Ever since she lost her mother at the age of eight, no one had ever called Qin Xiyi by her childhood name again.

Noble Consort Ying only called her by her formal name, and her wet nurse, Nanny Du, always respectfully addressed her as Her Imperial Highness.

The name “Nian’er” felt somewhat foreign to her, yet its warmth washed over her, filling her with a deep sense of comfort.

Ever since their rendezvous at Qingcheng Tower, Qin Xiyi seemed possessed. She met with Cheng Mozhi every other day, though the location of their intimate trysts had shifted to a waterside pavilion in a garden west of the capital.

Cheng Mozhi had invited her to his estate, but Qin Xiyi declined.

It wasn’t that she feared ruining Hanlin Cheng’s reputation, but rather that the capital was full of prying eyes, and his residence sat in a bustling district where someone would inevitably recognize her.

Ultimately, Qin Xiyi had no intention of revealing her identity to Cheng Mozhi. Her personal maid, however, plucked up the courage to speak her mind.

“Princess, if you truly like Hanlin Cheng, you could simply ask the Emperor to decree a marriage. Why wrong yourself like this?”

Qin Xiyi made a playful move to pinch her maid’s lips, laughing as she scolded, “What do you know? Forbidden fruit is always the sweetest!”

Though she spoke lightly, the moment she was alone, Qin Xiyi’s smile faded. She stared blankly at a portrait of Cheng Mozhi, lost in thought.

Word had already leaked from the imperial court that Hanlin Cheng was to be promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. More importantly, the Emperor intended to choose a bride for him from the royal clan.

His political future was exceptionally bright.

But that royal bride could never be Qin Xiyi. She knew this better than anyone.

Everyone believed the Emperor doted on Qin Xiyi above all others, but she knew the truth: she was merely a chess piece raised by her imperial father. The imperial decree for a political marriage alliance, received a month ago, still sat on her study desk.

A political marriage—that was her ultimate destiny.

Yet Qin Xiyi had refused to yield. The Emperor knew her temperament well; if she refused to give her consent, not even a blade held to her throat could sway her in the slightest.

Fortunately, time was still on her side. She kept dragging it out, and so the father and daughter remained locked in this silent battle of wills.

Only when she was with Cheng Mozhi could Qin Xiyi truly relax, casting all her worries to the wind.

She felt no jealousy regarding the Emperor’s intention to arrange a marriage for him. Instead, she would rest her chin on Cheng Mozhi’s shoulder, racking her brains to recommend the most eligible young ladies in the capital.

“Minister Liu’s daughter is exceptionally graceful.”

“General Qin’s daughter is spirited and heroic; she would complement your scholarly air perfectly.”

“Oh, and Commandery Princess Lin’an is delightfully quirky and kind-hearted, she’s a good choice too…”

At first, Cheng Mozhi simply let her babble, even pouring her a cup of tea himself, fearing her throat would grow dry from all the talking.

But as she went on with such earnestness, he could no longer contain himself. Setting the teapot aside, he pulled her into his arms, leaned down, and captured the rosy lips that were so busy listing off eligible maidens.

Taken aback, Qin Xiyi tried to push him away. “Be serious, I’m talking about important matters here…”

“Do you really want me to marry someone else that badly?”

Isn’t that bound to happen sooner or later anyway? Qin Xiyi blinked, offering him an innocent, harmless smile.

“At my age, it is indeed time for me to marry.”

Usually, whenever Qin Xiyi brought up the topic of marriage, Cheng Mozhi would look utterly aggrieved, as if he had been bullied or had his life savings stolen.

His sudden, easy agreement today caught Qin Xiyi completely off guard.

When she looked at him again, there was not a trace of grievance left in his eyes. He pulled her close, the warmth of his gaze giving way to an irrepressible smile as he whispered softly in her ear.

“If that is the case, then I shall do as my Nian’er wishes.”

From the moment she lost her mother at the age of eight, no one had ever called Qin Xiyi by her pet name again.

Consort Ying only called her by her full name, and her wet nurse, Madam Du, respectfully addressed her as Her Royal Highness.

The name “Nián’er” felt a little strange to her, yet its familiarity brought a comforting warmth throughout her body.

Since that day they met at the Allure Tower, Qin Xiyi seemed to be under a spell, meeting Cheng Mozhi every few days. However, their intimate rendezvous point had changed to a waterside pavilion in a pleasure garden west of the capital.

Cheng Mozhi had invited her to his residence, but Qin Xiyi refused.

It wasn’t that she feared damaging Hanlin Cheng’s reputation, but rather that the capital was full of prying eyes, and Hanlin Cheng’s mansion was in a bustling area, making it easy for someone to recognize her.

Ultimately, Qin Xiyi had no intention of revealing her identity to Cheng Mozhi, but her personal maid dared to speak out.

“If Her Royal Highness truly fancies Hanlin Cheng, why not simply ask His Majesty for an imperial decree of marriage? Why humble yourself like this?”

Qin Xiyi playfully pinched her maid’s mouth, scolding with a laugh, “What do you know? Stolen pleasures are the sweetest!”

She said that, but when she was alone, Qin Xiyi’s smile faded, and she stared blankly at Cheng Mozhi’s portrait.

News had already spread from the court that Hanlin Cheng was to be promoted to Vice Minister of War, and most importantly, the Emperor intended to bestow a marriage upon him with a princess from the imperial clan.

His career prospects were bright.

And that imperial woman could absolutely not be her, Qin Xiyi; she knew this better than anyone.

Everyone said the Emperor doted solely on Qin Xiyi, but only she knew that she was merely a pawn raised by her imperial father. The imperial decree for a marriage alliance, received a month ago, still lay on her desk in her study.

A marriage alliance—that was her ultimate destiny.

But Qin Xiyi had never agreed. The Emperor knew her stubborn nature; if she didn’t give her word, even with a blade at her throat, it wouldn’t move her in the slightest.

Fortunately, there was still time. She kept dragging it out, and father and daughter remained locked in this silent struggle.

Only when she was with Cheng Mozhi did Qin Xiyi truly relax, casting all her worries aside.

Regarding the Emperor’s intentional marriage decree, Qin Xiyi wasn’t jealous. She even leaned on Cheng Mozhi’s shoulder, racking her brain to introduce him to famous women in the capital.

“Minister Liu’s daughter is exceptionally graceful.”

“General Qin’s daughter is spirited and heroic, a perfect match for your scholarly demeanor.”

“Oh, Princess Lin’an is quirky and kind-hearted; she’s not bad either…”

At first, Cheng Mozhi simply let her ramble, even fearing she might get thirsty from talking so much, and personally poured her a cup of tea.

But as time went on, seeing her earnest expression, he couldn’t resist. He dropped the teapot, pulled her into his arms, and leaned down to capture those red lips, which had just listed eighteen beautiful young women, in his own.

Qin Xiyi was bewildered, playfully pushing him, “Be serious, I’m talking about important matters…”

“Do you really want me to marry someone else?”

Well, wasn’t that bound to happen sooner or later? Qin Xiyi blinked her eyes, smiling innocently.

“At my age, I really should get married.”

Normally, whenever Qin Xiyi brought up marriage, Cheng Mozhi would look wronged, as if he’d been bullied and had a few coins stolen from him.

His quick agreement today surprised Qin Xiyi.

Looking at Cheng Mozhi again, there was no trace of grievance in his eyes. He held her tighter, no longer able to hide the smile in his eyes, and whispered in her ear.

“Since that’s the case, then I’ll listen to Nián’er.”