At this point, Su Mingfeng was filled with regret. "It's all my fault for taking chances and thinking you wouldn't be selected. I didn't forcefully stop you, which led to the current situation."

After silently listening to the original owner's experiences, Su Yushan understood and took the opportunity to advise, "This was my own choice, brother, you don't need to blame yourself."

With a deep sigh, Su Mingfeng asked anxiously, "Did you tell the Fourth Prince about this?"

The elder brother's question suddenly enlightened Su Yushan. The servants said that she had argued with the Fourth Prince, which angered him, and the two did not consummate their marriage. Su Yushan had never known what exactly happened that night, but now it seemed that the original owner of this body was unwilling to be the Fourth Prince's maid and told him the truth, saying that she was actually engaged. The Fourth Prince lost face, which is why he neglected her.

But these were all just her guesses. Hongli did not explain the truth. Su Yushan felt a headache coming on. "I'm not sure if I said it, but since I lost my memory, the Fourth Prince has never mentioned this matter again."

Since his younger sister had no memory of the past, there were some things Su Mingfeng didn't want to say, but he was worried that if his sister regained her memory, she would complain that he had kept something from her. What should he do then?

After much deliberation, he decided to tell the truth: "After Zheng Lin came out, he learned that you had been forced to become the Fourth Prince's maid. He felt very guilty. You two grew up together and have a deep bond. He can't let you go and plans to come to the Fourth Prince to tell him about this matter, hoping that the Fourth Prince can let you leave."

If the original owner of this body heard such words, she would likely be deeply moved and would even yearn to shed her maidservant status and reunite with Zheng Lin. However, Su Yushan was new to this world and had no feelings for Zheng Lin. From an outsider's perspective, she was unwilling to take the risk.

“I am a maid chosen by the Emperor. Even if the Fourth Prince doesn’t like me, he can’t let me go. Young Master Zheng’s thinking is too simplistic.”

Standing by the waterside pavilion, Su Mingfeng leaned on the railing, gazing at the rippling, emerald-green water in the distance, and sighed softly:

"Both Uncle Zheng and I advised him to give up the marriage, since no one can defy the imperial power. But he was stubborn and insisted on making a big fuss about it. He even wanted to sue the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, saying that you were forced into the palace by the Prefect."

Even though Su Yushan came from modern times, she knew the principle that power can crush people. "This matter involves a wide range of people. The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture is a powerful and influential person. He is not someone to be trifled with. How could he be allowed to act recklessly? Young Master Zheng has finally escaped from prison. If he offends Fourth Master and the Prefect again, his future will be ruined, and the Zheng family will also suffer!"

Everyone understands this principle, but Zheng Lin is stubborn and unwilling to give up Yu Shan. Su Mingfeng couldn't persuade him and was worried that something might happen to him. In desperation, she told her sister about it, hoping that her sister could step in and stop Zheng Lin from falling into a pit of fire.

“He has an engagement certificate. Uncle Zheng and I asked him for it, but he refused to give it to us, afraid that we would tear it up. I thought you would have to ask him for it.”

"Me?" Su Yushan felt troubled. She wanted to help, but her current status was special and she had lost her freedom. "I cannot enter or leave the mansion at will. If I want to go out, I need Fourth Master's permission."

"Then find an excuse, say you want to leave the manor."

It's easier said than done. She's currently ill and should be resting at home. How can she go out and about unless there's a special reason?

After racking her brains for a long time, Su Yushan finally came up with a plan. She wasn't sure if it would work, but she knew that if this matter wasn't resolved, it would have endless consequences. For the safety of the Zheng and Su families, as well as her own, she decided to take the risk and try it...

Logically, she should have invited her brother to have lunch since he came to visit, but since the Fourth Master was not in the mansion, she could not stay alone with her brother for too long. Su Mingfeng knew this rule, so after saying this, she took her leave and agreed to meet again the day after tomorrow.

She had intended to wait for Hongli to come over before discussing the matter with him, but he didn't come in the afternoon or the evening. He only sent some tonics and fresh tangerines, saying that he had official business to attend to and would visit her when he had time.

If she were to take the initiative to go to him, it would seem too deliberate. Besides, he was so busy that he might not even see her. Despite her anxiety, Su Yushan forced herself not to go and continued to wait.

The waiting was agonizing. If he didn't come, she couldn't keep her promise to her elder brother. There was no one she could trust here, and it was difficult for her to send a message to Su Mingfeng to arrange another day.

She sat there restlessly from morning until noon. After lunch, Su Yushan moved a stool to the window and sat by the gate, gazing at the courtyard gate, hoping for his arrival.

The warm afternoon sun of autumn gently shone on her, making her eyelids droop and feel sleepy. Before the person arrived, she couldn't stay awake any longer and fell asleep leaning against the window.

In a daze, she felt her body lighten. Su Yushan opened her eyes in a panic, and what came into view were tightly pursed thin lips and a smooth jawline.

She was stunned for a moment before realizing that she had been picked up and that person was none other than Hongli!

Afraid of falling, she instinctively raised her hand to wrap around his neck. Hongli lowered his gaze, his eyes falling directly on her face, his expression ambiguous, his voice low and husky.

"You're holding me so tightly, what are you thinking?"

What could she possibly be thinking? She simply wanted to go out for a while, but she couldn't be too direct. Su Yushan's bright eyes flickered, and she said softly:

"I'm afraid you won't be able to carry me and will drop me."

Unwilling to be underestimated, Hongli immediately clarified: "We royal children must not only study and write, but also be proficient in riding, archery and martial arts. If I were as weak as you say, unable to even carry a girl, how could I be worthy of being a prince?"

As they spoke, he reached the tent, placed the woman in his arms inside, and lay down beside her. He propped his forehead with his hand, gazing intently at her. His long, slender fingers brushed a strand of her hair aside, and he casually asked...

"If you're tired, you should go to your tent to sleep. Why are you leaning against the window?"

"To see the scenery! There are flowers and trees in the courtyard, much prettier than the brocade curtains." Su Yushan lied with her beautiful eyes wide open. Hongli grunted and sighed in disappointment, "I thought you were waiting for me!"

She was indeed waiting for him, but she couldn't admit it, so she changed the subject, saying, "The servant said you've been quite busy lately, so I thought you wouldn't come."

Nodding, Hongli said, "I am quite busy, but you have lost your memory and your mind is blank. I figured it would be hard for you, so I thought I'd come and keep you company."

His concerned expression and gentle voice touched her for a moment, but the feeling was fleeting, as she suddenly remembered that he had so many maids, and perhaps he was this considerate to every woman.

Thinking of this, Su Yushan quickly regained her composure and said calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Fourth Master."

He turned over and lay flat on his back, resting his head on his arm, and pondered, "I heard your brother came to visit you today. He must have told you some stories about your past, right?"

Hongli's tone was casual, but she always felt that he was testing her.