Chapter 19: Aunt

Chapter 19: Aunt

The air around them was thick with the room's rich fragrance.

Among the riot of colorful flowers, Liu Yun looked bewildered, lifting her head to murmur hesitantly, "What?"

Liu Yun didn't quite understand how the Crown Prince had brought the conversation around to this topic.

It came out of nowhere—vague and disjointed.

Xiao Hang lowered his head, looking straight at the young girl's upturned face.

Fair as snow and porcelain, her round apricot eyes shimmering with confusion.

Liu Yun was already much shorter than him, making conversation even more awkward now.

Xiao Hang crouched down, gazing into the girl's eyes with a searching look, saying, "I heard that Lady Liu got her hands on that pair of jade bracelets from Huazhen Tower. Since you've got such a fine pair, why aren't you wearing them? Why settle for these cheap trinkets?"

The distance between them suddenly shrank, and the Crown Prince's face was right in front of her.

Though his features were cold and sharp, he was undeniably handsome, so much so that Liu Yun's mind went blank, her thoughts scattering.

In response to the Crown Prince's question, Liu Yun answered honestly and slowly, "Oh, that. Those bracelets are too valuable. I was afraid I'd chip or break them if I wore them out, so I left them at home."

"And these aren't cheap either—my mother bought them for me when I turned fifteen. I really like them."

After explaining, Liu Yun made sure to push back on the Crown Prince's "cheap" remark, her face dead serious.

"Pfft~"

Hearing this, Xiao Hang let out a scoff, then said casually, "If they break, they break. Can't you just buy another pair?"

Liu Yun was speechless, staring at him with silent exasperation.

Did he think she was the kind of person who could just buy jade of that quality whenever she wanted?

She'd only gotten this pair through sheer luck. Did he think everyone was like him?

Truly, "why don't they just eat cake?"

But she only dared to think these things, keeping up an obedient and humble front, smiling nervously as she said, "Your Highness jests. That kind of jade is priceless; this humble woman naturally wouldn't dare to buy it."

Even though her storybooks had earned her a good amount of money, Liu Yun still couldn't bring herself to spend it.

Perhaps not expecting that answer, Xiao Hang froze for a moment, murmuring under his breath, "That's nothing, I can..."

Suddenly remembering something, Xiao Hang clamped his mouth shut, put on a serious face, and stood up, saying flatly, "Rise."

As if he hadn't said anything at all, the Crown Prince said nothing more.

After this exchange, Liu Yun forgot their earlier friction and obediently stood up, looking respectful.

Just as Xiao Hang cleared his throat, searching for something to say, light footsteps sounded from outside, along with a child's laughter.

"Uncle! Uncle!"

The gauze curtain of the glass conservatory was pushed aside as a little girl ran in giggling, her nursemaid chasing after her, followed by the affectionate Princess Changyang.

Even without ever having met her, Liu Yun could guess the little girl's identity from the situation.

She was likely Princess Changyang's eldest daughter, County Princess Kangning, Song Yan.

The Emperor's affection extended to his granddaughter, who had been granted the honor of a prince's daughter and given the title of County Princess.

Now four years old, the little princess was adorable, her pink face full of sweet, innocent laughter as she hugged the Crown Prince's leg affectionately.

Seeing his beloved niece, the usually cold and aloof Crown Prince's expression softened, and he even playfully lifted the little princess by her armpits, prompting another round of giggles.

"Hehe, too high, too high! Uncle, put me down~"

Princess Changyang fanned herself nearby, teasing him with a smile, "If you like children so much, hurry up and marry a Crown Princess, and you'll have plenty to hold."

Hearing this, Xiao Hang automatically glanced at the quiet girl nearby and said lazily, "Soon."

County Princess Kangning was set down, her big, sparkling black eyes darting around before she noticed there were others in the flower room.

The little princess stared blankly at Liu Yun for a few moments, then looked at her uncle and suddenly blurted out:

"Uncle, is this my aunt?"

Children's words are indeed innocent, but they can also be shocking. Liu Yun was caught off guard, her face turning red and then pale as she waved her hands frantically, saying, "No, no! County Princess, you've misunderstood—I'm nothing of the sort!"

