Chapter 29

During lunch.

Xu Duanyi sat beside Dowager Empress Zhaoyu, with Xie Qingya next to her, and the Young Emperor seated on Xie Qingya’s right.

Compared to Xie Qingya’s calm and composed demeanor, the Young Emperor felt his heart grow tense. Seeing that the Dowager Empress’s expression was far more unpleasant than when they met in the morning, he couldn’t help but feel anxious.

He was restless and uneasy.

Of course, he knew why his mother’s mood had suddenly soured.

Though the plan to sow discord between his mother and Cao Da seemed to be working, he worried that his cousin might suffer punishment because of it. His nerves were on edge, but he dared not speak.

If he opened his mouth now, it would only provoke his mother further.

So, he could only sit stiffly, keeping quiet.

Until the Dowager Empress moved her chopsticks, he certainly wouldn’t dare to touch his own.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at his cousin.

Thankfully, Xie Qingya was behaving properly at the moment. Otherwise, he would have truly feared that his mother would explode in anger.

“Aunt.”

Xu Duanyi broke the strange, heavy silence in the room.

She personally picked up some food for the Dowager Empress. “Try this lamb and chive pastry.”

The Dowager Empress shifted her gaze from Xie Qingya to the fragrant pastry.

“Did you make this as well?” she asked, her brows furrowing.

When Xu Duanyi smiled and nodded, the Dowager Empress’s frown deepened, and she scolded, “You don’t know how to take care of yourself.”

No wonder she had been gone so long earlier—she had not only made egg custard but also pastries.

Though she had little appetite earlier, she couldn’t bear to reject Xu Duanyi’s good intentions now. Picking up her chopsticks, she took a bite of the pastry.

The crispy, fragrant crust encased tender lamb and cheese, perfectly seasoned.

Despite her recent poor appetite, the delicious taste made her feel slightly hungry, and her expression softened.

Danfeng, who had served the Dowager Empress for decades and knew her best, quickly ladled a bowl of sour radish and duck soup.

“Have some soup with it. The kitchen simmered it all morning—it’s very refreshing.”

The Dowager Empress didn’t comment further, merely instructed, “Serve a bowl for Xu Xu as well.”

“You’ve been busy all morning. You must be hungry. I had the kitchen prepare all your favorite dishes today.”

These words were directed at Xu Duanyi.

She smiled and agreed without hesitation.

Noticing that the Emperor and Prince had yet to move their chopsticks, she added with a smile, “Your Majesty, Your Highness, please help yourselves.”

The Young Emperor wouldn’t dare move without his mother’s permission.

Xie Qingya, however, glanced at Xu Duanyi.

He hadn’t expected her to speak up for him at this moment.

Conflicted emotions stirred within him.

But his expression remained calm. After a brief look, he turned his gaze away.

“Alright, go ahead and eat.” The Dowager Empress, not wanting to make things difficult for Xu Duanyi, finally gave her permission.

The Emperor immediately responded with a respectful “Yes, Mother” and reached for his chopsticks.

Out of the corner of her eye, the Dowager Empress caught sight of Xie Qingya already helping himself to the dishes without hesitation.

In an instant, another surge of anger rushed to her head, and the Dowager Empress Zhao Yu felt so furious that she nearly slammed her chopsticks down.

But seeing Zhao by her side…

The Dowager Empress Zhao Yu swallowed her anger and averted her gaze to avoid further irritation.

“Your Majesty, try this cake,” Xu Duanyi broke the tension, using the communal chopsticks to pick up a leek pastry for the Young Emperor. Then, she placed another on Xie Qingya’s plate.

“Prince, you should try it too.”

Xie Qingya had been eating calmly, but upon hearing her words, he turned his head toward her.

Her expression was perfectly composed, showing no sign of any unusual emotion.

Even when she looked into his eyes, there was warmth and a smile.

For a moment, he felt puzzled. Did she know what he had just said?

If she didn’t know, then why had she left so abruptly, as if avoiding him?

Xie Qingya didn’t understand.

He stared at Xu Duanyi, his gaze dark and unreadable.

When she noticed his look, she assumed he didn’t like it and was about to take the pastry back when she heard his low voice beside her.

“…Thank you.”

As he spoke, Xie Qingya lowered his gaze and took the fragrant leek pastry from her extended chopsticks.

Xu Duanyi smiled softly and said it was nothing.

