"Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, I'm sorry to have worried you..." Xueying said hurriedly, "I just saw a sugar figurine stall over there, so I ran over to take a look, but suddenly a group of people came and crowded around, making it impossible for people to move."

"It's good that you're alright. Hongzhou was so worried that he almost wanted to go back to the government office to find you right away," Hongli said with a smile. He secretly hoped to bring Xueying and Hongzhou together, since Hongzhou was truly devoted to her. If they could be together, that would be great.

Xueying glanced at Hongli with a hint of hurt, then thanked Hongzhou profusely.

Hongzhou: "Xueying, don't leave silently again, or we'll worry. After all, we're new to Jinan and don't know anyone. It's unimaginable what would happen if you, a young woman, were kidnapped by bad guys."

"Xueying has remembered, I'm sorry to have made you worry." Xueying lowered her head, her voice growing softer and softer. Taomei drooped her head, and her eyelashes under the moonlight were like butterfly wings, each strand distinct.

Hongzhou couldn't bear to blame him any longer, so he quickly smoothed things over and let the matter drop.

That night, the three of them were preoccupied with their own thoughts, unable to confide in each other or share their feelings...

Back at the post station, Xueying prepared to take a bath with the help of her maid, A'luo.

"A-Luo, after you bathe, prepare women's clothing for me..." A-Luo always knew Xueying's thoughts. Having served her mistress for so many years, she could guess nine out of ten of her mistress's thoughts. But at this moment, A-Luo hesitated to move, as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself.

Xueying was a little angry: "Aluo, didn't you hear what I said?"

"Miss, you mustn't do something like this for short-term gain," A-Luo thought instinctively, worried that Xueying might do something shocking.

Xueying clenched her fists, turned her head without looking back, and said firmly, "No need for further words, go and prepare!"

A-Luo could see Xueying's determination and knew that it would be useless to say anything more. This princess had always been a person of her own mind and was never a master who would change her mind easily.

"This servant will go and prepare..." A-Luo replied, and said no more.

With A'Luo's help, Xueying changed out of her men's clothing, then entered the bathtub and began to bathe.

Since Hongli cannot take the initiative, let Xueying do it herself. Sometimes success is just a matter of a step, and taking a risk might yield twice the result with half the effort. However, this plan cannot be without one person—Hongzhou. Hongzhou is the key; he is the last bastion that breaks down Hongli's inner defenses.

"Hongzhou, Xueying is sorry. I hope to be your best friend," Xueying thought silently in her heart.

“Princess, the Duke is really heartless. You are still a woman. Doesn’t he care about ruining your reputation? What will you do if the Fourth Prince still refuses?” A’Luo said while pouring water for Xueying.

“He won’t refuse. If he doesn’t want to leave any stain on his reputation, if he doesn’t want his favorite brother to hate him, he can’t escape it.” Xueying muttered to herself, as if she were talking to A Luo, but also to herself.

A-Luo went to prepare the clothes, leaving Xue Ying alone, her body immersed in the warm water sprinkled with rose petals. Her dark black hair floated on the surface of the water, forming an eerie image... A-Luo slowly lifted a few petals with her hand, then let go, and the petals scattered like fallen leaves. They slid down Xue Ying's cheeks and neck, dripping onto her chest along with what was either sweat or warm water.

Xueying looked at her own body, so young and delicate. Her fingertips gently touched her skin, which felt like a ripe fruit about to burst with juice, pink and tender.

Total 1 page, now page 1