Chapter 17: Luring You In

Chapter 17: Luring the Prey into the Trap

Princess Changyang could no longer hold it in and burst into laughter, bending over the table.

Thinking back on the two siblings' childhood, there had been a time when Changyang, being a few years older, could still get a few hits in on her younger brother. But as he grew up, with that prickly temperament of his, she could no longer get a handle on the boy.

Yet after all these years, she could finally get a handle on him again—even if it might only be temporary, it was enough to make her feel immensely satisfied.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Answer me!"

Xiao Hang knew very well what his sister was mocking him about, but he still maintained his dignity—so much so that in his fluster, he put on airs before his sister.

Princess Changyang let out a few teasing sounds, her eyes curving into crescents as she said playfully, "Look how anxious you are. Who are you trying to impress with all this 'this prince' talk?"

"Alright, no more teasing. Go on, tell us, Fuling, before you drive a certain pigeon mad with worry."

Xiao Hang had never been a match for his sister in verbal sparring since childhood, and now that he was caught at a disadvantage, he couldn't even get a word out, his lips pressed tightly together in frustration.

Seeing that the moment was right, the maidservant Fuling recounted her conversation with Miss Liu in full detail.

When the siblings heard the words "the visit in three days," their expressions differed.

Unlike her brother's feigned composure, Princess Changyang remained all smiles, saying slyly, "If my brother won't come, then so be it. I'll have Miss Liu's company anyway—it'll be plenty entertaining!"

At this point, Xiao Hang no longer argued with his sister, merely letting out a cold snort before leaving.

Though he left without a word, Changyang knew the answer.

She just needed to wait for the right person to arrive and enjoy the show.

With that thought, Princess Changyang's anticipation nearly overflowed, wishing she could open her eyes tomorrow and see the spectacle unfold.

Meanwhile, Liu Yun, upon returning home, immediately began preparing to make lip balm.

First, she bought some cochineal insects, then gathered them to dry in the sun before grinding them into powder.

Next, she extracted beeswax through boiling, controlling the amount of cochineal powder to adjust the depth of the lip color.

Finally, she added various flowers—dried petals ground into powder and fresh petals boiled into a paste—to create the desired floral fragrances.

Since she had skipped the time-consuming process of cultivating the cochineal insects, three days was more than enough. During the time the insects were drying in the sun, Liu Yun also used the extra petals to make pastries and distilled several bottles of rose water.

She even started a new book—a story about a brave young general and a delicate, ailing beauty.

Liu Yun felt a great sense of accomplishment.

Finally, everything was complete, and it was time to deliver the goods to Princess Changyang's residence. Liu Yun packed up the seven types of lip balm she was bringing and tidied herself up before heading out.

It wasn't proper to arrive at someone's door right at noon, as it might seem like she was angling for a free meal, so Liu Yun rose earlier than usual that day.

When she arrived at Princess Changyang's residence, it was just past nine in the morning, but with May already here, the sun was blazing fiercely.

The carriage was stuffy, and both mistress and maid had been fanning themselves nonstop.

At the gates of the princess's residence, before she could even announce herself, the steward of the princess's residence greeted her with a beaming smile and ushered her inside.

As the beloved daughter of the Emperor and Empress, the princess's residence was naturally built with no expense spared—pavilions, towers, rockeries, and lakes, all there in abundance.

It was far grander than her own home!

With the flower banquet over, the residence was no longer as lively as it had been a few days prior, feeling more empty and quiet.

Passing through a bamboo grove, a cool sensation enveloped her, bringing a sense of refreshment throughout her body.

Arriving at the main hall of the princess's residence, the beaded curtain swayed with a crisp, clear tinkling sound, accompanied by the faint, sweet fragrance of pear-blossom incense wafting through the room, lifting Liu Yun's spirits.

But all that pleasantness vanished the moment she saw the young man at Princess Changyang's side.

Why didn't anyone tell her that the Crown Prince would be here today?

If she had known the Crown Prince would be visiting Princess Changyang today, she would've... she would've...

After thinking it over, Liu Yun realized she had no real way out—she'd have to come anyway.

After all, she couldn't predict the Crown Prince's movements.

