Holding a lantern, guiding souls across, Lady Hou comes from the underworld.

Whispering words, like poisonous insects, burrowed into Mu Tingting's ears.

Ying'er couldn't stand it anymore and was about to speak out in rebuttal when she was pulled back by the person next to her.

Mu Tingting gripped her clothes tightly with one hand, grabbed the maid with the other, and shook her head at her.

"Miss, they've gone too far!"

Ying'er lowered her voice, but couldn't suppress the anger in her eyes.

How could Mu Tingting not be angry?

But having come this far, she has to endure it if she wants to gain a foothold in the capital.

She endured until everyone knew she was General Xia's daughter.

She endured until she married the young Marquis Ren.

Only when that time comes will we be able to hold our heads high and breathe a sigh of relief.

If her mother knew this from beyond the grave, she would not be disappointed in her.

After changing her clothes, Mu Tingting asked Ying'er to apply rouge to her face and fix her hair.

Make sure you are still properly dressed when you go out again.

The women who had been gossiping nearby heard the commotion and tactfully walked away.

They were under the protection of the Marquis of Renxuan's mansion, so they dared not confront them directly.

With a graceful smile on her face, Mu Tingting glanced at the table and saw that Lady Rong, the wife of the Marquis, was talking quietly with the Duchess and several countesses.

Just as she was about to go over, the nanny beside Madam Rong came over first.

"Miss Xia, Madam said that if you feel bored, you can go to the garden to enjoy the flowers or make some friends. You don't have to stay by my side all the time."

These words filled Mu Tingting with gratitude.

Lady Hou must have noticed her unease, which is why she didn't let her accompany her.

Mu Tingting nodded obediently and curtsied again, "Then please trouble the nanny to tell the madam that Ximo will go for a walk in the garden first."

The Duke's Mansion covers a large area, and its overall layout and grandeur are no less than those of the Marquis of Renxuan's Mansion.

Walking among those pavilions and towers, Mu Tingting couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

The Mu family was one of the most prominent families in Xiling County.

But compared to the capital, it is nothing.

The Duke's mansion's garden alone is larger than the entire Mu mansion, not to mention the exotic flowers and trees planted there, which are all unheard of.

Mu Tingting walked slowly, then suddenly realized her hands were empty and immediately exclaimed in surprise.

"Ying'er, I think I forgot about the bracelet when I was changing clothes."

That jade bracelet was given to her by Rong this morning; just by looking at its quality, you can tell it's extremely valuable.

Ying'er quickly said, "Then I'll go back and look for it now. Miss, you wait for me here."

Mu Tingting nodded, "Go and come back quickly."

After Ying'er left, Mu Tingting found a pavilion nearby and sat down.

Although it was winter, the garden was not cold under the midday sun.

Just then, a hurried sound of footsteps approached from afar.

"This lady..."

Upon hearing the sound, Mu Tingting immediately looked up and saw a woman standing on the flower path, holding a men's cloak in her hands.

"I am Feng Qing, daughter of Grand Commandant Feng. Could you please do me a favor, elder sister?"

Mu Tingting stood up and, seeing Feng Qing's anxious expression, politely asked, "Miss Feng, what has happened?"

Feng Qing clutched her lower abdomen and slowly moved closer to her, her face pale. "His Highness the Crown Prince is drinking in the lakeside pavilion and asked me to fetch a piece of clothing for him."

"But I suddenly feel unwell, could you please help me, sister?"

Upon hearing that it was His Highness the Crown Prince, Mu Tingting was slightly taken aback.

Observing her expression, Feng Qing continued, "Sister, you look somewhat unfamiliar. You must be new to the capital and unaware of His Highness the Crown Prince's temperament, right?"

"He always liked to order us around to get things for him, and he wouldn't allow the maids to do it for him."

Mu Tingting was unaware that the Crown Prince was also at the Duke's residence today. With this thought in mind, she hesitated before saying, "I...could go in your place, but I wonder if Your Highness would be displeased?"

"Of course not. His Highness the Crown Prince is very hospitable and treats even newly acquainted 'friends' with utmost courtesy."

As Feng Qing spoke, she handed the clothes directly to her, "Sister, walk along this road and you'll see a two-story waterside pavilion. His Highness the Crown Prince is inside."

"I am truly grateful to you, sister. I will visit your home another day to express my gratitude."

Hearing her speak so politely, Mu Tingting took the cloak in her hands; it even had some weight to it.

A faint scent of ambergris wafted out, making her cheeks feel slightly hot.

Your Highness the Crown Prince…

She had only heard her father mention it once.

Who is that person? I never thought I would have the chance to meet him today.

"Then I'll go in your place."

"Thank you, sister."

After thanking him, Feng Qing ran off in a flash.

Mu Tingting was left standing there, stunned, with a strange feeling in her heart.

I thought to myself, she didn't even ask who I was before rushing to give me the clothes, as if she was eager to throw away a hot potato...

But then I thought, it's just delivering clothes. If I could take this opportunity to meet the Crown Prince, that would be a good thing.

Mu Tingting immediately checked the cloak inside and out carefully to make sure there were no tears or other things mixed in, and only then did she feel a little relieved.

So, with a sliver of hope in her heart, she walked along the flower path and sure enough, she saw the lakeside pavilion.

As Feng Qing said, the waterside pavilion has two floors, but there is no one guarding the entrance.

Upon entering, the room remained empty.

Did we go to the wrong place?

Mu Tingting couldn't help but look up at the second floor. Just as she was about to go upstairs, she heard a rustling sound.

She inexplicably climbed two flights of stairs, only to hear a woman's delicate cry, "Your Highness, someone's here..."

The next second, a man lazily spoke up: "Come on up."

Upon hearing this, Mu Tingting was caught in a dilemma.

She was certain that there was more than just His Highness the Crown Prince upstairs, and judging from the commotion, it didn't seem like a simple drinking session.

"Your Highness, I am Miss Feng from the Grand Commandant's family, here to deliver your clothes."

She had no choice but to speak up and explain her purpose.

However, the crown prince did not respond.

A woman with a graceful figure slowly descended the stairs, and as she passed by, she smiled charmingly: "His Highness has summoned you upstairs."

Mu Tingting was startled and subconsciously glanced at the other person.

On such a cold day, she was only wearing a white blouse, the neckline half-open, revealing a faint hint of her collarbone and suspicious, ambiguous marks...

It's impossible to tell who they are.

But those eyes were as alluring as a fox's.

Mu Tingting quickly looked away and said, "Could you please, young lady..."

"cannot."

The woman smiled again, "You can take it up yourself."

With that, she went downstairs, leaving behind only a faint, lingering fragrance.

Mu Tingting stood frozen at the top of the stairs for a moment, but dared not disobey, so she gritted her teeth and went upstairs.

Behind a four-panel silk screen, a man's figure could be vaguely seen sitting, and there was indeed a smell of alcohol in the air.

She hesitated to step forward, and could only ask, "Your Highness, may I put your clothes on the screen?"

The man inside chuckled softly, then ordered, "Come closer, I have something to say to you."

Mu Tingting had no choice but to take two more steps forward.

However, the next second, she heard a chilling sound coming from behind the screen.

"If one day your true identity is exposed, remember to come find me at Fu Lou."