Chapter 25: Playing Dumb

Chapter 25: Playing Dumb

That night, Liu Yun was hastily taken home by her father, who had rushed over in a panic, along with her mother. She was washed and put to bed in a dazed, listless state.

Having endured multiple shocks that day, Liu Yun drifted off to sleep while Jin He applied medicinal ointment to her wrists.

In the middle of the night, she ran a fever, her body drenched in sweat, and she suffered through a miserable night.

It only subsided by dawn the next morning, which had worried her parents terribly.

After two frights in one day, it was no wonder Liu Yun, an ordinary young woman, had come down with a fever from the shock.

As the sky began to lighten, Liu Yun heard the crisp, pleasant chirping of birds outside, which roused her from sleep.

Her whole body felt limp and weak. Liu Yun called out to Jin He with a hoarse voice and drank five or six cups of warm tea, which Jin He held for her.

"Madam is finally awake! You nearly scared this servant to death."

Amid Jin He's chattering, Liu Yun rubbed her groggy head and said with a smile, "Am I not perfectly fine?"

When she had been kidnapped by the bandits, Jin He had not been by her side, so she had escaped that ordeal.

Seeing their mistress awake, the young maids of Wuchun Courtyard hurried to report the news to the mistress of the household, Zhang Yuhua.

Liu Shiwen and Zhang Yuhua came rushing over, calling her "precious heart" and other endearments.

"Is Shanshan feeling unwell? Father will call for a physician again!"

The moment he heard his daughter was awake, Liu Shiwen had come running before he had even finished brushing his teeth.

Heaven knows how he had felt when he learned yesterday that his wife and daughter had been taken hostage by bandits at Fahua Temple.

Within half a day, two blisters had formed at the corners of his mouth from sheer anxiety.

Because it was not only his family members who had fallen into the hands of the thieves, the Emperor had allowed the officials to leave their posts early.

This spared his ministers from pacing about in a frenzy of worry.

Liu Shiwen had practically spurred his horse toward Jiuyang Mountain. If his attendants hadn't reminded him, he might have even forgotten to prepare a carriage.

When he arrived at the foot of Jiuyang Mountain in a frenzy, he found it already surrounded by the imperial guard—so tightly that not even a rabbit could slip through.

At the foot of the mountain were many colleagues waiting for their own wives and daughters, a sea of purple, crimson, and green official robes, all looking on with eager anticipation.

Had the Crown Prince not been at the front overseeing the situation with the imperial guard commander, they would have long since rushed up the mountain.

When they saw the bandits being released, several hot-tempered officials immediately picked up stones from the ground and hurled them at the thieves' heads.

Though it was impossible for them to actually hit their targets, it at least let off some steam.

Finally, under the pitch-black night, Liu Shiwen was reunited with his wife and daughter. He lifted them one by one into the carriage, and only then did his heart settle.

Facing her parents' concerned inquiries, Liu Yun naturally accepted their care, her heart warmed. She smiled and said, "Your daughter is perfectly fine in every way."

Not wanting her parents to worry, Liu Yun only shared the good news and kept the bad to herself.

But Jin He spoke up, her voice full of concern, "It's not all fine at all—your wrists were bound with bruises by those damned bandits! They'll need several days to heal!"

Liu Shiwen took his daughter's wrist to look, then checked his wife's—sure enough, both were covered in patches of purple bruising.

He could not help but grow angry again, cursing loudly, "Those heartless bastards! They deserve to be shot full of holes and die!"

This reminded Liu Yun of something, and she asked curiously, "Father, what do you mean by that? What happened to those bandits in the end? Were they killed?"

Liu Shiwen snorted. "Naturally. The Crown Prince is as shrewd as a god—who knows what kind of mind he has. He had archers stationed early on at the moat outside the city. The moment those bandits showed their faces, they were shot through. They say each one had a hundred bloody holes in them, like targets in a shooting gallery."

Liu Yun's face first turned pale, then she nodded and sighed. "Villains like that deserve to die."

"It just sounds so gruesome."

Liu Shiwen was unconcerned. For bandits who had tried to harm his wife and daughter, his only regret was not being able to spit on them a few times.

After the incident at Fahua Temple, Liu Yun lay in bed for two days before feeling fully recovered, once again bouncing around as lively as before.

