The man walked steadily into the Broken Jade Pavilion, his tall figure ascending the stairs.

Lu Li walked shoulder to shoulder with Sang Yao and asked, “Miss Sang, is the kitten doing well?”

Sang Yao nodded and said, “I fed her something, and she fell asleep after eating.”

“If Your Highness wants to see her, you can come anytime.”

Lu Li smiled and said, “I trust you.”

Sang Yao just made a sound of agreement and didn’t say anything more.

There was a moment of silence between them as they walked. Suddenly, Lu Li spoke up, “Miss Sang, about last time… I was wrong.”

How could she, with what qualifications, make the Crown Prince apologize to her? Sang Yao immediately waved her hand and said, “It’s okay.”

After thinking for a moment, she added, “I didn’t wait long anyway.”

Originally, she had felt a bit uncomfortable about this matter, but as soon as Lu Li apologized, she no longer felt angry.

Lu Li lowered his head and said, “I originally thought you and Xie Yun… So I took the liberty of arranging for you two to meet. But Xie Yun has already talked to me about it.”

“I won’t cause you two any more trouble like this in the future.”

Sang Yao nodded, thinking that Xie Yun was probably not happy about suddenly seeing her there.

Well, his dissatisfaction was just right. After all, she didn’t want to see him either.

Lu Li lowered his head, his expression filled with guilt, and said, “When I saw you two at the Fragrant Garden, it was all because I misunderstood your relationship.”

Sang Yao looked at him. Lu Li naturally had a face that exuded affinity, making it even harder for Sang Yao to stay angry.

Moreover, Lu Li was the Crown Prince after all. Why was he speaking so humbly? Plus, maybe it was because of meeting Ming Rong just now, but Sang Yao couldn’t help but feel sorry for Lu Li now.

His fiancée didn’t like him, his younger brother bullied him, the courtiers didn’t look favorably upon him, and he, as a Crown Prince, still had to endure scolding from Xie Yun.

Sang Yao said, “It’s okay.”

After thinking for a moment, she added with a smile, “I should thank Your Highness for giving me the kitten.”

Without realizing it, the two had already walked a considerable distance.

Lu Li said, “Then I can rest assured.”

In the silence, Sang Yao couldn’t help but recall Sang Yinyue’s words. She said that Xie Yun was going to be engaged.

Sang Yao didn’t care who Xie Yun ended up with in the end, but she couldn’t help feeling a bit angry.

If she had known that Xie Yun was going to be engaged, even if she didn’t care about her reputation, she wouldn’t have spent so much time alone with him last time.

Sang Yao looked towards the carriage that stopped in front of her, hesitated for a while, and then stopped her steps, asking, “Your Highness, there is something… I would like to ask Your Highness.”

Lu Li responded with an affirmative sound, “Miss Sang, please go ahead.”

---

The two of them were currently standing in front of a tea house.

On the second floor of the tea house, Xie Yun and Grand Secretary Chen Ke were sitting face to face.

After a moment of silence, Chen Ke took a sip of tea, followed Xie Yun’s gaze downward, and exclaimed, “The Crown Prince.”

He looked at Xie Yun and asked, “Did you call him here?”

Xie Yun replied, “No.”

Chen Ke straightened his clothes and said, “Well, since that’s the case, it’s also a good opportunity. Let’s go and meet the Crown Prince.”

Xie Yun withdrew his gaze, placed the porcelain cup back on the table, and then stood up.

---

Sang Yao hesitated, trying to make herself sound casual as she spoke, “I heard that Mr. Xie is going to be engaged, but I don’t know if it’s true or not.”

Sang Yao felt a bit embarrassed. Why did her words still make her seem concerned?

Before Lu Li could respond, she added awkwardly, “My cousin… she really wants to know.”

Lu Li frowned, probably recalling. After a while, he replied seriously, “I… haven’t heard about this.”

Before Sang Yao could relax, he added with caution, “But Xie Yun never tells me about his personal affairs. It’s possible that this matter is still under discussion and hasn’t been announced yet.”

