Chapter 38: A Chance Encounter with Prince Yi (Part Two) (Qingyun’s Additional Chapter)

Chapter 38: A Chance Encounter with Prince Yi (Part Two) (Qingyun's Additional Chapter)

Prince Yi walked three steps away from Su Rao, without the slightest pause or an extra glance at her. He simply passed by and left.

Perhaps it was due to the winter, but Su Rao suddenly felt a bone-chilling coldness surround her, causing her to shiver violently.

She turned her head again, her gaze once more landing on Prince Yi's receding figure.

From this angle, he appeared even more so.

In his dark robes, his posture was straight and imposing, exuding an air of nobility amidst the coldness, yet also giving off an intense sense of "keep your distance."

Only when Prince Yi and Mo Ying had disappeared from sight did Su Rao withdraw her gaze.

"Han...Mo...Chen..."

Muttering his name softly, she recalled his ruthless demeanor from that day and looked again, only to find him nowhere in sight.

It was familiar, yet it didn't quite feel like it.

"Miss..."

Su Han's voice reached her ears, erasing all of Su Rao's thoughts.

She stepped forward and walked back.

Yet, the Duke of Yi, who had just left the Purple Bamboo Forest, paused once more.

He turned around and glanced at the bamboo grove.

"Mò Yīng, investigate who that woman is," he instructed with a chilly tone, before departing.

Her gaze seemed to recognize him.

Su Rao and Su Han entered the residence. This time, there was no escape. She gently clenched the jade in her sleeve, stepped over the threshold, and was greeted by a warm sensation that dispersed the chill from outside. However, no one was there. In Prince Jì Yuè's residence, only Su Er was having his meal, for Prince Jì Yuè himself was absent.

Su Rao's emotions swung dramatically, feeling an instant relief upon not seeing Prince Jì Yuè. She strode over and sat opposite Su Er in two steps.

"Brother Two, where's Yun Ji? Why isn't he here?"

With a tone of curiosity, she removed her hood and rubbed her belly, realizing she was hungry too.

As she reached for the vegetarian meal, Su Er tapped her arm with his chopsticks.

Su Rao immediately winced and clutched her arm.

"Brother Two, what are you doing? That hurts!"

"Clean your hands."

With only these two words, Su Er exchanged his chopsticks and continued eating without responding to Su Rao's question.

Su Rao's face alternated between red and blue.

Eating a meal was proving to be quite a challenge.

Yet, she obediently went to wash her hands.

Though the vegetarian fare at Wangluo Temple was simple, the flavors were pleasantly satisfying. Su Rao indulged in two large bowls of porridge before she finally stopped.

"Second Brother, you haven't answered me yet! Where is Yun Ji?"

After the meal, Su Rao asked again.

It would be best if she had to leave for something urgent. That way, it wouldn't be because she didn't want to see him; circumstances would simply have made it impossible. It would be fate, not her stomachache, that kept them apart.

The thought had barely formed when a remark reached her ears, so infuriating that Su Rao felt compelled to turn away:

"Jì Yuè is suffering from stomachache."

Su Rao was certain that this remark was undoubtedly Su Er's retaliation for her earlier comment. There was no doubt Yun Ji had urgent business; how could it be such a coincidence? People do have pressing needs at times, but it seemed unusually timely for such an urgency to arise.

However, Su Rao dared not retort these words, for she was well aware that if she were to respond in kind, Su Er would undoubtedly shoot back with another remark.

"Nature calls, beyond one's control."

"Indeed, it is!"

In the end, he could only laugh awkwardly and dismissively.

"It's not urgent right now. We'll be staying at the Wanglu Temple tonight, so there will be plenty of time for us to meet. If you're bored, you can go for a stroll on your own. If you cause any trouble, deal with it yourself."

With that, Su Er left for Jì Yuè's reading pavilion.

He completely disregarded Su Rao.

Su Rao's clenched fists tightened even more.

When it came to provoking people, no one could be more infuriating than him! And he did it with such seriousness.

"I won't cause any trouble. I'm so well-behaved, how could I possibly cause trouble?!"

Chuckling, she stood up and strode away. If he wanted her to wander around, then she would do just that for the entire afternoon before returning to sleep.

Her footsteps echoed as she ran out of the cottage, forgetting to grab her hat. She also didn't wear her bright red cloak. As soon as she stepped outside, a chill greeted her face, and the cold wind howled, making Su Rao shiver once more.

On such a frigid day, even though the sun was high in the sky, it offered little warmth, especially since the chill had already seeped deep into her bones.

Her limbs felt even colder.

Just as Su Rao was about to go back for her hooded cloak, Su Han had already brought it out for her.

"Miss, be careful not to catch a cold."

"Still, Su Han is better than Second Brother. He's so heartless. It's this freezing, and he just kicks me out like that."

