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

To avoid attracting attention, Granny Fang stayed behind and kept watch.

Xu Qianhui then followed Qingshu toward Jiming Temple.

The stone path winds through vast, dark bamboo forests.

Xu Qianhui finally arrived at the pavilion on the back mountain when the autumn wind filled her sleeves.

The fiery red phoenix flowers surround the octagonal pavilion, where two figures, one in black and one in purple, sit serenely, enjoying tea, like a fine ink painting.

The man in black had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, sword-like eyebrows, and bright eyes, and appeared to be the same age as Lin Zuoqing.

This must be the marriage that Lin Zuoqing found for her.

Xu Qianhui concealed the mockery that flashed in his eyes and stepped forward to greet him: "Cousin."

Lin Zuoqing placed a warm teacup on the opposite side of the long table and said, "You and Yun Ci sit down. Zhiwei will be coming over in a little while."

The young general Chu that Qingshu mentioned was actually Chu Yunci.

Back when he was in the Duke's mansion, Xu Qianhui often heard Lin Zuoqing mention him.

He was the second son of the General Who Protects the Nation, and he went to the battlefield at the age of fifteen.

He has killed people and drunk blood.

Before Xu Qianhui arrived at the Duke's mansion, he kept advising Lin Zuoqing not to waste his days.

He is a rare and virtuous gentleman.

only......

She was right; Lin Zuoqing would never allow her to become his official wife.

She knew from her time at the Duke's mansion that this young General Chu was not only married, but also had two sons.

Judging by his age, the eldest son should be old enough to start school now.

But none of that matters.

Xu Qianhui bowed to Chu Yun and said, "Greetings, Young General Chu."

Chu Yunci smiled and said, "Miss Xu, please have a seat."

Everyone in the capital knows that the young lady from the Duke's mansion once pursued Lin Zuoqing's love unsuccessfully, and as a result, she jumped into the river.

Anyone who sees her, even if they don't insult or slander her, will at least show an unspeakable expression.

This young general from Chu, a close friend of Lin Zuoqing, acted as if he knew nothing about the matter, showing no strange expression whatsoever.

Xu Qianhui sat down beside him, while Lin Zuoqing continued chatting with Chu Yunci.

They talked about everything from minor cases in Beijing to people's livelihoods on the border.

During the journey, Lin Zuoqing occasionally added tea for Xu Qianhui, but Chu Yunci did not say a single word to her.

About an incense stick later, Lin Zuoqing put down his teacup and said, "I'll go see why Zhiwei hasn't arrived yet. You all wait here."

After saying that, he got up and left.

The implications of this action are self-evident.

He deliberately left Xu Qianhui and Chu Yunci alone.

Xu Qianhui understood, and so did Chu Yunci.

He looked at the distant mountains and forests and said, "Miss Xu, please don't misunderstand. I have no intention of remarrying. This was all Aqing's idea."

Xu Qianhui was stunned.

Remarriage?

When did General Chu get a divorce?

still......

It's not the right time to discuss this; let's find out more later.

Xu Qianhui smiled and said, "I've often heard my cousin mention the young general before. It's my honor to sit at the same table with him and enjoy tea today."

"Oh? He definitely didn't say anything nice about me."

"Cousin said the young general is an upright gentleman, isn't that a compliment?" Xu Qianhui covered her mouth, laughing very softly. "Although I've never met the young general before, I've heard rumors. Everyone says the barbarians haven't invaded the border for ten years, all because of the general's illustrious reputation. The young general took up arms at fifteen to fight on the battlefield, just to protect the Great Xia..."

She paused for a moment, then said sincerely, "The General's Mansion produces only true heroes."

Xu Qianhui didn't actually know anything about Chu Yunci.

During their conversation, she tried hard to recall the information that Lin Zuoqing had revealed, and even combined it with the praise and admiration that the Duke of Rong had given him, before she came up with this ice-breaking statement.

The last sentence, in particular, is sure to move Chu Yunci.

After all, his elder brother, the once renowned General Mingyuan, had died on the battlefield ten years ago.

