Under coercion, Sang Yao had no choice but to compromise.

But actually, even if he didn’t say so, she understood.

Her father’s journey to this day was not easy, her elder sister had also entered the palace for the family, as the second daughter, she had enjoyed the prosperity of the Sang family for several years without worries. She couldn’t be so naive and selfish as to pursue so-called true love and offend the man in front of her.

But she really didn’t want to.

She didn’t want to be a concubine played with by others, she didn’t like Lu Ting’s smiling tiger-like face, and she was also afraid of his arrogant demeanor when he made the crown prince kneel. But she dared not refuse.

Sang Yao suppressed her grievance, mist forming in her eyes, her fair fingers twisting the hem of her sleeve, softly resisting, “Your Highness is joking, I don’t quite understand.”

Lu Ting looked down at her condescendingly, raised his hand to rest on Sang Yao’s shoulder, and whispered, “Does Yao Yao really not understand?”

Sang Yao’s shoulder trembled, resisting strongly in her heart, but she didn’t dare to move.

The vermilion palace gate was open, and the quiet spring breeze gently brushed by. The huge palace wall stretched across the green grass.

Lu Ting raised his eyes and saw a refined man walking slowly out of the palace gate not far away.

He was dressed in a black robe, walking at the front, his long boots stepping on the smooth bluestone slabs. The elderly courtiers were following him, discussing something with him. The man lowered his eyes and nodded, his expression unreadable.

Lu Ting’s smile froze on his face.

On the not-so-wide stone path, several people unexpectedly met.

The conversation paused, and Xie Yun lifted his eyelids, looking displeased at Lu Ting and the slender figure with her back to him.

Li, the Minister of War, at Xie Yun’s side, saw Lu Ting and was slightly surprised. He simply bowed and greeted, “Your Highness, why are you here too?”

Sang Yao turned her head when she heard the voice and saw Xie Yun at Li’s side.

He always seemed the same, noble, refined, and in control.

Sang Yao was already extremely sad, and now seeing Xie Yun, for some reason, made her even more aggrieved.

She pursed her lips, her eyes red, and she used all her strength to hold back the tears.

Lu Ting’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. He withdrew his hand from Sang Yao’s shoulder and said, “Mr. Xie, what a coincidence.”

Since the face had been torn, Xie Yun was too lazy to waste words with Lu Ting. Compared to a verbal argument back and forth, he would rather see Lu Ting disappear from the court.

Xie Yun withdrew his gaze indifferently and ignored Lu Ting.

As a member of a prestigious family, a courtier, daring to ignore a rising member of the royal family in front of everyone was arrogant.

Li, caught in the middle, felt somewhat awkward.

Accustomed to his lord’s contemptuous behavior, he didn’t care about anything else now; he just wanted to know why Miss Sang was with this surnamed Lu?

Why were they so close? What had this ominous person Lu Ting done?

But obviously, he was the only one concerned about this issue. Xie Yun’s gaze barely lingered on Sang Yao and continued forward without looking askance.

Lu Ting’s face turned ashen, and Sang Yao, standing beside him, could feel his changing emotions the most.

She shrunk her shoulders, wishing she could find a hole to hide in, not wanting to be affected by Lu Ting’s anger at all.

But things often didn’t go as planned.

Lu Ting looked at her, his face still showing undisguised hostility, which, paired with his smiling face, was particularly terrifying.

“Miss Sang, I’ve kept you waiting.”

He reached out and grasped Sang Yao’s wrist, saying, “Let me take you back, Miss.”

Lu Ting’s actions were offensive. Sang Yao intended to withdraw her hand, but no matter how hard she tried, Lu Ting wouldn’t let go. She didn’t have the courage to directly rebuke him like Xie Yun, so she could only struggle weakly, saying, “Your Highness, please… let go.”

Lu Ting simply didn’t let go. The girl’s wrist was slightly reddened.

Sang Yao’s eyes were filled with tears from the pain, and she struggled, saying, “Don’t grab me…”

Meanwhile, Xie Yun had already walked to the side of the two, not even looking at Sang Yao, and continued walking past them.

Ji was not surprised. He knew his lord wouldn’t interfere because Xie Yun was always like this.

But unexpectedly, Xie Yun stopped in his tracks.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the two.

Lu Ting noticed Xie Yun’s gaze, and he was surprised.

He released her hand and raised an eyebrow, saying, “What’s the matter, Mr. Xie? Do you have something else?”

Sang Yao held her own wrist, feeling scared and helpless. She felt extremely aggrieved.

She had always relied on her father and sister since she was young, but now they were not by her side.

Thinking that she would have to become Lu Ting’s concubine, tears uncontrollably streamed down her face. Like a little kitten, she pitifully met the man’s silent gaze.

Xie Yun’s gaze fell on Sang Yao, saying to her, “Come here.”

Sang Yao pursed her lips, really wanting to go, but when she glanced at Lu Ting, she hesitated.

Xie Yun continued, “Your father is afraid you might get lost. He happened to meet me just now and asked me to take you back.”

Sang Yao thought about it, feeling like it was a lie. Her father would never ask Xie Yun for help.

But with this excuse, Sang Yao had a legitimate reason to follow Xie Yun.

She said softly, then bid farewell to Lu Ting properly, “Your Highness, then I’ll… go find my father first.”

After speaking, she quickly hugged her skirt and ran to Xie Yun.

Just like five years ago.

Back then, Xie Yun had said the same thing. He had someone remove the copper pot from her body and said to her:

“Your sister is looking for you. I’ll take you back.”

That time, he had also lied.