Who said the eldest daughter is crazy? She's clearly a woman of high rank and influence in the

That is the unwavering certainty born from power permeating one's very being, a disregard for all things.

Helian Jing didn't need to look at anyone, because everyone was looking at him; he didn't need to curry favor with anyone, because the authority of the Tian Shu Division itself was the best attitude.

He was a sword hidden in the shadows by the imperial family, but when this sword walked openly in the sunlight, it was more daunting than any general wielding a sword.

He should have sat in the head seat, but his steps suddenly paused as he passed an inconspicuous low table at the very end.

Helian Jing turned his head to the side, his gaze shifting from directly in front of him for the first time, landing on the person sitting behind the low table.

Xi Yueli sat there, wearing a light blue, narrow-sleeved long dress. Sunlight filtered through the osmanthus branches and leaves, falling on her shoulders like scattered gold. She held a teacup in her hand and was drinking tea with her eyes downcast, clearly not expecting him to stop in front of her.

Hearing the noise, she raised her eyes to meet his gaze, neither dodging nor flinching, neither humble nor arrogant. Her almond-shaped eyes were as clear and dark as black jade in the sunlight, and the light beneath them seemed to be pressed down by something thick, making them extremely steady.

Helian Jing looked down at her, and in those two breaths, it was as if a layer of air had been sucked away from the entire garden. Dozens of hearts were hanging in the air, waiting to see what this Prince Chen, who looked down on all women in the world, would do next.

"Is it sunny here?" he asked softly, his gaze still fixed on her face.

"There's an old locust tree over there in the main hall; it provides plenty of shade. Would you like to move to another seat?"

Xi Yueli looked up at him, and the sunlight poured in from behind him, outlining the contours of his brow bone with a light gold.

The noble ladies who had just been discussing that "Prince Chen probably doesn't get close to women at all" almost dropped their fans.

Xi Yueli lowered her eyes, twirling the teacup halfway between her fingers: "Thank you, Your Highness. It's quite nice here; the osmanthus fragrance is strong, and it won't hurt to let it bask in the sun."

These words sounded ordinary, but the curve of her eyelashes when she lowered her eyes, the rhythm of her fingertips turning the cup, and the faint smile at the corner of her mouth were all perfectly captured.

Like a shy girl being publicly favored by her sweetheart, she is bashfully declining, her shyness tinged with sweetness, and her sweetness tinged with a hint of wanting to refuse.

Helian Jing looked at her like this, and the light in his eyes flickered slightly.

He suddenly wasn't sure if she was just playing along, or if she really was... no, she was definitely playing along. Beneath those downcast eyes, there was a cluster of extremely faint light, like the shadow of a fish beneath the surface of water; you think you can see it clearly, but if you reach out and try to catch it, it vanishes.

The fans in the garden started waving again, but the whispers beneath those waving hands were even more intense than before. His Highness Prince Chen spoke to a sickly eldest daughter, asking her if she wanted to bask in the sun.

Helian Jing took his seat at the head of the table, took the teacup handed to him by the servant, and took a sip. His gaze passed over the jewels and flowers in the garden and landed on the smoky blue of the last seat. He only paused for a moment before looking away, but the knuckles of his hand holding the teacup were a little tighter than before.

Halfway through the banquet, the music changed to a different tune, and the guests got up to stroll in the garden and admire the osmanthus blossoms.

Xi Yueli stood alone under a golden osmanthus tree, looking up at the delicate clusters of flowers covering the branches. The token in her sleeve pressed against her wrist, the icy touch keeping her alert amidst the insincere greetings in the garden.

A figure approached.

Helian Jing stood to her side and behind, so close that she could feel his incense scent without turning her head.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw two maids in green shirts peeking in her direction from behind a crabapple tree not far away.

She didn't move, still looking up at the osmanthus flowers. Helian Jing didn't say anything either, just stood to her side and behind, as if he was keeping her company while she looked at the flowers.

