My lord, hold me tight! (Quick Transmigration)

"No need for that, Miss Wen, please!" A-Lu quickly lowered his head. Why did he feel that this woman's smile was so... fake?

Along the way, Wen Ruyi subtly probed Alu, trying to get some information from him about Mu Qianyan's daily routine and hobbies.

However, Alu cleverly changed the subject, and Wen Ruyi almost couldn't maintain her delicate and pitiful image, her handkerchief full of wrinkles.

Meanwhile, Mu Qianyan, who had left his "dear" cousin aside, went to Song Nuan's residence, wanting to confirm his thoughts. However, he stopped at the door and began to struggle with his unfathomable and elusive feelings for Song Nuan.

Just as Mu Qianyan was struggling with his decision, Song Nuan's door suddenly opened. When the maid Caiyin saw him, she immediately lowered her head and walked over, greeting him, "Your Highness!"

Seeing that he had nowhere to retreat, Mu Qianyan put on airs and asked, "Hmm, what is the Princess Consort doing?"

"Your Highness, the Princess is currently dining," Caiyin asked hesitantly. "Should we have the kitchen prepare another set of bowls and chopsticks?"

Mu Qianyan pondered for a moment, nodded, and strode into the house.

The beautiful woman was leaning back in her chair, looking listless and uninterested in the delicious food on the table. Her brows were furrowed with worry, and her delicate brows made one's heart tighten.

Mu Qianyan felt both pity and a little bit of secret joy; she was indeed jealous.

“Your Highness.” Song Nuan noticed that Mu Qianyan had appeared in her room at some point. She had been pondering how to quietly eliminate the aggressive Third Miss, but she didn’t expect Mu Qianyan to come. Since he recovered from his illness, he had never looked at her with such genuine and gentle eyes. Song Nuan was somewhat surprised and astonished.

"Hmm." Mu Qianyan's heart stirred when he saw Song Nuan's surprised and delighted look, but he didn't show it on his face and resumed his cold attitude towards Song Nuan as he had been these past few days.

Song Nuan sensed the change in the other person and remained silent for a moment. Why was Mu Qianyan so hot and cold, so unpredictable? Are all Ninth Princes in love like this?

"Your Highness, Your Highness." Caiyin waited respectfully outside, then came in, set out the bowls and chopsticks, and left, leaving only the two of them in the room.

The dining table was eerily quiet for a moment, with only the slight clinking of dishes, creating an unsettling atmosphere.

Mu Qianyan suddenly broke the silence and said, "...Wen Ruyi was my childhood playmate. Later, she fell ill and was sent to the residence of a divine physician for recuperation. We haven't seen each other since."

Mu Qianyan observed Song Nuan's reaction discreetly and continued, "I will only treat her as a younger sister."

Song Nuan wondered why he suddenly brought up this woman to her. Was this an explanation? She casually replied that she understood and continued eating.

Mu Qianyan noticed that her expression was calm, without the dissatisfaction he felt when he mentioned other women in front of her. He wondered why, when his father was still alive, whenever his father mentioned other women to his mother, although she didn't show any dissatisfaction or jealousy on her face, she would still feel resentful after his father left. Could Song Nuan be the same way?

After pondering for a moment, Mu Qianyan glanced at Song Nuan, who was focused on eating, and was certain: It must be so!

His gaze softened as he looked at Song Nuan. What did he, Mu Qianyan, possess to have won her heart so deeply...?

If Song Nuan knew what Mu Qianyan was thinking, she would definitely sneer, roll her eyes at the sky, and utter two words: "Narcissistic!"

After the meal, Mu Qianyan left Song Nuan's residence and said to a large tree hidden in the darkness, "Observe the Princess's movements after I leave."

He added at the end, "Don't look at what you shouldn't see, otherwise..."

The Prince's Shadow Guard (sweating profusely): "..."

……

A moment later, a handsome shadow guard dressed in black appeared before Mu Qianyan, who was practicing calligraphy, and reported the mission: "After the prince left, the princess had some pastries, chatted and joked with her maid Caiyin, then read for a while before preparing to wash up and rest..."

Mu Qianyan pondered for a moment, then silently waved his hand, dismissing the shadow guards. Could it be... that it wasn't what he thought? Did Song Nuan not care at all that there were other women by his side? It was better if she didn't care, so he wouldn't have to worry about it anymore.

He waved his sleeve and left, the wind blowing a piece of calligraphy on the desk. The calligraphy was no longer as elegant and lively as before, and its charm was more like a bit of mania, trouble, fear and hesitation. Just like Mu Qianyan's heart at this moment, he wanted Song Nuan to get close but dared not give his heart. Just like a young boy in love, he was always worried about gains and losses.

The next day, Song Nuan slept soundly until dawn, while the faint dark circles under Mu Qianyan's eyes indicated that he hadn't slept well all night.

Wen Ruyi, who was temporarily placed in the backyard, did not sleep all night. She thought all night about how to win over her beloved cousin. When she heard from the maid that her cousin and the princess did not sleep in the same room last night, she was even more determined to win him over. She got up early and went to the study with the maid to ask to see Mu Qianyan.

Mu Qianyan was dealing with a backlog of official business when he heard Wen Ruyi's request to see him outside. He immediately refused, saying, "I won't see her."

But he paused, then thought for a moment and said, "...Wait, let her in...Ah Lu, go and invite the Princess over too..."

