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

However, she had watched so many TV dramas, movies, and read so many novels in modern times that there were far more exciting ones than this.

In addition, she had seen this story far too many times.

So what kind of emotional fluctuations would she experience?

It has long been honed through countless trials and tribulations.

Upon hearing her answer, the group quickly understood the reason.

Since they started spending time with her, they felt that although she was about the same age as them, she always seemed to have lived for many years, seen all kinds of things in the world, and had a completely different mindset.

She's not only different from them, but different from many others; she's so unique, so extraordinary.

She was only fifteen years old, and everyone knows about her life for the previous fifteen years.

But now it seems there are still many things they don't know, but they haven't bothered to find out.

Everyone has secrets, right?

Why do you have to know other people's secrets?

As long as they know she's a good person, they're willing to befriend her.

So the group didn't ask any further questions.

The Eighth Princess then asked cheerfully, "Sister-in-law, what surprises does your shop hold? Can you tell us now? I've been so curious lately!"

Upon hearing this, the others also looked at Ling Yan.

Because they're curious too.

Ling Yan smiled mysteriously and replied, "It's a secret. I can't tell you now. We'll see how it goes later."

Upon hearing this, the group stopped asking questions, knowing they wouldn't get any answers anyway.

After leaving the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, they strolled around for a while, had dinner together, and then went their separate ways.

Ling Yan looked at the time; it was already past the time when He Jin'an would finish school.

But Jiang Muxue had just left.

This means she has stopped trying to please He Jin'an.

Ling Yan smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying.

Just as she was about to return to the Prince's residence, Yunmeng asked, "Your Highness, just now, Young Master Yang Huan's servant sent word that Young Master Yang invited you to a gathering at the Mingxiang Pavilion of Xinyue Tea House. Yingshuang just went to check, and it is indeed Young Master Yang. He is already waiting at the Mingxiang Pavilion."

Yang Huan asked her to meet him?

She recalled the cousin she had met at the last banquet; he was very different.

So he changed direction and headed to Xinyue Teahouse for the appointment.

After she arrived at the teahouse, the Tenth Prince's men reported the news to him.

After hearing this, the tenth prince had no idea what she was doing at the teahouse.

But he immediately ordered people to guard the area around Xinyue Teahouse.

As soon as the people came out, they surrounded them.

At this moment, in the Mingxiang Pavilion on the second floor of Xinyue Teahouse.

As soon as Lingyan entered, Yang Huan immediately stood up and respectfully bowed, saying, "This humble subject greets Princess Rui."

A commoner?

That’s true.

After all, although he was a young master from a prominent family, he did not hold any official position in the court.

However, many scions of prominent families did not hold official positions, so they would not refer to themselves as commoners.

This cousin Yang is really different from others in every way.

In the blink of an eye, Lingyan raised her hand, indicating that he did not need to be so polite.

She then naturally walked to the table and sat down.

Seeing that Yang Huan was still standing still, with a hint of restraint in his eyes.

Ling Yan couldn't help but chuckle, her voice gentle yet tinged with a hint of helplessness: "Sit down, there's no need to be so formal."

Upon hearing this, Yang Huan moved slightly, respectfully replied "Yes," and then slowly sat down, adopting a humble posture with his head slightly lowered.

Ling Yan took a sip of tea, her gaze falling on Yang Huan, and went straight to the point: "Speak, what is it that you specifically asked me to come here?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Huan finally mustered the courage to raise his head, his gaze clear and firm, and slowly said, "Your Highness, I have come here to inquire whether your shop is still short of staff?"

Ok?

Ling Yan was greatly surprised.

She raised an eyebrow slightly, puzzled, and asked, "Oh? You want to work in my shop?"

I almost said "working", but I changed the words at the last minute.

Yang Huan nodded slightly, his voice soft yet exceptionally firm: "Yes, Your Highness."

Lingyan was even more puzzled. She asked in bewilderment, "If you were interested in working at my shop, you could have applied through the normal channels. Why did you have to come all the way to see me?"

A complex emotion flashed in Yang Huan's eyes.

He looked up and stared directly at Ling Yan, saying each word with unusual seriousness, "Because this matter cannot be known to outsiders for the time being."

Upon hearing this, Ling Yan felt even more curious and puzzled.

There must be some hidden story behind this.

