Fafa: [I don’t know, Master. I find it a bit strange. He’s not the type to meddle in others’ affairs, so why would he help you?]

Yan Yuning pressed her lips together.  

Fafa: [In the original story, after Yan Yuning was brought back to the Prime Minister’s residence, Yan Shiyao, Xuan Yanyu, and Qi Qingchen soon left together to travel around. Yan Yuning spent a few days with Xuan Yanyu, and he despised her—this timid, shrinking girl who cried at the drop of a hat.] 

Fafa: [But now, why doesn’t he dislike you?]

Yan Yuning rolled her eyes. [Do you want him to hate me?!]

Fafa: [Master, of course not! I’m just curious~]

Yan Yuning rubbed her chin. [Is it possible that since my sister and I are on good terms now, and he wants to marry her, that’s why he helped me?]

Fafa: [Hmm? That’s not impossible.]

……  

“Your Highness, the antidote you requested.” Yejian held up a jade vial with both hands, speaking respectfully.  

The man lay on the divan, a fur blanket draped loosely over him, his eyes closed as he feigned sleep.  

Yejian pursed his lips and nudged Yechen beside him with his elbow.  

Meeting his gaze, Yechen lowered his voice. “It’s no longer needed.”  

Yejian twitched his mouth. He had rushed to Qilan Kingdom the moment he received the message, not daring to delay for even a second—and now he was being told it wasn’t needed anymore?!  

“Throw it away.” The man on the divan slowly opened his eyes.  

“Your Highness, I don’t think we should discard it. What if we need it again someday?” Yechen clasped his hands and spoke cautiously.  

Xuan Yanyu pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice deepening. “I said, throw it away.”  

Why keep it? As a constant reminder of how much he loved sticking his nose where it didn’t belong?  

Yejian glanced carefully at Xuan Yanyu’s expression. “Th-throw it away? Understood, Your Highness. I’ll do it right now.”  

“Xuan Yanyu, are you in there? I’m coming in.” Outside the door, Yan Yuning exhaled and pressed her ear against it, listening for movement inside.  

Yejian grabbed Yechen, and the two of them swiftly hid.  

Yechen frowned. “Why did you pull me? I don’t need to hide.”  

“Shut up,” Yejian hissed under his breath.  

“Xuan Yanyu.” Yan Yuning pushed the door open and peeked inside, her little head tilting curiously.  

The room’s furnishings were identical to hers. The candlelight on the table flickered, casting shadows as the man lounged lazily on the divan, spinning a jade ring on his finger, utterly ignoring her.  

Yan Yuning grinned and sidled up to him, blinking coyly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have misunderstood you.”  

“…”  

“Noble Lord Xuan, won’t you forgive me? Please?” The girl bit her lip pitifully.  

[What a petty man!!!]

Fafa: [Master, he’s ignoring you. Let’s leave!]

[No. I need to keep appearing in front of him every day. Over time, he might not use me as leverage against my sister, and I won’t have to die.]

Fafa: [Master, maybe that’ll work. Let me help you.]

Before Yan Yuning could ask how, her legs suddenly gave way, and she tumbled straight into Xuan Yanyu’s arms.  

Her cheek pressed against his warm chest, and she could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Her own heart leaped into her throat. [Fafa! Are you helping me or sabotaging me??!]

Fafa: [M-Master, I am helping you…]

Xuan Yanyu’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. The girl in his arms carried a faint, sweet fragrance, her body soft as she crashed into him, sending an unexpected tremor through his heart.  

“Yan Yuning is too bold. I’ll pull her away,” Yechen whispered from the shadows, his voice barely audible.  

Yejian raised an eyebrow and murmured back, “Don’t bother. His Highness hasn’t pushed her off—why meddle?”  

Yechen: “…”  

“Get up.” Xuan Yanyu licked his lips, his voice low and rough.

Yan Yuning obediently stood up.  

“Get out.”  

“Kicking me out again? It wasn’t on purpose…” Yan Yuning lowered her eyes, nervously picking at her fingers.  

Xuan Yanyu paused, his gaze flickering slightly. “Fine, I get it. You can leave now.”  

Yan Yuning pouted but said nothing more, turning and walking away.  

