"sorry--"

Hearing Ertai's raised tone, Chen Nian subconsciously apologized.

"I told you, you never need to apologize to me. Okay, let's go back. If you can't finish your food, give it to me, okay?"

Hearing Chen Nian's apology and seeing the panic in her eyes, Ertai felt a pang of heartache, sighed, and softened his voice.

She went through all that trouble just to find out if she was really angry.

It made him both angry and amused.

I'm annoyed that she's so clueless, and even tries to push me away; I laugh because she still cares about me, she's concerned about me, just her methods are a bit clumsy.

She knew he couldn't bear to be angry with her.

"Um."

Whether Ertai was still angry with Chen Nian was unknown, but Chen Nian's mood was affected. She nodded listlessly and followed Ertai back slowly, nibbling on the candy in her hand.

I wonder if they even tasted what the sugar bait was like.

Thinking of Ertai's calm tone and the changes in his aura, she felt a dull ache in her heart. The stinging pain lingered, wandering throughout her body, leaving her unsure of exactly what was wrong.

...

The two walked back together, and sure enough, Qing'er and Yongxuan were already waiting for them.

Seeing the two people walking towards them, Qing'er and Yongxuan exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with doubt. Were the two having a fight?

Even from a distance, they could already sense that something was wrong with the two of them.

"Go back and get some rest."

Ertai handed over the candy and gave him his usual instructions.

"Okay, you too."

Chen Nian took it and began to speak.

Neither of them had made the promise that the four of them had made to go out for a stroll and then wander around the surrounding area together.

She wanted to learn from Qing'er, but her mind was in turmoil, and Ertai was definitely affecting her emotions, so she didn't mention it.

Ertai also needs to adjust his mood now and doesn't want his bad mood to affect Chennian, so he didn't mention it.

...

Across from them, Qing'er and Yongxuan looked at Chen Nian walking towards them, while Ertai stood still and watched Chen Nian walk away. They looked at each other again, their eyes filled with even deeper doubt.

They must have had a fight, right? They must have had a fight, right? They must have.

To be honest, neither Qing'er nor Yongxuan believed that Shen Nian and Ertai would have a conflict.

Ertai was incredibly tolerant of Chen Nian, and Nian Nian wasn't the type to make trouble unnecessarily. Logically speaking, the two shouldn't have any conflicts.

...

"What's wrong? Did you have a fight with Ertai?"

After Yongxuan and Ertai left, Qing'er took Chen Nian's hand, and the two walked slowly forward together. Sensing the low spirits around her, she asked softly, her eyes filled with concern.

"Qing'er, I want to drink—"

Chen Nian rested his head on Qing'er's shoulder, his voice soft and melancholy.

"Nian Nian—"

"Just a little bit, I'll only drink a tiny bit, just a little, that's fine."

Shen Nian knew what Qing'er was worried about, but she knew her own physical condition and wouldn't joke around with her health. Drinking a little was fine.

"Just a little bit?"

Qing'er sensed the melancholy surrounding her and gave in anyway.

If drinking makes Niannian happier, then why not have a little? Anyway, with her watching over her, she definitely won't let Niannian drink too much. Besides, it seems that she also wants to use alcohol to relieve her sorrows.

Thinking about the contents of the letter the Empress Dowager sent her today, Qing'er's eyes filled with confusion...

...