With her delicate face and slender waist, the royal uncle lost control.

"Where are you in your copy of 'Travels in the South'?"

Yun Nian continued working with her hands and answered softly, "I was just reading the part where the author moored at Jiangzhou at night and happened to meet a fisherwoman who gave him fish. The description of the night scene on the river in the book is quite vivid, 'The moon sets and crows cry, maple leaves and fishing lights on the river,' making the reader feel as if they are there."

"You like travelogues?" Qin Jiuchen asked again.

"I like it. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. It's a pity that Nian'er, being a woman, rarely has the opportunity to travel far. She can only glimpse the scenery of mountains and rivers from books."

Yun Nian's tone carried a hint of regret, genuine and unpretentious.

Qin Jiuchen opened his eyes and glanced at her sideways: "Prime Minister Yun has never taken you out of the capital?"

Yun Nian smiled wryly: "Father is very busy with official duties and rarely has any free time. Even when he goes out of the capital, it is mostly for official business, so why would he bring his family with him?"

At this point, she became somewhat saddened and stopped talking.

Qin Jiuchen, however, seemed to have become interested in conversation: "What was the fate of the fisherwoman from Jiangzhou in the book?"

Yun Nian hadn't expected him to ask about this detail. After a moment's thought, she replied, "When the author revisited Jiangzhou, the fisherwoman had already married a merchant and gone south with her husband. The author lamented the impermanence of life and the fleeting nature of fate."

"That's the reality of the ending."

Qin Jiuchen said calmly, his tone devoid of emotion.

"Yes, not every encounter has a happy ending."

Yun Nian softly echoed, her hands unconsciously slowing down.

Qin Jiuchen raised his hand, signaling her to stop.

Yun Nian withdrew her hand and stood quietly to the side.

Qin Jiuchen asked, "What are the snacks for today?"

Yun Nian then remembered the food box that had been neglected to the side, and quickly went over to pick it up, opening the lid: "It contains osmanthus cake and almond milk. The osmanthus flowers are in full bloom, so I picked some fresh osmanthus flowers to make these pastries. Would Your Highness like to try some?"

In the middle of the food box was a small porcelain bottle. Yun Nian explained, "This is jasmine dew, which can be added to tea. It has a calming and soothing effect. I noticed that His Highness seems to be sleeping poorly lately, so I brought some with me."

Qin Jiuchen watched as she took out the pastries one by one and placed them on the table. Her movements were elegant and natural, without the slightest panic or deliberate effort.

"That's very thoughtful."

As Qin Jiuchen spoke, he picked up a piece of osmanthus cake.

The pastries melt in your mouth, with the delicate fragrance of osmanthus and the sweetness of honey perfectly balanced – truly a masterpiece.

Seeing him taste it, Yun Nian's eyebrows curved into a smile: "I'm glad Your Highness likes it."

At this moment, Chensha whispered from outside the door, "Your Highness, Lord Li requests an audience."

Qin Jiuchen put down the pastries in his hand and said to Yun Nian, "That's enough for today. You can go back now."

Yun Nian obediently curtsied: "Yes, Nian'er takes her leave."

Watching her departing figure, Qin Jiuchen's gaze was deep.

Chen Sha walked in and asked in a low voice, "Master, should we send someone to follow them?"

Qin Jiuchen waved his hand: "No need."

He glanced at the memorials laid out on the table, his eyes turning slightly cold: "The fish is already in the net; there's no need to rush to reel it in."

Chen Sha understood and said no more.

Qin Jiuchen strolled to the window, toying with a small porcelain bottle containing jasmine dew in his hand.

He opened the bottle, and a delicate jasmine fragrance wafted out; it was indeed just ordinary floral dew.

"Yun Nian..."

Qin Jiuchen murmured the name, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

He wanted to see what tricks this seemingly delicate young lady from the Prime Minister's mansion could pull right under his nose.

On the other side, Yun Nian walked out of Canglang Pavilion, and the gentle smile on her face gradually faded.

She looked down at her wrist, where the touch of Qin Jiuchen's hand still lingered.

Just now in the study, she appeared calm, but her back was actually soaked with cold sweat.

This man has a mind as deep as the sea, and his emotions are unpredictable.

One moment they can flirt and tease, the next they can turn on you and be ruthless.

In his presence, she felt as if she were walking on a tightrope over a precipice; one wrong step and she would be doomed.

But she had no way out.

Qin Jiuchen's probing was obvious, and she had to be even more careful.

Moreover, it remains to be seen who is whose prey...

-

No sooner had Yun Nian left Canglang Pavilion than she encountered Qin Senyao on a garden path in the Prince's Mansion.

Qin Senyao, dressed in a brocade robe, strolled over leisurely.

Upon seeing Yun Nian, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly reverted to his habitual arrogant demeanor and took the initiative to step forward.

"Yun Nian," he called out.

Yun Nian stopped and bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

His tone was flat, and his demeanor was distant.

Qin Senyao frowned slightly.

In the past, when Yun Nian saw him, her eyes would light up, her voice would be soft and sweet, and she would want to stick close to him.

But ever since the incident at Xiangguo Temple, our meetings have been lukewarm, lacking the previous enthusiasm and affection.

He was somewhat displeased, but still took the initiative to ask, "How are your injuries? It's better to be in the Prince's residence than in the Prime Minister's residence, so please take good care of yourself."

Yun Nian remained meek and obedient, but her tone was devoid of any warmth: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

After saying that, she fell silent.

Qin Senyao felt embarrassed and a sense of inexplicable loss.

He stepped forward and instinctively reached out to put his arm around her shoulder.

She used to always give in half-heartedly, but in the end she would always obediently lean into his arms.

This time, however, Yun Nian took a step back, precisely avoiding his touch.

Qin Senyao's hand froze in mid-air, and he immediately felt embarrassed.

"Yun Nian, don't forget who you are."

His voice turned colder. "Who is it that allows you to live so comfortably in this palace?"

Yun Nian lowered her head and remained silent.

Seeing her like this, Qin Senyao felt as if he had punched a cotton ball, and his anger intensified: "Why aren't you saying anything? Have you become mute?"

Yun Nian then slightly raised her head, a faint smile curving her lips, yet it was also glaringly distant: "Thank you for your care, Your Highness."

His tone remained indifferent, and his attitude was neither humble nor arrogant.

Qin Senyao was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say.

The Yun Nian in front of him was still the same face, but she seemed like a completely different person, making him feel both unfamiliar with her and vaguely unwilling.

Just then, a series of light footsteps approached from afar.

"Brother! Sister Yun Nian!"

Qin Jiaxue, dressed in a delicate pink dress, walked in gracefully like a butterfly.

What are you talking about here?

Qin Jiaxue walked to Qin Senyao's side, naturally took his arm, and spoke in a soft, coquettish tone.

Qin Senyao's attention was drawn to her, and his expression softened: "It's nothing, just a chance encounter."

Qin Jiaxue nodded, then looked worried and said.