After the banquet had concluded, the cold stars filled the sky.

Yu Jin ignored Consort Xian’s hesitant expression and strode out of the palace.

Outside, the biting cold met him just as Jiang Zhan was changing shifts.

“Brother Jiang!” Yu Jin called out with a smile from a short distance away.

Jiang Zhan hurried over, helplessly saying, “Your Highness, please don’t call out like that in public. It wouldn’t be good if the others heard.”

Not long ago, Jiang Zhan had learned from his furious father about Yu Jin’s true identity, and it had taken him three days to recover from the shock.

His brother, who had been so friendly, was a prince?

Well, that wasn’t too surprising. He had a wide circle of friends from all walks of life. If he could associate with beggars, what was the big deal about being on friendly terms with a prince?

However, a prince had his eyes on his sister.

That was unacceptable.

Jiang Zhan was quite self-aware. In his view, although his sister was wonderful, she had already been betrothed once. If she married a prince, she would at most be a secondary consort.

Don’t underestimate his education; a secondary consort was still a concubine. If she were bullied by the main consort after marrying, how could he possibly storm into the prince’s residence to defend her?

No matter how skilled he was in martial arts, he had heard that would be tantamount to rebellion!

Thus, Jiang Zhan firmly aligned himself with his father: a good brother was fine, but he absolutely could not become a brother-in-law.

Seeing Jiang Zhan, Yu Jin felt a surge of anger.

It was one thing for his future father-in-law to be confused, but Jiang Zhan was also acting foolishly. After all the times he had saved him, this kid’s conscience must have been eaten by a cow.

“What’s wrong with them hearing?” Despite his inner displeasure, Yu Jin had to endure for the sake of marrying his future wife, smiling as he spoke.

Jiang Zhan blinked and muttered, “Right, it’s not like I’m ashamed to be familiar with Your Highness.”

“Just call me Seventh Brother from now on.”

Jiang Zhan quickly waved his hand, “That won’t do. We might not care, but those with ulterior motives could make something of it.”

Yu Jin chuckled.

“What’s the matter?” After a day of duty, Jiang Zhan felt his limbs stiffen. He rubbed his hands together and asked.

“I’ve noticed that Brother Jiang is more thoughtful than before.”

Jiang Zhan smiled, “Experience is the best teacher. Even if I’m not accomplished, I can’t keep letting my father and sister worry about me. By the way, Your Highness, was the banquet in the palace interesting?”

Yu Jin looked up at the sky.

This year’s winter solstice fell on November 16, and a full moon hung in the sky.

The moon was cold, casting a frost-like glow that chilled him to the bone, yet his heart felt warm.

Yu Jin smiled, “It was interesting. Father is planning to arrange a marriage for me.”

“What?” Jiang Zhan suddenly stopped, scrutinizing Yu Jin’s expression, momentarily forgetting to address him properly. “Seventh Brother, you can’t be joking!”

“There’s nothing to joke about. I’ll be nineteen after the New Year, and the prince’s residence can’t remain without a mistress forever.”

Jiang Zhan regained his composure and clasped his fists, “Congratulations, Your Highness!”

That’s great! If Seventh Brother got married, he wouldn’t have to worry about his sister falling into a tiger’s den.

Yu Jin’s face darkened.

He had shared this with Jiang Zhan to see what the kid thought, but unexpectedly, this guy was beaming with joy.

It was infuriating! Tonight, he would climb the wall to find A Si.

Hmph, wasn’t Jiang Zhan protective of his precious sister? He would go meet A Si in secret!

With his mind made up, Yu Jin looked at Jiang Zhan’s delighted expression and slowly exhaled a breath of frustration.

After they parted ways, Jiang Zhan returned to the residence of the Earl of Dongping.

He was exhausted and had barely eaten a few bites. As soon as he got home, he instructed A Ji to fetch some food from the kitchen.

Before long, A Ji returned with a food box, setting out several small dishes and a pot of warm wine, along with a large plate of steaming dumplings.

Seeing the dumplings, Jiang Zhan was pleasantly surprised and couldn’t help but laugh, “Did the kitchen change cooks this year? They’re quite thoughtful.”

This plate of dumplings had purple skins, green skins, and yellow skins. Regardless of how they tasted, they were a feast for the eyes.

A Ji explained with a smile, “Young Master, these colorful dumplings were made by Fourth Miss. She specifically instructed the kitchen to save a plate for you.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhan was immediately touched. He picked up a yellow dumpling, took a bite, and chewed slowly, his eyes lighting up, “This is filled with fish and meat! Delicious!”

He couldn’t tell what kind of fish it was, but the fish meat was minced and made into dumplings, creating a delightful flavor that lingered in his mouth.

“What about the green ones? The green ones?” A Ji seemed even more excited than Jiang Zhan himself, asking eagerly.

Jiang Zhan picked up a green dumpling and took a bite, smiling, “These are vegetarian, filled with wood ear mushrooms and mung bean sprouts.”

“Fourth Miss is truly skilled.”

Jiang Zhan shot A Ji a glance, “What do you know about Fourth Miss?”

Of course, his sister was skilled and exceptionally intelligent. The shoes he was wearing were even a gift from Fourth Sister.

After finishing a plate of warm dumplings, Jiang Zhan felt his heart warm up.

With Fourth Sister thinking of him like this, he felt it was only right to express his gratitude.

Looking at the sky, it was still early in the evening, and winter nights fell quickly. They had just finished dinner, and it was still a while before bedtime.

Hmm, he would go to Haitang Courtyard to see Fourth Sister.

With his mind made up, Jiang Zhan didn’t take A Ji with him and headed straight for Haitang Courtyard.

At this time, the second gate was still wide open. The gatekeeper was huddled in a small room to keep warm, occasionally glancing outside. When she saw Jiang Zhan, she hurried out to greet him.

Now, everyone in the residence knew that the usually unremarkable Second Young Master had made a name for himself. Who knew what great fortune awaited him?

Jiang Zhan waved his hand and quickly walked past.

Jiang Si heard from A’Qiao that the Second Young Master had arrived. Surprised, she hurried out to welcome him.

She knew that Yu Jin was a man of his word, so this winter solstice was likely the last one she would spend at the Earl’s residence. That’s why she had the thought to make some dumplings for her father, elder sister, and second brother.

Speaking of which, she had learned to make these colorful dumplings while in the South.

“Fourth Sister, why are you out here? It’s cold outside.”

Jiang Si looked her brother up and down, her voice gentle, “Second Brother must be tired from his duties. It’s freezing out here, and you still have to patrol.”

Jiang Zhan smiled broadly, showing his white teeth, and sat down with Jiang Si, “I’m not tired. After eating the dumplings you made, I feel even less tired.”

“I’m glad you like them.”

Jiang Zhan looked at his sister, finding her increasingly lovely. He thought to himself, no wonder Seventh Brother, as a prince, had his eyes on her.

Suddenly, he felt a pang of sympathy for his good brother.

Such a wonderful sister was no longer available to Yu Jin.

“What’s wrong, Second Brother?” Noticing Jiang Zhan’s unusual expression, Jiang Si asked.

Jiang Zhan laughed and covered it up, “It’s nothing. I just wanted to tell Fourth Sister how delicious your dumplings are.”

“Then I’ll make some more for you later.”

Jiang Zhan quickly waved his hand, “That’s not necessary. If the kitchen makes too many, they’ll become rough.”

After thinking about how he didn’t want to miss the taste of the colorful dumplings, he suggested, “Let your two maids learn how to make them. Then they can make them for you.”

A’Man and A’Qiao both rolled their eyes in unison.

At that moment, a sudden knock on the window broke the calm.