“I’m thirsty.” Xuan Yanyu lounged against the wooden chair and pointed at the teapot on the table.

“Did you not just put down your tea cup? If you’re thirsty, why not simply pour yourself another?” Yan Yunning raised an eyebrow with a smile.

Xuan Yanyu was equal parts exasperated and resigned. “Come here and pour it for me.”

Yan Yunning pursed her lips, walked over, picked up the teapot, and poured a cup of tea. She raised it to his lips, her voice soft and sweet with a hint of playful wit. “Young Master, your tea.”

The man’s long fingers curled around her hand. He took a measured sip.

Yan Yunning’s heart gave a small quiver. Her gaze rested on his face — his features sharply defined, his complexion fair, his lips warmly colored, a casual and unrestrained smile at the corners of his mouth — at once easygoing and captivating.

His black robes were tinged at the hem with an ink-wash blend of black and white, and his long hair was gathered high with a golden crown. The entire air about him was one of unworldly refinement, the kind of face one could not help stealing another glance at.

Meeting the man’s smiling eyes, Yan Yunning slowly lowered her head.

Truly! Far too handsome. What was A’Jie thinking? Qi Qingchen has secondary consorts, while Xuan Yanyu has none — why not give up on Qi Qingchen and follow Xuan Yanyu instead?

If A’Jie went to Xuanzhao, she would be Crown Princess, and in time, the future Empress of Xuanzhao. That would make her the younger sister of a future Empress — in Xuanzhao, she could do whatever she pleased!

With an Emperor as a brother-in-law, just imagining it made Yan Yunning giddy with excitement.

Once she returned to her own world, she would boast about it to all her friends!

Xuan Yanyu tugged lightly at her cheek, his eyes lifting at the corners. “What are you thinking about again? Something good?”

Yan Yunning stuffed the tea cup into his hand and muttered, “Don’t pinch my cheeks anymore. What if they don’t look pretty anymore?”

“Hmph, they were never that—”

Yan Yunning glared at him. “You dare say they’re not pretty?”

This face was identical to the one she had in her original world. If he dared say it wasn’t pretty, she would… she would…

It seemed there was actually nothing she could do to him…

She couldn’t beat him in a fight…

Xuan Yanyu could not help smiling. His eyes were full of warmth. “Pretty, pretty.”

The corner of Yan Yunning’s lips curved upward, and amusement rose in her eyes.

“I’m hungry.” The man said lazily.

Yan Yunning blinked a few times, then said with puzzlement, “If you’re hungry, just go eat a meal.”

“You go make it for me.” He only wanted to tease her a little.

Yan Yunning’s expression was one of genuine astonishment. “Me? Make it for you? Would anything I make even be edible?”

She didn’t know how to cook!

She had never needed to cook at home.

“Make it first. I’ll consider whether to eat it.” Xuan Yanyu arched his brow slightly.

Yan Yunning pressed a handkerchief to her lips and began to cough loudly, affecting a deeply frail demeanor. “I… Xuan Yanyu… cough… I’m afraid I can’t cook for you today. I’m feeling a little unwell.”

The man managed to suppress a smile, and said with unhurried deliberation, “No matter. Cooking for me while feeling unwell — now that shows me your sincerity in thanking me.”

Still as prone to putting on an act as ever.

Yan Yunning looked up and grinned wickedly at him. “Since you insist on eating, then I’ll go make it — but you must finish every last bit.”

Xuan Yanyu raised an eyelid, his tone lazy. “I only said I would consider it.”

“Never mind your considering — this is my first time cooking, and you must finish it.” The young woman gave a light harrumph.

Xuan Yanyu’s gaze shifted slightly, and a smile spread across his lips.

“Just wait. I’ll make it soon and bring it to you.” Yan Yunning blinked, pushed open the chamber door, lifted her skirt, and ran out.

Xuan Yanyu ran his thumb over the jade thumb ring on his finger, his eyes flickering.

He seemed to have crossed a line with Yan Yunning that went beyond ordinary boundaries…

He would need to be more careful going forward, so that when he eventually married A’Yao, neither she nor A’Yao would be placed in an awkward position.

The wooden door was pushed open.

Nanny Liu walked in with a smile. “Young Master Xuan.”

