A few birds hopped among the branches, chirping away, adding a little life to the quiet courtyard.
Lin Wan'er sat beneath the veranda, holding a book, but neither her gaze nor her attention was on its pages.
Across from her sat a man.
Fan Xian.
Fan Xian had made a special trip to the residence that day to tell Lin Wan'er the good news-Emperor Qing had agreed to have them married once he returned from his diplomatic mission to Northern Qi.
Worry and anticipation mingled on Lin Wan'er's face. While the two were talking, a maid hurried in from outside.
The maid was already used to seeing Fan Xian. She hurried forward and lowered her voice:
"The Eldest Princess is here!"
Lin Wan'er started, delighted surprise bursting into her eyes.
Since she had moved into this residence, Li Yunrui had not visited even once.
Lin Wan'er dropped her book and quickly straightened her dress. Then she suddenly caught sight of Fan Xian and grew a little flustered.
"Fan Xian, should you hide?"
But Fan Xian shook his head.
"No need. It's not as though I've never met the Eldest Princess."
Li Yunrui-he had certainly met her.
During his last visit to the palace, he had met not only the mothers of several princes, but Li Yunrui as well.
It was then that Li Yunrui herself had revealed that she was the mastermind who had sent assassins after him.
After that meeting, the two could be said to have torn off their masks.
Since neither of them was pretending anymore, why should he hide?
Lin Wan'er hesitated. She and Fan Xian were not married yet, and having Li Yunrui see him here now was, after all, improper by the rules of etiquette.
She wanted to say more, but Li Yunrui had