“You mustn’t say this again, Miss. His Highness has already warned me that he’ll break my legs the next time he sees me if he finds out that you escaped. He already knows that you’re planning to leave. His Highness has also transferred me here to keep you company because he’s afraid that you’ll be bored. I’ll be loyal to you, Miss. Just stay here and put your mind at ease.”
An Xiaoning took out a red chiffon dress and placed it against her body to envision herself wearing it. “Yu Jiao, what do you think of this dress?”
“Miss, your skin is so fair, you’ll look beautiful in red.”
She initially wanted to stay for a while before going to sleep, thinking to herself that she will probably feel sleepy soon. However, her immense curiosity instilled an urge in her to find out more.
It was rather torturous for her to have to wrap herself tightly in long-sleeved clothing, in spite of the sweltering heat during summertime.
An Xiaoning sat in front of the bronze mirror and stared at her own reflection. She also looked at Yu Jiao, who was helping her comb her hair.
In real life, she had shoulder-length hair whereas in her dream, her hair was much longer and darker. Yu Jiao had nimble hands and soon tied An Xiaoning’s hair into a neat yet elaborate updo and secured the hair on her crown with some hairpins that were embellished with red rubies — a perfect accompaniment to her red outfit.
“This hairpin is beautiful.”
“Of course, it was a gift from His Highness. I’ve never seen you using any other hairpin, Miss. This one seems to be your favorite. ”
Now that her hair was done, it was time to apply some makeup on her face.
Due to the fact that she was not used to using ancient cosmetic products, she still required Yu Jiao’s help.
Taking one last glance at herself in the mirror, An Xiaoning said with a smile of satisfaction, “Let’s go.”
“Miss, where would you like to go?”
“Outside. Did he restrict me from stepping out of the gate?” An Xiaoning asked.
Shaking her head, Yu Jiao answered, “He didn’t. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have threatened to break my legs if he finds out that you went missing.”
He actually didn’t restrict me from leaving?
Was he thinking that I wouldn’t stray too far or that I wouldn’t leave the residence at all?
Regardless of what the case was, she was pleased with the fact that she’d been granted freedom. If not, it would feel just like she was in prison.
“In that case, let’s go out. We might just bump into him along the way.”
“Miss, you’re really not planning to leave this place for good?”
“I’m really not.”
“That’s good,” said Yu Jiao, who appeared much more relaxed.
Contrary to Yu Jiao’s expectations, An Xiaoning did not opt to ride in the sedan.
Worry was written all over Yu Jiao’s face, the exact same expression that Mei Yangyang would usually have. She said, “Miss, we must take the sedan. There are tons of people who’ll recognize you on the streets. Besides, rumors about you are spreading like wildfire now. It’s better that we go out in the sedan.”
“What rumors?”
Yu Jiao immediately fell silent.
“I’m asking you, what rumors are there?”
“Well…” Yu Jiao bit her lip, contemplating if she should tell her.
“Hurry and tell me the truth.”
“I didn’t mean to hide it from you, but I heard this from the cooks in the kitchen. They were discussing this in private, but I happened to overhear their conversation. They said that you were shameless to have crawled onto His Highness’ bed at a tender age, despite knowing that His Highness is already married and will never take you as his wife. They also said that His Highness is merely…” Yu Jiao’s voice began to fade slowly.
“Merely what?”
“It was really crude, I don’t want to say it.”
“I’m asking you to tell me.”
Seeing how persistent she was, Yu Jiao answered, “They said he’s merely… toying with you and that he won’t even give you the proper status of a concubine.”
Upon hearing her words, An Xiaoning smiled instead of blowing her top and said, “That’s not the case at all. His Highness just doesn’t want me to be treated unfairly or feel aggrieved.”
“I thought so too. I can tell how much His Highness loves you, it’s just, you like throwing tantrums often… Miss, let’s just take the sedan. Those gossipmongers don’t deserve to see your beauty.”
An Xiaoning finally conceded.
They rode in the same sedan and exited the prince’s residence.
The sedan was traveling in the direction of the imperial palace. An Xiaoning was thinking to herself that there might be a chance she would bump into him along the way. She desperately wanted to see him now and thought that it would be a better choice to come out rather than wait idly inside the residence.
When they passed by a restaurant, someone stood in front of the sedan to obstruct their way. An Xiaoning pulled the curtains up to peek outside, only to discover that it was Jin Qingyan’s bodyguard. Without hesitation, she asked, “Is His Highness here?”
“Yes, Miss, His Highness saw your sedan. He wants to go over.”
“Alright. I’ll be right there.” She put down the curtains and asked Yu Jiao, “Yu Jiao, is this sedan solely meant for my use?”
