Chapter 1 Re-entering the Qing Ning Courtyard

With a clear and cold countenance and indifferent eyes, Yu Qingwu moved towards the Qing Ning Courtyard before Xie Jin Yan could speak, not even giving Gao Minyue a glance.

Her calm and elegant demeanor formed a stark contrast to Gao Minyue's boorish appearance.

Gao Minyue stood frozen, her almond eyes staring in astonishment at Yu Qingwu's figure gradually disappearing into the twilight. Then, she turned her gaze to Xie Jin Yan, asking with a hint of unwillingness, "Shixiong, what exactly is going on? Why… why did you bring her back again?"

"She's a murderer! If you protect her like this, those court officials who dislike you will surely target you even more. When that time comes, what will you use to compete with others? Even if you love her, you can't abandon your career for her sake!"

Gao Minyue spoke endlessly, her words filled with accusations that Xie Jin Yan was infatuated with beauty and disregarding the bigger picture.

In her view, Xie Jin Yan, as the Crown Prince, would undoubtedly prioritize the country above all else.

If Yu Qingwu threatened his power, even if he was unwilling to part with her, he would never tolerate her.

Thinking of this, Gao Minyue took another step forward, reaching out to tug on Xie Jin Yan's sleeve, and softly勸ed, "Shixiong, I know you like her and still cherish those old feelings from your youth, but she has already committed such a deed; she is truly unworthy to sit in the position of Crown Princess…"

"She is unworthy, then who is?"

"You?" Xie Jin Yan curled his lips and suddenly interrupted her coldly.

Gao Minyue was stunned, her expression somewhat awkward. "Shixiong… I… I didn't mean that…"

"I… I am thinking of you! You are the Crown Prince and must not have any blemishes. It is also not good to offend those aristocratic families for the sake of a merchant's daughter…"

"A-Yue, who taught you these words?" Gao Minyue was trying to appear intelligent, meticulous, and sensible, but the next moment, Xie Jin Yan's gloomy voice came from above her.

Gao Minyue's face stiffened, her eyes involuntarily flickered. She stammered, wanting to defend herself, but Xie Jin Yan did not give her the chance.

He forcefully pulled back his sleeve, his eyes filled with an unprecedented coldness, and said, "A-Yue, the only reason I am willing to keep you here is for the sake of Uncle Gao. If you still want to stay, then mind your own business."

Seeing his attitude, Gao Minyue was instantly dumbfounded.

It was clear that just a few days ago, he had held her.

Moreover, recently, she had listened to that person's words, becoming much gentler and more intelligent. Shixiong had already changed his opinion of her and was closer to her than before.

How could he suddenly be so indifferent?

Could it be that Yu Qingwu, that scheming woman, had spoken ill of her again? It must be!

Gao Minyue gritted her teeth secretly. When she raised her eyes to look at Xie Jin Yan, her eyes were red, and her tone was filled with grievances as she asked him, "Shixiong, what do you mean by this? Are you trying to chase me away? I only勸ed you a few words, telling you to stay away from that enchantress for the sake of your career, and you can't tolerate me anymore?"

As Gao Minyue spoke, she began to wipe away her tears again.

In the past, Xie Jin Yan would have softened a little.

But today, he was unmoved.

His narrow phoenix eyes were still as cold as ice, as if he had not heard Gao Minyue's words. He continued to instruct her indifferently, "A-Yue, from now on, do not call me Shixiong outside the Shimen. Like others, call me Your Highness the Crown Prince." (Shimen - School/Sect)

"Also, do not wear this outfit again. It does not conform to the rules."

Gao Minyue originally planned to put on a display of tears and use the aristocratic families to pressure Xie Jin Yan. Xie Jin Yan would inevitably have some reservations. Even if he did not take Yu Qingwu's life, he would banish her from the capital.

However, at this moment, she was completely dumbfounded.

Her Shixiong, the one who had always doted on her the most, was telling her that she should not call him Shixiong outside the Shimen from now on, but she had already been expelled from the Shimen.

The implication was that she was no different from anyone else to him, and she was no longer special in his eyes.

Moreover, he said that her wearing this outfit violated the rules. It wasn't as if she hadn't been disrespectful before, but Shixiong had never acted like this today.

Gao Minyue stood frozen in place, her eyes turning scarlet. She was about to fall to the ground.

Seeing this, the maid hurriedly came forward to support her.

Gao Minyue stood up unsteadily, staring blankly at Xie Jin Yan's figure, which had already disappeared around the corner. She turned her head woodenly, as if unable to accept this outcome, and asked the maid again in a trembling voice, "Chuntao, what did Shixiong just say?"

Seeing Gao Minyue's expression, Chuntao was a little frightened. She took a small step back and replied softly, "Replying to the girl, His Highness the Crown Prince said that from now on, outside the Shimen, you must address him as His Highness the Crown Prince like everyone else."

"Also… also, His Highness the Crown Prince said that your formal dress does not conform to the rules and instructed you not to wear it again in the future."

Chuntao bowed halfway, and by the end, her voice was almost inaudible.

Gao Minyue was also silent. She glared at the Qing Ning Courtyard, which was gradually shrouded in the night, and her fists clenched slowly.

…

Inside the warm pavilion of the Qing Ning Courtyard, Yu Qingwu had already changed her clothes. Her black hair was relieved of its intricate decorations, with only a hairpin holding it in a casual bun. Paired with plain clothes, she was both elegant and stunning.

Yu Qingwu had just stood up from in front of the mirror when Xie Jin Yan entered.

Seeing him approach, she slowly stepped forward and greeted him gracefully, calling him softly, "This concubine greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Xie Jin Yan did not answer. He raised an eyebrow, stepped forward, and pulled her into his arms. Smelling her fresh fragrance, he chuckled, "It was just a performance; why is Shijie angry?"

"This concubine is not angry. I just didn't want to waste words with A-Yue."

"It's you, Your Highness; why did you suddenly change your personality today?" Yu Qingwu broke free from his embrace and said with a hint of teasing.

When she was changing, Mama Xun had already told her about the situation in the outer courtyard.

Qingwu originally thought that Xie Jin Yan would哄 A-Yue a little, but today he not only did not哄 her but also drew a clear line with A-Yue. This was really not like his Xie Jin Yan's style. (哄 - Hōng; to coax, to humor)

Or rather, it was unlike his previous attitude towards Gao Minyue.

This matter was somewhat strange.

Seeing Yu Qingwu suddenly ask, Xie Jin Yan was momentarily stunned. Then, he seemed to come back to his senses and asked her with an ambiguous tone, "Is Shijie so concerned about me now? You even sent people to watch me?"

Yu Qingwu snorted and replied with a smile, "How can this concubine have that much free time? You and A-Yue were talking in the front courtyard; who couldn't see that?"

Her keen intuition told her that Gao Minyue must have done something that violated Xie Jin Yan's bottom line.

Otherwise, with his guilt towards the Gao family, he would never treat Gao Minyue so coldly.

Yu Qingwu sat down at the small round table, fiddling with the chopsticks that had just been brought up while staring at Xie Jin Yan. She asked again, "Your Highness, what exactly happened?"

Hearing this, Xie Jin Yan did not answer.

However, his face became even more gloomy. After a long silence, he replied in a low voice, "Gao Minyue, she is betraying the country."