She didn't wait to be formally announced like in Queen Zhaiye's quarters....she simply barged in, heading straight for where she knew she'd find Xueyin. At that moment, Xueyin was seated with her daughter, Sun Lei, her second child, whose bride price had already been paid....though a date hadn't yet been fixed. She planned to marry her off alongside her youngest daughter in a dual wedding.
Startled by the sudden entrance, Sun Lei straightened her posture. She greeted Dingzhi politely, but instead of replying, Dingzhi said curtly,
"Excuse us, I need to speak alone with your mother."
Sun Lei looked at her mother, hesitant to leave, but Xueyin gave her a subtle signal, prompting her to rise, pout a little, pick up her phone, and quietly exit while adjusting her scarf.
A heavy sigh escaped Xueyin as she settled deeper into her seat, eyeing Dingzhi with concern.
"Is everything alright, Princess Dingzhi?"
"Nothing is alright," Princess Dingzhi replied tensely. "Our plans are still falling short. I just came from Queen Zhaiye's quarters....everything over there is running smoothly. It's clear they've thought it all through. There's no sign of weakness, no cracks in their camp. This is serious, Xueyin. There's definitely a problem. We're in danger of losing our grip."
The words sank into Xueyin like a weight. She sighed deeply, troubled.
"Then there's really nothing we can do for now? This would be a terrible humiliation for us."
"I'll be right back," Dingzhi muttered, pulling out her phone and starting to tap quickly.
Just before the call connected, Sikong's voice came through,
"Hey, Mom."
"Hey... where are you?" she asked, noting his tone sounded as though he were walking.
"Outside. Mom, I've tried everything to get Dad to buy me a car, but he won't budge. I always end up having to borrow that show-off Prince Yibo's ride. Honestly, it's humiliating. That's why every girl flocks to him the moment she gets the chance."
"Enough of that," Dingzhi snapped. "You know how your father is....he won't just hand you a car. That's why I've been fighting tooth and nail to make sure things swing back in our favor. And once they do, you won't just have a car....you'll have your own private jet."
Sikong let out a whoop and did a little leap, probably earning some odd looks wherever he was.
"Wow, Mom! There's more....latest news."
"That's why I called. Tell me everything."
"Prince Yibo doesn't sleep at home anymore. Honestly, he's barely ever there. Sometimes he's gone two, even three days at a time. And from what I've noticed, a lot of his clothes aren't even in the house anymore."
"What are you saying?" she asked sharply, eyes narrowing as she glanced at Xueyin.
"I think… he's moved out."
"Where to?"
"No idea, Mom. You know how secretive he is. He hates being questioned or watched."
"You'll have to ask. You'll have to watch....even if he hates it. We need to know exactly what's going on, and where he is."
"Alright… I'll do my best." With that, she ended the call and turned back to Xueyin.
Neither of them said anything for a few moments. Finally, Xueyin broke the silence.
"Queen Zhaiye must've arranged new accommodation for Yibo. I'm convinced of it. There's a reason she's done it....something she's plotting or hiding, and she doesn't want anyone to know."
Dingzhi nodded, satisfied.
"Exactly. I agree with your instincts. I'll press Sikong until he gets us everything we need.....soon."
They continued their discussion, laying out more plans and angles on how to regain control, unaware of just how much the tide had already begun to shift.
****
Since morning, the Prince had felt no desire to go anywhere. He didn't even bother going downstairs....no one in the house even realized he was still home.
He went through his usual routine upstairs: showered, dressed in light, all-white clothing....he usually preferred green or white tones. He had his own coffee maker, so he brewed a cup and paired it with some leftover cake. After that, he handled a few calls: his mom, His Majesty, and other contacts. He even spoke briefly with Qiantang before ending the call. Then he picked up his school books and headed to a quiet corner of his lounge, where he opened a small door leading to a beautifully decorated balcony tucked behind the house.
The balcony, modest in size, was adorned with vibrant flowers lining the walls and floor, their scents hanging delicately in the air. There were three cozy chairs and a small table. From there, he had a perfect view of the fresh, green backyard.
He walked calmly to one of the chairs, dropped his books, then stepped up to the iron railing and leaned forward, gazing out over the yard and the neighborhood buildings beyond.
The neighborhood was as quiet as always, with only a few people strolling by below....clearly just out on brief errands. A few women, a few men, sometimes couples or families with children.
