The Qin Dynasty entered the game with love.

Honglian was furious. Her maid was not around, and she was about to chase after the thief when she was stopped by the vendor.

"Miss, you haven't paid for this yet."

Honglian, embarrassed and annoyed, pulled out the jade hairpin from her hair: "Keep this safe for me first, and I'll have someone send you the money later."

The vendor waved his hands repeatedly: "Young lady, I don't sell that kind of stuff. Seeing that you are dressed so elegantly, I suppose your purse has been stolen. You can go to the city management office to register your lost money. If you can provide a picture of the thief, we'll find him faster. As for this dumpling, please take it and eat it. If you like it, you can come again next time."

Honglian was somewhat surprised. Weren't all these vendors ruthless people who only cared about profit? How come this old man was quite nice? However, Honglian had her own pride and put down the jade hairpin.

"I never owe anyone money, and this jade hairpin is worth more than enough to settle the debt." After saying that, he turned around and went to catch the thief.

Unfortunately, after some delay, the child had already disappeared with his nimble movements.

The vendor selling dumplings wasn't overjoyed. He couldn't explain how such an expensive item ended up in his hands. After selling his goods that day, he took the jade hairpin to the city management office and handed it over.

The next day, the old man was awarded the title of "honest merchant who returned lost property" and was allowed to apply for a free shop to operate his business. The old man smiled brightly, glad that he had not kept the jade hairpin for himself.

Because the jade hairpin was exquisitely crafted, an investigation revealed that it was unique to the Korean royal family, and the city management office reported the matter up the chain of command.

Fortunately, Honglian happened to be at Han Fei's residence, so she was able to explain things clearly, otherwise she would have been judged as a spy.

Honglian then realized what she had done and looked at Han Fei pitifully: "Brother, I didn't mean to reveal my identity."

Han Fei sighed: "Nonsense. It would be best to report this to Lord Danyang. You came here secretly, and now you've been caught red-handed. Bring an apology and explain tomorrow."

Honglian's eyes filled with tears, and she sobbed pitifully, "I didn't want to either. Father Emperor wants to marry me off to Ying Zheng. I'm scared. Brother, I don't want to marry him."

Han Fei looked at his younger sister, who was still young and had an innocent look on her face, and pondered a solution: "You stay with me for now and study politics well. When Lord Danyang summons you, don't throw a tantrum."

Honglian nodded obediently and waited for Han Fei's news.

Danyang Prefecture

Ying Ji was handling the first batch of candidates for the imperial examination. Some of them went to their hometowns to hone their skills for a year, while the geniuses with severe imbalances in their subjects were sent to the Imperial Academy for further study. A very few who could be directly assigned jobs were sent to suitable places for internships.

Just like prisoners, if they can't handle the demands of the Imperial Academy, they'll be sent to Xianyang Prison for a while, and then promoted later if there's an opportunity.

Han Fei felt relieved to see Ying Ji working and quickly apologized.

"Lord Danyang, my younger sister, Honglian Ji, was being mischievous. She came all the way from Korea to pay her respects, but due to her youthful nature, she was lured away by the streets and spent several days playing around. Han Fei only found out about this recently. I hope the princess will not blame me."

Han Fei's request for an audience wasn't unusual, but the mention of Honglian really made Ying Ji's heart flutter.

[I wonder if Honglian recognizes Wei Zhuang now. Wait, if that's the case, why hasn't Gai Nie appeared yet?]

Seeing that Ying Ji wasn't listening at all, Han Fei could only smile wryly and wait.

Realizing what was happening, Ying Ji picked up the memorial: "Since that's the case, then let's meet him. However, if the Han envoy Zhang Weimo comes, I can't afford to invite such a powerful figure."

Han Fei sensed the disdain in Ying Ji's voice, but dared not press the matter. He returned home and asked Hong Lian, only then learning the whole story.

Looking at his innocent-looking younger sister, Han Fei couldn't help but give her a sharp rebuke: "You've been sold out, and you're still helping them count the money! Didn't you know about the feud between Zhang Wei and Zhang Liang?"

Honglian pouted: "But they are all brothers. Besides, Zhang Liang is all alone in Qin. He can definitely rely on his elder brother."

Han Fei sighed and continued to explain, "Zhang Liang is not alone. On the contrary, Zhang Wei has angered the princess. Don't have any contact with Zhang Wei in the future, lest you be blamed for her anger."

Honglian didn't believe it: "Lord Danyang is a model for women, how could she get angry over such a trivial matter?"

Han Fei's expression gradually disappeared: "She certainly wouldn't get angry over such trivial matters, but when it comes to Zhang Liang, I'm afraid she won't be so lenient."

Honglian looked on with longing: "Princess Yingji is so devoted. She really dotes on Zhang Liang. I really hope that someone will protect me like that in the future."

Han Fei felt a chill in his heart. He knew that Honglian didn't understand the intricacies of the situation, but he still couldn't help feeling cold: "Honglian, you can talk... never mind. What's the use of explaining it to you? Since you don't want to marry the King of Qin, just adjust your mindset when you see the princess and don't overthink it."

Honglian nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she looked forward to meeting her idol.

That night, Ying Ji, accompanied by Zhang Liang, hosted a banquet to meet Princess Honglian of Korea.

Honglian wore a red dress, the style of which was clearly made in imitation of Yingji's attire.

Upon first seeing Honglian, Yingji was somewhat dazed: "This...this Korea is so nurturing; even a long red dress can't suppress such a stunning beauty."

Honglian also looked at Yingji with great curiosity. The woman had light makeup on her face, as if she hadn't applied any, but she could still see her neatly trimmed eyebrows, the upturned corners of her eyes, and the cherry-colored lips, which added a touch of majesty to the already bright and elegant woman.

The girl's heart pounded, her eyes sparkled, and the first words that came out of her mouth were: "Princess, I love you."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Honglian then realized what she had said and waved her hands frantically, "No, no, no, it's not that kind of liking, it's a woman's liking for another woman."

After thinking for a moment, Honglian realized she had sounded even more ambiguous, and blushed as she explained, "It's not romantic love, it's love for someone I admire, it's reverence."

The beautiful woman's words stunned Ying Ji. Seeing that the man was already looking down to find a three-bedroom apartment, she found it somewhat amusing: "Sit down, I understand. I like your straightforwardness. Have some pastries; you must be hungry after traveling for so long."

With a way out, Honglian immediately sat obediently on the coffee table next to Yingji, picked up a piece of coconut milk cake and put it in her mouth.

The refreshing aroma of coconut milk filled her mouth, and Honglian felt like all the pastries she had eaten in Korea were just awful. But she finished off a whole plate in no time.

The maidservants beside her promptly replenished the pastries, and Honglian ate them happily, almost forgetting her brother's instructions.

Han Fei looked at his sister, his tension eased slightly, and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for hosting this banquet. On behalf of Honglian, I thank Your Highness."

Ying Ji picked up the hot tea beside her and placed it in Zhang Liang's hand: "It's alright. I happen to have some free time recently, so why don't I take Princess Honglian around to see more places?"

Before Han Fei could reply, Honglian nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, I have time these few days. The princess can call me anytime, and I can go anywhere."

Her face was beaming with joy, which she couldn't hide at all. Even after returning home from the banquet, she kept chattering in Han Fei's ear about her girlish thoughts.