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

Before the morning mist had completely dissipated, Qing Shu led several servants, carrying torches, as they searched for them.

Chu Yunci sat on the carriage seat, his gaze sweeping coldly over the newcomer.

Qing Shu stopped and bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, Young General Chu. We are looking for Miss Biao; have you seen her?"

Chu Yunci did not get up, but looked at Qing Shu with a half-smile.

"So, you're going to search the car?"

Qing Shu smiled apologetically: "Young General, you've misunderstood. It's just that Miss Biao didn't return all night, and the household was really worried."

Xu Qianhui heard it clearly inside the carriage.

Qing Shu's arrival at this time suggests that Lin Zuoqing must have just woken up not long ago.

She lowered her head, straightened her clothes, tucked a few stray strands of hair behind her ears, and put on the cloak that Chu Yunci had handed her before dawn.

She is very proper, but it is precisely this kind of behavior that makes her the most controversial.

She lifted the heavy felt curtain, letting the firelight outside illuminate her face.

"Qingshu. The manor forgot to prepare a tent for me. I have nowhere to stay, so shouldn't I spend the night in the carriage?"

Her tone was light and casual, yet it left Qing Shu speechless.

He hesitated for a while before saying, "Miss, the master didn't sleep all night because he was looking for you. If the women of the Duke's mansion slept outside, it would damage the reputation of the mansion."

Did you search for it all night in your dreams?

Xu Qianhui lowered her eyes and said calmly, "If Lord Lin wants to know the cause and effect, he can go and ask the Second Young Master."

Chu Yunci jumped off the carriage and stood in front of Xu Qianhui.

"I kept watch outside the carriage all night, while Miss Xu rested inside." He looked at Qing Shu: "If anyone wants to use this to tarnish her reputation, they should first ask the Zhenguo General's Mansion if they agree."

A layer of cold sweat immediately broke out on Qing Shu's forehead.

Just as the stalemate was at hand, two servants helped Lin Zuoqing walk over.

His face was somewhat pale, and his dark eyes looked past the crowd and went straight to Chu Yunci.

Then, his gaze slowly shifted to Xu Qianhui behind him, finally settling on the large black cloak.

The black color contrasted sharply with her fair complexion.

It made her appear exceptionally petite and delicate.

But it's also quite eye-catching.

In front of Lin Zuoqing, Xu Qianhui also got off the carriage and bowed to Chu Yun.

"Thank you for watching over me all night, young general. Without you, Ah Hui would probably have been stranded in the wilderness last night."

She deliberately didn't take off her cloak, and her hand was still lightly resting on her collar.

Lin Zuoqing took a deep breath and took two steps forward.

"If you've been wronged, why don't you come to me for help?"

"Lord Lin sent Qing Shu yesterday to tell me that I must go and apologize to Miss Lin and make her happy." Xu Qianhui paused, then chuckled, "After thinking it over, I realized that I hadn't offended her in any way, so naturally I wouldn't dare to go to Lord Lin for a tent."

Lin Zuoqing's face suddenly turned cold. He grabbed the left arm that was hanging, and large beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Master, are you alright?" Qing Shu hurriedly stepped forward to support him.

Lin Zuoqing straightened up with the help of Qing Shu.

"Go tell Mother that my injuries have flared up, and order everyone to return home immediately."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Madam Fu arrived in a hurry with Lin Zhiwei.

Fu immediately spotted Xu Qianhui standing on Chu Yunci's carriage.

Madam Fu's face darkened as she said, "Xu Qianhui, do you have any manners? An unmarried young lady, not only spending the night outside, but also wearing a man's cloak. Are you trying to tarnish the reputation of the Duke's mansion by showing such a lack of discretion?"

Chu Yunci bowed to Madam Fu.

"Madam, please calm your anger. I stood guard outside the carriage all night without overstepping any boundaries. This was merely to help out in accordance with propriety. If you insist on blaming me, I am willing to bear the consequences."

His meaning was very clear.

