Father was happy to see me but the disappointment of not seeing Chen Mu accompany me back home was evident in his frown.

"Princess, where's the the first prince?" Father questioned me.

I have three choices to pick from.

First, Chen Mu was given an official assignment from the Emperor.

Pro - Father will not question me further.

Con - If I was caught lying and was found out to have used the Emperor's name, I will spend the rest of my life in jail.

Second, Chen Mu still has some unfinished business in the imperial capital and will follow tomorrow.

Pro - Father will understand.

Con - If Chen Mu does not arrive as I claimed, father will think lowly of my husband.

Third, Chen Mu is somewhere I have no idea of.

Pro - I didn't lie.

Con - Father will assume that Chen Mu is not treating me well and will probably find the first prince to cause trouble for him.

Though I know Chen Mu was in the Western Border since he visited me earlier, I couldn't really tell my father about it without exposing his identity. Chen Mu haven't even fully trusted me yet, I don't want to compromise the harmonious relationship we're slowly building.

"Father, the first prince has some official assignment from the Emperor." I lied.

Please pray for me.

"I see," Father nodded his head and patted my hand, "He can't abandon his duties as a prince. Do understand him."

I gave father a smile as a response.

Now, father is siding with you. Chen Mu, you owe me.

"Let's go. They're waiting for you."

Father walked me to the garden where the women have assembled and left towards the receiving room where the men were gathered.

"Princess Bai Fan!" They all bowed when they saw me enter the venue.

"I'm glad you're all here." I greeted them back.

Honestly, I have no idea who these ladies are. I've seen some familiar faces but I don't know their names or how they are related to me.

I whispered to Xiao Yu as I took the center seat, "Are you able to recognize any of them?"

"Miss, if you haven't avoided going to the socializing events, you wouldn't be so lost right now." Xiao Yu laughed seeing my dilemma.

I pouted. Xiao Yu was right but I'm not a fan of interacting with random people, unless its really needed. I have the soul of an hermit.

"Miss, the ladies on the right are your cousins." Xiao Yu pointed at the girls standing beside the man-made pond.

I have cousins?

Xiao Yu saw my confusion and explained, "their father, a literary scholar living in the Northern Border, is your mother's brother."

"Why haven't I met them before?" I was truly baffled how I'm so clueless of their existence. I knew of my mother's brother but not of his children.

"Miss, they invited you to their home countless times but you refused all of them." Xiao Yu reminded me.

Did I? Wow, I'm a terrible relative.

Xiao Yu informed me of everyone's identity and their relation to me and my father. The more I listen to her, the more I realize how I spent my life living like a recluse.

No wonder no one's coming to approach me. I might have looked like a complete snob to them.

The celebration went on with the guests having a fun time listening to the entertainers playing music and eating the sweet desserts while I'm stuck on my seat like an outcast. I'm not complaining though. At least, I don't have to fake pleasantries with everyone.

A servant soon came and told me that the first prince have arrived. I quickly followed her as she led me to the receiving room.

As soon as I entered, I saw the crowd gathering in a circle and heard them chattering in high spirits.

Father saw me and waved at me to come closer. Chen Mu was standing beside him.

I reluctantly made my way towards them.

Did father discover my lies? And why is Chen Mu here? He said he's not able to accompany me home.

"What are you doing here?" I eyed Chen Mu suspiciously.

Well, you were here earlier too but that's a different case.

"Princess, don't be rude to the first prince. He came here despite being busy with official matters." Father scolded me.

"Father, can I talk with the first prince for a moment." I didn't wait for father to respond as I grabbed Chen Mu's hand and dragged him out of the room.

After making sure that no one was around, I turned to Chen Mu and said, "You told me you are not able to accompany me so why did you show up?"

"I also lied to father about the Emperor giving you an official assignment." I added.

If I knew you were going to show up, I should have used reason number two and not use the emperor in my lies.

He sat on the bench, patted the empty space beside him and gestured for me to sit, "You didn't lie."

I dejectedly sat beside him.

I'm exposed.

The Emperor will soon send his royal guards to come and capture me. He will also strip me off my princess statu-

Wait...

"I didn't lie?"

"The emperor did gave me a special task." He confirmed.

I sighed in relief. Fortunately for me, this time, I'm saved.

I promise not to use the Emperor's name in vain.

"Are you not busy then?" I cautiously asked him.

"I'll be leaving in a while," Chen Mu muttered and looked at me in the eye, "I don't want your father to think that you married the wrong man."

I don't know but my heart started to race hearing those simple words from him. It may not be that special to some but it made an impact inside of me.

I do think I married the right man.

Chen Mu moved his gaze away from me but I was still staring at his face, familiarizing myself with all his features. His thick brows, his long eyeslashes, his onyx eyes, his perfect nose and his natural red lips.

I've already seen him before but this moment is different, I took time to appreciate the man sitting beside me.

Its too early for me to say that I have fallen in love with him but I can say that I'm starting to value his existence and feel some sort of affection for him.

We stayed that way. Him, looking in the distance. Me, looking at him. And it wasn't awkward at all. Instead, I felt at ease.

"Fan'er, I came to see you because I wouldn't be able to go home for a while," Chen Mu pushed the loose hair behind my ears, "When you go back to the imperial capital, don't go out of the Chen Manor. If you want anything, tell Housekeeper Nu and he will bring it for you. In case you really need to go out, bring the guards I have assigned to you."

I haven't fully grasped what he said but I nodded my head.

"Good." He rubbed my head like I was an obedient child.

"I'm going to excuse myself from your father and I'll leave." Chen Mu stood up and walked towards the receiving room.

I also stood up and shouted, "Wait!"

Chen Mu stopped on his track and turned to me.

I took a deep breath and sauntered towards him. Once I was in front of him, I courageously raised my hands and cupped his face with it.

"Chen Mu, will you trust me?"

"I've already started to."