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

When Xu Qianhui came out of the empty room, Chu Yunci was standing under the corridor giving instructions to his employees.

She didn't go over to greet him, but pulled Qingyi aside and whispered, "Go tell General Chu that I'm going back to the Duke's mansion. He's busy there, so I won't bother him."

The woman in green blinked, somewhat puzzled: "Miss, don't you know each other? Why don't you talk to him yourself?"

"Silly girl, I have my own plans. Remember to tell him that the patient's condition is unstable and he can't be left without someone by his side."

Xu Qianhui rubbed Bai Ze's head and turned to walk out.

She made her point quite clearly.

If Chu Yunci thought she was just being discreet about the boundaries between men and women, then so be it. But if he sensed that she was deliberately avoiding suspicion, he would probably think of two things.

Firstly, the Duke's mansion kept too close a grudge against her; even exchanging a few words with a man outside the family would cause her trouble.

Secondly, she might wonder if the scene of him carrying Lou Miaomiao into the clinic would be interpreted differently by her.

Chu Yunci was a person of upright character. The more innocent he was, the less he could tolerate such ambiguous speculation.

No matter which one it is, he will chase after them.

Sure enough, as soon as Xu Qianhui stepped out of the alley where Huichuntang was located, he heard hurried footsteps behind him.

Chu Yunci walked in a hurry, a thin layer of sweat still pressing against his forehead, his black robes clinging to his body in the wind.

"Miss Xu, I'll escort you back to your residence."

Xu Qianhui stopped by the roadside and looked up at him: "Young General, Miss Lou has just escaped death. You should stay and look after her at Huichuntang."

"She has maids to take care of her, and Doctor Shen said she's fine for now." Chu Yunci's gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he said, "I was just about to go to the Lou residence to inform them. The Duke's residence and the Lou residence aren't far apart, so I'll take you back on the way."

Xu Qianhui did not agree immediately.

She glanced at the bustling street, then at Chu Yunci's determined expression, and curtsied.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, young general."

Chu Yunci raised his hand and beckoned, and the coachman immediately drove the carriage over.

He lifted the carriage curtain and let Xu Qianhui get in first, then sat on the other side himself.

The carriage was spacious, with a small lantern embedded in the wall. The lantern's light swayed gently as the wheels rolled over the bluestone road.

The two fell silent for a moment.

After a moment, Chu Yunci finally spoke.

"Lou Miaomiao went to the General's Mansion today to see the two children."

Xu Qianhui turned her head to look at him: "If I remember correctly, she is the child's aunt. It's only natural that she would want the child left behind by her sister."

Chu Yunci shook her head: "She can visit the child, but only as an aunt."

The car's interior lights suddenly swayed violently, casting shadows across his hard-edged profile.

Xu Qianhui sensed the resolve in his words and felt somewhat curious.

Why?

Chu Yunci remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "My wife suffered a difficult childbirth and postpartum hemorrhage when she gave birth to A-Liu. We had a blood ginseng prepared in the manor. The imperial physician said that if it was used in medicine in time, there was still a chance of saving her."

He looked up at the receding street scene outside the car window, and his emotions calmed down.

"But when I returned to my residence victorious, all I saw was a cold coffin containing Qiqi."

"Later I found out that Lou Miaomiao had given that blood ginseng to her maid. She said she didn't know it was for saving lives, and she was willing to make amends, admit her mistake, and compensate the two children double in the future."

At this point, Chu Yunci's Adam's apple bobbed, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"But what if the person dies? How can compensation be made?"

Xu Qianhui looked at him and suddenly understood.

No wonder Chu Yunci would rather agree to a marriage of convenience than openly agree to it.

That wasn't just an ordinary rift; a human life was at stake.

If Lou Miaomiao becomes Chu's second wife, her two children will call the person who killed their mother "Mother" every day.

If Chu Yunci were to agree to any of these requests, it would be a betrayal of his deceased wife and children.

"Young General, the fault is not yours, you don't need to worry too much." Xu Qianhui softened his voice: "If Madam were alive, she would not want to see you forcing yourself like this."

Chu Yunci sighed, "I originally thought you would think I was too cold-hearted."

"If I can't even distinguish right from wrong, how could I dare to be your friend?" Xu Qianhui smiled. "Besides, you brought her to the clinic today because you were afraid she would die on the way, not because you were taking her back for a wedding ceremony."

Chu Yunci's tense shoulders and back finally relaxed for a moment, and a hint of warmth appeared in his eyes.

The carriage suddenly stopped at that moment.

The coachman, speaking through the curtain, said, "Young General, the alley ahead is too narrow, right on top of the Grand Tutor's carriage. They seem unwilling to back down."

The street was lined with shops on both sides, and there were quite a few pedestrians in the afternoon. Two carriages were stuck in the middle, and it took a lot of effort for either one to move forward or backward.

Chu Yunci lifted the carriage curtain and his gaze met that of the person lifting the curtain on the other side.

Xu Qianhui followed his movement and looked out.

Lin Zuo'an was sitting in the car opposite, his hand still in the position of lifting the curtain.

When he saw Yun Ci clearly, and then saw her in the carriage, the joyful expression on his face instantly froze.

Xu Qianhui almost burst out laughing.

He was really unlucky.

I finally managed to go out with Qin Miaoyun, but then I bumped into her.

He must be a little panicked right now, right?

The maidservant next to the carriage across the way stepped forward and curtsied to Chu Yun.

"Greetings, General Chu. My young lady is on her way to buy pastries for Madam, but if she is delayed, the shop may close. Would you be so kind as to do me this favor?"

Chu Yunci looked down at the little maid, his tone indifferent.

"No."

The maid's face paled, and she turned to look into the carriage.

Lin Zuo'an gritted his teeth and leaned forward himself: "Young General Chu, it's just a matter of making way. Miaoyun came out specifically to pick out pastries for her mother. If she's late, it will be difficult to explain when she returns home."

"Young Master Lin is now more interested in currying favor with the Grand Tutor's mansion than in studying. Such behavior is rather unbecoming of his character."

Lin Zuo'an's gaze swept over Xu Qianhui, and he looked even more embarrassed.

"Since General Chu is unwilling to yield, then let's all stop here."

He's going to stick it out.

Chu Yunci curled his lips, took the whip from the coachman, and looked at Lin Zuoan.

"My matter concerns lives and deaths. Since the Second Young Master refuses to give way, I will have no choice but to clear the way myself."

After saying that, he raised his hand, lifting the riding whip high.

Once the whip falls, the carriage will be forced forward. If the other side doesn't move aside, it will be pushed against the wall.

Just as the whip was about to strike the horse's rump, Xu Qianhui's gaze swept across the window of the carriage opposite and suddenly saw a slender hand reaching out.

The hand held a light purple handkerchief, the corner of which drooped and swayed very slightly.

Xu Qianhui hurriedly said, "Young General Chu, let them pass first."

Chu Yunci, holding the riding whip, turned to look at her, his face showing confusion.

Xu Qianhui looked at the handkerchief that had not yet been put away and slowly curved her lips into a smile.

This is a subtle gesture used by women from prominent families when they bow their heads in reconciliation or to indicate compromise.

Qin Miaoyun is showing weakness to herself.

Or perhaps... seeking help.

It was subtle, but she understood it.

She seemed reluctant to travel with Lin Zuo'an.