Beneath his affectionate gaze, there always seemed to be a subtle, deliberate undercurrent.

In particular, whenever she mentioned some interesting and interesting things in the capital, such as the recently popular Bazhenlou Restaurant, Pei Ziqing's expression would instantly become somewhat unnatural, and she would quickly change the subject.

Bazhenlou...that female owner.

That name resurfaced in Helian Yue's mind.

A woman's intuition can sometimes be frighteningly accurate.

In the afternoon, Helian Yue was feeding the koi in the garden of the princess's residence. Watching the fish scramble for food, she suddenly felt that the palace snacks were a bit too sweet: "I heard that Bazhenlou has launched a new product with a very novel taste. Qingdai, prepare the carriage. I want to go and try it too."

The maid Qingdai, who was standing to the side, had just responded with a "yes".

"Yue'er has such refined tastes."

Before he arrived, his voice preceded him; Pei Ziqing's cheerful voice came from the corridor at just the right moment.

He walked over today wearing a brand-new, sky-blue brocade robe, looking very elegant.

"Ziqing, you've come at the perfect time. Accompany this princess to the Eight Treasures Restaurant for a meal."

Helian Yue said with great interest.

Pei Ziqing's smile froze instantly, as if it had been frozen in place.

Bazhenlou?

Is this Liu Zixi's territory?

He didn't hesitate to borrow money at exorbitant interest rates to repay the debt, just to get away from that place that made him lose face!

Is the princess still going?

Are you going to make him go with you to that place that humiliated him?

No, absolutely not!!

"Your Highness! Do you know that such noisy and chaotic places are a mixed bag of people and are really not places for a princess to go!"

“Those uncouth people will surely offend His Highness! It would be better to go to the newly opened Shuyu Pavilion in the east of the city. The environment is quiet and elegant, and the dishes are better than there…”

Perhaps it was Helian Yue's recent indulgence that caused Pei Ziqing's voice to rise slightly with urgency, even taking on a sharpness he himself was unaware of.

Are you teaching me how to do things?

Helian Yue abruptly interrupted him, her pretty face frosty.

Her already chaotic emotions were completely ignited at this moment by Pei Ziqing's overreaction.

She turned around abruptly, her bright eyes sharp as knives.

"Pei Ziqing, your expression changes drastically at the mere mention of that place. What exactly is your relationship with the female owner of the Eight Treasures Restaurant? Why do you dare not even set foot in that place?"

Helian Yue stared intently at Pei Ziqing's handsome face, which had turned pale in an instant.

Her voice was not loud, but it carried the unique majesty of a princess and an barely suppressed anger.

The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs were so frightened that they fell silent and lowered their heads.

Pei Ziqing felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head, and her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her throat!

The princess became suspicious!

His carefully cultivated image cannot be ruined by something like this!

"Yue'er, you are wise!"

“I have absolutely no romantic relationship with any other woman, nor any shameful entanglement whatsoever! It's just that the Eight Treasures Pavilion… reminded me of those unpleasant things…”

Pei Ziqing knelt down with a thud, her face filled with grievance and indignation at being slandered.

He portrayed the victim so vividly that his body trembled slightly and his eyes reddened when he talked about the bad things, as if he had suffered a great injustice.

Helian Yue was still somewhat bewildered by his kneeling and tearful accusations.

Seeing Pei Ziqing's grief-stricken and indignant expression, as if he had been betrayed, she even felt a strange emotion welling up inside her.

Did she say something really offensive just now?