Lin Haihai hesitated. She wanted to say yes, but she worried that she would lose her calm.

“Consort Lin couldn’t make it, but Sir Xiao is welcomed to the Prince Residence as a guest when you’re free.” Guihua turned down the invitation for Lin Haihai. She had a feeling that the two men had ulterior motives. The man in white, especially, had been staring at the princess consort. It would be better not to invite trouble.

She grabbed Lin Haihai and urged her to go, but Lin Haihai dragged her laden feet and turned around to chance a glance at Yang Shaolun. He had turned to look at her as well with the pain he hadn’t been able to conceal still in his eyes. That struck her heart like a thunderbolt, and her misty eyes made it difficult for her to even make out the man before her.

“We should go, Consort Lin!” Even the densest minds would have figured out what was going on. It dawned on Guihua that Consort Lin must have feelings for the man as well. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have seemed so pained at the prospect of departure.

Lin Haihai turned and walked slowly away. Yang Shaolun’s eyes dimmed. He took a deep breath, feeling the lingering pain in his heart. A smile tugged at his lips, but it was...