He exhaled softly, returned to his seat, gathered his books on his lap, and began reading. The peaceful setting, the calm breeze, and the clarity with which he absorbed his material made it all feel so fulfilling....as if his mind was wide open, ready to receive every word.
But slowly, noise started to creep in.
At first, he tried to ignore the voices, blocking them out so they wouldn't disturb his focus. But the murmuring grew louder and more persistent, until it began to frustrate him. He shifted in his seat, hoping to tune them out. It didn't help.
"Your highness Zhan!" someone called loudly.
That voice pulled at his attention. His eyes lifted from the page and turned toward the sound.
There were two people sitting on decorative chairs below, chatting and laughing as they washed innerwear in front of them. It looked like they were enjoying themselves without a care in the world. Clearly, these were the voices that had been distracting him all along.
One was Lao, and the other... he didn't know. The man wore a luxurious silk robe tailored to resemble the attire of nobility.... long and flowing with an open front, and short sleeves that barely reached his elbows. His well-kept hair was tied with a red ribbon, swaying slightly with his every movement.
His face....radiant, almost ethereal....was the kind of beauty one only heard about in stories. Crystal Immortals. Heaven's officials. A young God. An angel. Just one glance at his face was enough to make a person heart ache with something unfamiliar.
There was serenity and joy in his expression, yet… who was he?
Prince Yibo stared at Zhan, quietly observing his demeanor.
"If you're done, Your Highness Zhan, the food is ready," came a voice from Bai Wuxia as she approached.
This time, Yibo didn't register whatever Zhan said in response. He only noticed the gentle smile Zhan offered the older woman. She didn't stay long....she left almost immediately....and the two people returned to their chores and casual chatter.
Yibo continued watching, and thought : "So this is He!?"
He didn't know how long he sat there, lost in their world. Suddenly, it was like he snapped out of a trance. He jerked back, scowled, and let out a low, frustrated hiss. He was angry at himself. Why was he sitting there so long, doing nothing but watching them?
He glanced at the wall clock, then clicked his tongue again in irritation. So much time wasted. Whoever that man was...his husband or not, he was strikingly beautiful....more beautiful than anyone Yibo had ever met, male or female.
But what did that have to do with him?
With a sharp breath, he gathered his papers, returned inside, and locked the balcony door behind him.
He collapsed onto his bed, face-down, releasing a heavy sigh. A strange heaviness pulled at his body. He closed his eyes, exhaling again....yet all he could see was Zhan, lingering behind his eyelids like a haunting vision. Even seated, Zhan's figure hadn't been concealed: his frame was lean but defined. Yibo could clearly trace the lines of his torso down to his slim waist.
His long neck. That smile. Those large, expressive eyes...
Yibo's eyes flew open. He flipped onto his back and stared at the ceiling, arms crossed over his chest.
This was getting into his head.
He sat up abruptly and hissed under his breath, then leapt to his feet and marched to his wardrobe, yanking out the first clothes he could find. He had no plans to leave the house today, but he had to. He couldn't sit here thinking about something so…unimportant.
Within minutes, he was dressed, locked his bedroom, and headed out of the house altogether, grabbing his car keys on the way.
🔸🔹▫️
Qiantang walked across the arrival terminal of New York's airport, her heart brimming with excitement. She felt like she was walking in a dream... this was the day she had long wished for. She had come all by herself to visit Yibo, something she had yearned to do for ages.
A broad smile lit her face as she gazed at Yibo, who stood across from her, also smiling with unmistakable joy. As Qiantang approached, her pace quickened with eagerness. It felt like she hadn't seen Yibo in ages. Just as she was about to throw herself into Yibo's arms, Yibo stepped aside quickly, smiling and raising an index finger in warning.
"No…" he gestured with his eyes at the bustling crowd around them.
Qiantang rolled her eyes and pouted, annoyed in that "I don't care" way she often was. Yibo never quite understood why Qiantang treated some things so casually....maybe it was from being too worldly, too educated, or just plain spoiled. Qiantang hadn't lived abroad long enough to be fully influenced, so Yibo couldn't chalk it up to that. For Qiantang and the rest of the world, hugging wasn't a big deal, and neither were kisses. They loved each other, they were going to get married....so why did body contact matter?
