Xu Yunci was so engrossed in watching that he didn't realize his gaze, beneath its cool exterior, carried a hint of desire. By the time he came to his senses, he had already reached out and was about to place his hand on Li Shiyue's fair forehead.

Before he could pull back, the little girl, who was lying on the ground, let out a soft moan and moved her body. Her forehead was right against his fingertips; her warm skin was less than an inch away, but Xu Yunci felt that his fingertips were burning hot.

With Li Shiyue lying face down, a large portion of her neck was exposed, and Xu Yunci even had the urge to stroke that slender white neck.

But soon, he withdrew his hand and even closed his eyes. With complete darkness all around and nothing in sight, his other senses became exceptionally acute.

Especially his hearing; he could even hear his own heartbeat, which was so fast.

Thump, thump, a rhythmic and powerful sound.

Xu Yunci raised his hand to touch his chest, his gaze falling on the person lying on the table. The desire that had subsided seemed to return with just one glance.

He wanted to clear his mind and reach out. Reason prevailed, and Xu Yunci got up and picked up Li Shiyue. She seemed to be fast asleep, not even waking up.

Xu Yunci deliberately ignored his stiff arms, which were stiff from being overly cautious. He walked to the bedside, gently laid Li Shiyue down, and then stepped out.

Shou Dong seemed to have been waiting outside for a long time. He couldn't hide the hesitation on his face and came face to face with Xu Yunci who came out.

"She's asleep, I'm leaving now."

It seemed that Shou Dong didn't need to answer anything; Xu Yunci's steps were already so fast that he couldn't catch up at all.

Although Shou Dong didn't know what had just happened inside, she still stepped inside. She saw the person Xu Yunci had mentioned sleeping on the bed sitting up against the headboard, eyes lowered, seemingly lost in thought.

Li Shiyue had actually woken up earlier. She felt someone beside her, and then she felt someone hug her. After that, the person did not leave, and stared at her with burning eyes from the bedside.

She was actually scared, but during that hug, all she could think of was Xu Yunci. Moreover, she could sense a possessive quality in Zhi Re's gaze, as if he were eyeing his prey.

Li Shiyue was supposed to return to the Duke's Mansion today, but she could only stay for two more days before she returned to the Duke's Mansion with Xu Yunci.

Stepping down from the carriage and gazing at the gates of the Duke's mansion, I was unexpectedly struck by a sense of familiarity.

Li Shiyue couldn't hide the smile in her eyes. After changing her clothes, she hurried to Shousong Hall. It was clear that Old Madam Xu had been waiting for her for a long time. She was sitting cross-legged on the wooden couch, and her eager expression instantly disappeared when she saw Li Shiyue enter.

Holding prayer beads in his hand, he closed his eyes and slowly chanted Buddhist scriptures.

Yang, standing to the side, suppressed her smile, but the corners of her mouth, hidden beneath her handkerchief, couldn't help but turn upwards.

Li Shiyue saw this and, unable to hide her smile, stepped forward and called out to everyone. But only Old Madam Xu seemed not to hear her, her eyes closed and her head unmoving, as if she wasn't the one most eager to see Li Shiyue enter.

Zhou, who was on the other side, was always the most quick-witted and didn't want the atmosphere to cool down. She exclaimed, her voice rising a few decibels, "I haven't seen Yan Yan for a few days, and she looks even more fair and delicate next to the eldest young lady."

As he spoke, his gaze would occasionally drift to Old Madam Xu, whose eyes were closed, and he would give a knowing look to Li Shiyue with a smile in his eyes.

“My cousin insists that I accompany her every day, and we go everywhere together, but she wants me to be fairer. My fourth aunt says I’ve become fairer, and my maternal grandmother says I really have become fairer.”

Li Shiyue instantly understood what she meant, and hurriedly stepped forward to tug at Old Madam Xu's sleeve, smiling as she approached her.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, the corners of Madam Xu's lips unconsciously curved upwards. She coughed twice as she opened her eyes, then suppressed that faint smile: "I thought the county princess was having so much fun at the palace that she forgot to come back."

Listen to that, they've even called her "County Princess".

Li Shiyue quickly pleaded for forgiveness: "But I was wrong. I played around for two days and made my grandmother worry about me. I deserved to be punished. I just hope my grandmother is happy and won't hold it against me."

Old Madam Xu couldn't help but laugh, and simply poked her forehead with her finger: "You little rascal!"

Without much force, Li Shiyue hugged Old Madam Xu's arm and pressed herself against her: "Grandma misses me, and I miss Grandma too. My cousin misses me too, and she even asked me to bring back a lot of things, specially for Grandma to nourish her body."

"My cousin is so kind. She manages the palace affairs so well. Not to mention the things my grandmother used, she can even remember the things I use."

“I have a new piece of fabric to make a new dress for my grandmother. My cousin and I picked it out together. I guarantee you will like it.”

Madam Xu held the Buddhist prayer beads in both hands, her face as proud as an old child: "Fine, if you don't like it, you can pay for it."

"Don't even mention compensation. Whatever Grandmother likes, I'll definitely offer it to her with both hands." Li Shiyue smiled and leaned against Madam Xu's arm.

Madam Xu didn't make a fuss. She took her hand and started talking about what she had heard these past few days: "You've been delayed these past two days. Have you heard anything about what happened at the palace?"

"What is it?" Li Shiyue's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain composed and not reveal any flaws.

Madam Yang glanced at Old Madam Xu and sighed, "It's fine as long as it has nothing to do with you. I heard that Prince Yan returned to the capital overnight yesterday, encountered an assassin, injured his hand, and is currently recuperating at the Prince's residence."

The King of Yan...

Li Shiyue remained silent. Her youthful face, as seen by Old Madam Xu, resembled the bewilderment of someone unaware of the matter. She did not intend to reveal the truth, as she did not know whether this matter was related to Xu Yunci, and it would be unwise to say anything that would worry her grandmother.

It seems I still need to go and talk to Xu Yunci.

Old Madam Xu held her hand and talked for a while longer. It was precisely because she was worried about the "assassin" that Madam Yang had mentioned that she took Li Shiyue and checked her over thoroughly before leaving, making sure she was alright before letting her go back.

As if by telepathy, Xu Yunci seemed to have been waiting for a long time when Li Shiyue came out of Shousong Hall.

Xu Yunyang had waited for her at this same spot before, and her attitude wasn't very good then. It wasn't that she disliked being waited for; she simply disliked Xu Yunyang as a person.

But Xu Yunci was different. He stood there with his hands behind his back, his cool and aloof face like that of a handsome young man born from the bamboo forest.

For some reason, Li Shiyue suddenly thought of yesterday. Counting from yesterday, she had been hugged twice, and today was already the third time. Thinking of the security of that broad embrace, her face flushed, and she subconsciously lowered her head to hide it, not wanting anyone to see.

Xu Yunci had clearly been waiting for her on purpose. She was shy, but there were some things she needed to clarify. Otherwise, if her grandmother asked and she let something slip, it would truly be her fault.