The daughter, in particular, could not escape her status as an illegitimate child.

But now things are better. Jin'er has become Lord Liao's daughter. Even if she doesn't end up marrying the Regent, she can definitely marry into a noble family.

...

"My lady---"

Emerald looked at Qin Sheng, who was sitting by the window in a daze, and then at the clothes and jewelry that the lady had sent over.

Qin Sheng sighed and said, "I'm fine."

After a pause, he added, "It seems that the Princess's residence has never held banquets before. I wonder what's going on with this banquet."

Jade blurted out, "Perhaps it's about the Regent's marriage."

After all, everyone in the capital knew that the eldest princess had gone to great lengths to arrange the regent's marriage.

"..."

The thought of likely running into Yue Rongheng if she went to the Princess's residence gave Qin Sheng a headache.

Now that she had realized her feelings for Yue Rongheng, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to help but reveal them.

As someone as intelligent as Yue Rongheng, if I'm not careful, he'll see through my scheme.

If possible, Qin Sheng would like to keep this matter a secret for the rest of her life and never let anyone know.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt that she shouldn't have gone to the banquet at the Princess's residence.

But---

If I have to leave for Ningzhou the day after tomorrow, tomorrow may be the last time I see him, and the next time we meet may be far away.

...

Qin Sheng eventually went to the banquet at the Princess's residence with Madam Qin.

Princess Wenhua had been secretly inquiring about unmarried girls with the surname Qin in the capital, but with little success.

As soon as Madam Qin left, the Eldest Princess immediately called her over to talk.

There were too many people in the flower hall, and many of them kept glancing at Qin Sheng, making her feel uncomfortable. So, she made an excuse to leave after a while.

To their surprise, they ran into Yun Yin, Yue Rongheng's bodyguard, as soon as they stepped out of the flower hall.

"Madam Qin." Yun Yin stood a few steps away and bowed. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, he quickly whispered, "Please come with me, Madam. His Highness wishes to see you."

"..."

Qin Sheng didn't know why, but her heart suddenly started beating faster.

She pursed her lips and waited for Yun Yin to leave before pretending to follow him casually.

Yunyin led her to a secluded courtyard. This time, instead of a side room, Yue Rongheng was standing in the courtyard reading a book.

Qin Sheng's gaze fell on the book in his hand... it was the same book that he had taken from her when they were in Ningzhou.

"Your Highness." Qin Sheng suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and curtsied.

I wondered why he hadn't finished reading the book yet.

"Sit down." Yue Rongheng closed the book in his hand and pointed to the stone bench next to him.

Qin Sheng sat down and said, "Your Highness said in your letter that you felt the location I suggested was not suitable for opening a study. I wonder if Your Highness has a suitable location in mind?"

Yue Rongheng looked at her quietly: "What I said in my letter was just to appease you so you could stay in the capital a little longer, can't you see that?"

"Huh? Huh?"

Jade and Cloud Hidden were both guarding outside the courtyard, so only Qin Sheng heard Yue Rongheng's words.

Qin Sheng felt that fluttery feeling in her heart again, but she didn't dare to show it and only said, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Yue Rongheng looked at her.

He didn't believe the girl was really that slow-witted, and insisted that he explain everything word by word before she would understand.

Regarding Qin Sheng, Yue Rongheng kept telling himself to be patient.

Qin Sheng was a little afraid to look him in the eye, and slowly lowered her eyes. "Your Highness... you are the Regent of Da Xiang, and there are many things you cannot do as you please."

She wasn't really stupid; Yue Rongheng's words just now... weren't entirely innocent.

Yue Rongheng chuckled softly, "How do you know it's impossible before you've even tried?"

"Qin Sheng, as long as I don't mind, once I've made up my mind, no one dares to say anything."

"..."

He suddenly stood up, and Qin Sheng only heard him sigh softly before he was already standing beside her.

"Qin Sheng, a coward like Yin Wenxiao is not good enough for you. If you are willing, marry me."

"!!!"

Qin Sheng seemed to hear a rumbling sound that kept echoing in her ears, making her feel as if she were frozen in place.

What is he saying?

Qin Sheng took a few steps back abruptly, her mind in turmoil, her face flushed crimson.

"My mother, my mother must be looking for me... I... I have to go now!"

She was in a hurry, and somehow she stepped on the hem of her own skirt, about to fall.

Yue Rongheng reached out and easily helped her up.

"Your Highness..." Qin Sheng quickly stood up straight, barely managing to calm himself down, "I really have to go back first, otherwise my mother will worry."

She was in a state of confusion and needed to sort out Yue Rongheng's words.

Yue Rongheng looked at her and said seriously, "I'm not forcing you to give an answer now, but Qin Sheng, don't run away from it. Think carefully about what I'm saying, okay?"

"..."

Qin Sheng gave a soft "oh" and agreed.

She pursed her lips, wanting to leave quickly, but her hand was suddenly grasped. Yue Rongheng's slightly rough fingertips gently scraped the back of her hand.

"Remember, think it over carefully."

Qin Sheng felt her entire palm was burning hot. She forcefully pulled her hand back and ran away as fast as she could.

Yue Rongheng watched her retreating figure, a smile gradually appearing in his eyes.

When Yunyin entered, he saw that his master was actually laughing. He asked in surprise, "How can you still laugh?"

He had exceptional hearing; he had overheard everything his master and Madam Qin had said in the courtyard, and he was now deeply worried about his master.

"Why can't you laugh?" Yue Rongheng raised an eyebrow.

Yun Yin coughed lightly, "The Princess is currently searching everywhere for a girl surnamed Qin. She probably never imagined that you would take a fancy to Lady Qin."

After all, no one would have imagined that the high and mighty regent would be in love with a divorced woman.

"Um."

Yue Rongheng looked down at his hands. "Let her search slowly."

...

Qin Sheng returned to the flower hall in a daze, as if she were in a dream world.

Madam Qin was looking for her and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her daughter. "Where have you been? This is the Princess's residence. You can't just wander around here."

"I just took a walk in the garden," Qin Sheng said.

Madam Qin couldn't help but pull her hand and whisper, "I heard that the Regent has taken a fancy to a Miss Qin, who shares the same surname as our family. I just don't know which one she is. The Princess just kept pulling me aside and asking if our family has any outstanding young ladies who are not yet betrothed."

"..."

Qin Sheng stumbled, and asked her mother nervously, "What did you say to the Princess?"