Although I repeatedly declined, the Emperor cut off all my words with one sentence "You dont joke" and immediately ordered someone to bestow that rare "Surging Waves" guqin on me. Helpless, I had no choice but to kneel down and thank him.

  She raised her eyes, but only saw the gentle and charming smile of Queen Qing, perfectly concealing the jealousy that only those in the know could detect.

  The banquet ended, and the princes bid farewell outside the Zijing Palace gate. As usual, it should be a respectful sendoff for the Crown Prince to go first.

  When the carriage that Crown Prince and Yuner were riding in passed by me and Nan Xiangyao, Nan Xiangyao lifted the curtain of the carriage with a courteous gesture and asked warmly: "Third Brother, would you like to come to my mansion for a visit?"

  Nan Chengyao lazily smiled: "On such a beautiful day, its only natural to return home and hold the soft, fragrant jade in ones arms, which is the most captivating thing. The Crown Prince is really not very romantic."

  Nan Chengmo smiled: "Since third brother says so, I wont force it either. I wont delay your good time, third brother."

  As he spoke, he smiled at me and ordered the carriage to drive away.

  Upon returning to the Wang Fu, Shu Ying was still excited: "Miss, you dont know, now the entire Zi Jing Palace is spreading the news that your piano sound in Qing He Hall is simply heavenly music. Unfortunately, Im not qualified to enter the hall and cant see it with my own eyes. But thinking about it, I know that when you play the piano, you must be very beautiful, and everyone in the entire hall was probably stunned..."

  I laughed and interrupted her: "Alright, Pei Ying, help me remove the makeup quickly. Im tired after a whole day of fuss."

  She let out a faint sigh, originally thinking of getting through the night peacefully, but heaven didnt comply with human wishes. If even the sparse shadows outside the main hall could be described so vividly, then it was likely that within a few days, todays events would be spread throughout the capital with added flavor and exaggeration.

  I recalled the complex expression on my mothers face when we parted ways. She obviously had something she wanted to say to me, but ultimately didnt have the chance.

  Shu Ying helped me take down the bamboo-sectioned jade hairpin, while still unable to contain her excitement and continued to ask: "Miss, when you played the piano, did the Third Prince see it too? What did he say?"

  I smiled faintly: "Your Highness is drunk, youre not unaware of it, what more can be said?"

  She muttered: "Before getting drunk, shouldnt there be some expression of surprise?"

  I smiled slightly: "Youre so eager to know, why dont you go ask him yourself tomorrow?"

  She shrunk her neck cutely and wisely shut up. I knew that she, though not resentful of Nan Chengyao, had some fear in her heart.

  After bathing, I put on the plain white soft gauze that I loved to wear when living alone in my boudoir. Sitting by the window, I let Xiao Ying gently comb out my long, damp hair from behind me.

  Thoughts, however, couldnt help but keep recalling the abnormalities of Nan Chengyao at the moon appreciation banquet just now.

  His deliberate intimacy at the banquet was by no means a simple joke.

  After I finished playing the melody, his dark and profound eyes sank, as if a faint shadow had flashed by, but it was only for an instant. When I looked closely at his lips, they once again curved into a calm and composed arc, still the same elegant and refined imperial prince.

  By the time the banquet ended, he was already drunk, at least in the eyes of outsiders.

  But only I saw the clarity and indifference in his eyes.

  On the carriage, he always closed his eyes and didnt reveal any emotions.

  When we arrived at the Wang Fu, he smiled at me and said: "The princess is also tired today, lets rest early."

  He didnt seem to want to get off the horse carriage, and there was no sign of drunkenness in his words. I smiled and bowed to him, and under Qin Ans personal support, stepped down from the horse carriage without asking another question.

  The door curtain closed again, separating them, and his gaze became distant.

  "Miss, your hair is almost dry, lets go to bed early." Shu Ying put down the jade comb and said while sprinkling a handful of incense powder into the incense burner, interrupting my thoughts.

  I nodded and said, "Alright."

  Just as Fang wanted to change into comfortable clothes, she suddenly heard a light but urgent knocking sound coming from outside the door. Shu Ying said strangely: "Who could it be? I had those little maids go to sleep early, and theres no one reporting or lighting the way, Ill go take a look."

  As she spoke, she walked out of the room and shouted: "Whos outside?"

  "The slave seeks an audience with the princess."

  Xunyun Qingchis voice echoed in the quiet night, and both I and Shuying were slightly startled.