But Prince Yibo didn't agree with that mindset. He knew himself....his limits, his body, and his struggles. He preferred physical affection to happen naturally, at the right time, when it would carry real meaning and depth.
He opened the car door for Qiantang, who slid in with a pout. Yibo knew she was still sulking because of the hug rejection, but he pretended not to notice. As he started the car, he thought about where to drop her off. Eventually, he asked,
"Where does the esteemed Princess want to stay?"
Qiantang, still annoyed, muttered, "Where His Highness lives, of course."
Yibo knew exactly what she meant... the house he shared with Sikong, Ka Gang, and Jiang. But there was no way he'd risk the chaos that would follow bringing Qiantang there unannounced. This wasn't even a planned visit; Qiantang had arrived with her aunt in another city and only Yibo....knew she'd be coming to stay, even just for a night. Yibo hadn't told her aunt he didn't like the visit, not wanting her to feel bad.. Though he doesn't car if she did feel that.
"Pick somewhere else," he said firmly.
Qiantang shrugged. "Fine. Your other mansion, then."
Yibo saw no issue with that. "Alright," he agreed.
By the time they got to the Mansion, Qiantang had already let go of her earlier frustration. She could never stay mad at Yibo for long.
Zhan was seated at the edge of his bed, brushing his hair when he heard a soft, elegant voice drifting through the sitting room. The voice seemed to wrap itself around him, drawing him toward the door. He stopped what he was doing and listened, trying to catch more. But all he heard clearly was Lao, speaking with deep respect:
"Welcome… Welcome, the Crown Prince."
Prince? Zhan's heart skipped a beat. Even just hearing the Prince's name mentioned sent a wave of anxiety through him. It was always like this.... he didn't know why. As if the moment he heard that name, his pulse would quicken and his chest would tighten, like he was about to be caught doing something wrong.
He grabbed a shirt and threw it over the vest he was wearing, his eyes scanning the room as he approached the door.
"She's in the kitchen. I'll go call her," he heard Lao say as he opened the door to find Bai Wuxia.
"Wow, this place is stunning," Qiantang's voice echoed brightly through the house, breaking the silence after Lao had gone.
"I'm so glad you like it," Yibo replied warmly.
Zhan heard Bai Wuxia coming out of the kitchen next. "Welcome back," she said with a respectful tone. Yibo simply nodded, eyes closed briefly.
"Yes, Bai Wuxia. This is our guest, Qiantang. She'll be staying for a couple of days."
"The Queen told me… Welcome, Princess," Bai Wuxia said with a kind smile. Qiantang beamed, pleased to be addressed with such reverence. She felt she deserved it, and basked in the respect.
"Thank you, Bai Wuxia. We found you well, I hope?"
"We're all fine, Princess Qiantang." The title brought an even bigger smile to her face....Bai Wuxia had just earned a place in her heart.
Yibo stood from his chair, ready to head out, when Qiantang looked at him with a playful pout. "You're leaving already?"
In that calm, quiet voice of his....the one you'd never expect to erupt into yelling....he replied, "I have to finish my schedule for today."
Qiantang frowned, looking annoyed. "You should cancel everything. I came here for you."
Bai Wuxia quietly turned back to the kitchen, clearly uncomfortable. She had never witnessed this side of the Prince before.
Yibo raised an eyebrow. "Really?" he said dryly.
Qiantang responded with a dramatic, pouty whine.
Zhan didn't hear what Yibo said next, but he did hear footsteps heading upstairs. He stayed where he was until Qiantang was shown to her room, then quietly shut the door and returned to sit on the bed, letting out a long sigh.
Later, during their study time, Zhan heard a knock on the door. He glanced around quickly....though he hadn't heard that voice he'd not been hoping for (Yibo's) in over two hours. Only Lao, Bai Wuxia, and the overly chatty Qiantang could be heard throughout the house.
He finally give permission. Lao entered, her books in hand, smiling. Their bond had grown so natural and comfortable that they often forgot the formal master-servant roles assigned to them. Bai Wuxia would sometimes remind Lao to maintain decorum, but Zhan didn't care for that. He liked their casual dynamic. To him, Lao was both a friend and a sister, and Bai Wuxia was like a mother figure. That setup suited him just fine.
"What's wrong, your highness? No lessons today?"
He lowered the phone he had been using and switched off the data. He didn't open any social media application, but he used the phone often to read. He had find a great study resources and learning platforms that had helped him immensely.
