He was tall and upright, with large yet leisurely strides. He wore a long robe of blue fox fur brocade, with a black crane cloak over it. His handsome face had a calm expression, and his phoenix eyes were dark and bright.

Although it was cold today, the weather was fine, and a golden light shone on him, making him look warmer than usual.

He strode over and asked Xie Zhaozhao with a smile, "Am I late?"

Xie Zhaozhao smiled and thought to herself: It's good that you're here!

"Have you performed a ritual to help your mother-in-law pass on to the afterlife?"

"Not yet. I'm on my way."

"Then I'm not late." He greeted Xie Yu, "Brother, you've come today too?"

"Hmm," Xie Yu was very pleased. Although the marriage between his sister and the Grand Secretary seemed to be a spur-of-the-moment decision, it was very good.

The two stood on either side of Xie Zhaozhao, carefully protecting her from falling, as they went together to the memorial hall for Xu Zhiyan.

They recited the scriptures for the deceased, burned the scriptures, and also burned paper money and ingots.

Gu Shaoyu respectfully kowtowed three times to the memorial tablet and said earnestly, "Mother-in-law, I am your son-in-law. Please rest assured in heaven that I will treat Zhaozhao well for the rest of my life. Whether in good times or bad, I will support her and do my best to take good care of her for you."

Xie Yu listened without saying a word. This brother-in-law was always open-minded and never broke his word. The fact that he could make such a respectful oath meant that he could really do it.

After they finished praying, they left the temple together.

Winter in the capital is gray and gloomy, with all the leaves falling off. Huguo Temple has many trees that are over a hundred years old. Even without leaves, they will be full of life again when the spring breeze blows.

"Zhao Zhao summoned you here because there's something she wants to tell you. The Crown Prince is choosing a Crown Princess again, and Miss Li and Miss Liu, who came today, are on the list. Zhao Zhao intends to help you." Gu Shaoyu didn't like beating around the bush, so he got straight to the point.

Xie Yu was taken aback. He had thought about many things and assumed that Xie Zhaozhao wanted to tell him something else important.

It's indeed time for Xie Yu to find a wife; he's already reached adulthood and it's time for him to get married.

When Xie Zhaozhao saw that Gu Shaoyu had spoken, she readily admitted, "Looking around the capital, these few close friends are all of excellent character and appearance, and few can surpass them. I intend to matchmake a couple for you, brother. However, this is just my idea, and whether you like them or not is up to you to decide."

Xie Yu asked, "Who has your sister taken a liking to?"

Xie Zhaozhao originally wanted to say Liu Yiyi, but the words changed as soon as they came out: "Brother, do you have someone you like? If you do, tell your sister, and I will talk to Grandmother and Aunt. If none of them are suitable, I will find someone else suitable."

Because they had to attend a palace banquet on New Year's Eve, everyone agreed to stay at Huguo Temple until 5 PM and then go back.

Huguo Temple rises layer by layer along the mountain slope, from the mountain gate to the Mahavira Hall and then to the Jade Buddha Hall.

They agreed to meet outside the main hall on the third floor.

Madam Liu took a liking to Xie Yu and couldn't contain herself. Seeing them come out of the ancestral hall to pray for blessings, she quickly came to talk to Xie Zhaozhao.

He couldn't be too blunt, so he just smiled and said, "Yiyi has been spoiled by her older sisters. I won't feel at ease until she marries someone I know well and who has a good temper."

Xie Zhaozhao looked at Liu Yiyi, who was having a snowball fight with the maids in the courtyard, and said, "Her personality is really good. She is carefree and very fortunate."

Has your brother's marriage been arranged?

"Not yet. It is the father and grandmother's opinion that my elder brother's legal wife must be of his own volition."

“That’s true…” Madam Liu said, then suddenly stood up nervously.

Outside, Liu Yiyi, who had been playing and having a snowball fight with her maid, got into trouble.

I don't know how it happened, but I accidentally missed a step and tumbled down from the third floor to the second floor.

Xie Yu was talking to Gu Shaoyu under the corridor of the main hall when he heard a scream. He turned around and saw Liu Yiyi rolling down to the second floor.

He quickly ran over, trying to catch up with Liu Yiyi and pull her away.

Madam Liu's words stuck in her throat.

Worried that Liu Yiyi might fall and get seriously injured, yet also feeling that this was a golden opportunity, Xie Yu actually rushed out to help her. As long as he helped and hugged her, the marriage would definitely be settled.

For a moment, Madam Liu was unable to react and simply stood there without moving.

Xie Zhaozhao and Madam Liu shared the same idea; they both thought this was an opportunity arranged by God.

In the blink of an eye, the back door of the second-floor hall, which Liu Yiyi had fallen down the steps to, suddenly opened.

A figure flashed out quickly, rushed over, and reached out to catch Liu Yiyi, who was rolling down from above.

That person was none other than the Crown Prince.

The scabs from the hundred lashes he received have healed, but the arrow wound he was shot with hasn't fully healed yet.

But he did not hesitate at all and opened his arms to catch Liu Yiyi.

How he got out of the mansion, how he accurately predicted his appearance at Huguo Temple, how he just happened to be at the bottom of the steps... none of that matters anymore!

Xie Zhaozhao's heart sank to the bottom of the ice.

Madam Liu's expression froze. The happiness and anticipation she had felt before turned into regret and panic.

I tried desperately to run there, but it was too late.

Xie Yu couldn't escape in time; if the Crown Prince caught him...

"call"

At the last second, a figure shot out like an arrow, kicking Liu Yiyi into a snowdrift that the monks had cleared.

Madam Liu collapsed to the ground, her eyes instantly filling with tears of lingering fear.

The prince's outstretched arms found nothing.

Xie Zhaozhao and Xie Yu were both relieved.

A rude voice said, "Your Highness, are you out of your mind? Do you have a grudge against Miss Liu? You're injured, how did you manage to survive such a collision? Do you want to kill Elder Liu's entire family?"

Zhou Tangtang was tall and slender, with a touch of heroism between her brows. Her face, which usually looked somewhat frivolous, was now serious as she looked at the Crown Prince.

“Princess Changping, you…” The Crown Prince glared at Zhou Tangtang, “Insolence!”

In terms of seniority, she is the Crown Prince's cousin, so it is normal for her to think of the Crown Prince's interests. But who needs her help?

The Crown Prince was furious that his plans had been ruined.

Madam Liu had already realized what was happening, and she immediately scolded the maid, "Hurry up and help the Fourth Miss up!"

The maid had already pulled Liu Yiyi up from the snowdrift. Xie Zhaozhao and the others went over to pay their respects to the Crown Prince and check if Liu Yiyi was injured.

Xie Zhaozhao's expression remained unchanged as she lowered her eyes, comforted Liu Yiyi, and told the maid to help her away quickly.

While others didn't see it clearly, she did. The one who quickly kicked Liu Yiyi away wasn't one of Zhou Tangtang's men, but one of the secret guards from Moon Lake Garden.

Xie Zhaozhao has a photographic memory, let alone for people she knows well.

Even if it's as fast as lightning, acquaintances will still recognize it.