The lady knew the young lady’s temperament and asked her to bring some pastries, specifically instructing her to remind her.

Huanhuan picked up a chestnut cake, took a small bite and put it aside before finishing, agreeing, "Ah Zhi, chestnut cake is filling, you shouldn’t eat too much."

"Alright." Being advised by one and then another, Ye Zhi simply decided not to eat. Then she thought, "Xiao Qian, have you seen Xiao Chen since he returned from Dragon Tiger Mountain?"

"I haven’t."

Ye Zhi stood up and was about to head out: "Then I’ll go call Xiao Chen over. You wait here. The two of you got along well before. As the Eldest Prince, he might be reluctant to approach you first to avoid appearing as if he’s trying to curry favor. The Imperial Palace is heavily guarded; it’s not easy for us commoners to get in."

Saying that, she stepped out over the threshold and went out.

Today, Ye Zhi’s hair was styled in a "Startled Swan" bun. She wore a soft gauze gown of crabapple red with branches embroidery. When she reached the courtyard, her toes lightly touched the ground, and she leapt up, skimming over the eaves, disappearing from view.

The development was so swift that there wasn’t time to prevent it. In the blink of an eye, the delicate figure had already gone far...

The Eldest Prince came today specifically for Ah Zhi, yet now she’s simply vanished. Uh, he consoled himself, with time, with time...

Huanhuan, not being that familiar with Li Qian, politely said, "Eldest Prince, Ah Zhi’s Qinggong skills are impressive. Please wait a moment, she’ll bring the person back shortly."

The young man nodded slightly, "Hmm."

Qinglian chatted about home matters with her brother, "Brother, did you leave the palace today for an errand?"

Li Qian’s expression carried a bright righteousness.

He nodded, "Yes, you must study well and practice writing diligently at the Imperial College. Don’t skip classes, or else I’ll have to ask Mother to discipline you."

If looked after by Noble Princess Consort Xiao, it would mean being forced to learn embroidery, etiquette from a matron, maintaining posture... and not allowed to leave the palace.

These were already enough to make Qinglian fearful: "Brother, I did not skip classes. I informed the teacher that today I went to observe the lakes outside the city with Ah Zhi as part of my coursework."

The young man’s features were stern, his gaze sharp, he asked, "Did you go into the water to play?"

Qinglian lowered her head, crestfallen.

A gentle voice rose, "Did you?"

She lifted her head, muttering, "I did." Seeing her brother frown, about to scold, she hurriedly said, "Ah Zhi went in first, and then I accompanied her. If you don’t believe me, you can ask her."

When Ah Zhi was there, the Eldest Brother would never put on a stern face.

With Ah Zhi absent, the difference was evident.

Qinglian silently apologized and awaited her friend’s return, feeling like sitting on pins and needles, meanwhile praying her brother wouldn’t question her further, for it would open up a whole can of worms.

Li Qian’s expression was indifferent, not speaking further. As a brother, he was roughly aware of Qinglian’s situation. Father didn’t manage her, and the matrons in the palace rarely disciplined her. Naturally, as the young lady grew, she should adhere to etiquette and follow the rules diligently.

A quarter of an hour later.

Ye Zhi returned with the person.

Upon entering, the room fell silent~

"What’s this? Aren’t you chatting? Xiao Qian, look! Hasn’t Xiao Chen grown taller? He’s spent so much time on Dragon Tiger Mountain, he’s much more robust than before."

She gestured with her hand to show the height difference between the two of them, "Neither used to be taller than me, but now he’s much taller."

The young man following behind her was like a bright moon, Muru Qingfeng, entering gracefully, exuding an air of gentleness and elegance. He cupped his hands to greet, "Greetings to the Eldest Prince."

Ye Zhi had just gone out and returned to see the Eldest Prince; she should greet him like the Little Traitor, right? With understanding on her face, she mimicked his posture of cupping hands to greet.