Seeing her looking troubled, Zhu'er suddenly said, "Miss, it snowed last night."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yanran mustered her spirits, got up, changed her clothes, and washed up.

At noon, she walked along the corridor, watching the snowflakes falling from the sky outside, when she unexpectedly ran into Fu Rongchen.

He had clearly just come from outside; snow had fallen on the ends of his hair, making his black hair appear even thicker and darker.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say hello, but when she thought of what Zhu'er had said, she immediately felt guilty.

But turning away at this point would be even more inappropriate.

Just as she was hesitating, Fu Rongchen walked over, looking at her with a smile, "Yanran."

Seeing this, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and go over to him, "Brother Rong Chen."

Fu Rongchen stopped and looked at her face. He said gently, "It's cold outside. Don't linger. Be careful not to catch a cold."

Shangguan Yanran replied, "I know, I'll go back now." As she spoke, she glanced at his face, thinking about what Zhu'er had said, wondering what he was thinking about her. His expression was normal, making it impossible to tell.

After thinking for a moment, she mustered her courage and said, "About yesterday..."

"I need to speak with the teacher, so I'm going to the study first," Fu Rongchen suddenly interrupted her.

Shangguan Yanran's words caught in her throat, and she nodded blankly, "Oh."

Fu Rongchen's gaze lingered on her snow-white face for a moment, then he sighed almost silently and walked past her.

Watching the man's tall figure walk away, Shangguan Yanran's shoulders slumped, and her eyes dimmed.

Zhu'er said that she had questioned him yesterday when she was drunk, asking why he didn't refuse the marriage that his mother was arranging for him.

Fu Rongchen is so smart, he should be able to guess what her question meant, but he acted as if nothing was wrong, and even interrupted her when she tried to bring up yesterday's events.

It seems she was just being delusional.

Thinking of this, a bitter smile appeared on her lips. She turned around and walked to the other side.

...

In a secluded courtyard, Chen sat quietly in a chair, but in reality, she was extremely anxious.

She heard that Madam Rong was already looking for a wife for Rong Shiqing, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, the wedding would be held next spring.

In that case, wouldn't her plan to return to the Rong family be ruined?

She sent messages to Rong Shiqing several times, but he did not reply.

Today, she sent him another letter. She was confident that Rong Shiqing would come to see her after reading the letter; otherwise, she would spread the word that Lan was pregnant before marriage.

Given how much Rong Shiqing cares about Lan Shi, he will definitely be unable to sit still and come to find her.

At that time, she will...

Just as she was sorting out her plans, a servant came to report, "The master has arrived."

Upon hearing this, she was delighted and immediately stood up. Rong Shiqing had indeed come.

She touched her carefully styled hair and checked her clothes before going out with a happy expression.

As soon as Rong Shiqing arrived outside, he saw Chen Shi, who was greeting him with a joyful expression, and a complicated feeling welled up in his heart.

Ms. Chen was undoubtedly beautiful; even in middle age, she remained charming and elegant.

Looking at Chen Shi like this, Rong Shiqing paused for a moment, but when he thought of her broken promise, his expression immediately turned cold.

He didn't go inside, but stood on the porch, his gaze cold. "Speak," he said, "what is your purpose in going to such lengths to lure me here?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Chen clenched the handkerchief in her hand and said mournfully, "My lord, what purpose do I have? I only want to see you, but I have no other way, so I have no choice but to resort to this tactic."