Once outside the palace, the girl who had finally managed to stop Qingyin was panting heavily, her body covered in sweat.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

"But, Young Master Xie, I really like you, and I want to be your future wife." The girl's eyes reddened as she looked earnestly at Qingyin and said.

The entrance to the Prince's mansion was usually deserted; few people dared to walk around in front of it.

However, the servants in the Prince's mansion could still hear it.

Seeing the girl loudly confessing her love in broad daylight, Qingyin lost her temper and used the veil she had brought to cover the girl's figure.

He whispered, "I understand."

"Princess, could you please go to the Xie residence? I will tell you my answer there."

“Okay.” Jiamin agreed without hesitation.

Today's confession had exhausted all her courage; she would absolutely not go back without receiving a reply from him.

With the princess's carriage, the two quickly returned to the Xie residence.

Qingyin dismissed the servants. Her elder sister was still outside, so she didn't need to consult her. With the little princess in tow, Qingyin went straight to her room.

"Princess, please come in alone."

Seeing that it was clearly Xie Lang's room, Jia Min blushed slightly.

She wondered why Xie Lang had asked her to go alone. Could it be that he didn't want her to be embarrassed in public?

Jiamin couldn't understand it, so she tried to exhale and relax.

Bai Zhu stopped her and whispered, "Princess, isn't it inappropriate for a man and a woman to be alone in a room together?"

Jiamin's cheeks flushed. She stole a glance at the calm and handsome young man and whispered, "If you're with him, who knows who will suffer?"

Bai Zhu: "..."

It must be said that what the princess said made a lot of sense. She secretly glanced at the beautiful Lady Xie and nodded, no longer trying to stop her.

As for the princess's reputation, if she doesn't say anything, who would know?

Upon entering the room, Qingyin began to take off her coat. Her slender, fair fingers slowly unbuttoned the coat, a sight that was indescribably beautiful, yet subtly alluring.

Jiamin was startled by his action and immediately covered her eyes with her hand. Could it be that Xie Lang really wanted to do that kind of thing?

Seeing the little princess walk in, blushing and finally showing some fear, Qingyin's lips curled slightly.

Qingyin stopped only after taking off her coat, revealing the corset underneath.

"Princess, this is why I cannot be with you."

Qingyin's voice aroused the girl's curiosity. Even though she was worried about seeing something she shouldn't have, the little princess still boldly put her hand down.

Upon seeing this, her eyes reddened.

Xie was a woman.

Seeing the little princess's reddened eyes, Qingyin felt somewhat helpless, but still said coldly, "So the princess cannot fall in love with me."

"No, why not? Because you are a woman, and I like you, Xie Yin. It's not just your appearance, but also your personality and character. You can't be so heartless, shutting me out with just one 'no'." The girl lowered her head, tears falling to the ground, her voice still trembling with sobs, yet she persisted in speaking.

“Aren’t you a woman? If those people knew you were a woman, they would definitely hurt you. So Xie Yin, Xie Lang, marry me, and no one will dare to bully you in the future.”

...

Qingyin looked quietly at the girl with her head down: "Princess, Jiamin, do you know what you're saying?"

Jiamin raised her head and looked stubbornly at Qingyin, saying, "Of course I know that even if you don't like me, I still want to marry you."

"If you don't like me, just put me in another courtyard and don't worry about me."

Seeing the girl crying again as she talked, Qingyin walked over helplessly and took a handkerchief to wipe her eyes.

"good."

...

"You agreed?" Jiamin's eyes widened, her beautiful features still looking somewhat cute.

Qingyin smiled and said, "Never mind if you didn't hear it."

Jiamin's eyes crinkled into crescents, tears still clinging to her eyelids, as she said, "No, I heard you, you have to marry me."

"Okay, little princess, please don't cry anymore, okay?"

The pleasant voice was filled with affection, and Jiamin's ears turned red instantly.

She timidly replied, "Okay."

Bai Zhu, who had been waiting anxiously outside, finally saw her princess and keenly noticed that the princess and Lord Xie had become much closer.

He glanced at his princess with a playful look.

Jiamin blushed under his gaze and shyly turned her eyes away.

That evening, Qingyin told Xie Hongyu.

Seeing the serious look in Qingyin's eyes, Xie Hongyu couldn't bring herself to say a word of reproach.

"Alright, you've confirmed it with everyone you trust, so what are you still saying to me?" Xie Hongyu pouted and rolled her eyes at Qingyin.

Qingyin knew Xie Hongyu had a sharp tongue but a soft heart, so she smiled and said, "Such a big thing, of course I have to let my sister know."

"Also, Sister Lin Bichen is about to close the net."

Xie Hongyu's eyes narrowed. "Okay."

She knew Qingyin was reminding her not to get too close to Duan Ruwei, as it could easily lead to trouble.

Affairs in the imperial court change rapidly.

Qingyin swiftly and ruthlessly exploited Lin Bichen's major weakness—his embezzlement of disaster relief funds—in order to gradually render him obsolete and force the Prime Minister's Mansion to abandon this son-in-law.

This prevented him from ever regaining his footing.

Without any powerful backing, Vice Minister Lin was soon imprisoned.

In the capital prison, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was in charge of the case. Qingyin, who had been promoted to Imperial Censor, walked in, followed by her elder sister wearing a veil.

"Thank you, Your Excellency, for your presence here truly brings honor to this humble place," said the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. This young official, who was always fond of boasting, was not lying this time.

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