"We're not alone in the house, Lao," he said softly.
She smiled, amused at how much Zhan feared running into Prince Yibo. Even she, a staff member under their household, didn't feel that level of anxiety. Bai Wuxia told her they were married, yet she had never seen them together...not even once. She didn't even know if the Prince had ever seen Zhan.
"Your monster prince left earlier. No one's around but us."
He gave her a side glance, suspicious, then finally sighed. "Let's go," he said, slipping on his slippers and following her out of the room.
Just as Lao had said, there was no one in the sitting room except for Bai Wuxia, who was also waiting for him to come out. Zhan greeted Bai Wuxia, as he always did every evening, before taking a seat and beginning their lesson.
They began by reviewing what they had covered the day before. Once he confirmed they had understood everything properly, he introduced new material and settled into the lesson comfortably.
Only an hour had passed when the door to the empty room creaked open... drawing his attention. Already on edge, he quickly raised his head to look at the door. It was Qiantang stepping out, wearing a stunning top and trousers that flattered her figure. The clothes clung to her in all the right places, emphasizing her curves. A captivating fragrance surrounded her, her hair immaculately styled and adorned with a delicate ribbon that added to her charm.
Their eyes met....Zhan's and Qiantang's...holding for a few seconds before Zhan respectfully averted his gaze. Qiantang also looked away, making her way into the sitting room while silently wondering, Who is this handsome stranger? Too good-looking.
Qiantang stopped near them, her sense of superiority radiating without apology. She looked at Bai Wuxia and said, "Bai Wuxia, I'd really like some fish pepper soup. Do you have any fish?"
"Yes, Princess... we do."
"Okay," she replied casually, strolling around the seats to pick a place to sit. It seemed she had given her instruction and had originally planned to return to her room. But something about the sitting room caught her interest, and she found herself wanting to stay. She sat behind Zhan, crossed one leg over the other, and began scrolling on her phone.... though a part of her attention remained fixed on him.
Once Bai Wuxia left for the kitchen to prepare the soup, Zhan felt increasingly uncomfortable. He couldn't focus, sensing Qiantang's gaze on him now and then. He didn't even know who she was. Without saying much, he decided to end the study session early and retreated to his room.
Qiantang frowned. Why isn't this handsome one paying attention to me like everyone else does? Why doesn't he show me the same respect and admiration? And who was he anyway? He looked too refined to be just a staff member.
"Who was that?" Qiantang turned to Lao, who was clearly caught off guard and visibly nervous, stammering as she stood awkwardly.
"Ye... ss... huh?" Lao began to sweat, unsure of what to say. Bai Wuxia had warned her never to reveal who Zhan was to Qiantang, but she had never thought to ask for a proper cover story in case the question ever came.
"He's my cousin," she found herself saying, fabricating the lie on the spot.
Qiantang scoffed and shook her head. "So that's it... He's no one but walking around like some hotshot. You didn't tell him who I am?"
Lao nodded quickly. "He doesn't know. I'm sorry. He meant no offense. He just has... a condition. The doctor said he shouldn't talk much."
Lao herself was surprised at how easily the lie came out, but it was the only way she could think to protect both herself and Zhan.
Surprisingly, Qiantang's heart softened. "Let it go, then. I assumed he was being arrogant."
"Not at all, Princess," Lao said quickly. Qiantang didn't respond again...she simply returned her attention to her phone. Lao quietly slipped away to the kitchen, wiping sweat from her brow.
Meanwhile, Prince Yibo was sitting in his car, parked near a children's playground close to his neighborhood. He had been there for a while, doing absolutely nothing in particular. He just didn't feel like going home. He knew that if he didn't set firm boundaries with Qiantang, she would keep showing up uninvited...dragging back all the emotional mess he was desperately trying to recover from.
It wasn't just a choice. It was in his nature....his blood. He couldn't help it.
He didn't want to go back, nor take his prescribed medication. That was the reason he avoided anything that might tempt him to resume it.
His phone had been vibrating for some time, indicating an incoming call. He glanced at the screen and saw it was the Queen....his mother. He reclined his seat, leaned back, and answered.
"Good evening, Mom."
She cleared her throat gently before speaking. "Evening. How's school?"
"All good, Mom. How's Dad?"
"All's well... I'm calling about something else."
"Yes, Mom?"
