Spring flowers are in full bloom, the grass is lush and green, and colorful butterflies dance in the air. It must be said, a garden is always a perfect place for romance. Yet at this very moment, the pair standing here seem a little mismatched. The young woman is certainly charming in every way, but strictly speaking, she is just a girl; as for the man...

　　Henry Johnson glanced around furtively, afraid that someone might suddenly appear. Emily Cooper is the beloved daughter of Lady Han, and here he was, dressed in an attendant’s uniform, standing with her—what would others think? Yet, in order not to arouse suspicion, he couldn’t refuse her request. Besides, that kiss just now still needed an explanation.

　　“I know it was Mother and Uncle outside just now.”

　　“Huh?” Henry Johnson’s eyes widened instantly. Seeing Emily Cooper nervously fiddling with the hem of her dress and kicking at the stones at her feet, his heart skipped a beat. After all, an affair is nothing to be proud of—could it be that Lady Han wasn’t the least bit discreet in front of her daughter?

　　“Mother told me that Uncle truly loves her and treats her well.” Emily Cooper suddenly fell silent, gazing at Henry Johnson with tearful eyes. After a long pause, she murmured, “I’ve seen that kind of situation before.”

　　To actually believe William Johnson’s sweet words—should he say Lady Han is infatuated or obsessed? Or perhaps, is Lady Han already mentally prepared for Emily Cooper to follow in her footsteps one day?

　　“Yan’er.” For the first time ever, Henry Johnson omitted the “sister” honorific and said seriously, “Let me ask you, who do you want to marry in the future?”

　　“I... I...” Emily Cooper’s cheeks flushed bright red in an instant, her usual quick wit completely gone. “How would... how would I know? Anyway... anyway, I’ll just marry whoever my family picks!”

　　As long as you don’t say you want to marry my father, that’s fine! Henry Johnson breathed a sigh of relief, but he was still a bit uneasy. After spending years with Emily Cooper, he felt she was nothing like the famously foolish Lady Wei; her innocent and lively girlishness was all the more endearing, so he couldn’t help but feel protective of her.

　　“Then just don’t marry anyone for now!”

　　Emily Cooper’s eyes widened instantly, and she exclaimed in a low voice, “You... what did you say?”

　　Henry Johnson chuckled, noticing a cluster of peonies nearby, their blossoms a riot of color. He glanced at Emily Cooper’s purple dress, then stepped forward, broke off a bluish-purple peony, and handed it to her with both hands. “This is for you.”

　　Emily Cooper stood there in a daze for a long moment, her cheeks even redder than before. Suddenly, she snatched the peony, grabbed her skirt, and ran off at top speed. Henry Johnson stared after her for a while, then remembered how inappropriate it was for him to be standing here in his current attire, so he glanced around and hurriedly slipped away.

　　As he neared the small courtyard, he saw two figures peering out from the doorway. Before he could see who they were, the two rushed over, followed by a barrage of scolding.

　　“Where did you go? I heard His Majesty and Lady Han went into that room—I was scared to death! And you come back so late—do you know how long I and Wulang have been waiting here? Do you know how worried I’ve been?”

　　It was the first time Henry Johnson had experienced Mrs. Brooks’s rapid-fire scolding. Seeing Charles Johnson’s face dark with anger beside her, he felt even more guilty and simply kept his mouth shut. When Mrs. Brooks finally paused for breath, he grabbed Charles Johnson and hurriedly ran off, calling back from a distance, “Thank you for looking after my Fifth Brother today, Rose Brooks!”

　　He was out of breath when he arrived, but on the way back, Charles Johnson was having none of it. Once Mrs. Brooks’s courtyard was out of sight, he shook off Henry Johnson’s hand and said fiercely, “Wait, I haven’t settled accounts with you yet!”

　　“Fifth Brother, don’t be so petty. Meeting Rose Brooks today was a big gain for you!”

　　Seeing the unprecedentedly fierce look on Charles Johnson’s face, Henry Johnson just laughed it off. His well-behaved crown prince brother had probably never experienced anything like this before—he must have been scared half to death. Still, if it had been Charles Johnson who caught William Johnson and Lady Han in their affair today, he probably wouldn’t be so tough right now.

　　“You’re still talking? When I was leaving, I almost ran into Father!” Charles Johnson was furious. “If Father had recognized me, how would you have me explain it?”

　　“But he didn’t, did he?” Henry Johnson grinned and tried to placate him. “Fifth Brother, you’re always cooped up reading. Next time there’s a chance, I’ll definitely find a way to take you out for some fun. Don’t worry, today was an accident—there won’t be a second time!”

　　Charles Johnson was still a bit hesitant, but he had never talked to anyone like this before. Everyone else always treated him with utmost respect; aside from Henry Johnson, he really couldn’t find a second person to talk to. So, seeing such a good place to relax, he was naturally tempted.

　　“Promise me there really won’t be a next time?”

　　“Of course!”