She got up to get the sachet from the cupboard. After being placed there for a while, a faint fragrance wafted out as soon as she opened the cupboard.

The fragrance was subtle, fresh, and elegant, not strong.

It was refreshing and invigorating, as if every pore was opened up.

Han Shuang watched her little actions and felt even more certain of her suspicions, “Miss, you wouldn’t really have a sweetheart, would you?”

“No.”

Han Shuang leaned closer, “Miss, don’t be shy. If you do, tell Master and Madam, let’s talk about it.”

Hearing this, Luo Sheng quickly grabbed Han Shuang, “Don’t tell Father and Mother.”

“Why?” Han Shuang was puzzled. Their young lady was of marriageable age.

“Just don’t.” Luo Sheng pursed her lips, “Keep my secret, and I’ll make you pearl and jade cream when I get back.”

Han Shuang blinked her eyes happily, “Really?”

Han Shuang smiled shyly, “But I want the Yangfei-colored rouge even more.”

Luo Sheng readily agreed, “Okay.”

Han Shuang also kept her word, “Miss, don’t worry, my mouth is the tightest.”

Even if their young lady liked the Emperor himself, she would help her keep watch.

“Then, can you help me find out where the Fifth Prince is at the garden party?”

“No problem, it’s just the Fifth…” Han Shuang paused, “Fifth Prince?!”

Luo Sheng nodded eagerly. She figured she couldn’t act, she couldn’t openly ask about Xiao Chuhuai, that would be too obvious.

Anyway, Han Shuang didn’t know about her mother’s rebirth.

Han Shuang’s gaze shifted from astonishment to affection. No wonder the young lady had been worried for several days after bumping into the Fifth Prince.

To like the cold-faced King of Hell, the hardship is one thing, but with so many noble ladies vying for the position of Princess, their young lady would only be a concubine.

Her father and mother felt sorry for her and always wanted to find a stable and promising husband for her, and they would definitely not let her go to be a concubine.

It’s normal for the young lady not to want her father and mother to know.

“Miss, why do you like him? This… you’re unlikely to have a result.”

“I’m just playing around, who wants a result? I can’t even play with men…” Luo Sheng couldn’t explain, she said softly, “Will you help me find out?”

Han Shuang thought that the young lady was stubborn, “Okay, okay, this is easy.”

Luo Sheng, who grew up in the brothel, didn’t believe in love, and didn’t need a result.

Now, the only result she wanted was for everyone in her family to be safe.

Even if she sacrificed herself, it would be fine.

Luo Sheng held the sachet and sat alone in the carriage, thinking about how to start the conversation.

Before she knew it, they arrived at Qujiang Pool, and the carriage stopped.

Luo Sheng leaned out, reached out, and grasped a strong arm. The cuffs were embroidered with bamboo patterns, not Han Shuang’s.

Looking up, she met Luo Qingyan’s gaze, “Elder brother?”

Luo Qingyan explained, “Han Shuang said she had something to do and left first.”

Luo Sheng understood and got out of the carriage with Luo Qingyan’s help, “Oh.”

After she stood firm and looked up, she found Luo Qingyan looking at her.

When their eyes met, Luo Qingyan looked away, naturally complimenting, “Shengsheng looks very beautiful today.”

Luo Sheng smiled, “Elder brother is handsome too.”

She meant it. Luo Qingyan and Luo Xi looked similar, both with a generous and gentle appearance that became more pleasing the more you looked at them.

Luo Qingyan was amused by her simple and straightforward compliment, his gaze falling on the sachet in her sleeve, “Did you embroider this newly?”

“Yes.” Luo Sheng held it up for Luo Qingyan to see, “Is it beautiful?”

“The pattern is unique.” Luo Qingyan had never seen anyone embroider a red lotus before. It wasn’t the popular style, so… it probably wasn’t a gift.

Luo Sheng knew, “Elder brother likes bamboo, I’ll embroider a bamboo leaf pattern for you next time.”

Luo Qingyan didn’t refuse, “Then I’ll trouble Shengsheng.”

“It’s not troublesome.” Luo Sheng said, and saw Han Shuang coming back.

Han Shuang gave Luo Sheng a wink, and Luo Sheng immediately found an excuse to leave, following her into a nearby shady path.

Luo Sheng was a little nervous, twisting the handkerchief in her hand, “He’s really here?”

“I saw him with my own eyes.” Han Shuang took Luo Sheng for a while, saw something in the distance, quickly lowered her voice, and pulled Luo Sheng’s sleeve, “Miss, look over there.”

Luo Sheng looked in the direction Han Shuang pointed and saw Xiao Chuhuai.

Unfortunately, Xiao Chuhuai was with another girl.

Luo Sheng hid behind the dense bushes and watched from afar.

She remembered that this young lady was the daughter of the former Grand Marshal, Yuan Mo.

