Lin Yuxin stopped in her tracks and turned her head. It was a palace maid.

She was puzzled—since when did she know any palace maids in the imperial palace?

“May I ask what business you have with me, Auntie?”

Lin Yuxin looked at the palace maid who had hurried over and asked in confusion.

“I am a maid from Her Majesty the Empress’s palace. Your Highness may call me Magpie. The Empress has recently acquired some rare delicacies and asked me to bring them to you to have a taste.”

“The Empress also asked me to tell you that she felt an instant connection with you and likes you very much. She hopes Your Highness will visit the palace often to chat with her.”

Magpie spoke respectfully, with a gentle smile, before handing over the food box in her hands.

Although Lin Yuxin was puzzled, she still accepted the food box and thanked her.

“Then I trouble you, Aunt Magpie, to thank Her Majesty the Empress on my behalf. I will certainly visit the palace often to chat with her.”

“I will deliver the message. I take my leave now.”

After saying this with a bow, Magpie turned and left.

Suppressing the doubts in her heart, Lin Yuxin boarded the carriage.

As she glanced inside and saw Li Xiaocheng, her steps faltered slightly.

She spoke cautiously: “Apologies for making Your Highness wait.”

“Let’s go.”

Li Xiaocheng did not respond to her but instead instructed the coachman outside.

Seeing that he ignored her, Lin Yuxin awkwardly touched her nose and sat as far away from him as possible.

Li Xiaocheng frowned slightly at her actions but said nothing in the end.

Meanwhile, Lin Yuxin lowered her head and looked at the food box in her hands.

Unable to resist her curiosity, she opened it.

Inside were two plates of pastries—delicate and exquisite, clearly the work of the palace’s imperial chefs.

As she stared at them, something flickered in her mind.

She didn’t eat them. Instead, she closed the food box again.

She knew exactly who should eat them.

“I didn’t expect the esteemed Princess Pingning to be so forgetful.”

Li Xiaocheng finally spoke, unable to hold back any longer.

Hearing his voice, Lin Yuxin’s heart tightened.

Was it because she had dreamt about him last night?

Seeing him today made things feel a little awkward.

She had thought she could remain silent and treat him as a stranger.

But the moment he spoke, her defenses crumbled.

Her heart began to beat wildly.

Recalling last night’s dream, her face started to flush.

“I don’t know what Your Highness is referring to?”

She forced herself to remain calm and asked.

“Back when we were suppressing the bandits, Your Highness generously promised to give me sixty percent of the treasures we seized. But it’s been so long, and I have yet to receive anything. I had no choice but to come and claim it myself.”

Li Xiaocheng looked at her with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

[Oh no! I knew I was forgetting something! Back then, Li Xiaocheng’s words had scared me so much that I subconsciously avoided thinking about him. Eventually, I really forgot about it. And I was hoping I could continue forgetting, so the treasures would still be mine!]

[But now, my beautiful daydream has been shattered. My precious treasures are about to leave me!!!]

Lin Yuxin’s heart ached, but she kept a look of sudden realization on her face.

“Oh! My mistake. I’ve been so busy these days, and then my mother confined me at home, so I completely forgot. I’ll bring them to you tomorrow?”

“No need. Bring them to the Regent’s Manor today. Just in case you forget again. Besides, we need to discuss our upcoming mission. Do you agree?”

Li Xiaocheng chuckled as he watched her feign indifference while clearly feeling distressed over the money.

“Ah? We’re discussing at the Regent’s Manor?”

Lin Yuxin was stunned. She had to go to the Regent’s Manor?

“Where else do you think is suitable? Your residence? A guesthouse? Are those places safer than my manor?”

Li Xiaocheng left her with no room to refuse.

“…Your Highness is right. The Regent’s Manor is the safest choice.”

She had no choice but to agree.

“Turn the carriage around and head back to the manor!”

Li Xiaocheng ordered the coachman with a smirk.

“Wait! Your Highness, I need to retrieve your treasures first. Could you drop me off at home? I’ll come over later.”

Lin Yuxin panicked and quickly made up an excuse.

“Your Highness must be mistaken. How could I possibly have such abilities?”

Lin Yuxin laughed awkwardly.

She had forgotten that although Li Xiaocheng hadn’t seen where she stored the treasures, he was still the Regent—a man of immense power.

Li Xiaocheng wasn’t stupid. Of course, he had already figured out her situation.

“Enough. It’s not like I’m going to eat you. What are you so afraid of?”

Li Xiaocheng frowned at her reluctance.

Did she really hate being alone with him that much?

“Your Highness overthinks. I’m not afraid at all!”

Lin Yuxin replied stubbornly.

[AHHHH! It’s not that I’m afraid of you eating me—I’m afraid I might eat you!!! It’s all your fault! You even made me dream about you last night! How am I supposed to face you now?!]

She screamed in her mind but had to accept reality.

It seemed like Li Xiaocheng had begun to influence her thoughts.

She would unconsciously think of him, and his words would make her flustered.

Even her dreams were filled with him.

Realizing this, Lin Yuxin suddenly lifted her head and looked straight at Li Xiaocheng.

She stared at him for a long moment before suddenly breaking into a radiant smile.

Like she had figured something out, she seemed much more at ease.

But she didn’t say anything and simply withdrew her gaze, sitting quietly.

Li Xiaocheng was taken aback.

At first, hearing her internal scream about “eating him” had made him feel inexplicably pleased.

But then, she had suddenly looked at him and smiled so sweetly, so dazzlingly…

For a moment, he was completely captivated by her smile.

Then, just as suddenly, she stopped smiling and remained silent.

Li Xiaocheng was completely confused.

What did that smile mean?

And why hadn’t he heard her thoughts just now?

He opened his mouth several times, wanting to ask, but in the end, he held back.

For some reason, he was afraid to ask.

And so, the two remained silent for the rest of the journey to the Regent’s Manor.

When they arrived, Li Xiaocheng stepped out of the carriage first, followed by Lin Yuxin.

Before entering, she turned to him and said,

“Your Highness, please send someone to inform my mother at the Zhao residence that I am here discussing important matters, so she doesn’t worry.”

“Alright.”

Li Xiaocheng nodded and signaled to Wang Yu, who had just come out of the manor.

Wang Yu understood and immediately left for the Zhao residence.

Seeing this, Lin Yuxin finally felt at ease and followed Li Xiaocheng into the Regent’s Manor.

This was her second time entering the manor.

The last time, it had been close to nightfall, and she hadn’t been able to see much.

She had been too preoccupied to admire the surroundings.

But now, she could finally take a proper look…