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

"But one thing is certain: he does have suspicions about me." Yun Nian's eyes flashed as she continued to analyze, "yet he didn't punish me today, not even saying a harsh word to me."

This is not simply because there is no evidence.

If someone like Qin Jiuchen truly believes someone is guilty, why would he need solid evidence?

It seems that her performance in his room tonight had some effect.

Recalling the moment she was thrown into the bathtub, Yun Nian's cheeks flushed.

His actions are truly unpredictable.

There were clearly many places in the meditation room where she could hide, yet he chose to immerse her in the bathwater.

His powerful and dangerous aura still sends shivers down her spine when she thinks about it.

As Qiluo listened to her mistress's detailed explanation, her worry deepened: "Miss, then... what should we do next? Prince Ningxiang is so terrifying, should we continue?"

Yun Nian remained silent for a moment, her expression shifting uncertainly.

Qin Jiuchen is undoubtedly a more dangerous man than Qin Senyao.

Dealing with him is like asking a tiger for its skin.

but……

She thought of her engagement, which seemed like a joke; in a month, it would be her wedding day with Qin Senyao.

She had no way out.

Such a dangerous and powerful man, if one can leverage his power and win his heart, the benefits and protection he brings will be immeasurable.

Risk and opportunity always coexist.

Since that's the case, why not take a gamble?

She exhaled softly, her previously furrowed brows relaxed, and a sharp smile appeared on her lips.

Qi Luo's heart skipped a beat, and she asked worriedly, "Miss?"

Yun Nian raised her eyes and chuckled softly.

"No matter what, His Highness Prince Ningxiang helped me today, and both morally and logically, I should personally go and thank him..."

-

The next day, the people from Prince Ningxiang's mansion continued their usual sacrificial and prayer rituals at Xiangguo Temple.

Yun Nian changed into a simpler dress, the colors of which were light and elegant. She blended into the crowd and quietly completed each of the worship rituals.

Try to minimize your presence.

Qin Senyao, having received a military flogging, naturally had to take leave and was unable to attend. It is said that he was recuperating in the guesthouse, and his groans could be faintly heard.

Qin Jiaxue was also ordered to stay at home and has not shown her face.

The scene was much quieter without these two main characters.

As the daytime hustle and bustle subsided, night fell over the ancient temple.

Yun Nian returned to her meditation room and tidied her makeup in front of the mirror. The dress she wore was a carefully chosen sky-blue color after the rain.

It made her skin appear even whiter, and her temperament was aloof and ethereal, like a lotus blooming under the moon.

She had already found out that although Qin Jiuchen held a high position and great power, he was extremely filial and fraternal.

Every year during these three days of sacrificial rites, on the last night, he would dismiss his attendants and go alone to the main hall to personally chant sutras for his deceased mother until late at night.

Yun Nian arrived at the main hall half an hour early.

Incense smoke curled upwards, and the enormous Buddha statue appeared compassionate and solemn in the flickering candlelight.

She found an inconspicuous prayer mat, knelt down gracefully, clasped her hands together, closed her eyes and lowered her brows, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow under her eyelids.

After an unknown amount of time, steady and rhythmic footsteps approached from outside the palace.

Yun Nian's thick eyelashes trembled slightly, but she did not open them immediately.

This was the first sight that Qin Jiuchen saw when he stepped into the palace.

The candlelight flickered, and wisps of smoke curled around. The young girl kneeling before the Buddha was slender and devout, her plain-colored skirt spreading out in front of her like flower petals, her profile soft and beautiful.

His steps faltered for a moment.

Feeling the imposing presence behind her, Yun Nian slowly opened her eyes as if startled.

When she saw that the person who came was Qin Jiuchen, a look of panic immediately appeared on her face. She stood up hurriedly and curtsied, "Nian'er greets Your Highness."

Qin Jiuchen looked down at her, his gaze lingering for a moment on her plain yet exquisite face, before speaking in a deep voice.

"Miss Yun is truly sincere; she's still praying to Buddha so late at night."

His voice echoed in the empty hall, carrying a natural air of authority.

Yun Nian raised her head, two blushes rising on her face, as if she were shy or nervous.

She mustered her courage, met his gaze, and said softly, "Your Highness, Nian'er has been waiting for you here."

Qin Jiuchen raised an eyebrow slightly, his dark and unfathomable gaze falling on her, filled with scrutiny and amusement.

Yun Nian felt a little flustered under his gaze. She subconsciously pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and then, as if she had made up her mind, said softly.

"Nian'er wants to thank Your Highness for your help yesterday. If it weren't for Your Highness, I might have been assassinated, unable to defend myself, and lost my reputation."

Upon hearing this, Qin Jiuchen leaned down slightly, closing the distance between them.

His handsome face held a half-smile, with a slight upturn of his lips.

He spoke slowly and deliberately, "It's quite a novelty that so many people crowded into my palace yesterday."

Yun Nian was taken aback.

Immediately, as if hurt by these words, she subconsciously bit her lower lip, her eyes reddened, and tears quickly welled up in her eyes.

She stubbornly refused to let her tears fall easily.

But the way she was trying to hold back her tears made her seem even more pitiful and touching than if she had just cried.

She asked softly, "Your Highness, do you not believe me?"

Qin Jiuchen straightened up and casually smoothed the wrinkles on his black sleeves, his movements elegant and aloof.

He countered, "On what basis does Miss Yun believe that I should trust you?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Nian's tears, which she had been holding back, finally rolled down her cheeks like large pearls from a broken string.

She said self-deprecatingly, "Yes, Nian'er comes from a humble background and is not trustworthy to begin with. To the Prime Minister's residence and the young master, Nian'er is nothing more than..."

She stopped abruptly, as if she had some unspeakable hidden pain, which ultimately turned into a sigh.

"Regardless, I still want to thank you for what happened last night."

As she spoke, as if gathering her courage, she reached out with both hands and carefully took out a neatly folded handkerchief from her bosom.

The handkerchief is a simple, elegant moon-white color, with a vigorous and lush pine tree embroidered on it using only silver and fine silk threads. The stitches are meticulous, creating a serene and distant atmosphere.

Just like the feeling she gives off right now, beautiful but not ostentatious.

"Your Highness,"

She presented the handkerchief to him, her voice soft and weak, "Nian'er doesn't have much to offer as a thank you gift, but I had some free time today, so I embroidered this handkerchief to express my gratitude. It's just a little girl's gift, nothing fancy, but if you like it, you can take it home and use it..."

She spoke a lot in one breath, her cheeks flushed with nervousness and shyness.

Her hands, holding the handkerchief, remained stubbornly outstretched, her fingertips slightly white.

Qin Jiuchen looked at her meaningfully, his gaze moving from her tear-streaked face to the plain handkerchief, but he did not immediately reach out to take it.

Time seemed to stand still for a moment.

Yun Nian looked disappointed and was about to awkwardly withdraw her hand.