“…Yes.” Alu was anxious. Wasn’t the prince pushing the princess further and further away?

Wen Ruyi carried in the porridge she had cooked herself. Her delicate figure seemed even more graceful as she walked towards Mu Qianyan with a charming smile.

"cousin……"

Mu Qianyan looked up at the newcomer. He knew all too well the purpose behind his mother sending Wen Ruyi to the mansion. The Emperor's oppression had finally pushed the Wen family to their breaking point. The dormant beast was about to awaken, which was why they were trying to send the Wen family's daughter to the Prince's mansion, hoping to put him on the same side as them. Mu Qianyan had no desire to compete for that position. The world was at peace now, and adding more war would only cause suffering to the people. Moreover, the Emperor was no longer the weak youth who could be controlled by the Wen family. It was time for him to give his domineering and unforgiving uncle, Wen, a little pointer.

"Ruyi." He raised his head, his smile gentle and natural, as warm as a spring breeze. He was as handsome as ever, causing Wen Ruyi to lose her composure again. When she came to her senses, her eyes burned with passion, which Mu Qianyan saw. A flash of disgust crossed his eyes, but he continued to chat and laugh with her.

Song Nuan was led by A Lu to Mu Qianyan's study. A Lu looked at Song Nuan, who seemed a little puzzled, and finally said, "Your Highness, I have served the Prince since I was a child. The Prince has never been close to any woman. Please bear with me in some matters."

Song Nuan was even more confused after hearing this. What had Mu Qianyan done that required her to be so forgiving? And it seemed she had overlooked a crucial point...

"Your Highness, the Princess Consort has arrived." Alu led Song Nuan into the study.

Upon seeing this, Song Nuan immediately understood. Mu Qianyan was chatting and laughing intimately with Wen Ruyi. When Mu Qianyan saw her coming, he only glanced at her without showing any emotion before ignoring her.

When Wen Ruyi saw her arrive, she observed Mu Qianyan's attitude and completely ignored her, even skipping the greeting.

Song Nuan watched the two acting for a while with amusement before finally speaking in a low voice, "I wonder what business Your Highness has with me?"

"Can't you invite the Princess over if there's nothing wrong? The Princess is really putting on airs." Mu Qianyan said indifferently, unable to maintain the facade he wore in front of others in front of her.

Song Nuan frowned. What was wrong with him now?

Seeing Song Nuan's discomfiture, Wen Ruyi chuckled inwardly. She stepped forward and reached out to comfort Mu Qianyan, but he skillfully avoided her. Her smile froze, a hint of grievance flashing across her face. She continued, "Cousin, don't be angry. The Princess Consort is the same. Cousin works day and night, busy with state affairs. You shouldn't have..."

Song Nuan interrupted her reprimanding words: "Miss Wen, mind your manners!"

Wen Ruyi was speechless, opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. She could only turn around angrily and look at Mu Qianyan with a wronged and hurt look, hoping that he could teach this annoying woman a lesson for her.

"If Your Highness has nothing else, I will take my leave." This time, Mu Qianyan did not stop Song Nuan from leaving. He saw the fleeting hurt in Song Nuan's eyes and felt uneasy. He frowned, wondering if he had done something wrong.

Seeing that Mu Qianyan had forgotten about her again, Wen Ruyi felt extremely upset and cursed Song Nuan fiercely once more.

“…You can go down too!” Mu Qianyan withdrew his gaze from Song Nuan and turned his attention to Wen Ruyi, taking in the twisted expression on her face that she hadn’t yet looked away from.

"Cousin~" Wen Ruyi persisted, pouting sweetly.

"I am the Ninth Prince. The Third Miss should address me as Your Highness in public. Alu, take the Third Miss away!" Mu Qianyan said in a gentle voice, which made Wen Ruyi's heart tighten. His tone was unyielding.

Looking at the somewhat unfamiliar Mu Qianyan, she finally lost her nerve and left with Alu.

In the study, Mu Qianyan was alone, but he couldn't concentrate on the official documents in his hands.

Three days passed in this way, and Mu Qianyan and Song Nuan did not meet again in the huge palace. Every time Wen Ruyi came to see Mu Qianyan, she was casually dismissed by his personal servants. After several times, her heart was filled with hatred for Song Nuan.

Alu suddenly strode into the study, conveying the message brought by Song Nuan's maid, Caiyin: "Your Highness, the Princess Consort invites you to dine with her today."

"...Just because she tells me to go, does that mean I should go?" Mu Qianyan was taken aback, then said awkwardly.

"..." Your Highness, you're likely to lose your Princess if you continue like this...

Although he said that, he finished his official business early and headed briskly toward Song Nuan's residence before it was time to eat.

Ayane called away Aru, who was guarding outside the door. Apart from the hidden guards, there was no one else in the huge residence.

Mu Qianyan pushed open the door and entered. The outer room was empty. He raised an eyebrow and then went into the inner room. He saw Song Nuan lying on the bed, her makeup exquisite. She had clearly dressed up carefully. She looked at him with a smile, and there was a more charming and beautiful look that he didn't usually see.

Mu Qianyan couldn't help but swallow. Song Nuan beckoned to him, her movements casual and languid, alluring and seductive. Mu Qianyan involuntarily stepped forward.

"Your Highness, you..." Before he could finish speaking, Song Nuan pulled his neck down and sealed his thin lips with hers.