Xiao Luming and An Youyou talked for quite a while.

An Youyou, seeing that her brother had no intention of playing with her, could only leave dejectedly.

She thought to herself that the Imperial Palace was really boring!

Once An Youyou left.

Xiao Luming returned to the couch to read.

Seeing that Lin Zichan had changed into a new set of clothes and recalling the injury on his back, he said, "Guard Lin, you may retire for the day. The Crown Prince will not be going anywhere today, so there’s no need for a guard’s close protection."

"Yes." Lin Zichan accepted the order.

After Xiao Luming spoke, he focused his attention on the book.

Lin Zichan slowly departed.

He walked within the Imperial Palace.

His steps were neither hurried nor slow.

With a detached gaze, he observed everything before him.

Looking at the serene surface of the lake, the sunlight glittered dazzlingly.

Not far away, he saw An Youyou by the lakeside, catching butterflies.

With no one to play with her, she could only play with the Palace Attendants.

Luckily, An Youyou was cheerful, and could play happily with the Palace Attendants, filling the lakeside with her bell-like laughter.

Lin Zichan’s lips lightly curved into a smile.

He simply watched.

Watched for a long time.

"Guard Lin hasn’t left yet?" Suddenly, a voice sounded beside him.

Lin Zichan snapped back to reality.

It was a Palace Attendant from Xiao Luming’s palace.

He kindly said, "Aren’t you injured? You should go back and rest earlier."

Lin Zichan slightly nodded.

Aware that his current status did not allow him to roam freely within the Imperial Palace.

He turned to leave.

After taking just a few steps.

A "thud" of someone falling into the water suddenly sounded from the lake.

Followed by a rapid voice, "The Princess has fallen into the water, help, the Princess has fallen into the water..."

As soon as the words were spoken.

All the Palace Attendants around An Youyou jumped in.

Clearly, unable to swim, yet seemingly without hesitation.

The loud commotion from the lake instantly attracted the patrol team within the Imperial Palace, who rushed over upon hearing the sound.

Yet, amidst the crowd, a figure like the wind had already jumped into the lake.

Quickly finding An Youyou, just as he was about to pull her from the water.

He saw An Youyou’s little legs and arms had already started swimming on their own.

Lin Zichan was slightly stunned.

An Youyou surfaced and took a deep breath, "It’s so cold!"

Lin Zichan then realized that An Youyou could swim.

Most likely a skill cultivated from a young age.

Lin Zichan breathed a slight sigh of relief.

At this moment, three or four more people had jumped into the lake to assist.

Lin Zichan went over and still carried An Youyou in his arms, "Princess, I’ll take you ashore."

An Youyou glanced at Lin Zichan.

Isn’t this the guard from Brother’s palace?!

Why did he come here?

An Youyou didn’t think much of it.

Because the early spring water was unbearably cold, An Youyou immediately embraced Lin Zichan’s neck snugly with her little arms.

Lin Zichan felt An Youyou’s closeness and trust, and his expression seemed even warmer.

He quickly lifted An Youyou out of the lake and onto the shore.

Just as they reached the shore.

An Ning hurried over.

Having been informed that An Youyou had fallen into the water.

Although An Ning knew An Youyou could swim, having taught her since she was young, on such a cold day and in the deep lake, it still made her somewhat anxious.

Not long ago, Xiao Luming had fallen from the roof, and now An Youyou had fallen into the water.

An Ning’s pace quickened.

She came closer and saw An Youyou being rescued ashore by Lin Zichan.

An Ning frowned.

Why is Lin Zichan everywhere?

Instead of keeping Xiao Luming company, why is he here?

"Mother." An Youyou, seeing her mother approaching, called out loudly in a crisp voice.

An Ning looked at An Youyou, drenched from head to toe, and instructed the Palace Attendants, "Quickly fetch a cloak for the Princess, don’t let her catch a cold."

"Madam, it’s being fetched already, will arrive shortly." The Palace Attendants quickly replied.

As she spoke.

A eunuch rapidly ran over with a cloak, respectfully handing it to An Ning.

An Ning took the cloak and approached An Youyou.

At this moment, An Youyou was still held by Lin Zichan. As she draped the cloak over An Youyou, she naturally moved closer to Lin Zichan.

Lin Zichan lowered his eyes.

For a moment, An Ning felt Lin Zichan wanted to step back.

She didn’t think too much of it.

After all, their statuses were worlds apart.

Lin Zichan’s fear of her was quite ordinary.

"Carry the Princess back to the palace, prepare hot water for her bath, we mustn’t let her catch cold." An Ning instructed.

"Yes." Lin Zichan replied respectfully.