"Your Highness, please don't be angry. His name is Lu Shiyi, and he is my benefactor from Fengyajian."

"Oh? Xianzhi, what happened?"

Lin Xianzhi said indifferently, "It's nothing. When I first came to Fengyajian, I was ignorant and often punished by the manager. Brother Shiyi helped me a few times."

Leng Qingning responded with an "oh".

"Since you are Xianzhi's friend and have helped him, please get up."

Lu Shiyi stood up and was about to step forward to ask Leng Qingning to take them away when Lin Xianzhi seemed to notice him and reached out from behind to grab him and stop him from going forward.

Lu Shiyi was pulled back, and he glanced at Lin Xianzhi with a resentful expression before falling silent.

This scene was not only witnessed by Leng Qingning, but also by Cang Yuan and the others behind her.

Leng Qingning noticed Lu Shiyi's hesitation, but Lin Xianzhe clearly didn't want to say more. Since he didn't want to talk, then so be it.

"Xianzhi, I will be leaving the palace to establish my own residence in two days. I may not be able to come to Fengyajian often in the future. Keep these silver notes for when you need them."

Biluo handed the silver note to Lin Xianzhi. Lin Xianzhi paused for a moment, then reached out and took it.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I wonder... will I ever see you again?"

Leng Qingning nodded: "Of course, if you want to come, just send someone to the Young King's residence to deliver a letter. I will then inform the palace guards to let you pass."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Then... I'll return to the palace."

As soon as Leng Qingning left, Lu Shiyi began to blame Lin Xianzhi. Lin Xianzhi just stared blankly at the gold hairpin.

Why can't he say it?

He was very happy, even blissfully happy, when Leng Qingning gave him the gift.

But he was afraid that if he spoke up, what if Leng Qingning rejected him? He wasn't sure what he meant to Leng Qingning.

Perhaps it was just a passing fancy? Perhaps he meant nothing to her!

What he feared even more was that Leng Qingning would look down on him for being lowly, think he lacked self-awareness, be unwilling to take him away, or even hate him and never want to see him again... He dared not think about it!

He knew he had fallen for her... It was precisely because he had fallen for her that he was afraid of losing her, felt inferior and sensitive, and was anxious and uneasy.

…

"Your Highness, what is your opinion of Young Master Lin?"

Ever since Cang Yuan massaged Leng Qingning's shoulders yesterday, Leng Qingning now calls him to massage her whenever she has a spare moment.

"What do you mean, how do you look at it? I can look at it horizontally, vertically, from the side, up and down, left and right, but you can't look at it while lying down."

Cang Yuan's cold face instantly darkened: "Your Highness likes Young Master Lin?"

Leng Qingning sat up straight and turned to look at Cang Yuan: "I didn't realize you were so bold. Is that something you should be asking?"

Cangyuan realized he had spoken out of turn and knelt down.

"It was your overstepping of authority, Your Highness. Please punish me."

Leng Qingning raised an eyebrow. "Then I'll punish you by making you massage my shoulders for an hour."

Cang Yuan was surprised. He looked up and saw that the girl in front of him had a smile in her eyes and was not really angry.

"Yes." A smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.

Massage the shoulders properly.

Leng Qingning closed her eyes again to rest. Even a cold and aloof bodyguard isn't so hard to melt, huh? Hehe.

The next two days were the riding and archery lessons that Leng Qingning was most looking forward to, and she studied very hard.

When the princess finally found a class where Leng Qingning couldn't steal the spotlight, she would jump around Leng Qingning's side every now and then, and make a few sarcastic remarks.

Leng Qingning looked helpless; the last time she was this speechless was before.

I've never seen anyone like this in my life. They can't cause her any real harm, but they're like a persistent fly, constantly bothering her. Absolutely unbelievable!!

Leng Qingning really wanted to shout at her: "You either go for it or I'll make you regret it!"

All talk and no action, it makes me look like I'm in the wrong when I mess with you.

