In a moment of impulse, I forcibly kissed my brother's best friend.

"Um."

She took two steps, thought for a moment, and then turned back.

She tiptoed and gently kissed his Adam's apple before leaving with Li Yuzhen.

Cui Yutang was left standing there, unable to come to his senses for a long time. His neck was red, and the soft touch of her lips still lingered on his Adam's apple.

That's his sensitive area.

She's really something.

Bao Yu watched as her master stood there motionless for a long time, but dared not urge him. She could only stay by his side and feed him mosquitoes.

After a long while, Cui Yutang finally spoke, his voice somewhat unsteady: "Baoyu, she's a very important person to me, isn't she?"

"Yes, Master." Baoyu nodded solemnly. "You'll know everything you want to know about her when you return to the villa the day after tomorrow."

"Let's go now, not the day after tomorrow."

"No, Master," Baoyu quickly advised, "The results of the imperial examinations will be announced tomorrow, and the master specifically instructed that you must return to the manor tonight."

"Let's ride there quickly so we can get back to the manor on time," Cui Yutang said, then ignored Baoyu and hurried toward the temple's stable.

Baoyu quickly followed behind.

Half an incense stick later, two swift horses galloped along the official road. Their hooves kicked up a trail of dust, and the wind whistled past their ears. Just as they were speeding along, three horses approached from the front. Leading them was the head steward, Cui Zu.

"Young Master!" Cui Zu reined in his horse, dismounted, and bowed. "The Old Madam has returned from Qinghe. The Master sent me to fetch you back."

"Why did Grandmother suddenly come back?" Cui Yutang's face showed a hint of joy.

"As soon as the old lady heard that you had an accident, she rushed back by carriage after more than ten days." Cui Zu's voice was tinged with heartache. "The old lady is old, and the journey was really arduous for her."

Cui Yutang felt a pang of heartache: "Let's hurry back, don't keep her waiting."

He glanced in the direction of the villa and sighed softly. Then he turned his horse around and galloped towards the Prime Minister's residence. The setting sun slowly sank behind him.

Li Yuzhen also escorted Xie Yige to the entrance of the Zhou residence.

After the carriage came to a stop, Xie Yige looked at Li Yuzhen and gave her a grateful smile.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for accompanying me today."

No one knows what she has been through these days; the devastation and torment of being forgotten by her loved ones almost broke her.

Li Yuzhen lay on her side on the soft couch, casually waving a delicate silk fan, and said with a smile, "Now that I've seen the person with my own eyes, I don't need to worry anymore, right?"

"Yes, I'm relieved to see he's alright." Although he doesn't remember her, she can feel it; the bond between them is still there, and she will make him remember.

"Then I'll be going. I'll come find you again next time." Li Yuzhen said, gently lifting her chin with her fan, a playful and affectionate gesture, before lowering the carriage curtain.

The carriage was magnificent and spacious, making it exceptionally conspicuous on the street. Its canopy was inlaid with jewels, and even the curtains were made of shimmering crystals and crystal gauze, reflecting a tranquil light in the last rays of the setting sun.

Zhou Xuan'an, who was waiting at the door, was amazed. When he saw Xie Yige get out of the car, he was startled.

"Yige, what were you doing in that car? Who were the people in it?"

Xie Yige watched the departing wheels of Li Yuzhen's car, then leaned close to Zhou Xuan'an's ear and whispered, "Princess Yuzhen."

"What? You're kidding me, right? How do you know Princess Yuzhen?" His sister was exaggerating too much. A princess, for crying out loud! She'd gone mad.

"Why would I lie to you? My sister-in-law knows that I have a very good relationship with Her Highness the Princess." The two siblings walked into the dining hall while talking.

Xie Wanrou had been waiting in the dining hall for a long time. When she saw the two of them come in together, she was delighted: "What do you know about me?"

"Brother doesn't believe I know Princess Yuzhen." Xie Yige waved her hand.

Xie Wanrou looked at Xie Yige, who had regained her usual radiance, with surprise. She paused, her eyes reddening. She quickly grabbed Xie Yige's hand: "Don't mind your brother. He knows nothing but studying. Are you hungry?"

"Mmm, I'm so hungry. Sister-in-law, let's eat quickly, my little nephew can't wait." Xie Yige said, touching her slightly protruding belly.

Xie Yige's appetite had indeed improved a lot. Xie Wanrou, choking back tears, diligently served her food, placing a piece of her favorite roasted mutton into her bowl, and then quietly ladling her a bowl of soup.

"Brother, the results will be released tomorrow. Are you nervous?" Xie Yige asked, swallowing the last bite of mutton.

"It's nothing, how could I possibly be... nervous?" Zhou Xuan'an became more and more guilty as he spoke, and his voice grew softer and softer.

"I wonder who it is that has been keeping me up at night these past few days." Xie Wanrou smiled and said, "I'm feeling a bit better now, I'll go see them with you tomorrow."

"Yay!" Xie Yige cheered.

Night falls inside Liantang Residence.

Cui Yutang had just finished bathing, his nightgown half-open, water droplets sliding down his collarbone and disappearing deep into his clothes. But he was completely unaware, his mind filled with the woman from earlier that day—her soft warmth as she fell into his arms, the tenderness of her lips, the tingling sensation when she kissed his throat. The more he thought about it, the hotter he became.

"Master? Master?" Baoyu called out twice before she finally brought Cui Yutang back to his senses.

Cui Yutang turned his head and gave Baoyu a cold look, his eyes seeming to say: You'd better have something important to say.

"The results will be announced first thing tomorrow morning," Baoyu said, forcing herself to be brave. "You'd better carry the talisman that Miss Xie got for you from tonight until tomorrow."

"What talisman? Where is it?"

"It's in the hidden box by your bedside."

Cui Yutang quickly opened the hidden box. Inside, there was not only a folded talisman, but also a jade pendant with the character "Xie" written on it.

He presented the two items, and his deep, almond-shaped eyes began to sparkle. The dim light outlined a stunning curve from his long eyelashes to his high, straight nose and resolute, slightly upturned chin.

"When did she give this to me? Why didn't you say so sooner?" His voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement. "Was this jade pendant also a gift from her? Have we already secretly pledged our lives to each other? Has Father prepared the betrothal gifts?"

Baoyu was stunned by his series of questions.

"Master, I don't know anything. You should ask Lady Xie yourself." Bao Yu quickly ran out of his bedroom and fled.

Holding those two items, Cui Yutang was so excited that he couldn't fall asleep until late into the night.

But in the latter half of the night, he had a beautiful and heart-pounding dream.

In his dream, he transformed into a wild beast that had completely broken free of reason and shackles. He saw her, her eyes red-rimmed, writhing beneath him in pleasure…

"Cui Yutang... Cui Yutang..."

One sweet, charming call after another.

He was awakened from his dream, leaving him momentarily unable to distinguish between dream and reality. He gasped for breath, looked down at the mess beneath him, and an unbelievable blush spread across his handsome profile.

He's finished.