Song Yunzhao stepped out of her carriage and headed toward the Yuquan Building. Just as she neared the crowd, a dark shadow suddenly hurtled toward her. Before she could even react to dodge, she was slammed into, falling to the ground with a THUD.

Although Song Yunzhao didn’t fall face-first into the dirt, she was still seeing stars from the impact. An anxious woman’s voice sounded by her ear, "Miss, are you alright?"

Song Yunzhao felt as if she’d been struck by lightning. ’Isn’t that Qin Xiyue’s voice?’

’I wasn’t even trying to get involved, and we still managed to crash into each other?’

’The female lead is a walking disaster magnet, so why do I have to be the one to clean up her messes?’

"Miss... Qin, just... get up first."

’This girl looks so slender and graceful, how is she so heavy? She’s crushing me.’

Qin Xiyue scrambled to her feet and then pulled Song Yunzhao up. "I’m so sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose. Someone pushed me... Huh? It’s you?"

’Why does that sound so familiar?’

’Oh, right. Not long ago, I said the exact same thing to Mr. Zhe Shan.’

’This is instant karma, isn’t it?’

Song Yunzhao stood up and looked at Qin Xiyue. Before she could speak, her expression changed drastically. She grabbed Qin Xiyue and yanked her aside just as a broom falling from the sky grazed the hem of her dress and clattered to the ground.

Qin Xiyue’s face turned pale with fright, and she couldn’t help but tighten her grip on Song Yunzhao’s hand.

Song Yunzhao’s mouth twitched. She immediately pulled her hand back and looked at Qin Xiyue. "Miss Qin, you really aren’t suited for strolling around town. You should go home early."

’Unless she’s a female lead blessed with koi-like luck, she’s the type to choke on water and trip while walking—the kind who easily brings misfortune to those around her.’

’Song Yunzhao had survived in the Song Family for so many years, yet her life had never been as "exciting" as it had become after meeting the female lead. Every encounter brought another disaster.’

Qin Xiyue’s face flushed red. "I’m truly sorry for getting you involved again. I haven’t yet had the chance to ask for your esteemed name and residence. I will certainly visit to express my gratitude."

’Forget it, just forget it. If I accept your thanks, I’m afraid it’ll be the end of me!’

"There’s no need..."

"Miss Qin, are you alright?"

Ji Yunting’s voice cut off Song Yunzhao’s refusal. She could only watch as the female lead’s "white moonlight" approached, his gentle, jade-like face etched with a hint of concern.

’Tsk. When a handsome man furrows his brow, it’s enough to break your heart.’

’Too bad he’s the female lead’s type. I can’t afford to dote on him; the price would probably be my life.’

"I’m fine. It’s all thanks to this young lady for saving me."

"You again?"

’Hm?’

’Why does that "again" sound so grating?’

Song Yunzhao met Ji Yunting’s gaze and sensed the suspicion in his eyes. Her temper flared instantly.

’What, you couldn’t pull off your little scheme, so now you want to frame me?’

"Young Master Ji, you sure have a way with words. Of course it’s ’me again,’ being so unlucky. Why is it that wherever I appear, you two are there? Last time something happened at the Three Yuan Building, so I’ve been actively avoiding it. Now you’ve followed me to the Yuquan Building. Don’t you think that’s going too far?"

’Song Yunzhao didn’t care. The best defense is a good offense. Whoever seemed more imposing would win the first round.’

’It’s just crying foul. As if I don’t know how!’

Ji Yunting was momentarily silenced by her retort, then said, "I was overthinking it."

"Even the deepest abyss has a bottom, but the human heart is unfathomable," Song Yunzhao retorted sarcastically.

Seeing Ji Yunting’s uncomfortable expression, Qin Xiyue quickly said, "It was my fault. I don’t know who pushed me, but I lost my footing and bumped into this young lady."

Song Yunzhao’s face was cold. ’The female lead has some conscience, at least. It’s just this Ji Yunting who’s so irritating.’

’Such a handsome man, too. A pity he has a mouth.’

"Yunting, do you know her?"

"We don’t."

"We’ve met once."

The man who spoke was the one who had been standing beside Ji Yunting. He was amused by both Song Yunzhao’s and his friend’s words, and his smile softened the hard lines of his sword-like eyebrows.

