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Song Jinhe’s eyes widened abruptly, and as a reflex, she slapped Song Xiao across the forehead with no restraint at all. "Stop spouting nonsense!"

A crisp "smack" echoed through the air.

Song Xiao cried out in pain, clutching his head. "What part of that was nonsense? You were genuinely calling out Sheng Congyuan’s name in your sleep; I heard it clearly. And Sheng Congyuan truly did ride at full gallop to get here—you heard the hooves too, didn't you? So, you two really are involved..."

"Shut up!" Song Jinhe snapped, flushed with indignation.

Fortunately, it was dark, which helped conceal her crimson face.

Song Xiao’s repeated use of the word "genuinely" left Song Jinhe’s mind in a whirl. Her heart hammered against her ribs, though she couldn't tell if it was from the lingering shock of her dream or the panic caused by Song Xiao’s absurd claims. She tried desperately to argue with herself—involved, what kind of involved?—but before she could even voice the thought, she felt a sinking sense of guilt.

Glared at by Song Jinhe, Song Xiao was forced to hold his tongue and stepped out of the carriage first. Song Jinhe took a moment to compose herself before dragging her feet as she followed.

The Imperial South Garden was vast, situated in a wide expanse of land south of the capital’s outskirts. Every year, before embarking on the hunt at Mount Nanping, the Emperor would stop here to rest. Song Jinhe had visited once with her father and brothers when she was a child, but so many years had passed that her memory of it was vague.

She cast a glance around, taking in the perimeter of the garden. Because it was dark, the stone lanterns lining the paths were insufficient to reveal the landscape clearly. Furthermore, the crowd of people disembarking from their carriages created such a chaotic scene that she failed to spot Sheng Congyuan anywhere.

Song Xiao was beckoned away by Song Ning, likely to handle the room assignments. Song Jinhe stood quietly in place, feeling slightly vexed by the things Song Xiao had just mentioned. Just then, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching from the other side of the carriage.

Song Jinhe turned her head at the sound.

The person emerged from behind the carriage, lifted their gaze, and met her eyes. "Jinhe, it really is you!"

Song Jinhe paused, quickly recognizing the newcomer as Princess Dongyang, Cen Xiao.

She couldn't help but call out, "Xiaoxiao..."

Cen Xiao’s eyes lit up, and she beamed. "Yes, it’s me! I only just heard from my father that you returned to the capital a while ago and were joining the autumn hunt. As soon as our carriage stopped, I went searching toward the back. When I saw your eldest and second brothers, I knew I would surely find you!"

Cen Xiao and Song Jinhe had been inseparable friends since childhood. Cen Xiao was a princess of the current dynasty; her father was the Fourth Prince under the late Emperor, the current Prince Zhenqin. The Prince Zhenqin household and the Song family didn't have much interaction, but two young girls of similar age and temperament had met at a palace banquet and became friends.

The year Song Jinhe was to leave for Yuxiang City, Cen Xiao had even climbed over the garden wall, intending to go with her. She was caught by Prince Zhenqin at the city gates and dragged back home. During the five years Song Jinhe was away from the capital, the two had exchanged letters. However, as they grew older and the distance between them remained, they eventually lost touch.

Yet, seeing each other now, that familiar intimacy returned instantly, as if they had never been apart. Such was the simplicity of a young girl’s friendship.

Cen Xiao took Song Jinhe’s hand and chided her, "You returned to the capital ages ago; why didn't you let me know?"

Song Jinhe sniffed. "And you? Why did you stop replying to the letters I sent you two years ago? I couldn't receive any word from you, so after I returned to the capital, I didn't know if I should still reach out."

Upon hearing this, Cen Xiao hurried to explain, "I didn't write back because..."

She stopped abruptly, casting a wary look around. "This isn't the place to talk. Come to my room for a while; I have so much I want to tell you."

Song Jinhe felt exactly the same. She squeezed Cen Xiao’s fingers, her gaze drifting toward where Song Ning and Song Xiao were.

Cen Xiao caught her intent and said, "It’s fine, I’ll send someone to inform your eldest brother and ask where you’re staying. Come on, come with me first."

