Yu Qingwu froze, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

She pursed her lips, glanced at him with feigned composure, and said calmly, "I'm merely speaking the truth."

"Why would Your Highness be here so early in the morning?"

As if nothing had happened the night before, Yu Qingwu smoothly changed the subject.

The peach-blossom pink at the corners of her eyes, as her eyelids lowered, revealed a gaze of estrangement and respect.

Although Qingwu tried to hide it, Xie Jin Yan keenly noticed the change in her eyes.

His eyes darkened, but the beautiful smile remained on his lips as he casually placed his hand on her shoulder and replied, "There's nothing much to do today. After the morning court, Father didn't keep me to talk, so I came to pay my respects to Mother Empress first."

"Is that so? Then Your Highness should hurry along." Yu Qingwu slightly turned her body, naturally avoiding Xie Jin Yan's touch, and gave him a proper bow.

Xie Jin Yan's empty hand stiffened slightly, and a hint of imperceptible coldness flickered in his eyes.

But soon, his eyes were filled with gentleness again as he patted Yu Qingwu's shoulder lightly and smiled, "Alright."

After speaking, he looked at Xie Ruizhi beside him and said in a deep voice, "By the way, Xie Ruizhi, I heard what you were saying to your imperial sister-in-law just now. I'm warning you, that Xu family's fourth son is not a good person. If he doesn't pass the test, don't you start crying again, and don't go bothering your imperial sister-in-law."

"I know," Xie Ruizhi interrupted him impatiently, then grabbed Yu Qingwu's arm and pulled her towards the East Palace with a hint of retaliation, pouting as she defended Xu family's fourth son, "Imperial sister-in-law, don't listen to Imperial Brother and Mother Empress. They're all biased against Brother Xu."

"Just like you are towards Imperial Brother. Outsiders think he's no good, but only you know his good qualities, right?"

Xie Ruizhi smiled, her red eyes curved into crescent moons, perhaps because she was thinking about how she and Xu Si would soon 'become a couple'. Even her voice became lighter.

Yu Qingwu looked at her deeply, unable to answer.

After all, like Empress Zhou, she also had a 'bias' against that Xu Si.

But Xie Ruizhi wouldn't shed tears until she saw the coffin; until the true face of that Xu Si was exposed, nothing anyone said would be of any use.

Or perhaps, even if it was exposed, Xie Ruizhi wouldn't want to wake up.

On the way from Fengzao Palace to the East Palace, Xie Ruizhi spoke a lot about Xu Si's good qualities, such as gentleness, justice, passion, and repeated acts of saving her life.

Yu Qingwu's ears were calloused from listening when Xie Ruizhi finally left the East Palace because Xu Si and his sister, Xu the Third Miss, had asked her to go to a restaurant for a meal.

After chatting with Xie Ruizhi for so long, it was suddenly lunchtime again.

A'Pei came in from outside, respectfully called out to Yu Qingwu, and asked, "Crown Princess, what would you like for lunch today?"

"Anything will do, something light."

Yu Qingwu put down the book in her hand and responded softly to A'Pei. She looked at the door, remembered something, and added, "Oh, A'Pei, prepare a little extra."

As she spoke, Yu Qingwu got up and walked to the dressing table, carefully applying some rouge.

She wasn't sure if Xie Jin Yan would come, but according to the rules, she still had to prepare his meal, and she herself had to be properly dressed.

Perhaps he had some feelings for her, but it was only a little. Once the passion faded, all that would be left was endless quarrels. If she wanted to continue living in this imperial city, to live until the day she completely exterminated her enemies, she had to act like a Crown Princess.

"This servant greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." While Yu Qingwu was lost in thought, A'Pei's voice came from behind.

She came back to her senses and saw A'Pei secretly winking at her.

Xie Jin Yan also noticed A'Pei's expression, but he ignored it and waved his hand dismissively, "A'Pei, you can leave."

"Yes." A'Pei replied softly, her narrow eyes looking at Yu Qingwu again, signaling her to be careful.

A'Pei must have heard their argument last night and was afraid that they would argue again now.

Yu Qingwu looked at A'Pei, her heart warmed, and she smiled, "It's okay, A'Pei, you can leave."

Hearing this, A'Pei slowly retreated.

Xie Jin Yan sat down at the table, poured a bowl of hot tea and drank it, then looked in the direction A'Pei had left, teasingly saying, "Shijie (senior martial sister) has some skill. She's only been in the palace for less than three days and she's already gained such a loyal servant."

"It's just that A'Pei is a good person." Yu Qingwu sat down and replied to him indifferently, sighing, "Although A'Pei and Xiao Yu Mo are both female officials in the Empress's palace, she doesn't have any airs at all, and she's not like those sycophantic palace servants who assume that I'll lose my life soon and give me the cold shoulder. Even cleaning isn't done properly."

"If it weren't for A'Pei scolding them, I'm afraid even the meals would be skimped on."

"Skimped on? Is Shijie someone who's easily bullied? Would you allow the palace servants to skimp?" As soon as Yu Qingwu finished speaking, Xie Jin Yan interrupted her, his handsome eyebrows filled with sarcasm. He gently pointed to the handprint on his face that had mostly faded away and hummed, "It's good enough if you don't bully others."

Hearing this, Yu Qingwu paused slightly.

Her small fan-like eyelashes trembled, and finally she lowered her eyes and replied softly, "Last night, I was too impulsive. I'm willing to accept the punishment."

After speaking, she knelt on the ground.

"Shijie..." Xie Jin Yan frowned, looking at the woman's docile appearance, and his heart couldn't help but clench.

After a moment, he squatted down to help her up, then coughed lightly, saying in a somewhat awkward tone, "Last night, I did say some things that were too harsh."

"But didn't Shijie scold me first?"

Xie Jin Yan looked aggrieved, his gentle demeanor resembling the little dumpling who hid in her arms and called her Shijie many years ago.

But Qingwu understood that Xie Jin Yan was no longer that gentle and lovable Seventh Junior Brother who hugged her and called her Shijie.

He was the current Crown Prince, and also the future Emperor.

It was absolutely impossible to ask for a lifelong, one-hearted couple. Perhaps in the future, when she was no longer useful, he might kick her away, and when necessary, he might even take her life.

A wry smile flashed in her eyes, and Yu Qingwu didn't say anything more. She gently leaned into his arms, and her hands gently hugged the man's waist.

Xie Jin Yan reached out and rubbed her hair, then kissed her smooth forehead. Finally, he raised Qingwu's slightly made-up and stunning face, stroked her eyebrows, and said softly, "Did you cry last night?"

"No, it's just that I didn't sleep well..."

"I heard you..." Just as Yu Qingwu was about to explain, Xie Jin Yan said softly again, lowered his head, and rested his nose on her forehead, explaining gently, "Last night, I originally wanted to go in, but something came up and I left first. I didn't mean to leave you..."