Leaving the Tang residence, the sun was setting beautifully.

Ning Yin’s spacious, magnificent carriage was parked at the main gate, while the Gu family carriage had been squeezed against the wall, unable to move forward or backward.

Gu Lingxi glanced sideways, suspecting that Ning Yin had done this deliberately.

Indeed, Ning Yin had done it on purpose.

He stood in front of the prince’s carriage, slightly raising his arm toward Gu Lingxi, the corner of his eye lifting in a hint that couldn’t be more obvious.

Gu Lingxi looked at Qingxiao, who was still trying to maneuver the Gu family carriage out, thought for a moment, and changed her plans.

She gave Qingxiao a few instructions, then casually took Ning Yin’s raised fingers, her eyes curving in a smile as she said, “The weather is nice today. Let’s go for a walk.”

On the painted bridge of Wangxian Tower, scholars, and artists climbed high to gaze into the distance, drinking and singing.

Gu Lingxi veiled her face with light gauze and went directly to the small pavilion on the top floor. Ning Yin followed behind unhurriedly with his hands behind his back, his gaze falling on her slender waist where her black hair swept past.

He raised his hand to pinch and pull at it.

Gu Lingxi noticed and turned around, catching Ning Yin in the act. She couldn’t help but laugh, “You’re becoming more and more childish.”

Ning Yin blinked very slowly, and in front of her, took that strand of soft black hair between his lips and bit it gently.

Gu Lingxi let out a small “ah” and, although she had just washed her hair the night before, she still quietly reminded him, “It’s dirty.”

“It’s fragrant.”

Ning Yin fingered it once more before reluctantly releasing that pitiable strand of hair, changing instead to gently pinching Gu Lingxi’s nape. “Suisui isn’t dirty anywhere.”

Perhaps it wasn’t that there was no way, but rather an indulgence of the heart’s desire.

The pavilion was narrow and drafty, with only a small table. Attendants brought fruits, pastries, and wine, then bowed and withdrew, closing the door.

“Is Suisui revisiting this place to recreate that moment?”

Ning Yin’s eyes held a very faint smile as his fair, strong fingers held an orange, slowly turning it around.

Gu Lingxi remembered the kiss in the pavilion during the Qixi Festival.

“Revisiting old places is a kind of pleasure, isn’t it?”

Gu Lingxi sat down across from him, removing her veil as she smiled, “Speaking of love, my Wei Qi deserves all the happiness that others have.”

Then she froze, realizing she had instinctively called Ning Yin by the name he used at the Gu residence.

Ning Yin had suffered many hardships and injuries; Wei Qi probably represented one of his few periods of peace.

Ning Yin’s upturned eyes curved slightly as he said to her, “Come here, Miss.”

Hearing the word “Miss,” Gu Lingxi’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

Especially since the little madman was wearing noble purple royal robes while tenderly calling her “Miss.”

She rose and, smiling, sat beside Ning Yin, then tilted her head to rest it on his shoulder.

Ning Yin raised his hand to loosely encircle her in his arms.

He rotated the orange in his hand and began to peel it leisurely. His long, cold white fingers gradually removed the orange-red peel, picking off the white threads from the fruit, each movement the epitome of elegance.

“Open your mouth.” His chin rested on the top of her head, nuzzling slightly.

Gu Lingxi smilingly parted her lips, and a segment of fruit was fed into her mouth. His index and middle fingers lingered on her lips, pressing gently.

“Miss’s mouth is soft and sweet, both beautiful and delicious.”

Ning Yin’s deep voice came from above her head. As he spoke, his chest vibrated slightly against her back, stirring her heartstrings.

“Miss.”

He fed another orange segment into Gu Lingxi’s ear, his thin lips moving downward to laugh softly at her ear, “Do you like it when I call you this? Miss?”

Gu Lingxi tilted her head slightly, tickled by his breath, the tips of her ears turning crimson.

She couldn’t deny that she felt a somewhat forbidden warmth, like those brief and confused moments of intimacy when they had been master and servants at the Gu residence.

Gu Lingxi simply took a segment of orange herself and stuffed it into Ning Yin’s relentless mouth.

“I do like it.”

Gu Lingxi turned her head to look at Ning Yin’s profile, swallowing the sweet and sour juice in her mouth as she smiled, “Even if you said nothing at all, just sitting beside me, I would still be happy.”

Ning Yin narrowed his eyes as he bit into the orange segment, letting out a hiss, “Did Miss eat sugar today?”

“At the Tang residence, when you punished those bad people for me and Buli, I was very happy.”

Because in the distant past, Ning Yin’s killing had merely been an outlet for his volatile moods. In this life, though still mad, he at least had some principles.

This principle was called “Gu Lingxi.”

Ning Yin knew she had more to say, so he simply listened quietly.

Gu Lingxi’s eyes reflected the brilliance of the sunset as she said softly, “But having to trouble you to intervene in such small matters makes me both happy and somewhat guilty.”

Ning Yin, being highly intelligent, understood the deeper meaning beneath her flattery.

