On the carriage.

Xiao Ah Che occasionally lifted the curtain to observe the street beside them. Ming Yan attended on the side, and both of their faces were calm and composed.

Only Ye Zhi felt nervous inside, discreetly twisting a handkerchief with her slender hands. The carriage was heading towards the Champion Scholar Mansion; today’s grand attire was also to see the Little Traitor.

Since he passed the imperial examinations as the top scholar, Emperor Jingping had discovered his talents, making him busier than ever.

Her visit today was on a whim, with a sudden desire to see him...

With complex emotions, her ears and eyes were oblivious to other things, lost in deep thought.

It wasn’t until the carriage arrived at the Champion Scholar Mansion that the maid’s reminder brought her back to reality, and she awkwardly got off the carriage.

Shen Chen, well-read in history and classics, was knowledgeable, skilled in calligraphy and renowned for his ink paintings of flowers. As a disciple of the Guanshan under the State Preceptor, he became the top scholar at the age of fifteen. Emperor Jingping was pleased and bestowed upon him the Champion Scholar Mansion, located in a prime area, indicating royal favor.

Ye Zhi stood in front of the towering gate, feeling slightly out of place.

This mansion seemed even more imposing than the Ye Mansion?

The three and a half-year-old Xiao Ah Che mischievously led the way first, saying in a babyish voice, "Auntie, aren’t you going to see your fiancé? Why are you stopping?"

Why did it seem to have a whiff of jealousy?

Just as she wanted to ask the little one, they had already arrived at the tightly shut large doors.

On either side of the red doors stood soldiers in armor, holding long knives and standing guard. The soldier on the left questioned the child, "Who are you, and what business do you have at the Champion Scholar Mansion?"

The child, looking adorably icy and cute, could have been questioned as any regular lady might, yet for amusement, the soldier addressed the child first.

Xiao Ah Che calmly gave his name, "Li Suian from the Prince Jin Mansion."

The soldier took a stealthy glance at the radiant young lady and hurriedly went off to report.

Once the large doors opened, the soldier slipped inside and quickly closed them again. The girl and child, both dressed in attire showing wealth and status, were not ordinary people, even though their master had instructed not to let irrelevant people inside.

When they returned, it was with two others.

This was Qin Yin and Ye Zhi’s first formal meeting.

A man with a stalwart figure and dignified appearance, his black eyes shooting cold stars, appeared. Ye Zhi didn’t recognize him and asked, "I am Ye Zhi, may I ask who you are? Why haven’t I seen you here before?"

Qin Yin, quite familiar with the soon-to-be mistress, clasped his hands respectfully and said, "I am Qin Yin, appointed as the steward of the mansion a month ago." He lowered his hands and gestured, "Please, Third Miss and Young Prince, come in."

He pushed the door, which creaked as it opened and swung back.

The two adults and the child walked inside.

Not sure if it was because Ye Zhi hadn’t carried him at the Ye Mansion entrance, Xiao Ah Che, acting serious and mature, made no further requests to be carried when they entered the Champion Scholar Mansion.

The mansion was extremely vast, with corridors they passed lined with artificial hills surrounded by circular stone stools.

The paths had beautiful flowers and greenery planted beside them.

A cold and noble woman approached them. Wearing a dress colored with cloud patterns, her face pale and snow-like, there wasn’t a trace of a smile, and her eyes held the chill of winter snow.

Even before she was close, Ye Zhi could feel the cold aura emanating from her. This this this...

The woman before her turned out to be Ling Que.

"Ling, Ling Que?" she asked uncertainly, with a hint of probing.

To her surprise,

the other person coldly nodded, "Yes."

A thunderbolt struck Ye Zhi to her core, this transformation was too drastic... "It’s been a year, how have you become so icy?"