"This..." Xie Lingqin hesitated. "Your Highness, it's best not to do this, as we're a man and a woman alone together. If you have something to discuss with me, please say it now." Xie Lingqin lowered her eyes and spoke in her usual tone, but the refusal in her voice was crystal clear.

Yuwen Xian's expression darkened involuntarily as he suddenly remembered.

Even when they were engaged, they didn't have much affection for each other. In the more than 20 years since, he has only seen Xie Lingqin a few times, and even then, he hadn't paid any attention to her unless someone reminded him.

But right now, it's her who's rejecting him.

This feeling suddenly made Yuwen Xian feel uneasy, as if something was slipping away uncontrollably.

Almost instinctively, the Prince Xian put on a solemn expression. "Lingqin, you don't need to overthink it. I just want to talk to you about the Lingyu."

"Lingyu? Could it be that Your Highness dislikes your sister?" Xie Lingqin immediately raised her head, quite puzzled.

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Xian smiled and casually asked, "So, Lingqin, do you want me to like you?"

A gentle tone, with just the right amount of ambiguity.

Everything was so hypocritical.

Calling Yuwen Xian a scumbag is an insult to the word.

"How could Lingqin possibly control the prince's heart? Lingqin will take her leave now." After glancing briefly at the needle-like light in the distance, Xie Lingqin curtsied and departed.

Yuwen Xian didn't stop him, but his brows furrowed slightly. After a moment, he looked at the distance behind him, seemingly displeased, and asked, "Who's there?"

"...It's me." The flower branches swayed, and Xie Lingyu stood there with her maid.

She was bright and beautiful, with a delicate and shapely figure. Her face was flushed with shyness, making her truly pitiful to behold.

"Just now, I came looking for the Prince, and I saw him talking to my sister. I couldn't go back or forward, so I could only stay here." Xie Lingyu walked over, her voice as gentle as a nightingale's song, which could comfort people for no reason.

The woman's face was flushed with a blush, which brought a smile to Yuwen Xian's face. His voice was extremely gentle as he spoke, "It's nothing. I just feel a little guilty towards your sister."

"Your Highness is so understanding, I'm sure my sister understands." Xie Lingyu's thick eyelashes trembled slightly, and she had a shy smile on her face, but her fingers were already tightly clenched together.

Why was the prince so gentle with Xie Lingqin? Did he even know how she had just treated her?

She already knew that Princess Qingyang and Princess Guyang were not good at making recommendations.

She usually flattered and fawned over them, always bringing them new and interesting things to talk about, in order to gain their favor. But today, all her previous efforts were wasted. Not only that, these two princesses were really ruthless, turning around and making her look extremely ugly.

Now that she has already offended Princess Qingyang and Princess Guyang, she has no choice but to fight to the death and hold onto Prince Xian no matter what. She must let everyone know that Prince Xian has fallen for her and cares about her. From now on, she will be Prince Xian's unwavering consort.

And she was ready.

"Let's go, the banquet in the front yard is about to start, come with me." Yuwen Xian looked at Xie Lingyu, extended his hand, his face and eyes full of tenderness.

Xie Lingyu walked over gracefully with her head bowed.

"I've heard that the Qinghu Lake at the Marquis of Anping's residence has a unique view. If I happen to pass by, I'd like to take a look," Xie Lingyu said softly, smiling sweetly, her tone clearly showing anticipation.

Yuwen Xian looked at the shy, flower-like girl in front of him, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, his eyes shining brightly, "It's rare for you to come here, shall I take you there?"

"Okay... thank you, Your Highness."

"There's no need for formalities between us," Yuwen Xian said, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Xie Lingyu's ear.

The girl's skin was as smooth as jade, and not only had the scars on her face healed, but she seemed even more radiant, fair, and charming than before.

"You are so beautiful." Withdrawing his fingertips, he casually brushed them past Xie Lingyu's ear, and Yuwen Xianyu's eyes became somewhat dreamy.

Xie Lingyu clenched her fists, secretly glancing around. Finally, she bit her lip, and her jade-like feet, which had been walking steadily, suddenly twisted, causing her to lose her balance and fall towards the Prince Xian.

The beautiful woman exuded a delicate fragrance and moved gracefully; Yuwen Xian naturally offered his support.

"Lingyu, are you alright?"

"No, it's nothing..." Xie Lingyu patted her chest and looked up with lingering fear.

As I looked up, the soft sunlight illuminated my face, revealing a beautiful curve from my forehead to my chin. Our eyes met, and our breaths mingled.

Xie Lingyu's cherry lips were slightly parted, too shy to move or speak.

The most beautiful temptation is unintentional, and the most appropriate ambiguity is more eloquent than words.

Looking at such a charming face, the wise prince unconsciously raised his hand, which was originally under Xie Lingyu's armpit, and suddenly placed it on Xie Lingyu's chin.

The warm touch made Xie Lingyu tremble slightly, and her face became even hotter.

Only when she saw the handsome face in front of her magnified did Xie Lingyu close her eyes nervously and shyly.

She and the Prince Xian had always harbored feelings for each other, but their only previous contact was through the touching of their clothes.

We sometimes hold hands, but we've never been this close before.

The wise prince made several unintentional attempts to get close to her, but she secretly avoided them each time.

After all, a woman's reputation is not important. She listened to her mother and deeply understood the truth that what a man and woman cannot have is the best.

But today, she must... um.

Xie Lingyu's thoughts were suddenly interrupted when those lips approached. The strange and nervous touch made her unconsciously cling to the Prince Xian's waist.

Playing hard to get.

The kiss gradually deepened.

The young girl, with her fragrant breath and delicate body, suddenly ignited a burning desire in the Prince's eyes. Instantly, he swept Xie Lingyu up in his arms and carried her toward the nearby pavilion. However, before he could even take a step...

"The Wise King..."

A sudden exclamation made Yuwen Xian pause in his tracks.

Startled, Xie Lingyu immediately shrank back and hid in the arms of the Prince Xian.

"Oh, is the Prince embracing some young lady in broad daylight, expressing his affections?" Another rather teasing voice rang out.

A hint of melancholy flashed in the wise king's eyes.

I was so captivated by her beauty that I lost my composure and didn't notice anything amiss...

Not far away, several high-ranking officials of the court were accompanied by their families, while a young man stood beside them with a half-smile.

It was Yu Qingyi, the heir of the Prince Qing's mansion.

At this moment, apart from Yu Qingyi's carefree and unrestrained demeanor, a group of people stood there, their expressions complex.

One of the officials looked at Yuwen Xian and stammered, "Your Highness, this..."

"Ah, a beautiful lady is the object of a gentleman's affections." Yuwen Xian was able to compose himself, but secretly he instructed Xie Lingyu not to raise her head.

Is this to prevent her from revealing her identity?

If she doesn't reveal her identity, wouldn't all her efforts be in vain?

---Aside---

Aww~ Power outages are terrifying! Xinzhi worked so hard to find some electricity~

This book was first published by Xiaoxiang Academy; please do not reproduce it!