In an instant, the once-heated hall fell into absolute silence. All eyes turned toward the Crown Prince, waiting for his response. Only Liu Yin remained unfazed, lazily resting her head on one hand while sipping fruit wine. She swore—if this prince actually picked her, she’d eat shit.

Under the scorching gazes of the court, Qin Yan remained unhurried, his voice calm and composed. “Today is Grand Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. Perhaps we should discuss this another day.”

Liu Yin smirked, popping a grape into her mouth. As expected—this cunning fox of a prince was undoubtedly his father’s son. Scheming, unreadable. Who knew what the two of them were plotting?

The officials exchanged glances, momentarily retreating. True, this was indeed the Grand Empress Dowager’s birthday; bringing up such matters was inappropriate. But today had been the perfect opportunity—who knew when they’d get another chance?

“Enough. This matter will be discussed later.” The emperor’s voice rang out, firm and decisive.

With that, there was nothing more to be said. The officials had no choice but to return to their wine and entertainment, pretending as if nothing had happened. Chancellor Liu wore the same cheerful facade, clinking glasses with his colleagues, downing cup after cup.

Liu Yin, who had observed the entire exchange, felt a storm brewing inside her. She couldn’t just sit around and let things play out. She couldn’t let her entire life be tied to the Crown Prince’s whims. If he truly had no intention of accepting the Liu family’s allegiance, then no matter how hard her parents tried, it would be futile. She had to find another way out.

“You’ve been in the palace long enough, Yin’er. You can’t keep troubling the Empress. It’s time to move back home in a few days,” Madam Zhang suddenly said, her tone uncharacteristically serious.

Their eyes met, and Liu Yin nodded. But for some reason, she felt like there was something more to her mother’s words.

Hearing that Liu Yin was leaving, the Sixth Princess immediately frowned. “Aunt, can’t you let Cousin stay a little longer? She doesn’t have much to do outside the palace anyway. At least if she stays, she can study and practice calligraphy with me—we’d have each other for company.”

Though her voice wavered slightly, the Sixth Princess wasn’t wrong. Lately, her cousin had indeed been more diligent in her studies.

“I have to return sooner or later. I’ll take you out of the palace to play another time,” Liu Yin said with a smile, meeting the princess’s gaze.

The Sixth Princess still looked reluctant, as if Liu Yin were leaving that very moment. Meanwhile, Madam Zhang simply shook her head at the two girls—honestly, they were like a couple of children.

After the banquet wound down, Liu Yin thought about checking in on Princess Mingyue but ultimately decided to escort her mother out of the palace first. There were things that needed to be made clear.

The hazy moonlight bathed the palace paths in a soft silver glow. Courtiers and noblewomen bustled to and fro, making their way home. Liu Yin deliberately chose a secluded shortcut to avoid the crowds, and soon, the two of them were walking in quiet solitude.

“You saw it yourself today. If His Majesty truly intended to make you the Crown Princess, he wouldn’t keep dragging his feet like this. And… things haven’t been going well for the Liu family lately, either.”

With a heavy sigh, Madam Zhang tightened her grip on her daughter’s hand, her expression complicated. Lowering her voice, she continued, “Your uncle made a mistake at court a few days ago, and the emperor immediately reassigned him to the remote western district. His rank wasn’t officially lowered, but it’s clearly a demotion. In the past, the emperor would never have embarrassed our family like this. I don’t know what he’s thinking anymore… If he truly wants you as the Crown Princess, it’s either because he’s testing whether the Crown Prince will trust our family—or because you truly want this.”

A cool evening breeze swept past. Liu Yin lowered her gaze, letting her mother hold her hand. She didn’t speak, just stared at the ground in silence.

Madam Zhang reached out and gently patted her daughter’s head, a faint smile on her lips. “I know you’ve grown more sensible than before. I’m telling you all this so you can be prepared. If things truly reach a point where nothing can be done… you must be ready to give up the position of Crown Princess.”

She paused, her voice catching slightly. A bitter feeling welled up inside her. Outsiders believed the Liu family held absolute power, yet in reality, every step they took was filled with hardship. And now, even her own daughter’s desires were beyond her ability to fulfill.

Their steps were slow, the only sound in the night the rustling of grass in the wind. Suddenly, Liu Yin looked up, her grip tightening around her mother’s hand. Her expression was solemn. “My teacher once said that things obtained through force may not be meant for you. I do like the Crown Prince… but more than that, I don’t want to see you and Father struggling like this any longer. If… if that day truly comes, I will learn to let go.”

She couldn’t keep playing this role forever. A change had to come.

Seeing the redness in her daughter’s eyes, Madam Zhang felt a sudden warmth prickling at the corners of her own. She clasped Liu Yin’s hand tightly, unable to say a single word for a long time.

Her daughter had finally grown up.

When they reached the palace gates, Liu Yin stood watching as the Liu family’s carriage slowly disappeared into the night. Only after it was out of sight did she turn back, lost in thought. But her luck wasn’t great—just as she was heading back, she ran straight into Princess Qiyang, who was about to leave the palace as well.

“I knew that maid of yours was up to no good,” Princess Qiyang sneered, blocking her path. “She actually let a spider bite Mingyue. Do you have any idea? Her face is covered in red welts now! Ruining someone’s looks—how vicious of you, Second Miss Liu.”

Liu Yin had no intention of engaging, but noticing the noblewomen nearby turning their gazes toward them, she was forced to stop. Her expression darkened as she met Princess Qiyang’s eyes.

“So the princess enjoys making baseless accusations? You say I planted the spider—then perhaps it was you. This is the capital, not your southwestern lands. No matter how far the Liu family has fallen, I won’t let outsiders throw false charges at me.”

She had merely given Princess Mingyue a taste of her own medicine. Besides, the rash would fade within half a month—exactly as she had learned from Princess Mingyue herself.

