Xi Zhuoyu didn't think for long before stuffing the whimpering puppy into the arms of his personal guard captain You Wu. "You hold the dog and wait here. Someone might come looking for it later. If no one shows up after half an hour, take the dog back to the manor."

You Wu: "...Huh?" I'm your personal guard captain! You want me to stand here holding a dog and waiting for someone?

Watching the vice-captain supporting the limping lord as they walked away, You Wu took a deep breath while holding the dog. It was the night of the Ghost Festival! And he was just left here alone?

"Ex- excuse me, sir, have you seen a small dog?" Hearing a faint female voice from behind, You Wu shuddered, accidentally squeezing the puppy and making it let out fierce barks.

"Ah! It really is Gui Huagao!" The faint female voice suddenly became lively. You Wu saw two women with hunched shoulders running over excitedly, staring eagerly at the puppy in his hands.

When Jiang Yuchao returned to the courtyard and was told that Gui Huagao hadn't been found, she didn't hesitate to point at the two servant girls responsible for taking care of the dog. "You two go back to where I was just now and see if Gui Huagao is still there. If not, come right back."

So the two servant girls went out together to search for the dog again.

The two groups silently completed the handover of Gui Huagao. Both You Wu and the two servant girls seemed to have something to say but held back. Finally, one of the servant girls couldn't help asking in a low voice, "Excuse me, sir, which household are you from?"

They speculated that their mistress's heart had been stirred. That smile on her face, they had never seen it before.

Although having a lover wasn't exactly respectable, as servants, what could they do about their mistress's affairs? For now, they should at least figure out the other party's background so they would know what to expect. Who knows, they might have to interact in the future.

That's what the two servant girls were thinking. Coincidentally, You Wu was thinking the same.

He also lowered his voice to reply, "I am a guard from Prince Yuling's manor."

Prince Yuling's manor! The two servant girls covered their mouths to suppress their gasps of surprise. That was Prince Yuling's manor!

Prince Yuling, known as the number one beautiful man in Luodu, was said to be so beautiful that he looked down on all women. He had yet to take a princess consort and was a legendary figure among countless boudoir maidens and wives. Look at all those haughty young ladies from noble families - most of them wanted to become the Rui Princess Consort, but how many dared to even think about Prince Yuling? Someone like that actually had a secret affair with their mistress!

The two servant girls had already assumed that the earlier scene was a moonlit tryst. They even began to suspect that the real reason their mistress had been cast aside by Prince Yu was that he had discovered the affair between her and Prince Yuling.

And the reason she wasn't staying at the Prime Minister's manor but this desolate Mingyue Monastery was also explained - it was for the secret meetings with Prince Yuling!

Case closed, everything made sense now. Impressive, impressive. Their mistress was awesome.

You Wu didn't understand the shock and awe in the eyes of the two servant girls. He also wanted to know who the distinguished person was that could have a moonlit rendezvous with his dog-obsessed lord.

He inquired, "May I ask, the one who was with my lord earlier, is she a young lady from your household? And which household are you from?"

"We are from the Prime Minister's manor. Our mistress is the third young lady of the Prime Minister's household."

You Wu: "Oh, so it's the third young lady of the Prime Minister's household... Hmm, the third young lady of the Prime Minister's household??" Wasn't that the former Princess Consort Yu?

The matter of Prince Yu and Princess Consort Yu had been the talk of the town. He had even privately discussed it with his brothers, debating whether Prince Yu was capable or not.

Who would have thought that his lord's tastes were so unique, liking a woman who had been married before? You Wu returned to the prince's manor with a complicated expression and sought out his brothers, privately warning them, "From now on, never discuss the matter of Prince Yu and Princess Consort Yu again, especially not in front of our lord. Otherwise, our lord will likely become angry."

Prince Yuling's guards were baffled. "Huh? Why not? Although our prince is Prince Yu's cousin, they aren't close."

You Wu: Tsk, our prince may not be close to Prince Yu, but he has a secret affair with Princess Consort Yu. You guys just don't get it.

He gathered a few brothers in a circle and explained to them in a low voice, "Our lord and the former Princess Consort Yu met up at Mingyue Monastery after dark. I saw with my own eyes that they were sitting alone together, talking softly. Even from a distance, I heard our lord laugh a few times. He even gave her a dog."