When her younger brother heard of the Fahua Temple affair, he was so worried that he requested a day off from his tutor and came home to check on Liu Yun.

Seeing that his elder sister was safe and sound, Liu Ying finally relaxed. After the whole family gathered for a lively meal together, he hurried back to the Imperial Academy.

Everything seemed just as it had been before, peaceful and quiet.

Only Liu Yun had a heavy heart.

The Crown Prince...

Though it was not the first time she had recalled it, whenever she remembered the warm breath that had brushed against her face when he leaned in that night, Liu Yun's heart would race and her emotions would stir.

These past two days, whenever she was alone, she couldn't help thinking about that night's absurdity.

The Crown Prince had actually done that to her!

But why would he do that?

The Crown Prince did not seem at all like a lecherous man, yet he had gone and done something like that.

It was truly puzzling.

Could she have been mistaken? Perhaps the scent on that person had merely been somewhat similar to the Crown Prince's?

But she had definitely heard the people outside address him as "Your Highness"!

In Great Yan, only two people could be addressed as "Your Highness"—the Empress and the Crown Prince.

The Empress had long since passed away, leaving only the Crown Prince in the entire realm.

The last shred of doubt in her heart shattered. Liu Yun grumbled to herself for a while, looking dejected.

Though she didn't want to think that way, she could no longer avoid it.

Perhaps... perhaps the Crown Prince truly did harbor some feelings for her.

Having reached this conclusion, Liu Yun was just as astonished as she had been that day.

Recalling what her mother had asked her that day, Liu Yun vaguely remembered her own denial.

Now, thinking back, she realized she had been wrong.

The capital was filled with elegant ladies, and Liu Yun considered herself ordinary enough—the kind that would never stand out no matter how you looked at her in a crowd.

How could the Crown Prince possibly take an interest in her? Though utterly perplexed, Liu Yun told herself that this was absolutely not a good thing.

Even if the Crown Prince harbored some feelings for her, Liu Yun had no desire to marry into those high-walled, deep palaces.

Not only would it not suit her, but with her family background—in this Yanjing where nobles were as common as fleas on a dog—she'd be lucky to rank no higher than a Liangdi (Imperial Concubine).

A Crown Prince's concubine was still just a concubine, just with a fancier title than those in ordinary households. There was no real difference.

To be a lesser wife, spending the rest of her days steeped in the depths of the palace, and quite possibly having to share a husband shared by ten thousand others with countless ladies—just thinking about it made Liu Yun want to cry.

Even if most men were unfaithful, the Crown Prince was the most textbook example of that.

She definitely didn't want a husband like that!

This was a real pickle of a problem. Even if her parents found out, it wouldn't help—just add to their worries. So Liu Yun just kept it to herself, not bothering anyone else.

Liu Yun stewed over it for a long while, then forced herself to do something fun to cheer up.

Like writing her own little storybook.

Even after Young Marquis Ye had talked about her like that at Lotus Garden, Liu Yun could still focus, no problem.

What she'd always loved was just that youthful, spirited energy he gave off.

In her storybook, she'd create a young general a thousand times better than Young Marquis Ye.

She set brush to paper, ink gliding across the page with a soft rustle.

As the ink flowed, elegant little regular-script characters danced across the page.

Chapter Seven: A Chance First Meeting, Mutual Looks of Disdain.

In this volume, Liu Yun planned to write about a couple whose temperaments seemed totally mismatched and whose first meeting was anything but smooth.

Maybe inspiration struck in the middle of the night, and Liu Yun shoved the Crown Prince to the back of her mind. Her brush moved like it had a mind of its own, leaving nothing but the rustle of paper filling the room.

Liu Yun wanted to let time wear down that whole mess, but fate had other plans.

On the third day, Liu Yun went out with Jin He to buy some freshly baked cherry pies.

The cherry pie was barely in her hands, not even a bite taken, when an uninvited guest showed up by her carriage.

A pale, clean-shaven man with delicate features and a face full of friendly smiles.

"Greetings, Lady Liu. This servant has finally been waiting for your return."

The moment he saw Liu Yun, the man broke into a delighted smile, his grin full of eagerness.

But Liu Yun's heart started pounding with alarm.

Because she recognized him in a single glance.

