Chapter 11: Has This Peach Blossom Flown Away?

Chapter 11: Is This Romance Taking Flight?

The Emperor's expression improved a bit: "I hear your residence has had a lot of assassin trouble lately. Is this true?"

Li Zhiming was secretly alarmed, never expecting the Emperor to learn of this so quickly—whether through hidden spies or someone tipping him off, he could not tell.

He dared not conceal it and honestly admitted: "Yes."

"Do you know their identity?"

"Not... not yet."

"Hmm."

The one who had lost out earlier spoke up with a sour tone: "Father, I have heard that Young Master Yu has been imprisoned in the Prime Minister's residence for over half a month now. Though he is a hostage, he is still a prince of his kingdom. Surely someone heard about this and took offense."

The insinuation was painfully obvious.

Before Li Zhiming could defend himself, the Crown Prince interjected: "Fourth Brother, you and I both know that Sang Yu was born a discarded pawn. The King of Nanxun cares nothing for his life. Who would dare commit such a grave offense as to assassinate our Prime Minister's son?"

The Crown Prince spoke each word deliberately, his eyes fixed intently on him.

Ah, so he was the Fourth Prince.

The Fourth Prince clenched his fist secretly, yet his face wore a gentle smile: "Your Highness speaks wisely. I didn't think it through, Brother."

"Enough."

The Emperor interrupted impatiently, turning his gaze to Sang Yu, who had been completely overlooked the whole time: "Prince Sang Yu, stay behind. I have something to discuss with you. The rest of you may withdraw."

As he exited the emperor's study, someone called out to him.

"Elder Brother."

Li Zhiming turned around—it was the young man in official robes. He'd heard the Emperor call him Zhiyan earlier.

Li Zhixing walked alongside him, speaking in a low voice: "Elder Brother, the Prince of Nanxun is a hot potato at the moment. Don't get carried away by a moment of fun. You'd better send him off as soon as possible."

The problem was, he couldn't let him go even if he wanted to—the guy wanted to kill him.

"I know." Li Zhiming smiled awkwardly: "He's pretty badly hurt, and it's my fault he's hurt. I feel bad about it, so to make it up to him, I need to treat his wounds. I won't do anything improper, don't worry."

"Good to hear."

Li Zhixing grasped his wrist, a bit of mischief on his handsome features.

It seemed the two brothers got along pretty well.

"By the way, the Emperor said you and the Crown Prince are going to that... what's it called... is it gonna be dangerous? When do you leave?"

Li Zhixing shook his head: "No danger. The matter is urgent—the Emperor brought it up at this morning's court session, and we leave at dawn tomorrow."

"So soon?"

"Yes. While I'm away, try not to tick off Father. If trouble arises, no one will be there to vouch for you." Li Zhixing teased.

"Okay, okay, I get it."

They chatted a bit longer. Li Zhixing had to go back to the residence to pack. Li Zhiming needed to wait for Sang Yu, so he didn't head back with him. Instead, he hung around the palace, wandering.

He mainly wanted to look around the palace.

He strolled through the palace grounds alone, and surprisingly, no one stopped him—it went without any trouble.

"Ah... help... save..."

Cries for help came from nearby, faint and intermittent. Li Zhiming stopped short, listened carefully to pinpoint the direction, then dashed over immediately.

Beneath the stone bridge lay a clear blue autumn lake, its rippling waters glistening.

No one was around, but a woman was thrashing in the water, sending ripples that spread out and faded at the shore.

Looks like she fell in.

Li Zhiming was a great swimmer. Without hesitation, he tore off his outer robe, dove into the lake, and swam toward the woman.

The moment he hooked his arm around her, she clung to his neck like drifting seaweed, then went limp and passed out.

Li Zhiming wasted no time. Supporting her, he swam hard toward the shore and pulled her up.

She had already passed out, her face deathly pale.

Her features were delicate, her skin fair—pretty, like Sang Yu, but not quite as stunning.

Li Zhiming didn't dare delay. He knelt beside the woman, pressed his hands together, and used the little first aid knowledge he had to perform chest compressions.

After pressing for over a minute, she spat out several mouthfuls of water and slowly opened her eyes.

"You're awake? You okay?"

Li Zhiming asked.

He had no idea where he'd wandered—no one ever came by here. If he hadn't heard her, she'd have drowned in the palace.

Judging by her attire, she couldn't be a palace maid or servant; she had to be some kind of young lady.

Her face flushed with shyness as she struggled to sit up. Li Zhiming quickly moved to support her and offered his outer robe: "You just fell in the water—you'll catch a cold. Here, put this on."

She absolutely didn't dare accept a strange man's clothes.

"No, thank you, young master, for saving me." Cui Liuer's cheeks were crimson. She glanced at him, then shyly lowered her head, her weak voice like a gentle firefly's glow: "What might your name be, sir?"

Being stared at by such a sweet girl, Li Zhiming felt shy for once.

"My name is Li Zhiming. And you, miss?"

"My name is Cui Liuer. Thank you, Young Master Li, for saving me. Liuer will repay you one day. I have nothing else to give you today, so please take this gold hairpin."

With that, she removed a gold hairpin from her hair and shyly handed it to Li Zhiming.

In ancient times, if a beauty gave you something, didn't it mean she was into you?

His lucky break had arrived!

Li Zhiming was so excited, his hand trembling as he reached out to take it, yet too embarrassed. Even his ears were red, and his voice quivered slightly: "Thank you, miss. I..."

"Miss! Miss..."

A maid ran over in a panic. Li Zhiming hastily withdrew his half-extended hand, and Cui Liuer's face flushed as she hurriedly put the hairpin back in her hair.

The maid came running up, shouting, "Miss! Miss!"

Seeing her young lady fall into the water, the maid panicked. After thanking Li Zhiming profusely, she took Cui Liuer away, but the gold hairpin never got handed over.

Once they were well and truly gone, Li Zhiming let out a sigh, put his outer robe back on, and sat on the bridge railing, staring off into space, feeling lost.

He hadn't even asked which family she was from.

Had his luck with the ladies just slipped away?

He should have asked sooner.

Just as he was kicking himself, a teasing voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Ooh, quite the ladies' man, aren't you?"

Beneath the bridge stood a tall, lean figure, looking almost ethereal, arms crossed, watching Li Zhiming with a faint smile that didn't reach his eyes—cold, unsettling.

For all his frail, delicate look, just standing there weakly, he somehow gave off a bone-chilling vibe.

When he saw who it was, Li Zhiming's breath hitched: "All done?"

Sang Yu said nothing, just walked over to him as if it were nothing.

His wounds were still healing, so he walked slowly, step by step, clearly in pain. Yet Li Zhiming couldn't shake the sense that this man was radiating murderous intent, like he wanted to crush him right then and there.

Of course, even at death's door, this guy could still kill him with ease, let alone now that he could walk.

Li Zhiming shuddered, quickly scrambling to his feet: "Well then, let's head back. We can take a stroll, get some sun—it'll help your wounds heal."

Sang Yu glanced at him but said nothing.

The two walked out of the palace gates in silence, skipping any sightseeing and heading straight back to the prime minister's residence.