Prince Ancheng kept Zheng Qian and Zheng Chi for lunch.
After the meal, the three of them chatted casually for a while.
Shadows from the courtyard trees stretched once more across the stone steps. Below them, patches of moss lay faint and wilted under the sun.
It was getting late.
Zheng Chi felt a trace of fatigue and stood to take his leave.
Prince Ancheng personally escorted the siblings to the main gate. His attitude had subtly shifted—more polite now, more distant.
"Miss Zheng, you've worked hard today."
"I wasn't able to help," Zheng Qian replied. "I've failed Your Highness's trust."
"Not at all. You did your best," he said.
After a few polite exchanges, Zheng Qian and Zheng Chi boarded their carriage.
Inside, Zheng Qian let out a soft sigh.
"Such a good opportunity, and I didn't seize it. Looks like my dream of becoming a princess is over."
"A princess?" Zheng Chi asked.
"I wanted to become one—have my own estate, live freely," Zheng Qian said. "Maybe even use an excuse like devoting my life to my master so I wouldn't have to marry. Wouldn't that be perfect?"
Zheng Chi fell silent.
She waited for his response, but when none came, she turned to look at him.
The afternoon sun slanted through the carriage window, casting dappled light across his face, softening his usually cold features.
"Big Brother, why aren't you saying anything? Do you think I'm being outrageous?"
"No," Zheng Chi replied quietly. "I just feel guilty that I can't help you."
Zheng Qian blinked—then laughed.
"There's no need for that. Do you think I'd blame you?"
She hadn't expected his help anyway.
Zheng Chi gave a soft "mm," but said nothing more.
Silence fell between them.
For ordinary emergency cases, Zheng Qian might have surpassed traditional physicians—but Xiao Zhan's condition was different. Even she had no real solution.
She could only watch the opportunity slip through her fingers.
From now on, even if someone in the palace needed urgent treatment, the Emperor likely wouldn't summon her again.
He had been clearly disappointed today.
All her earlier plans would have to be abandoned.
Zheng Qian sighed again.
She absentmindedly stroked A Chou's fur, feeling a bit guilty toward her "son"—she hadn't managed to secure him a future as a second-generation noble.
"No need to worry," Zheng Chi said gently. "There may be other opportunities in the future."
"I hope so," Zheng Qian replied.
Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan watched her, his mood heavy.
He was deeply disappointed.
If he truly couldn't return to his body… then would he remain a cat forever?
How could he accept that?
He still wanted her.
Quietly, he rested against her lap, rubbing his head against her palm.
Zheng Qian stroked him gently, scratching under his chin. He instinctively let out a soft purring sound, the unmistakable sign of a contented cat.
Zheng Chi remained silent.
The carriage fell into stillness.
When they returned home, a servant named Yu Zhong was already waiting at the gate.
"Young Master, the Old Madam asks that you go to Yutang Courtyard. She's sent people looking for you several times today."
Zheng Chi frowned slightly. "Do you know why?"
Yu Zhong stepped closer and lowered his voice. "Madam Third's family has come. A lady—and a young miss with her."
Zheng Qian, who overheard, couldn't help but smile.
Zheng Chi glanced at her.
She quickly suppressed it. "Big Brother, you should go. This is a good thing."
Zheng Chi's expression remained unchanged. "Tell Grandmother I visited the Prince's residence with my sister today. I'm tired, and my leg is acting up. I'll pay my respects another day."
Yu Zhong looked troubled.
The Old Madam clearly intended to summon him no matter what.
Zheng Qian understood immediately—this was likely about arranging a marriage for her brother. But the urgency suggested something more calculated.
Madam Third's family was still the wealthiest in Kunzhou.
The intent… was obvious.
The Hou residence had a long-standing tradition: using marriages as a means to accumulate wealth.
"Let's go," Zheng Chi said to her.
Zheng Qian followed him.
He escorted her back to Huining Garden first.
Just as they arrived, Yu Zhong came running again.
"Young Master, the Old Madam is angry now. She insists you come immediately—and she wants the Eldest Miss to come as well."
Zheng Qian glanced at Zheng Chi. "You can't avoid this."
She thought for a moment, then smiled. "You could use this chance to negotiate—ask Father to petition for you to be reinstated as heir."
Zheng Chi's tone turned cold. "How is that a good thing?"
The Hou estate had little wealth left to inherit—only burdens.
He had already rid himself of that responsibility. Why would he take it back?
He turned to Yu Zhong. "Go back first. I'll send word."
Yu Zhong hesitated. "Young Master… it may not be wise to offend the Old Madam."
There was something implied in his tone.
Zheng Qian didn't quite follow their exchange, and sensing she might be in the way, she quietly turned and entered Huining Garden.
Zheng Chi headed toward the west courtyard.
Yu Zhong followed closely. "Master, it's better not to provoke them…"
After a moment, Zheng Chi stopped.
"Fine. I'll go."
Zheng Qian had no idea what would happen at Yutang Courtyard.
Back in her room, she was immediately surrounded by curious maids.
"Miss, what did you and the Young Master do at the Prince's residence?"
"Was the steamed lamb delicious?"
"You look tired—what happened?"
Zheng Qian sighed. "If you can see I'm tired, why keep asking? Help me loosen my hair—I want to lie down."
Once her hair was undone, she lay back on the bed.
The cat leapt up and settled on her chest.
One person, one cat—both silent.
Neither slept. Neither spoke.
Zheng Qian's disappointment ran just as deep as Xiao Zhan's.
"I actually like him this much…" she murmured softly. "Just seeing him makes my heart race."
The cat, lost in thought until then, suddenly lifted his head sharply and stared at her.
But Zheng Qian didn't notice—lying flat, her gaze faced upward.
She was only thinking—
If Prince Rui ever woke up, and she still reacted like this whenever she saw him… what then?
Xiao Zhan was strikingly handsome, a war hero, and the Empress Dowager's own son.
His status far surpassed Xiao Mingyu's.
The original owner of this body had secretly loved him—that had nothing to do with Zheng Qian.
But her body… reacted on its own.
That made her feel helpless.
What if someone noticed?
Wouldn't that be embarrassing?
She had no intention of marrying into the imperial family.
She wanted to become the imperial family.
Still lost in thought, she suddenly felt the cat climb higher, rubbing insistently against her face, meowing softly—as if trying to comfort her.
Zheng Qian sighed softly. "I'm fine. Be good, A Chou."
Xiao Zhan: "..."
He wanted to hold her.
To tell her it was alright—he already knew how she felt.
He would never let her down.
He could give her wealth, status—everything. As long as she didn't seek the throne itself, anything the Emperor could grant, he could too.
He wouldn't take concubines. She would be the only one in his household.
Her child would be his heir—no one would compete for their place.
She didn't need to feel troubled.
If she liked him, she could simply like him.
There would be an outcome.
But…
He was only a cat.
And every word in his heart remained unspoken.