Chapter 78

On a clear morning in midsummer, the cicadas began to hum, and the morning light was just right. Fu Mingyue and that "guard" from the Zhennan Prince's Estate had been waiting in the courtyard for quite some time. The two stood some distance apart, as if deliberately trying to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Under the magnolia tree in the courtyard, the hem of Fu Mingyue's crimson skirt was gently lifted by the morning breeze, casting a faint blush across her cheeks. She kept her head lowered, her fingers unconsciously twisting the silk sash at her waist, while stealing an occasional glance at the tall, sturdy figure a few paces away. The "guard" stood perfectly straight; his dark, tight-fitting attire accentuated his broad shoulders and long legs. Though he appeared calm, his gaze could not help but drift toward the magnolia tree. Whenever Fu Mingyue looked up, he would quickly avert his eyes, the tips of his ears turning a faint shade of red.