A short night is hard to please! A stunningly handsome prince dotes on her exclusively.

Inside the imperial study, two men sat on a rosewood, mother-of-pearl, and eight-treasure arhat bed. Both were equally handsome and possessed a cool and noble air. They were currently gazing at each other across a low table...

He was not intimidated in the slightest by the imposing aura emanating from the young emperor before him; instead, he calmly and composedly looked into Yuan Huaijun's eyes.

After a long while, Yuan Huaijun finally looked away from his face, picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and calmly asked, "Have you gained anything in these three years outside?"

"I usually just study some articles. When I feel bored, I will go out for a few days to travel. I have seen many foreign landscapes. As for what I have gained, I don't need to dwell on the scenery that has passed by."

Yuan Huaixuan's tone this time was not as cold as it had been in the Imperial Garden and Baoguang Hall today, but it was also hard to discern much emotion.

"I heard you specially sent someone to Junjing Pavilion to buy its prized possession as a birthday gift for the Empress Dowager?"

"Yes."

Yuan Huaijun raised his eyes and glanced at him calmly, then continued, "The master of Junjing Pavilion is unknown, his gender is unknown, and he appears and disappears like a ghost. I've also heard that he's incredibly wealthy, the richest man in the four kingdoms. You've been away for many years, have you ever met him?"

“Your Majesty, you have said that he is elusive and his gender is unknown. Huai Xuan has always lived a secluded life and rarely goes out, so I have rarely heard of this person.”

"Hmm, Prince Xuan, will you stay in the capital for a long time this time?"

"The National Assembly will be held in two months. Huai Xuan hasn't been involved in any excitements for a long time, so he'll probably stay until then!"

"When the three kingdoms come to pay tribute, each royal family will surely send envoys, making it quite a lively affair, but..."

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "However, the Yelan Kingdom suddenly sent troops to launch a night attack on the Yuanqi border a few days ago. Their methods were ruthless and cruel. I wonder what their intentions were."

After speaking, Yuan Huaijun looked directly at the man opposite him, his eyes filled with undisguised scrutiny and sizing.

He met that gaze head-on, a chill suddenly rising in his deep, abyss-like eyes, which he then silently suppressed.

"Huai Xuan has never been involved in politics. His Majesty's subordinates are all famous ministers and generals. He will surely handle this matter properly. In recent years, with His Majesty's governance, Yuanqi's national strength has become even more prosperous."

These words seemed to have no flaws, so Yuan Huaijun didn't ask any further questions and just exchanged a few polite words.

“Prince Xuan, you have not been to the capital for many years, and the Prince Xuan’s residence must have been rarely repaired or maintained. If you stay here for a long time, I will order people to come to the residence to make good repairs and send a few close palace servants to take care of you.”

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Huai Xuan has always lived alone, with only one or two subordinates serving him. There is really no need for such a great deal of trouble."

"You have been away for many years, and your mother has often worried about you. Now that you are here, I will naturally take good care of you on her behalf. Or... for many years, Xuanzhen Palace has been kept clean and tidy. You, Prince Xuan, can also live in the palace, and your mother can see you from time to time."

"I appreciate Your Majesty's kindness, but I am used to a leisurely life and do not wish to live in the palace. Furthermore, adult males of the royal family are not allowed to reside in the inner palace. If I were to disrupt the palace rules, wouldn't that invite criticism?"

"Well, if you don't want to, that's fine. If you need anything in the future, just send someone to tell us. As for Ah Lie and the other two, they are all like family. You can spend more time with them when you have nothing to do."

"Yes, Your Majesty. It is getting late. If there is nothing urgent, Huaixuan will leave the palace first."

"Ah."

As the white figure disappeared outside the door, Yuan Huaijun's eyes instantly darkened and became deep, his thoughts complex and unfathomable.

He stood at the palace gate, dressed in white, his appearance and demeanor otherworldly, like the son of a god. Yet, his expression was cold, and his every move exuded an invisible sense of oppression, making people fearful. Many palace servants who passed by stopped to admire his unparalleled beauty, but were also intimidated by his aura, and none dared to approach him.

A man stepped forward respectfully and asked, "Your Highness, shall we return to the palace now?"

He suddenly recalled the scene of those people pulling and arguing in the Baoguang Hall earlier, and then, the two women actually hugging each other in public...

"Liuqing, go to the General's Mansion and see what those two are doing now."

The man called Liuqing was taken aback. The General's Mansion?

"Your Highness, didn't you say you would ignore her?"

"Humph!"

Seeing that his master's expression was getting worse, he didn't dare to delay. He quickly gave some instructions and then secretly rushed to the general's mansion.

Evening, General's Mansion—

Since the two returned to the mansion, they have been chatting in their room. After all, they are both modern people and must have a lot in common. However, before Xin Moyan could ask Hua Buyu about the specific circumstances of her time travel, her brother knocked on the door and interrupted her.

"Yan'er, it's getting late, let's come out for dinner!"

The two of them had eaten little in the palace that day, and after chatting all afternoon, they were both starving.

As Xin Moyan led her to the door, she said, "Buyu, let's continue our conversation after we finish eating."

"Mmm, Yan Yan, today is such a wonderful surprise. I think I'll be so happy I won't be able to sleep."

What makes you so happy?

As soon as the door opened, Xin Moling heard everything clearly. He glanced at Hua Buyu suspiciously, wondering what the two of them were doing.

"No! Brother, let's eat quickly, I'm so hungry!"

Xin Moyan's feelings at this moment were no different from Hua Buyu's. She stepped forward, took Xin Moling's arm with one hand and Hua Buyu's arm with the other, and the three of them walked together toward the dining hall.

"Yan'er, try this."

"Brother, you eat too."

He looked up at Hua Buyu, who was engrossed in her meal with no manners whatsoever, and said calmly, "Hua Buyu, after you finish your dinner, have Cailian take you to the study to wait for me. I have something to ask you."

"No! Yan Yan and I haven't finished talking yet! Whatever you need to say, wait until we've finished."

"You've been talking for almost two hours, aren't you done yet?"

"No, I'm going to have a long talk with Yan Yan tonight, and nobody can stop me."

Xin Moling frowned immediately, glancing at her younger sister with uncertainty, and asked, "Yan'er, what were you and Hua Buyu talking about? Why did you talk for so long and still not finished?"

She put some food into her brother's bowl, thought for a moment, and then slowly said, "Brother, I only realized today that Bu Yu's aspirations and temperament are exactly what Yan'er admires. His words and actions coincide with Yan'er's thoughts. True friends are hard to find, and Yan'er cherishes her friendship with Bu Yu."

"Is Yan'er telling the truth?"

"Yes, yes! Brother, these are my heartfelt words."

Seeing his sister's determination, he stopped talking about going to the study. Instead, he put down his chopsticks and said coldly, "Hua Buyu, I originally didn't want Yan'er to know for the time being. But since you two are having such a pleasant conversation, I'll ask you: what is your identity? And where do you come from?"

"You suspect I'm a spy?"

“I know that no foreigners have visited recently. You said you were coming to Yuanqi for sightseeing. How did you get here?”