After a brief pause, the man spoke, his tone indifferent. “Alright.”

Seeing this, the Empress smiled and walked ahead. Behind her, Liu Yin hesitated, wanting to ask something but unable to find the right words. Left with no choice, she simply looked around aimlessly.

Upon returning to Changchun Palace and finishing their midday meal, the Empress turned to Qin Yan, her expression serious. “Did your father truly lose his temper over Minister Liu?”

Only a few close-serving palace maids remained in the hall. At the Empress’s words, Liu Yin and the Sixth Princess exchanged glances before silently lowering their heads, focusing on their food—unusually well-behaved.

Qin Yan, unbothered, continued placing food on the Empress’s plate at a leisurely pace. His expression remained unchanged. “Mother, you worry too much. Father is just venting his anger. In time, he will recall Minister Liu to the capital. There’s no need for concern.”

Minister Liu—her demoted great-uncle. Liu Yin knew little of court affairs, but judging by her mother’s words, this was the first time the emperor had taken action against the Liu family. It was clear the situation was far from simple.

“Is that so?” The Empress’s expression softened slightly, though it was hard to tell whether she was truly reassured. Still, she offered a comforting smile. “If that’s the case, then that would be for the best.”

As she spoke, her gaze shifted to Liu Yin, who was absentmindedly counting grains of rice. With a hint of playful reproach, she said, “You little troublemaker, always causing a mess. If not for your cousin cleaning up after you today, who knows what would have happened? Hurry up and thank him.”

With the Crown Prince present, Liu Yin barely dared to move her chopsticks. Hearing her aunt’s words so suddenly, she looked up in confusion, then turned toward the man who had been quietly eating this whole time. Maybe it was his demeanor, but she couldn’t help feeling that royals had a particularly elegant way of dining.

“Cousin…”

The Sixth Princess nudged her with an elbow, as if she couldn’t bear to watch any longer. “Stop staring at Royal Brother like that, you’re being too bold.”

Liu Yin snapped back to her senses with a small cough. She had no idea what exactly had happened in Qianqing Palace earlier, but she still stood up, picked up a piece of fish, and attempted to place it in the man’s bowl.

As expected, before her chopsticks even got close, they were blocked.

“No need.” He didn’t even lift his eyes.

Not the first time she’d been rejected. Liu Yin was long used to it. Without missing a beat, she dropped the fish into her own bowl and swallowed it in one bite, then took an aggressive mouthful of rice to chase it down.

The Empress glanced between the two of them before casually asking, “Yesterday…”

“Cough, cough—”

Liu Yin’s face suddenly flushed red as she crouched down, coughing violently. The Sixth Princess, startled out of her wits, dropped her chopsticks and rushed to support her. “Cousin, are you alright?!”

“Cough, cough… I…” Liu Yin struggled to point at her throat, her eyes wide with panic. “A… bone…”

“Call the imperial physician at once!” The Empress commanded without hesitation.

At her words, the palace maids sprang into action—some rushing to fetch water, others dashing off to summon the physician. The hall instantly fell into chaos.

“Cousin, drink some water!” The Sixth Princess, on the verge of tears, hurriedly brought a cup to Liu Yin’s lips.

Liu Yin gulped down one cup after another, but the sharp discomfort in her throat refused to fade. Even speaking became a struggle. Her pale, delicate face had turned an alarming shade of red, and faint tears welled at the corners of her eyes, making her look utterly pitiful.

The Empress knelt beside her, gently patting her back, her expression full of worry. She kept urging the servants, “Hurry, bring the physician!”

Qin Yan, watching the scene unfold, merely took a slow sip of tea, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he stood. The palace servants immediately stepped aside, clearing a path.

Liu Yin was still desperately gulping down water when, out of nowhere, a hand clamped down on both sides of her throat.

A wave of nausea surged through her. She couldn’t tell if it was from the pressure or the sheer disgust, but within seconds, she was choking, coughing even more violently, clawing at the hand gripping her neck.

Murder!

The Empress hesitated, watching the scene unfold with a hint of sympathy for her niece.

As the large hand finally released her, Liu Yin coughed so hard she nearly hacked up a lung. “I… I…”

Her voice was hoarse as she instinctively reached for her neck—only to realize the obstruction was gone. Stunned, she blinked at the people around her, then rasped out excitedly, “I… I’m fine!”

Without missing a beat, Qin Yan clasped his hands in a formal salute and said calmly, “I still have state affairs to attend to. I’ll be taking my leave.”

“Wait—” The Empress started, then quickly turned to her niece, who was still gulping down water. “Shouldn’t you be thanking your cousin?”

“Cough, cough—!”

Liu Yin nearly choked again. Clutching her sore throat, she shot Qin Yan a wounded look, muttering under her breath, “I was this close to being strangled to death…”

If she didn’t know better, she’d almost suspect the Crown Prince was getting back at her for something.

“What nonsense.” The Empress frowned, clearly displeased.

Beside her, the Sixth Princess tugged at Liu Yin’s sleeve, her gaze filled with silent meaning. “Cousin…”

Qin Yan’s gaze flickered as he caught sight of the faint marks on her neck. Without a word, he turned and walked away. Behind him, Liu Yin instinctively followed—no need for anyone to urge her.

