But Mei Heting knew the truth—teaching her the rites was a punishment for Xing Yun to kneel; the wide gate meant she would have to kneel outside; and asking to keep the guest until nightfall meant having her kneel until dark.

Xing Yun blinked her tear-filled eyes, like a fawn lost in a maze, looking helplessly at her Mei Shixiong.

But her Senior Brother Mei turned a blind eye.

He bowed his hands to Madame Mei and said, “Please, Mother, take a seat in the hall—thank you for your trouble.”

The last three words were spoken as he gazed at Xuan Mingzhu’s retreating figure.

After he finished speaking, he lowered his eyes again, never once meeting Xing Yun’s gaze.

“See the princess out.”

Hearing this, Xing Yun felt a hidden joy swell in her heart.

She thought, her senior brother is indeed looking out for her.

He has always been reasonable; how could he bear to see her suffer for no reason?

Xuan Mingzhu, from beginning to end, didn’t spare a glance for them and had no concern that a mere county princess could escape from her heavily guarded mansion, daring not to follow her orders.

Kneeling for four hours before dark, the princess’s words were as binding as law.

Let alone if Mei Heting wanted to be partial; even the wife of the Prince of Shen, if she came in person, wouldn’t get less than a quarter of an hour!

She held onto Baoya’s hand and led her into the inner hall, a smile always gracing her face.

Having spent over a decade in the palace, she had mastered the art of social interactions, both spoken and unspoken.

At this moment, apart from Baoya, Mei Yu, Mei Hang, the emperor’s nephew, and the one she had watched grow up, Yan Zibai, these young ones were her true concern; no one else was worth her grief.

It was just unfortunate that, according to schedule, Mei Heting was supposed to move out of the princess’s residence today.

His mother chose this moment to arrive.

It was said that when the Yue family had a child years ago, she suffered a shock, which left her with a chronic ailment, resulting in her having only Mei Heting as her only son.

She could not be overworked and could not withstand any fright.

From her appearance, it seemed she was still unaware of the situation.

If one were to bluntly tell her that her son had been dismissed by me, it would be outrageous not to cause a stir!

Xuan Mingzhu was of noble character.

Even though there was a score to settle with Mei Heting, she was not the type to drive someone to the edge.

Seeing Baoya nestled comfortably in Madam Yue’s arms, calling her grandmother affectionately, she felt a surge of tenderness and instructed Hong Er to serve tea to Madam Mei.

“Baoya, your grandmother is tired from the journey; be good and don’t cause a fuss.”

Meanwhile, Mei Heting escorted Xing Yun to the steps outside the mansion.

Xing Yun’s ears turned crimson, and just as she was about to thank her senior brother for personally seeing her out, she heard him say:

“Kneel.”

“…What?” Xing Yun looked at him in astonishment.

Mei Heting’s gaze flicked over her lightly. “According to the command of the princess, how many heads do you dare not obey?”

Xing Yun stumbled back a couple of steps as if she didn’t recognize him, only to realize that her senior brother’s gaze at this moment resembled a snow-capped mountain shrouded in cold mist.

Each moment felt heavier, pressing down on her knees.

She involuntarily knelt.

“Senior brother, what’s wrong? It’s me, Yun’er!” Xing Yun knelt on the sun-baked bricks, tears streaming down her face.

Mei Heting merely stared at her coldly.

“How did Old Di hear about the princess and my private matters, and why did he consider recommending me to the cabinet—explain it all to me clearly.”

Xing Yun was stunned upon hearing this, and a flicker of panic spread in her heart. “Senior brother, what are you saying? Yun’er doesn’t understand.”

“Yesterday, around the hour of Wei, a green-carpeted carriage stopped at the Di residence. Though there was no emblem, the coachman was Fang Xianda from the Prince of Shen’s household.”

In half a day, the matter that Jiang Yi was ordered to investigate had returned a response.

Mei Heting paused for a moment. “Do I need to clarify who got out of the carriage?”

Xing Yun suddenly remembered that this person was not only her senior brother but also the young official in charge of cases at the Dali Temple.

She hurriedly looked up to meet his gaze, but he didn’t look at her at all, merely glancing at the shadows of the trees behind her.

His cold, distant eyes seemed to draw a clear line, the sharpness of his features revealing an air of abstinence.

It was this ethereal, unworldly quality that she had been unable to forget over the years.

However, at this moment, Xing Yun’s heart trembled, and after several stuttering attempts to speak, a crystalline tear slipped down her cheek.

“Senior brother, please don’t misunderstand. It was that day I heard Madam Di was ill—when my late father passed away, the Xing family received much care from the Ge Lao, so I thought I should make an effort to visit. Perhaps I mentioned some news from outside to entertain Madam Di and spoke a bit too much…”

Her clear tears, like scattered pearls, hung on her delicate face, creating a ready-made image of a rain-drenched pear blossom.