The fact that the young lady from the Duke's mansion has been reduced to sleeping in a carriage at night clearly shows who is disgracing the Duke's family.

Fu was speechless, and Lin Zhiwei helped her up at the right time.

"Auntie's health has deteriorated due to the illness, but Zuo Qing's injury is the most important." She looked at Xu Qianhui: "However... no matter what, it is a fact that Miss Xu spent the night outside. If this reputation gets out, it will not sound good."

Xu Qianhui smiled as she looked at her, carefully took off her cloak, and handed it to Chu Yunci with both hands.

"Thank you, young general."

She then stepped back, creating distance between them, her manner so impeccable that no one could find fault with her.

Chu Yunci smiled and said, "I'm sorry to have troubled Miss Xu."

Lin Zuoqing's gaze swept between Chu Yunci and Xu Qianhui before he said, "Mother, my injury is in great pain. Let's go back to the manor immediately."

Upon hearing this, Madam Fu frowned.

Princess Fu'an is still at the polo match. If she were to leave so hastily, it would make the Duke's mansion seem ill-mannered.

"Zuo Qing, your injury is indeed serious. But the princess is still here. Wouldn't it be too undignified for us to leave without even saying goodbye?" Madam Fu advised. "Why don't we go back first and let Hui'er..."

"Decent?" Lin Zuoqing scoffed. "Does Mother think that her son's injury is less important than polo?"

Before Xu Qianhui entered the Duke's mansion, Madam Fu always favored the Duke of Rong and encouraged Lin Zuoqing to learn martial arts and join the army.

Back then, he was just like he is today, often wearing a cold expression.

Fu sighed, ultimately daring not to press the matter any further.

"Go, inform the convoy to return to base immediately!"

The servants immediately sprang into action, some breaking camp, others preparing wagons.

Lin Zhiwei walked to Lin Zuoqing's side, her eyes filled with heartache.

"Zuo Qing, you are so badly injured, the journey will inevitably be bumpy. Let me ride with you in the carriage, so I can take care of you."

Lin Zuoqing didn't look at her.

Qing Shu stepped forward and said respectfully, "Miss Lin, the master is seriously injured and needs to rest. The space inside the carriage is cramped, and it might aggravate his injuries."

Lin Zhiwei looked at Lin Zuoqing and could only reluctantly agree.

Xu Qianhui returned to the carriage she was in, and Chu Yunci walked to her carriage window and whispered a reminder.

"The Duchess is furious right now. Once she returns to the manor, she will definitely find fault with you. Be careful in everything you do."

"Thank you for your guidance, young general." Xu Qianhui smiled slightly. "My aunt has been kind to me, so it's only right that she gets a few scoldings."

After saying that, she leaned closer to the window and lowered her voice, saying, "Granny Fang was frightened last night. Could you please trouble the young general to find a way to send her back to her residence first?"

Chu Yunci replied with an "okay".

......

The Duke's mansion's convoy drove out of the horse farm in a grand procession and arrived at the mansion gate before noon.

With the help of Granny Liu, Madam Fu stepped down from the carriage, followed by Lin Rulan and Lin Zhiwei.

The steward of the main courtyard rushed over, not even bothering to perform the proper etiquette.

"Madam, you're finally back."

Fu looked at him and said, "What kind of flustered and hurried manner is this?"

The steward wiped the cold sweat from his brow: "Granny Fang returned to the manor half an hour ago, and not long after, the Old Madam gave the order, instructing you, Madam..."

He glanced at Xu Qianhui, who was getting out of the car behind him, and continued, "As soon as you return to the manor, Madam, go to Ci'an Hall to see her."

Fu's expression changed slightly.

The old lady usually observes a vegetarian diet and chants Buddhist prayers, and rarely sits in the main hall at this time.

unless......

She glared at Xu Qianhui and said sharply, "You, you're coming with me too!"

Xu Qianhui lowered her eyes and obediently answered.

"Yes, Aunt."