Su Neishi (Palace Attendant), the Crown Prince's steward who ran the Eastern Palace's internal affairs—a full fifth-rank official.

By rights, an attendant with a real official post like that didn't need to call himself "this servant" in front of outsiders.

Su Neishi (Palace Attendant) was just too humble.

But none of that did anything to calm Liu Yun's shock.

The Eastern Palace's steward coming to find her—it went without saying that the Crown Prince was behind this.

Liu Yun now deeply regretted letting her two cursed legs drag her out for a stroll. Now she'd walked straight into a ghost.

"Greetings, Su Neishi (Palace Attendant)."

You don't hit a smiling face. Liu Yun forced a tight smile and added, "May I ask what urgent business Su Neishi (Palace Attendant) has with me?"

Liu Yun knew she was asking a question she already had the answer to, but she had no other choice.

Su Lin gave a light smile at her words and said, "This servant apologizes for the sudden intrusion. My master has invited you—he's waiting for you right now in the Spring Chamber at Tianqin Tower."

Liu Yun felt her teeth start to chatter.

Even the cherry pie in her hand lost all its appeal. Her heart hammered as she forced a smile and asked, "C-Can I... not go?"

Su Lin was caught off guard for a second, then smiled and replied respectfully, "This servant truly wouldn't dare answer that."

He was just a messenger—how could he presume to answer for the Crown Prince? And besides, anyone with half a brain could figure out what the Crown Prince wanted.

He definitely meant to see her.

Seeing Su Lin's reaction, Liu Yun went quiet for a long moment, her heart torn like a battlefield between two armies.

Without a doubt, she didn't want to face the Crown Prince, but timid and cowardly as she was, she simply didn't dare refuse.

Pulling a wrinkled, bitter face, Liu Yun had no choice but to say in a trembling voice, "Please trouble Su Neishi (Palace Attendant) to return and report to His Highness that I shall arrive shortly."

As if he had just accomplished some monumental task, Su Lin let out a long breath and said with a brilliant smile, "This servant awaits your arrival."

With that, Su Lin hurried away and disappeared into the crowd.

"Milady, the... why did he invite you over?"

Behind her came Jin He's questioning voice, nearly slipping up in her words.

Liu Yun's heart was in utter disarray, and she only replied hastily, "I'll explain to you later, sister."

For now, she still had to go face that terrifying invitation from the Crown Prince.

Was he going to pierce through that thin veil of pretense and have her enter the Eastern Palace?

The more Liu Yun thought about it, the more frightened she became. She wore a bitter expression the whole way, only managing to compose herself slightly upon reaching Tianqin Tower.

Presumably word had been sent ahead, for the moment the Proprietor saw Liu Yun, he led her up to the third floor.

The closer she drew to that Spring Chamber, the faster Liu Yun's heart pounded, until she could barely catch her breath.

At the door, Su Lin saw her approach, first clasped his hands in greeting, then said something to those inside.

Creak—

The door was pushed open. Once again, Jin He was held back outside, and Liu Yun entered alone.

But unlike the last time, though she had been nervous then, it had been driven more by a desperate desire to save her father.

This time was different—only repulsion and fear of the person and events to come.

Inside the room, a familiar fragrance wafted over, enveloping her entirely.

Crisp and cool yet not without sweetness—it was the scent of the Crown Prince.

I wonder what kind of incense it is, so unique.

Not wanting to face him, Liu Yun crept along at a snail's pace, head down, eyes glued to her toes, afraid to meet the prince's piercing gaze.

But no matter how big the private room was, it wasn't endless, and Liu Yun eventually reached the prince, who was bent over his desk reviewing memorials.

Today the prince looked dazzling—a crimson brocade robe, a jade belt around his waist, a gold crown with red tassels—absolutely stunning.

But Liu Yun was in no mood to admire it now; she just felt the red in front of her was like a fire, making her even more anxious.

"Your servant bows to Your Highness."

Though she kept her cool, her voice was slightly shaky—Liu Yun just couldn't help it.

At the desk, the slender fingers gripping the cinnabar brush had stopped a while ago, staring unblinkingly at the nervous, fidgety girl in front of him.

Putting down the brush, Xiao Hang leaned back on the couch, chuckling softly as he gave the cushion next to him a pat, his voice much softer than usual.

