He scratched his head, blushing, and involuntarily began to talk about his recent experiences:

"Earlier, I was transferred from Dingbei Pass to Yinzhou to serve as the Minister of Agriculture. Early this month, I was promoted to Vice Minister of Public Works. A month ago, I received a letter from Prince Xiang, learning about the matter concerning the Prince and, well, the Young Master. Prince Xiang informed me that he would raise an army to return to the Capital City to vindicate the former Pingnan Marquis and clear the Gu Family’s name. However, his return to the Capital City would inevitably cause turmoil in Dayan. If I return earlier, I could save more people..."

Although Qin Zhenghu was passionate about engineering and agriculture, he was not a fool. He knew that Prince Xiang and the Emperor were at odds, and the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion was under suspicion. The letter from Rong Heng was not a command but a piece of advice.

Even if Prince Xiang returned to the Capital City under the banner of "purging the Emperor’s side," it indeed meant confronting the Emperor militarily.

Rong Heng informed him in advance because he was the Minister of Agriculture in Yinzhou. If he did not return to the Capital City now, he would be seen as siding with Prince Xiang and conspiring in rebellion. But if he returned to the Capital City, he would at least still be deemed loyal to Dayan.

Rong Miaoyan’s expression changed as if doused with a bucket of cold water. She took a half-step back, shaking her head, "You’re returning to the Capital City merely out of fear of being implicated by Rong Heng?"

"No! It’s not, of course not!"

Qin Zhenghu hurriedly refuted, mustering all the courage he had ever had, his gaze never this resolute before.

Rong Miaoyan’s heart skipped a beat, her eyes misting as she gazed at Qin Zhenghu, waiting for what he would say next.

"Are you returning to the Capital City... for those who will be affected by the unrest from the ensuing battles?" she quietly asked, fiddling with the hem of her skirt.

"That’s just one reason."

Qin Zhenghu said, each word uttered with utmost seriousness and tenderness.

"I know that Prince Xiang’s move to the Capital City under the name of ’purging the Emperor’s side’ is essentially to replace the person on the throne. I also know the current difficult situation of the Young Master and the Gu Family. More importantly, I understand what is right and what is wrong; the Emperor baselessly suspecting and doubting the loyal is wrong. Princess, Qin Zhenghu is returning to the Capital City for the sake of old classmate camaraderie, for youthful friendship, and for the promises I’ve made, for the friends I hold dear.

I wish to stand by your side, and that’s why I’ve come back here...

Miaoyan, I want to stand by your side, no matter what you decide to do."

Zisu, on the side, was moved, hugging her one remaining arm, tears streaming down her face.

Miaoyan’s heart thundered, and she softly asked, "Qin Zhenghu, no matter what decision I make, will you truly stand by my side?"

"I trust the Princess as much as I trust myself." Qin Zhenghu looked straight into the Princess’s watery eyes, speaking word by word.

Rong Miaoyan blinked, her eyes turning gently, her cheeks blushing faintly peachy, the tear mole at the corner of her eye adding a lingering charm to her delicate face.

For a moment, Qin Zhenghu was dazzled again, and Zisu couldn’t bear to watch, sighing to the sky, "Young Master, Young Master, Young Master, Young Master—"

If the men in this world could learn one percent of the ability of Young Master Gu, they wouldn’t be like wooden blocks.

The Princess slightly narrowed her bright eyes, aggrievedly asking, "Qin Zhenghu, you speak so sweetly, why don’t you hug me."

Qin Zhenghu: "..." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

He answered with actions instead, holding her small, soft body tightly in his arms.

*

At this moment, Gu Lan, having left the Imperial Palace, found himself in a staring match with Rong Yunhao, who had managed to leave the palace for once, in the former Prince Rui Mansion.

The city was under siege, the gates of the Capital City sealed shut. From inns and music halls to taverns and teahouses, even residential homes, the imperial guard was conducting door-to-door searches.

Yet who could have thought that the dozens of Gu Family members who seemed to have disappeared without a trace were actually hiding in the Prince Rui Mansion!

This mansion, secluded in a corner of the Capital City, though not luxurious, covered a large area and carried the reputation of the Prince Rui Mansion. The Capital City was so large that the imperial guard, even if they searched every house, wouldn’t be able to find this place within a day or two.

Ever since Prince Rui "died," the once bustling Prince Rui Mansion had become much quieter. In early autumn, the Princess Consort received permission to accompany her father back to Tongzhou to retire.

After the Princess Consort left the Capital City, the Prince Rui Mansion completely declined and was abandoned, leaving only a few servants to watch over it, occasionally attending to the Princely Heir returning to the mansion.

Prince Rui’s only daughter, Princess Changle, was leading troops at the Southern Border. The Princely Heir, Rong Yunhao, was taken into the palace and led a miserable life of waking up with his eyes open to find himself in school every day.

Recently, with the approaching New Year, Rong Jing was entirely focused on the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, the court and public were in disarray. Today was a rest day for the Imperial Family School; no one paid attention to Rong Yunhao, so he sneaked out of the palace, intending to visit home.