Noble Princess Consort Xiao was somewhat unwilling, the Empress missed the fat opportunity of the Minister’s Mansion, but the Dingyuan Prince’s Mansion was not bad either.

Li Qian responded with a grunt: "Hmm." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

In the ensuing conversation, Li Qian appeared absentminded and disinterested. Noble Princess Consort Xiao didn’t dare push too hard; after today, he would naturally know what to do. She let him go without much entanglement.

After leaving Tangli Palace, Li Qian didn’t immediately return to his own quarters. Instead, he ordered a carriage to be prepared and headed straight for the Ye Mansion.

In the carriage, his expression was dejected, unlike his usual leisurely self.

For some reason, all he wanted at the moment was to visit the Ye Mansion, and see Ah Zhi.

In recent years, as he aged, the gap between his mother and the Empress widened. He was often reminded by his mother to restrain his childishness and not give anyone leverage against him, while in front of his father, he had to appear knowledgeable and talented. If he deviated even slightly, his mother would inform him of the Empress’s malicious intentions and how his second brother might strike ruthlessly in the future.

Li Qian’s contact with Ye Zhi lessened. They were no longer spending time together; instead, he was diligently learning from the current great scholars.

Finally, his talent displayed before his father gained more favor than his second brother could achieve.

However, with his Sister Ah Zhi, he grew increasingly distant.

Upon calculation, it seemed a long time since they last had a proper conversation.

A luxurious carriage was steadily moving down Lingyang Street, the hubs creaking softly, as it turned onto Ruyi Street heading towards the Minister Ye Mansion.

At the front sat two guards, dressed in serpent-patterned red and luan robes, clearly from the palace.

People on the street dared not obstruct it; those in the middle quickly made way.

Soon enough,

the opulent carriage passed in front of the high gates of the Ye Mansion.

Before the mansion stood two youths of similar age.

Their attire suggested one was a master, the other a palace guard.

Li Qian paused by the stone lions of the Ye Mansion, choosing not to let the Guard announce his presence; he knew Shen Chen had returned from Dragon Tiger Mountain, though they had not yet met. He recalled a few years back when he, older than Shen Chen, naively followed him around, calling him Brother Xiao Chen.

Thinking of this, he let out a self-deprecating laugh.

Not far away, three young girls of similar age were approaching slowly.

"Qinglian, is Xia Yurong still bothering you? I heard from Huanhuan that Xia Shirong tried to hit you, didn’t she? Don’t worry, the next time I see her, I will definitely stand up for you. I just can’t understand, Zhao Yi likes you, so what’s it to her? She eats less and becomes a bit thinner, thinking it’s enough to catch Zhao Yi’s fancy, and often gives you trouble."

The one voicing this indignation, filled with righteous anger on her peach-flushed face, was none other than Ye Zhi.

In her indignation, her clear voice was heard loud and distinct, so much so that Li Qian, standing at a distance, heard everything. He seemed unprepared for how to face them, so he instinctively moved a step back, hiding behind the large stone lion...

The tender immaturity that the Eldest Prince had long wished to shake off was easily exposed in front of Ah Zhi...

Guard Xiao Bai unconsciously followed his master to hide behind the large stone lion...

He didn’t want to reveal his master’s whereabouts.

Clearly, he had done nothing wrong, so why sneak around like a thief?

However, since the Eldest Prince said nothing, as a guard, he adhered to the principle that silence is golden, quietly and unremarkably.

Qinglian tugged at the sleeve of her friend next to her, glanced around to make sure nobody was watching the three of them, then breathed a sigh of relief, pressing her index finger to her lips, gesturing for silence.