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While talking to Dong Qing, Mr. and Mrs. Lin Jiaxin also arrived. Fearing that they would worry about Xia Zheng if they learned he had been locked in the ancestral hall by his father, Lin Yuan quickly spoke before Dong Qing could, hastily saying that Xia Zheng was in the mansion meeting friends.

Xia Zheng had not been back to the Capital City for over a year, and his return coincided with the festival season. Naturally, many people wanted to see him. With Lin Yuan saying this, Mr. and Mrs. Liu did not suspect anything.

Since Xia Zheng had instructed Dong Qing to take them out for a stroll, Lin Yuan had the maid call everyone, including Lin Wei, Xiao He, and Xiao Linshuang. However, before they could leave the house, Butler Zhou entered again.

Third Prince Zhao Hongde had arrived.

"Big Brother is here?" Lin Yuan was somewhat surprised. She should have informed him upon arriving in the Capital City, but Xia Zheng said he was busy with New Year preparations and imperial examinations, so Lin Yuan didn’t go. She hadn’t expected that just on the second day, Zhao Hongde would receive the news and come in person.

When they heard that the Prince himself was visiting, Lin Jiaxin and Lady Liu became somewhat uncomfortable.

Princess Anle was considered family since she would be their future in-laws, and they could handle it to some extent.

But now it was the Prince, and wasn’t there a saying, "being close to a monarch is like being close to a tiger"? If they were slightly negligent in their reception, wouldn’t they face beheading?

Seeing them like this, Lin Yuan couldn’t help but smile. She told Butler Zhou to invite Zhao Hongde in and reassured her parents, "Dad, Mom, don’t worry, although Big Brother is a prince, he is approachable and absolutely lacks any air of superiority. Just treat him as if he was Xia Zheng."

Dong Qing also grinned and chimed in, "Master and Madam, you can rest easy. I’ve been in the Capital City for many years, and I’ve never seen a young master or prince with a better temper than Third Prince! He is probably the most amiable and easygoing prince in our great Da Yong Dynasty!"

Dong Qing had more to say, but upon seeing Lin Yuan’s amused yet non-smiling eyes, he shrank his neck and dared not speak further, fearing Lin Yuan might actually take a knife to his tongue.

Lin Yuan smiled lightly, retracting her gaze from Dong Qing. It was not that she was forbidding him from speaking; rather, Dong Qing’s mouth was too unguarded, and if he accidentally alarmed the two Lius, that would be troublesome.

Before meeting him in person, Mr. and Mrs. Liu’s minds were still uneasy. However, Xiao Linshuang rolled her eyes, seemingly deep in thought, and suddenly asked, "Um, do you know the Sixth Prince? What is he like?"

Lin Yuan’s ears perked up. Why did this little girl not ask about anyone else but specifically pick the Sixth Prince?

Dong Qing cautiously glanced at Lin Yuan, and upon seeing her nod slightly, he swallowed and thoughtfully replied, "I do know the Sixth Prince. His mother and the princess are good friends, so he often comes over to play. It’s just that the young master always runs off, and the Sixth Prince often can’t find him.

Ah, speaking of which, the Sixth Prince is also pitiful.

He’s just a child, but Consort Tian keeps such a tight grip on him that she makes him seem like an old man. "

Xiao Linshuang blinked and muttered to herself, "An old man? I hadn’t noticed that, but he does seem quite foolish and dazed."

"Little sister, what did you say?" Lin Yuan moved closer and asked. Xiao Linshuang coughed twice and hastily waved her hands, saying "It’s nothing, it’s nothing," but the more she said it was nothing, the more it seemed to be something.

Lin Yuan watched her suspiciously for a long time until Zhao Hongde entered the room, which turned her gaze away.

As soon as Zhao Hongde entered, Mr. and Mrs. Lin Jiaxin hurriedly led the way in kneeling down to greet him, leaving Lin Yuan somewhat at a loss.

Zhao Hongde quickly stepped forward to help them up, his expression calm, "Uncle, Aunt, please do not perform such grand rites. Please rise."

Being personally helped up by the Third Prince, both members of the Lin Jiaxin couple were somewhat overwhelmed, awkwardly unsure where to place their hands.

Lin Yuan stepped forward to ease the situation, smiling and saying, "Big Brother, look at you, scaring my parents like that."

"Yuanyuan! Do not be disrespectful!" Lady Liu hurriedly stopped Lin Yuan, cautiously looking at Zhao Hongde to apologize, "Your Highness, please forgive us, Yuanyuan didn’t mean it."

Zhao Hongde looked at Lin Yuan and suppressed a smile, "Aunt, there’s no need to be so formal. I consider Yuanyuan as my sister, which naturally makes you my elders. Please disregard such formalities."

"Yes, Mom." Lin Yuan, holding onto Lady Liu’s arm, laughed and said, "I hadn’t even finished talking just now, and you wouldn’t let me speak. I was about to say that Big Brother’s arrival frightened Dad and Mom, so he should come visit our home often. The more we see him, the less scary he’ll be!"