The midday sun wasn’t too harsh today, and a light breeze drifted through the air, lulling people into drowsiness. Liu Yin trailed behind, pressing a hand to her aching throat while shooting glances at Xiao Luzi.

Catching on immediately, the eunuch tactfully fell back, putting a respectable distance between them.

The Imperial Garden was bustling with people, but the moment they saw the Crown Prince approaching, they hurriedly stepped aside, kneeling with their heads lowered, not daring to glance up.

After following him for a while, Liu Yin finally mustered the courage to quicken her pace, taking small, careful steps before tilting her head up to say, “Just now… thank you, Your Highness.”

Silence.

She was used to it.

Glancing around to make sure no one else was near, she lowered her voice and said, “Alright, I’ll be honest.”

Clutching her handkerchief, she hesitated, her voice barely louder than a mosquito’s buzz. “I… I only kept clinging to you because of my parents. They… they told me to… marry you. I… I didn’t have a choice.”

Confession brings leniency, resistance brings severity—there was no way she could outmaneuver the Crown Prince. Rather than playing mind games, she might as well come clean.

Her soft voice drifted through the air, but Qin Yan’s expression remained unreadable. His sharp, chiseled features betrayed no reaction as he continued walking steadily ahead, as if he hadn’t heard a single word.

Seeing his lack of response, Liu Yin grew uneasy. Pouting slightly, she followed behind him and added, “I’m moving back home today. I won’t bother Your Highness anymore. After all… you wouldn’t marry me anyway.”

This was for the best.

Now that everything was out in the open, she wouldn’t have to keep up the act. She could finally relax and do as she pleased. As long as she made it seem like the Crown Prince had broken her heart, no one would question her sudden change in attitude.

“Xiao Luzi.”

The sudden call startled the eunuch, who had been lagging far behind. He hurried forward, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. “Your Highness, what are your orders?”

“I recall there’s a box of Jade Spirit Balm in the storeroom. Bring it to her later.” His tone was indifferent.

Xiao Luzi froze, staring blankly at his master’s back. For a moment, he wondered if he had misheard. But as the realization sank in, he quickly snapped back to attention. “Yes, Your Highness!”

Liu Yin stared in complete bewilderment, eyes wide as if she had just seen an alien. Did she… hallucinate that?

Just then, Qin Yan suddenly halted and turned around. The movement sent a jolt through the people behind him—bodies stiffening, eyes darting nervously, palms beginning to sweat.

“Read more with Grand Tutor Shen in the future,” he said, his deep gaze unreadable. With that, he turned and disappeared around a corner.

Xiao Luzi quickly schooled his expression and hurried after his master, but he couldn’t resist glancing back at the stunned Second Miss Liu. Inside, his thoughts were in turmoil. So, he really misjudged her… If this young lady truly had a chance of entering the Eastern Palace, then he had better start getting on her good side now—unless he wanted trouble every single day in the future.

It wasn’t until Xiyun caught up that Liu Yin snapped out of her daze. Lips pursed tightly, she absentmindedly touched her neck. She knew full well—he was mocking her. Telling her to read more? Wasn’t that just a roundabout way of calling her dumb?

“Miss, what did His Highness say to you?” Xiyun asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Liu Yin sighed and started walking back toward Changchun Palace. “Nothing.”

It didn’t matter anyway—there was no way she was marrying that Crown Prince now. Once he realized she had deceived him, he wouldn’t possibly take her as his wife.

When she returned to Changchun Palace and told her aunt she was moving back home today, the Empress was reluctant at first. Only when Liu Yin insisted that it was her mother’s decision did she finally allow it.

Back at Xiefang Hall, Liu Yin packed her belongings while the Sixth Princess clung to her side, trying to persuade her to stay.

“It’s not like we won’t see each other,” Liu Yin said helplessly. “I’ll still be coming to the palace as a study companion.”

It wasn’t until Xiao Luzi arrived with the medicine that she finally thought to check the injury on her neck. One glance in the mirror, and her expression darkened.

That prince really didn’t hold back—he nearly choked the life out of me!

There were still fingerprints.

“Miss Liu, if you still feel any discomfort, you must call for the imperial physician immediately. A fishbone may seem small, but it can be serious—you mustn’t take it lightly,” Xiao Luzi said, his expression full of concern.

Liu Yin lounged on the soft couch, giving him a strange look. Was the sun rising from the west today? That damn eunuch was actually being nice to her.

“If there’s nothing else, this servant will take his leave now.” Xiao Luzi bowed and quickly retreated.

Meanwhile, the Sixth Princess picked up the small jar of medicine, examining it closely. A moment later, her face filled with shock as she rushed over. “This is Jade Spirit Balm from the Western Regions! I heard it promotes blood circulation, heals bruises, and completely removes scars. There were only three jars in total—not even Mother has one! And Royal Brother actually gave one to you, Cousin!”

Liu Yin barely reacted. While directing Xiyun to pack up all the rewards from the Empress—since, after all, they were money while she remained at her desk, quietly organizing her books.

“He nearly strangled me to death. Am I not pitiful enough?” she muttered.

Then, after a quick glance around, she suddenly grabbed the Sixth Princess’s arm, her expression grave.

“You must never tell Aunt about this!”

=^_^=