Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

An hour!

He actually stared at her for a full hour and still couldn't get enough.

They were actually captivated by it.

He had never seen a woman like her before; she attracted him in every way.

His gaze followed her intently until he could no longer see her, at which point he reluctantly looked away.

He didn't rush after her, but instead instructed Mu Feng to investigate her background.

Upon returning from his investigation, Mu Feng respectfully replied, "I followed them the whole time and saw them enter through the back gate of a mansion, give the snacks to the old woman guarding the gate, and then watch them enter the most secluded courtyard."

Then he addressed the question that Xiao Muyao was most concerned about.

Mu Feng exclaimed excitedly, "Your Highness, she is the late Miss Lingyan, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Jing, and your fiancée who was engaged to you."

Xiao Muyao was incredulous upon hearing this.

Such a coincidence exists in the world.

The only woman he's ever been attracted to over the years is actually his fiancée.

Rumor has it that she was always sickly and that she was dull, boring, and rigid.

He always felt that she must have been spoiled, and he didn't like women like that.

Furthermore, since her family background offered him no benefit, he simply ignored her.

Now I realize he was completely wrong!

She is not at all like the rumors suggest.

Actually, he wasn't someone who believed the rumors at all; he just hadn't paid attention to them before.

What does it matter whether it's true or false?

After realizing what he had just done, he immediately burst into laughter.

The laughter was full of joy and delight.

He then immediately and urgently ordered, "Make preparations, I need to go to the palace to see the Empress Dowager at once."

He later planned to meet her and give her a gift.

But considering that she always refused to attend any banquets, refused to show her face, and even wore a veil in such hot weather, and was so careful and cautious.

He knew she just wanted peace and quiet, so he didn't disturb her.

He only wanted her to continue living her quiet life, and waited until next year to marry her.

………………

After listening to Xiao Muyao's complete account, Ling Yan also felt as if fate had ordained it all.

Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence?

She only went out once last summer, and happened to arrive at Xiangyun Restaurant, where she ran into Xiao Muyao across the street, and Xiao Muyao happened to see her.

All of these coincidences made her believe in the wondrous thing that is fate.

After regaining her composure, Lingyan looked at him very seriously and said, "Speaking of which, I should thank you. If you hadn't been so indifferent to this marriage, and if the others hadn't taken it seriously and thought I wasn't a threat to them, I wouldn't be alive today."

Although the rumors about her being sickly and having a terrible personality were spread by Yunmeng at her request, the rest of the family in the mansion also contributed to the spread of these rumors.

But the most important thing is his attitude.

As long as he doesn't care about her, then no one else will care either, and they won't try to get rid of her.

Otherwise, she might have faced assassination attempts, poisoning, and other forms of harm every few days over the past ten years, and she might not have survived until now.

Hearing her express her gratitude so earnestly, Xiao Muyao said with shame, "Yan'er, I already feel very guilty. Although I know you have been doing well all these years, I still feel sorry for you."

Lingyan comforted her, "Don't think like that. You have to look at it from a different perspective. If you really cared about me, I would be living in dire straits. How could I have had this peaceful fifteen years? I might have been killed long ago. So I really thank you from the bottom of my heart."

How could a weak woman with no martial arts skills and no power contend with so many powerful families in the capital?

They were probably eaten up long ago, leaving not even a trace.

So she was truly grateful that he ignored her.

Seeing that he still cared so much about this matter, Lingyan felt extremely regretful and guilty.

So he changed the subject and jokingly asked, "If I were an ordinary woman, would you still marry me?"

Xiao Muyao said firmly, "Yes! Even if you are a beggar, I will definitely marry you once I've made up my mind."

His tone was calm and powerful, each word carrying immense weight and resounding with conviction.

His gaze was fixed on her, his eyes filled with determination and resolve.

His determination and conviction left no room for doubt.

Ling Yan smiled.

Her smile was like a spring breeze sweeping across the earth, bringing endless vitality and warmth, just like spring flowers blooming.

Her eyes curved into crescent shapes, sparkling with a radiant light that seemed to hold the stars and the sea, dazzling and captivating.

………………

When the two finished their lunch and came out of the private room, they were just about to go downstairs to leave.

Ling Yan suddenly frowned and stopped.

Seeing her face ashen and filled with anger, Xiao Muyao felt a surge of urgency and quickly asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

Lingyan didn't speak, but shook her head at him, indicating that she would talk to him later.

The next moment, she smiled again and turned back.

Before the person even arrived, the voice accurately traveled into a private room next to Qingfeng Pavilion—Zhuyingxuan.

"Wow! This pastry is truly exquisite! The color is so appealing, and the aroma is so enticing, it makes my mouth water! May I have a taste?"

His voice carried the innocence and curiosity unique to children.

Inside the Bamboo Shadow Pavilion at this moment.

Sitting there was a group of about ten adorable little boys, all under the age of ten.

They all had full foreheads, clear eyebrows and bright eyes, and their porcelain doll-like faces were fair with a healthy rosy glow, and their eyes were bright like gemstones.

Beneath their straight noses, their small, rosy lips were lovely. Each of them wore a magnificent brocade robe embroidered with exquisite patterns, and a jade belt around their waist, which made them appear even more upright.

Her movements were elegant yet childlike, a wonderful blend of innocence and aristocratic grace.

At that moment, one of the chubby boys, who looked to be about eight years old, was smiling as he opened a food box with his hand.

His round face was like a rosy apple, chubby and very cute, and when he smiled, he had two deep dimples on his cheeks.

Their round, plump figures, dressed in gorgeous silk robes, resembled little, colorful dumplings that could move around.

It is endearing and chubby, yet it exudes both childlike innocence and the pampered air of aristocracy.

After opening it, he excitedly said to a little boy next to him who was several times more handsome and refined than himself, "He Jin'an, quickly try the pastries my cook made, I guarantee you'll love them!"

He Jin'an is He Jingchuan's younger brother.

Although he is only eight years old, he is already the heir apparent.

He Jingchuan's father was the Marquis of Xuanwu, a first-rank official. In the year his younger brother was born, he had already submitted a memorial requesting that his younger brother be made the heir apparent.

His face was round and fair with a slight rosy tint, as delicate as mutton fat jade.

His two sword-like eyebrows slanted upwards towards his temples, and although he was still young, he already exuded a heroic spirit.

His eyes were dark and deep, as if they held endless wisdom, revealing a composure and restraint beyond his years.

His jet-black hair was neatly tied up with an exquisite ribbon, and he wore a light blue brocade robe embroidered with elegant dark patterns, which further accentuated his calm temperament.

His small body sat upright, exuding a maturity beyond his years.

Seeing his friend's sincere sentiments, he smiled slightly.

He then picked up a piece of pastry from the opened food box and placed it in his special silver bowl.

This has been his habit since childhood; his tableware is also made of silver and is his own.

This was to prevent poisoning.

Of course, his classmates from the academy present were also aware of these habits and were used to them.

After waiting a moment and seeing that the silver bowl and chopsticks had not changed, He Jin'an was relieved and was about to take a bite.

Then I heard a very clear, melodious, crisp, and cheerful female voice, with a hint of laughter.

He Jin'an paused involuntarily, subconsciously stopping his chopsticks, and slowly looked up in the direction of the sound.

At the same time, the little boys around them all turned to look at it.