At that moment, Xiao Ziyu was rendered speechless by his words.

She had grown up with him since childhood.

He was Fourth Brother’s study companion, and she had known him since she was small. Back then she had heard about how the Qi family’s Second Young Master was supposedly outstanding and exceptional, but hadn’t thought much of it. However, the first time she saw him in the imperial study, she couldn’t move from that spot. At that time he walked behind Fourth Brother, his beautiful phoenix eyes slightly downcast. When she loudly called for Fourth Brother, he gently raised his eyes to glance at her once, and from then on she never emerged from those eyes.

After that she had always followed him around. Every time she went to the imperial study, she claimed to be looking for Fourth Brother, but in reality was going to see him.

She had always liked him, ever since she was still a little girl. She had never concealed her affection for him, and now it was known by everyone. Of course she knew what people said behind her back—nothing more than those words, saying she knew no shame, saying she debased and cheapened herself. But she didn’t care at all what others thought, only caring about his opinion—she only wanted to be with him forever.

Though more than half the noble ladies in Jiankang currently liked him, not one dared show him favor, because they all knew that she, Xiao Ziyu, would one day become his wife. Though they were currently unable to marry due to circumstances, in her heart she had long regarded him as her husband, her closest person—yet now he was saying this was his business and telling her not to interfere.

Xiao Ziyu held back and held back, but still couldn’t restrain herself. Her liver fire flared as she said, “How is this just your business? This is also my business! You and I are to be married in the future—who in all of Jiankang doesn’t know this? You’re keeping a little girl in your mansion, so how can I not interfere?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Xiao Ziyu immediately regretted them.

She knew Qi Ying had always been noncommittal about their marriage. Fourth Brother had also told her that Qi Ying regarded her as a younger sister and had no intention of marrying her. Now that she was bringing up this nonexistent engagement, he certainly wouldn’t accept it. Moreover, she also realized she shouldn’t be speaking to him in such a tone. Though this person was usually unmoved by either soft or hard approaches, soft was generally more useful than hard—this would only backfire.

But once words were spoken, they were like spilled water that couldn’t be recovered. Xiao Ziyu was afraid he would get angrier, anxiously trying to scoop the water back. Seeing Qi Ying’s expression grow even colder, her heart immediately panicked. Afraid he would say something to hurt her feelings, she hastily spoke first: “…I don’t insist on interfering, it’s just that you know me—I can’t keep things bottled up in my heart. Today learning that Fu Rong deceived me already made me very angry and upset, and then hearing her tell me about this Fang Jun matter…”

“I really can’t remain indifferent. I truly… I truly like you too much.”

Her Fourth Brother had once mocked her, saying she was born with a seductive fox-like appearance but completely lacked the proper demeanor of a fox spirit, her temperament being far too straightforward. If she could learn schemes and manipulation, playing hard to get, she would certainly be able to subdue Qi Jingchen, or at the very least gain more of his favor.

But she just couldn’t learn it. She would lose her reason the moment she saw him, only able to circle around him like a lapdog.

She had no other way.

Actually Xiao Ziheng was wrong. The reason Qi Ying still had some patience with Xiao Ziyu was precisely because of her straightforward nature. If the Sixth Princess really acted as the Fourth Prince instructed, it would be counterproductive.

Now with Xiao Ziyu’s heartfelt confession so sincere and genuine, though Qi Ying had no intention of marrying her, he couldn’t continue giving her the cold shoulder. She was the younger sister he had watched grow up, and also a princess of noble status. As long as she didn’t overstep too much, he had no intention of making things difficult for her.

He didn’t want to continue entangling with her over this matter, only sighing and saying to her, “Today is the flower festival, and there are also many trivial matters in the back garden. I must return. If Your Highness still has interest, you may return with me. If you’re tired, then please return to the palace first.”

Xiao Ziyu heard his intent to dismiss her and felt somewhat sad in her heart, but seeing that he hadn’t completely turned cold, her heart settled slightly.

She thought for a moment, nodded, looked at him and said, “Mm, you go busy yourself first…”

After a pause she asked again, “…Then can you send her away?”

Qi Ying looked at her, his brow furrowing again, still answering, “I’ve already said, impossible.”

Xiao Ziyu lowered her head, feeling both angry and sad in her heart. Finally sorrow overwhelmed all other emotions, making tears well up. She cried, saying, “Brother Jingchen, I know you may not like me that much yet, but… but please don’t like anyone else, alright? I… I really can’t bear it…”

She cried miserably, leaving Qi Ying speechless. His brow couldn’t help furrowing tighter as he said helplessly, “What is Your Highness thinking? She’s just a child—where would romantic feelings come from?”

