For him, he naturally understood those sounds, but facing a girl who hadn’t even reached the age of maturity, he had no particular thoughts. However, he soon noticed that the young lady before him appeared to be blushing.

Did she understand what those sounds meant?

Fu Yunxi was surprised – the girl’s attire suggested she was from a wealthy family, but what wealthy family’s daughter would understand matters of the bedchamber at such a young age?

This was somewhat intriguing.

The couple seemed to have noticed them and started walking in their direction.

While he was still contemplating, the little girl made an unexpected move, quickly hiding under his cloak.

Fu Yunxi was almost dumbfounded.

He had never liked physical contact, maintaining distance even with close friends, yet now a strange little girl had snuck into his embrace!

This girl was too bold – he immediately felt annoyed and wanted to grab her and throw her out.

But when he felt her delicate body trembling against him in fear, he suddenly changed his mind. He protected her in his embrace and carried her away from that troublesome place.

He wasn’t inherently kind-hearted; earlier he had only found this girl somewhat special and helped her on a whim. But now as she thanked him while playing innocent and adorable, treating the earlier incident as mere coincidence, he felt somewhat moved.

This girl wasn’t as simple as she appeared; in fact, she was even trying to deceive him now. But there were more important matters to attend to. As for this girl before him, who was just slightly more clever than ordinary young ladies, it wasn’t worth wasting time here.

While Han Yan was staring somewhat dazedly at his handsome features, she saw him raise an eyebrow, his dark eyes unfathomable as he said coolly, “Your acting isn’t very convincing.”

Han Yan froze for a moment, suddenly realizing that for some reason, this man’s gaze made her extremely uncomfortable. It was as if he could see through to her heart, making her thoughts completely transparent before him. So she bit her lip and continued playing naive: “Does my lord wish to watch a play? Today’s palace banquet probably didn’t invite any theater troupes.”

Before she could wonder what he would say next, she saw him turn away and say coldly, “Aren’t you leaving?”

Han Yan couldn’t quite understand this person. He had just exposed her act of playing dumb, yet would let her go so easily? After some thought, she realized the people at Mei Garden must be worried sick about her absence, and besides, this person had just saved her – if he meant her harm, he wouldn’t have gone to such trouble. He probably wasn’t a bad person. So she asked, “My lord, do you know the way to the plum garden where Her Majesty the Empress is viewing the blossoms?”

After a moment of silence, the man’s cool voice replied, “Follow this small path. Palace maids are cleaning at Mohu Pavilion – ask them to guide you.”

Han Yan’s heart lifted with joy, and she bowed deeply to him: “My lord’s kindness in helping me, this humble girl dares not forget. If there’s a chance in the future, I will certainly come to express my gratitude properly.” With that, she hurriedly left.

A chance in the future – as she walked, Han Yan thought to herself that it would be best if such a chance never came. That ice-cold man was too frightening; better to keep a respectful distance.

Long after Han Yan had left, Fu Yunxi turned around, his attention drawn to something on the ground. He bent to pick it up, gazing thoughtfully in the direction Han Yan had disappeared.

As the man had said, after walking for a while, Han Yan came upon an elegant palace building where two palace maids were sweeping outside. After speaking with them, one of the maids led her back to Mei Garden.

Ji Lan and Shu Hong had been worried sick, and rushed to meet her from afar: “Young Miss, you’ve finally returned! It’s all our fault for not following you. In this vast palace, did anything happen to you?”

Han Yan smiled and shook her head at them: “I’m fine.”

Deng Chan also stood up and took her hand worriedly: “What happened? Earlier your sister came by and said to wait for her outside the restroom, but when she came out you had vanished. Miss Li even sent servants to search for you.”

Han Yan raised an eyebrow: “Miss Li? Which Miss Li?”

Deng Chan replied: “The one sitting beside your sister, the Right Minister’s daughter.”

Only then did Han Yan turn her gaze toward the seated group. The ladies present barely noticed Han Yan’s return, but when she looked over, Zhuang Yushan’s face was pale, and she couldn’t meet Han Yan’s eyes out of guilt.

Han Yan understood in her heart. Glancing at the elegantly dressed young lady beside Zhuang Yushan, she saw Miss Li glaring at her fiercely, her eyes full of anger and resentment.

How strange – she didn’t even know this Miss Li, and even if she were standing up for Zhuang Yushan, there was no need for such intensity. Had she forgotten something?

After carefully thinking it through, Han Yan was certain she had no conflicts or grievances with Miss Li. While she was still puzzling over this, she heard Miss Li say: “How did Miss Zhuang get lost earlier? The imperial palace isn’t like the outside world – wandering around carelessly can lead to trouble. You didn’t encounter anything, did you?”

With this question, the gazes of many ladies around fell on Han Yan. Even the Empress, who had been talking with noble ladies while drinking tea, paused slightly and gave her a meaningful look.

Han Yan frowned. This was implying she didn’t know proper etiquette, wandering around the palace by herself. It also hinted that she might have encountered something improper. With even the Empress’s attention drawn to her, if she were suspected of going somewhere secret, she would become a target of suspicion among certain people in the palace today. She needed to find a way to deflect this.

Seeing the curious looks around her, Han Yan sighed and said plaintively: “Speaking of that, Sister Yushan only brought one palace maid, who accompanied her into the restroom. I was alone outside, waiting for a long time without seeing my sister come out. I was quite bored when I happened to see a golden-winged finch fly by. Fascinated, I chased after it, and… and got lost.” Han Yan smiled sheepishly: “Fortunately, I quickly met some palace maids who brought me back.” Then, with childlike admiration in her voice, she added: “There are so many wonderful things in the imperial palace! I’d only seen golden-winged finches in books before, but today I’ve truly broadened my horizons. Your Majesty and His Majesty truly have heaven’s blessing – even such auspicious birds come here. Our Great Zong Dynasty is truly prosperous!”

With her hair in two buns, and her round little face slightly flushed, she looked somewhat like the delicately carved jade maiden beneath the Guanyin statue in paintings, appearing even more endearing and lovable. Her words, spoken in a clear and lively voice, rang with conviction.

Her words were cleverly chosen. Zhuang Yushan had gone to the restroom with only one maid, who had even followed her inside – saying she went to attend to her was a bit much. Leaving Han Yan alone outside in the cold wind, those with discerning eyes could see what was going on. At once, the young ladies around Zhuang Yushan looked at her with even more contempt.

As for the Empress, she was greatly pleased by Han Yan’s repeated mentions of “blessing,” and her face bloomed into a delighted smile as she beckoned: “Good child, come here to Us.”