Approval of his family is far more effective than simply flattering him.

really.

Chu Yunci sighed softly, "I am far inferior to my elder brother, what kind of hero am I?"

"Sacrificing oneself for the country in times of crisis, regarding death as returning home. The young general shares the same will as General Mingyuan, so why belittle yourself? Without heroes like you, where would we find such peaceful days?"

"you......"

Chu Yunci hesitated for a moment, then took a sip of tea before saying, "It's a pity that you are so insightful."

Xu Qianhui knew what he was regretting.

He must know something about her past with Lin Zuoqing.

"Young general, have you ever heard this saying?" Xu Qianhui tilted her head to look at him: "Deep connections bring people together, shallow connections bring them apart. Follow your heart, and you will find peace."

Chu Yunci offered her tea and said, "The phoenix flowers are in full bloom; would Miss Xu like to take a stroll?"

They drank tea together and chatted happily. Logically speaking, it's perfectly acceptable to stroll together and admire the flowers to enhance their relationship.

However, Xu Qianhui always felt that something was wrong.

Chu Yunci had previously said he had no intention of remarrying, which shows that he currently has no plans to have relationships with women.

Winning a man's heart cannot be done with just a few words.

and......

He was praised as a gentleman by Lin Zuoqing, so he must not be a frivolous and dissolute person.

His invitation was so direct, which was quite unusual.

It's best to avoid it for now.

Xu Qianhui pretended to look at the sky and said, "We've been out for too long. Aunt must be worried. Let's go down the mountain."

Chu Yunci didn't insist: "Alright."

On the official road, the congested carriages had already set off, and even the carriages of Fu Shi and Lin Zuo'an were nowhere to be seen.

After bidding farewell to Xu Qianhui, Chu Yunci mounted his horse and rode away.

The horses' hooves kicked up clouds of dust.

Granny Fang stepped forward to greet Xu Qianhui and whispered in her ear, "Miss, the young master is in the carriage."

Xu Qianhui raised an eyebrow: "When did he get back?"

"All the carriages left a quarter of an hour ago, and only then did the young master appear on the road down the mountain with Qingshu."

Xu Qianhui smiled slightly, said "Thank you for your hard work, Granny," and then got into the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Lin Zuoqing leaned against the wall with his eyes closed, his slender fingers unconsciously turning the jade thumb ring on his thumb.

Xu Qianhui sat down beside him, resting her body on his lap as if she had no bones.

"Didn't you find Miss Lin?"

Lin Zuoqing paused in his hand-rubbing of the thumb ring, then, without replying, said to the outside, "Let's go."

Old Huang respectfully answered "Yes" from outside the carriage. With a flick of his whip, the horses kicked and the wheels rolled.

Xu Qianhui looked up at him and said, "Cousin, I'm hungry from drinking tea."

Lin Zuoqing remained silent.

It was as if an old monk had entered into meditation, remaining steadfast and unmoved.

Xu Qianhui persisted, using her slender fingertips to lift his chin, her voice carrying a hint of coquettishness and complaint.

"I'm a patient, and you don't even care about me? You're really heartless."

As she spoke, she even coughed twice, feigning an attack.

Lin Zuoqing didn't open his eyes, but he still spoke.

There are some snacks on the small table.

Seeing that he had responded, Xu Qianhui smiled and sat up straight, picked up a piece of osmanthus pastry with one hand, and reached into his chest with the other hand, caressing his firm chest through the thin inner garment.

"take......"

As soon as he opened his mouth, Xu Qianhui stuffed the pastry in his hand into it.

During the year when they were very close, Xu Qianhui also liked to tease him like this.

He eats whatever she feeds him.

But I only ate half of it.

The remaining half must go into Xu Qianhui's stomach.

Lin Zuoqing suddenly opened his eyes, about to spit out the osmanthus pastry, but Xu Qianhui was one step ahead of him.

She took a small bite of the pastry and quickly pulled away, without even touching his lips.

But then his eyes darkened, and he tilted his head back and ate the whole cake.

Xu Qianhui laughed heartily: "So, you're hungry too."