That night.

Qingfeng Courtyard.

After dinner and washing up, the young couple lay on the carved bed, but there was no romantic or ambiguous atmosphere.

Previously, Chen Mianmian thought that before the two parted ways, there might be a passionate and intense lovemaking scene. After all, whether it's a TV series or a novel, almost every major climax has such a scene, even though the male and female protagonists of "Avatar" are non-human, there is still such a part in the climax.

But when it was her turn, the two of them were unusually calm.

—Yes, although Fengchu possesses astonishing physical strength, he is not a person driven by desires. Even though he is gradually regaining his confidence, he still carries an inescapable air of melancholy.

Lucky people are healed by their childhood throughout their lives; unlucky people spend their lives healing from their childhood.

Perhaps the Phoenix Chick is the latter.

Unless he is reincarnated and drinks the Meng Po soup, it will be difficult for him to become sunny and cheerful.

Bai Qingzhou interrupted his thoughts, looked up at the woman lying on her side on the bed, using his arm as a pillow, and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Chen Mianmian also pulled herself out of her thoughts. "I'm waiting for you to finish thinking about your things. There's something I want to discuss with you."

Bai Qingzhou was taken aback. "What is it?"

Seeing that it was time to talk about serious matters, Chen Mianmian immediately sat up, then, feeling too cold, draped the blanket over herself, looking like a little Maitreya Buddha. Her expression was serious. "If we follow Prince Jin's plan, starting tomorrow, you will have to take that poison. The poison will take effect slowly, lasting ten days. After ten days, you will enter a state of suspended animation, after which we will report your death, hold a funeral, and secretly leave the capital. My question is: what about Jiang Yinjin? Do you intend for Jiang Yinjin to wear mourning clothes and live as a widow for you?"

Bai Qingzhou also sat up, his expression serious. "That's exactly what I was thinking about."

Chen Mianmian chuckled, "We're actually on the same wavelength? So what are your plans?"

“I want to talk to my father and mother tomorrow and get a divorce in the next few days. The reason is simple: after I take the medication, I will have the illusion that my body is gradually deteriorating, so it is reasonable to get a divorce in advance.”

"That's great, that solves the problem easily."

Seeing the woman's cheerful smile, Bai Qingzhou asked, "And you? Are you planning to leave and find me after a while, or wait for me at the Marquis's residence for a few years?"

Chen Mianmian said, "I'm fine with anything. I'll follow the organization's arrangements."

Bai Qingzhou couldn't laugh—he could pin his hopes on changing his appearance, but what about Mianmian?

Could Mianmian also grow taller and get tanned? Besides, Mianmian's face always attracts attention wherever she goes.

Even if she "disappears" and leaves the capital for several years, she will probably still be unable to hide her identity when she returns, unless she never sees anyone again.

Are we just going to let her live her whole life without any recognition or status?

He didn't want her to be nameless and without status!

Why is it that a vicious woman like Jiang Yinjin can be born into a scholarly family, be married in a proper ceremony, and even have an early divorce to give her a peaceful end, while a kind and intelligent girl like Mianmian has such a shameful background and can't even be given a proper name?

He was unwilling to accept it!

Bai Qingzhou became increasingly agitated, to the point of wanting to smash things... although he knew that smashing things wouldn't vent his anger.

Seeing the man's brows furrowing more and more and more, and the anger in his eyes growing stronger, Shen Mianmian quickly reached out and took his cold hand, gently comforting him, "Don't be like this, try to think more positively. We're doing very well now. You passed the imperial examination with top honors, the Marquis has recovered, and the Lady is pregnant. We can't have all the good things together. There have to be gains and losses to maintain balance."

He paused, blinked, and laughed, "Also, didn't you hate the title of heir apparent before? Now that you've shed that title, you've finally gotten what you wanted."

Bai Qingzhou tenderly grasped the woman's hand, "You're right, our family of three is moving in a positive direction, but what about you? What are you going to do? Can't you take care of yourself a little?"

Shen Mianmian gave a bitter smile, "Me? I'm alright, I've already accepted this painful fact."

Gradually, I've come to accept the fact that I can't live without it.

They began to give up hope and struggle, and officially gave up.

Bai Qingzhou shifted his position closer to the woman and then pulled her into his arms. "It's alright. If you don't care about yourself, I will. So what if we can't show our faces in public? We can go into hiding together. Besides, I don't want to deal with those unimportant people anyway."

Shen Mianmian nodded—she knew he wasn't just trying to comfort her.

After the preliminary examination, although Fengchu tried her best to go out and socialize, she could tell that Fengchu did not like it.

He derives no joy from social interactions, only from responsibility and burden.

But as a crown prince, and as a man who has to protect his woman, he must go against his own preferences and force himself into the world of fame and fortune.

The ancients said that fortune and misfortune are interdependent, and misfortune is the foundation of fortune, which makes sense.

Bai Qingzhou tightened her embrace, her tone becoming more relaxed, "The issue I wanted to discuss with you is no longer necessary; I already have the answer."

"What's the problem?" she asked.

"Originally, I wanted to ask you, if the plan succeeds and I leave the capital smoothly, will you wait until things calm down before leaving the capital to find me, or will you wait for me in the capital for a few years until I return?"

But we've just decided to live under assumed names together, so there's no need to ask that question anymore—I won't go back to the capital; we'll find a beautiful, secluded place and live a peaceful life.

The man spoke slowly, his gentle tone like a paintbrush, sketching many images in Shen Mianmian's mind.

Beautiful mountains and clear waters, a paradise on earth.

The two of them lived in seclusion in a small village, where the man farmed and the woman wove, or the man, Fengchu, became a teacher while she stayed at home, tending to their small courtyard, planting flowers and plants, and raising their two children.

Seeing her devoted and gentle husband and her lively and adorable child every day, life must be wonderful.

With such a handsome young man as Fengchu, and her physical appearance being equally outstanding, their child would surely be exquisitely beautiful, like a New Year's picture doll.

Suddenly, Chen Mianmian paused, her expression stiffening.

Bai Qingzhou noticed something was wrong. "Mianmian, what's wrong?"

Chen Mianmian tried hard to suppress her irritation, "It's nothing."

Bai Qingzhou thought about it carefully for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Where did I say something wrong? Don't take it personally, you know I'm not good with words. Tell me, and I'll correct it right now."

Chen Mianmian glanced at the man with her beautiful, horizontal eyes, and said with a mocking look, "You say you're bad at talking? I think you're very clever. Don't worry, I just made things difficult for myself, it has nothing to do with you."

“Your bad mood is related to me,” Bai Qingzhou leaned closer and kissed the woman’s nose. “Please, tell me.”

"..." Chen Mianmian—no, what kind of grown man acts cute? Although... she falls for it, she still wanted to complain: Other novel male protagonists are all domineering, cool, and arrogant, but you're acting cute? You can't be the protagonist in this novel, and you won't be in the next one either! You worthless cannon fodder.

"Say it quickly." He kissed her lips.

Shen Mianmian turned her head to the side, subtly avoiding the kiss.

He cursed himself in his heart—why did he have to make things so difficult for himself?

Now, she felt increasingly awkward.