With that, Song Jinhe cast her brothers aside, and hand in hand, she and Cen Xiao slipped through the crowd and entered the Imperial South Garden.

Neither of them noticed that on the other side of the garden’s memorial arch, a silent figure stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze following their retreating forms. Xinyun stood behind Sheng Congyuan, still reeling from the shock of his young master’s sudden appearance.

Suddenly, Sheng Congyuan withdrew his gaze and turned to walk away. "Let's go."

Xinyun hurriedly followed, more confused than ever as to why they had been standing there all that time.

Cen Xiao’s residence was located in a corner to the southwest, where the autumn leaves grew thick. Servants and maids were already waiting respectfully outside the gate; seeing their mistress return, they bowed in unison. Once inside the room, the air was filled with a delicate fragrance. Song Jinhe’s eyes fell on the daybed, and she unceremoniously collapsed onto it. Cen Xiao chuckled and poured her some tea.

Song Jinhe asked again why Cen Xiao had stopped writing, only to learn the truth. As a princess, Cen Xiao had reached the age where her parents or the Emperor were expected to arrange her marriage. She did not want to marry a man at random, nor did she want to use her life as a bargaining chip to interact with someone she didn't know at all. She had fought against this for years, only seeing initial success recently when she finally managed to stave off her family’s plans to betroth her.

After finishing her own story, Cen Xiao turned to ask, "What about you? What were you doing in Yuxiang City all these years, and why did you suddenly return? I heard you were betrothed to someone—is that true?"

"I called it off!" Song Jinhe declared immediately. She then recounted her past experiences to Cen Xiao.

Cen Xiao listened, growing infuriated and occasionally blurting out unladylike profanities to curse Zhu Mingxuan. Song Jinhe was stunned, finally unable to help but ask, "Where did you learn those words?"

A strange flush spread across Cen Xiao’s cheeks, but she pursed her lips and remained silent. Song Jinhe looked at her suspiciously, scrutinizing her from head to toe. Unbeknownst to her, the look of scrutiny she wore was exactly the same as the one Song Xiao had given her in the carriage earlier.

Thus, Song Jinhe arrived at the same suspicion as her brother. "You... are you secretly involved with someone?"

"No one!" Cen Xiao denied it immediately, which inexplicably made Song Jinhe feel a pang of guilt.

The way she looked, so clearly trying to hide the truth, felt oddly familiar. However, Cen Xiao didn't actually intend to keep it a secret; she was just in the habit of denying things. After she spoke, she realized that there was no need to hide it from Song Jinhe. But it was already late, and they had been talking for quite a while.

Cen Xiao said, "I’ll tell you about it slowly later. We’ve been on the road all day, let’s get some rest. We have to watch the archery competition tomorrow morning."

Song Jinhe nodded, her thoughts drifting to the archery competition she had never seen in person. After Cen Xiao’s maid told her where she was staying, she bade Cen Xiao farewell and walked toward her quarters alone.

Having entered the South Garden, Song Jinhe had faintly recalled memories of her childhood visits with her father and brothers. Because of this, after hearing the maid’s directions, she felt confident she could find her way. To her surprise, she had overestimated her memory; she couldn't even distinguish directions well in the dark. Despite it supposedly being a short distance, she walked for quite a while without seeing her quarters.

Song Jinhe stopped in her tracks, frowning, and decided to look for a passing maid to guide her. She stood there for a moment, but instead of a maid, she heard the sound of voices approaching. As Song Jinhe looked toward the sound, she recognized the speaker as Sheng Congyuan. She was far too familiar with his voice.

She heard Sheng Congyuan say in a low, heavy voice, "Your Highness, such an arrangement is too conservative. I believe it is unwise."

The other person was the Fourteenth Prince of the current dynasty, Yuan Zong.

Shadows of the moon danced among the falling autumn leaves. Sheng Congyuan wore a dark ink-colored robe, the golden patterns shimmering faintly in the moonlight, making him appear mysterious and noble. In contrast, Yuan Zong, standing beside him, looked entirely at ease in a simple, pale green garment, exuding a gentle and refined air. No one would guess that he was the ruthless character rumored to be stirring up chaos in the court, the one most likely to challenge the First Prince for the throne.

