On the fifteenth of the month, as is customary, Xiao Chengyu was required to go to the Great Compassion Temple to pray for the country.

The carriage rumbled along, passing through bustling streets. Xiao Chengyu leaned against the window, gazing at the scenery outside, but her thoughts remained preoccupied with Gu Nianzhi. She simply couldn't understand why such a refined and upright person would resort to such scheming.

"Princess, we've arrived," a palace maid whispered.

The Great Compassion Temple was a royal temple, and a respectful monk had already greeted him. The prayer ceremony was solemn and dignified, and Xiao Chengyu put aside his distracting thoughts and offered his sincere prayers.

After the ceremony, the monk in charge of receiving guests said, "The magnolias on the hill behind the temple are in full bloom. Would Your Highness like to go and admire them?"

Xiao Chengyu was looking to clear his head, so he nodded in agreement and, accompanied only by two personal maids, strolled towards the back mountain.

Sure enough, a patch of white magnolia blossoms bloomed like clouds and snow, their fragrance filling the air. Xiao Chengyu's mood improved slightly as he bent down to gently smell a magnolia blossom when he suddenly heard a clear and melodious zither tune coming from deep within the forest.

The ethereal and clear sound of the zither, like a spring gurgling over stones or a spring breeze rustling willows, inexplicably resonated with her current state of mind. She followed the sound, passing through a bamboo grove, and saw a person playing the zither with their back to her in a small pavilion.

The man was dressed in a plain blue robe, slender in build, and his finger movements were fluid and graceful. As the music ended and the lingering notes faded, he seemed to sense something and slowly turned around.

It turned out to be out of consideration for him.

Their eyes met, and Xiao Chengyu stood frozen in place. Gu Nianzhi seemed to be taken aback as well, and quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "I did not know Your Highness was here. I have been impolite."

"Why is Young Master Gu here?" Xiao Chengyu frowned slightly.

Gu Nianzhi said calmly, “Today is the anniversary of my mother’s death. She loved magnolias the most, so I came to the temple to chant sutras and pray for her. I also came here to play a piece she loved most, ‘Youlan Cao’.” As he spoke, a perfectly timed hint of sorrow flashed in his eyes.

Xiao Chengyu's heart stirred slightly. Filial piety was paramount, so she couldn't raise any further questions.

Gu Nianzhi observed her expression and said gently, "Your Highness, were you attracted by the music? My playing skills are crude, and I have disturbed Your Highness's peace. I am truly sorry."

"It's alright. Young Master Gu's zither skills are superb, how can you say they are crude?" Xiao Chengyu's tone softened slightly.

"Your Highness flatters me." Gu Nianzhi lowered his eyes humbly, then suddenly raised them again. "I apologize for my impertinence, but I noticed a knot in Your Highness's brow just now. Is something troubling you? If Your Highness would not mind, I might play another tune for you to ease your worries."

His words were sincere, his eyes clear, and there was no hint of intimacy. Xiao Chengyu suddenly wondered if he had been overthinking things.

Just as I was hesitating, I heard a series of hurried footsteps.

"Sister Yu!" Qi Mingyue ran over breathlessly, grabbed Xiao Chengyu's arm, and glanced warily at Gu Nianzhi. "I've finally found you! Her Majesty just sent word that you need to return to the palace immediately!"

Gu Nianzhi bowed calmly: "Miss Qi."

Qi Mingyue pretended not to see anything and pulled Xiao Chengyu away, saying, "Hurry up, they say the Northern Di have sent envoys who want to present some treasures. Her Majesty wants you to go and see them too!"

Xiao Chengyu had no choice but to leave with her. After taking a few steps, he turned back to look at Gu Nianzhi, who was still standing in the pavilion. The spring breeze lifted the hem of his plain blue robe, making him appear somewhat lonely and aloof.

Once they were out of sight, Qi Mingyue lowered her voice and said, "Sister Yu, why did you meet with him alone again? I just saw his servant sneaking around outside the temple, he clearly had ill intentions!"

Xiao Chengyu frowned: "He said today is the anniversary of his mother's death, and he came to chant scriptures and pray for blessings."

"You actually believe this nonsense?" Qi Mingyue stamped her foot. "I just went to inquire, and today is not his mother's death anniversary at all! His mother's death anniversary is the ninth day of the third month, which has long passed!"

Xiao Chengyu paused in his tracks: "How did you know?"

"I have my own methods!" Qi Mingyue said smugly. "I also found out that he didn't come here to chant scriptures at all. He bribed the guest monk and knew what you wanted to do today, so he was waiting here for you!"

Xiao Chengyu's expression darkened slightly. If that were true, Gu Nianzhi's scheming was far too deep.

On the way back to the palace, she was preoccupied. Qi Mingyue grumbled beside her, "If you ask me, Cousin Rui should teach him a good lesson, and see if he dares to play these tricks again!"

“No.” Xiao Chengyu shook his head. “Without evidence, taking action rashly will only give others grounds for criticism.”

"So we're just going to let him keep pestering us like this?" Qi Mingyue asked, dissatisfied.

Xiao Chengyu's eyes narrowed slightly: "If he behaves himself, that's fine. But if he does anything improper... I'll deal with it."

Although she was gentle by nature, she was by no means weak or easily bullied. Having grown up in the palace since childhood, she had been exposed to all sorts of tricks and schemes, but she was so well protected that she never had to use them.

That evening, Xiao Chengyu went to the Eastern Palace.

Xiao Chengji was reviewing memorials when he saw his younger sister arrive. He put down his vermilion brush and said gently, "Yu'er, what brings you here? Is something the matter?"

Xiao Chengyu dismissed his attendants and recounted the events of the day in detail, concluding with, "Brother, I feel that Gu Nianzhi is not quite right."

Xiao Chengji pondered for a moment: "I already know about this matter. Chengrui and Mingxuan both mentioned it to me." He stood up and took out a file from the drawer of his desk. "This is what I found recently."

Xiao Chengyu took it and examined it closely, becoming increasingly alarmed with each glance.

The dossier recorded Gu Nianzhi's recent whereabouts: he bribed palace eunuchs with a large sum of money to find out her preferences; when drinking with his classmates at the Imperial Academy, he implied that he was "very close" to her; and even a few days ago he tried to "return" the silk handkerchief she had lost through his connections, but was secretly stopped by Qi Mingxuan.

What chilled her to the bone was that a short poem was attached to the end of the file, which was actually written by Gu Nianzhi in imitation of her handwriting. The content was ambiguous, and the date was the day before when she claimed to be ill and did not attend the palace banquet.

"He...he actually dared to forge my poem!" Xiao Chengyu's fingertips trembled with anger.

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