Her sharp and unwavering words startled many, prompting them to quickly avert their gazes and continue on their way. Even so, a few couldn’t resist sneaking glances back. Who would have thought that the Liu family’s eldest daughter carried such pride?

Liu Yin and Princess Qiyang locked eyes, the latter’s gaze turning icy as she remained still, her wrist subtly twitching.

“Xin’er.”

A low male voice suddenly called from behind. Princess Qiyang immediately turned her head, and the moment she saw the man standing beside her brother, her eyes lit up. Without hesitation, she rushed forward.

“Crown Prince gege!” She made no effort to hide the admiration in her expression.

But He Ji swiftly grabbed her arm, his face dark with displeasure. “Apologize to Miss Liu.”

She froze mid-step, her fingers clenching into a fist. Wide-eyed, she stared at her brother, her breath caught in her throat, unwillingness and frustration surging in those phoenix eyes.

Liu Yin, arms crossed, sauntered forward at an unhurried pace. “Oh, forget it, forget it. The Liu family has always been magnanimous. Seeing that the heir-apparent is so reasonable puts me at ease. But next time, Your Highness, if there’s no evidence, please refrain from making such jokes. Ruining someone’s reputation is no small matter.”

He Ji glanced at his sister before shifting his gaze to Liu Yin, his expression carrying a hint of apology. “My sister lacks proper manners. Thank you, Miss Liu, for your understanding.”

Liu Yin wasn’t afraid of those who confronted her head-on—what she truly disliked were the ones who smiled while hiding their daggers. She had no idea what kind of person this heir-apparent was, but she wasn’t about to let her guard down. Still, she kept her expression cheerful and waved a hand dismissively. “His Highness is too kind. You have traveled far and are guests here. How could I possibly hold a grudge against the princess?”

Her polished, courteous words rolled off her tongue effortlessly—something the old Liu Yin would have never managed. The Third Prince and Xia Yi exchanged looks of surprise. Who would have thought that Grand Tutor Shen was this capable, turning a once reckless girl into someone so well-spoken?

“Then that’s settled. But still, Xin’er was the one at fault. I will personally bring my sister to your residence another day to offer a formal apology.” He Ji’s clear-cut features remained tinged with sincerity.

At his words, Qin Yan cast him a brief glance, his thin lips parting slightly. “I won’t be seeing you off, then. We’ll have a few drinks another day.”

“Your Highness, no need to trouble yourself.” He Ji immediately dipped his head in acknowledgment.

“Crown Prince gege—” Princess Qiyang still seemed unwilling to let things go, as if she had more to say.

The Third Prince and the others naturally took this moment to excuse themselves as well. Liu Yin, on the other hand, turned to Princess Qiyang and made a playful face before boldly striding after the departing group. “Cousin, wait for me!”

Watching their figures disappear into the distance, Princess Qiyang stomped her foot, then turned to her brother with a huff before storming off.

He Ji paid no mind to her little tantrum. Instead, he followed at a steady pace toward his carriage, though he couldn’t help but glance back now and then at the fading silhouette in the distance. People always said the Liu family’s eldest daughter was hopelessly infatuated with the Crown Prince, but to him, that didn’t seem to be the case.

The night was mesmerizing under the moon’s glow. At the front, Xiao Luzi carried a lantern in silence. Meanwhile, Liu Yin shot a disgruntled look at Xia Yi and the Third Prince. The two instantly understood—they had no desire to provoke this little troublemaker, so they quickly came up with an excuse and slipped away down another path.

That left only Xiao Luzi, the persistent third wheel. He was an eyesore, but there was nothing Liu Yin could do about it. She had no authority over him, so she simply pretended he wasn’t there and sidled up to Qin Yan. Tilting her head to gaze at the luminous moon, she spoke with exaggerated elegance, “Such a beautiful night—truly a rare and exquisite scene.”

Xiao Luzi stifled his laughter and quickened his pace, wisely putting some distance between them. Qin Yan, however, acted as if he hadn’t noticed Liu Yin at all. He walked ahead at an unhurried pace, his sharp, defined features remaining as cool and indifferent as ever under the moonlit sky.

Liu Yin stepped lightly, following the slanted shadow he cast on the ground, her voice soft and quiet. “I just want to ask you one question, Crown Prince gege. As long as you answer me truthfully, from this day on, I will never trouble you again.”

She had said this countless times before—even Xiao Luzi didn’t believe it anymore.

When he remained silent, Liu Yin had no choice but to move closer. Slowly, she reached out and tugged at his sleeve, her fair face filled with earnestness. “Will you truly never marry me?”

She just wanted a clear rejection. If he could turn her down outright, she would finally have an excuse to stop pestering him. She could even put on an act, feign heartbreak for a while—it would be far better than dragging this out indefinitely. She had to get married someday, after all.

Her delicate voice drifted through the stillness of the night. The man’s gaze flickered slightly, shifting toward the girl beside him. She had her head lowered, her long, dark hair falling over her shoulder, obscuring half of her face.

Xiao Luzi silently quickened his pace, putting some distance between himself and the two behind him.

“Did Grand Tutor Shen never teach you that a woman should be reserved and composed?” Qin Yan’s voice was calm and indifferent.

Liu Yin blinked, her expression perfectly serious. “The Grand Tutor only taught me that if you have something to say, say it directly. Hesitation leads to a lifetime of regret.”

Their gazes met, and for some reason, she suddenly felt a bit guilty. She quickly looked away, twisting the embroidered handkerchief between her fingers, then lifted her head to stare awkwardly at the waning moon in the sky.

The night breeze carried a subtle chill. The man’s eyes darkened, unreadable. After a long pause, his thin lips parted.

“You want to marry me?”

=^_^=