Best friends dressed up in ancient times to become mistresses? You run, I run too!

In a corner of the courtyard, the chirping of insects could be heard incessantly.

"coming."

Liu Zhiyi smiled and gently lifted her eyelids, her eyes crinkling as she looked up at the handsome young man in front of her.

"Ah."

"Thank you for today."

Liu Zhiyi got straight to the point. Song Hanchuan froze for a moment, then sat down at the stone table next to him, expertly washed and dried his hands, and grabbed a handful of melon seeds to peel.

Before long, the exquisite peony-patterned dish was filled with plump, white melon seeds.

The man washed his hands again, picked up a small handful and placed it in his palm, then brought it to Liu Zhiyi's lips.

Liu Zhiyi took it with her mouth.

Song Hanchuan then gave a faint "hmm," which was considered his response to her question.

"It's not far from the Crown Prince's residence to the Pei residence. They hadn't even entered their homes when you retaliated against them. It seems you're very well-informed."

"I...did not intend to spy on you. It's just that I already have people in the Crown Prince's residence, so..."

"I know."

Liu Zhiyi jumped off the swing with a smile.

She walked gracefully to the pavilion on the side, sat on the balustrade by the wall, propped her chin on one hand, and smiled teasingly.

“You know you meant no harm, it’s just…” Liu Zhiyi raised an eyebrow, “How come you dare to tell me everything?”

Have you forgotten that she recently schemed against him? Aren't you afraid that someone with a criminal record will betray you again?

Song Hanchuan sat down next to her as well.

His expression remained as calm and gentle as ever, but Liu Zhiyi still keenly sensed that beneath his composed face lay a hint of unease and anxiety.

Liu Zhiyi didn't urge him.

He lowered his eyes slightly, his thick, long eyelashes trembling gently like a small fan.

The hands resting on the knees were slightly clenched due to tension, and the knuckles were faintly white.

A moment later, I finally mustered up the courage to look at her.

"Xiaoyi, if you want to know about me and those rumors, I can tell you anything."

Liu Zhiyi was taken aback. What was she thinking? So that's what it was about? Suddenly she smiled, and this time, the emotion in her eyes was much more genuine.

"Song Hanchuan, I know what I want, and I know what I will get by being with you."

As for the rest…

I have eyes, I can see for myself; I have a brain, I can think clearly. I don't care what others say; I only know that I like being with you, and that's enough.

She stood up, walked closer to him, and suddenly bent down.

A beautiful, lotus-like face suddenly came close, and the two looked into each other's eyes. Her bright almond-shaped eyes smiled, clearly reflecting the moment when Song Hanchuan's pupils trembled slightly.

The man's lips curved into a smile.

The uncertainty that had been weighing on my heart for so long has finally been resolved, and I can finally feel at ease.

They looked up at each other, and everything was understood without words.

"Then this time, can you not drug me?" Her voice carried a hint of grievance.

Liu Zhiyi burst out laughing.

"Okay~~~ whatever you say."

The Crown Prince is naturally suspicious, and after their incident, he will likely send someone to investigate.

Zhu Zhu couldn't understand, but she knew very well that the prince had long treated her differently from others, so it was no wonder he would let go so easily.

"But you can't see me or contact me, I'm afraid my whereabouts will be revealed. Let's talk about it after things have calmed down, okay?"

"Ah."

"I will arrange for a few people to secretly escort you away and take care of everything along the way, so that you two can have no worries."

A warm feeling welled up in Liu Zhiyi's heart.

This man truly deserves the titles of a refined gentleman and gentle, jade-like beauty.

The moonlight is just right; let us cherish this precious time.

Suddenly, Liu Zhiyi had a sudden impulse and snuggled into Song Hanchuan's broad chest.

"I'm cold, can I have a hug?"

The man didn't ask her where the cold came from in the middle of summer; he only said in a hoarse voice,

“Okay~~~”

That single word conveyed to Liu Zhiyi boundless indulgence and pampering. (Illustration: Song Hanchuan vs. Liu Zhiyi) The moon overhead suddenly disappeared behind the clouds, and for a moment, all was silent. In the vast expanse of heaven and earth, the only sound was the man's heart pounding wildly.

Suddenly, Song Hanchuan's ears twitched, and he abruptly opened his cold eyes, his whole body going into a state of alert.

Liu Zhiyi noticed his unusual behavior.

She looked up and met his gaze. He quickly put on a mask and shielded her behind him, which made her tense.

Just then, a figure quietly climbed down the wall and tiptoed toward Liu Zhiyi's room.

Halfway there, I suddenly felt something was wrong.

He turned his head and met the eyes of the two people in the pavilion. "Xiao Yi? You... what are you doing? Who is he? What are you doing in the middle of the night?"

The person who arrived was actually Pei Yun Chu.

The atmosphere had been ruined, and Liu Zhiyi was very annoyed. Hearing his question, she couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Song Hanchuan tried to step forward to block her, but she held his arm down, saying, "Leave it to me, you just stand to the side."

"it is good."

Liu Zhiyi looked up and met Pei Yun Chu's gaze, her eyes filled with cold indifference.

"The moon rises above the willow branches, and we meet after dusk. What do you suggest we do? Of course, we'll do what I want to do and see who I want to see. Otherwise, who would stay in the courtyard in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

Pei Yun Chu was so angry that the veins on her arms bulged.

He rushed up to the two of them in a few steps, his eyes bloodshot with rage, like a husband who had caught his wife cheating on him.

"Liu Zhiyi, do you know what you're saying? Have you forgotten that we've already..."

He paused, then changed the subject.

"What is your status, and what is the position of the Marquis's mansion?"

“A mere maidservant, do you really think you can be the mistress of a noble household? If you do, I will bring shame to our ancestors, and the noble household will become a laughing stock in the entire capital. We will never be able to hold our heads high in the noble circles of the capital.”

Can you understand my helplessness?

"Xiaoyi, I promise you, I will definitely choose a gentle and virtuous noblewoman to be the future mistress of the Marquis's mansion, and I promise that she will not mistreat you. Is that alright?"

Liu Zhiyi's expression was indifferent.

"Fine, my ass."

"what?"

"Pei Yun Chu, just because she is gentle and virtuous, does she deserve to be humiliated and bullied by you like this? Before the main wife has even entered the house, you've already taken a concubine. You're really something."

"I...no, listen to me."

Pei Yun Chu anxiously reached out to grasp Liu Zhi Yi's arm, but Liu Zhi Yi shook her off in disgust.

"Get lost, I have nothing to say to you."

Pei Yun Chu slowly withdrew her hand, her expression gradually turning cold. She turned her head gloomily and pointed at Song Han Chuan.

"You have nothing to say to me, but you do to him? No wonder you refused to become my concubine; you've climbed to a new high branch?"

Liu Zhiyi raised an eyebrow slightly.

"So what?"

"Tell me, who is he?"

"What's it to you? It's not you, it's none of your business."

Liu Zhiyi not only did not distance herself from Song Hanchuan, but also took the initiative to reach out and hug his strong waist, resting her head on his firm chest.