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

Xu Qianhui leaned against the bedpost and looked at him for a moment.

The spring breeze still seeps into the seams of our clothes on the painted boat tonight, and the shadow of Lin Zuoqing standing in the firelight with his sword has not yet faded away.

Now there's another one in the bed who knows how to be affectionate.

The Duke's mansion was busier at night than the opera stage.

Before Xu Qianhui could speak, he continued, "Granny Fang said you were taking care of Grandmother and wouldn't let me in. Isn't Grandmother's illness troublesome? You've really had a hard time."

Xu Qianhui suddenly realized.

It was probably after Lin Zuo'an returned that he came to Ci'an Hall looking for someone again, and the old lady covered for him.

"Yes, as soon as I got back, the old lady called me over to talk. But before we could say more than a few words, she fell asleep."

She raised her hand and pounded her neck, then sat down on the edge of the bed.

"The elderly are light sleepers and will wake up at the slightest noise, so I can't leave."

Lin Zuo'an pressed his fingertips against her sleeve, stroking the embroidered edge.

"What did Grandma say to you?"

His tone was soft, and his face was full of flattery.

Even a cat that runs back from the rain is nothing special.

Xu Qianhui was really tired tonight, and only replied lazily, "We just chatted about everyday things."

After going through a confession, if she were to still be as gentle and attentive to him as before, that would be truly degrading.

"Just everyday talk?" Lin Zuo'an looked up at her. "Did they mention me?"

"Yes, she mentioned it. The old lady said you don't sleep at night and keep going into the young ladies' rooms."

Lin Zuo'an paused for a moment, then chuckled softly, "Grandmother finds it troublesome even to manage me, so she wouldn't say that."

"She would have said that if she knew you were here."

"Then don't tell her."

Lin Zuo'an retreated into the bed and pulled back the covers.

"Come to sleep, I've warmed the blankets up, it's nice and cozy."

Xu Qianhui lay down in bed, thinking of the countless nights she had waited for him to come back, and felt a little useless.

Four years ago, she fell in love with Lin Zuoqing and they secretly slept together at night.

Four years later, still in the Duke's mansion, she was forced into another secret relationship. But this time, the person in bed wasn't Lin Zuoqing, but his younger brother.

Xu Qianhui rolled over and lay on her side, closing her eyes.

Lin Zuoan was quiet for a while, and then a hand reached up to her waist.

"Afen..."

Xu Qianhui brushed him away.

"Zuo An, I'm tired."

"I'll be quick... okay?"

"not good."

Lin Zuo'an buried his face in her shoulder, his breath falling on her neck.

"Ah Hui, please, let me kiss you."

Xu Qianhui was too lazy to pay him any attention.

Lin Zuo'an stopped moving when his hand touched the thick menstrual cloth.

"you……"

"Yes, it's here."

Xu Qianhui spoke in a detached tone.

She put on a menstrual pad after washing up.

Although the day hadn't come yet, she still had to be wary of the two brothers who were good at surprise attacks.

For a man, this is akin to a general on the battlefield indiscriminately slaughtering enemy troops, only to suddenly discover that the targets of his own killings are his own men.

My whole body was ice cold.

Lin Zuo'an was stunned for a while before hugging Xu Qianhui under the covers.

"Does it hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt."

"You want me to have someone make brown sugar water?"

"If you dare to go out and call for help, by tomorrow even the dogs of Ci'an Hall will know you're sleeping in my bed."

Lin Zuo'an chuckled softly, "Then I'll rub your stomach."

"No need."

"Just rub it once."

"Lin Zuo'an".

"Okay, I won't move."

He couldn't speak, but his hand gently rested on her lower abdomen through her clothes.

I didn't rub it, I just kept it warm.

Xu Qianhui opened her eyes and looked at the moonlit canopy for a while.

This person is quite skilled at feigning helplessness.

Did Qin Miaoyun see him when he was pitiful?

I'm a little curious, what should I do?

Or... should we look into this matter later?

