Chapter 2

I lowered my eyes, climbed down, and bowed.

Everyone around us had already fallen to their knees.

The Crown Prince told me to rise, then excused the others from ceremony before turning to the Princess of Qingyang.

“I heard everything. There is no need to explain.” His tone was even, but his gaze was sharp.

I was surprised that he did not favor his own cousin.

Denied his protection, the princess knew that prolonging the confrontation would only humiliate her further. She stamped her foot and returned to her carriage.

Song Yin bowed to the Crown Prince and glanced at me. He was about to follow the princess when the Crown Prince said, “Scholar Song, you are an able man. Go to the rear and help clear the congestion. I leave it to you.”

White-faced, Song Yin obeyed.

Silence fell. Only then did the Crown Prince look at me and lift a brow. “What do you intend to do?”

“I have lost the desire for an outing, Your Highness. I will turn back now.”

He nodded slightly and pointed to one of his guards. “Drive her carriage and see her home safely.”

I bowed my thanks and climbed back in.

Only after we reached home and the Crown Prince’s guard had left did Xu Mingming exhale. She whispered, “I never expected to meet the Crown Prince. Do you think he realized you blocked the road on purpose?”

“Probably.” I remained calm. “It doesn’t matter. I wasn’t the one at fault.”

Cheered again, Xu Mingming returned to the subject of Song Yin. “His reputation and the princess’s will be ruined now. Just thinking about it makes me happy.”

I smiled faintly.

In truth, I had trusted Song Yin too much. There had been signs long before this.

I remembered the rain a few days earlier.

I had gone to the academy to bring him an umbrella.

I had visited his academy several times. Of the seven dormitories in its rear courtyard, I had donated six.

The headmaster was deeply grateful, but he did not know that I had donated them not from any grand benevolence, but simply because I feared Song Yin might be uncomfortable.

When I reached his door, I found seven or eight students seated inside. They did not know me, though I knew them.

“Who are you looking for?” Yang Ling asked, openly dazzled by the sight of me.

“Song Yin. Is he here?”

“He is in the master’s room. He should be back soon.” Yang Ling tilted his head, the tips of his ears reddening. “What… what are you to him?”

The others studied me as well, exchanging curious, speculative looks.

My chest tightened. Song Yin truly had not breathed a word about me—or our engagement.

“I am his…” I began, but Song Yin suddenly opened the neighboring door. He froze when he saw me. “Why are you here?”

I raised the umbrella in my hand.

“I needn’t return tonight. You didn’t have to come all this way.” His voice softened. “It is getting late. I will walk you home.”

I nodded. From inside the room, Yang Ling and the others began teasing him and asking who I was.

I stayed where I was, watching Song Yin carefully and waiting to hear how he would introduce me.

“She is my younger sister. Stop teasing, or you’ll frighten her.” The answer came smoothly, without the slightest hesitation.

The jeering grew louder. Someone asked when he had acquired a sister.

Another called, “How old is your sister? Is she promised to anyone?”

“Enough of that nonsense.” Song Yin stopped them with a stern look. I inclined my head to the men inside and walked unhurriedly down the covered corridor.

If I was his sister today, how would he explain marrying me someday? Would he tell his classmates that he had wed his own sister?

Or had he never intended to marry me at all?

“Sister Song.” Yang Ling suddenly darted past Song Yin and chased after me. He looked at me, face red and manner painfully awkward.

“You—I—my name is Yang Ling. Yang Ling of Vice Minister Yang’s residence on East Street.”

After speaking, the young man gave me one long look, then fled back into the room with a burning face.

I turned. Song Yin stood behind me to one side, stunned and pale.

“I can return by myself. There is no need to escort me, Brother.” Without looking at him again, I opened the umbrella and stepped into the rain.

The beautiful dream Song Yin and I had woven together should have shattered in that rain.

I had merely chosen to deceive myself.