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

Qin Miaoyun carefully recalled what had just happened, and her face turned pale instantly.

"Do you know why Wei did this? We've been best friends for years."

"If you didn't have this relationship, how could she have used you to drive Xu Qianhui away?" Madam Xiao sneered, "Back then, Xu Qianhui's affair caused a huge uproar in the city, who didn't know? Lin Zhiwei couldn't control her man, so she wanted you to be her tool to pave the way for her."

Upon hearing this, Qin Miaoyun suddenly understood.

She grasped Madam Xiao's hand, her voice trembling, "Mother, tell me... tell me, is there any possibility that the reason the young master made that explanation back then wasn't to sever ties with Xu Qianhui, but to bind the two of them together... so that whenever people saw him, they would remember that a girl jumped into the river for him..."

"Good child, you've finally figured it out." Madam Xiao said with relief, "Alright, from now on you can stay with the Second Young Master and stay out of Lin Zhiwei's mess, lest you get yourself into trouble."

"But it's also a fact that the Second Young Master and Xu Qianhui were engaged!"

"Daughter, harmony in the family is the foundation of all things. Since the second young master has chosen you and speaks up for you in everything, you should put aside your prejudices and trust him."

"Of course I believe in the Second Young Master, but..." Qin Miaoyun's eyes dimmed, "Lin Zhiwei has harmed me so much, I can't let her get away with it."

......

Before returning to Ci'an Hall, Madam Fu reprimanded Xu Qianhui in front of Lin Zuoqing, telling her to behave herself and stop causing trouble.

Xu Qianhui let it go in one ear and out the other, passing the test without any pressure.

The old lady laughed so hard she almost fell over when she heard her say this.

"How could she sit still when she saw Zuo Qing helping you? It's all because she gave birth to such an arrogant son."

As she spoke, the old lady opened a gilded box beside her, grabbed a handful of gold melon seeds, and stuffed them into Xu Qianhui's hand.

"I asked Dr. Wang, and he said you've suffered so much this time, you've really had a tough time."

However, he made no mention of the possibility that Xu Qianhui might have difficulty having offspring in the future.

Xu Qianhui caught the melon seeds with both hands, tucked them into her sleeves, and sighed, "I never expected Miss Lin to do that. Thinking about it now, it was truly dangerous."

The old lady patted her hand: "Luckily you were rescued in time. Take good care of yourself these next few days, and don't just think about having fun at the polo match, understand?"

Xu Qianhui nodded obediently.

"Ah Hui understands."

If the old lady truly cared for her, why would she allow her to participate in the polo match looking like this?

Fortunately, their relationship was based on mutual exploitation, so Xu Qianhui didn't care about what she said.

The curtain was suddenly opened, and Granny Fang strode in.

"Madam, the young master has gone to the side courtyard."

The old lady glanced at Xu Qianhui, her smile deepening on her wrinkled face.

"Go, don't neglect him."

Xu Qianhui bowed and withdrew.

The sky outside was gloomy.

Thick clouds pressed down on the eaves, and the wind carried a heavy moisture.

Xu Qianhui tightened her cloak and walked along the covered corridor toward the side courtyard.

The side courtyard was quiet, except for the tall weeping crabapple tree that swayed in the wind.

Beneath the tree stood Lin Zuoqing, his hands clasped behind his back.

He changed into a scarlet-purple official robe.

A gold and jade belt cinched his waist, outlining his broad and straight back.

Xu Qianhui walked over slowly, her voice carrying a touch of girlish charm: "Lord Lin went to the yamen but still came to see me. Are you worried about me?"

"You're just being presumptuous," Lin Zuoqing said coldly. "Looking like this, you shouldn't go to the polo club."

Xu Qianhui showed him the small handful of golden melon seeds.

"But the old lady said I can go."

The wind picked up, and muffled thunder rumbled from the clouds.

Lin Zuoqing's face was as somber as the weather.

