At noon, Yuzhen, noticing the awkwardness between them, decided to mediate, smiling at Li Qin, “Crown Prince, I heard your Eastern Palace has received new honeydew melons. Why not invite me and the two Miss Lins to taste them?” Li Qin, feeling guilty, genuinely regarded Qingqing as a friend, though not romantically. He wanted to make amends, but Qingqing wouldn’t even look at him. Seeing Yuzhen’s attempt to defuse the situation, he felt deeply grateful. He quickly said, “If you would all honor me with your presence, I’d be delighted. Let’s invite Xue’er and the Fourth Prince too.”
Qingqing, who had somewhat calmed down, remembered the Emperor’s words and the burden she now carried, deciding to temper the Crown Prince’s arrogance. She walked over to the Fourth Prince and smiled, “That won’t do, I’ve already agreed with the Fourth Prince to dine at his palace. I appreciate the Crown Prince’s kindness, but Qingqing will have to decline.” Qingqing didn’t even glance at Li Qin, focusing solely on the Fourth Prince, fearing he might blurt out that they hadn’t actually made such an arrangement. The Fourth Prince, however, was cooperative. After Qingqing spoke, he chuckled, “The meals at my second brother’s palace are too luxurious; Miss Lin might not be accustomed to them.” Qingqing’s heart was in her throat, worried that the Crown Prince might lose his temper and cause another scene. Yuzhen and Yafu looked at him timidly. To everyone’s surprise, he clenched his fists but did not erupt, merely watching as Qingqing and the Fourth Prince walked away. By rights, he should have been angry, but for some reason, perhaps due to a reluctance to concede or something else, he felt a sense of loss and frustration.
