Under Fafa’s guidance, Yan Yuning arrived at the teahouse.  

At a glance, she spotted Qi Qingchen. As expected of the male lead—he stood out effortlessly.  

“Sir, mind if I sit here?” Yan Yuning smiled softly.  

Qi Qingchen returned a gentle smile. “Please, go ahead, miss.”  

With that, he stood up and began walking away.  

Yan Yuning blinked. “Sir, did I disturb you?”  

“No.” Qi Qingchen paused mid-step and glanced back at her. “Don’t overthink it, miss.”  

“Sir, I’ve only been in the capital for a few days. Since you’re a local, could you show me around?” Yan Yuning lifted her clear, bright eyes to gaze at him.  

Qi Qingchen’s tone carried a hint of detachment. “I’m afraid that might not be convenient.”  

Yan Yuning: “…”  

Fafa: [Master, I told you—trying to steal the male lead won’t work.]

Yan Yuning’s smile deepened, her eyes curving into crescents as she fluttered her watery, sparkling gaze. Her voice was soft and sweet. “No problem. If you have matters to attend to, go ahead.”  

Her flawless face held a faint smile as she watched him.  

Qi Qingchen’s throat tightened. Almost as if bewitched, he suddenly asked, “Alright. Where would you like to go, miss?”  

Fafa: [? Huh? Master, did you actually succeed in flirting with him?!]

Suppressing her inner excitement, Yan Yuning maintained a composed demeanor. “Anywhere is fine. And, sir, don’t call me ‘miss’ anymore. My name is Yan Yuning—just call me Ningning.”  

Fafa: [Master, I get it now. The male lead must not have met the female lead yet. That’s why you managed to charm him. Once he meets her, he’ll undoubtedly be hers and hers alone.] 

Yan Yuning gritted her teeth inwardly and snapped, [Shut up!]

Qi Qingchen froze for a moment, then a faint smile tugged at his lips. “I’m Qi Qingchen.”  

“A’Chen.”  

She didn’t have time to beat around the bush—she only had a year. Being direct was better.  

Qi Qingchen coughed lightly into his fist. “How about I take you to the flower market? Miss, you may not know this, but in our Qilan Kingdom…”  

“A’Chen, we’re acquainted now, right? Stop calling me ‘miss,’ okay~” The girl tilted her head up, her bright eyes shimmering with anticipation.  

Qi Qingchen studied her, his gaze thoughtful.  

Yan Yuning clasped her hands behind her back, staring at him eagerly. “Fine, ‘miss’ it is. Let’s go—we’re off to the flower market.”  

Stepping into the flower market, the lively clamor of voices rose and fell in the distance.  

Stalls lined the ancient brick road, their tables crowded with vibrant, blooming flowers.  

Yan Yuning tugged Qi Qingchen along as they weaved through the crowd.  

“A’Chen, how about I give this to you?” Yan Yuning took some loose silver from Qiuci and handed it to the vendor.  

Qi Qingchen’s gaze fell on the crabapple blossom in Yan Yuning’s hand. He declined softly, “Ningning, you should keep it. There’s no need to give it to me.”  

Yan Yuning curved her lips into a smile. “I bought it for you.”  

With that, she placed the crabapple blossom into his palm. The petals trembled slightly. Qi Qingchen seemed about to say something but swallowed his words.  

“Ningning, you two are…?” Yan Shiyao bit her lower lip, hesitation lacing her voice.  

Qi Qingchen lifted his gaze, and Yan Shiyao’s delicate face filled his vision.  

His breath hitched, his heartbeat roaring uncontrollably in his chest.  

The moment their eyes met, Yan Shiyao’s cheeks flushed slightly. Her lashes fluttered as she shyly lowered her head.  

Watching this scene, Yan Yuning screamed inwardly, [Waaah—Fafa, the sky is falling!]

Fafa: [I told you not to waste your energy on this. The male lead is destined for the female lead. You just wouldn’t listen.]

Yan Yuning: […]

“A’Yao.” Xuan Yanyu’s slender fingers gently twirled a lotus flower as he strode over to Yan Shiyao’s side.