He said, "It's your body, it's up to you."

Seeing his expression, Xu Qianhui suddenly felt like teasing him.

She stuffed all the golden melon seeds into Lin Zuoqing's hand, her gaze passing over his resolute jaw and striking his dark eyes.

She pleaded in a coquettish tone, "Cousin, please don't marry Lin Zhiwei, okay?"

In her mind, Lin Zuoqing would definitely shake her off decisively and say some humiliating things.

But she didn't expect...

Lin Zuoqing held the handful of golden melon seeds, his gaze falling on the two people's clasped hands.

He let her palm rest on the back of his hand, without saying a word.

The atmosphere grew thick with silence.

A gust of wind came, and the crabapple petals fell softly, their delicate pink petals dancing lightly between the two.

Xu Qianhui finally heard his voice.

He said, "Xu Qianhui, let me find you a good match."

Xu Qianhui was stunned.

Last time, in the alley south of the city, under the same crabapple tree, he told himself to get out of the capital.

This time, he actually let himself stay.

Moreover, he was remarkably generous.

Xu Qianhui regained her senses and slowly curved her eyes into a smile.

"Okay, I want a powerful, wealthy, and handsome man."

Lin Zuoqing gripped the golden melon seed tightly and withdrew his hand.

"Can."

If he says yes, then there must be a suitable candidate.

But the marriage he's talking about definitely won't be a proper wife.

"They say matchmakers give a wedding gift," she said, pointing to Lin Zuoqing's hand holding the gold melon seed. "Now that you've accepted the money, when will you take me to meet the person?"

For men, getting to know a few more women isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Lin Zuoqing stared at her for a long time before turning and walking toward the courtyard gate.

His words were carried on the wind.

"soon."

The crimson figure disappeared outside the moon gate.

Xu Qianhui stood under the tree, looking at the empty courtyard gate, and couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth.

I hope you can keep your word.

......

For the next two days, neither Lin Zuoqing nor Lin Zuoan came.

Xu Qianhui went to Ci'an Hall to pay her respects in the morning and occasionally bumped into Lin Zuo'an. Lin Zuo'an would leave quickly, as if trying to avoid him at all costs.

Lin Zuoqing was alright; although his gaze was cold, he didn't show much emotion.

Time flies by.

The day of the polo match has arrived.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated.

Three large carriages were parked in front of the Duke's mansion.

Fu stood on the steps directing the traffic, and led Lin Rulan in the first vehicle.

The two brothers rode together in the second car.

Xu Qianhui, as the cousin, boarded the last bus.

The old lady was not fully recovered and could not withstand the bumpy ride, so she only sent Granny Fang to take care of her.

Xu Qianhui was very satisfied with this arrangement.

She didn't want the old lady to know too much about what she did at the polo match.

The convoy started moving slowly.

The wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement, making a monotonous rumbling sound.

Ten miles outside the city, the autumn grass on both sides of the official road is withered and yellow.

"Miss Cousin."

Granny Fang passed a note in through the window.

The note was very small, clearly a habit of Lin Zuoqing.

Xu Qianhui opened it with a smile, only to find it spotless inside, without even a single ink stain.

This puzzled her.

A wordless book?

What was Lin Zuoqing up to?

Just as she was about to lift the curtain to ask Granny Fang, the carriage suddenly lurched violently, followed by the sound of a frightened horse neighing.

Xu Qianhui managed to grab the rosewood window frame just in time to avoid bumping into the carriage wall.

"Miss, are you alright?" Granny Fang asked anxiously, lifting the curtain to check on her.

Xu Qianhui shook her head.

Looking through the window, a long line of carriages on the official road had come to a stop.

Qing Shu jogged over and whispered, "Miss, a carriage collision has blocked the main road ahead. Master said we can't leave for a while, so he wants you to come with me to the back mountain of Jiming Temple for a walk."

"Who else is coming?" Xu Qianhui asked.

"General Chu will also be there."