Chapter 383: Pursuit

Chapter 383: Courting Trouble

In the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Xingyuan sneered upon learning the Minister of Rites' reaction through the Jinlin Guard: "It was I who spread the word. Is he actually blaming me?"

He couldn’t yet reveal his stance on Xiling’s marriage proposal, but Ayou's words were perfect for public circulation.

He wanted the imperial harem to hear them so no one would miss how kind Ayou had been to Consort Li and her daughter. He also wanted the officials and nobles to hear them, so they might take a hard look at their own shameful behavior.

Emperor Xingyuan wasn’t angry at Consort Li for scrambling in panic but at the spineless officials.

Five thousand warhorses—they should either be seized or conned out of them. If all else failed, so be it. Yet their first thought was to trade a woman for them. As Ayou had said, it was complete bullshit.

Thinking of Xin You's scolding, Emperor Xingyuan barked a laugh.

After laughing, he thought of Prince Baori again.

Naturally, he had Prince Baori watched closely.

This Prince Baori—was he really going to seek revenge on Ayou over her opposition to Xiling’s marriage proposal?

Did he not know Ayou's true identity?

Emperor Xingyuan decided to observe what schemes Prince Baori would pull next.

In the study of Prince Xiu’s residence, an advisor leaned in to warn: "Your Highness, Ayou’s words today laid bare her ambitions!"

Prince Xiu smiled. "Ayou is the Late Empress’s daughter. Her thinking is indeed different from that of ordinary women."

Seeing that Prince Xiu was unconcerned, the advisor disagreed: "Your Highness, don't make the mistake of dismissing Ayou just because she’s a woman. Today shows she’s got His Majesty’s ear."

"Do you think Ayou could compete for the position of heir apparent?" Before his trusted confidant, Prince Xiu did not hide his ambition for the throne.

Or rather, it wasn’t ambition—he was the eldest imperial son.

The advisor spoke dead serious: "Ayou is a woman and thus barred from succession. But she may sway His Majesty's choice of heir."

"Such words should be spoken less in the future." Prince Xiu raised his cup in dismissal.

Seeing this, the advisor had no choice but to rise and leave.

When the yamen closed for the day, the advisor glanced back.

The night had grown late, and the study was brightly lit, casting his tall silhouette against the window.

The advisor shook his head.

Even as a close confidant, he could never quite read what was truly in His Highness’s mind.

Then he felt reassured.

It was good that His Highness remained so composed. Serving a master like the Second Prince would’ve spelled disaster.

The next day, when the yamen closed for the day, Prince Baori appeared again on the path Ayou had to take after leaving the Hanlin Academy.

"Ayou!"

The officials leaving work made a show of dawdling.

Prince Baori was back pestering Ayou again.

"Fight! Fight!"

But what was Prince Baori holding? It looked like a basket of flowers—ah, it was indeed a basket of flowers.

The crowd slowly realized something was off.

"Lady Xin, are you available today?" Prince Baori asked with a smile.

The man was tall and broad-shouldered, his sharp features undeniably handsome. His friendly demeanor made Xin You, like the spectators, finally realize something was wrong.

"What does the envoy need?"

"Yesterday, I invited Lady Xin to dine, but you were occupied. Would you join me today?" Prince Baori asked cheerfully.

Xin You looked at him carefully before shaking her head. "Apologies, I have matters to attend to today."

"What about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow as well." By now, Xin You faintly grasped Prince Baori's intentions, her first reaction being astonishment.

"Then we shall wait until Lady Xin is available." Despite the rejection, Prince Baori showed no trace of embarrassment or anger. Instead, he lifted the flower basket toward her. "Just now, while walking down the street, I encountered a flower seller. I thought these flowers were lovely—perfectly suited for Lady Xin."

The watching crowd gasped!

Whispers spread through the crowd, carried by the sweltering summer breeze.

Xin You glanced down at the basket brimming with flowers and replied politely, "The flowers are indeed lovely. The envoy should keep them for yourself."

"I'd like to give them to Lady Xin," Prince Baori insisted.

In Xiling, when one met a girl they admired, they must strive to win her over—lest someone else snatch her away. With his rank, he didn't need to try so hard; many women would pursue him.

Yet none had ever given him the feeling of destiny, like they were meant to be.

Xin You offered an apologetic smile. "But I'm not interested in them."

The watching crowd gasped again!

Prince Baori lowered the basket and asked earnestly, "Then what does Lady Xin like?"

His tone was sincere, devoid of frivolity. Anyone could see his genuine intent.

Among the spectators, two Jinlin Guard members exchanged glances, their expressions grim.

Lord He had no money, no time, and couldn't speak up—finding a wife was hard enough already. Now this rival shows up?

Well, they weren't entirely certain their lord fancied Lady Xin. Mostly, they wanted him to marry the kind, generous, beautiful Lady Xin.

Meeting Prince Baori’s hopeful gaze, Xin You replied solemnly, "Right now, there's nothing I'm interested in. Since the esteemed envoy has traveled far to the capital of Great Xia, why not take this time to explore? Experiencing new cultures would be more interesting than flowers."

Prince Baori blinked in surprise.

As a prince, he had been educated in both literature and martial arts since childhood. Naturally, he understood she was rejecting him.

He'd never heard someone say no so elegantly.

Clear but not cruel.

Xin You knew her message was received. With a slight nod, she walked past the prince.

The officials who'd been gawking at the scene quickly averted their gazes, acting like they were just passing through.

After some discussion, the two Jinlin Guard members decided to send a letter to Lord He.

In no time, the crowd dispersed as Xin You left, leaving only Prince Baori holding a basket of flowers, trudging dejectedly back to the guesthouse.

A Xiling official accompanying him, hoping to score points, suggested, "Your Highness, I’ve heard that in Great Xia, marriage arrangements follow the parents' orders and matchmakers' words, especially for women—they don't get a say in the matter."

Prince Baori’s eyes lit up. "Are you saying Lady Xin refused because she couldn’t agree without her parents' permission?"

If that were the case, he still had a chance!

"I forgot to ask Lord Ji which household Lady Xin belongs to."

Earlier that day, when Prince Baori had been strolling around, Lord Ji had accompanied him the whole time, but when he came to see Xin You, he had dismissed Lord Ji.

The Xiling official pointed. "Your Highness, that looks like the head of the Hanlin Academy."

Ambling toward them was none other than Xie Chengan, the head of the Hanlin Academy.

Xie Chengan was running late and was unaware of Prince Baori’s attempt to gift flowers to Xin You. Spotting Prince Baori, however, he recalled yesterday’s rumors that the prince intended to trouble Xin You.

Had he come again today? Was there truth to the rumors?

As Xie Chengan pondered, Prince Baori strode over. "I am Prince Baori. Might you be the head of the Hanlin Academy?"

"I am Xie Chengan."

If he was here to cause trouble for Lady Xin, Xie Chengan might have to make a trip to the palace.