Grumbling, she wrapped herself in the bright red fur cloak, immediately feeling much warmer. She then adjusted her hood and walked straight into the purple bamboo forest.

She had been thinking earlier that the vast expanse of the purple bamboo forest might stretch far into the distance. Now, she could finally explore it.

As long as she avoided the main hall, there would be no trouble, and nothing would unexpectedly seek her out.

Her steps were leisurely, her figure graceful.

The snow in the purple bamboo forest had yet to melt. Su Rao wore a pair of bright red leather boots, a product of Lian Pavilion, with extra thick fur lining that kept her feet warm. With each step she took into the snow, a crunching sound echoed, leaving a footprint behind.

Gradually, Su Rao's figure faded from sight at the edge of the purple bamboo forest.

As she ventured deeper, a fragrance wafted through the air - the mouthwatering scent of grilled fish.

Who could be so daring, barbecuing fish in the rear mountains of Wangluo Temple?

The aroma grew stronger, and even Su Rao, who was already full, found her appetite stirred. Her steps involuntarily quickened.

Before long, a small stream came into view, its surface frozen over. The picturesque scene captured the essence of winter in Su Rao's sparkling peach blossom eyes.

At the end of the bamboo grove lay a mountain stream, cascading down from the peak. In this winter month, ice sculptures had formed, yet the water still trickled gently, falling between the frozen formations, crystal clear.

Snow that remained steadfast on the mountaintop created a breathtaking vista.

It was an awe-inspiring sight.

On a round piece of green stone sat a lavishly dressed young nobleman, one leg crossed nonchalantly, exuding an untamed aura. Before him, a fire blazed, and in his hand, a tree branch held a sizzling fish, its golden, fragrant oils tempting the senses.

Next to the frozen stream, he had somehow carved out an opening, revealing the pristine water below, where the riverbed's pebbles could be seen with clarity.

The elegantly dressed young noble seemed to have sensed the approaching person and, in a panic, leaped up, ready to stomp out the fire and conceal any evidence before fleeing. But upon realizing that the newcomer was not a monk from the temple, he abruptly raised his foot mid-air, clearing the fire pit. His footing slipped, causing him to stumble and fall on his back, sending the roasted fish flying.

"Hey, hey, hey! Catch it, hurry and catch it, my fish!"

He suddenly shouted, not in pain but rather concerned about his fish.

Su Rao reacted swiftly, launching herself into the air to catch the falling fish.

She landed gracefully on the ground.

"What incredible agility! Impressive!"

The young noble also jumped up, clapping abruptly and hastily brushing off his robe. Taking two steps forward, his gaze fell on Su Rao.

Su Rao examined him as well. He was dressed in a rich crimson robe, with a jade hairpin holding back his hair. Despite the direct fall, only a touch of snow had stained the hem of his garment, and his black hair was slightly disheveled. Nevertheless, he had an exceptionally handsome face, with a hint of nonchalance in his brows.

A charming young lad.

The young noble only gave Su Rao a fleeting glance before eagerly reaching out his hand. "Quick, quick, give me back my roasted fish, or it'll lose its flavor."

Su Rao softened her gaze, her roasted fish still far from being fully cooked, and returned it to the elegantly dressed young man.

"I'm Xiao Ziyu. What's your name? Usually, no one comes here. I was really scared just now, thinking we'd been discovered."

Already at ease, Xiao Ziyu resumed roasting the fish by the fire.

But Su Rao's expression took on a quizzical twist.

Xiao... Zi... Yu...

Seeing that Su Rao didn't join him, Xiao Ziyu, seemingly out of nowhere, produced a folding fan, snapped it open, and began to leisurely sway it.

In such biting cold, he prioritized style over warmth.

"Pretty miss, since you're here, why not come sit with me? I adore enjoying the scenery with lovely ladies like you."

He patted a nearby round stone with one hand, his words tinged with a flirtatious tone, though his attempt at charm seemed rather awkward.

The suave elegance and expressive eyes of Young Master Xiao, when mimicked by this man, somehow came across as lecherous and unconvincing. He didn't even capture a third of Young Master Xiao's charisma.

A peculiar expression settled even more prominently on Su Rao's face.

Xiao Ziyu, Young Master Xiao...

Could it be that this person is a fan of her 'Young Master Xiao'? Or perhaps they intend to impersonate him for some purpose?

From his attire, he seemed to be a young noble from a wealthy family. However, Su Rao had encountered most of Langjing's elite youth, yet she found this man unfamiliar, as if she had never seen him in Langjing before.

Suddenly, Su Rao recalled the encounter with Zhen Yi and Chi Shao just now.

This reminded her of the deal she made with Han Molin.

Could it be that this person is the new Young Master Xiao, one of Han Molin's associates?

Her eyes betrayed a subtle shift in thought beneath their surface.