"Why would you take Qiantang to the mansion where that boy is staying? What were you thinking? Do you want to cause problems?"
In a calm and respectful tone, he replied, "It's nothing serious, Mom. Nothing's going to happen."
There was a pause before she spoke again, "Make sure of that. If anything goes wrong...."
"Please don't worry, Mom. Nothing will happen."
"I hope you're right." With that, they dropped the topic and moved on to other matters.
🔸🔹▫️
Hours later, it was almost 1 AM before Yibo finally went home. He parked the car, shut it off, locked it, and made his way inside.
He hadn't expected to find her in the sitting room, but there she was...watching TV, holding a cup of juice, taking small sips from time to time just to stay awake. She didn't want to fall asleep before he came back.
When their eyes met, she frowned. She had hoped they would spend time together, enjoy her visit...but it felt like he was avoiding her. Like he didn't want to be under the same roof with her, even though she had come because of him.
Yibo noticed her disappointment, so he offered a warm smile that instantly melted her moodiness. She sighed, closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again....this time full of her usual playful charm. She began her familiar, soft sulking.
Yibo walked over to one of the sofas and sat down as he always did. He didn't say much. He didn't even stay long before slipping into silence again.
This time, he had no choice but to sit with her, giving in a little. Despite wanting to steer her away from following him into his room, she refused to listen. She insisted on accompanying him upstairs and staying by his side until he fell asleep before she'd leave. Knowing Qiantang's stubborn streak, Yibo was sure she wouldn't hesitate to lie down beside him on the bed, boldly claiming, "Since there's nothing happining between us, why should anyone care?"
Yibo rubbed his forehead with his hand, trying to figure out how to deal with her. Before he could come up with anything, she had already set her drink down, grabbed the key and his phone, and started heading upstairs. He could only watch her in silence... there was nothing he could do. At most, once they got upstairs, he would try to gently convince her to go back downstairs. With that, he stood up and followed behind her.
At that same moment, Bai Wuxia was stepping out of one of the bedrooms. Seeing that Qiantang hadn't gone to sleep either made her uneasy. Now that she noticed Qiantang heading upstairs to Yibo's room, her concern grew. She didn't exactly distrust Yibo, but she knew what he was struggling with internally. This visit from Qiantang didn't sit right with her. She found it strange that Queen had allowed it, especially considering how protective she usually was over Yibo. Maybe she assumed Bai Wuxia would be a buffer between them. Still, Bai Wuxia couldn't shake the discomfort and sat back down, listening carefully for any sound of Qiantang coming back down.
Qiantang, meanwhile, was sprawled comfortably on Yibo's bed, chatting away as if everything was normal. Yibo barely said a word in response... he was doing his best not to come off as rude, even though he was uncomfortable. After a while, he headed into the bathroom to shower, still in his clothes, just to give himself some space. When he came out, she had her eyes fixed on him.
Her gaze swept over him slowly, appreciating how well his outfit fit... how it accentuated the youthful strength and effortless charm he carried. That mysterious, dangerous kind of beauty that reached beyond the surface. Yibo crossed his arms over his chest and stared back at her. Their eyes locked, and he began to feel something shift inside him, sensations he tried hard to resist.
Before he knew it, Qiantang had stepped into his space and wrapped her arms tightly around him, letting out a deep sigh. The scent of her perfume filled his nose. Her hair brushed his face. Every nerve in his body came alive. He quickly pulled away, his eyes flashing with visible frustration.
"What was that, Qiantang?" he snapped sharply.
She stared at him for a moment, then turned away as tears welled up in her eyes. She faced the wall, hiding her face as the first tears threatened to fall.
"Just because I hugged you, Prince, you yell at me like that?" she said, voice trembling.
Yibo tried to calm himself. He knew he was the first person ever to raise his voice at her. She had always been treated delicately, spoiled by her parents and everyone around her.
"It's fine," she continued, voice tight with emotion. "I brought this on myself. Maybe it's this love I have for you that's pushing me to do foolish things." She turned and started walking toward the door, genuinely hurt. To her, a hug meant nothing inappropriate.... especially when it came from someone she cared about.
Then, for the first time, Yibo reached out and grabbed her wrist. The moment their skin touched, a spark jolted through him, as if his whole body acknowledged her presence. And just like that, Qiantang paused. That one simple gesture held more weight than anything he'd ever done before.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