In the morning, watching the young girl slumber peacefully before him, her clear and serene visage with a gentle smile seemingly pure as an infant, he felt an unprecedented tranquility and peace in his heart.

Could this be what Imperial Aunty referred to as a fluttering heart?

Seeing their young master furrowing his brow in deep thought, Nan Tian and Bei Hai didn't disturb him, quietly leaving the room and shutting the door.

For over half a month, Yang Mengchen and Hang Qingming spent their days within the estate, Yang Mengchen learning to play the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, as well as poetry, song lyrics, and the Four Books and Five Classics and Six Arts under Hang Qingming's tutelage.

It was then that she realized how erudite and talented Hang Qingming was, proficient in both literary and martial skills, and of course she studied very seriously, even though she was already quite proficient in some of these subjects.

Chen Prince Mansion in the capital.

"Prince, this is a secret letter just received from Yongchang Town," Mo Yun presented a small paper scroll to Long Xuanmo, "regarding Ms. Yang."

The hand Long Xuanmo had stretched out suddenly withdrew, and he continued to review the memorials with his eyes downcast, "Read it out."

Mo Yun was startled but quickly collected himself, steeling himself to read out the contents of the secret letter, which contained all of the recent activities of Yang Mengchen and Hang Qingming.

"From now on, do not tell me anything about her!" Long Xuanmo commanded without lifting his head.

Mo Yun respectfully acknowledged the order, then left the room. Mo Lei, who had been waiting outside, gave him a glare, "Knowing that the Prince and Ms. Yang are at odds, why did you go stirring things up?"

"The Prince's feelings for Ms. Yang are deeply rooted; I'm just worried he might regret it later," Mo Yun said.

"And what was the result?"

Mo Yun shook his head, conveying Long Xuanmo's words to Mo Lei and then let out a long sigh.

"It seems the Prince has truly given up; otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to marry Ms. Su. Could it be that the Prince and Ms. Yang are destined not to be together?" Mo Lei mused.

"What exactly did Ms. Yang tell the Prince that night that left him so distraught?" That night, they had stood guard outside the door, hearing only the Prince's desolate laughter, knowing nothing else.

Mo Lei's face grew grim; their master's affairs were not for them to probe, but he hoped the Prince would be with Ms. Yang. The Prince had become more lively and less cold and silent when with Ms. Yang.

Mo Yun felt the same, but alas...

When Yang Mengchen learned that Long Xuanmo had agreed to take Grand Scholar Su's legitimate granddaughter as his Official Wife, though the Emperor had not yet issued his decree, she instructed someone to prepare a congratulatory gift. Then she sat staring blankly at her desk, her thoughts inscrutable to all.

At the same time, Hang Qingming also received a secret letter.

Seeing his master furrow his brows with an intense and deep gaze like ink, Nan Tian asked hesitantly, "Master, is something amiss?"

"My father has suddenly fallen gravely ill, and the letter urges me to return home immediately." By candlelight, Hang Qingming turned the secret letter to ashes.

Nan Tian and Bei Hai's expressions turned solemn, and Bei Hai asked, "Then what about this place?"

Hang Qingming sat in his chair, silent for a long time,

with Nan Tian and Bei Hai standing quietly on either side.

After a while, Hang Qingming gestured to Bei Hai, who instantly leaned forward. Hang Qingming whispered a few instructions into his ear, to which Bei Hai nodded solemnly, "Master, rest assured, I guarantee the task will be completed!"

The next morning, after breakfast, Yang Mengchen sat in the garden, flipping through the notes from the previous day, waiting for Hang Qingming.

Just then, Hang Qingming arrived in a hurry, his face devoid of his usual refined and gentle demeanor, replaced by an anxious fluster. Dotted crimson stained his snow-colored brocade robe, and behind him, Nan Tian carried an unconscious Bei Hai, with bloodstains also on their clothing, and Bei Hai's left leg still bleeding incessantly.

"What happened?" Yang Mengchen stood to meet them.

"We don't know what happened either," Hang Qingming said in haste, "We hadn't gone far from the inn when suddenly five or six men in black appeared. Without a word, they surrounded us. We were no match for them, and the government officials only arrived after the men in black had vanished without a trace, allowing us to escape danger. But Bei Hai got injured in the leg protecting me and passed out.

Ms. Yang, please save Bei Hai!"

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