After that, she paid no more attention to them, quietly eating her own meal and occasionally serving the Dowager Empress a few bites.

When lunch ended, the Young Emperor stayed for a short while before excusing himself, leaving only Xu Duanyi and her husband.

The Dowager Empress, as usual, planned to take her midday rest.

Noticing her weariness, Xu Duanyi prepared to leave with Xie Qingya.

The Dowager Empress made no objection.

If her nephew-in-law were someone more agreeable, she would have given him some kind advice, but with this proud and rebellious man, she couldn’t be bothered.

Instead, she turned to Xu Duanyi and said, “Take good care of yourself. If you ever suffer any grievance, come to your aunt. I’ll make sure to stand up for you.”

This was a clear and deliberate warning in front of Xie Qingya.

Xu Duanyi’s heart tightened.

She instinctively wanted to glance at Xie Qingya to gauge his reaction, but she restrained herself, lowering her gaze and softly replying, “Yes, Aunt.”

“Danfeng, escort Zhao outside.”

The Dowager Empress instructed her maid, letting out a yawn behind her hand, clearly tired.

Danfeng obeyed.

Xu Duanyi rose, bowed, and urged the Dowager Empress to eat and rest well. When her aunt responded, she left with Xie Qingya.

Once outside the gates of Shoukang Palace, Xu Duanyi politely declined further escort.

“You may return, Aunt Danfeng.”

“But…”

Danfeng hesitated, having been ordered to follow.

“My aunt needs you more, and I know the way. Please stay with her,” Xu Duanyi said with a smile.

Seeing her insistence, Danfeng no longer argued.

She bowed to Xu Duanyi and said, “Safe travels.” She gave only a slight nod to Xie Qingya without speaking and turned back.

Watching her leave, Xu Duanyi turned to Xie Qingya. “Prince, shall we return?”

Xie Qingya gave a soft “Mm.”

Bixi followed behind them as Xu Duanyi and Xie Qingya walked ahead.

They said nothing along the familiar path until they reached a spot that prompted Xu Duanyi to speak. “I remember the first time I saw you—it was right there.”

His mind immediately recalled the location.

Xie Qingya looked at it. Yes, it was the same place.

He wondered why she mentioned it now, staring silently at the familiar spot.

But Xu Duanyi didn’t mind whether he responded or not.

She continued, “I had just entered the palace and didn’t know my way. A servant was guiding me to find my cousin, but I lost my handkerchief along the way and turned back to find it.”

“I stood there, feeling lost and uneasy.”

“And that was when you appeared.”

Xie Qingya gazed at the place and remembered.

She had been like a pitiful, abandoned kitten—though she hadn’t cried, her wide, dark eyes had been full of tears, making her look so fragile.

She was frightened of everything around her, as if even a louder gust of wind might scare her away.

At the time, he had simply thought her face unfamiliar.

He hadn’t known she was the young Xu family girl his mother often mentioned—the one who had lost her mother at a young age.

He wasn’t one to meddle in others’ affairs.

And that day, his mood had been sour. But perhaps it was because Xu Duanyi had looked so helpless that he had spoken to her.

“Mm.”

The memory brought a quiet hum from him.

Xu Duanyi hadn’t expected him to respond.

Delighted, she lifted her head and asked, “You remember, Prince?”

Xie Qingya heard the joy in her voice but hesitated, his hands clenching at his sides.

He didn’t know what to say or why she had brought it up.

So, he stayed silent.

When no further reply came, Xu Duanyi wasn’t disappointed.

That single “Mm” was enough for her. Even if he had forgotten, she wouldn’t have minded.

After all, she hadn’t mentioned it to make him remember.

It wasn’t about reminiscing old feelings either.

Xu Duanyi naturally lowered her gaze, her eyes falling on that familiar spot. She continued to speak softly, “Back then, I was timid and didn’t know who you were, so I didn’t dare talk to you.”

In truth, it wasn’t because she found Xie Qingya unfamiliar that she didn’t speak to him.

It was because, at the time, Xie Qingya had looked intimidating.

She later learned that Xie Qingya had been forced by his family to be a companion reader for the crown prince in the palace.

He was someone who couldn’t sit still, always longing to follow his father and brothers to the battlefield. Yet, he was compelled by the Grand Princess to stay in the palace to learn etiquette and rules, which naturally left him full of resentment.

