A carriage bearing the Liu family crest rolled to a stop before the gates of the Yan Residence.
Xuanwen stepped down first, with Hualing following close behind.
"Xuanwen, how wonderful! I never expected Miss Yan to be Marquis Yan's daughter. Ahh—finally, you have a proper friend," Hualing said excitedly.
Xuanwen smiled and glanced at her. "I thought you were my friend."
"Xuanwen, you know that's not what I meant—"
Before Hualing could finish, they had already entered the residence. As they passed through the courtyard, the sharp clang of swords striking against each other rang through the air.
Not far away, two figures were sparring—one was Prince Jianyu, the other his subordinate.
The atmosphere was tense.
When Xuanwen's eyes met Jianyu's, she could feel the hostility radiating from him even across the distance. The threat and resentment were unmistakable.
She simply lowered her head in a respectful bow.
Jianyu turned away coldly, ignoring her completely.
What an arrogant and petty man, Xuanwen thought.
She continued forward and was soon led to the White Lotus Pavilion, where Yan Ying was already waiting.
"Miss Liu," Yan Ying greeted warmly.
Xuanwen sat down across from her.
Yan Ying noticed the stiffness in her posture and sighed inwardly. Xuanwen must have encountered the Crown Prince on her way in.
"Miss Liu, I would like to apologize on His Highness's behalf. He is not usually so irrational. He grew up with me and is very close to my brother. When he saw Yifan in danger, he acted impulsively… and committed an unforgivable offense against you," Yan Ying said softly, her voice tinged with sadness.
Xuanwen smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. I understand. After all, it was just a misunderstanding."
"Even so, what he did was wrong. I hope you can forgive him."
"I would have done the same if I were in his position, Miss Yan. So please don't worry too much."
Relief flickered across Yan Ying's face. "Then… will you stay for lunch with me, Miss Liu?"
Xuanwen nodded with a smile.
Not long after Xuanwen departed, the Crown Prince stood at the front of the Yan Residence, preparing to return.
"Your Highness, you must properly apologize to Miss Liu next time. What you did was truly despicable," Yan Ying said bluntly.
Jianyu sighed. "Fine. But I still don't trust her, Ying'er."
On the way back, Liqin reported, "Your Highness, the report just came in. Miss Liu had nothing to do with the incident."
Jianyu remained unconvinced.
"Do you truly believe Miss Liu is a spy sent by the Prince?" Liqin asked.
"If she is my brother's spy, that's dangerous," Jianyu replied. "But if she isn't… that may be even worse. We don't know her motives. All the more reason to remain suspicious."
At another place...
Huian had just returned from Huajing. Unfortunately, the investigation had yielded little progress.
Lost in thought, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
"Rong'er?"
Xiao Rong was entering a bookshop.
Inside, Xiao Rong quickly sent her maid away on an errand before browsing the shelves. As she picked up a scroll, a man stood on the other side of the shelf, his back against it.
"The task has been completed," he said quietly. "The lord advises you to be more careful next time. He will summon you when everything is ready."
Xiao Rong exhaled slowly.
When she turned around, she froze.
"Rong'er?"
Huian stood there.
"Huian! What are you doing here?" Xiao Rong asked quickly.
Huian tried to peer past her. Who had she been talking to?
But Xiao Rong immediately linked arms with her.
"I haven't seen you in so long! Have you been busy?"
When Huian glanced back again, there was no one there.
"Yes… a little. I was just passing by and saw you," Huian replied.
"Perfect! I was about to invite you to the scholar gathering at the Zhao Mansion. I heard your brother has returned—will he attend? Rumor says the First Prince will be there this year," Xiao Rong said eagerly.
The scholar gathering…
Huian had almost forgotten about it.
In her previous life, she had never attended. The winner had been someone surnamed Lin… but she couldn't remember clearly. Regardless, her brother hadn't enjoyed the event much back then.
Perhaps she should go this time.
"I believe so. My brother will likely attend."
"Then let's go together!" Xiao Rong insisted.
Huian hesitated briefly before nodding. "Sure."
Elsewhere...
Xuanwen entered a restaurant later that day, still hungry after barely eating at the Yan Residence.
As she passed a table near the stairs, a surprised voice called out—
"Xuanwen?"
She turned.
A middle-aged woman was staring at her in shock.
"Xuanwen, it's really you—"
"Madam!" the maid beside her quickly warned.
The woman glanced nervously around the restaurant, nearly making eye contact with someone across the room. She immediately looked away and pulled Xuanwen along with her.
"That was close," the woman muttered with relief.
Xuanwen frowned slightly, searching her memories. The woman clearly knew her… but she couldn't recall who she was.
"Oh dear… I'm so sorry," the woman said when she noticed Xuanwen's confusion. "Xuanwen, do you not remember me?"