“Since you’ve heard about it, it’s possible that there’s some truth to it.”

Sang Yao didn’t say anything.

She originally didn’t quite believe this matter, but Lu Li’s words made her uncertain.

Lu Li laughed and said, “But Xie Yun is here. Why not ask him directly for your cousin?”

Sang Yao’s spirits lifted, feeling uncomfortable. She asked, “Where is he?”

Lu Li pointed to the second floor of the tea house.

Sang Yao looked over, and at that moment, the man had just stood up, perhaps sensing her gaze, and looked towards her.

He still wore his usual cold expression, his gaze towards her light and emotionless.

Seeing his face, Sang Yao felt more and more angry.

Although this matter hadn’t been confirmed yet, just thinking about it made her feel very angry.

She understood in her heart that she couldn’t demand Xie Yun to tell her his personal matters.

But wouldn’t it hurt to just ask?

Regardless of the other implications, if she had known that they were engaged, she would never have asked Xie Yun to help her in the first place.

It’s really annoying.

She glared at Xie Yun.

Xie Yun frowned, pausing in his actions.

Obviously, she was glaring at him.

So, was she angry again?

Angry at him?

Sang Yao didn’t really want to ask Xie Yun. It would make her seem too concerned, and this man was so arrogant, who knew what misunderstandings he might have.

Sang Yao gave up on asking. She said, “Forget it.”

Lu Li suggested, “How about this, let me ask for you?”

Sang Yao was somewhat tempted. She said, “Then…”

Lu Li interrupted, “Don’t worry, I won’t say it’s you who asked.”

He paused for a moment before adding, “I also won’t mention that your cousin is curious about this matter.”

Sang Yao looked embarrassed, nodded, and said, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

She discreetly glanced at the second floor, where Xie Yun was no longer there.

Sang Yao lowered her gaze and said, “Then I won’t disturb Your Highness.”

As she finished speaking, Xie Yun and Chen Ke walked out of the tea house. Chen Ke stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Luli responded with a “Yes, Master Chen.”

Chen Ke said, “It’s rare to have a rest day today. Since we have some time, let’s have a chat. I didn’t expect to meet Your Highness here.”

Xie Yun, standing in front of Xie Yun, looked at Sang Yao when Chen Ke and Luli were talking. He asked, puzzled, “Are you angry?”

Sang Yao didn’t want to talk to him. She turned around and was about to leave. “It’s none of your business,” she said.

Quite ridiculous.

She was glaring at him for no reason, yet she had the nerve to say it’s none of his business.

But just as she took two steps, Sang Yao stumbled over a protruding brick on the street and almost fell down.

Sang Yao felt utterly defeated.

Xie Yun timely reached out and held her waist, preventing her from embarrassing herself in public.

The warmth filled his palm, and the familiar touch came back.

But it only lasted for a moment.

After steadying herself, Sang Yao immediately broke free from Xie Yun’s grasp. She wanted to say thank you, but she was still angry, so she couldn’t say it. She just turned around and walked away.

Chen Ke had been drawn to these two since earlier. After a moment of thought, he concluded, “Xie Yun, is this your sister?”

Xie Yun ignored him.

He was still puzzled.

Of course, he didn’t care whether she was angry or not. He was just genuinely curious.

Xie Yun looked at Luli. “What were you two talking about just now?”

Lu Li immediately sold out Sang Yao and casually said, “Nothing much. Miss Sang asked if you were engaged.”

Xie Yun asked, “How did you respond?”

Lu Li shrugged, “What else could I say? I told the truth. I don’t know.”

Xie Yun’s expression darkened. He repeated, “You don’t know?”

Lu Li knew, of course.

Xie Yun couldn’t possibly be engaged to anyone else, but he just didn’t want to say it.

Lu Li didn’t look at him, not really caring. He said, “What’s wrong? Didn’t you tell me not to meddle in others’ affairs last time?”

“In that case, I can only say I don’t know.”

Xie Yun: “…”