How can you be so lacking in loyalty?

Evening, in the rear garden of the Prince Jun's residence.

In the rear garden, Hui Yue'er ran until she caught sight of Xuan Yuan Ren's silhouette. Exasperated, she shouted at him, "How can you be so ungrateful? I saved you, and you didn't even bother to say hello!" She had no desire for repayment; she merely wanted to ask what punishment awaited those who eloped with a princess, should the Emperor find out. Yet, she doubted that he was truly a palace guard—if he were, surely he would know the way back to the palace. Still, she couldn’t fathom why Zhao Chengxian would lie to her. One thing was certain: he must have come from the palace, and was likely close to the Emperor; otherwise, Zhao Chengxian would have no reason to seek him out.

Xuan Yuan Ren turned back, gazing at Yue'er beneath the radiant moon. Clad in her dress, she looked even more adorable. He studied her quietly and said, "So you really are a girl? I didn’t recognize you earlier!" In his world, apologies were alien; it was always others who apologized to him, never the other way around. Everything seemed so naturally justified.

Yue'er strode over and, with boyish vigor, slapped Xuan Yuan Ren on the shoulder, her expression instantly shifting to a smile. "Alright, I’ll be magnanimous and forgive you!" Xuan Yuan Ren looked at Hui Yue'er, puzzled. She had been furious just a moment ago, and now all was well? His confusion was understandable—no girl had ever been so fierce with him before.

Hui Yue'er glanced at Xuan Yuan Ren, wanting to chat casually before broaching her questions, so as not to arouse suspicion. She didn’t want anyone to learn about her brother and Princess Silky’s affair. Smiling, she asked, "Why did you let me mistake you for a young eunuch last time? And if you’re a palace guard, how can you not know the streets of the capital?" Some people befriend before acting; she befriends before questioning.

The elegant Xuan Yuan Ren replied offhandedly, "I had just arrived in the capital that day. Unexpectedly, I encountered over twenty bandits outside the city, and was injured. Fortunately, I met you. Since the Prince Jun's steward is a distant relative of mine, the prince sent someone to find me and then had me escorted to the palace!" He nearly failed to tie his story together.

Hui Yue'er was deeply disappointed upon hearing this, her expression subdued: Just entered the palace—probably hasn’t even met the Emperor yet, and certainly knows nothing of palace rules. Asking him would be pointless. Forget it; she’d remain a maidservant for a few more months. Whenever she recalled Zhao Chengxian’s arrogant demeanor, she felt a surge of anger, always restrained only by thoughts of her mother and the escort agency.

Xuan Yuan Ren noticed Hui Yue’er’s sudden silence after he mentioned he had just entered the palace, and asked curiously, "Do you want to enter the palace? To become a member of the royal family?" If so, then I’ve truly misjudged her! He assumed Yue'er was like many other girls, longing to enter the palace and cling to power. He had no idea that, in Yue’er’s eyes, the palace was a luxurious prison, trapping countless women’s freedom and dreams.

Yue’er laughed loudly, "Oh, do I seem so foolish? Wanting to lock myself in a prison? Even Prince Jun's residence is suffocating enough; entering the palace would be suicide by slow degrees!" Few dared laugh so uninhibitedly before Xuan Yuan Ren, and he found himself utterly captivated. Yue’er smiled at him and said, "I just wanted to understand a few rules, that’s all. Well, you’ve just entered the palace and know nothing; asking you is pointless. I’m heading back, you should return to the palace soon, and don’t lose your way again!" With that, she turned to leave, unaware that this man was the Emperor.

Xuan Yuan Ren, smiling from the heart, called out after Yue’er’s retreating figure, "Miss, I—I will learn the palace rules well. If you ever have questions, feel free to ask!" Yue’er didn’t turn back, only waved breezily and continued towards her room. Xuan Yuan Ren truly admired Hui Yue’er’s frankness and carefree spirit.

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, and those neither young nor old, hurry and shower me with gold medals, red envelopes, and gifts—don’t hold back! Let the storm rage even fiercer!