Time Travel: The Heroine Has Arrived!

"Slap!" The Crown Prince knelt on the ground as a petition was thrown in his face.

"See for yourself, how the members of the Imperial Court are impeaching you? Corrupt morals, brutal and merciless, unfit to bear the heavy responsibility of the nation!" the Emperor exclaimed in fury.

The Crown Prince panicked. He had heard plenty of rumors lately. He thought the deeds he committed were clandestine, how could they have spread?

He absolutely could not admit to them!

The Crown Prince kowtowed to the Emperor, "Father Emperor, your son has been wronged. This must be someone framing me. I implore you to investigate thoroughly!"

"Wronged?" The Emperor scoffed coldly and threw another item in front of the Crown Prince, "Take a look for yourself!"

The Crown Prince picked it up with trembling hands; after just one glance, he recognized the time and place listed—details of the secret acts he thought he had concealed were clearly documented.

So the Emperor had long investigated and figured it all out.

"Yan Xing, you have deeply disappointed me!"

This matter was resolved with the Emperor suppressing all petitions that impeached the Crown Prince and confining him to his quarters for a month.

However, while the storm in the Imperial Court had subsided, the rumors among the common folks didn't stop, and for a time, the Crown Prince's reputation dropped to an all-time low.

"Go find out who released this news," Ji Yu commanded, standing there like a firm and graceful bamboo.

"Master, I am unable to find out," the kneeling figure lowered their head.

Ji Yu pondered; the Hidden Guard was a legacy from the Former Empress, and under his management over the years, their strength had improved by leaps and bounds, even comparable to the Emperor's personal Hidden Guard. How could there be something they couldn't uncover?

"The news seemed to appear out of thin air, with no traces or clues to follow."

"Alright, I understand," said Ji Yu, gesturing for the person to leave.

"Huh? What a coincidence." Gu Shengyin opened her eyes wide.

Ji Yu, seeing the surprise on Gu Shengyin's face, thought to himself that this was no coincidence; he had come specifically for her.

Today, he was dressed in brocade clothes and adorned with jade, very much like the young masters from Prominent families, indeed looking more lively than when he wore a simple green shirt before.

The Double Seven Festival was illuminated by brilliant lights everywhere, casting the silhouettes of the passersby on the streets.

"Where are Hu Zhu and Lin Lang?" Gu Shengyin belatedly realized that the maids and the guard who were always following her had disappeared.

"I had someone distract them. Tonight, it's just the two of us, let's enjoy ourselves," Ji Yu whispered into Gu Shengyin's ear, his warm breath tinting the skin by her ear with a lustrous hue.

Ji Yu took notice of the deepening color in his own eyes as he reached out to hold Gu Shengyin's hand, "Stay close to me; we can't afford to get separated."

The streets were filled with beautifully dressed women. Gu Shengyin followed Ji Yu all the way, finally stopping by a scarcely populated lakeside.

Not far ahead, two bright lanterns hung; their glow was somewhat dim in this spot, distant from the noise and bustling crowds, bringing a peaceful quietude to the area.

Ji Yu never let go of Gu Shengyin's hand. He turned his head to look at her lowered profile.

Watching the early snow from the city walls, gazing at a beauty under the lantern light.

Gu Shengyin's face, lit by the soft and affectionate lantern light, exhibited a stunning beauty.

"Ah Zhen." Ji Yu felt his throat grow dry, "Did you like the Summoning Affection Flower I gave you?"

Gu Shengyin was somewhat nervous. She wasn't devoid of feelings for Ji Yu, but she knew this was a love without a future. Ji Yu would die, would be gone, whereas she was akin to having an eternal life.

More despairing than never having is to have and then lose.

In her haste, Gu Shengyin blurted out something.

"Hm? How do you know my name?"