Locked in fierce confrontation

On the other side, she rested her chin in her hands, gazing at the flowers blooming brightly outside the pavilion. Wan Sheng stood quietly beside her.

Meanwhile, Ji Yun held a folding fan as he walked along the corridor. Suddenly, as if spotting something novel, the corner of his mouth curled slightly, his eyes filled with curiosity.

He approached the pavilion where she sat. Wan Sheng’s sharp eyes immediately spotted the Third Prince walking in their direction. At that moment, the prince resembled their young master so closely.

In a low voice, Wan Sheng repeatedly reminded her, “The Third Prince has arrived.”

But she was clearly still not fully awake, blinking her moist eyes in confusion at Wan Sheng.

By then, the Third Prince had nearly reached them. Wan Sheng hurriedly bowed to him.

She, somewhat unsteady, rose and imitated Wan Sheng, bowing to Ji Yun.

Ji Yun watched the woman’s clumsy gesture, the smile on his lips deepening.

She was different. She possessed a vibrancy he had never seen in any woman before. When she sat there, resting her chin on her hands, looking at those flowers she had long grown tired of, her eyes held a liveliness she truly yearned for.

Ji Yun could not quite explain it, but this woman before him seemed especially captivating.

He lowered his voice, trying to sound gentle. “May I ask which household the young lady belongs to?”

Her gaze, still a bit hazy, met his. She tilted her head slightly and replied softly, “I’m from the Chen Xianzhi household.” Her words still carried the trace of wine.

Ji Yun narrowed his eyes slightly. Chen Xianzhi, son of Chen Yi—a name of interest. It was surprising that such a figure existed within the Chen Yi estate.

---

Wan Sheng stood aside, observing the scene before him, silently praying for their young master’s swift return. Otherwise, he truly could not control how matters would unfold.

Ji Yun smiled and gestured for her to sit. He took a seat not far from her, folding away his fan and pouring a cup of tea for her.

Behind Ji Yun, Han Wen watched his master’s behavior with some confusion. If she was truly from the Chen Yi household, why did he behave so intimately?

She looked at Ji Yun as he handed her the tea. In his gaze was a hidden possessiveness, a madness concealed beneath his gentle exterior that no one could discern.

Ji Yun noticed her eyes as she looked back—bright and moist, strikingly beautiful.

She raised the cup, glanced around briefly, and then drank it in one gulp.

Ji Yun’s smile deepened at the sight. Amused, he poured her another cup.

Perhaps sensing the difference from the sweet fruit wine she had drunk before, she frowned and muttered something under her breath, pushing the cup slightly away with one hand.

Ji Yun watched her movements and laughter spilled from his throat. A surge of unprecedented emotion welled up within him; at this moment, his eyes burned with unwavering determination.

Wan Sheng’s jaw nearly dropped at the scene. Was this really the Third Prince, known as the “Smiling Tiger”?

Hearing Ji Yun’s laughter, she looked up at him in puzzlement, only to meet a pair of fiercely intense eyes.

At that moment, Wan Sheng finally saw their young master hurrying back from afar.

Chen Xianzhi had spotted the pavilion from a distance and noticed others there, quickening his pace.

As he approached, he realized it was the Third Prince. He cursed his luck—why did he keep running into royal family members today?

---

Striding forward, he interrupted the gaze Ji Yun had fixed on her.

“Greetings, Third Prince,” Chen Xianzhi said, bowing respectfully.

“No need for formalities,” Ji Yun replied warmly, though a flicker of displeasure shone in his eyes at being interrupted.

She brightened slightly upon seeing Chen Xianzhi return. His heart eased upon finding her unharmed.

Her eyes followed Chen Xianzhi’s every move. As he entered the pavilion, a strange tension seemed to pass between him and Ji Yun, a shared unease.

“Third Prince, it grows late. We should take our leave,” Chen Xianzhi said firmly, not yielding an inch.

He spoke softly to her, “Let’s go back to the estate.”

She obediently nodded and walked to Chen Xianzhi’s side.

Ji Yun’s gaze darkened with a faint murderous glint as he watched her move so naturally beside Chen Xianzhi.

Smiling and nodding, he said, “I feel a great affinity with this young lady. I hope to see her again.”

“Farewell,” Chen Xianzhi replied without hesitation, leading her away swiftly.

“Investigate this young lady’s background thoroughly,” Ji Yun ordered, his smile fading into a chilling coldness.