Xiao Ziyu was still sobbing, but suddenly hearing these words felt delighted. She raised her head to look at Qi Ying, seeing his sincere expression that didn’t seem like he was lying, so she believed him somewhat. But still not completely reassured, she asked while crying, “You… what you’re saying is true?”

Qi Ying sighed and answered, “Naturally it’s true.”

Xiao Ziyu broke into a smile through her tears.

She was always this worthless, easily devastated or revived by a single word from him, and when he said something slightly pleasant, she would easily feel joy again.

She knew what he said was true. Her Brother Jingchen was a gentleman—in such matters, he wouldn’t deceive her.

So Xiao Ziyu became happy again, wiping her tears and saying to him, “Then how long will you keep her? She can barely be considered a child now, but what about later? What about when she grows up?”

This question actually stumped Qi Ying at the time.

He had never thought about what Shen Xiling would be like when she grew up, much less what he should do with her after she matured. Being suddenly asked about this, he was somewhat bewildered.

But he couldn’t remain silent in front of Xiao Ziyu, so after thinking he answered, “When she grows up, she’ll naturally leave.”

Wind passed without trace, fragrance filled the courtyard.

Among the concealing flowers and trees, no one knew that someone else had quietly come and gone.

The back garden flowers were still in full bloom, the flower festival not yet ended.

Though the Sixth Princess and the Fu family young lady had caused quite a commotion, disrupting this annual grand event of Jiangzuo somewhat, the floating wine ceremony was after all a rare opportunity and a golden ladder for candidates to make their names and fortunes. They naturally couldn’t bear to miss it, so after a brief period of chaos the flower festival continued. All the men with literary talent gathered by the streams of Qingji Mountain, competing in poetry and drinking wine, sitting and lying in elevated discourse—a scene of admirable Jiangzuo atmosphere.

Taking advantage of everyone’s attention being focused elsewhere, Fu Rong could finally avoid others’ knife-like gazes. She went alone to the other side of the back mountain, found a quiet, unpopulated cherry tree, and sat down alone with her knees drawn up.

Being slapped by the Sixth Princess in full view of everyone, with her thoughts completely exposed—no matter which family’s noble daughter this happened to, it would probably be difficult to bear at this moment. More fragile young ladies might go cut their hair and hang themselves, and even the more spirited ones would probably inevitably need a good cry.

But Fu Rong was different.

Not only did she have no thoughts of becoming a nun or seeking death, she didn’t even shed a single tear. Sitting alone under the cherry tree now, it wasn’t because her heart was melancholy, but because she was quietly contemplating what she should do going forward.

Now she could see that Qi Ying had no interest in her. She couldn’t hang herself on his tree—she had to make plans for her own future. But with Xiao Ziyu’s disturbance today, even if she could turn the tables and say the Sixth Princess had wronged her, no matter what, this incident would still damage her reputation.

She was a noble lady, and her reputation was her life. Once her reputation was damaged, how would her marriage be arranged?

Fu Rong was deep in thought when she suddenly heard a man laugh, “I wondered why I couldn’t find you anywhere—turns out you came here alone to enjoy the quiet?”

Hearing the voice, Fu Rong turned around and saw a man emerge from behind the rocks, his pair of peach blossom eyes more eye-catching than all the mountain flowers, with a fox-like expression when smiling.

It was Fourth Prince Xiao Ziheng.

His sister had just slapped her, but Fu Rong showed no sign of holding it against him. She smiled quite naturally at the Fourth Prince, then prepared to stand up and bow to him.

Xiao Ziheng naturally disliked others being so formal, waving his hand as he walked toward her, laughing, “No, no, no, just sit.”

Saying this, he also walked under the tree and sat shoulder to shoulder with Fu Rong.

Fu Rong smiled and remained seated without getting up, then turned her head toward Xiao Ziheng and asked, “How did Your Highness come here? I see the floating wine ceremony is at its liveliest—won’t Your Highness join them?”

Xiao Ziheng leaned against the tree, sitting with his legs spread in a carefree and unrestrained manner, laughing as he answered, “Composing poetry and discussing classics isn’t my forte. If it were just drinking, I’d go.”

Fu Rong covered her mouth and smiled without speaking.

Xiao Ziheng glanced at her, his eyes showing a trace of scrutiny and interest. After examining her for a moment, he said, “You’re quite interesting. Even encountering such a situation, you can remain unangered and still sit at this flower festival?”

Fu Rong looked back at him, feeling his teasing tone was quite contemptuous. As the brother of the one who had struck her, such words and behavior were somewhat offensive.

Fu Rong restrained her discomfort and said calmly, “I thought Your Highness came to apologize on the Princess’s behalf.”

Xiao Ziheng laughed and shook his head, saying, “She’s grown up now and can take responsibility for her own actions. What am I apologizing for on her behalf?”

