An Yuan'er sighed softly. In her previous life, she and the Fifth Prince Yi Chenqi were strangers.

In this life, because of our childhood acquaintance, so many feelings have arisen between us. Although An Yuan'er has never liked him as a romantic lover, Yi Chenqi is, after all, a good friend.

Due to her status, An Yuan'er was more restrained in her interactions with him. An Yuan'er felt a little apologetic. When he treated her with sincerity, she did want to stay away from him and avoid getting entangled with him.

An Yuan'er touched her shoulder; it was still damp.

His crying triggered too many memories for An Yuan'er. In her previous life, before she died of a serious illness, she had heard that the Fifth Prince had died of depression.

The tyrant Yi Chenli personally severed all possibilities for Yi Chenqi. He killed the empress, exterminated the Murong clan, and imprisoned the fifth prince in Tianshan Temple for life, with no possibility of release except by death.

But many things are very different in this life compared to the previous one. An Yuan'er only hopes that Yi Chenqi can have a better ending in this life.

However, the royal family is unpredictable, and no one knows the fate of each person until the very end.

After saying goodbye to Yi Chenqi, An Yuan'er walked back with her head down, but unexpectedly bumped into Lan Jingtang, with Yi Chenli behind him.

"You two? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"

The two turned their heads away and snorted coldly, "It was just a coincidence that we ran into each other."

An Yuan'er always felt that the two of them were strange. When they were on good terms, they were very in sync, but when they were on bad terms, they looked like they were about to fight at any moment.

"Lan Jingtang, thank you for helping me clear up the rumors. And... this county princess's identity."

In Shengjing, few women achieved merit and made a name for themselves. Most women's achievements were obtained through the success of their future husbands. An Yuan'er knew that this status as a county princess was hard-won.

An Yuan'er felt unworthy of such a great benefit from Lan Jingtang.

Lan Jingtang noticed An Yuan'er's anxiety and comforted her, saying, "Little Yuan'er, don't worry about it. In my heart, you deserve all the good things in the world. You were just affected by the rumors, and as a friend, I was just doing my best to help you."

Feeling the eager gaze behind Yi Chenli, Lan Jingtang curled his lips and whispered in An Yuan'er's ear, speaking in a voice only loud enough for the two of them, "Little Yuan'er, I don't know why, but seeing the person behind me jumping up and down, I couldn't control my mischievous thoughts. It's too easy for him to get your favor, and it makes people too jealous. He should be made to feel angry."

Lan Jingtang is probably Yi Chenli's biggest nemesis in this life. He always manages to step just right on Yi Chenli's mental warning line.

From Yi Chenli's perspective, Lan Jingtang and An Yuan'er were very close together.

The irritable Yi Chenli stepped forward and distanced himself from the two.

Yi Chenli complained, "Roundball, this wasn't entirely Lan Jingtang's doing; I also contributed a lot. Why aren't you thanking me!"

Yi Chenli was never one to seek credit, but this time was an exception.

An Yuan'er was taken aback for a moment: "Then thank you, Ali."

Yi Chenli then smiled again.

An Yuan'er whispered to Yi Chenli, "You're going to compete in this too?"

Yi Chenli didn't speak, but An Yuan'er read six words in his eyes—Mind your own business! We're going to compete!

Yi Chenli coughed softly: "It's so late, Lord Lan must be tired, and I'm sure you have many things to do at home, so I won't keep you any longer."

Lan Jingtang could easily understand Yi Chenli's intention to drive the guests away.

The two had just started working together happily, but this partnership ended so quickly!