She looked at the person opposite her; the sixteen-year-old boy did not look like someone his age.

It lacked some of the liveliness and youthful spirit, and was even less impetuous and energetic.

Instead, he appeared to have seen through the ways of the world.

His deep eyes revealed a calmness and serenity that were far beyond his years.

Ling Yan's gaze was deep as she spoke directly, "Since you've come to me, there's no need to keep quiet. I want to know why you did this."

He, a young master from a prominent family, the son of a marquis, and the nephew of the empress, actually wanted to work at her shop.

This is obviously unreasonable.

Yang Huan had no intention of hiding it from her, so he did not show any sign of trying to hide it.

Upon hearing this, she calmly replied, "What does Your Highness think of the people in the Marquis of Chengde's residence?"

Not really.

She had learned about these people before; after all, they were Xiao Muyao's maternal grandparents' family.

The details we have are too complicated to explain in a few words.

In addition, after the banquet at the Marquis of Chengde's residence where she had close contact with these people, she felt even more strongly that she should not be allowed to meet them again.

Because there isn't a good one.

Ling Yan didn't speak, but her silence clearly gave the answer.

Yang Huan seemed to have anticipated her reaction.

A sarcastic smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Yes, they are indeed hard to praise. The entire Marquis's mansion, from top to bottom, young and old, are all mediocre in ability but arrogant, disdainful of others, ambitious but lacking in talent, foolish and conceited, and extremely muddle-headed in their actions. There are even some ruthless ones."

Lingyan looked at Yang Huan. He spoke these words in a very calm tone, as if he were not talking to a family member.

His words contained no trace of indignation or sadness, as if he were objectively evaluating a group of strangers.

Lingyan couldn't help but glance at him again; such composure and detachment were truly rare.

He continued, “My mother died early, and my father was practically nonexistent to me. From a young age, I saw through the true nature and schemes of everyone in the family. I knew that they could not bring any help to the prince, but instead needed the prince’s support and relief. The prince knew that they were unlikely to achieve great things, so he never paid any attention to them.”

At this point, Yang Huan's eyes gleamed with an indescribable sense of satisfaction, clearly indicating his deep approval of Xiao Muyao's wise move.

He continued slowly, "Over the years, if it weren't for the strict discipline of the Prince and the Empress, which made the family members restrain their sharp edges, be cautious in their words and deeds, and constantly remind them not to give others a handle against them, I'm afraid this Marquis's mansion would have already fallen into an abyss of no return because of their reckless behavior."

They knew that the prince had not yet ascended the supreme throne, so they were still able to restrain themselves and dared not act recklessly. They had not committed any major mistakes, at least not resulting in any deaths. But this was only a temporary illusion.

At that moment, a deep sense of disgust flashed in his eyes.

He continued, "But I know them too well. Right now they still have some reservations, but once Your Highness ascends to that position, they will become even more unruly and act recklessly without any restraint. At that time, given Your Highness's character, you will certainly not protect them and will definitely settle accounts with them."

Lingyan had already understood his thoughts.

He couldn't help but look at Yang Huan with new respect.

Unexpectedly, he was not only exceptionally intelligent, but also had an extraordinary and far-sighted vision, seeing things so clearly.

What's even more remarkable is that he knows how to plan ahead and make arrangements for his future, acting both calmly and decisively.

She admires people like that.

So he asked, "So you had foreseen this day, which is why you were so respectful to the prince, completely different from everyone else in the mansion, and you took etiquette to the extreme."

Yang Huan nodded and replied, "Yes, I know they will drag me down, but I can't change my background. I can only do my best."

Lingyan sighed and said, "Actually, you don't need to be so panicked and afraid. The prince is not the kind of person who condemns someone outright. If you are innocent, he will naturally not punish you."

Yang Huan smiled wryly and said, "Of course I know, and I understand the current prince. Judging from his current behavior, he would never do such a thing."

He then continued, “But the heart of a ruler is unpredictable. He may not be like this now, but who can say he won’t change in the future? After all, people in that position change. Who can guarantee that he won’t be corrupted by power? This position is enough to change anyone. Suspicion, overthinking, and even a style of doing things that is completely different from the past are all normal.”

Lingyan could not refute this point.

Because what he said is indeed true.

An emperor's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea.

No one can predict whether Xiao Muyao will change in the future.