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

Lin Zuo'an straightened his clothes, lifted the curtain, and went out.

"Second Young Master."

When Xifu saw Lin Zuo'an, he quickly bowed and greeted him.

Lin Zuo'an asked calmly, "What's all this commotion about?"

Xifu bowed his head and said, "Today is the Second Madam's birthday. The Young Master thought that the Second Master had only recently returned to the capital, so he invited some familiar young men to the mansion and specially ordered me to invite the Second Young Master."

After listening, the warmth on Lin Zuo'an's face faded a little: "I understand, I'll go back in a bit."

"The younger one will wait outside."

This means they want to keep an eye on him as he returns to the Duke's mansion.

Back inside, Lin Zuo'an recounted what had happened outside.

Xu Qianhui sat on the edge of the couch, her pale yellow skirt cascading down, her waist cinched by a sash, a few strands of hair pressed against her fair neck, her whole demeanor docile.

"Then let's go."

Lin Zuo'an looked at her and said, "Ahui, if you don't want to go, just wait for me at home."

"My aunt just asked me to come to the mansion to pay my respects yesterday. If I don't go, it would seem like I'm being impolite." Xu Qianhui raised her hand to smooth his clothes. "Besides, you can entertain the guests in the front, and I'll go to the back courtyard to see the old lady. It's just right."

Lin Zuo'an could only nod after hearing her say that.

Qingyi wanted to follow, but Xu Qianhui kept her behind.

The two carriages quickly left the west side of the city.

The main gate of the Duke's mansion was wide open.

Xu Qianhui sat in the car and, through the half-rolled-up curtain, saw the gatekeeper busy removing the threshold that was about knee-high.

She couldn't help but chuckle softly.

No matter how much the old lady dislikes the second wife, she is still the master after all.

Lin Zuo'an turned his head: "What are you laughing at?"

"I've lived in this manor for two years and have never stepped through the main gate." Xu Qianhui lowered the curtain. "Today, thanks to the Second Young Master, even the threshold has been removed."

Lin Zuo'an frowned slightly upon hearing this.

"From now on, you will be my wife, so naturally you should use the main entrance."

Xu Qianhui gave a soft "hmm".

If no one interferes, everything will fall into place naturally. But...

Thinking of Lin Zuoqing, Xu Qianhui couldn't help but shake her head.

This marriage cannot rely solely on Zuo An; we must keep it in our own hands to feel at ease.

After the carriage entered the mansion, Lin Zuo'an was led to the front hall by a servant, while Xu Qianhui was taken to the back courtyard by an old woman.

Before parting, Lin Zuo'an repeatedly urged her not to wrong herself, but Xu Qianhui just smiled and told her not to worry.

Upon arriving at the flower hall, Xu Qianhui saw Madam Fu, dressed in a crimson-purple dress.

The gold hairpin in her hair was securely fastened, and she exuded the air of a noblewoman.

Xu Qianhui entered and bowed, saying, "Ahui greets Aunt."

Fu picked up the teacup and blew on it.

Get up.

Xu Qianhui stood up and stood properly.

Madam Fu did not offer her a seat, and Xu Qianhui did not mention it either.

A moment later, Fu put down her teacup.

"There are many people in the manor today, and we have distinguished guests ahead. Now that you are here, you must be careful in your words and actions. Zuo An is still young and doesn't understand many things. You have been out in the world for three years, so you must be more discreet than before."

Xu Qianhui lowered her head: "Don't worry, Aunt, I understand."

"Alright, go to Cixi Hall to pay your respects to the old lady."

Xu Qianhui waited for a while.

No maidservants came forward, and Madam Fu did not give any instructions.

Xu Qianhui immediately understood.

Three years have passed, and the way the government intimidates people is still the same old trick; they don't seem to know how to learn anything new.

"Ah Hui takes her leave."

After leaving the flower hall, with no one to guide her along the corridor, Xu Qianhui followed her memory toward Ci'an Hall.

As I passed by the back garden, I could hear a man's voice coming from behind a clump of flowers and trees.

"Are you really going to marry her?"

It was Lin Zuoqing.

