What should he do? What can he do?

That was Qin Xi, the woman he loved, the one he would rather stab himself a thousand times than let her suffer even the slightest injustice.

But she eventually went to Yuxianzhai. She went to Yuxianzhai.

Lu Huai smiled dejectedly and said, "Never mind."

"Ayu." He cleared his throat. "Bring everyone back. Go find Zixiang and tell him I'm waiting for him at Chunfeng Tower."

Ayu was stunned. Was the young master going to Chunfeng Tower again?

However, seeing Lu Huai's haggard appearance, A Yu pursed her lips, said nothing, and simply replied, "Yes."

...

...

As soon as Qin Qi entered the villa, a maid came to lead the way, saying, "Miss Qin, this way please."

She gave a soft "hmm," and her initially wary heart suddenly began to believe her a little.

Yes, besides Princess Zhaoyang, who else could be so domineering? Not only does she deceive herself by refusing to acknowledge that she is Lu Huai's wife, but she also forbids the servants around her from calling her "Madam," only allowing them to address her as "Miss."

If it were her, it wouldn't be so bad, considering the grudges she's accumulated over the years. Many people must know of her return to the capital, and her itinerary is being closely monitored. If something were to happen to me at the appointment, the current Princess Zhaoyang certainly couldn't bear the responsibility.

Qin Xi secretly made plans in her mind, and her mood relaxed a little.

However, when she saw the fourth prince sitting in the room, the tension that had just eased in her mind tightened again.

Yes, besides Princess Zhaoyang, the Fourth Prince also refused to acknowledge it!

The room was covered with thick ice, and the cool air was refreshing, making it not hot at all. After the maid brought her here, she left and closed the door behind her. Qin Qi turned around warily to leave, only to find that the door had been locked from the outside.

She was startled, and then she heard the Fourth Prince speak, "Sister Qi, how have you been?"

These words, no matter how you look at them, sound like they came with ill intentions.

Qin Xi paused, then pulled on the door again, which creaked, but she couldn't open it.

"Don't waste your energy," the fourth prince shook his head helplessly, "come and sit down instead."

Incense was lit inside, and it smelled like the calming kind. Qin Xi leaned warily against the door, and only when he made no other move did she carefully sit down at the table.

"Here, the finest West Lake Longjing tea." The Fourth Prince poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of her. "The sun is strong outside, you must be exhausted. Have a cup of tea to quench your thirst."

Qin Xi was indeed a little thirsty, but she held the teacup without daring to drink.

The fourth prince didn't force her; instead, he drank several cups himself and started talking to himself.

“It’s summer again.” He said, “I remember you were most afraid of the heat. When we were young, you always told me that although it was cold in the winter, you could put on more clothes to keep warm. But the heat of summer couldn’t be removed no matter what you did. So you never liked to go out in the summer and preferred to stay by the ice without moving.”

Qin Xi pursed her lips and remained silent; she didn't know what to say.

“But I love summer. Do you know why?” Before Qin Xi could answer, he spoke up, “It’s because I met you in the height of summer.”

“I can’t even understand myself what kind of magic you have that has such a great influence on me, making me aspire to be virtuous and wise since I was seven years old.” He said, pouring himself another cup of tea.

"You know what? Since I met you, I've been criticized by the Master quite a few times." He smiled, seemingly very happy. "But I enjoy it. Being praised and criticized a lot is a different kind of experience."

He sipped his tea gently. "Aren't you going to ask me why the teacher said that to me..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qin Xi interrupted him.