The man usually liked to wear all white, and today was no exception. His skin was milky pink, his face was slightly pale and delicate, his phoenix eyes were long and narrow, and he had a smile on his face. He leaned lazily against the car arm, looking just like a little fox hibernating in winter, making people want to take a bite.

If the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice hadn't arrived so quickly, Chu Yuan couldn't be sure if she would have already pounced on him.

Dugu Ling got off the carriage first, then reached out and helped Chu Yuan down. The gatekeeper of the Vice Minister's mansion stared wide-eyed, wondering if he had mistaken her for someone else!

Rubbing his eyes, he silently wondered, was that really His Highness the Crown Prince, whom he hadn't seen in eight hundred years?

Clearly, the guard wasn't going to wait for him to think it over. He stepped forward expressionlessly, sword at his side, and said, "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived. Please have your master, mistress, sons, and daughters all come out to greet him!"

"Ah? I, no, I'll go right away!" The gatekeeper was almost scared to death.

His Highness the Crown Prince may be vague and uncertain, but the ceremonial guard of the Eastern Palace is obvious. Within the capital, I'm afraid no one would dare to impersonate him!

As the gatekeeper announced their arrival, Chu Yuan asked Dugu Ling curiously once again, "Your Highness, what exactly are we doing at the Vice Minister's residence?"

Dugu Ling put his arm around her and tucked a stray hair that had been blown by the wind behind her ear. "Yuan'er, don't worry, the show is about to begin."

About half an incense stick's time later, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, followed by about ten people, hurriedly knelt at the hanging flower gate to respectfully welcome the Crown Prince.

Chu Yuan was right next to Dugu Ling, and when they knelt down, Chu Yuan was also forced to kneel down.

The group of people kept their heads down, not daring to look up. They only knew that there was a woman beside the Crown Prince, but they couldn't see clearly who she was.

It wasn't until Dugu Ling spoke that he said, "Minister of Justice, stand up. Everyone else, continue kneeling before this Crown Prince."

The Vice Minister of Justice, who had just stood up, was speechless.

The others who had already started to get up were speechless.

The Vice Minister's wife had no choice but to lead everyone back to their knees, each one staring anxiously at the ground, wondering if the Crown Prince had taken the wrong medicine today.

Otherwise, why would the usually amiable Crown Prince suddenly launch an attack on the Vice Minister's residence without any investigation?

The Vice Minister of Justice bowed, his lips trembling slightly, and said, "Your Highness, what brings you to my humble abode? Is there something you wish to instruct me about?"

As they spoke, he finally saw Chu Yuan standing next to Dugu Ling. His eyes widened in surprise, and he unconsciously murmured, "Princess Ji Yun..."

"You do remember her identity." Dugu Ling looked at Zhao Feng with a half-smile.

This confused Zhao Feng even more, and he lowered his waist even further. "Your Highness, I don't understand what you mean by that. Please enlighten me."

Dugu Ling then stopped keeping him in suspense and glanced at the group of kneeling people. "Lord Zhao, may I ask if you have a Miss Zhao Si in your family? She is usually quite close to Princess Fushun."

"Huh?" Zhao Feng was taken aback, then readily agreed, "Yes, yes, Your Highness is looking for my daughter because..."

Before Zhao Feng could finish speaking, Dugu Ling interrupted, "Call her out. I don't go out often and can't even remember the names of many officials. She should feel honored that she can remember your Miss Zhao Si."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yuan tilted her head slightly, feeling that the tone of voice was more like that of Dugu Jue than Dugu Ling.

The next moment, Zhao Feng called out Zhao Qingyu, the fourth young lady of the Zhao family, and subtly reminded her: "Qing'er, why don't you quickly pay your respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Faced with this sudden situation, Zhao Qingyu was stunned. She stopped and instinctively went to kneel, but Dugu Ling stopped her with a foot.

In a strange tone, he said, "I didn't tell you to kneel, so don't try to be clever in front of me!"

This disgusted and stern tone made Zhao Qingyu even more uneasy.

She quietly raised her head, and the moment she confirmed Chu Yuan's identity, her eyes narrowed sharply.

Chu Yuan was also suspicious; this Zhao Qingyu seemed rather unpleasant!

Immediately afterwards, Dugu Ling held her arm and gently pushed her forward, saying, "Go ahead, just do the same thing she did to Yue'er bullying you. With me here, she won't dare to fight back."

****

What did you buy on Singles' Day?

Honestly, I actually used a month's worth of writing fees to buy more than ten keyboards, ugh (I'm crazy).