In a quiet alley, a sandalwood carriage slowly approached.

Inside the carriage, Yun Wanyao wore a face full of worry, burdened with a heavy heart, her mind filled with that letter.

Alas, she really didn’t know how to explain her failure to keep her appointment to the Emperor, hoping that he could be magnanimous and let her off the hook.

’Squeal...’

Suddenly, the horse came to a sharp halt, the carriage shook violently, throwing Yun Wanyao into a daze, almost tossing her out.

She quickly grabbed the window to steady herself, not yet recovered, she vaguely heard some noise from outside the carriage.

The carriage was forced to a stop, and the coachman used all his strength to calm the frightened horse, filling him with anger as he was about to lash out, only to see a cold, familiar face.

The coachman’s eyes widened suddenly, almost scared out of his wits.

He scrambled off the carriage, throwing himself to the ground with a thud, his forehead pressed against the cold ground, his clothes instantly soaked with sweat.

"Y-y-your servant greets the Prince..."

The man in luxurious attire in front of the carriage acted as if he hadn’t heard, squinting his eyes fixedly at the curtain not far away, seemingly looking through it, his handsome face showing no emotion.

Prince???

Did she hear it wrong?

Inside the carriage, Yun Wanyao’s heart skipped a beat, her pupils contracted, her hand clutching the window unconsciously tightened, a wave of tension without reason engulfed her.

Excluding the barely alive Prince Jing, and the Little Prince of the Prince Jing Mansion, there was only one Prince in the Capital, her former fiancé.

Was it him?

Before she could think further, the curtain was suddenly lifted, a tall figure bent down to enter, making the space in the carriage instantly cramped.

Yun Wanyao quickly regained her composure, lifting her gaze to look at him.

It really was him, but why did he come in?

How did he dare?

The engagement had long been annulled, now, they had no connection, and the carriage was a private place. If someone saw them sitting in the carriage together, they might assume a secret meeting.

If this spread, what about her reputation?

The destruction of her reputation was a minor issue, but if she was forced to reconnect with him because of it, wouldn’t all efforts be in vain?

How could that be allowed?

Their family’s efforts for so long, absolutely couldn’t be wasted.

Thinking of this, Yun Wanyao’s face darkened, looking very unpleasant.

But always remembering his status, she forced a smile, tried to control her tone, and greeted him lightly and kindly.

"It is the Prince, long time no see. However, the Prince has boarded the wrong carriage..."

’This is not a place the Prince should be, please leave,’ the latter half spun in her throat for several rounds, ultimately swallowed down, unsaid.

She didn’t dare, fearing to anger him.

She well knew her own limitations, angering him would do no good but worsen the situation and invite more trouble.

"So?"

He extended his long legs, sitting on the side, completely blocking her exit.

So, go down, does she have to spell it out so clearly?

She wanted to be clear, but did she dare?

Yun Wanyao’s fists inside her sleeves tightened, even if slow-witted, she saw his unfriendly intent, a wave of uncertainty surged within her.

She didn’t know if this encounter was mere coincidence, or if he had been watching her, nor did she know why he wanted to see her.

If he sought revenge due to bitterness from being jilted, what should she do?

The guards remained motionless, certainly intercepted by his men, if he truly wanted revenge, she had no means to resist.

Alas, this trip, she should have brought her little sister along.

If her little sister were here, she wouldn’t be afraid of him.

"Uh, so, why is the Prince here? Just passing by?"

She suppressed her unease, timidly smiling to appease him, fearing he might explode any second.

The annulment was the best choice for her, yet it truly wronged him, thus facing him alone, anxiety mixed with inevitable guilt.

"No, Yun Wanyao, I came specifically for you!"

He shook his head, his dark eyes profound like an abyss.

Upon hearing this, Yun Wanyao froze, her heart pounded fiercely, threatening to leap out of her chest.

He really came specifically for her, finding her so precisely, he must have someone watching her in secret, who knows for how long.

What exactly does he want?

"Is there something? If so, let’s talk elsewhere."

She urgently wanted to escape the carriage, to a more crowded place, subconsciously feeling that as long as others were present, he wouldn’t do anything to her.

But she forgot, he had never been someone to be controlled by others.

If he was willing to go elsewhere, why would he uninvitedly intrude into her carriage?

"You fear me? Why?"

He ignored her words, his half-closed eyes resting on her captivating, charming face, staring unblinkingly at her.

Hearing this, Yun Wanyao almost couldn’t maintain her composure.

Of course, it was guilt, she was guilty, how could she not be afraid?

She swallowed hard, quickly regaining her composure and said, "Uh, as a distinguished noble prince, standing below only the Emperor, who wouldn’t be afraid?"

A very official statement, impossible to fault, yet Mo Yuanhao sneered.

How long had it been? She was so estranged from him already?

Women, indeed the creatures most adept at changing sides and being heartless.

The pent-up frustration in his heart burst forth, he angrily looked at her, from between his clenched teeth came questions.

"Yun Wanyao, you grew up with me, although always courteous, when have you ever feared me? So, you’re guilty!"

"Guilty of what? Ha, you agree that terminating the engagement unilaterally wrongs me, don’t you? Are you afraid I’ll make trouble?"

Yun Wanyao: "..."

The straightforward revelation left her at a loss, unable to defend herself.

She lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

"I thought for a long time, and I believe that your reason for breaking the engagement was too weak."

"I never told you personally that I liked Su Qianxue, even if you had your people verify through some evidence that I liked her, shouldn’t you have confronted me first instead of silently annulling the engagement?"

"So, was that really just an excuse?"

"You know the elder brother likes you, and so you wanted to leave me for better prospects, pushing all the blame onto me."

"Yun Wanyao, knowing you for so many years, I never knew you could be so opportunistic. What, even my status doesn’t match you, Miss Yun?"

Yun Wanyao: "..."

Listening to his barrage of questions, the strings in her mind snapped entirely.

What one dreads most did indeed come...