Xuan Yanyu gave a mild smile. The dark eyes betrayed not the slightest ripple.

“Young Master Xuan, you must have heard by now that the Prime Minister’s manor and the Marquis’s household are to be joined in marriage.” Nanny Liu stepped forward and spread the betrothal contract out on the round table.

She thought to herself: he was merely someone the First Young Miss had brought back in. Yet somehow, the Master had taken a great liking to him and intended to groom him, which had led to him being treated almost like a family member within the manor.

Why would he need the Master’s grooming? His heart was entirely devoted to being at First Young Miss’s side. What sort of position was that? He even harbored feelings for First Young Miss.

A chill flickered through Xuan Yanyu’s eyes.

“Young Master Xuan, this old servant knows that you have feelings for First Young Miss. The Master has ordered First Young Miss to marry Young Marquis, and the betrothal contract has yet to be signed.” Nanny Liu half-closed her eyes and said in an unhurried voice, “If you were to add Second Young Miss’s name to it…”

She left it at that. Nanny Liu’s smile held a meaning that needed no further words.

Xuan Yanyu’s gaze darkened slightly. He laughed, low and quiet. “Why should I be the one to add it?”

“The contract is in the Madam’s possession. If the Madam adds the name herself, or has someone else do it, the Master will surely fly into a towering rage when he finds out.”

“But if it were you — out of an unwillingness to see First Young Miss marry, you slipped away under cover of darkness and secretly retrieved the contract, then added Second Young Miss’s name…”

Xuan Yanyu let the cold smile fade from his lips. He raised a hand and gave two slow, deliberate claps. His tone carried a note of wry amusement. “Madam Prime Minister — truly clever.”

“Young Master Xuan, if you would.” Nanny Liu held the brush out toward Xuan Yanyu.

Xuan Yanyu did not take it. He gave a scornful laugh. “Is Yan Yunning not Madam Prime Minister’s own flesh and blood?”

His voice was cool, laced with mocking amusement.

Nanny Liu’s smile stiffened in an instant. “Young Master Xuan is joking.”

Xuan Yanyu raised an eyebrow. He took the brush from Nanny Liu’s hand, dipped the tip into the ink, and wrote on the betrothal contract: “Yan Shi…”

Before he had finished writing, Nanny Liu’s expression changed violently. She snatched the contract away in one swift motion, and a jagged streak of ink was dragged across it.

“Young Master Xuan, the name to be written on the contract is Yan Yunning.”

A flash of irritation crossed Xuan Yanyu’s eyes. He tossed the brush carelessly onto the round table.

“Young Master Xuan, what is the meaning of this?” Nanny Liu said, displeased, her voice edged with accusation.

Xuan Yanyu’s lips curved in contempt. “Go back and tell Madam Prime Minister — stop scheming against Yan Yunning. She is under my protection.”

Nanny Liu’s pupils contracted. Her voice pitched upward. “You have been at First Young Miss’s side for over a year. You have known Yan Yunning for barely half a month. For her sake, you would push First Young Miss into a sea of suffering?”

“Did Madam Prime Minister not bring it on herself?” The man ran his tongue along his lower lip, entirely unmoved.

“Very well. Very well indeed.” Nanny Liu bit down through clenched teeth, squeezing out the words one by one. “Yan Yunning is a capable one, that I will say. I will be sure to inform the Madam.”

With that, she shot Xuan Yanyu a sharp glare and hurried out of the chamber.

Xuan Yanyu narrowed his eyes. If there was a next time — even if she was A’Yao’s mother, he would not let it pass.

“Young Master Xuan, this servant is Qiuci. May I come in?” A voice drifted in from beyond the door, careful and tentative.

“Come in.”

Qiuci pushed the door open and set the tray in her hands on the table. “Young Master Xuan, Second Young Miss instructed this servant to bring this to you.”

“Where is she?” Xuan Yanyu looked toward the bowl — a tangled, clumped mass of noodles — and the corner of his mouth twitched imperceptibly.

“Second Young Miss has gone out of the manor with the Master.”

“Mm.”

Noticing that Qiuci showed no sign of leaving, Xuan Yanyu’s brow furrowed. “Are you not going to leave?”

Qiuci bit her lip and said hesitantly, “Young… Young Master Xuan, Second Young Miss told me to watch and make sure you finish it.”