“Still, the recent improvement in your relationship with the Crown Prince is a good sign. In that case, this is what we’ll do, I’ll summon you to the palace under the pretense of accompanying Tong’er. Starting tomorrow, you’ll stay in the palace for a while. The Crown Prince comes daily to greet me, so you’ll have more opportunities to interact. This will undoubtedly strengthen your bond.”

“…”

Liu Yin pressed her lips together, unsure how to respond. She had just found an excuse to enjoy a month of rest, and now they were making her move back to the palace!

“But… I already promised Crown Prince gege I wouldn’t bother him for a whole month,” she said hesitantly.

“Foolish girl, when did you become so thin-skinned?” the Empress replied with a helpless laugh.

Liu Yin lowered her head, staying silent. So, she was expected to break her promise?

With that, the decision was made. Liu Yin didn’t linger long in Zhangchun Palace before leaving the palace entirely. As she made her way back, she sighed repeatedly, her emotions tangled. She had just gotten an excuse to stop acting, and now they wanted her to go back and pick it up again. Whatever, she told herself. No matter what, she would not act like an infatuated fool again.

When she returned home, it wasn’t long before the Empress’s decree arrived. Since this was all within the family, there was an unspoken understanding about the matter. Liu Guozheng and the others had no objections; in fact, they were delighted, eager for their daughter to spend as much time with the Crown Prince as possible.

Thus, it was settled. That evening, while she was packing, her mother hovered anxiously, repeatedly reminding her to be cautious in the palace, to avoid causing trouble, and to seek out her aunt if she ran into difficulties. The lecture went on for half an hour before she finally left.

Liu Yin felt she needed to find an excuse to return home as soon as possible. Staying in the palace made her uncomfortable in every way. How could it compare to the freedom of life outside?

The next morning, Liu Yin was awakened at the crack of dawn to wash up and prepare herself for the day. She needed to enter the palace early to avoid missing her scheduled time at the academy.

She was assigned to stay at Xiefang Palace, the residence of the Sixth Princess. This arrangement suited her better, as it wasn’t like Zhangchun Palace, where her aunt had spies everywhere. At least here, she had more freedom to act without constant scrutiny.

After arriving in the palace early with her luggage, the Sixth Princess was already waiting for her at Xiefang Palace. Excitedly, she helped Liu Yin settle into her new quarters and enthusiastically suggested showing her around. However, time was running short, and they were at risk of being late for the academy. The two had no choice but to hurry over.

“I heard that yesterday, Qin Rong was punished by the Noble Consort and confined to Chengqian Palace to reflect on her actions but I think she’s just doing it for Father Emperor’s sake. If she really wanted to apologize to you, why hasn’t she sent someone over to express her regret? She doesn’t want to lower herself in front of Mother Empress, but she’s putting on a show for Father Emperor. Such a pretentious act,” the Sixth Princess fumed as they walked.

Liu Yin, however, remained indifferent. The imperial harem was a deep and treacherous pool, far beyond what someone like her—a mere minister’s daughter—should concern herself with. If the Noble Consort was making a gesture of remorse, it was already a concession in deference to the emperor’s face. Expecting her to bring the princess personally to apologize was unrealistic.

“Let’s hurry. If we’re late, the Grand Tutor will lecture us again. I was so busy packing last night that I didn’t even read the books the tutor assigned for revision,” Liu Yin said, grabbing the Sixth Princess by the arm. Gathering up her skirts, she picked up her pace, jogging ahead.

“Wait… Cousin, slow down!” the Sixth Princess called out breathlessly.

In the morning light, the imperial garden was still shrouded in a cool mist. Dew glistened on the delicate flower petals, poised to fall at the slightest touch. Palace attendants moved briskly with lowered heads, focused on their duties. Liu Yin ran until she was out of breath, silently berating her body’s poor physical condition. She resolved to start jogging every morning to improve her stamina.

The Sixth Princess fared even worse. After only a few steps, her face had turned pale, forcing Liu Yin to stop and walk at a slower pace. Just as they passed a cobblestone path and turned a corner, they collided with a group of people.

“Im—Imperial Brother…”

The Sixth Princess was still catching her breath, speaking in a weak and labored voice, with fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

Seeing their hurried steps, the Third Prince chuckled and teased. “Why the rush? Is some ferocious beast chasing you?”

He then gave Liu Yin a meaningful glance before turning his attention to his elder brother. In an instant, he seemed to understand—this must have been a deliberate “chance meeting.”

Unaware of his wild imagination, Liu Yin briefly glanced at the Crown Prince standing across from her. Without hesitation, she grabbed the Sixth Princess and hurriedly moved on, saying nothing. This abrupt action stunned everyone present.

“This… what’s going on with Miss Liu today?”

Xia Yi turned around in astonishment watching the two figures disappear quickly down the path. He glanced up at the sky and murmured. “The sun hasn’t risen in the west, so why is Liu Yin acting so strangely? Could it be some kind of ‘play hard to get’ strategy?”

The Crown Prince remained silent and resumed walking toward the council hall. His gaze, however, briefly followed Liu Yin’s departing figure, and his expression turned pensive as his eyes lowered slightly.

Walking a few paces behind, the Third Prince, known for his boldness, caught up to his brother. Hesitating slightly, he said. “To be honest… I think Liu Yin isn’t half bad. Sure, she’s a little brash and headstrong, but she’s genuine at heart. Brother, maybe you’re just biased against her?”

The man in front kept his steady pace. Hearing this, he cast a sidelong glance at the Third Prince, his thin lips curving faintly as he replied. “It seems you’re quite invested.”

=^_^=