I only wished to take up my fiefdom, but my elder brother forced me to rebel.

After Mrs. Zhao finished speaking, she opened the window so that Zhao Mingzhu could see for herself.

"Zhao Mingzhu, you're nineteen years old now, and you're not as good at lying as you were when you were twelve."

Zhao Mingzhu stood in front of the bronze mirror, her cheeks growing increasingly red.

"I didn't know it was cloudy today."

"We've already made plans in advance, we can't just not go."

"Did the Crown Prince invite you to admire the moon, or did you make up the invitation yourself?"

Zhao Mingzhu lowered her head; she really didn't have the talent for lying.

I didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Madam Zhao rolled her eyes at her, then walked back to the table and closed the rouge boxes one by one.

"Your mother won't stop you from going."

"But there are some things you must remember."

Zhao Mingzhu slowly raised her head.

"You agree?"

"The Crown Prince saved the Zhao family today and also said in front of everyone that he wanted to marry you."

Madam Zhao held her daughter's hand, "I can tell you like him."

"I may like her, but the Zhao family's daughter cannot enter the family without a clear explanation."

"If he truly cares for you, he should send a matchmaker to your door and give the Zhao family an explanation."

Zhao Mingzhu looked down at the jade bracelet on her wrist.

"He had just been made crown prince and now he had to deal with military affairs in the north."

"I don't want to pressure him at this time."

"A daughter is like a tree that cannot be kept at home once she grows up; you're the one speaking up for him first."

Madam Zhao tapped her forehead.

"Your mother is just reminding you."

"There are already three ladies in the Crown Prince's residence."

"Su Yuling will become the Crown Princess, Shen Hanqiu will become a concubine, and Liu Ruyan has already entered the mansion."

"After you go there, you can't just focus on how he tries to coax you."

"We'll see how those three women treat you!"

Zhao Mingzhu nodded.

"Mother, I understand!"

That's the Crown Prince's woman, what does it have to do with a stand-in?

"It's good that you know."

Madam Zhao turned around and went back to her room.

After a while, she returned with a book wrapped in blue cloth.

The cover has no title, but the edges are very smooth, so it must have been stored for a long time.

"Take care."

Zhao Mingzhu took the book.

"Mother, what book is this?"

She reached out to open it and take a look.

Madam Zhao immediately reached out and pressed down on the cover.

"You can't look!"

Why?

"This book can only be read by you and the Crown Prince together!"

"You're all alone, don't peek."

Zhao Mingzhu became increasingly curious.

"What does it say inside?"

"Once you arrive at the Crown Prince's residence, you will naturally know."

Madam Zhao stuffed the book into her arms and then draped an outer garment over her shoulders.

Zhao Mingzhu hugged the book, wanting to ask but not daring to.

The steward of the manor quickly arrived at the door.

"Madam, Miss."

"The Crown Prince's residence has sent someone to fetch the young lady."

Zhao Mingzhu stood up from the chair, walked to the door, and then stopped.

"Mother, am I really going?"

"Go."

Madam Zhao straightened her hairpin.

"Don't keep the Crown Prince waiting too long."

"When you come back tomorrow, I'll ask you again if the moon is full or not."

Zhao Mingzhu stomped her foot, grabbed her books, and ran out of the courtyard.

The Crown Prince's residence sent a sedan chair for four people.

The entourage carried the Crown Prince's token, which was inspected by the guards of Fuyuan Escort Agency before the sedan chair bearers were allowed to set off.

Madam Zhao escorted her all the way to the door.

The smile on her face faded slightly only after the sedan chair had left.

Chief镖头 Zhao walked out of the courtyard.

"Are you really sending your niece over?"

"Otherwise what?"

Madam Zhao glanced at her brother-in-law and said, "Today, the Crown Prince publicly declared that he wanted to marry her, and the entire Zhuque Street knows about it."

"Even if you try to stop her now, she'll still climb over the wall and get out."

Chief镖师 Zhao gripped the hilt of his knife. "If he dares to bully Mingzhu's niece, I don't care if he's the Crown Prince or not."

