Different

"Miss Lin, I really like the Housewarming gift you sent."

"I didn't expect your Clerical Script to be so good."

Lin Yunwan smiled.

She was too shy to boast, but her best writing wasn't actually in the Clerical Script.

Qi Lingheng led her to talk on the back mountain of Ci'en Temple. The stone steps were all swept clean because the place was remote and the monks did not go this way.

Lin Yunwan said, "If Your Prince likes them, I can write a few more and have Xiruo give them to you."

"OK."

Qi Lingheng never even considered refusing.

He even offered his help, saying, "My younger female cousin is about to be born. Do you have time to copy a few more celebratory articles for me? I'll have the embroiderer make them into a screen and send it to my maternal aunt."

Lin Yunwan couldn't help but chuckle, "How come the Prince already knew she was his younger female cousin before she was even born?"

This is incredible!

Qi Lingheng replied, "That's what everyone in my family says."

"Regardless of whether she's my younger female cousin or not, my maternal uncle maternal aunt have already prepared everything, including clothes and a cradle, according to my sister's style."

Lin Yunwan smiled faintly, her lips pursed.

The Empress's maternal family, the Zhao family, truly doted on girls.

She said, "Being reborn as Prince's younger female cousin is truly a blessing."

Qi Lingheng also felt that the Zhao family treated girls very well.

None of his younger female cousins were unloved. His maternal uncle's wife who married into the Zhao family also got along very well, precisely because of the Zhao family's good family traditions.

"Xiruo said you wanted to see me, Miss Lin... you never ask for favors unless you need them."

Qi Lingheng smiled enigmatically, "What made you decide to see me?"

Lin Yunwan and gave a very solemn curtsy.

"Your Prince, I do indeed have a request of you."

Qi Lingheng offered her a helping hand, saying, "Why are you being so polite with me? I'm the one who took you to the Lin family." He paused, then added, "Speaking of which, I'm practically your only... friend in Jiangqian. Don't bother with any of that 'begging' talk."

Lin Yunwan felt a warmth in her heart upon hearing this.

After her father passed away, only her younger brother took care of her like this.

The Prince was the second.

She didn't stand on ceremony and said to Qi Lingheng, "I definitely can't find it on my own. I'd like you to help me find someone."

Who is it?

Lin Yunwan thought for a moment and said, "The dowry maid Miss Lin's stepmother."

Qi Lingheng frowned, feeling that the relationship was very complicated.

It's not that it's complicated, but there must be something more complicated behind it.

What exactly happened to her at the Lin family?

Lin Yunwan then explained the whole story as she knew it.

"Why would a four-year-old girl deliberately bump into her stepmother's stomach in the middle of the night? After that, everyone around Zheng Shi and Miss Lin's wet nurse were dismissed."

How could there not be something fishy going on here?

Lin Yunwan was lost in thought, still thinking about what Dong Shuangshuang had said to her...

"Miss Lin, what other important information have you thought of?"

Qi Lingheng looked into her eyes.

Lin Yunwan snapped out of her reverie, shook her head, and said, "It's nothing."

She also told Qi Lingheng where the hometown of Zheng Shi's dowry maid was.

"It's been too many years. It would be best if Your Prince could find it, but it's alright if you can't."

Qi Lingheng laughed and said, "Unless... the person is dead."

How could there possibly be someone the royal family couldn't find?

The Prince is truly confident!

Lin Yunwan was quite confident that the Prince was not one to make empty promises, and that since he had promised her, he would definitely keep his word.

The path up the mountain was very rugged; even with stone steps, it wasn't easy to walk.

A Fu followed behind them, reminding them, "Your Prince, young lady, it will get cold if we go any further up."

He didn't bring enough clothes.

Qi Lingheng and Lin Yunwan both looked towards the path leading up the mountain, which appeared pitch black due to the heavy fog.

Before they knew it, the two of them had walked so far together!

Lin Yunwan was secretly surprised. It felt like only a few words had been exchanged with the Prince, yet only an hour had passed.

"Miss Lin, you may leave."

Lin Yunwan nodded. "I've been out for too long too."

A Fu quickly said, "Miss, be careful, the road is slippery."

Qi Lingheng said, "You go ahead and clear the way."

"Yes."

A Fu jogged forward a few steps.

Qi Lingheng and Lin Yunwan slowly descended the mountain together.

As it was time to part, before Lin Yunwan could say goodbye, Qi Lingheng looked at her and smiled faintly, "Don't you have anything else to say to me?"

Anything else?

Lin Yunwan frowned.

What else would Your Prince like to hear?

Seeing that she didn't understand the implication, Qi Lingheng said, "... Go back. I'll have someone inform Xiruo when we find her."

They've already left, and guards are protecting the path up the mountain.

He couldn't leave with her; it would be best if he took the others and left first.

Lin Yunwan watched as Qi Lingheng and his men walked away, still standing on the stone steps.

Xiruo followed and asked with a smile, "Miss, did you speak with the Prince?"

Lin Yunwan nodded.

The Prince, remembering their past relationship, was very willing to help her. Why didn't she seize the opportunity?

By the time she has gathered enough people to investigate the truth and clear her name, how long will that take?

Xiruo followed up with, "Did the Prince agree?"

Lin Yunwan: "Is there anything Your Prince wouldn't agree to?"

Xiruo was taken aback, then widened her eyes and said, "No, that's not it. The Prince doesn't do things for people so easily; it's you, Miss!"

"I?"

Lin Yunwan found it strange. The Prince had always had a good reputation; why did he treat others badly?

Xiruo thought for a moment and said, "Miss, the Prince treats you differently."

"How are they different?"

Xiruo said, "The Prince usually doesn't get close to women. Even with my cousin from the Zhao family, Prince is very respectful."

"But Your Prince and you..."

"We spent two separate times together."

Xiruo used her fingers to indicate.

More than twice!

Lin Yunwan closed her eyes and recalled that it wasn't just twice; they had also spent time together privately at the Red Elephant Temple in the Capital.

She was filled with a mix of emotions.

"Xiruo, why do you think the Prince treats me differently?"

Xiruo it for a long time, but she didn't know.

She shook her head and said, "This servant cannot say."

If even a young girl can't tell, then it's not romantic love.

Lin Yunwan couldn't quite describe her feelings. She asked, "... Is it because of Father? Don't you think so?"

Xiruo nodded blankly, "I think so! The Prince values the Grand Tutor very much. I've heard Eunuch Fu talk about the Grand Tutor before. Of all the Grand Tutors who have taught the Prince, Eunuch Fu has only mentioned Grand Tutor Lin!"

Lin Yunwan breathed a sigh of relief.

She regretted how she could have misjudged the prince's heart! If she had viewed the Prince's good intentions through the lens of romantic love, she would have truly disgraced Prince.

"Let's go."

"Does the young lady want to return to the carriage? Or would she like to go see Miss Lin?"

Lin Yunwan said, "Let's go see the young lady first, then we'll go pray for her."

"Praying for Miss Lin again?"

Lin Yunwan said, "No."

Zhu Qing's baby is due soon, and she prays for Zhu Qing's child.

Childbirth is very painful for women, and Zhu Qing is about to experience this pain and the joy of having a child. It's a pity that she can't share it with Zhu Qing.