Heavens! Their lord only ever brought dogs back to the manor, rarely giving them away. It must be true love. Everyone exchanged shocked and eager gossipy glances.

......

Ever since seeing her idol, Jiang Yuchao's mood had been great for several days. The servants attending her in the courtyard could all see it. The servants who had stumbled upon her and Xi Zhuoyu sitting together and talking that day now understood her state of mind. Their mistress was happy after meeting her lover. Look at those shining eyes and rosy face.

The two servant girls in charge of the dog, one named Shuang Yan and the other Xiang Pei, told a few close servant girls about Prince Yuling. Soon, all the personal attendants serving Jiang Yuchao knew. Some believed it, while others didn't.

Lan Qiao didn't really believe it. She kept wanting to ask but was afraid of angering her mistress. So she had been looking for an opportunity to probe indirectly.

She brought Gui Huagao to Jiang Yuchao's side and said with a smile, "Mistress, Gui Huagao eats so much. Look, he's gotten heavier these past few days. But this fellow loves to run around. Last time, he almost got lost. Fortunately, he was found."

Jiang Yuchao picked up Gui Huagao and stroked the round, fluffy, chubby dog. These past few days, after learning that the dog belonged to her idol, her attitude towards Gui Huagao had improved a lot. She often had someone bring him over so she could hug him.

Hugging her idol's dog was equivalent to hugging her idol, a way to console herself.

Lan Qiao: "I heard that Prince Yuling also really likes dogs and keeps many in his manor." She secretly observed her mistress's expression.

Jiang Yuchao, holding Gui Huagao, suddenly let out a sigh.

Lan Qiao's heart skipped a beat when she saw her mistress's expression suddenly turn melancholic. No way, just hearing Prince Yuling's name caused such an obvious reaction from her mistress? This apparent melancholy, could it be what the books describe as "a day apart feels like three autumns"?

In fact, Jiang Yuchao was really troubled. She originally thought that without Shaoyuan in this world, she would be miserable. But now knowing Shaoyuan is also here, she is still miserable. Although she couldn't see him in the original world either, she could still "cloud raise" him through Weibo posts, various photos and videos. But now? She doesn't even have a recent photo of him. How can she go on living like this?

She glanced at Lan Qiao beside her and suddenly said, "Do you know about Prince Yuling? Tell me about him." The only way to get through these days without photo fixes is by asking around for news about her idol.

Lan Qiao never expected things to turn out this way. She actually didn't know much, basically just what everyone else knew. "Um, Prince Yuling, he... he's very good-looking..."

Jiang Yuchao: "What do you mean good-looking? He has a godly face. Back when Nüwa created humans, the others were just casually made, but he was meticulously crafted, different from ordinary people."

Lan Qiao: "???"

Jiang Yuchao: "Not only is he good-looking, he's also very polite, considerate of others, and especially respectful, the kind of person that makes you feel comfortable. If there's something he doesn't understand, he won't pretend to know, and will humbly ask for guidance and learn earnestly. He loves dogs the most, because he had no one to accompany him as a child, and a big dog at home kept him company through his childhood.

"Later when the dog died, he was sad for a long time. He still remembers the dog's death anniversary every year. After growing up, he became too busy to keep a dog again. He has a nice voice but sings off-key. He can cook, especially good at making stir-fried tomatoes with eggs and egg fried rice, but he doesn't like eating eggs because he ate too many as a child. He loves eating potatoes the most, stewed together with lots of meat..."

Lan Qiao: "..." What's going on? What am I doing? Why does Mistress know so much? I don't know, I know nothing.

All she knew was that Mistress and Prince Yuling had a private relationship, this was set in stone. Knowing so many details and preferences, who would believe they weren't intimately involved?

Jiang Yuchao paused and sighed again, "I wonder how he's doing now." He fell earlier, his leg should be fine now? She was too excited at the time and didn't show proper concern.

Lan Qiao looked at her mistress who was wholeheartedly thinking of her lover, gritted her teeth and said, "Mistress! Don't worry, I will definitely keep the secret! If you want to see him, I'll deliver a letter for you!"

