After their meeting at the Jade Lotus Inn, life in the capital slowly returned to its usual rhythm. Yet for Xu Chen and Yue Ning, the following two months were filled with many small moments—moments that neither of them spoke about to others, but both quietly treasured.
The capital was lively as always. Markets were full, scholars debated in teahouses, and officials hurried through the palace gates. But hidden within the busy city were the quiet evenings when the Crown Prince slipped out of the palace and a certain young lady left the Yue residence.
And so, the days passed.
One evening, Xu Chen waited beside a quiet lotus pond behind the Jade Lotus Inn.
The lanterns hanging along the corridor reflected gently on the water.
When Yue Ning arrived, she saw him standing there with his hands behind his back.
"You came early," she said.
Xu Chen turned slightly and smiled.
"I finished my work early today."
"That is rare for the Crown Prince."
Xu Chen chuckled softly.
"Even a Crown Prince deserves some free time."
They began walking slowly along the wooden corridor.
The evening breeze carried the scent of lotus flowers.
For a while they spoke about small things—the capital, the palace, and the stories Yue Ning heard from her cousins.
Xu Chen listened quietly, occasionally teasing her.
"You seem very close with your cousins."
"Of course," Yue Ning replied proudly. "The Yue family is large."
Xu Chen nodded.
"I noticed."
He remembered the day the entire Yue family gathered at the inn. The house had been filled with laughter, arguments, and endless conversations.
It had felt… warm.
Another evening, they met their close friends.
Inside a private room of the inn, Lian Hua, Han Yue, Zhao Rong, Fang Mei, Fang Jian, and Li Wen were already waiting.
The moment Yue Ning entered with Xu Chen behind her, Fang Mei raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
She looked between them suspiciously.
"You two came together again."
Yue Ning calmly sat down.
"That is not strange."
Han Yue laughed.
"Not strange? The Crown Prince secretly visiting an inn is already strange."
Xu Chen leaned back casually.
"I am simply here to eat."
Zhao Rong snorted.
"You have the imperial kitchen."
Xu Chen replied without hesitation,
"But the Jade Lotus Inn has better food."
Everyone burst into laughter.
The atmosphere quickly became lively.
They spoke about recent events in the capital.
Han Yue and Lian Hua were now officially engaged, and Fang Mei kept teasing them endlessly.
"Look at them," she said dramatically. "Soon they will abandon us and become a married couple."
Lian Hua rolled her eyes.
"You are the one who should worry about marriage."
Fang Mei immediately protested.
"I am still young!"
Li Wen added calmly,
"You are already twenty."
The entire room erupted in laughter again.
Meanwhile, Xu Chen quietly poured tea for Yue Ning.
The small action did not escape Zhao Rong's eyes.
He looked at Xu Chen with suspicion.
"You treat Yue Ning very well."
Xu Chen replied calmly,
"She is my friend."
But his eyes briefly met Yue Ning's.
Only they understood the deeper meaning.
While these quiet meetings continued, something big was slowly approaching.
Yue Ning's birthday.
This year was special.
Three months earlier, the imperial edict had arrived.
The Yue family had been elevated to a noble house, and Yue Ning herself had received the title Princess Anhe.
Because of this, her upcoming birthday would be the first celebration after these honors.
The Yue residence had become extremely busy.
Servants cleaned every courtyard.
Lanterns were repaired and replaced.
Garden paths were decorated.
Inside the main hall, Yue Shun sat with several family members discussing the event.
"This birthday banquet must be done properly," the old patriarch said firmly.
"It is the first celebration after our family received imperial favor."
His eldest son nodded.
Invitations had already begun to be prepared.
Soon, messengers from the Yue residence began traveling across the capital.
Invitations were delivered to:
Noble families
High-ranking officials
Military commanders
Prominent merchant families
And close family friends
The capital quickly began discussing the upcoming event.
"The Yue family is holding a grand birthday banquet."
"Of course they are."
"After all, their daughter is now Princess Anhe."
Many families began preparing gifts.
Some were sincere.
Some were political.
But everyone understood one thing.
The Yue family had risen in status.
One evening, Yue Ning stood in the garden of the Yue residence.
Her younger brothers, Yue Han and Yue Bo, were practicing sword forms nearby.
She watched them quietly.
Her grandmother Liu Yan approached slowly.
"Ning'er."
Yue Ning turned.
"Grandmother."
"You look troubled."
Yue Ning shook her head slightly.
"I am just thinking."
"About your birthday?"
"About many things."
Her grandmother smiled gently.
"You have grown quickly."
Yue Ning lowered her gaze.
Yes.
In two months, she would turn fourteen.
Her life had already changed so much.
And soon…
Her family would learn another truth.
Xu Chen.
The Crown Prince.
The man she loved.
A few days later, Yue Ning met Xu Chen again at the inn.
They sat beside the window overlooking the night streets of the capital.
Xu Chen looked at her seriously.
"Preparations have started?"
"Yes."
"The invitations?"
"They are being sent everywhere."
Xu Chen nodded slowly.
"Good."
Yue Ning looked at him curiously.
"You seem confident."
Xu Chen smiled slightly.
"I am waiting."
"For what?"
"For the day I attend your birthday banquet."
His voice was calm.
"But this time, I will not come secretly."
Yue Ning understood immediately.
"You will come as the Crown Prince."
"Yes."
"And…"
He looked directly into her eyes.
"I will speak to your family."
Yue Ning felt her heart beat faster.
The next two months would pass quickly.
And when her birthday arrived…
Everything would change.
One afternoon, inside the imperial palace, a servant respectfully presented a golden invitation to the Crown Prince.
Xu Chen opened it calmly.
The elegant characters were written clearly.
"The Yue family respectfully invites His Highness the Crown Prince to attend the birthday banquet of Princess Anhe."
Xu Chen smiled.
The day had finally been set.
Two months from now.
The entire capital would gather at the Yue residence.
But only a few people knew that the banquet would not only celebrate a birthday.
It would also mark the beginning of a new chapter in the empire.