This is so disgusting!!

Life went on like this, neither exciting nor dull.

Leng Qingning has been in her new residence for three days now, and during this time, her three older brothers, Gu Nanshu, Leng Qinghuan, Xue Tong, and others have all sent congratulatory gifts. Officials from prominent families have also sent their gifts.

As for the irrelevant people who were eager to make friends, they were all turned away by Mo Shuang.

With less than twenty days until the New Year, Leng Qingning decided to hold a small housewarming banquet at her new residence. Since it was almost her day off, she invited only a few close relatives and friends to get together.

After telling Biluo who to invite, Biluo happily went to draft the invitations. After finishing, she thought about it and also drafted one for Lin Xianzhi.

Leng Qingning had previously told the Emperor that the plaque for the young king's residence should be made to resemble the Langya Mansion. The Emperor exclaimed that it was majestic and imposing.

On the day of the housewarming banquet, Leng Huaichuan and Gu Nanshu arrived at the Young King's Mansion early. Leng Qingning first took them around the mansion, and then asked Gu Nanshu to choose a courtyard he liked and decorate it in advance to his liking.

Then the eldest prince and the third prince arrived, followed closely by Xue Tong.

Leng Qingning was about to announce the start of the banquet when everyone had arrived when Lin Xianzhe arrived with Lu Shiyi.

Leng Qingning thought for a moment, then looked at Biluo with a questioning gaze. Biluo closed her eyes and nodded, indicating that it was exactly what she thought.

"This servant greets the young king. Greetings to the three princes, young master, and young lady."

Xue Tong quickly gestured for them to stand up and invited them to sit down, leaving Leng Qingning bewildered...

They had no choice but to announce the start of the meal and eat first.

At the dinner table, Xue Tong talked incessantly about her past pursuit of Fu Wen, treating everyone as if they were family.

She did things like poisoning someone's horse, and when she went on a picnic, she would pick pretty flowers and make them into desserts to send to Fu Wen, only to later discover that they were honeysuckle.

When I was little, I burned someone's hair and bought a whole box of fake beards to stick on him. I saw him talking to the neighbor's daughter a few extra words, so I sent my half-brother to seduce her, but he ended up with a black eye...

Such things made Leng Qingning exclaim in admiration, "He is truly a talented person!"

Xue Tong, however, felt those were beautiful memories between them, leaving everyone speechless…

After the meal, Lu Shiyi offered to play a piece for everyone, and Leng Qingning agreed.

Gu Nanshu played the zither, Lu Shiyi played the flute, Leng Qingning played the pipa, and Lin Xianzhi sang.

That night, there was no distinction of rank or status; everyone was like friends, drinking, singing, and playing instruments to their hearts' content.

After several rounds of drinks, everyone rose to take their leave. Leng Qingning swayed slightly as she escorted Gu Nanshu and the others to the gate of the mansion.

After everyone left, Lu Shiyi frantically gave Lin Xianzhe meaningful glances.

Lin Xianzhe gritted his teeth, as if making up his mind, and helped Leng Qingning back to the courtyard.

Leng Qingning knew that Lin Xianzhi had something to say, so she didn't urge him. She just leaned back in the recliner and closed her eyes to pretend to sleep.

Lin Xianzhi hesitated for a quarter of an hour before finally speaking:

"Your Highness, I have a request."

Leng Qingning slowly opened her eyes, gesturing for him to continue.

"May Your Highness request that you take Brother Shi Yi as your concubine?"

Leng Qingning sat up straighter, not understanding. She thought Lin Xianzhe would beg her to bring him out of Fengyajian.

Why would I want her...?

Leng Qingning didn't want to answer for the time being, perhaps because she was a little angry inside!

Lin Xianzhi's eyes were filled with sadness, tears welling up but not falling.

"Your Highness, in a little over a month, Brother Shiyi will come of age. At that time... I owe him my life. Please help me, Your Highness."

"And what about you, Lin Xianzhi!"