It was said that every time he came to the palace, he caused chaos, and no one could control him.

If he hadn’t lost a bet with the crown prince and been forced to stay, he likely would have escaped long ago.

Thus, when Xu Duanyi first saw Xie Qingya, she immediately thought he was trouble. Not knowing his identity, she didn’t dare to engage with him.

When Xie Qingya noticed her ignoring him, he initially intended to leave.

But for some reason, he stayed.

He didn’t speak to her either.

He simply squatted on a stone, completely lacking any decorum.

At the time, Xu Duanyi didn’t know why Xie Qingya stayed. She only thought he was difficult to deal with and quietly moved away, thinking the farther, the better.

When the palace maid returned with her handkerchief, Xie Qingya suddenly stood up, dusted himself off, and left without a word.

It was only later that Xu Duanyi realized he might have stayed for her.

Whenever she remembered those old times, her heart always softened.

Even her eyes would be filled with a tender smile.

From a young age, she had known that beneath Xie Qingya’s rebellious exterior lay a very gentle heart.

Even now.

She still believed it wholeheartedly.

She was convinced that, deep down, he was still the righteous and loyal young man he used to be.

“Aunt’s words—there’s no need for the prince to take them to heart. I’m not one to tattle.” Xu Duanyi suddenly lowered her voice.

She was worried Xie Qingya would dwell on what her aunt had said earlier.

She could sense it.

After she spoke, she felt his gaze suddenly fall on her.

Without hesitation, Xu Duanyi raised her face slightly under his watchful eyes.

She exposed herself entirely to his view, allowing him to read every emotion in her expression.

She wanted to convey something to Xie Qingya.

She wanted to prove that she was harmless.

That she would never hurt him.

Even though she understood.

He wouldn’t trust her easily. Still, she wanted to try.

“You…”

Xie Qingya’s voice, tinged with hesitation, reached her ears.

Just as Xu Duanyi quietly waited for him to continue, a sharp voice suddenly interrupted them from behind.

“Your Highness, Princess.”

Xu Duanyi clearly saw the brief change in Xie Qingya’s expression.

The confusion and hesitation in his eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by sharpness, coldness, and a chilling frost.

If the air could turn into blades,

The space in front of her would be filled with countless sharp edges.

At that moment, Xie Qingya’s demeanor made Xu Duanyi’s heart skip a beat. Her pulse quickened.

But by the time she looked again, Xie Qingya’s expression had returned to normal.

Not only that, but the gaze he had fixed on her face was also entirely withdrawn.

He stood up straight again.

The doubt and hesitation that had briefly surfaced were now gone.

His face had reverted to its initial indifference.

As if everything she had just seen was merely a figment of her imagination.

The footsteps behind them drew closer.

Cao Da’s voice rang out once more.

“From afar, I almost didn’t recognize you. Then I remembered it’s the day the princess brought the prince to the palace, so I came to greet you.” Cao Da spoke cheerfully, but he didn’t move forward to bow.

Instead, he waited for them to acknowledge him first.

When Cao Da approached, Xu Duanyi had already averted her gaze from Xie Qingya.

She turned to greet him, “Chief Eunuch Cao.”

Cao Da responded with a cheerful “Ah!” and said, “Greetings, Princess.”

He then looked at Xie Qingya.

But Xie Qingya didn’t even glance at him. Instead, he impatiently asked Xu Duanyi, “Are we going or not?”

Cao Da’s face remained unchanged.

However, the young eunuch behind him immediately frowned and reprimanded, “—How dare you!”

Xu Duanyi frowned at the words.

She was about to speak, but Xie Qingya had already turned and walked away without a backward glance.

Xu Duanyi watched him leave.

She didn’t call out to stop him.

Instead, before following, she turned to Cao Da and said, “The young eunuch lacks proper manners. Chief Eunuch Cao, it might be better to find someone else.”

“As the Chief Eunuch in charge of ceremonial duties, your position is important. If those around you behave like this, it’s not just others who will have opinions—eventually, even the censors might impeach you for poor supervision.”

When Xu Duanyi said this, there was no anger in her tone.

Her voice was calm, and her gaze on Cao Da was serene.

Yet her words left Cao Da deeply unsettled.

He had been watching Xie Qingya’s retreating figure with a scrutinizing look, but upon hearing Xu Duanyi’s remark, the smile on his face stiffened.

