsied to Lin Zuoan.

"Greetings, Second Young Master."

"Miss Lin, you don't need to be so polite." Lin Zuo'an said readily, "I also need to buy some new jewelry for Ahui, so please feel free to choose whatever you like."

"Zuo An does know how to care for people." The smile in Madam Fu's eyes faded slightly. "But jewelry should be chosen according to one's status. Too much jewelry can be overwhelming."

Lin Zuo'an grinned: "Ah Hui is born beautiful, she can handle anything."

Upon hearing this, Madam Fu's expression darkened even further.

Lin Zuoqing suddenly spoke up: "The shopkeeper just said that there are new styles upstairs. I'll take Miss Lin to try them on."

Lin Zhiwei looked up at Madam Fu.

Madam Fu patted her hand: "Go ahead, A-Qing has always had good taste."

Lin Zhiwei softly agreed, and the two went upstairs side by side.

Xu Qianhui kept her eyes straight ahead, but as footsteps passed by her, the wind stirred by her clothes brushed against her sleeves.

That scent was something she knew all too well.

The scent of ink, cold tea, and the agarwood she personally blended back then.

Three years have passed, and nothing has changed.

funny.

People change, but these external things remain incredibly loyal.

If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have given away the recipe for agarwood back then.

Madam Fu then looked at Lin Zuo'an: "Zuo'an, I've been wandering around for a while, and I'd like to drink the rose drink from Tianxianglou."

Lin Zuo'an glanced at the door and said, "I'll have my servant go buy it."

"The rose drink should be freshly brewed," Madam Fu said with a smile. "What, you won't even run an errand for your aunt?"

"Then I'll take Ah Hui with me."

"I watched her grow up. It's just a few words, what am I going to do to her?"

These words sounded intimate, so Lin Zuo'an could only look at Xu Qianhui.

"I'll be right back. You wait for me here, okay?"

Xu Qianhui smiled gently at him: "Go ahead, it's been a long time since I've spoken to my aunt."

"If anyone makes you unhappy, just send Qingyi to find me."

Before leaving, Lin Zuo'an deliberately raised the volume of his words.

Xu Qianhui almost burst out laughing.

Lin Zuo'an's audacity in openly leaving someone to relay a message in front of the Fu family is truly remarkable.

Once Lin Zuo'an left Linlang Pavilion, the smile on Madam Fu's face completely vanished.

The shopkeeper at the counter, quick to read the room, led his staff away. Madam Fu also dismissed all the maids and servants, and the maid in green standing guard outside was naturally not allowed to enter.

"You're really something," Madam Fu frowned at her. "Who let you come back?"

"Aunt, I don't understand what you mean." Xu Qianhui stood up straight: "There's no monument in the capital that says Xu Qianhui is not allowed to enter."

Fu's eyes darkened: "You made such nice promises when you left the capital, saying you'd never return. You really have a short memory."

"Three years have passed, Aunt, it's time for me to start a new life." Xu Qianhui raised her eyes: "Besides, Aunt should be happy that I'm with Zuo An."

Fu stared at her for a long time, as if trying to see through the person in front of her.

After a long silence, she finally smiled and said, "It's been three years since we last met, and you've become quite understanding. By the way, if you need any help with your wedding, I can have someone get Zuo An drunk, so you can change your handkerchief then."

Xu Qianhui tightened her knuckles: "No need."

Madam Fu still smiled: "A woman's innocence is paramount. Zuo An may be a bit foolish, but he would never accept someone like you. If you want to live a comfortable life in the future, you'd better make sure to keep the doors and windows closed and don't let him find out anything."

"Aunt, are you scared?" Xu Qianhui laughed as well. "The young master hates me to the core. Even if he knows what happened in the past, he won't turn back. Aunt, do you remember what he said when I jumped into the river in front of you that day?"

The river water in October was bone-chillingly cold.

Lin Zuoqing stood on the shore, his robes fluttering in the night wind.

He said, "Xu Qianhui, once you're dead, we'll be even."

She was later rescued by the woman in green.

The consultation fee was still paid by the Fu family.

From beginning to end, Lin Zuoqing didn't even glance at her once.

"Since you remember, you should know your limits. Minister Zuo is about to be engaged. If anyone tries to disrupt things by bringing up old matters and ruins the good match between the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion and the Duke's mansion, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Xu Qianhui said softly, "Auntie is right."

Madam Fu looked at her for a moment, then smiled more genuinely: "Since you call me aunt, how could I not love you? Alright, as long as you don't let the past affect you, your aunt believes that you and Zuo An will have a long and happy life together."

Xu Qianhui nodded: "I understand."

"It's good that you're sensible." Madam Fu straightened her cuffs. "By the way, tomorrow is the Second Madam's birthday. Although she's a stepmother, she's been quite devoted to Zuo An. There's a birthday banquet being held at the manor. You should come tomorrow at Shenshi (3-5 PM)."

Just as Xu Qianhui was about to refuse, Madam Fu looked up at her.

"Now that you're back, you should go back to the manor to kowtow and pay your respects to the old lady."