Xu Qianhui stopped in her tracks, and sure enough, she heard Lin Zuoan's voice again.

"Of course. I've already given the marriage certificate to Ahui, so the marriage is officially settled."

After a brief silence, Lin Zuoqing spoke: "Xu Qianhui is proud and arrogant. Do you really think she can settle down and spend her whole life with you?"

"Brother, who hasn't had a crush in their youth?" Lin Zuo'an chuckled. "Besides, three years have passed. You really don't need to dwell on your youthful ignorance. Anyway, I love A-Hui, and we will definitely be together forever."

The wind rustled through the branches and leaves, and Xu Qianhui smiled with her head down.

Young people sometimes make grand pronouncements, but at this moment, she was willing to believe them.

There's no need to listen anymore.

Xu Qianhui lifted her skirt and left, heading towards Ci'an Hall.

The gate to Ci'an Hall was half-open, and the old lady was lying on a rattan chair basking in the sun.

She wore a dark blue jacket with auspicious and longevity patterns, a dark headband, and her silver hair was neatly combed.

An old woman knelt at her feet and massaged her legs.

It's been three years since I last saw her; the old lady has really aged.

Xu Qianhui stepped forward and curtsied.

"Ah Hui greets the old lady."

The old lady didn't even lift her eyelids: "You went to see your aunt?"

"I've seen him," Xu Qianhui said. "The autumn sun is still a bit strong, let me get you an umbrella."

"No need, I feel increasingly cold, this kind of sun is just right." The old lady slowly opened her eyes and finally looked at Xu Qianhui properly: "It's kind of you to be so filial. Granny Fang, bring some tea."

Granny Fang had served the old lady for many years, and she understood immediately upon hearing this.

She rose and withdrew, waving to the servants in the courtyard.

Soon, only two people remained in the courtyard.

Xu Qianhui stepped forward, knelt down at the old lady's feet, and took over from Fang Mama to continue massaging the old lady's feet.

Through the thick fabric, all I could feel was bone.

"When I heard that the old lady was ill, Ah Hui didn't believe it at first." Xu Qianhui lowered her head. "You were so healthy. When Ah Hui was in the manor, I even saw you practice with a spear, and you were in no way inferior to a general in battle. How come you are like this now..."

Before he could finish speaking, his voice trailed off.

"Alright, I'm tired of these insincere words." The old lady chuckled. "Everyone gets old eventually; no one can escape it."

Xu Qianhui, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm in her words, lowered her eyes and said, "But... you shouldn't have done that."

"Are you still not giving up on Zuo Qing by trying to please me like this?" The old lady looked at her and said, "Girl, one must learn to be content. What is not yours, you cannot obtain no matter what means you use."

"Madam, you must know why Ahui returned to the capital this time."

Xu Qianhui looked up and met the old lady's gaze.

"Ah Hui just wants to live a good life from now on, one hospital, one person, one lifetime, that's enough."

"As for the young master, Ah Hui will definitely stay far away from him."

"Since you understand this principle, why do you need to flatter me? Could it be for the sake of your second wife?"

Xu Qianhui fell silent.

The old lady allowed her to continue serving her.

After a long pause, Xu Qianhui finally said, "Madam, in the past, when I was bullied by my aunt in the mansion, you protected me many times. I am not a heartless person, which is why I said you shouldn't have done that."

Seeing her docile appearance, the old lady finally realized what was going on, and narrowed her wrinkled eyes slightly: "You speak."

Xu Qianhui did not speak immediately.

This time, the old lady lost her patience.

"Do you expect me to treat you, old woman?"

Xu Qianhui took a deep breath: "Ahui wouldn't dare. But this matter involves the old lady's health, and if I say anything wrong, it would be a sin."

"Many people have said the wrong thing in the Duke's mansion, but none of them have been dragged out." The old lady sneered, "Since you dare to kneel here, you should dare to speak up."

Xu Qianhui's fingertips pressed down on the old lady's knee with increasing lightness as she slowly spoke.

"Madam, it's only been three years. Don't you wonder why your health has deteriorated so quickly?"