His eyes shifted from the distance back to Xu Duanyi.

—-

In the Huajian Cattage.

Xie Ping’an left immediately after finishing his meal.

Usually, he would stay to chat with Xie Changning before returning to his studies.

But today, Xie Qingya was present.

To avoid any conflicts or arguments with Xie Qingya that might upset his younger sister, Xie Ping’an chose to leave early.

The remaining dishes on the table had already been cleared away by Fuqu, who had called for someone to clean up.

Fuqu then brewed fresh tea for the siblings.

Xie Changning’s cup was her favorite sweet and refreshing honey citrus peel tea. After all, she was still a child and naturally preferred sweet flavors.

Xie Qingya’s tea was switched to a cup of Wuyi Mountain black tea.

Drinking black tea at night wouldn’t cause insomnia.

However, Xie Qingya had no intention of drinking it.

He had spent so little time with his younger siblings recently that he didn’t know how to interact with them anymore. He even felt fearful when facing them.

Though his younger sister hadn’t blamed him for harming their father and elder brother like Ping’an did, guilt still weighed heavily on his heart.

Even her current stuttering, Xie Qingya believed, was his fault.

If he had paid more attention to her back then, instead of drowning in regret and sorrow every day…

Would his little sister have turned out this way?

How could he face her now?

What right did he have to look her in the eye?

If she hated him and treated him coldly like Ping’an did, he might feel more at ease.

But she didn’t.

She still treated him as warmly as before.

And that made it even harder for him to interact with her.

Xie Qingya sighed deeply, unable to face the situation.

In the end, he decided to leave.

“Rest well. I’m leaving now,” Xie Qingya said as he stood up.

Xie Changning’s small face immediately filled with reluctance and longing.

Though she was naturally obedient and considerate, especially now that her family was in this state, she wouldn’t dare ask for much. Despite her sadness, she didn’t try to stop him but said earnestly, “I-I’ll see you o-out, second b-brother.”

Xie Qingya initially wanted to refuse.

But seeing her stand up with a hopeful expression, he didn’t have the heart to disappoint her.

Without saying more, he let her accompany him outside.

When they reached the courtyard, he stopped and said, “Go back inside.”

This time, Xie Changning didn’t insist. However, her gaze remained filled with hope and dependence.

“Second brother,” she stammered, “w-will you c-come have d-dinner with m-me and third brother again?”

“I-I want to eat with y-you, second brother.”

She clutched the hem of her skirt, mustering all her courage to ask.

Xie Qingya looked into her hopeful eyes.

He didn’t outright reject her but simply said, “If I have time, I will.”

Though not a firm promise, it was enough to brighten Xie Changning’s spirits.

“Alright!”

Her eyes sparkled with joy.

She hesitated briefly, then asked shyly, “C-can I invite s-sister-in-law too?”

Xie Qingya frowned, clearly not expecting that.

For a moment, he remained silent.

He already knew about this, so how could the person in Shoukang Palace not know?

Even though he was aware that Xie Qingya was now a decadent and unruly person, Cao Da hadn’t expected him to be this audacious!

It gave him a sudden sense of having hoisted a rock only to drop it on his own foot.

He had intended to send a warning to the person in Shoukang Palace, not truly make an enemy of her.

Mutual destruction was never a good approach.

He still hadn’t had his fill of easy days yet.

But now, regret was useless.

“In the future, whenever you see the Princess Royal, learn to be smarter. Don’t offend people you can’t afford to. If trouble really comes, even I won’t be able to protect you.”

With a dark expression, Cao Da turned and walked away.

Clearly, being humiliated by Xu Duanyi had left him in a sour mood.

Chen Ji responded quietly, “Understood.”

Following behind Cao Da, he didn’t bring up the matter of Xiaosi again but instead asked, “What does foster father think of the Prince of Nanan?”

The whole reason Cao Da had come earlier was to observe the Prince of Nanan in person and gauge his true nature.

Cao Da didn’t speak right away.

Only after a long silence, just as Chen Ji was about to call out again, did Cao Da finally say, “I don’t know.”

It was the first time Chen Ji had ever heard his foster father speak with such uncertainty, leaving him utterly astonished.

Cao Da indeed couldn’t make a judgment.

If the Prince of Nanan had clashed with the Emperor, or if the Emperor had stormed off, he could have concluded they were colluding.