Jiang Yuchao was stunned for a moment. Meeting? Sure, but no need. What idol and fan meet frequently? Fans should keep their distance from the idol's life, that's the way for the long run.

"No need to meet, I want to send him some gifts." To show concern for her idol's leg, thank him for the dog he sent, and the usual fan offerings. Before, she could directly mail small gifts and cards to his company, although not knowing if he would receive them, it was the thought that counted.

Lan Qiao patted her chest, "Leave it to me, Mistress. I will be careful and not let anyone find out!" She felt like she was the go-between shouldering a secret romance, and got a bit excited.

Jiang Yuchao nodded approvingly, "Very good." After all, times have changed, even sending something isn't as legal and convenient as before. Although friends can also exchange gifts, it's still better to be cautious.

"Then what do you want to send, Mistress?" Lan Qiao asked with great interest.

"Sending cloth," said Jiang Yuchao.

When giving gifts, cater to their preferences.

Speaking of this, it's quite funny. She has liked Xi Shaoyuan for a long time, considered one of the earliest fans. Back when he wasn't that famous yet, his fashion sense was really hard to describe, especially fond of wearing those patterned clothes in bright red, purple, and green, very eye-catching. When he smiled, he looked like the foolish son of a landlord.

Later as he gained some fame and had his own dedicated team, he started wearing those simple, clean-cut outfits. But in an early interview, he mentioned that he liked those flowery clothes.

Later when he became very popular, Jiang Yuchao carefully noticed in several fan sightings and recorded fan benefit videos that inside her Shaoyuan's simple coats, there were floral shirts. Although only the collar was exposed, hidden under the coat, it was still discovered.

There was even one time when he made a big movement while participating in a show, revealing a tiny bit of his underwear edge, also with a floral pattern.

Oh my god, this little hobby is just too adorable.

She wanted to buy him lots and lots of pretty floral clothes and let him wear them to his heart's content.

"Bring money, let's go to the fabric shop." Jiang Yuchao rarely went out. She took a few maids to the fabric shop. Except for Lan Qiao, the others all thought she was going to make clothes for herself.

When they arrived at the fabric shop, Jiang Yuchao found that there was an unusually large variety of patterned fabrics.

"Take a look, Madam. This Yunjin brocade with floral patterns from Jiangnan is Prince Yuling's favorite fabric. Countless young ladies and madams love using this kind!" The shop attendant introduced enthusiastically.

No matter where, her idol could always set off trends. Jiang Yuchao felt proud for him, but waved her hand, "No need for introductions, I'll look myself."

Just kidding, who here could be clearer than her about what types of patterns and colors her idol liked?

Maple leaf red with chrysanthemum yellow floral patterns, wisteria purple mixed with mallow red and peony pink triple floral patterns, rose of Sharon purple with large golden California poppy yellow patterns, sapphire blue interspersed with silver flowers - he would definitely love these.

Although he couldn't wear clothes like this, judging from his past profile pictures, occasional Weibo background images of his home curtains and carpets, the scarves he matched, and the packaging of products he had praised before - as long as you paid attention, you would discover that his preferences could actually be summarized into a few classic color schemes.

As she was leaving with the selected fabrics, Jiang Yuchao overheard a few other girls buying cloth quietly saying, "Prince Yuling should like this kind", "I also want to wear clothes he likes, maybe next time if we meet, he'll look at me a bit more."

Jiang Yuchao glanced at the fabrics in their hands and smiled. Sorry, he least likes that shade of poop green.

Stopping the carriage near the Yuling King's residence, Lan Qiao was a bit nervous. "Mistress, shall I go deliver your gift now?"

Jiang Yuchao looked at the towering gate and hesitated again. This didn't seem quite right either.

"Forget it, let's go back first," she said.

Lan Qiao inexplicably felt a bit disappointed, "Huh? You selected for so long, not sending it anymore?"

Jiang Yuchao smiled faintly, "No, it's not very proper to have you go. It's better to have... Brother deliver it, that would be more justifiable."

Author's Note: Later, everyone knew the two of them had a private relationship, only the two involved parties didn't know.