Xiao Chengyu's cheeks flushed: "What nonsense are you talking about, Sister Yun!"

Ashina Yun chuckled, "I saw it! Just now down the mountain, someone's eyes were practically dripping with honey when he looked at you!" She nudged Xiao Chengrui with her elbow, "Right?"

Xiao Chengrui scratched his head: "Mingxuan has always been very good to Yu'er... Ah! Could it be that he—!" He suddenly widened his eyes, "That Qi Mingxuan! How dare he make a move on my sister!"

"Fool!" Ashina Yun slapped him. "Young Master Mingxuan is gentle and refined, a perfect match for Yu'er! He's much better than some others..." She glanced at him sideways as she spoke.

Xiao Chengjun blushed and mumbled, "What's wrong with me..."

Watching the two bicker, Xiao Chengyu grew increasingly agitated. Even those around him could see it, yet he was still avoiding the issue...

As the carriage approached the palace gate, it encountered Xiao Chengji and Su Wanqing returning from an outing. Seeing them return, Xiao Chengji reined in his horse and asked, "I heard you went into the mountains? Did anything happen to you?"

Xiao Chengrui eagerly recounted what had happened that day. After listening, Xiao Chengji looked at Xiao Chengyu and asked, "Yu'er, are you alright?"

"No," Xiao Chengyu shook his head, "It's all thanks to Cousin Mingxuan..."

Xiao Chengji glanced at Qi Mingxuan, who remained silent to the side, and nodded slightly: "Thank you for your trouble, Mingxuan." His tone was indifferent, but it carried a hint of scrutiny.

Su Wanqing said softly, "Now that Miss Qin's father has been found, Your Highness can rest assured. However, the mountains are dangerous, so it would be best to avoid going there in the future."

She spoke to Xiao Chengyu, but her gaze involuntarily turned to Xiao Chengji, filled with worry. Xiao Chengji noticed this and said gently, "Don't worry, when Yu'er goes out in the future, just send more guards."

The two exchanged a warm smile.

Watching this, Xiao Chengyu suddenly felt a pang of envy. His elder brother and Sister Su, though in a political marriage, were growing increasingly fond of each other. And what about himself?

That night, Xiao Chengyu tossed and turned, unable to sleep, so he got up and went to the courtyard. The moonlight, like water, shone on the orchid that Qi Mingxuan had given him, making it appear even more serene.

She remembered the look in Qi Mingxuan's eyes when he protected her during the day, the wound on his back, and his words, "Yu'er"...

Suddenly, a flute melody drifted on the wind; it was still the same tune, "Youlan Cao," but with a more tender and poignant quality than in the morning.

Xiao Chengyu looked in the direction of the sound and saw Qi Mingxuan standing alone in a pavilion in the distance, holding a flute. His figure looked somewhat lonely in the moonlight.

She stared blankly, her mind racing.

As the flute music faded, Qi Mingxuan seemed to sense something and turned to look. Through the layers of flower shadows, their eyes met.

This time, Xiao Chengyu did not avoid it.

A night breeze wafted by, carrying the fragrance of lotus blossoms. Something seemed to subtly change at that moment.