"Are you worried about me?" Xiao Duo laughed softly, with a hint of tenderness in his eyes. "I'm fine, but you're frightened this time. Those people dared to do such an offensive thing, and they will definitely not let it go."

Su Jinyue nodded gently, her eyes flickering, "I know, but as long as you are here, I am not afraid."

Xiao Duo held her hand tightly and said seriously: "I will protect you no matter what happens."

"It's just that this time, they failed to cause trouble. I'm afraid they will make other moves. You are not safe even in the palace."

"I understand. People's hearts are unpredictable, especially those in the harem."

At this moment, there was a noisy sound of footsteps and talking outside the window, it seemed that the palace guards were patrolling by.

"I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has ordered martial law throughout the palace tonight."

"There is unrest outside the palace, so we have to be on high alert inside the palace, otherwise something bad will happen."

The two people in the room looked at each other, and Su Jinyue frowned and said, "It seems that things are more complicated than expected."

"After a few days, when you return to the mansion," Xiao Duo suggested, "I will send a few people to protect you in secret. Don't take it lightly."

Su Jinyue smiled helplessly, "Don't worry, I will be more careful. Besides, apart from those people, no one in the palace dares to touch me."

"That being said, it's always better to be cautious."

The sounds outside the window gradually faded away, and the yard returned to silence.

"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Xiao Duo asked.

Su Jinyue pondered for a moment and said, "I plan to get more information to see what those dark forces are up to. If I don't find out, I'm afraid there will be more trouble."

"Okay, I will cooperate with your actions and tell me immediately if I find anything."

Su Jinyue saw the determination in his eyes and felt more at ease. "Xiao Duo, with you here, I don't feel lonely or scared anymore."

The two sat opposite each other, staring at each other, as if everything around them had ceased to exist, leaving only each other's breathing and heartbeat.

"Jin Yue," Xiao Duo suddenly spoke, his tone carrying an unquestionable firmness, "No matter what the outcome is, I will stand by your side and protect you so that nothing will happen to you."

Su Jinyue was moved by his promise. She gently held his hand and said, "Me too."

At this moment, it seemed that all the haze had been dispelled, leaving only the warmth and tacit understanding between the two.

Then, Xiao Duo slowly stood up and said, "It's getting late, you should rest. I'll go back first to avoid arousing suspicion."

Su Jinyue reluctantly saw him to the door, watched his back disappear into the night, and then slowly closed the door.

The room returned to silence. Su Jinyue sighed softly, sorted out her thoughts, and turned back to the table.

The next morning, the palace was peaceful and the maids were hurriedly preparing breakfast.

When Su Jinyue woke up, sunlight was shining through the window into the hall. She stretched her body slightly and washed up.

After breakfast, Su Jinyue went to pay a visit to the Queen Mother.

At this time, the Queen Mother's bedroom was bustling with activity. When the Queen Mother saw her coming, her face was filled with kindness.

"Jin Yue, you've come just in time. Take a look at these pearl hairpins and see if they are suitable for you."

Su Jinyue carefully examined the beads, picked out a few and praised: "The Queen Mother has a good eye. These pearl hairpins are gorgeous but not complicated. They are perfect for your clothes."

The Queen Mother nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile: "As expected, Jin Yue is considerate. As I grow older, I like clever children like you more and more."

"You are too kind, Queen Mother. Jin Yue is just doing her best."

The two chatted about daily life, and when the time was almost right, Su Jinyue said goodbye to the Queen Mother.

She was about to go to her residence when she saw a group of palace maids escorting the queen out of the side hall.

The queen was graceful and smiled slightly when she saw Su Jinyue walking towards her.

"Jinyue, you look good today."

Su Jinyue hurriedly stopped walking and saluted, saying, "Good luck to the Queen."

The queen looked her up and down with a faint smile on her face. "I heard that you seemed to have encountered some trouble last night. Were you scared?"

Su Jinyue smiled and shook her head, "Thank you for your concern, my lady. Jinyue is doing well."

"That's good." The queen nodded, and then signaled to the people around her, "Everyone, please leave. I want to talk to Jin Yue for a while."

After everyone left, the Queen looked at Su Jinyue with a fake expression, "Remember to be careful in everything you do in the palace. If you have any questions, you can come to me."

Su Jinyue knew what the queen meant, but she couldn't show it. She bowed and saluted, "Thank you for your grace, your majesty. Jinyue is deeply grateful."

After the queen left, Su Jinyue decided to go to the Imperial Garden to relax.

Along the way, her thoughts were still not completely calm.

Just as she reached the Imperial Garden, a slight noise caught her attention and she looked in the direction of the sound.

I saw a little boy hiding behind the rockery, and he obviously saw Su Jinyue.

"Hmm?" Su Jinyue was slightly startled, then recognized the man, "Seventh Prince?"

Murong Zhen was dejected, obviously thinking about something. After seeing Su Jinyue, he hesitated for a moment, but still came forward, "Miss Su!"

Su Jinyue chuckled, "Why is the Sixth Prince hiding here?"

Murong Zhen scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed, "I just don't want to go to the teacher's class. I want to hide away for a while."

"Your Highness, don't be too troubled. Why don't you want to go to the teacher's class today?"

Murong Zhen's eyes flashed with a complicated expression, "Sister Su, the Crown Prince is leaving. He has been ordered to go to the border. My second brother... has not been doing well recently."

Second prince?

Su Jinyue remembered the badge Murong Shuo had given her, and she was slightly stunned.

"This matter will pass, Your Highness, don't think too much about it."

Murong Zhen looked at Su Jinyue, trying to get an answer from her. "I heard from those people in the palace that if the crown prince leaves the palace, there will be chaos in the palace. Is this true?"

Su Jinyue squatted down and looked directly at Murong Zhen, "The palace will not be in chaos. Your father is here, and your brothers are here too, so nothing will happen."

Hearing Su Jinyue say this, Murong Zhen nodded thoughtfully, "I believe what Sister Su said."

Su Jinyue stood up and smiled at him, "Now you are willing to go to the teacher's class, I will take your Highness there."

"Okay!" Murong Zhen took Su Jinyue's hand, "Second brother, you must be very happy to see me!"

As Murong Zhen spoke, he skipped forward and pulled Su Jinyue towards the study.

"Sister Su, do you know? Second brother is always worried. Everyone in the palace is afraid of him, but I know he treats me very well."

"Well, His Royal Highness the Second Prince is naturally an intelligent person." Su Jinyue followed Murong Zhen's words.

"But they always say bad things about him..." Murong Zhen muttered, obviously dissatisfied with the rumors.

At this time, several palace maids on the roadside were talking in low voices.

They were originally cleaning the palace path, and when they saw Su Jinyue and Murong Zhen coming over, they immediately straightened their clothes and saluted.

"Look, it's Miss Su and the Sixth Prince!"