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

No sooner had Madam Fu finished speaking than Lin Zuo'an entered the room carrying a food box.

"Aunt, Ah Hui, I'm back."

His forehead was covered in sweat, indicating that he had been walking very fast.

Madam Fu looked up at him: "So fast? Are you afraid your aunt is some kind of man-eating tiger?"

"Auntie, you're joking. I was just worried you'd have to wait too long."

Lin Zuo'an handed the food box to Granny Liu, then asked the shopkeeper to bring over a set of jewelry. He then turned to take Xu Qianhui's hand.

"Aunt, we've taken our things and will be leaving now. I just returned to the capital and haven't had time to attend to the affairs of Linlang Pavilion. If there are any suitable items, please trouble you to choose a couple for Grandmother as well."

Madam Fu looked at her, a smile on her lips, but little warmth in her eyes: "Go, remember to come to the manor tomorrow, lest people say you've been impolite."

"Yes, Aunt, Ah Hui will take her leave now."

Xu Qianhui followed suit, bowed, and left Lin Lang Pavilion with Lin Zuo'an.

The carriage rumbled forward, its curtains hanging low, blocking out the sounds of people on the street.

As soon as Lin Zuoan sat down, he went to look at her and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she looked alright.

"What did your aunt say to you? Did you suffer any injustice?"

Xu Qianhui straightened his clothes and said in a gentle tone, "We just chatted about everyday things. I used to be fostered at the Duke's mansion. Although there were some misunderstandings, my aunt still loves me. She even asked me to attend the Second Madam's birthday banquet tomorrow."

Lin Zuo'an scoffed upon hearing this.

"Nowadays, most of the Duke's mansion's expenses are covered by the money sent by my maternal grandfather's family every year. What does that have to do with that woman? They even specially sent you to celebrate her birthday. What a big face they have."

He took her hand and gently stroked her wrist with his fingertips.

"Ah Hui, when you return to the manor tomorrow, just talk to your grandmother and ignore everyone else. If anything unpleasant happens, just tell me. With me here, no one can bully you."

"It's not as serious as you say!"

Xu Qianhui leaned on his shoulder, her voice very soft.

"When I was a guest in the Duke's mansion, the old lady and my aunt treated me very well. Even if I were to die, I could not repay even a fraction of their kindness."

"Besides, the old lady is all bark and no bite; she wouldn't really punish me."

"Pah, pah, pah! What do you mean by 'shattered to pieces'? We're going to grow old together and spend our whole lives together. If anyone dares to shatter you to pieces, I'll risk my life to kill them."

Xu Qianhui smiled and said, "Zuo An, you're so kind."

Lin Zuo'an replied matter-of-factly, "That's because you deserve it."

He paused, then continued, "I only learned last night while we were drinking that Father's quick return to the capital was thanks to my elder brother's help. Come to think of it, apart from my brother, there's not a single good person in the entire Duke's mansion."

Xu Qianhui curled her fingertips slightly.

Was it really just a coincidence that Lin Zuoqing brought Lin Xiangyi back to the capital?

She looked up, her tone still calm: "It's naturally a good thing that he's willing to help. You're his only brother, so if the second branch of the family prospers, it will also be a boost to the Duke's mansion."

"What you say makes sense," Lin Zuo'an agreed wholeheartedly, adding, "It would be even better if it could clear up my brother's misunderstanding of you."

Xu Qianhui smiled but didn't reply.

Clear up the misunderstanding?

I'm afraid I'll never be able to do it in this lifetime.

After all, those you've loved will take root in your memory, and those you've struggled with will leave their mark on time.

It allows people to immediately recognize old friends and memories and know where the pain lies.

Since Lin Zuoqing has already set his sights on me, I should prioritize safety and urge Zuo An to return to Jiangnan as soon as possible.

When the carriage entered the small courtyard in the west of the city, the sky was already quite dark.

Xu Qianhui personally cooked several dishes that Lin Zuoan liked, while Qingyi helped out, keeping her very busy.

Outside the corridor, the shadows of the trees swayed wildly in the wind, and golden osmanthus blossoms covered the courtyard.

