Chapter 16: The Mischievous Crown Prince

Chapter 16: The Wicked Crown Prince

At this moment, Xiao Hang really wanted to turn around and have someone look into that man's background, but there was still unwanted company around.

His brows were nearly twisted into a knot, his eyes dark with irritation.

Although Wen Yuzhu spent most of her time chatting and laughing with her cousin, keeping an eye on the Crown Prince cousin was always her top priority.

Seeing where the Crown Prince cousin was clearly looking, she followed his gaze and saw a man and a woman chatting and laughing closely together.

Wen Yuzhu recognized the young lady as Miss Liu, the daughter of the Vice Minister of Works from earlier.

Then she remembered that she'd been scolded by the Crown Prince cousin for badmouthing the Liu family, and she got annoyed, muttering under her breath.

"This Miss Liu is plain-looking and not particularly talented, yet she's already found a match so quickly. I wonder which family's young man is so not picky at all~"

A smug smile curled on her lips as the contempt in her words leaked out again without her meaning to.

This time, even Princess Changyang was getting fed up, shielding her face with her fan as she peeked at her younger brother's reaction.

Sure enough, with both insults stacking up, Xiao Hang completely lost his patience. A cold gleam flashed in his phoenix eyes, and he turned and snapped at Wen Yuzhu, "You talk too much. You're annoying."

With that, he walked off without looking back, his robes fluttering behind him, leaving Wen Yuzhu with a face full of hurt and embarrassment.

"...Cousin!"

She didn't dare chase after him, too confused to do anything but stand there, then turned to her cousin Princess Changyang with a pitiful look, hoping for comfort and advice.

Although her cousin had never been that close to her in childhood, at least he'd let her tag along behind him and Cousin Changyang when they played.

As they grew up, they'd drifted even further apart.

It was like she wasn't even his cousin, just some random girl.

Now he was even yelling at her.

Wen Yuzhu's eyes welled up, and she twisted her silk handkerchief nearly to shreds, not knowing what she'd done wrong.

Princess Changyang didn't know what to say either, and could only sigh and say, "Yuzhu, maybe you should talk less around Ah Heng from now on."

Wen Yuzhu pouted and hung her head, feeling down.

But she quickly perked up, her fighting spirit back.

She was going to be the Crown Princess—what was a little setback like this!

Once they were married, she refused to believe he'd still be this mean to her!

After sulking for a good while, she went to look for her cousin, but he was gone.

On the other side of the lake, Liu Yun was chatting softly with Brother Yang when she caught sight of Zhen Zhen beside her wearing a knowing smile.

It was her own fault—she'd told Zhen Zhen her parents' plans in confidence, and now Zhen Zhen couldn't help but wiggle her eyebrows every time she saw her and Brother Yang together.

So embarrassing!

But she couldn't say anything about it in front of Brother Yang, and Liu Yun was about to explode from holding it in.

"I don't know how you did on the palace exam, Brother Xiuyuan, but I hope you make the list and become a jinshi."

Liu Yun was always good at sweet words, and with those sweet dimples, it was hard not to smile back.

Yang Xiuyuan smiled, warm like a spring breeze, gentle and reassuring.

"Thanks, Sister Yun."

The two talked softly, their eyes and smiles full of warmth, perfectly in tune.

Even Xiao Hang had to admit the scene was annoying, but oddly fitting.

The anger in his chest made him yank off a peony nearby, clenching his fist and crushing the petals in his grip. Just as he was about to toss it, he noticed it was also pale pink-white.

After a moment's thought, as if a sudden kindness struck him, he smoothed the petals out and put it back on the branch.

But a broken flower couldn't come back to life—it was only a matter of time before it wilted.

Xiao Hang ignored it and turned to leave.

A short while later, Liu Yun and her companion strolled over to this spot and noticed this ruined Zhao Fen peony, saying with great pity, "What a jerk, ruining such a pretty peony! The princess should find this person and have them flogged!"

Liu Yun said indignantly, unaware that Crown Prince Xiao Hang was strolling nearby, and with good ears, he overheard every word of Liu Yun's rant.

A cold smirk tugged at his lips, and he let out a mocking laugh.

This sneering laugh caught everyone's attention, and Liu Yun looked over too.

Liu Yun's heart jumped when she saw the Crown Prince's familiar face, and she wanted to run.

But she couldn't just bolt in broad daylight.

After paying her respects along with the others, Liu Yun was just about to pull Zhen Zhen away when she saw something that made her blood boil.

There stood the Crown Prince before a White Snow Pagoda peony, reaching out with his ruthless hand, yanking off the big, full bloom, crushing it into a ball, and tossing it aside like trash.

Just as Liu Yun was feeling sorry for the peony, the Crown Prince's gaze slid over to her.

It was cold, but with a hint of mischief.

She didn't get what it meant, but it annoyed her for no reason.

It was the kind of irritation that made her want to rush over and tell him off.

Her face flushed red, and her cheeks puffed up in anger.

From a distance, she looked like a ripe peach, making Xiao Hang want to take a bite.

But Liu Yun snapped out of it, lowered her head, and quickly dragged Zhen Zhen away.