Yuan Zong laughed softly. "Although the Emperor often praises you for your decisive actions—striking fast and hard without ever masking your intent—you don't have to be so impatient and direct, do you? You’re just putting unnecessary pressure on people, making it hard for them to endure."

Song Jinhe tilted her head subconsciously upon hearing this.

Why did that sound wrong? Was it the Emperor who appreciated Sheng Congyuan’s directness and lack of hidden agendas? Shouldn't it be his deep scheming, his talent for concealment, and his ability to play the fool to catch his prey?

Sheng Congyuan was in no mood to joke with him. He remained stony-faced and replied solemnly, "Your Highness, time is pressing. A swift resolution is the best strategy."

"I’m not in a rush. It’s you who is anxious to step down, isn't it?"

"I have urgent matters to attend to."

"Matters more urgent than the naming of the Heir Apparent?"

Yuan Zong’s tone was filled with mockery, which earned him only a cold, humorless reply from Sheng Congyuan: "Your Highness, please be mindful of your words."

Yuan Zong sighed, seemingly helpless. "You are truly boring. I don't know how Lady Li and Lady Sheng raised such a block of wood."

Hearing this, Song Jinhe couldn't help but silently agree. However, she had no interest in listening to the two discuss confidential matters. She didn't understand them, and she knew she shouldn't be eavesdropping; it wouldn't end well if she were caught.

Thinking this, Song Jinhe crouched down, intending to turn and leave before the two got any closer. Just as she was about to move, Yuan Zong stopped abruptly. "What’s the rush? Song Ning has been transferred back because of the unrest in the court. It seems he won't be leaving the capital anytime soon."

Song Jinhe froze, her ears pricking up at the mention of her brother’s name. But there was no reply from Sheng Congyuan’s side—only a long, heavy silence.

"Hmm?" Yuan Zong muttered, for no apparent reason.

Song Jinhe’s spine stiffened. She realized she had already poked most of her face out from behind the bushes. She quickly pulled back, panicked, and prepared to flee.

Yuan Zong called out to her, "Come out. Eavesdropping isn't a good habit."

Song Jinhe’s scalp tingled. She knew she might be in trouble. This was eavesdropping on a conversation between royals, and this particular prince was a man of mixed reputation. She couldn't just pretend she hadn't heard anything and run; she had no idea what kind of punishment she might face, so she bit the bullet and emerged from behind the bushes.

Just as Song Jinhe stood up straight, Sheng Congyuan, who had been silent all this time, suddenly took a step to the side. His tall, broad frame stood directly between her and Yuan Zong, blocking both of them from each other’s sight.

"Your Highness."

Song Jinhe couldn't see Yuan Zong’s expression, but she heard him speak with what sounded like a smile: "What’s wrong? I was just curious who would be bold enough to eavesdrop on my conversation."

Sheng Congyuan stood motionless, like a high wall, casting his shadow over her as he blocked the moonlight. "It is late, Your Highness. You should return and rest."

Yuan Zong tutted twice and whispered something to Sheng Congyuan. Song Jinhe didn't hear it, but she clearly saw Sheng Congyuan’s back stiffen for a moment. She nervously tugged at her skirt, feeling at a loss. She didn't think Sheng Congyuan’s shielding would truly keep Yuan Zong from knowing who had been listening.

She parted her lips, about to speak, when Yuan Zong leaned his head to the side, revealing his face from behind Sheng Congyuan’s shoulder. He wore a playful smile that matched his age but seemed at odds with his status.

Song Jinhe was caught off guard as she met Yuan Zong’s bright eyes. She was stunned for a moment, then heard him say with a smile, "Miss Song, a pleasure to meet you."

Song Jinhe was confused, but she hurriedly curtsied. "I pay my respects to Your Highness."

Before Yuan Zong could say anything more, Sheng Congyuan shifted his position again, completely blocking Yuan Zong’s view. Yuan Zong looked helpless but spoke in a lighthearted tone: "You’re guarding her so closely, as if I were going to eat her. I never said she couldn't listen."

Then came the sound of him turning to leave. Before he departed, he reached out and patted Sheng Congyuan on the shoulder. "You are much more interesting when you’re like this."