“Besides,” he glanced at Fu Rong, his eyes suddenly revealing a trace of mischief, “she may not have wronged you after all?”

At this point, though Fu Rong’s face showed nothing, coldness appeared in her eyes. She thought to herself that this Fourth Prince had come to vent anger for his sister, finding his sister’s slap across her face insufficient and wanting to personally add another blow.

Xiao Ziheng caught the coldness in her eyes and raised his eyebrows with a smile, saying, “Don’t misunderstand—I have no other meaning, just some curiosity.”

Fu Rong looked at him quietly and asked, “What is Your Highness curious about?”

He smiled slightly, glancing at her sideways, saying, “Curious why you all like Jingchen so much?”

Fu Rong noticed that though he was smiling on his face, there was no clear mirth in his eyes. She couldn’t help raising her eyebrows slightly, feeling somewhat surprised by the Fourth Prince’s question.

Qi Ying was the Fourth Prince’s study companion, and the two had grown up together. She had always assumed the Fourth Prince and Qi Ying had an extremely close relationship, but seeing his expression now made her feel something was strange.

Fu Rong concealed the doubt in her eyes, smiled faintly, and answered, “Young Master is peerless—which family’s daughter could remain unmoved?”

Xiao Ziheng looked at Fu Rong, seeing that though her mouth spoke of being moved, her eyes were completely clear, entirely different from his sister’s fanatical look whenever Qi Ying was mentioned. Finding this increasingly interesting, he laughed heartily, saying, “Fu Rong, I’ve known all along that you’re different from others.”

His eyes held a strange brightness, like seeing some extremely interesting object that made him somewhat excited. Fu Rong’s strange feeling grew even stronger.

She didn’t understand what the Fourth Prince meant by these words, but that excited gleam in his eyes was somewhat alarming to her.

Everyone said the Fourth Prince was dissolute and unrestrained, and aside from a prominent maternal family, was inferior to the Third Prince in all other aspects. But that look he had just given made Fu Rong’s heart fill with suspicion.

Before she could investigate further, she saw Xiao Ziheng stand up. He was now looking down at her, his face hidden in the shadows against the light.

He said, “Fu Rong, you’re a smart person. When you figure it out, remember to come find me.”

After speaking, he turned and disappeared behind the rocks, as abruptly as when he had arrived.

Fu Rong sat in place, staring blankly in the direction he had left.

—When she figured it out? Figured what out?

She remained silent, her facial expression flickering.

Author’s Note: The flower festival chapter ends here. Wenwen still has two chapters before she grows up, and the next two chapters are relatively shorter with more romantic development~

Also, a few words: This chapter had quite a few characters appearing, and some plot directions are hinted at here. Interested readers might be able to guess future developments. Though I had a premonition this story would be heavy and difficult to write before I started, actually writing it I discovered it’s even heavier and more difficult than I imagined… With many characters and complex relationships, individual character arcs and branching possibilities are numerous. I constantly worry about writing it into a mess and making some originally charming characters completely collapse… I can only wish that won’t happen…

Also, this story is really slow-burn. I was shocked when I checked the other day—what kind of broken novel is over 200,000 words without even starting romance! Is it trying to kill me! Frankly speaking, I also want them to immediately start dating sweetly, skip all processes and get married directly. Close my eyes, steel my heart, and write “X years later”—wouldn’t that be nice? Good for me, good for you, good for everyone. But I also felt doing that would be unfair to them both. The feelings between them are more substantial than simple love, perhaps more like a kind of bond? In any case, it’s something even the author can’t define, so several times I gave up the direct “X years later” approach and turned back to write some plots that many readers might not enjoy as much. I want to try to construct a reasonably decent world for my beloved characters to live in while showing their individual charm—and in doing so it became slow-burn…

What’s more terrifying is this broken novel is not only slow-burn but also heavy! Even I feel somewhat heartbroken writing it, so readers must find it even more difficult. I completely understand this feeling—this story never provides a sense of security and lacks almost all elements that make people happy, making it somewhat challenging to both write and read. I should explain that I’m not writing heavy content for the sake of being heavy, but rather I’m moved by how they carefully approach and touch each other amid all that heaviness. That kind of sweetness attracts me to keep wanting to write this story. So what if it’s so heavy? So what if it’s so difficult? I love and treasure you so much that even if all the world’s suffering descended on my head, I would still go find you—that’s roughly the feeling. (Actually, the third volume is both relaxed and sweet, and I’ve been quite comfortable writing it recently, hehe)

So I’m truly, truly grateful to everyone following along, and the angels who frequently leave comments to support me. You’re all so wonderful to come accompany me in completing such a slow-burn, heavy story. I can only keep bowing and saying thank you.

Thank you, thank you.