Was she crazy? Did she really just think about scolding the Crown Prince?

She must be losing her mind.

After that little scene, it was time for the banquet.

A maid led Liu Yun and Zhen Zhen to a quiet corner, where they sat down and enjoyed the feast at Princess Changyang's estate.

Princess Changyang was the eldest daughter of the late Empress Wen, and together with the Crown Prince, they were the Emperor's most beloved children, with the best of everything—fine clothes, good food, and a luxurious lifestyle.

The princess loved beautiful clothes and good food, so the chefs at her residence were top-notch.

Forget the main courses—even the appetizers were out of the ordinary: assorted cakes and sweets from Baoyue Zhai, preserved fruits from the Hibiscus Pavilion, and floral teas from Changchun Garden.

After stuffing herself, Liu Yun's stomach was happy, and for the moment, all her worries flew out the window.

Yet throughout the meal, Liu Yun couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

It felt like someone was watching her with a creepy, cold stare—really unnerving.

But every time she looked up, she saw nothing, which left her feeling a bit confused.

Was she just imagining things?

She figured she got along with people pretty well; she couldn't have any enemies holding a grudge, right?

After the meal, the peonies, the tour of the princess's place, and the catching up were all done. Totally satisfied, Liu Yun got ready to head home.

At the banquet, guests could come and go as they pleased, no need to say goodbye to Princess Changyang one by one. Liu Yun, laughing and chatting with Zhen Zhen, was just about to walk out the princess's gate when a familiar maidservant in green came running after them.

"Lady Liu, please hold on a moment."

Liu Yun stopped, recognized her, and asked in surprise, "Sister, what can I do for you?"

The maidservant in green stepped closer and said with a soft smile, "Lady Liu, did you forget? The princess was curious about your lip balm earlier, but Lady Wen interrupted and she forgot. Now she remembered and sent me to come get you."

Liu Yun had a pretty good idea what the princess was after and asked gently, "Did the princess take a liking to the lip balm I made?"

The maidservant smiled, nodded, and passed on the princess's message: "The princess says the lip balm you made yourself has a fresh, pretty color. She wants to order a few boxes from you at a good price. She's wondering if you have the time."

It was just a few boxes of lip balm, nothing fancy, and Liu Yun wasn't a merchant—why would she charge for everything?

It wasn't like she was short on money.

Besides, getting on Princess Changyang's good side could only help. If her family ever ran into trouble again, she'd have someone to go to.

No need to go looking for that scary prince.

Thinking this over, Liu Yun beamed and said, "The princess is too generous. It's no big deal. How about this—I'll have them ready in three days and send a servant to drop them off."

But the maidservant didn't answer right away; after a brief pause, she said, "Maybe you could come to the princess's place then, my lady. The princess said she wanted to ask you about how you make the lip balm."

Hearing this, Liu Yun hesitated, thought it over for a moment, and gave in. "Alright, then in three days I'll bring them to the princess myself."

Hearing this, the maidservant looked relieved, like her job was done, and sent Liu Yun off with a soft smile.

"That's weird—Princess Changyang has seen all kinds of fancy stuff, and she's interested in my little thing?"

As they walked out of the princess's place, Liu Yun muttered to Zhen Zhen.

Chen Wei laughed and said, "Of course, it's because our Shanshan is so clever and talented. The lip balm you made is really pretty—a few of my girl cousins have been asking me about it."

"Then, then I could make some for them too, if you want?"

To her, it was no trouble at all; Liu Yun didn't find it burdensome.

But Chen Wei waved his hand and declined, "Shanshan, there's no need. If you gave to everyone who asked, you'd exhaust yourself. Besides, you're not a cosmetics maker—why work so hard? Just rest."

Liu Yun grinned sheepishly and said, "It's just because they're your sisters and cousins..."

"So what if they're my sisters and cousins? They're not me. It's enough that you're good to me alone, hehe~"

With that, the two of them laughed and joked, frolicking together before heading home separately.

After the banquet dispersed, only the siblings remained in Princess Changyang's residence. It was peaceful, but something was missing.

Princess Changyang looked at her younger brother's gloomy expression and first teased him, saying, "There were too many people today; it wasn't quite pleasant. Why not come visit me another day, brother?"

With the person he wanted to see gone, Xiao Hang had lost all desire to linger, let alone plan another visit.

So he replied coldly, "No need. Sister, you should enjoy yourself on your own. In a few days, your husband should return from his official business in Jiangnan, and you won't be bored then."

"I'm off now."

With that, Xiao Hang turned and left without a trace of reluctance.

His indifference only heightened Princess Changyang's anticipation. Catching a glimpse of the maidservant Fuling returning, she beckoned her over and asked, "Well, did Lady Liu agree?"

Deliberately raising her voice, the princess indeed noticed her brother's slight pause.

"She agreed to what?"

As expected, the previously aloof Xiao Hang turned back, cleared his throat, and asked.

Though his expression remained stern and composed, after years of knowing him, Princess Changyang could easily see her brother's awkwardness and shyness.

Author's note:

Update.

Yes, updates are usually at midnight past one minute, but if my saved drafts run out, that's hard to say.

No update on Mondays.