The Crown Prince, Yang Lin Yun said anything before the greeting­—he was breathless; the long travel with almost no rest had left him truly weary even with him being gifted in martial arts.

By now, Eunuch Tao Tao was bowing his head along the guards. He had already come out of his tent and had performed a silent greeting. However, contrary to the guards that maintained their eyes lowered even after such long silence, he raised his eyes after a while.

Thanks to it, he saw his Crown Prince, make a motion with his hand for them to rise before he hopped down from his horse.

"Where is she?" The Crown Prince asked as soon as he faced them after landing on the ground.

The eunuch and guards' answer was delayed as they first turned back to see the biggest tent in the middle of the campsite, "Her Highn..."

They were replying but their Crown Prince didn't wait to hear the end of it and left them with their words stuck in their throats; their Crown Prince wasn't in front of them anymore, he had swiftly passed by them and was now pretty close to Princess Wei Yue's tent.

When he was about to open the tent's curtain, someone opened it first from the inside.

"His Royal Highness, Master is grooming. May His Royal Highness wait for a bit in one of the side tents," Hua Su said with her usual cold gaze and an inviting gesture to follow her.

The Crown Prince staggered his feet at her words, nevertheless, he regained composure, nodding in answer and then followed her.

Inside the biggest tent, Yang Yu Lian had already gotten out of the bathtub and was drying herself while Hua Si was arranging the place to receive the Crown Prince.

...

"Umh? Si'er, where is my necklace?" Yang Yu Lian asked when she was finishing dressing a new set of loose male robes.

"Eh?

“Oh, here it is, Master." Hua Si came to her and extended her hand, showing a small green jade case, "Si'er put it here for it to not get wet with the vapour."

"I see… well thought." She took it but didn't open the small jade case; the surroundings were still hazy.

Hua Si blushed at the praise but noticing her master’s action and looks, her emotion ended, going back to her good servant attitude. She got what her master was thinking; however, before heading to let the night breeze enter the tent to dispel the remnant vapour, she asked when she saw her dropping black hair, "May Si'er comb your hair, Master?"

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"Umh?

"Ah, there's no need. It's not the first time eldest royal brother has seen me like this," Yang Yu Lian said as she threw back her hair.

Hua Si gave it a slight thought and nodded; it was indeed the truth, her question was unnecessary.

*****

"His Royal Highness, this place is still quite unfit for a proper meeting, might we head to Master's tent unless..." Hua Su said to the Crown Prince after Hua Si passed the word of their master being ready.

Yet again, the Crown Prince didn't wait for the subjects to finish their words; he threw away the warm piece of cotton fabric in his hand and walked out of the tent to head over to Yang Yu Lian's.

Hua Su saw his actions and just followed him from behind without completing her sentence.

...

"My Xiao Zheng, is it really you? How can this be?" Yang Lin Yun asked right after opening the tent's curtain.

"Eldest royal brother..." she smiled at him from her seat inside, "you should stop yourself from calling me so, Yu Lian is not a kid anymore."

Yang Lin Yun didn't give her a reply, he had stopped at the entrance and was deeply staring at her, surveying her facial features and poise.

At length, he pressed his thin lips and headed towards his little sister to take a seat.

Yang Yu Lian saw him. He had cleaned himself a bit and was wearing clean robes too; though his black hair was still dusty and the weariness of his face was evident despite being clean now. Moreover, the anguish of his expression was uncovered now that his usual magnanimous air was lowered more than half; she felt it was quite cute and funny.

Because there weren't many formalities between them, she didn't get up to greet him nor did she stood up when he came to be before her to take a seat.

When he sat in front of her, Hua Si served both of them some tea and Hua Su light refreshments.

"You both may leave," Yang Lin Yun said as he took his cup of tea.

Hua Su and Hua Si acknowledged his order and left the tent; before they had been told by their master to follow his orders as long as they didn't cross with hers or she countered with another.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this," at long last, Yang Lin Yun said after taking a sip of his warm tea.

"...?" Yang Yu Lian who was watching a playful tea leaf on her cup, took a sip before raising her dark eyes, replying, "Indeed, it seems that Royal Father had intended to marry fourth royal sister but... it was much for her to bear."

He looked into her dark eyes and said after seeing her calm expression, "You don't seem to be bothered by this situation."

"Umh?

"Pfft. Bothered? Yu Lian is not.

"Yu Lian is more like anticipating some fun..."

"..."

She drank some tea when she saw his silent answer and restless beautiful dark eyes.

"Eldest royal brother, you know how capricious and unreasonable this little sister of yours can be. You have been the one spoil..."

"I know, that's why, even more, it wasn't supposed to be like this..."

... Why do I feel his meaning is another? she looked into his eyes and she couldn't tell anything else from his expression aside from him being overly worried; however, something told her that there was a more profound meaning.