“Miss, it’s early in the morning and you’re already cracking such a joke. This sedan is solely meant for your use, of course.”
An Xiaoning did not say anything else and instead alighted from the sedan together with Yu Jiao.
The restaurant had an elegant and refined decor. The duo followed Jin Qingyan’s bodyguard to the third floor.
They continued walking until they reached a door that had a floral design carved on it.
“Miss Jin, His Highness is inside. We’ll wait for you outside.”
“Alright.” An Xiaoning initially thought that Jin Qingyan was waiting alone inside the room. As soon as the bodyguard opened the door, she was greeted with the sight of three other suave and dashing men.
She closed the door and walked inside with a tinge of tenderness in her gaze.
Jin Qingyan initially thought that she wouldn’t agree to come upstairs. When he caught sight of her sedan from the window earlier, he hurriedly instructed his bodyguard to stop her from proceeding. He even stood by the window and watched as she alighted from the sedan, completely enthralled.
She seemed to be in a good mood today, and he could tell that she had especially dolled herself up. Where was she planning to go? Or rather, who was she going to meet? he wondered.
Upon her arrival, the other three men stood up one after another.
One of them teased, “No wonder our Lord Xihou has been so distracted ever since he arrived. Turns out he was waiting for Miss Jin. We shall take our leave now and let you two spend some time alone together.”
An Xiaoning smiled without uttering another word. A silence filled the room the moment they left.
He stood still by the window. Noticing that she was remaining quiet, he asked, “Tell me, where were you planning to go?”
“I was planning to meet a suave and handsome man.”
A sullen expression formed on his face immediately and he questioned sternly, “Who gave you that audacity?”
An Xiaoning began walking toward him.
She answered, “You did. Otherwise, why would I dare to come and meet you?”
Now that he was as happy as a lark, his eyes were brimming with joy.
“You mean, you came out just to see me?”
“Why aren’t you putting on airs anymore? Aren’t you the mighty prince?”
He pulled her into his arms and said, “I was wrong, I won’t dare to talk to you that way again. You’ve finally decided to have a proper talk with me. Why are you looking for me?”
“I don’t need a reason to look for you. I missed you so I wanted to see you, as simple as that.”
Clearly surprised and overjoyed, he asked, “What… is the matter with you? I know you’re unhappy about my political marriage, and you’ve ignored me for several days in a row.”
“You mustn’t say this again, Miss. His Highness has already warned me that he’ll break my legs the next time he sees me if he finds out that you escaped. He already knows that you’re planning to leave. His Highness has also transferred me here to keep you company because he’s afraid that you’ll be bored. I’ll be loyal to you, Miss. Just stay here and put your mind at ease.”
An Xiaoning took out a red chiffon dress and placed it against her body to envision herself wearing it. “Yu Jiao, what do you think of this dress?”
“Miss, your skin is so fair, you’ll look beautiful in red.”
She initially wanted to stay for a while before going to sleep, thinking to herself that she will probably feel sleepy soon. However, her immense curiosity instilled an urge in her to find out more.
It was rather torturous for her to have to wrap herself tightly in long-sleeved clothing, in spite of the sweltering heat during summertime.
An Xiaoning sat in front of the bronze mirror and stared at her own reflection. She also looked at Yu Jiao, who was helping her comb her hair.
In real life, she had shoulder-length hair whereas in her dream, her hair was much longer and darker. Yu Jiao had nimble hands and soon tied An Xiaoning’s hair into a neat yet elaborate updo and secured the hair on her crown with some hairpins that were embellished with red rubies — a perfect accompaniment to her red outfit.
“This hairpin is beautiful.”
“Of course, it was a gift from His Highness. I’ve never seen you using any other hairpin, Miss. This one seems to be your favorite. ”
Now that her hair was done, it was time to apply some makeup on her face.
Due to the fact that she was not used to using ancient cosmetic products, she still required Yu Jiao’s help.
Taking one last glance at herself in the mirror, An Xiaoning said with a smile of satisfaction, “Let’s go.”
“Miss, where would you like to go?”
“Outside. Did he restrict me from stepping out of the gate?” An Xiaoning asked.
Shaking her head, Yu Jiao answered, “He didn’t. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have threatened to break my legs if he finds out that you went missing.”
He actually didn’t restrict me from leaving?
Was he thinking that I wouldn’t stray too far or that I wouldn’t leave the residence at all?
Regardless of what the case was, she was pleased with the fact that she’d been granted freedom. If not, it would feel just like she was in prison.
“In that case, let’s go out. We might just bump into him along the way.”
“Miss, you’re really not planning to leave this place for good?”
“I’m really not.”
“That’s good,” said Yu Jiao, who appeared much more relaxed.
