After Fu Heng's visit, you have no mood to sleep. The seemingly harmless Hu Ling makes you feel worried. It's very likely that Hu Ling is worried about the relationship between you and Yin Zhen. But surely she wouldn't go through all this trouble just because of this?
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In the evening, Hui Xin comes in a hurry, sweating.
Hui Xin: I can't find my brother.
Xiu Ying: You can't find Fu Heng? What do you mean?
Hui Xin: My brother should be on duty tonight, but he suddenly changed shifts with someone else this afternoon. I don't know where he is now! He must be outside of the palace... But I'm a little worried.
Hui Xin: I saw him this afternoon. He was in a bad mood... You know what? When my brother is in a bad mood, he sometimes goes for a drink. He's such a lightweight. I don't know what he will do.
Xiu Ying: I think you worry too much. Fu Heng isn't an impulsive person.
Hui Xin: [Shakes head] Normally, my brother isn't an impulsive person. But no one can stop him when he does become impulsive. I have to serve the Lady in the evening. Can you help me find him?
Looking at Hui Xin's expectant eyes, you can't help starting to worry about Fu Heng, so you nod in agreement.
Xiu Ying: Don't worry. I'll go out of the palace to find Fu Heng.
Hui Xin: Then I will leave my brother to you! I have to go!
After hearing your offer to help, Hui Xin eases her eyebrows, and completely puts her worries to one side. She runs away in a hurry, leaving you looking at her confusedly.
Xiu Ying: Why does Hui Xin look like she's quite happy?
Xiu Ying: What's wrong with Fu Heng... When he came to see me at noon, he was totally fine. A grown-up like him shouldn't let his sister worry about him.
GUARD IN DISGUISE
You leave the palace. The sky is dark and the lights are on, which lengthens people's shadows. You are just about to urge Shi Lian to walk faster, when a shadow suddenly passes in front of you. You look carefully, and find that there's a person standing in front of you, staring in your direction. You have to stop walking. It's a guard. You can't see what he looks like because of how dark it is.
Xiu Ying: Which palace are you from? Why are you blocking the way?
Yin Zhen: Where are you heading to?
The voice is deep and familiar. You feel surprised. The person in front of you isn't a guard, but Yin Zhen disguised as a guard.
Xiu Ying: Yin Zhen? Why are you dressed like this? What are you doing?
Yin Zhen knows that he shouldn't be here, but he couldn't help it. Although he disguised himself as a guard, he is still taking the risk of being discovered.
Yin Zhen: [Looks at Shi Lian] I have something to say to the Princess. Go stand guard in the distance.
Shi Lian looks at you and retreats into the distance.
Yin Zhen: What are you doing outside of the palace so late?
Xiu Ying: I've got something to do.
Yin Zhen: Looking for Fu Heng? The brother and sister are clearly just acting. They just want to lead you out of the palace. You don't have to go. If you are really worried about him, I'll send someone to find him.
After being so impulsive, Yin Zhen feels a bit regretful. He looks at you in silence for a moment.
Xiu Ying: How did you know?
Yin Zhen: I just know. If he can't protect you, then someone has to. Otherwise, I'm worried you will suffer in the coming days.
Xiu Ying: When did you order someone to guard me? And why... Why would you do that?
Yin Zhen: ...I don't know.
Yin Zhen's voice is a little hoarse. Under the dark sky, you can't see his expression clearly, but you can see that his eyes are always looking at you. The emotion in his eyes makes your heart beat fast.
Xiu Ying: [Sighs after a long time] I have to go out. I promised Hui Xin.
Yin Zhen: Do you have to go?
Xiu Ying: Why not?
Yin Zhen stops speaking. He doesn't know how he should answer the question. He endured it for a long time, but in the end, he couldn't help but appear here.
Yin Zhen: OK, I'll step down on this matter. But Father intends to have Fu Heng marry you. Don't... Don't agree with that OK?
You bite your lip and don't know how to reply. If you want to stay away from the Capital, you won't agree to any marriage, But if you say you won't now, then it'll seem like you are doing this for Yin Zhen.
Seeing you so quiet for a long time, Yin Zhen suddenly steps forward. The clouds disappear, the moonlight falls, you can see his face and his expression. There are feelings in his eyes that you can't ignore.
Yin Zhen: Wait for me.
All the hard work you put into keeping your distance from him these past few days suddenly collapses. Your mind almost "explodes" for a short time.
It takes you a while to calm down, and you sigh slowly.
Xiu Ying: Yin Zhen, I think the way we've been getting along with each other is, enough for us.
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