Xuanwen offered a polite smile.
"It's me—your mother's friend."
The maid clarified, "This is Madam Gao, wife of Baron Xue."
Recognition dawned.
So this was Gao Ning… Madame Gao. The mother of Xue Renshu and also her biological aunt.
"Madam Gao," Xuanwen said calmly, "may I ask what you're doing here? And why you were hiding?"
"Oh, that is—"
"Mother?"
A young man's voice interrupted.
Soon, Xuanwen found herself seated across from Xue Renshu and Madame Gao.
It turned out Madame Gao had secretly followed her son, who was on a date. His previous matchmaking attempts had all ended poorly, and she was worried something might be wrong.
Xuanwen inwardly sighed. She really disliked getting involved in other people's family matters.
Madame Gao was the sister of Gao Shilan—her biological father. When Xuanwen's mother discovered she was pregnant with Gao Shilan's child, their friendship had shattered, and all ties were cut. Yet Gao Ning had never blamed her mother and had continued treating them with kindness.
"Mother, you still haven't answered me," Xue Renshu said. "What are you doing here? And with Miss Liu?"
Madame Gao looked guilty. "Son… you've failed so many matchmaking meetings. I was worried…"
"So you followed me?"
She nodded sheepishly. "I didn't want to interfere, but—"
"Enough, Mother. I've already agreed to many of these meetings. It simply isn't the right time for me."
"Not the right time? You are already twen—" She suddenly covered her mouth, then whispered, "You're of age and nearly past your prime! And I can't wait forever—I want a grandson!"
Xuanwen suddenly felt she wasn't supposed to be hearing this.
Renshu sighed. "Mother, not in front of Miss Liu."
"Xuanwen isn't an outsider… right?" Madame Gao asked hopefully.
Technically, she wasn't. But it had been over ten years since they had last met.
Xuanwen simply smiled.
Renshu glanced at her with faint suspicion. He doesn't hate her, but he wasn't particularly fond of her either. He still remembered how her family had once looked down on his—especially Madame Ye, who had always seemed to dislike his mother.
He couldn't understand why his mother remained so fond of Xuanwen.
On the carriage ride home, Xuanwen leaned her head against the window, clutching her stomach.
She had thought she would finally enjoy a proper meal today. Instead, everything had gone wrong.
Madame Gao seemed warm and genuine… but Xue Renshu was like a statue.
Xuanwen sighed.
She had never intended to involve herself with her biological father's family. She felt no emotional attachment to them—neither she nor the original Xuanwen.
Still…
The Xue family didn't seem like bad people.
Just when Xuanwen thought her day couldn't get any worse, yet another unwelcome visitor made an appearance.
In the dimly lit confines of her room stood a figure draped in black and wearing a mask.
The moment Xuanwen stepped inside, an unsettling presence washed over her.
This mysterious figure lingered near the entrance to her inner courtyard, with the wind gently rustling the drapes, framing their silhouette.
Xuanwen cautiously approached, her gaze sharpening as she focused on the masked figure.
"It's been a while, Miss Liu," the figure spoke calmly.
Xuanwen couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was anything but pleasant.
"You're going to attend the 30th anniversary of the Yan Min Tea House tomorrow night. Something intriguing is set to unfold there. Your mission is to rescue Young Master Su Helin."
Her eyebrows shot up; so it was finally that time?
Before she could move any closer, the figure vanished in an instant, leaving her momentarily confused.
With a heavy sigh, Xuanwen sank into her chair and poured herself a drink.
The Yan Min Tea House? Tomorrow was bound to be chaotic. Not only was it affiliated with the Crown Prince, but it was also the very place where Su Helin, Huian's youngest brother, would face a life-altering tragedy.
Su Helin was a kind-hearted, bright, and somewhat naive young man. He had slipped away for a drink with friends, only to find himself caught in a disastrous fire that claimed his life. Huian, who had experienced a regression, desperately tried to save him but arrived just a moment too late. It felt as if fate were toying with Huian, as Xuanwen had been the one to rescue Helin, ultimately leading him into the villain's grasp. Tragically, Helin lost his legs during the chaos, and although he survived, the comparisons to his brother plunged him into a deep depression, pushing him to the brink of despair. Xuanwen, seizing the opportunity, decided to use her beauty and wit to lure the young and innocent man.
She chuckled softly, brushing her cheek, "Beauty? Well, I suppose I am beautiful."
But that wasn't the main concern. Su Helin was merely a pawn in the villain's game. And the fire? It was no mere accident, but rather it was orchestrated.
With a resigned sigh, Xuanwen realized that if she tried to eat again, she'd likely end up with a stomach ache. Perhaps this drink would have to suffice as her last meal of the night.