But instead, the two had spent the entire morning playing chess.

And the Prince of Nanan, acting so rude toward the Princess Royal and visiting the Changyin Pavilion—he truly couldn’t discern truth from pretense.

“What do the people at the yamen say?” he asked.

Chen Ji didn’t dare hide anything and answered truthfully, “Our informants report that in the three months since his appointment, the Prince of Nanan hasn’t handled a single task. He spends his days either napping in his office or sneaking out, leaving all responsibilities to his deputies, which has made him deeply unpopular among the yamen staff.”

“Sneaking out? For what purpose?”

“He tried visiting brothels, but the heir to the Duke of Huguo issued a ban last year forbidding any establishment from serving him, warning that violators would be severely punished. Even his former companions have distanced themselves, fearing trouble. So lately, he spends most of his time at teahouses, listening to opera.”

Listening to this, it seemed like typical behavior for a wastrel.

But Cao Da remained uneasy. “Keep watching him,” he instructed.

“Yes!”

—–

As father and son walked away, Xu Duanyi and Bixi returned to their waiting carriage.

Earlier, Bixi had worried that the Prince of Nanan would leave without them, but seeing the carriage still there, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Princess.”

Chang Feng waited outside the carriage.

When he saw Xu Duanyi approaching, he greeted her respectfully.

Xu Duanyi nodded and glanced at the carriage behind him.

Noticing her movement, Chan Feng lowered his voice. “His Highness is inside.”

The Prince had arrived with a dark expression, only to learn that Cao Da had appeared.

Cao Da was deeply tied to the Battle of Changye.

Were it not for Cao Da’s position in the palace and the many constraints binding the Prince, he would have long sought vengeance for his late father and elder brother.

“Thank you.”

Xu Duanyi thanked Chang Feng before approaching the carriage.

She hesitated before stepping in.

Even though she had done nothing wrong, the moment Cao Da appeared, she felt unable to face Xie Qingya calmly.

Bixi, unaware of her inner turmoil, lifted the curtain for her.

Inside, Xie Qingya sat where he had been that morning, an untouched cup of tea on the table—tea she had poured for him earlier.

But the strong hand that had reached for hers that morning remained still this time.

Xie Qingya sat motionless, eyes closed, as if asleep.

Xu Duanyi knew he wasn’t sleeping—and that he didn’t want to see her.

She lowered her gaze, hesitating again.

Turning back would raise suspicion.

Xu Duanyi stepped into the carriage, assisted by Bixi.

The curtain fell behind her as she sat in her earlier seat.

She didn’t notice Xie Qingya’s long fingers twitch briefly before he stilled them.

The journey home was silent.

He kept his eyes shut the entire time, never speaking.

Several times, Xu Duanyi glanced at him, wishing to speak, but the words stayed unspoken.

The carriage reached the palace in heavy silence.

When it stopped, Xie Qingya finally opened his eyes.

They sat across from each other, faces in full view.

Their eyes met, revealing subtle shifts in their expressions.

But it lasted only a moment before Xie Qingya broke eye contact and left the carriage.

Xu Duanyi watched him walk away, her lips parting, but in the end, she said nothing.

She sat quietly for a moment inside, then bent down and stepped out of the carriage.

To her surprise, Xie Qingya did not leave immediately but remained standing beside the carriage.

She had assumed he would walk away directly.

However, Xu Duanyi didn’t dwell on it.

She simply thought Xie Qingya stayed to avoid letting Aunt Deng find out, so she wouldn’t nag again.

Aunt Deng was indeed prone to nagging.

She didn’t want him to be nagged at either.

With many people outside, she didn’t want anyone to notice anything unusual between them to avoid idle gossip.

Xu Duanyi composed herself, a gentle smile returning to her face as she spoke her first words to Xie Qingya since their return: “Your Highness, your duties are pressing—please go ahead. I’ll return to my room.”

As she spoke, she placed her hand on Bixi’s and lowered her eyes, allowing Bixi to help her down from the carriage.

Xie Qingya stood beside the carriage.

Inevitably, they stood close.

Xu Duanyi did not notice his gaze lingering on her hand. When Xie Qingya still had not moved, she called out curiously, “Your Highness?”

Xie Qingya lifted his eyes again.

Their gazes met, and though he had intended to leave without hesitation, just as before, he found himself faltering.