"Come sit."

The way he acted, you'd think they were a married couple at home, with the husband calling his wife over.

But how could they be like that?

Liu Yun's temples were pounding. Her legs went weak with fear, and she quickly dropped to her knees, stammering, "Your Highness, please don't—don't flatter your servant so much!"

Xiao Hang looked puzzled and asked in surprise, "Flatter? Has the lady forgotten something?"

Xiao Hang was the first to bring up the sensitive topic, making Liu Yun's heart pound. She forced herself to stay calm and shot back, "What does Your Highness mean? Your servant doesn't really understand."

From the moment she walked in, Liu Yun had decided to play dumb all the way.

Who had any proof she was sober that night?

Since she'd been unconscious, she should act like she knew nothing.

She'd hold her ground against the prince no matter what!

Xiao Hang's eyes locked onto the girl's obviously flawed act, and he kept prodding, "That night at Fahua Temple..."

This time, Liu Yun didn't let the prince finish, cutting him off urgently, "Oh, I almost forgot—that night, your servant was knocked out by the thieves' incense. I heard Your Highness was brave, leading the imperial guards to defeat the bandits and save so many of us. Your servant thanks Your Highness for your great kindness!"

As if to cover something up, Liu Yun's speech was practically passionate, a far cry from her usual gentle, quiet self.

Xiao Hang now understood everything. His face slowly darkened, his phoenix eyes turning black and scary—enough to make Liu Yun cry just by looking at them.

The air grew cold along with the mood. The private room fell completely silent, leaving only a man and a woman with very different expressions.

One was half-kneeling, half-collapsed from weak legs; the other sat boldly on the couch, leaning forward, emotions building up.

After a long silence, Xiao Hang looked at that stubborn little face—clearly scared to death but refusing to admit anything—and suddenly laughed.

With such a flawed reaction, she thought she could fool him?

Naive to the point of being foolish.

But it didn't matter. As long as one of them wasn't a fool, that was enough.

Since she wasn't willing today, he wouldn't push her.

After all, what he wanted didn't really depend on whether she admitted it or not.

Think of it as a little game between the two of them.

"Alright, I get it."

Like a death row inmate hearing about a full pardon, Liu Yun's face lit up instantly.

Afraid the prince might pull another stunt, Liu Yun started looking for excuses.

With her head in a fog, she was bound to say something stupid.

"If Your Highness has nothing else, your servant will take her leave and go home. My father fell ill today and is waiting for me to take care of him. May your servant..."

She asked hesitantly, only to get a cryptic question back from the prince.

"Vice Minister Liu didn't skip court today."

Liu Yun felt a twinge of embarrassment. Tongue-tied, she shut up, just giving the prince an awkward smile, her pleading eyes making her look pretty pitiful.

Xiao Hang couldn't stand to look anymore—otherwise, he was afraid he might actually do something improper—so he picked up his brush again and went back to reviewing memorials.

"Go on, go home."

"Stay home and behave yourself."

Liu Yun didn't even dare ask what the second part meant. She flew out of the private room, then ran out of the Tianqin Tower like her life depended on it.

Back in the Spring Room, Xiao Hang put down his brush, a hint of unsatisfied weariness creeping onto his brow.

He had a lot of official business today and shouldn't have come out, but he'd waited too long—he'd rather bring his work to the Tianqin Tower.

Unfortunately, he'd hit a soft but stubborn wall.

But that wasn't an issue.

"Su Lin."

Rubbing his forehead, Xiao Hang called out.

Su Lin hurried in and stood there waiting for the prince's orders.

"Go tell the Imperial Observatory to pick a good date—the soonest one."

No matter what happened today, locking in a good day first was the right move.

Xiao Hang thought smugly, not knowing that if he hadn't kept a close watch, the meat almost in his mouth might have been snatched by some stray dog.

Just a day later, Liu Yun's parents took her to the Yang residence to congratulate Brother Xiuyuan on his new post in the capital.

Liu Yun was a bit happy, and she no longer had any objections to this marriage.

Author's note:

Update, update.

The plot went beyond what I expected—I thought I'd finish by midnight, but it kept growing, as usual.

I'm not sure if I can write the next chapter by tomorrow night, but I'll try my best.