The gray courtyard walls, bathed in moonlight, had blurred outlines, their daytime warmth fading away.

The old locust tree's branches are gnarled and twisted, its massive shadow spreading out like ink splashes, shrouding most of the courtyard in darkness.

A few rays of cool moonlight pierced through the cracks, scattering across the cold stone steps.

As the night wind rises, a lone yellow leaf swirls and drifts leisurely, like a fleeting dream.

A few strained cicada cries struggled to rise.

Short, hoarse...

Yin Zhe stood motionless on the dimly lit border, her red lips slightly parted, stunned and speechless.

She, the previous princess, the thirteenth aunt, she's seen it all, yet she was actually intimidated by her own subordinate.

The cicadas' chirping woke her up, and she watched helplessly as the fake face on Douzhan became "delicate and alluring" at a speed visible to the naked eye.

In the blink of an eye, it turned bright red.

And it's called an "everlasting lamp"? A damn everlasting lamp!

Anger flared up in his chest, and Yin Zhe subconsciously raised his palm, wanting to cool down this newly promoted subordinate.

As a result of this perception, they discovered the two pairs of shifty eyes under the pavilion.

call……

Yin Zhe was also confused with anger. How could Dou Zhan, with his audacity, dare to say such a thing?

The key point is that it's written in a very literary style. How could someone who doesn't even have a little bit of literary knowledge come up with something like this?

She's willing to risk her entire life; it must be Xiao Liu's doing.

He sighed inwardly, thinking, "How long have I been gone? Little Six has already fooled him into thinking he's an idiot."

Dou Zhan's mental state was clearly problematic during his advancement, and his current state is likely partly due to his unstable cultivation level, but it's still going too far.

I never thought he was so stupid. He really can't stay in the dark and gloomy prison forever.

It turns out that those eerie places are more likely to make people's heads grow hair.

Phew... Calm down...

It's easy to beat up a brainless subordinate, but that would be falling into Xiao Liu's trap.

The next moment, Yin Zhe blinked his innocent big eyes, "Really?"

To be honest, Dou Zhan regretted it as soon as he said it.

His mind cleared up a lot at once, as if a long-accumulated and deep emotion was suddenly released.

I suddenly realized what I had just said, and I was so embarrassed...

I feel like I've been poisoned; I actually listened to the Sixth Prince's bewitching words.

The more I thought about it, the more I felt like I was doomed. I was at a loss and felt like I was about to explode.

Just then, he heard the adult speak.

"Really?"

These words seemed to be seen through a thick curtain of water, giving him a suffocating sense of absurdity.

"What did you say?"

Looking at the dumbfounded look on the other side, Yin Zhe wished he could punch him to death.

Suppressing her nausea, she put on a flawless, faint smile. "I'm asking you, was what you just said true?"

This time, Dou Zhan heard it perfectly clearly.

Glug!

His Adam's apple bobbed rapidly, and an indescribable thirst surged up in his throat, making his tongue feel dry and tight.

Simply put, the person is numb...

But Dou Zhan didn't dare delay for even a moment and immediately blurted out, "It's true, it's true!"

Ugh...that's disgusting...

Yin Zhe moved lightly forward, her delicate fist clenched and pounded on his chest, producing a muffled thud.

With a flirtatious glint in her eyes, she said coquettishly, "You rascal~~~"

Clang!

The ivory chopsticks fell onto the table, the sudden, crisp sound breaking the stillness in the air.

Sui Mo Tan's mouth gaped slightly, so startled that she forgot to breathe.

Qin Zhaoyue's chopsticks froze in mid-air, her phoenix eyes widened, and she gasped.

No way...

This...couldn't have inadvertently helped someone find happiness?

Dou Zhan took a half step back. Her little pink fist looked soft and weak, and her speed wasn't fast, but anyone who got punched knew how powerful it was.

It hurt terribly; the beating made his blood and qi surge uncontrollably.

He subconsciously rubbed his chest, his mind completely blank.

He had never seen such a shy look on an adult's face in his entire life, which meant... meant that the method taught by the Sixth Prince was real!

A wave of guilt washed over me; I had wronged a good person.

However, they were soon enveloped in unexpected happiness.

"What are you standing there for, you idiot...?"

As they spoke, Yin Zhe took Dou Zhan's hand and led him slowly toward the pavilion in the courtyard.

Dou Zhan felt like he was walking on clouds, so he couldn't walk properly because he was stumbling around.

Even after sitting down at the stone table, I was still feeling dizzy and hadn't fully recovered.

He withdrew his slender hand, his arm still stiff, and it took him a while to relax.

Yin Zhe looked at Xiao Liu across from her with her beautiful eyes, seemingly indifferent as if nothing had happened.

"Sixth Prince, I have delivered the intelligence. How are the affairs of Cheng Garden arranged?"

Qin Zhaoyue pursed her lips, suddenly feeling full.

Damn it, I got fed dog food right in front of everyone.

What's even more upsetting is that she personally delivered the dog food.

Is this old maid just acting? Or does she really have feelings for that silly boy?

"Lord Yinzhe, is good news on the horizon?"

"These are just minor matters of mine, Your Highness need not worry about them."

"Eh..." Qin Zhaoyue leaned back strategically, drawing out the sound.

"Marriage is a major life event, how can you say it's a small matter, don't you think, Dou Zhan?"

Dou Zhan raised his head. "I will listen to you, sir."

Qin Zhaoyue: ……

Damn it! This is awful! I'm such a hopeless romantic!

Hiding in seclusion is so satisfying.

You always made Xiao Liu scheme and plot against you, now you're suffering, aren't you? Serves you right.

Yin Zhe could probably guess that she was harboring ill intentions because she hadn't been able to gain any advantage from seeing so many treasures.

Unfortunately, they happened to run into Dou Zhan, who was mentally unstable. One was willing to hit, and the other was willing to be hit. One set a trap, and the other actually fell into it.

Hmph, does Hidden ...

Seeing her looking so sullen now is like drinking a bowl of ice-cold soup on a sweltering summer day – it's incredibly refreshing.

Consider this a lesson learned. Her aunt is still her aunt; she'll accept the loss even if it hurts the enemy 800 while she herself suffers 1000.

As for that idiot Dou Zhan... I'll deal with him later!

Seeing that his master's expression was not right, Suimo quickly took over and explained the five strategies that His Highness had mentioned earlier.

Yin Zhe listened quietly, nodded, and was not at all surprised by Xiao Liu's performance.

That God of Wealth's head was quite clever; it actually obtained a good clue.

If we could find the person who secretly controls the flow of funds within the aristocratic family, and the ticket agency behind them, it would be a great achievement.

The truth of this news is unknown. If it is true, the moment any hint of trouble is raised, the other party will surely flee. We need to plan this carefully.

Just then, a centurion from the Xuanji Guard arrived at the courtyard.

The person who arrived was not a stranger; it was Canglan, who was skilled in swimming during the disaster relief efforts.

"Your Highness, my lord, there has been a problem."