“Stop crying!” Mei Heting frowned.

Seeing her cry without cause outside Cuiwei Palace had displeased him.

Not to mention the strict etiquette of the inner palace, her tearful expression under the wind and moon seemed to imply a desire for pity.

He couldn’t help but wonder how the princess had bullied her.

But at that time, he was in turmoil and thought that Xing Yun, coming from a prestigious family, wouldn’t stoop so low, so he didn’t dwell on it.

Just like when Xuan Mingzhu had brought up the gifts she had given him; he had thought that Yun’er was pure-hearted and wouldn’t harbor ulterior motives.

Mei Heting suddenly clenched his pale knuckles.

He had misjudged the situation back then.

Amidst her incessant sobs, the man turned impatiently, “Whether it was unintentional or deliberate, remember this, county princess: matters of the Mei household are not to be influenced by outsiders.”

“Four hours—make sure you serve your time.”

“Senior brother, what’s wrong with you?” Dressed in white, Mei Heting appeared as if he were thousands of miles away.

Xing Yun, anxious, crawled forward to grasp the hem of his robe.

The girl, who had fallen to the ground, spoke through tears: “In the past, senior brother had such lofty aspirations. Is it that the princess has kept you by her side all these years, leaving you despondent and dulling your edges? Even if Yun’er asks Lord Di to help you, what’s the harm? You are a talented young man; I can’t bear to see you overshadowed!”

With his back to her, Mei Heting’s expression grew increasingly somber.

He had never anticipated that the girl he once regarded as a sister would become so unfamiliar.

Listening to her words was utterly absurd.

“Defaming a princess of the royal family, by law, is punishable by exile to Lingnan; inciting court officials and meddling in political matters is a crime of a higher degree.”

With a swift motion, Mei Heting tore his sleeve from her grasp and turned to face Xing Yun. “From now on, do not let this face appear before the princess to provoke her ire. Remember, county princess, stay away from any actions that violate this—otherwise, I will personally send you to prison.”

“Senior brother…” Xing Yun was so shocked that her tears ceased.

She could only mumble, too afraid to speak.

The crimson door slammed shut before her, and she felt her body go weak, cold sweat soaking her back.

She lingered over his harsh words, feeling as if she had been stabbed through the heart; it was a chilling blow, worse than death.

But she hadn’t done anything wrong—she had only thought of his future!

Why had the once-reserved, polite senior brother become so cold toward her, as if he were a completely different person?

She couldn’t understand this at all and naturally blamed it on the princess, thinking it must be that person’s instigation that had turned her pure-hearted Mei Heting into this!

Xing Yun’s expression hardened; she gritted her teeth and tried to stand, preparing to return home to seek help from her righteous mother.

Before she could move, a matron dressed in dark green with a phoenix-patterned palace dress appeared from the corner of the steps, flanked by two armed guards.

Her deadpan eyes fell on Xing Yun’s face.

“Where does the county princess intend to go?”

From the shadow wall to the hall, the path was neither long nor short, but Mei Heting walked slowly and heavily.

Upon entering the hall, the three children had already left.

At the tea table, Madame Yue was conversing with the princess.

“Hetting has always been astute and calculating, a clever lad who speaks ten words but conveys only one meaning, and in this regard, he is often at a loss in the ways of the world. Thankfully, Your Highness has looked upon him favorably; seeing you and your husband at peace, the old woman can rest assured.”

Xuan Mingzhu, unaware of how Madame Yue perceived their harmony, took a sip of phoenix dancong tea while managing a smile.

Mei Heting stepped closer, gazing at the woman’s elegant hair and graceful brows, and called softly, “Mingzhu.”

Not only did Xuan Mingzhu freeze for a moment, but Madame Yue also looked at her son in surprise.

Realizing what was happening, Madame Mei let out an “Oh!” and, covering her laughter with a handkerchief, excused herself to the Grand Princess, retreating to a side room to give the young couple some privacy.

Unbeknownst to them, this backfired—Xuan Mingzhu could still manage a smile in front of others, but she found herself at a loss for words with Mei Heting.

Without sparing him a glance, she set her teacup down with a soft clink, standing up as if to leave.

He moved to block her path.

“Please,” he called again, his tone heavy with regret.

Xuan Mingzhu glanced up, her indifference evident as she lifted her eyelids slightly.

In the past, she would have never let him call her by her given name.

Only in the privacy of their chambers, in moments of deep emotion, would her name escape from his low, husky voice, warming her ear and surpassing physical pleasure.

But hearing it now felt nauseating.

Mei Heting seemed to sense her confusion and explained in a low tone, “Since you don’t like me calling you ‘Your Highness,’ from now on, I will…”

“Become a marionette that moves at the slightest pull?” Xuan Mingzhu interrupted, finally letting out a laugh that held no warmth. “For someone like me, a thousand won’t do. How can you still be dreaming? We have no future.”