Among the unmarried noble ladies in the entire capital, only she had such noble bearing.

Yuan Mo wore a moon-white silk satin embroidered butterfly dress. The gold thread embroidered butterflies on her clothes shimmered under the sunlight, extremely dazzling. Walking among the flowers, she was like a fluttering butterfly.

Her cheeks were flushed, and she asked Xiao Chuhuai, “Next month is my birthday, and my family had a new garden built for me as a birthday gift, but it’s missing a title. I’ve long heard that Your Highness’s calligraphy is excellent. Would Your Highness be willing to write one for me?”

Actually, asking Xiao Chuhuai to write a character wasn’t difficult, especially since it was written on a gift for her.

It was equivalent to him giving her a birthday gift, which had a deeper meaning.

Xiao Chuhuai rejected her concisely, “My calligraphy is poor, it’s inconvenient.”

After saying that, he left directly.

Yuan Mo chased after him for a while but failed, and she muttered unwillingly, “This blockhead.”

Xiao Chuhuai’s expression was serious, continuing the original topic, “After Deng Lou inquired from me, did he go to the Luo residence?”

“Yes, Deng Lou’s servant came out of King Qi’s residence that night and went to the Luo residence the next day.” Chen Jian respectfully reported, “But Master Luo didn’t agree to anything.”

“Recently, because the Second Prince is in charge of the preparations for the Dan Yao war, Deng Lou, as a junior official, has some dealings with the Second Prince. But their interactions have indeed become more frequent.”

Xiao Chuhuai’s expression was gloomy, “Is he that anxious?”

Currently, the two most important forces under the Crown Prince were him and the Luo residence. King Qi was probing and trying to win them over one by one, his purpose was clear.

The dense forest was filled with the lively sounds of spring outings.

They turned a corner in the forest path. Suddenly, a fragrant breeze blew, and a light pink handkerchief fell without warning onto the branches in front of Xiao Chuhuai.

Immediately, a young girl chased after the handkerchief. She didn’t expect him to be here, and her steps stopped abruptly.

She stood there nervously and bowed, “Your Highness.”

It’s that little rabbit again.

Luo Sheng pursed her lips, pointedly looking at the handkerchief in front of him, her timid eyes filled with water, “This is mine.”

Her implication was obvious, wanting Xiao Chuhuai to pick up her handkerchief.

Xiao Chuhuai didn’t move, “Mm.”

Luo Sheng’s little head spun wildly, Mm… what does that mean?

Xiao Chuhuai bluntly pointed out her thoughts, “What, waiting for me to pick it up for you?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Luo Sheng lowered her eyes, and snorted inwardly, if he doesn’t pick it up, then he doesn’t.

She slowly walked forward and knelt down in front of Xiao Chuhuai.

The neckline of her dress moved slightly with her movements, revealing a large expanse of snow-white skin, extending to the depths covered by the hem of her dress, more dazzling than the spring scenery.

Chen Jian almost realized what would happen before her movements, holding his breath and avoiding eye contact, glancing at Xiao Chuhuai from the corner of his eye.

He found that this master still had an unmoved expression.

Luo Sheng stood up, thinking confidently, he was the one who asked her to pick it up.

Just as she was about to speak, she heard Xiao Chuhuai’s voice above her, “Excuse me.”

“Your Highness.” Luo Sheng stopped him, clutching the sachet in her hand, “Last time… I didn’t know that was your courtyard, I didn’t intentionally eavesdrop.”

She placed the sachet in her palm and handed it over, “This is an apology, please forgive me, Your Highness.”

A fragrant scent wafted out with her movement.

It was subtly captivating.

Xiao Chuhuai lowered his eyes and looked at the red lotus sachet in her white palm.

Luo Sheng waited for a long time without a response, her hand was getting numb.

Her bright peach blossom eyes lifted, stealing a glance at Xiao Chuhuai, and found that Xiao Chuhuai was looking at her, his deep black eyes filled with scrutiny.

Luo Sheng subconsciously avoided his gaze, and then heard Xiao Chuhuai ask, “Why did you embroider a red lotus?”

Why?

Because you like it.

But this preference only emerged later, and she couldn’t say it directly.

“This humble servant heard that the red lotus is a symbol of nobility and detachment in Buddhist temples, and it suits Your Highness.”

She was really clever.

Xiao Chuhuai raised his eyebrows without any emotion, “Then it’s not necessary, I’m not noble.”

Luo Sheng thought she knew.

Turning her head, she saw that Xiao Chuhuai was about to leave, “Your Highne—!”

Xiao Chuhuai stopped, his clear and cold gaze sweeping over her, showing that he was a little annoyed.

Luo Sheng’s train of thought was interrupted by this glance, and she stammered, “Even if it’s not noble, it can still be worn.”

Ugh, what was she saying.

Xiao Chuhuai looked at her meaningfully for a moment, then turned and left.