He gave a very light “Oh,” lowering his eyes to say, “Does Miss think I’m meddling in affairs that don’t concern me?”

“How could that be?”

Gu Lingxi leaned in his embrace, pondering for a long while before softening her voice, “I once had a dream where you were even more powerful and noble than you are now. You used thunderous methods to clear away all obstacles, standing at the pinnacle of power, but also making countless enemies because of it…”

This was the first time Gu Lingxi had mentioned her previous life to Ning Yin. Though many loves and hatreds had faded from memory, revisiting them still brought a faint melancholy.

“…I dreamed that I died because of this, leaving you all alone in the world.”

Gu Lingxi held Ning Yin’s hand with its slightly prominent veins, smiling, “So, I’m also a bit afraid—afraid that you’ll make too many enemies as in my dream and end up living a solitary life.”

She smiled tenderly, but Ning Yin heard a faint sadness in her voice.

“Just because of a dream?”

Ning Yin bent his finger to touch Gu Lingxi’s chin, making her look up at him. “You won’t die.”

“I’m just saying what if…”

“There is no ‘what if.'”

Ning Yin pressed his thumb against her lips, his ink-black eyes dark, using stubbornness to mask the flash of pain in his heart.

He didn’t know where that momentary panic came from.

“That Wang from the Ministry of Works did something wrong and must die.”

Ning Yin stroked the corner of Gu Lingxi’s lips, uncharacteristically explaining, “Not necessarily for Miss’s sake.”

“Really?”

Gu Lingxi breathed a sigh of relief, then encircled his firm waist outlined by the jade belt, “Still, be careful. Don’t always make yourself a target. I worry…”

The last few words were barely audible.

The corner of Ning Yin’s lips curled up slightly as he asked quietly, “Does it still hurt?”

Gu Lingxi nodded, “If you’re well, naturally I won’t worry…”

“I meant, down there,” Ning Yin interrupted, his long fingers kneading her slender waist before lingering at her skirt ties.

Her waist was so slim that his hands could encircle it completely, leaving an imprint with each squeeze.

Ning Yin’s dark eyes darkened further as he smiled deeply.

That woman was right; there must be the blood of a beast flowing within him.

Otherwise, why would he madly think that the marks on that translucent white skin were extremely alluring?

Gu Lingxi realized what he meant, and heat rushed to her cheeks.

“No.”

She was unusually awkward, pressing her lips together as she said quietly, “I’m bleeding.”

Ning Yin’s fingers paused, his smile fading slightly, “Let me see.”

“Not that kind of bleeding, it’s…”

Gu Lingxi didn’t know how to explain, so she simply pulled down Ning Yin’s neck and whispered a few brief words in his ear, then turned her face away, refusing to look at him, just like a bird hiding its face in its wings.

Ning Yin’s eyelashes fluttered, and then he let out a low laugh.

Back in Yujiexiandu, he had vaguely heard about the monthly flower water. Those flower girls couldn’t receive customers or be intimate during those few days each month.

But if asked what exactly this flower water was, he wouldn’t have understood. After listening to Gu Lingxi’s hurried explanation, he finally seemed to grasp it.

Gu Lingxi was annoyed with him: “What’s so funny? I was uncomfortable yesterday.”

Ning Yin bent down, his straight nose following her scent downward, nuzzling.

Gu Lingxi’s stomach tightened, and she tried to push his head away, but he caught her wrist in one fluid motion.

Then her lips felt warmth, and amidst intertwined breaths, Ning Yin’s lightly hoarse voice came, “I can only kiss the sweet mouth above, then.”

His words were unrestrained, but the hand he placed on Gu Lingxi’s abdomen, slowly massaging, was incredibly gentle.

…

At the hour of Xu, the streets were quiet, the night deep as water.

After receiving Qingxiao’s report, Gu Yuan had no appetite for the evening meal. He stood tall in front of the Gu residence for a long time, ignoring anyone who tried to persuade him otherwise.

After waiting for an hour, a strange, luxurious carriage slowly approached.

The carriage stopped in front of the Gu residence. After a moment, the attendant lifted the curtain, revealing Prince Jing sitting inside… and Gu Lingxi sleeping soundly in his arms.

The gauze lamp in the carriage cast a yellow glow. Ning Yin’s handsome, striking face was hidden in the dimness. One hand supported his temple, the other arm encircled Gu Lingxi, whose face was flushed with sleep. He tightened the fox fur wrapped around her before raising his eyes to look at Gu Yuan, who was bowing with cupped hands.

He said in a low voice, “I want to take my fiancée back to my manor. General Gu has no objection, right?”

Though it should have been a question, there was not the slightest hint of inquiry in his tone.

Gu Yuan knew that whether Prince Jing publicly backed Suisui at the Tang residence today or specifically came to their door, he was asserting his claim.

He was forcing the Gu family to make a decision.

“Suisui is only sixteen years old, Your Highness…”

“General Gu, I didn’t come here to seek your opinion.”