He suddenly raised his hand, his fingertips brushing past her temple, plucking a tiny petal that had fallen into her hair. The movement was extremely slow, his fingertips brushing against her earlobe, but the warmth of that touch was clearly imprinted on the tip of her ear.

"I got a flower on my hand," he said, his voice low, so low that only the two of them could hear him. But as he withdrew his hand, it hovered over her shoulder for a moment, as if he was reluctant to let go.

Xi Yueli's earlobe burned slightly, but her face remained unchanged. She turned her head slightly, and her eyes met his out of the corner of her eye.

His eyes shone brightly in the sunlight, so bright that the scrutinizing intent beneath them almost overflowed. He was watching her, watching to see if she would flinch, blush, or lose her composure.

She curved her lips into a smile, her voice as soft as an osmanthus blossom warmed by the sun: "Thank you, Your Highness."

She turned to face him, tilting her head slightly upwards. Her eyes were clear and bright in the sunlight, and the flame beneath them was kept low and steady, completely still.

Helian Jing looked at her and suddenly felt that the thread he had been holding in his heart for four years had been gently tugged by her, and that tug was just right to lead him forward a step.

He took a step forward, and she took half a step back, naturally creating distance between them.

"Your Highness should go over there," she gestured with her chin towards the distant table, "Someone is waiting for you."

The "people" she referred to were several ladies sitting at the table, waiting to introduce their daughters to Helian Jing.

Helian Jing did not turn around, but he knew that countless eyes were watching him. He glanced at her, and that glance held something more than when he was at the table.

He turned and left, his steps slower than when he came, as if he was walking those few steps reluctantly.

Behind the crabapple tree not far away, the two maids in green dresses had already left.

Xi Yueli watched the direction they disappeared in, the smile on his lips slowly fading away. She had cooperated perfectly; he couldn't even tell if she was genuinely cooperating or just pretending to take advantage of him.

After the banquet ended, it was already dark.

After leaving Qinfang Pavilion, Xi Yueli headed towards the carriage. As she turned the corner of the corridor, someone chased after her from behind and blocked her way.

Helian Jing stood in the shadows of the corridor, the palace lanterns behind him casting a dark golden outline around his silhouette, his expression indistinct at the boundary between light and shadow.

"You look great today—" he began, then paused. He wanted to say, "You cooperated very well today," but that sounded too understated, like he was asking for praise. He then thought of saying, "You look beautiful today," but that sounded even less impactful.

His last words were: "You should wear that fabric."

Xi Yueli stood in the corridor lights, the smoky blue satin fabric reflecting soft silver patterns under the warm yellow light.

"It would be a waste not to wear the fabric Your Highness gave me, but Your Highness need not send any more in the future. I cannot accept such a gift without having done anything for it." Her tone had lost the warmth she had shown at the banquet, revealing a coldness beneath.

Helian Jing looked at her. The gentle warmth she had shown him at the banquet had completely vanished from her eyes. Standing before him now was the same Xi Yue Li who had drawn a clear line in the back alley—clear-headed, aloof, and impervious to harm.

"I shielded you from those at the table—" he said.

"I know," Xi Yueli interrupted him. "Your Highness is helping me, and also helping yourself. People are watching. You need a reason to approach the Xi family, 'bewitched by beauty,' and I need you as a shield. We each get what we need, and neither of us owes the other anything."

As she finished speaking, she saw Helian Jing's eyebrows twitch very slightly.

"Each takes what they need?" He repeated these four words, his voice lower than before.

Xi Yueli looked at him, her almond-shaped eyes clear and dark under the lamplight, without the slightest hesitation.

"What does Your Highness want to hear me say? Thank you? I've already thanked you. I'm moved? Your Highness knows better than I do that if any other girl had been sitting in that seat today, Your Highness would have done the same thing. You need to put on this show; it doesn't matter who's sitting in that seat."

She took a half step back, bowed slightly, and gave a crisp salute, as crisp as if she were standing at the entrance of a silk shop. "The carriage is waiting; I must go now. Your Highness, please wait."