This time, she was able to enter through the front gate and finally see the entirety of the Prince’s Mansion.

“Your Highness!”

“Your Highness, you’ve returned!”

As soon as they stepped into the mansion, the servants bowed respectfully. Among them, an elderly man stood at the front and respectfully inquired toward Li Xiaocheng.

“Mm, prepare some food and bring it to the study,” Li Xiaocheng ordered expressionlessly before heading inside. Lin Yuxin tilted her head and glanced at the old man before obediently following behind him.

The servants behind them exchanged glances, their eyes brimming with gossip that couldn’t be contained.

“Housekeeper Mu, who was that young lady following His Highness just now? She’s really quite beautiful.”

“Beautiful, yes, but more importantly, she was brought back by His Highness! You know, this is the first time His Highness has ever brought a young lady home! Could she be our future princess?”

“That’s possible! I’ll secretly ask Guard Wang later!”

“I bet it’s almost certain! His Highness must have feelings for her; otherwise, why would he bring her back?”

“That makes sense! Let’s go prepare tea for her.”

After His Highness left, the servants chattered excitedly, almost ready to start calling Lin Yuxin their princess already.

“Enough! Stop your wild speculations. Have you all finished your work? If His Highness gets angry again, you’ll be climbing the mountain as punishment!”

Housekeeper Mu swept his gaze over the increasingly excited servants and reprimanded them.

“Oh! We’ll get to work right away!”

With that, they scattered in an instant.

Housekeeper Mu looked in the direction His Highness had left, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes. The sternness he had displayed in front of the servants was completely gone.

Had His Highness finally opened his heart?

Was the mansion finally going to have a mistress?

If Wang Yu were here, he would have asked him.

That brat had somehow offended His Highness and was being punished.

These past few days, it had been Leng Han standing beside His Highness like a giant block of ice.

Ah! Right! His Highness ordered food to be sent to the study.

He needed to ensure it was well-prepared—he couldn’t let the future princess go hungry!

Thinking of His Highness’s orders, Housekeeper Mu hurried off to the kitchen.

Little did Lin Yuxin know that just by visiting the Prince Regent’s Mansion once, she had already become the prospective princess in everyone’s eyes.

The mansion was massive.

Lin Yuxin followed Li Xiaocheng through a long, winding corridor to the front courtyard, then to the main hall, and finally to the study.

Along the way, her eyes never stopped moving. She scanned everything, looking here and there.

[Wow! Are these floor tiles made of white jade? Maybe I can pry a piece off when Li Xiaocheng isn’t looking! Oh! Is that agate? The clarity—it must be worth a fortune! And the glazed roof tiles—they must be expensive too!]

[That flower over there—isn’t it the priceless Golden Orchid? That’s such a rare and difficult flower to grow! Tsk, tsk, tsk. The mansion doesn’t look gaudy, but everywhere you turn, it just screams wealth.]

Lin Yuxin felt like she had walked straight into a treasure trove.

No wonder people always said that Li Xiaocheng held immense power.

Just looking at the grandeur of his residence, one could see the emperor’s favor.

It was probably even more lavish than any prince’s estate!

But despite all the luxury, it doesn’t feel tacky.

Li Xiaocheng does have good taste. I wonder if I’ll ever get the chance to live in a place filled with rare jewels like this.

She sighed as she admired the sheer extravagance of the estate.

Li Xiaocheng walked ahead at a leisurely pace, never stopping.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, he led Lin Yuxin through nearly half of the mansion before finally bringing her to the study.

The two sat facing each other.

Housekeeper Mu was quick. In no time, he had servants bring in some light refreshments and tea.

“Your Highness, Miss Lin, please enjoy.”

After instructing the servants to place the food down, Housekeeper Mu withdrew. However, before leaving, he gave Lin Yuxin a meaningful look.

Lin Yuxin was confused.

[Why are the servants acting so strangely? Do I have something on my face? Why are they all staring at me like that?]

Li Xiaocheng glanced at her, seeming to realize something. He smirked slightly but said nothing. Instead, he spoke casually:

“Miss Lin, if you’re hungry, please eat.”

Lin Yuxin didn’t hesitate and immediately picked up a snack, munching away.

[Mmm, delicious! As expected of the Prince Regent’s Mansion—even the pastries are top-notch!]

She really was starving.

She had been sent to the palace early in the morning and had gone without food for too long.

After scarfing down several pieces, she finally slowed her pace. Stuffing the last piece into her mouth, she quickly picked up the teacup and downed it in one gulp.

“If it’s not enough, I can have them bring more,” Li Xiaocheng said gently, watching her.

“No need, Your Highness, I’m full! Let’s get down to business.”

Lin Yuxin ignored the rare trace of softness in his voice, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and looked at him seriously.

Seeing her suddenly shift to a formal attitude, Li Xiaocheng also straightened up, speaking in a neutral tone:

“Please go ahead, Princess.”

“The drought situation in Jibei City is still unclear. I plan to go there personally to investigate. It hasn’t rained for a month—some areas may already be suffering from food shortages. I’m worried that certain officials might be taking advantage of the situation for personal gain.”

Lin Yuxin’s voice was solemn.

[If she remembered correctly, in half a month, Jibei City would see an influx of refugees. The main reason for this early crisis was that corrupt northern officials were hoarding food for themselves while continuing to exploit the struggling commoners.]

“Alright. Since the emperor has tasked me with assisting you, I will ensure your safety,” Li Xiaocheng replied without hesitation.

“Then let’s depart in three days! Also, Your Highness, please ask the emperor to send two officials from the Ministry of Works. That will make certain tasks easier to handle.”

Lin Yuxin pondered briefly before adding.

The sudden royal decree had disrupted her original plans, but since she had accepted the task, she was determined to do it well.

After all, the people of Jibei City were innocent.

“That’s a small matter. Since the emperor entrusted this mission to you, he will certainly support you fully.”

Li Xiaocheng sipped his tea calmly.

Lin Yuxin thought about it and agreed. These were the emperor’s citizens—he wouldn’t ignore their plight.

With official matters settled, Lin Yuxin suddenly looked up at Li Xiaocheng and asked,

“Your Highness, where is your treasury? I should return your share of the treasure, so you don’t have to ask me for it again next time.”

She was referring to the loot they had split previously.

Li Xiaocheng raised an eyebrow. Why was she suddenly so generous? She was giving it back without a fuss?

Strange. She didn’t even complain about losing the treasure this time! Something wasn’t right.

With that thought, he stood up and said, “Come, I’ll take you to the treasury.”

Lin Yuxin pursed her lips and followed him out.

[Let me see just how rich this mansion really is! Hehe, in the future…!]

Walking ahead, Li Xiaocheng heard her half-finished thought. His brows furrowed.

The future what? Why didn’t she finish?

Could it be that she was planning to sneak in and steal treasure again?

That wasn’t impossible—this girl was certainly capable of such a thing.