Being mistaken as someone's wife was bad enough, but of all people, the Crown Prince? Liu Yun broke out in a cold sweat.

The four-year-old princess looked puzzled, her gaze shifting between the two for a moment before turning to her uncle for confirmation, "Uncle?"

Xiao Hang's throat tightened, almost unable to suppress the urge to agree, but in the end, reason prevailed, and he managed to keep his composure.

"Hmm."

A single syllable that could be taken as agreement, though not entirely convincing, especially for the young County Princess Kangning, who couldn't quite grasp her uncle's meaning.

To her ears, it sounded more like her uncle was answering her question.

But then Princess Changyang spoke up, calming her daughter in a few words.

"Yan'er, don't be silly. This is Lady Liu, who Mother invited over today as a guest. Say hello properly."

Only then did the little princess obediently say "Oh," and, with her small, delicate body, performed a proper curtsy.

"Hello, Sister Liu."

Like a little mochi ball, utterly adorable.

Liu Yun immediately returned the curtsy, smiling warmly, "The County Princess is too kind."

Though she was older, County Princess Kangning held a noble title, so Liu Yun couldn't afford to be careless.

After the exchange of greetings, the lively little princess trotted up to her, chattering away and calling her "Sister" nonstop.

Just as the little princess called her "Sister Liu" once more, the Crown Prince, who had been silent for some time, suddenly spoke up.

"Kang Ning, you've got it wrong. She's not your sister."

Calling her that would mess up the generations.

Liu Yun's expression froze, thinking the Crown Prince looked down on her as a mere subject's daughter, unworthy of the little princess calling her "Sister." Her face fell, and she felt a pang of bitterness.

Indeed, being royalty, how could they look favorably upon an ordinary subject's daughter like her?

Noticing Liu Yun's expression suddenly fall, Xiao Hang realized his words were inappropriate. He opened his mouth, trying to salvage the situation, but couldn't find the words.

It was Princess Changyang who reacted quickly, shooting her foolish younger brother a look of utter exasperation before explaining with a smile, "Indeed, she shouldn't be called 'sister,' otherwise Yunniang would be in the same generation as my own children."

That perked Liu Yun right up, and the light came back to her eyes.

But the little county princess was confused and asked curiously, "Then what should I call Sister Liu?"

For a moment, the two siblings were stumped, unsure how to respond.

Liu Yun was not related to either of the county princess's parents, so any title felt a little off.

Princess Changyang's explanation had already soothed Liu Yun's feelings, and she didn't mind anymore. She smiled at the little county princess and said, "It's fine—just call me sister."

Being a generation below was fine—it made her seem younger!

Seeing this, Princess Changyang let it go and smiled without a word.

Xiao Hang, however, kept his lips pressed tight, listening to his niece's repeated "sister" calls, his mind turning over something.

In the middle of the little county princess's chatter, a maidservant came in to announce that lunch was ready and to ask the masters for their orders.

Liu Yun was startled—she hadn't realized so much time had slipped by that it was already noon. That was truly improper.

She quickly stepped forward to take her leave.

How could she possibly stay for a meal at Princess Changyang's residence? The very thought made her scalp crawl.

"Your servant—"

She'd barely opened her mouth to leave when Princess Changyang cut her off with a beaming, enthusiastic smile.

"What a coincidence—Yunniang, why don't you stay and have lunch with us?"

At that, Xiao Hang's hand, which had been toying with his jade thumb ring, froze. He looked at his sister Princess Changyang with deep admiration.

Then, he quickly shifted his gaze to Liu Yun, a faint tremor in his eyes that no one else could see.

Liu Yun shook her head like a rattle-drum, wondering where exactly things had gone wrong to land her in this situation.

"Thank you for your kindness, Princess, but I'm just an outsider. It wouldn't be right for me to stay. I should head home."

Eating at the same table as the Crown Prince—she doubted she could even swallow a single bite.

Princess Changyang had expected Liu Yun to refuse. Undeterred, she let out a sigh and said, "Yunniang, don't mind me—ever since my consort went south on official business, it's just been me and my daughter in this big manor. I often have no one to talk to. I do hate being lonely."

