That night, after Ye Zhi was rescued from the water and settled back at the Ye Mansion, Shen Chen, with the Chengque Sword gleaming coldly, called on Qin Yin and secretly returned to Yanming Lake.

The water monkey was intentionally placed in Yanming Lake by Prince An; it did not arrive without reason.

He was not one to meddle in others’ affairs, but tonight, since that eerie creature injured Ah Zhi, it must be dealt with.

The dagger struck it in the lake; it surely couldn’t hide underwater for long. If the guess is correct, that small pond is the water monkey’s usual hiding place.

In the deep night, all is silent; it’s the perfect time for the habitual flower thief to steal fragrance and jade. Shen Chen used his Qinggong skill to silently return to Tingling Garden. With blood on the Chengque Sword, he washed it quietly, rinsed himself, and fell asleep as if nothing happened.

The next day.

Since the youngest daughter fell into the water, the Ye Family placed her under house arrest for two months, forbidding her from leaving the mansion, and invited skilled embroiderers to teach the youngest daughter embroidery at Ye Mansion.

Initially, Ye Zhi was indifferent to this, being the disciple of Lingbo Fairy; Qinggong to leap over eaves and walk on walls was a trivial matter. Could the small Ye Mansion confine her?

It is undoubtedly like a shallow water trapping a dragon~

However, if someone guarded her for twelve hours at a time, reporting to the Ye Family immediately if she disappeared, it would have a different effect...

Because of this, Ye Zhi wailed like a banshee for several days. After the Ye Family threatened with pocket money and recited lengthy arguments, she finally complied obediently, studying Luonan embroidery diligently, slowly learning to stitch various patterns with floral threads, such as flowers, birds, and blessings.

Beginnings are always difficult. Fortunately, Aunt Xia was patient and understanding, never scolding Ye Zhi.

Feng Liuli’s embroidery skills were also commendable. The Ye Family, fearing the youngest daughter’s restlessness, specifically had her accompany Ye Zhi. As expected, seeing Aunt Feng there, Ye Zhi was much more well-behaved~

The day they were rescued ashore, the matter of being close with the Little Traitor was tacitly left unspoken by both.

As if it never happened.

Meanwhile, the Ye Family also didn’t disclose her betrothal to Xiao Chen, only told her husband. They planned to wait until after Xiao Chen’s imperial examinations in autumn, regardless of whether he passed, to mention it together. For now, the arrangement for the youngest daughter to learn embroidery was to allow her to add a couple of stitches herself to the red bridal gown on her coming-of-age year, as a symbolic gesture.

The Ye Family understood the youngest daughter’s personality best, fearing that if they spoke too early, regardless of her willingness, she may cling to Xiao Chen and disturb his examinations, which would surely be unfavorable.

Ye Zhi was unaware of her mother’s little plans, daily following Aunt Xia and Aunt Feng in the Ye Mansion to learn embroidery, without any thoughts of bridal gowns. When tired of embroidery, she would go to Tingling Garden to find the Little Traitor; each time she went, he was either engrossed in a book or painting.

Unlike her entirely, pursuing Luonan embroidery inconsistently, a fish for three days and resting for two, a struggle describable in just a few words.

In Tingling Garden, sometimes looking at the Little Traitor, Ye Zhi would inexplicably feel a bit shy, unlike her previous natural demeanor, with a slight tinge of bashfulness, causing her heart to pound fiercely.

No need to panic, maybe it’s the normal reaction of a foil female character to the male lead, discovering his striking presence and allure.

This led to her seeking out the Little Traitor more diligently...

On this day, at an hour and a quarter past sunrise, Ye Zhi, accompanied by Ming Yan, carrying breakfast, crossed into Tingling Garden’s gate early.

The young man, with a pair of striking phoenix eyes, sat before the pear wood table studying a scroll intently. High-raised windows allowed the morning sun to stream through the panes, casting light upon the nanmu chair with mother-of-pearl inlaid cloud-like legs and delicate back.