Who is that?

Night at the Prince Jun's Mansion Annex

Tonight, Zhao Chengxuan had arranged to meet Yue'er at the annex, hoping to spend some quality time together away from the main estate. The annex had its own private entrance, completely separate from the main gates of Prince Jun's Mansion. This entrance was personally guarded by the Prince's four elite bodyguards, ensuring that no uninvited guest could slip inside unnoticed—with the sole exception of those specifically authorized by Zhao Chengxuan, such as Yue'er herself.

Yue'er looked around the exterior of the annex before knocking openly on the door. Since she was dressed in men's attire, she had nothing to fear from prying eyes. As she knocked, she noticed the door was left ajar. Pushing it open, she stepped inside, but saw no guards on patrol. This immediately reminded her of the time Xuanyuan Ren had sneaked into the Quiet Study, which in turn brought back memories of the very first time she laid eyes on Zhao Chengxuan. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined that she would fall so deeply in love with him. There had been a time when she felt that even if he were the last man on earth, she could never love him. Yet now, Zhao Chengxuan had become the absolute center of her world. How unpredictable life was; truly, no one could ever know what the next second might bring.

Lost in these thoughts, Yue'er chuckled softly to herself. Suddenly, someone snuck up from behind and snatched her hat away. Turning around with a playful, spoiled pout, she scolded, "You! You're only good for giving me a fright. I'll never dare to come to this hat-snatching ghost's annex again!" purposely teasing Zhao Chengxuan and calling him a ghost.

Zhao Chengxuan wrapped his arm around Yue'er's slender waist, gently stroked her glossy, dark hair, and laughed, "Aren't you the fearless Hui Yue'er? How could you possibly be afraid of a mere hat-snatching ghost like me?" It was clear how madly in love with Yue'er he was; even when she teased him, he felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. The only reason he had removed her hat was because he didn't want to see her disguised as a man. When she was with him, he wanted her to simply be Hui Yue'er, not Yang Wentai; he wanted her to completely unwind and relax.

Continuing her teasing with a bright smile, Yue'er retorted, "Coming and going like a phantom—what normal person wouldn't be scared? I suppose only a hat-snatching ghost like you would find it harmless!"

Side by side, they sat together on the veranda to gaze at the stars, Yue'er resting her head comfortably against Zhao Chengxuan's shoulder.

Chuckling, Zhao Chengxuan said, "To have Prince Jun himself personally remove your hat—don't you consider that supreme glory? How can you still call me a hat-snatching ghost?"

Such was the dynamic between the two of them: the moment they were together, they would endlessly bicker and tease, yet the second they were apart, they would ache for each other with a desperate longing.

With a lively, spirited motion, Yue'er sprang to her feet and declared, "Prince Jun? Hmph! When it comes to official business, I answer to you. But right now, it's personal time, and Prince Jun does not exist to me. Standing before me is nothing more than a giant bookworm, ho ho ho ha ha ha!" Knowing that Zhao Chengxuan would not let her get away with it, she immediately turned and bolted.

Laughing heartily, Zhao Chengxuan sprang up and gave chase. As he pursued her, he called out, "Giving me such an ugly nickname! I've been meaning to settle this score with you for two years now. Just let me catch you, and see how I deal with you..." Perhaps the reason Zhao Chengxuan loved Yue'er so much was that she never treated him like a prince, but rather as an ordinary man—something none of his secondary consorts could ever manage.

Employing his lightness skill, Zhao Chengxuan leaped forward in a flash, blocking Yue'er's path and pulling her tightly into his arms. His gaze locked onto hers, filled with profound affection. Yue'er knew he wanted to kiss her, and she willingly surrendered to the romantic atmosphere. But just as Zhao Chengxuan leaned in close, Zheng Hai—one of the four elite bodyguards entrusted with the safety of the mansion—walked in. Seeing the intimate scene before him, Zheng Hai gave a few light coughs to announce his presence. Yue'er hurriedly pushed Zhao Chengxuan away and spun around with her back to them.

Annoyed, Zhao Chengxuan glared at Zheng Hai. Cupping his fists in a salute, Zheng Hai reported, "Your Highness, the Dowager Princess, Consort Qin, and Consort Yu wish to enter!" *I never expected that when His Highness said someone was visiting tonight, it would turn out to be a woman,* Zheng Hai thought to himself as he looked at Yue'er's back.

Hearing that the Dowager Princess and the others had arrived, panic fluttered in Yue'er's chest. She deeply regretted coming to Prince Jun's Mansion now, and cast a helpless, pleading look at Zhao Chengxuan.

Remaining entirely composed, Zhao Chengxuan instructed Zheng Hai, "Go and tell the Dowager Princess that this Prince has already retired for the night! Whatever the matter is, we can discuss it tomorrow!" Taking advantage of the moment while Zheng Hai's attention was diverted, Yue'er snatched up her hat and hid it behind Zhao Chengxuan's back.

Just as Zhao Chengxuan finished speaking, the Dowager Princess, accompanied by Consort Yu, Consort Qin, and several maidservants, walked into the courtyard. The Dowager Princess demanded, "Is this where you rest in the courtyard?"

Consort Qin caught a glimpse of a figure hiding behind Zhao Chengxuan and nudged the Dowager Princess to look. Without hesitation, the Dowager Princess asked sharply, "Who is that behind you?"

Her real intention was to force Zhao Chengxuan to move back to the main quarters of the estate, where she hoped to finally have some prospect of holding a grandson in her arms. If Zhao Chengxuan continued to refuse to favor Consort Yu and Consort Qin, and stubbornly refused to take another principal wife, heaven only knew how many years she would have to wait for a grandchild.

Realizing she could no longer hide, Yue'er put her hat back on, stepped forward, and bowed to the Dowager Princess. "Greetings, Dowager Princess!" She hastily fabricated an excuse: "This official came to consult His Highness the Prince on an official matter. I hope I haven't disturbed your rest, Dowager Princess?"

It was a plausible enough explanation. After all, since Zhao Chengxuan was a prince, a subordinate seeking guidance from a superior—even if it involved cozying up to curry favor—was entirely ordinary.

Zhao Chengxuan immediately chimed in, "Indeed. Imperial censor Yang came to consult me about a matter. I simply didn't want you all interrupting our discussion, which is why I claimed I had already gone to rest. Mother, we truly still have matters to discuss; please return to your quarters and rest!"

As Zhao Chengxuan glanced at Yue'er, a poignant thought crossed his mind: *I wonder when we will ever be able to be together openly and proudly? Ever since we got together, we've always had to sneak around. At first, it was for the sake of brotherhood, and now it's because of some debt of life-saving gratitude. This exhausting secrecy has truly gone on long enough.*