"This humble one pays respects to the Crown Prince and Princess."

Trying to steady her nerves and ensure she wouldn't lose composure, she stiffly greeted them.

"You may rise."

Before Princess Changyang could say anything, the Crown Prince's voice came first—cold and aloof, as if he'd said it offhandedly.

Liu Yun sneaked a glance at Princess Changyang, who sat at the head of the room, and seeing her friendly smile, she thanked them and rose.

"Your Highness, these are the lip balms I made for you. They're not finely made, so I hope Your Highness won't mind."

Jin He handed over the small box of lip balms, and a maidservant took it and gave it to the princess.

Princess Changyang was indeed interested in them, opening each small porcelain jar and testing them on her hand.

Meanwhile, Liu Yun fidgeted with nerves, more nervous than when her tutor had checked her homework as a child.

Xiao Hang observed this scene, the corners of his lips curling slightly, his eyes glinting with amusement.

A moment later, Princess Changyang looked up, beaming, and said, "Yunniang, you're too modest. These lip colors are beautiful, and they even have a floral scent. With such skill, how could I possibly complain? I'd love to have them!"

Dizzy from the princess's enthusiastic praise, Liu Yun missed the overly familiar nickname of "Yunniang" from the princess.

A blush rose on her cheeks as she said timidly, "You flatter me, Your Highness. They're just small trinkets; I'm glad you like them, Your Highness."

Princess Changyang was delighted, and without hesitation, she pulled a golden hairpin adorned with a flying phoenix from her own hair and placed it in Liu Yun's bun.

"As a token of thanks to Yunniang, I gift you this hairpin. Moreover, this hairpin also carries a promise—should you ever encounter difficulties in the future, you may come to the princess's residence and seek me out."

The golden hairpin was resplendent and dazzling, its dangling tassels shimmering with a mesmerizing glint in the sunlight.

Xiao Hang remembered—this was part of his mother's dowry. After her passing, his father had divided it in half: one portion to his sister, the other to him.

But his sister had acted faster than he had, which left him feeling somewhat aggrieved.

To be honest, Liu Yun found the flying phoenix golden hairpin quite beautiful, and she was even more moved by Princess Changyang's promise.

But she felt that she had only made a few small trinkets, hardly worth such a generous reward.

Thus, Liu Yun, feeling embarrassed, removed the hairpin and politely declined, saying, "Your Highness is too generous; these are but mere trinkets, hardly worthy of such a reward."

The resplendent hairpin was pushed back, only to be met with Princess Changyang's stern words.

"If I say take it, you take it—don't tell me you look down on my gift?"

Feeling the sting of that accusation, Liu Yun dared not refuse any longer. She muttered her thanks and nervously accepted the hairpin.

Sunlight streamed through the moon-gate window behind Princess Changyang, blurring her features and hiding the prince's expression from Liu Yun.

He seemed to be looking at something, but her vision was all a blur.

As the sun rose higher, Liu Yun felt it was time to take her leave.

Having received such a precious golden hairpin, she was already overjoyed, not to mention the even greater value it held beyond its material worth.

Overjoyed, Liu Yun was almost tempted to sew a few plush dolls and send them to Princess Changyang.

But that would be too forward, and she feared the princess might look down on her handiwork.

After thinking it over, Liu Yun calmed herself and moved to bow and take her leave.

"Since..."

But at that moment, Princess Changyang rose abruptly and grabbed Liu Yun by the wrist.

"The weather is fine today, and the estate is quite peaceful. Why don't you come with me to see the peonies, Lady Liu? They must be absolutely gorgeous."

Liu Yun, who had always loved clusters of beautiful flowers and was now warmly pulled along by the princess, felt something was off but ultimately yielded.

"Very well."

The girl's voice was soft, barely a whisper, yet it eased the tension in Xiao Hang's legs.

His sister was indeed a good sister.

"How could one not admire such renowned flowers? With nothing better to do, I shall join you, sister."

Xiao Hang lifted his robes and followed with feigned nonchalance.

Liu Yun wrinkled her nose in silent annoyance, sighing inwardly.

Ugh, why does the prince have to be here again!

Author's note:

None.