The celebration lasted until late into the night.
One by one, the noble families began departing from the Yue Mansion, their carriages disappearing into the quiet capital streets beneath rows of glowing lanterns. The once lively courtyards gradually settled into silence as servants cleaned tables, extinguished candles, and carried away gifts that had piled almost endlessly throughout the evening.
Inside the mansion, even the Yue Family members looked visibly exhausted after entertaining guests for an entire day.
Yue Tao collapsed dramatically onto a chair. "I never want to smile politely at another noble young master again."
Yue Liang immediately replied, "You weren't smiling politely. You looked ready to fight half of them."
"They kept staring at Sister Yue Ning."
"That's because she's beautiful," Yue Rui said matter-of-factly.
Yue Tao looked offended. "That's exactly the problem."
Nearby, Yue Heng calmly drank tea while ignoring the nonsense completely.
Yue Ming glanced around the courtyard before asking, "Where's Yue Ning?"
One of the servants answered respectfully, "Miss went to the eastern courtyard."
Yue Ming nodded. "Good. Let her rest."
No one noticed Xu Chen quietly leave shortly afterward.
The eastern courtyard was much calmer than the front halls. The sounds of celebration had become distant now, replaced only by the faint rustling of spring wind through the trees.
Yue Ning stood near a stone table beneath hanging lanterns, finally free from endless greetings and formal smiles. She had already removed several heavy accessories from her hair, leaving her appearance softer and more relaxed than before.
Her maid stood nearby organizing the remaining birthday gifts brought specifically to this courtyard.
Yue Ning let out a tired breath. "I'm never doing this again."
Her maid laughed helplessly. "Miss, it's only once a year."
"That's still too much."
"You handled it beautifully."
Yue Ning leaned lazily against the table. "I nearly fell asleep listening to Minister Zhao explain poetry."
"You nodded for almost fifteen minutes."
"I know."
A familiar voice suddenly spoke from behind.
"You should've fallen asleep."
Yue Ning turned immediately.
Xu Chen stood there calmly as if appearing in her courtyard late at night was the most natural thing in the world.
Her maid instantly lowered her head respectfully while Xu Chen's personal servant silently remained several steps behind him.
Yue Ning blinked once. "Why are you still here?"
Xu Chen answered simply, "I came to see you."
Yue Ning stared at him for a second before almost laughing. "You already saw me the entire day."
"Not alone."
"That sounds suspicious."
Xu Chen ignored the comment completely and walked closer. His gaze briefly swept over her lighter appearance before settling on her face.
"You removed the ornaments."
"They were heavy."
"You look better now."
Yue Ning narrowed her eyes slightly. "You say dangerous things very casually."
Xu Chen looked genuinely confused. "Why is that dangerous?"
Her maid immediately lowered her head further to hide her expression.
Yue Ning crossed her arms. "Because normal people don't speak like that."
"I'm not normal."
That answer came so naturally that Yue Ning actually laughed this time.
Xu Chen watched her quietly for a moment. "You're happier now."
"The guests left."
"Mm."
"And you should leave too."
Xu Chen's expression remained perfectly calm. "No."
Yue Ning stared at him in disbelief. "This is my house."
"Yes."
"And it's late."
"Yes."
"Then why are you still standing here?"
Xu Chen replied simply, "You haven't rested yet."
Yue Ning looked at him for several seconds as if wondering whether he was serious.
Unfortunately—
He absolutely was.
"You're unbelievable," she muttered.
Xu Chen remained unmoved. "You're tired."
"And whose fault is that?"
"You talked too much."
Yue Ning immediately pointed at him. "Excuse me? Half the noble ladies only came because they wanted to look at you."
Xu Chen answered calmly, "I ignored them."
"That's not the point."
Xu Chen tilted his head slightly. "Then what is?"
Yue Ning opened her mouth—
Then stopped.
Because arguing logically with Xu Chen was nearly impossible.
He was too calm.
Too direct.
And somehow completely sincere at the same time.
Her maid silently looked away while Xu Chen's servant maintained a perfectly straight expression despite clearly hearing everything.
Yue Ning finally sighed dramatically. "Your Highness."
"Yes."
"Go back to the palace."
"No."
Yue Ning narrowed her eyes. "Why?"
Xu Chen answered without hesitation. "I don't want to."
Her maid nearly choked.
Yue Ning stared at him in complete disbelief before laughing helplessly. "You're acting like a child."
Xu Chen looked entirely unconcerned. "Then let me stay."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because this is improper."
Xu Chen's gaze remained steady on her. "Who would know?"
Yue Ning immediately pointed toward the two servants nearby.
Her maid instantly lowered her head further.
Xu Chen's servant looked ready to disappear from existence.
Xu Chen glanced at them briefly before saying calmly, "They won't speak."
Yue Ning almost laughed again.
"You planned this conversation already, didn't you?"
"No."
"You definitely did."
Xu Chen stepped slightly closer. "You should sleep."
"And you should leave."
Neither moved.
For a brief moment they simply looked at each other beneath the lantern light, the spring breeze moving softly around them.
Then Yue Ning suddenly lifted her foot and lightly kicked his leg.
Not hard.
Barely enough to move him.
But enough to make both servants freeze completely in shock.
"Go," Yue Ning said while trying very hard not to smile.
Xu Chen looked down briefly at where she kicked him before raising his gaze back to her.
"You kicked me."
"Yes."
The Crown Prince of the empire remained silent for a moment.
Then, unexpectedly—
The corners of his lips lifted faintly.
A real smile.
Small.
Brief.
But unmistakable.
Yue Ning blinked in surprise.
Even his servant looked stunned.
Xu Chen stepped back finally. "Fine."
Yue Ning crossed her arms triumphantly. "Good."
"But," Xu Chen added calmly, "next year I'm staying longer."
Yue Ning immediately pointed toward the exit. "Leave."
Xu Chen looked at her for another moment before finally turning away.
His servant quickly followed behind him, though not before silently glancing at Yue Ning with an expression that practically screamed disbelief.
The Crown Prince—
Had just been kicked out of a mansion.
And allowed it willingly.
At the courtyard entrance, Xu Chen paused briefly and looked back once more.
Yue Ning still stood beneath the lantern light watching him leave.
Their eyes met.
And though neither spoke—
The warmth lingering in that quiet moment remained long after he disappeared into the night.