Zhao’er didn’t know where she got the courage to actually reach out and grab his sleeve.

Bai Yin froze.

He looked down at the hand gripping his sleeve.

In that moment, an indescribable emotion stirred chaotically in his heart.

He couldn’t put it into words.

“Does Miss Zhao’er have something else?”

Zhao’er kept her gaze lowered, but hastily withdrew her hand in panic.

She said in a soft voice, “I still don’t know your name.”

Bai Yin fell silent for a moment.

The woman before him was Duke Wangguo’s daughter.

His father’s killer’s daughter.

By all rights, he should avoid her!

But—

He said, “Bai Yin.”

“Bai Yin?” Zhao’er murmured the name, a smile spreading across her lips.

When she slowly raised her head, Bai Yin had already mounted the horse.

“That…”

Her voice was very soft.

Bai Yin didn’t hear it. He was about to leave, but suddenly turned back and said, “About what happened at the city gate a few days ago… thank you.”

Huh?

Zhao’er was surprised. “How did you know… that I recognized you at the time?”

“I guessed.”

“…”

“Either way, if not for you, I wouldn’t have gotten out of the city.”

Zhao’er quickly said, “No need to thank me. You’re someone from Big Brother Jing’s side. Big Brother Jing has helped me before, so helping you is only natural.”

“Then you should enter the city.”

“Wait…” Zhao’er rubbed her hands together, nervously asking, “Will I be able to see you again?”

Bai Yin frowned slightly. “I don’t know.”

“Oh, then be careful on the road.”

Bai Yin said nothing more.

He rode away on the horse.

Zhao’er chased after him for two steps, gazing at that retreating figure, her heart unexpectedly tinged with a layer of disappointment.

She clutched her chest tightly with both hands.

“What’s wrong with me?”

…

When Zhao’er returned to the residence, she immediately had someone go outside the city to fetch the coachman and her maid.

Duke Wangguo had been busy these past days helping Na Yan prepare for the annual sacrificial ceremony, rarely at the residence, which suited Zhao’er’s wishes.

She didn’t have to sneak around to see her mother.

Ever since Na Yan had spoken up last time and asked Duke Wangguo to fetch a physician for Zhao’er’s mother, the Duke had obviously treated Jiang Shi much better.

No one knew why.

Probably, it was for the Second Prince’s sake.

After these days of recuperation, Jiang Shi’s health had improved greatly.

Her complexion was better than before too!

Zhao’er held her mother’s hand and said, “Mother, your daughter went to the temple to pray for your blessings. The abbot said that Mother will gradually get better, and the Bodhisattva will protect you.”

Jiang Shi gently tapped her on the head. “You silly girl, in such cold weather you should stay properly at the residence. Mother’s health has already improved a lot, you don’t need to worry.”

“Father is treating Mother so well now. I believe it won’t be long before Mother can leave this courtyard.”

At this, Jiang Shi fell silent.

This had always been something Jiang Shi didn’t understand.

She asked, “By the way, what exactly did you say to your father? Why would he agree to let a physician come see me? And send charcoal and clean bedding?”

Zhao’er said, “I don’t know. When your daughter went to plead with Father, he initially refused, but the Second Prince was also there and said a few words to Father. Perhaps… Father did it for the Second Prince’s sake.”

“You’re saying the Second Prince was also there.”

“Yes, he even asked me my name.”

Little Zhao’er was confused, but Jiang Shi was not confused.

She stroked her daughter’s face, her eyes both tender and heartbroken. “My little Zhao’er, it’s Mother who is useless, Mother whose fate is bitter, who cannot protect you.”

“Why is Mother suddenly saying these things?”

“It’s nothing, just that there are some matters Mother cannot make decisions for you on. Mother has wronged you.”

Zhao’er threw herself into Jiang Shi’s embrace.

Holding her tightly.

“It’s your daughter who has wronged Mother. Your daughter is useless, which is why Mother has to suffer daily in this kind of place.”

“Silly child.”

“In any case, your daughter promises you that one day in the future, your daughter will definitely take Mother away from here.”

Jiang Shi sighed and gently stroked Zhao’er’s back.

A bitter smile played at the corners of her mouth.

…

The Second Prince’s Residence.

People from the Ministry of Rites had sent over a list of materials needed for the annual sacrificial ceremony, which Na Yan was reviewing.

Duke Wangguo sat opposite him!

After about half a cup of tea’s time, Na Yan finished reading the list in his hand.

He handed it to the person waiting outside.

“There are no problems with the listed items. Arrange things according to what’s written above.”

“Yes!” The person from the Ministry of Rites then took the list and returned to report.

Na Yan had been busy inside and out these past days.

It was rare for him to have a moment of rest now.

Duke Wangguo poured him a cup of tea. “This annual sacrificial ceremony is a major matter. There must not be the slightest error.”

“This prince knows.”

“Besides ensuring there are no errors in the ceremony, the prince must also do his utmost to arrange for the safety of the palace interior and exterior, and the Great King.”

A word of reminder!

And Na Yan had thought of all these things. He took a sip of hot tea and said, “Naturally. Since Father King has entrusted me with the annual sacrificial ceremony, there absolutely cannot be any incidents that day. Also, to prevent Na Tuo from deliberately sabotaging it, this prince has already placed his own people around Father King, lest that Li Qiao interfere.”

“The prince’s arrangements are excellent.”

“If this matter can be handled well, this prince won’t have to worry about anything.”

“Then I’ll use tea in place of wine to congratulate the prince in advance.”

The two raised their cups.

Using tea in place of wine.

They drained them in one gulp!

“Once this prince ascends to the throne, naturally I won’t slight you, Duke.”

“Thank you, Prince.”

Suddenly—

“By the way, this prince heard about something earlier, concerning you, Duke.”

“Hmm? What matter?”

Na Yan smiled and said, “I heard that the Duke consulted a fortune-teller for a divination years ago, and needed to marry someone whose eight characters clashed with his own, so that the child born in the future would bring him success. Is this true?”

Duke Wangguo didn’t intend to hide it and said directly, “I didn’t expect the prince to have heard of these matters.”

“And that child is the second young miss Zhao’er from your residence, correct?”

“Indeed, though it’s just a fortune-teller’s words. Who knows if it’s true or false.”

“Then what if… this prince were to make that fortune-teller’s words come true?”

Duke Wangguo froze, but wasn’t too surprised.

Because from the moment Na Yan had seen Zhao’er before, he had anticipated this.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so good to Jiang Shi!

He feigned ignorance. “The prince’s meaning is…”

Na Yan said, “Miss Zhao’er is beautiful and captivating, pitiable and endearing. When this prince saw her, I was quite taken with her. The fortune-teller predicted that the Duke would rise to prominence through his child. In the future, when this prince ascends the throne, if the position of Queen falls to your Zhao family, wouldn’t that make the words come true?”

He had made it perfectly clear!

Duke Wangguo naturally couldn’t continue feigning confusion.

He quickly stood and cupped his hands, saying, “If the prince is interested, then it would be the Zhao family’s blessing.”

“So you’re saying you agree, Duke?”

“To receive the prince’s affection is my daughter’s good fortune.”

“This prince is only afraid that while I am interested, Miss Zhao’er may not be pleased.”

“Since ancient times it has been the parents’ order and the matchmaker’s words. Moreover, the prince is the true dragon son of heaven. How could my daughter have any grounds to refuse?”

“Haha, with these words from you, this prince can rest easy.”