After flirting with the aloof prince, the concubine ran away pregnant.

Although she was wearing a veil, her slender jawline was still somewhat visible.

In his gaze, the disheveled woman before him gradually overlapped with the little girl from the depths of his memory, who wore her hair in two buns, always followed behind him, and called him "Brother Xuheng" in a childish voice.

That year, Yangzhou was struck by devastating floods. He was helped onto a boat by his family, while her family's small boat, right before his eyes, was capsized by a giant wave and instantly disappeared into the murky torrent. He still remembers that before she fell into the water, she stretched out her small hand in his direction.

Everyone said she was dead, until that day, when she was caught in a fleeting glimpse at the banquet at Qixia Manor.

When she looked up, her eyes and the expression in her brows unlocked memories that had been buried for many years.

He dared not believe it, yet dared not disbelieve it.

He sent people to investigate and found out that her name was Afu, that she was living in her uncle and aunt's house and suffered all kinds of mistreatment, and that she was forced to sell herself into the Yongning Marquis's mansion and eventually became Xie Xun's concubine.

Afu... she doesn't even dare to use her own surname?

His Little Jiang Fu.

Xu Heng silently repeated the name in his heart, a dense, throbbing pain rising in his chest.

Is it that they forgot, or that they are unwilling to admit it?

Was it the flood of that year that caused her to lose her memory, or is it her current situation that makes her ashamed to recognize her old friends?

His gaze fell on her hands, which were gripping the edge of her cloak tightly, her knuckles white from the force.

Those hands were small and slender, yet not delicate, with calluses on the fingertips. She must have suffered a lot over the years.

The warm fragrance in the carriage seemed unable to dispel the chill on her body. She leaned against the carriage wall, her body trembling slightly, as if she were asleep, or as if she was forcing herself to stay awake.

"Achoo!"

A very soft sneeze jolted Afu awake.

Her muddled mind cleared for a moment before she realized that she had fallen asleep in a stranger's carriage.

She had wrapped her warm cloak even tighter around herself without realizing it, but the chill that seeped from her very bones was impossible to block out.

"Give."

A hand with distinct knuckles offered a warm hot water bottle. It was made of brass and covered with an exquisite plain-colored cloth cover.

Afu was stunned.

"Take it, it'll feel better if you keep it warm." Xu Heng's voice remained gentle, without any extra emotion.

It's still early winter, far from the time when hot water bottles are needed, yet he carries one with him in the car? Afu subconsciously looked up, her gaze falling on him.

Only then did they realize that he was wearing a moon-white brocade robe, with a matching cotton-padded cloak over it, the collar of which was tightly buttoned up, making him look much more warmly dressed than the average person.

It seems that this young master is also a person with a cold and weak constitution.

A sudden feeling of sympathy arose in Afu's heart, and she no longer refused, accepting the hot water bottle.

"Thank you, young master."

The hot water bottle felt warm to the touch, and she quickly hugged it to her chest. A warm current instantly spread from her abdomen, dispelling much of the cold.

She relaxed completely, and her wariness of this young master Xuheng lessened.

"We're almost at Suzaku Avenue," Xu Heng reminded him.

Upon hearing this, Afu immediately sat up straight and lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to look outside.

The rain had lessened considerably, turning into a light drizzle, and the number of pedestrians on the street gradually increased.

"Young master, please stop at the intersection ahead." She pointed to an alleyway not far away, which was a short distance from her shop, but discreet enough to be easily hidden.

"Alright," Xu Heng agreed and instructed the driver to stop the carriage.

The carriage came to a steady stop. Afu placed the hot water bottle in her arms on the seat, then took off the cloak that was almost warm from her body heat and carefully folded it.

"Thank you for your help today, young master. This dress..." she said apologetically, the hem of her cloak still damp from her soaked skirt.

"It's alright." Xu Heng's gaze fell on her, and he said gently, "Miss, go back and change into some dry clothes, don't catch a cold."

"Yes," Afu replied softly, placing her cloak beside him, curtsying, then lifting her skirt and turning to get off the carriage.

She didn't turn around, but walked quickly down the wet cobblestone path into the depths of the alley, her slender figure soon disappearing into the misty rain.

Inside the carriage, Xu Heng picked up the cloak that still carried her faint fragrance, stroked it for a moment, and then said to the driver, "Follow her and see where she went."

Afu hurried along, her heart pounding with anxiety.

She didn't know how long she had been walking, but she hoped that Xie Xun would be busy with official duties today and wouldn't return home so early.

If she can get back before he returns, change her clothes, and pretend nothing happened, she might be able to escape this predicament.

She entered her semi-secluded residence through the back door. As soon as she stepped into the backyard, intending to borrow some clothes from a familiar steward, she sensed that something was amiss.

It's too quiet.

At this time of day, everyone would gather under the eaves doing some light chores, chatting and laughing. But today, the entire backyard was deathly silent.

Her heart sank, a sense of foreboding washing over her. She walked toward the shop in front, and before she even entered, she saw the figure she least wanted to see through the half-open door.

Xie Xun sat in the large rosewood armchair in the center of the shop.

He wasn't wearing official robes, only a dark casual suit with gold thread embroidered on the cuffs and collar, which made his face appear even paler. He toyed with a teacup in his hand, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

The air in the entire shop seemed to freeze. At the top of the stairs on the second floor, several young ladies were peeking down, but they shyly shrank back when they met his gaze.

Afu's steps froze on the spot.

Almost at the same time she appeared, Xie Xun's gaze swept over her.

He looked her up and down, and when he saw her soaked skirt, her mud-splattered shoes, and her pale face, which had lost its color from the cold and fear, his already gloomy expression darkened even further.

Afu felt a sudden chill, even colder than when she was soaked in the rain.

He didn't get angry or question anyone; he simply slammed the teacup he was holding onto the table.

The loud "bang" was particularly jarring in the deathly silent shop.

Afu's heart skipped a beat.

"Aren't you coming over?" His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an irresistible pressure.

Afu didn't dare to delay. She lowered her head, took small steps, and stood three steps away from him.

A flower-wielding nanny stood beside him.

Xie Xun coldly ordered her, "Take her to the back and change into clean clothes."

"Yes," the maidservant replied, walking to Afu's side and whispering, "Miss, please come with me."

Afu didn't even dare to look up at Xie Xun before hurrying after her to the backyard. A set of clean clothes had already been prepared there, presumably at Xie Xun's request.

How long has he been waiting here?