Contrary to Yu Jiao’s expectations, An Xiaoning did not opt to ride in the sedan.
Worry was written all over Yu Jiao’s face, the exact same expression that Mei Yangyang would usually have. She said, “Miss, we must take the sedan. There are tons of people who’ll recognize you on the streets. Besides, rumors about you are spreading like wildfire now. It’s better that we go out in the sedan.”
“What rumors?”
Yu Jiao immediately fell silent.
“I’m asking you, what rumors are there?”
“Well…” Yu Jiao bit her lip, contemplating if she should tell her.
“Hurry and tell me the truth.”
“I didn’t mean to hide it from you, but I heard this from the cooks in the kitchen. They were discussing this in private, but I happened to overhear their conversation. They said that you were shameless to have crawled onto His Highness’ bed at a tender age, despite knowing that His Highness is already married and will never take you as his wife. They also said that His Highness is merely…” Yu Jiao’s voice began to fade slowly.
“Merely what?”
“It was really crude, I don’t want to say it.”
“I’m asking you to tell me.”
Seeing how persistent she was, Yu Jiao answered, “They said he’s merely… toying with you and that he won’t even give you the proper status of a concubine.”
Upon hearing her words, An Xiaoning smiled instead of blowing her top and said, “That’s not the case at all. His Highness just doesn’t want me to be treated unfairly or feel aggrieved.”
“I thought so too. I can tell how much His Highness loves you, it’s just, you like throwing tantrums often… Miss, let’s just take the sedan. Those gossipmongers don’t deserve to see your beauty.”
An Xiaoning finally conceded.
They rode in the same sedan and exited the prince’s residence.
The sedan was traveling in the direction of the imperial palace. An Xiaoning was thinking to herself that there might be a chance she would bump into him along the way. She desperately wanted to see him now and thought that it would be a better choice to come out rather than wait idly inside the residence.
When they passed by a restaurant, someone stood in front of the sedan to obstruct their way. An Xiaoning pulled the curtains up to peek outside, only to discover that it was Jin Qingyan’s bodyguard. Without hesitation, she asked, “Is His Highness here?”
“Yes, Miss, His Highness saw your sedan. He wants to go over.”
“Alright. I’ll be right there.” She put down the curtains and asked Yu Jiao, “Yu Jiao, is this sedan solely meant for my use?”
“Miss, it’s early in the morning and you’re already cracking such a joke. This sedan is solely meant for your use, of course.”
An Xiaoning did not say anything else and instead alighted from the sedan together with Yu Jiao.
The restaurant had an elegant and refined decor. The duo followed Jin Qingyan’s bodyguard to the third floor.
They continued walking until they reached a door that had a floral design carved on it.
“Miss Jin, His Highness is inside. We’ll wait for you outside.”
“Alright.” An Xiaoning initially thought that Jin Qingyan was waiting alone inside the room. As soon as the bodyguard opened the door, she was greeted with the sight of three other suave and dashing men.
She closed the door and walked inside with a tinge of tenderness in her gaze.
Jin Qingyan initially thought that she wouldn’t agree to come upstairs. When he caught sight of her sedan from the window earlier, he hurriedly instructed his bodyguard to stop her from proceeding. He even stood by the window and watched as she alighted from the sedan, completely enthralled.
She seemed to be in a good mood today, and he could tell that she had especially dolled herself up. Where was she planning to go? Or rather, who was she going to meet? he wondered.
Upon her arrival, the other three men stood up one after another.
One of them teased, “No wonder our Lord Xihou has been so distracted ever since he arrived. Turns out he was waiting for Miss Jin. We shall take our leave now and let you two spend some time alone together.”
An Xiaoning smiled without uttering another word. A silence filled the room the moment they left.
He stood still by the window. Noticing that she was remaining quiet, he asked, “Tell me, where were you planning to go?”
“I was planning to meet a suave and handsome man.”
A sullen expression formed on his face immediately and he questioned sternly, “Who gave you that audacity?”
An Xiaoning began walking toward him.
She answered, “You did. Otherwise, why would I dare to come and meet you?”
Now that he was as happy as a lark, his eyes were brimming with joy.
“You mean, you came out just to see me?”
“Why aren’t you putting on airs anymore? Aren’t you the mighty prince?”
He pulled her into his arms and said, “I was wrong, I won’t dare to talk to you that way again. You’ve finally decided to have a proper talk with me. Why are you looking for me?”
“I don’t need a reason to look for you. I missed you so I wanted to see you, as simple as that.”
Clearly surprised and overjoyed, he asked, “What… is the matter with you? I know you’re unhappy about my political marriage, and you’ve ignored me for several days in a row.”