Looking at her serene, spring-like face and her clear, bright eyes, he recalled her earlier mention of their first meeting in the palace. Memories of a small, timid girl, with innocent, helpless eyes watching him, resurfaced.

In the end, Xie Qingya could not bring himself to leave so easily.

He lowered his gaze and spoke in a hoarse voice: “…I’m sorry.”

It was just one phrase, but it was enough to leave Xu Duanyi stunned.

She never expected an apology from Xie Qingya.

Though she did not know what had happened to him, she could tell one thing.

Xie Qingya despised Cao Da.

One could even say he loathed him.

The shift she noticed in the palace earlier wasn’t her imagination—it was real.

But she had never blamed Xie Qingya.

After a moment of surprise, she smiled gently again, saying, “It’s all right. I’ve never blamed Your Highness.”

There were so many things she wanted to say and ask.

She wanted to know what had happened to him. Were all the changes over the years really just because of the loss of Uncle Xie and the others? Why did he hate Cao Da so much? What had he done?

If Aunt and Cao Da feared he was pretending and worried he would one day use the Jizhou army to support the Emperor’s rule, then what about him?

What was his reason?

But Xu Duanyi knew she had no right to ask, and Xie Qingya would never tell her.

The more one said, the more mistakes could be made.

It might even provoke Xie Qingya’s suspicion and shatter the fragile peace they had managed to attain.

She couldn’t bear that.

Nor did she want to see his cold, unfamiliar face again.

Suppressing her myriad questions, Xu Duanyi smiled gently once more. “I’ll go ahead then. It’s been a long day—Your Highness should also rest.”

She paused, remembering how weary he had seemed that morning.

Although he had dismissed it as unrelated to his sleeping arrangements, Xu Duanyi felt the need to express her thoughts.

She couldn’t just let it pass.

“Linfeng Pavilion is Your Highness’s usual residence. If you find the study uncomfortable, feel free to send someone to tell me. I’m fine.”

With only Bixi and Chang Feng nearby, and the others far enough away not to hear, Xu Duanyi lowered her voice and added, “I can live anywhere.”

Since she had already opened her heart, she didn’t mind being even more candid. “I know Your Highness dislikes this marriage.”

Xie Qingya hadn’t expected her to bring it up so directly.

He instinctively frowned, opened his mouth as if to speak, then closed it again.

There was no need to explain.

He was indeed dissatisfied with the marriage. Whoever his bride was, he would have felt wary and resentful.

But since it was her…

He knew he should remain guarded, yet she stirred a tumult of emotions within him, repeatedly breaking his own plans and leaving him without resolve.

His hand, clenched tightly behind his back, trembled slightly as he gazed at Xu Duanyi without a word.

“This marriage is something I cannot refuse.”

“But I promise, during my time in the royal residence, I will not disturb Your Highness, nor will I let anyone complain to Aunt.”

“So whether it’s Linfeng Pavilion or anywhere else, please do whatever pleases you without concern for me.”

On the third day of their marriage, she finally had the chance to speak her heart to him.

It made her feel relieved.

She wasn’t sure if Xie Qingya believed her, but it was better than saying nothing at all.

When she finished speaking, he did not respond.

She didn’t mind. She curtsied slightly and said, “Then I’ll take my leave. If Your Highness has anything to say, please send someone to tell me.”

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away with Bixi.

After she left, Chang Feng glanced at Xie Qingya, then at the departing princess. Hesitating, he asked, “Your Highness, do you believe what she just said?”

Xie Qingya didn’t immediately answer him.

He was also watching Xu Duanyi’s departing figure—watching longer than anyone else.

Only when she disappeared from sight did Xie Qingya finally look away, lowering his gaze.

He didn’t even know what he was looking at.

“I don’t know.”

At that moment, Xie Qingya’s voice, for some unknown reason, sounded hoarse.

He uttered these words and then remained silent.

Chang Feng didn’t ask any further.

This wasn’t the kind of question that could be answered in just a few sentences.

But when the Princess had spoken earlier, she had sounded so sincere… If all of that had been an act, then their Princess would truly be a masterful performer.

—And it would break His Highness’s heart.

Chang Feng looked at Xie Qingya’s figure and silently added another thought.

He couldn’t imagine it.

If one day it turned out that everything the Princess had said was a lie, what would become of His Highness then?