Xu Qianhui turned her back to him and closed her eyes, but there was a knock on the door.

Qing Shu's voice came from outside the door.

"Miss Xu, the young master said he lost something while he was out today. Please open the door so I can look for it."

Lin Zuo'an irritably threw off the covers and muttered under his breath, "What could my brother possibly have lost in the middle of the night that would make him need to come all the way here to look for it?"

Xu Qianhui carefully reviewed the events of the evening in her mind and also felt baffled.

When did she take Lin Zuoqing's things?

But this was the Duke's mansion, and Lin Zuoqing was the heir apparent. If he said something was missing, she had no choice but to open the door and let them search.

Even though it's past midnight now.

Xu Qianhui nudged Lin Zuoan: "Get dressed and climb out the back window."

Lin Zuo'an looked at her and asked, "Why would I climb through the window?"

"You want to leave through the front door?"

"I……"

"If you want the Qin family to know tomorrow, leave through the main gate tonight."

Lin Zuo'an shut his mouth, pursed his lips, and put on his outer robe.

Seemingly unconvinced, he muttered curses under his breath as he fastened the belt.

"Brother, did you take the wrong medicine tonight?"

"They even went to the girl's room to look for something they had lost."

"ill."

Xu Qianhui went to the back window and opened the latch.

The old lady chose a good courtyard; by climbing out of the back window, she could directly exit Ci'an Hall.

After Lin Zuo'an climbed out, Xu Qianhui closed the window and made sure he hadn't left anything behind before opening the door.

There was only Qing Shu outside the door.

He clasped his hands and bowed slightly: "Miss Xu, please forgive me."

Xu Qianhui stepped aside.

"Was the thing that the young master lost valuable?"

"I don't know."

"Okay, go ahead and search."

Upon entering the room, Qing Shu first looked at the bedside and then carefully examined every other place.

He even touched every inch of the bed sheet.

Xu Qianhui sat on a round stool, supporting her forehead with her hand.

She was so tired that her eyelids were drooping and she kept yawning.

When Qing Shu turned to the dressing case, she spoke softly.

"Those are all women's items."

Qing Shu stopped his hand on the box lid: "Miss Xu, don't worry, I'll just look, I won't touch it."

"You've already touched it."

Qing Shu's ears turned red, and she withdrew her hand.

Xu Qianhui yawned: "Did Your Highness say what should be done if something is not found?"

"no."

"So what if we found it?"

"No, not at all."

"Then you've come all this way rather foolishly."

Qing Shu didn't reply and went straight to the washroom, where the sound of rummaging through wooden shelves could be heard shortly afterward.

"Found it!"

Suddenly, Qing Shu called out from the washroom.

Xu Qianhui frowned slightly.

I just finished washing up, so there couldn't possibly be anything belonging to Lin Zuoqing in the washroom.

If he wanted to kick me out of the mansion, he could have simply given the order.

He would at most be scolded by the old lady afterward, but he wouldn't even get a beating; he would just have to accept it.

There's really no need to resort to such despicable tactics as framing and shifting blame.

It's truly despicable.

It wasn't until Qing Shu came out of the washroom, carrying a pair of pure white underwear in her hand, that she realized what had happened.

The hem of the underpants was embroidered with very fine cloud patterns; they were wrinkled and damp.

Xu Qianhui stood there, silent for a long time.

The room was lit by a single lamp, its light dim.

The underwear dangled in mid-air.

Xu Qianhui looked at Qing Shu, then at the underpants.

Even though she had witnessed countless conspiracies and schemes, she still found this scene somewhat unbearable.

"Miss Xu, I apologize for disturbing you. I'll go back and report now."

Qing Shu spoke excitedly, and walked out with light steps, carrying the pair of underpants, as if this achievement would make him the steward of the Duke's mansion.

Xu Qianhui looked at the pitch-black night, and her lips twitched.

Lin Zuoqing, what exactly does he mean by playing this deadly game?

He actually tried to frame me for stealing his underwear!