The shadows of the trees swayed gently, the moonlight shone brightly. After all this commotion, Ye Lisheng hadn't slept a wink. Thinking back, ever since I came to the Prince of Anyang's residence, I've lost control more often.

Sunlight streamed into the room through the latticed windows, making it feel warm and cozy.

With a soft moan, I covered my head and climbed out of bed.

"Why does my head hurt so much!"

"Miss, you're awake?" Xiangye brought in a basin of water to help me wash up.

"Why does my head hurt so much!"

"Miss also said that the prince punished you by not allowing you to eat, but she secretly slipped into the kitchen, drank a pot of wine, and got drunk in the garden. It was the guards who brought you back!"

"Really?" I tried hard to recall, but I couldn't remember.

Lingxin smiled and showed me the clothes behind the screen: "Today, Prince Yu is coming to see you, Miss, so I specially found out your favorite dress!"

Looking at the bright red dress with exquisite embroidery, she thought to herself, "Murong Kui's taste isn't very good!"

"Prince Yu? Why has he come to see me?"

Lingxin leaned closer to me: "Miss, you've lost your memory, so of course you can't remember that Prince Yu is your favorite person!"

The news struck me like a bolt from the blue: "Am I going to have to marry someone else in her place?!"

"Prince Yu is already waiting in the front hall. Let me help Miss with her hair and makeup!"

"Miss, I'm so beautiful, why would I need to dress up? Let's go meet him!"

Ignoring their calls, he continued walking forward.

"I hope that Prince Yu will change his mind when he sees me like this. I don't want to get married so early!" I thought to myself.

Inside the main hall, Ye Lisheng was exchanging pleasantries with him: "I thought Prince Yu had come to reminisce with me, but I never expected him to come to see Murong!"

"Your Highness Anyang is joking. Of course, seeing my own brother is the most important thing. I'll also return the handkerchief that Miss Murong dropped!"

A gentle breeze lifted the green veil, and Prince Yu spotted me immediately, his eyes gleaming with a strange light, much like the gaze one gives to a beloved object.

"Greetings, Prince Anyang, Your Highness Prince Yu!"

Prince Yu looked me up and down, and seeing me dressed as a maid, his eyes were filled with pity.

He questioned Ye Lisheng, "Why did she do this!"

Then he turned to me and asked, "Do you have something you're having trouble telling me?"

I glanced at Ye Lisheng and saw him staring at me with a threatening look: "No, Your Highness treats me very well!"

I sized up Prince Yu; he was handsome and refined. But I was more drawn to Ye Lisheng. From the way he looked at Murong, I could tell he was a trustworthy man.

"Does Prince Yu suspect that I have mistreated Murong?"

“The Prince of Anyang is an upright and honest man; he would never do such a thing!”

With that, Ye Lisheng gave the order to leave: "Return the handkerchief, Prince Yu may leave!"

Looking at his long face, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself: "Are you jealous because you saw the person you like being affectionate with someone else?"

"Murong, I wish to speak with you privately for a few moments!"

Seeing him like that, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him, but then I thought better of it and hardened my heart to refuse.

I clutched my forehead, looking pained, and exclaimed, "Ouch! My head hurts so much!"

Upon hearing this, he asked with urgent concern, "What's wrong? I'll summon the imperial physician to examine you!"

His words made me feel even more guilty, and a deep sense of remorse welled up inside me.

At that moment, I don't know what Ye Lisheng was thinking, but he suddenly picked me up and said, "I will find an imperial physician for her myself, so there's no need for Your Highness Yu to trouble yourself!"

"Lingran, see the guest out!"

Watching Ye Lisheng carry me away, Prince Yu stood there, his face full of hurt.

Ye Lisheng's chest was so solid; he must have eight-pack abs. Thinking about it, I couldn't help but laugh.

His sinister voice came from above: "Get down here now!"

Upon hearing this, I immediately jumped away from his embrace and muttered under my breath, "Why are you being so fierce?"

"But don't be too sad!"

"What a joke! What is there for me to be sad about?"

"It's heartbreaking that Murong Kui and Prince Yu are deeply in love, and she doesn't like you!"

He raised an eyebrow, gave a wicked smile, and said with a slight parting of his thin lips, "You can only eat after you finish embroidering ten pieces tonight!"

I was so angry I gritted my teeth: "I was just trying to comfort you, and you're biting the hand that feeds you! You don't appreciate my kindness!"

"Twenty pieces!" That casual remark sealed the fate of my belly.

"Your Highness, we can talk this over. It's all my fault!"

"..."

The sun had already set halfway down the mountain when my stomach rumbled right on cue.

Granny Du watched with an unyielding expression as I finished the embroidery that Ye Lisheng had instructed me to do.

Having graduated from art school, I'm perfectly capable of drawing, but my embroidery skills are... well, let's just say they're questionable.

I embroidered a smooth piece of cloth until it was all wrinkled and crumpled; even the simplest stitches were beyond my control.

"Sss!" A drop of bright red blood appeared on my fingertip. I've lost count of how many times I've been pricked by a needle.