"Alright."

Madam Zhao pushed him outside the courtyard.

"I know you feel sorry for her, but can you really stay with her for the rest of your life?"

"She used to look down on everyone, but now she finally has a chance to get married, which is a relief for your brother."

The sedan chair entered the Ninth Prince's residence through the side gate and was carried all the way to the backyard.

After Zhao Mingzhu got out of the sedan chair, she first saw a two-story building.

There is a martial arts training ground in front of the building, and next to it are separate bath rooms, study rooms and small dining rooms.

She looked around the corridor.

"Is this just a backyard?"

"It's even bigger than Fuyuan Escort Agency."

Lu Yuan walked out of the small building.

He had changed out of the crown prince's robes and was only wearing a dark-colored casual robe.

"This was originally the former residence of the late Empress."

"It's been empty ever since."

Zhao Mingzhu hugged the book in her arms.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"Didn't we agree to make it a fait accompli?"

Lu Yuan walked up to her and revealed a mischievous smile.

Zhao Mingzhu took half a step back.

"Oh dear, I'm not ready yet!"

Lu Yuan raised his hand, signaling the maids and guards accompanying him to leave.

"You all go to the front yard."

"Unless I give the order, you don't need to come back to serve me."

Several servants bowed and withdrew.

As Zhao Mingzhu watched the courtyard gate close, her fingers unconsciously tightened.

Why did you make them all leave?

"Because I, this imposter prince, am going to do bad things."

Lu Yuan reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"What if they leak the news if we leave them behind?"

Zhao Mingzhu raised her leg to kick him.

Lu Yuan gently supported her knees and lifted her up in his arms.

"Put me down!"

"I can walk by myself."

"Miss Zhao chased me for half a block during the day, I was afraid you'd get tired."

"I've practiced martial arts for many years, so I don't even get tired carrying you around."

"Then it's your turn to carry me later."

Zhao Mingzhu raised her hand and covered his mouth.

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'm going home right now."

Lu Yuan stopped in his tracks.

"Are you really going back?"

When Zhao Mingzhu saw him loosen one hand, as if preparing to put her down, she grabbed his collar instead.

"They've already arrived."

"Let's see what you've prepared."

Lu Yuan hugged her tightly again, "You're the one who refused to leave."

"Don't say I forced you to stay."

He carried Zhao Mingzhu into the bedroom and closed the door with his foot.

Pastries, fruits, and a pot of warmed wine were already laid out on the table.

Zhao Mingzhu was placed on the soft couch, still holding the book in her hands.

Lu Yuan sat down opposite her and poured her half a glass of wine.

"Eat something first."

"You probably didn't eat much for dinner."

Zhao Mingzhu indeed only ate two bites.

She picked up a piece of pastry, and Lu Yuan brought the wine glass to her lips.

"I'll do it myself."

"I saved the Zhao family today, and Miss Zhao won't even offer me a cup of wine?"

Zhao Mingzhu took a sip from his hand.

The wine flavor is very mild; the aroma is more fruity.

She lowered her guard and ate several more pieces of pastry.

Lu Yuan did not approach her further, but simply sat aside and watched her.

Zhao Mingzhu, on the contrary, felt somewhat uncomfortable.

"Didn't you have something to ask me?"

"Ask away."

"I've finished asking."

"You didn't ask a single question."

"What I want to ask is, are you coming or not?"

Lu Yuan removed the coat from her shoulder.

"Now that I see you sitting here, I already have the answer."

Zhao Mingzhu turned her face away. "Do you always use these kinds of words to coax girls?"

"I didn't need to coax you before."

"The girls were the ones who tore my clothes on their own initiative."

"You're talking nonsense again."

"Everyone in the Crown Prince's residence knows about this."

Lu Yuan reached out and touched the blue cloth book in her arms.

"You've been holding it ever since you walked in the door."

"Did your mother give it to you?"

Zhao Mingzhu then remembered her mother's instructions and quickly hid the book behind her back.

Lu Yuan leaned closer. "Mingzhu, what book are you hiding in your hand?"