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

"I've seen these kinds of displays for decades," Madam Wang said calmly. "You, a princess, really don't need to act like this. Yu'er is more like his father than his grandfather when it comes to matters of the heart. Since you two are not meant to be, there's no point in clinging on."

"There are plenty of fine men in the capital, Princess. Please return home. I will not see you off further."

Li Roujia's smile froze on her face.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found herself unable to utter a single word. Wang's words, though not harsh, felt like a slap across the face, landing squarely on her cheek.

She stood up, barely maintaining her composure, and gave a curtsy: "Madam is right, I will take my leave now."

The moment she turned around, the smile on her face vanished completely.

Stepping out of the Prime Minister's residence, a cold wind rushed towards her. Li Roujia stood on the steps, her nails digging deeply into her palms.

She knew that he was like his father—once he set his mind on someone, he would be with them forever—which was why she was determined to have him.

Which woman doesn't want a lifelong, monogamous relationship? Most men in the capital want multiple wives and concubines, enjoying the best of both worlds. They have mistresses within the household and prostitutes outside before even marrying. Why should she, a princess, be disgusted by these people?

Only Cui Yutang was different.

She knew it from a very young age.

She took a deep breath and instructed the maid beside her, "Drive the carriage to the side gate and park it in a dark place."

"Princess, aren't we going back to the manor?"

"I won't go back." Li Roujia's gaze fell on the gate of the Prime Minister's residence, a stubborn glint in her eyes. "I just don't believe that he wouldn't return to the Prime Minister's residence on a day like today."

Meanwhile, a plain-looking carriage was slowly traveling through the streets of Chang'an.

The people in the carriage were Cui Yutang and Xie Yige. It was fortunate that the white horse was so eye-catching that Baoyu had inquired about it along the way.

The interior of the vehicle was covered with thick blankets, and a small charcoal stove burned in the corner, making it warm, cozy, spacious, and comfortable.

The carriage was so quiet that only their breathing could be heard.

"Cui Yutang, your white horse is so handsome and elegant, it's really beautiful," Xie Yige suddenly said, her face lighting up when she talked about something she liked. "Does it have a name?"

Cui Yutang's expression froze slightly.

He glanced instinctively in the direction of the white horse, a hint of jealousy in his voice: "Is he prettier than me?"

Xie Yige was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"Are you stupid?" She stretched out a finger and gently pushed his forehead.

Cui Yutang didn't flinch, letting her fingertip touch his forehead. A hint of puppy-like grievance flickered in his deep phoenix eyes; his brows drooped, and he looked utterly wronged.

Xie Yige's heart softened immediately.

She always felt that this person seemed to have mastered some kind of skill. The person who used to be so aloof and proper could now always make some expressions and gestures that softened her heart.

"Are you going to be very busy again?" she asked, a little wistfully.

Cui Yutang nodded and earnestly reported to her: "Tomorrow we have the court hearing and the Ministry of Personnel's re-examination, followed by the third-place banquet, the inscription of names on the Wild Goose Pagoda, the Qujiang Grand Gathering, and so on."

He spoke with a hint of helplessness in his voice. Passing the imperial examination was so troublesome; the Ministry of Rites had one set of regulations after another, more tiring than writing policy essays.

Xie Yige looked at him like this, and the smile in her eyes deepened.

"Cui Yutang, congratulations! You've become the top scholar! You're amazing!" In her beautiful peach blossom eyes, there was joy, admiration, tenderness, and above all, a deep sense of heartache.

"You must have suffered a lot."

Cui Yutang was stunned.

He looked at the thin layer of tears in her eyes and suddenly couldn't say a word.

He leaned forward, burying his entire face in her fragrant, soft breasts.

Xie Yige lowered her head, gently hugged him, and stroked the back of his head repeatedly.

The carriage was quiet, with only the rumbling of the wheels over the cobblestones.

They remained in that position until the carriage stopped in front of the Zhou residence.

When Cui Yutang straightened up, his eyes were slightly red, but he quickly regained his composure and reached out to help her down.

He turned around, led the white horse over, and placed the reins in her hand.

"You can play with this white horse."

"But I can't ride a horse." Xie Yige took the reins, both surprised and delighted.

"I'll teach you another day," Cui Yutang smiled gently, a smile that shone brightly in the sunlight.

Xie Yige, holding the reins, was completely stunned.

"Go inside quickly," he said.

"Um."

She turned around, took two steps, glanced back at him, and then quickly walked into the mansion.

When Cui Yutang's carriage stopped at the entrance of the Prime Minister's residence, it was nearly dusk.

He had just gotten out of the car and hadn't even taken a step when a figure darted out from the side and blocked his way.

"Brother Yutang."

Li Roujia's voice was full of surprise; the person she had been waiting for for so long had finally appeared.

Cui Yutang stopped in his tracks.

"Do we know each other well?" His voice was filled with speechlessness and confusion.

Li Roujia's expression froze instantly.

She felt ashamed and indignant, but even more so, furious. She had waited for him for so long, setting aside her princess-like demeanor to stand guard in the cold wind for most of the hour, only to receive such a dismissive remark in return.

"Brother Yutang," she bit her lip, her eyes quickly reddening, her voice trembling with tears.

"It's okay if you're angry with me, but that woman isn't as innocent as you think. She's a vicious woman, don't be fooled by her. She had someone stab me in the back a few days ago, and I'm still in pain."

As she spoke, tears instantly streamed down her face, making her look pitiful.

Cui Yutang looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Are you telling the truth?"

"I swear to God, it's absolutely true!" Li Roujia raised her right hand, looking at him through teary eyes, a glimmer of hope rising in her heart.

Cui Yutang nodded, his expression unusually calm: "That's good. We each stabbed the other in the back, that's fair."

Li Roujia was stunned.

"You'd better not have any other thoughts about her in the future." Cui Yutang's voice turned cold, like icicles in winter. "Otherwise, I don't mind causing your father more trouble. I imagine you don't want to become an abandoned daughter of the Rong'an Prince's Mansion."

Li Roujia's face turned pale instantly.

"Brother Yutang, how could you do this to me?" Her voice trembled. "Is our friendship of over ten years less important than your feelings for her after only a few months of knowing her?"

Cui Yutang looked at her, his gaze devoid of any warmth.

"Hasn't the Rong'an Prince's Mansion hired a tutor for you? How could you have such an idea?" His voice was calm and unhurried, yet every word was piercing. "How can the length of time you've known each other measure the depth of your feelings? Besides—"

He paused.

"I don't know you very well."