"If you could stay for lunch today, it would liven things up a bit. What a pity though..."

Princess Changyang was strikingly beautiful—a real beauty—and with that pitiful, delicate air about her, Liu Yun, being only human, was instantly charmed and her resolve wavered.

A quarter of an hour later, Liu Yun sat stiffly at the dining table, looking flustered at the spread of delicacies before her.

Yes—she'd been bewitched by the Princess's beauty.

As she pouted in distress, Liu Yun looked up and met the Crown Prince's sharp, handsome gaze.

She felt like crying right then and there.

"Yunniang, don't be shy—just tell the maidservant what you want to eat."

The Liu family wasn't overly strict about such rules, but Liu Yun knew that high-ranking households were full of them.

For instance, having a maid serve the food so you didn't have to reach and risk dirtying your sleeves.

And so, Jin He stood beside her, piling food into her bowl.

Jin He, too, was extremely nervous in the presence of the imperial siblings, her hand trembling slightly as she served.

Perhaps sensing her tension, Princess Changyang struck up casual conversation, which naturally drifted to her lip balm.

When she learned that Liu Yun made other things besides lip balm, the Princess pressed for more.

"Yunniang, you're so talented! What else can you make?"

At the mention of her crafts, Liu Yun perked up, her eyes shining as she said, "I also make rose water, pastries, and..."

"Plush dolls..."

She felt a little shy mentioning the last one.

But before Princess Changyang could respond, County Princess Kangning piped up happily, "Plush dolls! Nian Nian loves those! Sister Liu, are the dolls you make pretty?"

Though embarrassed, Liu Yun was confident in her craftsmanship. Her cheeks flushed as she said, "They should be pretty."

After all, even Madam Fan had liked them.

Hearing this, County Princess Kangning clapped her hands happily and said, "Then can Sister Liu make a doll for Nian Nian? Nian Nian will give you a gift in return too!"

Princess Changyang laughed and tapped her daughter on the head, scolding her lightly, "Alright, alright—why must you trouble your Sister Liu? Now eat your meal!"

Liu Yun couldn't help but smile, finding the little county princess adorable and innocent. She didn't think making a plush doll was any trouble at all, so she said generously, "If the county princess would like one, I'll sew one for you—it's no trouble at all."

"What kind would you like? A kitten? A puppy? A little rabbit? Or a little tiger?"

Kids usually liked those kinds of animals, Liu Yun figured.

But County Princess Kangning gave an unexpected answer.

"A fox! I want a fox!"

Liu Yun was surprised for a moment but still smiled and agreed.

Seeing this, Princess Changyang didn't stop her and just said with a smile, "Children are so greedy—I'm afraid we'll be troubling Yunniang again. Don't worry, the Princess's residence will provide a proper gift in return."

This time, Liu Yun absolutely refused to accept anything.

The gold hairpin and its accompanying value had already been quite generous. Sewing a plush doll was nothing—Liu Yun had no desire to accept another lavish gift from Princess Changyang.

Seeing this, Princess Changyang didn't insist and simply had the little county princess offer her sweet thanks.

After the exchange, Liu Yun lowered her head to eat and was startled to find her bowl piled high with food.

She turned to look, and Jin He gave her an apologetic smile, as if explaining herself.

It seemed she had been so nervous that she'd simply kept adding food to Liu Yun's bowl.

Fortunately, Jin He knew Liu Yun's tastes and had only picked her favorite dishes.

Suppressing a laugh, Liu Yun buried her head and ate.

She had thought that facing the Crown Prince, she would have little appetite, but unexpectedly, the chefs at Princess Changyang's residence were so skilled that they distracted her from everything else, and she ate until her belly was full and round.

During this time, Liu Yun, focused entirely on her meal, failed to notice the Crown Prince's deep, lingering stare.

Nor did she notice the looks that kept drifting to her soft red lips, which parted and moved gently as she chewed.

Xiao Hang, meanwhile, was mulling over how to get the item away from his niece later.

Author's note:

Update!

Work is about to get really busy from here on, with a lot of overtime ahead. I'm really scared I'll mess this book up.