Ning Yin casually interrupted Gu Yuan, “I am cold by nature. The Gu residence was merely a shell where I dwelled; no one feels gratitude toward a shell. I have a thousand ways to achieve my goal of marrying Suisui, but because General Gu is Suisui’s father, I am willing to have more patience.”

General Gu’s gaze was distant as he looked at his daughter sleeping obliviously in Ning Yin’s arms. He said in a deep voice, “Suisui was raised in my palm. Your Highness’s path is covered with thorns and a sea of bloodshed. I fear it will shorten Suisui’s life.”

“The general can rest assured. My life will be shortened completely before it’s her turn.”

Ning Yin’s lips curved upward, “In these two days, General Gu should discuss with your wife which day next month would be suitable for the wedding.”

Having said this, he tapped his fingers, the curtain was lowered once more, and the carriage departed.

Gu Yuan’s jaw muscles twitched as he instinctively moved to follow.

“Husband.”

Madam Gu had been standing inside the doorway for who knows how long, gazing at him with tender eyes.

Everything was understood without words.

Gu Yuan’s hand, which had been reaching for the horse’s reins, slowly lowered.

“Father, I’ll go talk to Prince Jing.”

Gu Huanchen also emerged from behind the door, taking the reins from Gu Yuan’s hand. “In the future, I’ll protect Suisui too.”

Gu Yuan exhaled a breath of turbid air and released the reins.

Hearing the sound of Gu Huanchen’s horse hooves catching up, Ning Yin frowned slightly.

“Your Highness, please wait.”

Gu Huanchen reined in his horse, making slightly more noise than intended, disturbing the sleeping Gu Lingxi.

She shifted in her sleep, and Ning Yin immediately pressed her into his embrace, raising one hand to cover her ears while the other rhythmically stroked her back.

Only when Gu Lingxi had fallen back asleep did he coldly raise his eyes to look at Gu Huanchen?

Through the curtain, Gu Huanchen saw the hand with which Ning Yin was gently stroking his sister’s back. He bowed with cupped hands and lowered his voice: “I have a few words to say, then I’ll leave.”

Gu Huanchen carefully chose his words: “When the former Crown Prince forced his way into the palace, the reason I turned a blind eye and controlled the rebels outside the hall, gaining time for Your Highness to clear out dissidents, wasn’t because I particularly supported Your Highness. It was because a foolish girl made a grand plea to me, begging her brother… to try his best to help the Seventh Prince.”

Hearing this, a faint light flickered in Ning Yin’s eyes.

Gu Huanchen glanced inside the carriage, then dismounted.

The tall, straight figure of the young general in white robes knelt on one knee before the person in the carriage, earnestly clasping his fist as he said, “Regardless of Your Highness’s ambitions, please… be sure to protect Suisui well.”

He had caught up just to say these two sentences.

Just to tell Prince Jing how much the girl in his arms deserved to be cherished.

After Gu Huanchen left, the carriage remained stationary for a long time.

Without Ning Yin’s command, the attendants didn’t dare to drive the carriage forward.

Ning Yin stroked Gu Lingxi’s hair.

The dream she had lightly described in the pavilion rippled through his mind, leaving no trace after a moment.

As long as he was strong enough, no one could harm Gu Lingxi.

Ning Yin smiled gently. That dream could only be a nightmare.

Gu Lingxi awoke hazily, opening her eyes to meet Ning Yin’s dark gaze.

She blinked in confusion, asking drowsily, “Where are we going?”

“Prince Jing’s manor.” Ning Yin raised his fingers slightly, and the carriage continued forward.

“Why go to the prince’s manor?”

Gu Lingxi sat up, the fox fur sliding from her shoulders, the corners of her eyes filled with charm from sleep. “My parents will worry.”

“They won’t.”

In the yellow light of the gauze lamp, Ning Yin’s voice also carried a touch of intimacy. “I’m taking you to see the seal.”

“Seal?”

Gu Lingxi vaguely recalled mentioning this yesterday. Had it been carved so quickly?

…

Late at night, the pleasure district was filled with song and dance.

Xue Song skillfully went up to a private room on the second floor, knocked six times, and cautiously slipped in the moment the door opened.

“Master.”

Xue Song bowed to the person behind the screen before saying in a deep voice, “Prince Jing ordered Wang Sili to be buried with the Old Lady. The man… is gone.”

Hearing this, the person behind the screen put down the wooden knife and clay figurine, sighing deeply.

“The Tang family’s property must be seized.”

The silhouette behind the screen moved, pouring wine into the air as an offering, “That matter will require no small amount of silver.”

“I will find a way,” said Xue Song.

Just as he finished speaking, there was an extremely faint sound outside the door.

“Who’s there!?”

Xue Song was alert, opening the door a crack.

His dagger halted just in time as Xue Song frowned, saying solemnly, “What are you doing here?”

“That’s what I should be asking you, Brother.”

With the dagger at his throat, Xue Cen’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he said with difficulty.

Clay toys were scattered on the table, not cleared away in time, but the person behind the screen had vanished.