Qin Xiyue looked from Ji Yunting to Song Yunzhao, feeling a vague discomfort in her heart that she couldn’t quite place. She spoke up, "Heir Chu, Ji and I met this young lady once at the Three Yuan Building."

’Heir Chu?’

’Song Yunzhao recalled a character like that from the book—Ji Yunting’s friend, Chu Donghui, the Princely Heir of Marquis Guangxiang Mansion. His surname was indeed Chu.’

’However, this character didn’t have much of a presence in the book. He was just listed as Ji Yunting’s friend and mentioned a few times in passing.’

’Song Yunzhao wanted nothing to do with anyone connected to the female lead or the female lead’s white moonlight. Wasn’t she unlucky enough already?’

’She didn’t want to pile misfortune on top of misfortune.’

"Oh, so you’re the one who taught Princess Ming’an a lesson last time. Impressive." Chu Donghui immediately turned to look at Song Yunzhao. "Miss, you have great courage."

Song Yunzhao remained expressionless. ’I feel like Chu Donghui is insulting me, but I have no proof.’

"Let’s part ways here and never meet again." Song Yunzhao turned on her heel and left, not even wanting to spare them another glance.

Chu Donghui was taken aback. ’Am I really that repulsive?’

With a dark expression, Song Yunzhao entered the Yuquan Building. The teahouse was packed, and the faint sound of shouting could be heard from the second floor. She scanned the room and spotted what seemed to be an empty seat at a small table by the window. She walked over quickly and asked politely, "Friend, may I share your table?"

’Her throat was practically smoking with anger, and she needed a cup of cold tea to put out the fire.’

The person across the table looked up. Their eyes met, and Song Yunzhao froze for a moment before her mouth twitched. "What a coincidence."

The person drinking tea was none other than Mr. Zhe Shan. Since she wasn’t very familiar with him, she hadn’t recognized his figure, only thinking that an awful lot of people were wearing white today.

"Indeed it is. Please, have a seat, Miss."

Song Yunzhao hadn’t expected the face beneath the fan to be so striking. ’What was that phrase again? As bright as a jade tree, shining with a brilliant glow.’

’Both Ji Yunting and Chu Donghui were handsome men, but the man before her was a cut above. It wasn’t that he was strictly more handsome, but rather his imposing aura—an intimidating, aloof coldness that commanded respect without anger.’

’He gave off a sense of inviolable dignity.’

’I must be seeing things.’

’Song Yunzhao actually wanted to retreat. If she had known it was him, she never would have asked to share the table.’

’But he had already invited her to sit. If she turned and left now, it would be incredibly rude.’

After a moment’s hesitation, she forced a smile and sat down. Just as she was about to call a waiter over to order, she heard Mr. Zhe Shan say, "If you don’t mind, Miss, may I treat you to a cup of tea?"

Song Yunzhao glanced at the waiters, who were so busy they looked like they were riding on wind and fire wheels. Then she thought of her throat, which was about to catch fire. ’This man seems cold, but he’s actually quite considerate.’ So, she shamelessly accepted with a word of thanks.

With the clear tea in hand, Song Yunzhao took a sip. Her throat finally felt better. Only then did she look at Mr. Zhe Shan and say, "I didn’t expect that you, Young Master, also enjoy watching a spectacle."

Feng Yi froze. This was the first time anyone had ever said he enjoyed watching a spectacle.

’And that "also"?’

’That word was quite intriguing.’

Song Yunzhao lifted the pot to refill the man’s cup, then poured another for herself. Missing the strange look on his face, she gazed out the window, which offered a perfect view of the scene where she’d been knocked to the ground by Qin Xiyue. Since he had already seen her at her most embarrassing, she had nothing left to lose. She sighed and said, "In my entire life, I’ve only been humiliated twice, and it turns out you were there to witness both times."

Feng Yi: "..."

’She said it as if it were some earth-shattering secret.’

"I don’t believe I know your name, friend. Since we’re so fated to meet, it would be good to know how to greet you next time." Song Yunzhao offered a sincere smile. ’This man seems to have a decent character and outstanding looks. If his family background isn’t too high, he’d actually be a good candidate for a marriage alliance.’

’If she wasn’t fortunate enough to be granted a marriage by His Majesty in the upcoming selection, she would have to find a good match for herself.’

At this thought, Song Yunzhao’s smile widened a fraction.

’When it came to a marriage alliance, she was very sincere.’