Yan Yuning rubbed her chin. [A lotus flower—pure and beautiful. Seems like my love-struck sister is the white moonlight in Xuan Yanyu’s heart.]

“Brother Yu,” Yan Shiyao’s voice was soft and melodious.  

Qi Qingchen’s expression darkened as he suppressed his emotions. He couldn’t stand how close they were.  

Yan Yuning stifled a laugh. [Misunderstanding, misunderstanding! My chance is back!]

Fafa: […]

“A’Chen, this is my elder sister, Yan Shiyao. And the one next to her is—” Yan Yuning’s gaze shifted to Xuan Yanyu, then she suddenly hesitated.  

Xuan Yanyu raised an eyebrow. A’Chen? 

Yan Shiyao’s heart twitched, an inexplicable sourness rising in her chest. Ningning is calling him so intimately…

“Miss Yan, it’s been a while. How have you been?” Qi Qingchen’s tone carried a hint of familiarity.  

Fafa: [Pfft—HAHAHA! They already know each other, Master. And here you were introducing them.]

[How was I supposed to know they knew each other?!] Yan Yuning kicked a pebble at her feet in frustration.  

Fafa: [Master, one is the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s household, the other is the Third Prince. Of course they’ve met before.]

Yan Yuning pouted. [Then why did you say earlier that the male lead must not have met the female lead yet, which was why I could charm him?]

Fafa: […]

It was just a guess, okay?!  

“Your Highness, I’ve been well,” Yan Shiyao replied, her face warming with a delicate blush.  

“You can call me A’Chen too, just like your sister.”  

Yan Shiyao’s ears instantly turned red, her shyness and fluster evident.  

“No need. Not everyone is as… unreserved as the Second Miss,” Xuan Yanyu remarked, his lips curling in amusement.  

[What does he mean by that?! What’s wrong with me?!] Yan Yuning fumed.  

Fafa: [Master, go ask him! How dare he talk about you like that!]

[…N-never mind.]

Yan Yuning darted to Yan Shiyao’s side, deliberately nudging Xuan Yanyu away.  

Xuan Yanyu’s gaze darkened as he stared at her dangerously.  

Yan Yuning rested her head on Yan Shiyao’s shoulder, her voice soft and pitiful. “Sister, I’m scared.”  

Yan Shiyao patted her hand gently. “Don’t be afraid, it’s alright. Brother Yu will protect us.”  

Yan Yuning’s eye twitched. He’s exactly who I’m scared of!

“Second Miss, Madam requests your immediate return to the estate,” a maidservant announced urgently.  

Yan Yuning’s delicate brows lifted slightly.  

She had only met her mother once since being brought back to the estate and hadn’t seen her since.  

What could she want now?  

Qiuci bit her lip and subtly tugged at Yan Yuning’s sleeve, whispering, “Second Miss, ask the Eldest Miss to go back with you.”  

Xuan Yanyu’s ears twitched slightly.  

“Did Mother say what the matter was?” Yan Shiyao frowned slightly.  

“Eldest Miss, Madam did not specify,” the maidservant replied respectfully with a slight bow.  

“Sister, I’m afraid to face Mother alone. Will you come back with me?” Yan Yuning tugged at Yan Shiyao’s sleeve, her voice sweet and pleading.  

Xuan Yanyu’s lips curled as a low chuckle escaped him. Such an act.

Yan Yuning turned her head and met his pitch-black eyes, full of mockery.  

“Second Miss, do not trouble the Eldest Miss,” the maidservant said disapprovingly.  

Yan Yuning puffed her cheeks in annoyance. “I’m bothering my own sister—what’s it to you?”  

[She’s just a maid! How dare she lecture me, her master?!]

Fafa: [Because she serves the Prime Minister’s wife. The novel’s setting is that the entire Prime Minister’s household revolves around the female lead—your sister.]

Fafa: [The female lead is at the flower market, and you’re dragging her back to the estate. Of course the maid would scold you.]

Yan Yuning: […]