“Your Highness, what’s wrong with Yan Yuning? How could she take advantage of you like that? Why didn’t you push her away?” Yechen stepped out of the shadows, his tone incredulous.  

Xuan Yanyu shot him a cold glance.  

Yejian’s eyelid twitched as he carefully chose his words. “Your Highness, Miss Yan Shiyao is our future Crown Princess. It would be best to maintain some distance from the second young lady.”  

“What’s the big deal?” Yechen said dismissively. “If His Highness likes her, he can just take her back to Xuanzhao as a concubine.”  

Yejian frowned slightly. “That might work with others, but given Miss Yan Shiyao’s temperament, she might refuse to marry His Highness altogether if it means protecting her sister.”  

“Enough. Get out. You’re annoying.” Xuan Yanyu waved his hand impatiently, his expression displeased.  

“Your Highness… you’re not actually interested in the second miss, are you?” Yejian ventured cautiously.  

The man scoffed. “You’re overthinking it. The Crown Princess of Xuanzhao can only be Ah Yao. That will never change.”  

Yejian let out a quiet sigh of relief.  

Cough—

Yan Yuning leaned against a tree, spitting out a mouthful of blood.  

[Fafa! What’s wrong with me?!] She clutched the tree trunk, pressing a handkerchief to her lips. Soon, the fabric was soaked with blood, dripping onto her hand.  

Fafa: [Master, it’s the medicine you drank the other day. You just need to expel it, but you’ll be very weak for a while. Rest well, and you’ll recover.]

Yan Yuning staggered. [Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I thought I was fine!]

Fafa: […]

[I can’t… I’m going to pass out…] Her vision darkened as she weakly clung to the tree.  

“Miss Yan, what’s wrong?”  

“Luo…” Her legs gave way.  

Fafa: [Master! Master! Master!!]

Luo Xuan’s expression shifted as she caught her, supporting her with one arm while her other hand pressed against her wrist, checking her pulse. “Nothing serious… so why did she faint?”  

Frowning, she bent down and lifted her into her arms. “You’re Qingchen’s friend. I can’t let anything happen to you in my Taoyuan Manor.”  

Yan Yuning’s eyelids fluttered weakly before closing again.  

…

“Brother Qi, I’m tired. I’ll head back first.”  

Luo Xuan’s steps halted as she looked up ahead.  

“Yao’er, what’s wrong?” Qi Qingchen grabbed Yan Shiyao’s arm, stopping her.  

“I’m fine.” She bit her lip, her eyes red-rimmed.  

“Yao’er, remember what I told you? I hope every day can be as joyful for you as that one was.” Qi Qingchen reached out, gently wiping the tear from the corner of her eye.  

Yan Shiyao lifted her damp lashes. “Brother Qi…”  

Luo Xuan watched from a distance, her gaze turning icy. “Yan Shiyao.”

…

The night was deep, the sky pitch-black without a single star in sight.  

Just as Xuan Yanyu opened the door to his room, he nearly collided with a frantic Yechen.  

“What is it?” Xuan Yanyu frowned.  

“Your Highness, Miss Yan Shiyao is missing.”  

Xuan Yanyu’s eyes narrowed. “Come with me. We’re searching for her.”  

…

In the silent forest, surrounded by towering trees that blotted out the sky, Yan Shiyao lay sprawled on the ground, her face pale with terror.  

“Stay away! Get back!” She braced herself on the ground, her voice trembling.  

“You smell so good…” A ragged man leaned in, inhaling deeply.  

“I—I have money… Just let me go!” Tears welled in her eyes.  

The man grinned greedily. “Pretty thing, I’ll take you and the money.”  

“You—!”  

He threw his head back with a laugh, yanking at her robes. Yan Shiyao squeezed her eyes shut in despair.  

“Your Highness, up ahead—” Yechen’s voice cut off abruptly.  

Xuan Yanyu’s expression turned murderous. In one swift motion, he drew his sword and hurled it forward. The blade pierced the man’s back, his laughter freezing as his eyes bulged. He collapsed onto Yan Shiyao.  

Overwhelmed by terror, Yan Shiyao’s mind went blank—before everything faded to black.