She had Qingyi bring the food to the table, and she warmed a pot of wine for herself. She and Lin Zuo'an then dined by the window.

Halfway through the meal, the rain began to fall, tapping silently on the eaves.

The woman in green, being very perceptive, opened the window a little, letting the wind outside rush in, just in time to watch the rain pattering on the fallen flowers.

After a few drinks, Lin Zuo'an's eyebrows and eyes relaxed, and even the tips of his ears turned a little red.

"Flying blossoms drift freely, light as a dream; endless drizzle falls, fine as sorrow... What a pity for such beautiful flowers..."

Xu Qianhui blushed and put down her silver chopsticks before heading into the courtyard.

She walked barefoot across the corridor, stepping into the mud, and reached out to pick up the rain-soaked flowers under the tree.

"Ah Hui, come back." Lin Zuo'an chased after her and picked her up in his arms: "Aren't you afraid of catching a cold from the rain?"

Xu Qianhui placed one hand on his neck, her sleeve slipping down slightly to reveal a section of her fair wrist.

"Zuo An..." she trailed off, as if on purpose, "I just can't bear to see such beautiful flowers being trampled and ruined in the mud..."

"I know you cherish flowers." Lin Zuo'an carried her to the veranda. "I'll have someone collect all the flowers later; they won't be wasted."

Xu Qianhui raised her head slightly, her little face flushed, and her eyes blinked like autumn waves.

"Then you can't lie to me..."

Warm lips silenced her words.

Lin Zuo'an's kiss was passionate, carrying the scent of alcohol.

Despite the wind and rain outside, he shielded himself from all the rain falling from the eaves. The autumn wind was slightly cool, but his heart was burning with passion.

He carried Xu Qianhui into the house and tried to put her on the soft couch, but Xu Qianhui clung to him and wouldn't let go.

She breathed softly into his ear, "Zuo An, love me..."

Lin Zuo'an's breathing became a little heavier: "No, A-Hui, we have to wait until the wedding night."

Xu Qianhui looked up at him, her eyes tinged with the effects of alcohol, and her tone was somewhat coquettish.

Don't you love me?

Lin Zuo'an swallowed hard, lowered his head to kiss her lips, his voice hoarse.

"I love you, how could I not love you? Ah Hui, you have no idea how much I love you..."

His lips roamed over her neck, and just as he took off his outer garment, there was a rapid knocking on the door.

"Second Young Master, Second Master was hit by a carriage while off duty, and someone from the manor has come to urge you to return!" came the anxious voice of the man in green.

Lin Zuo'an paused, his expression immediately changing drastically.

He disregarded everything else and hurriedly straightened Xu Qianhui's clothes, repeatedly comforting her.

"Ah Hui, I have to go back to the manor right away. You rest first, and I'll make it up to you properly next time."

Watching his hurried departure, Xu Qianhui slumped heavily onto the soft couch, covered her eyes with her hand, and muttered under her breath.

"What a wonderful atmosphere."

It's ruined just like that.

Standing at the door, the woman in green asked softly, "Miss, should I not have opened the door for the Duke's mansion?"

What do you think?

The woman in green scratched her head: "But the person knocking on the door was very fierce... Miss, would you like to drink more?"

"Everyone's gone, why are you drinking? You can drink by yourself."

The woman in green said "Hey," picked up the wine pot and some side dishes, and went out.

Just as Xu Qianhui was about to lie down for a while, a male voice drifted over.

"You're so impatient, anyone who didn't know better would think you're the most beautiful courtesan in some brothel."

Xu Qianhui suddenly stood up and saw Lin Zuoqing striding in.

His robes were half-wet, and water dripped from his hair as he sat down directly on her soft couch.

Xu Qianhui quickly pulled the thin blanket over herself: "How did you get in?"

Lin Zuoqing raised his hand and pinched her chin, his thumb rubbing heavily against her rosy lips.

"What, you're allowed to lie? Xu Qianhui, how can you be so shameless, eagerly offering yourself up to others?"

Xu Qianhui looked at him, then smiled again.

"Lord Lin, are you jealous?"