Chapter 3, Intimate Actions
The girl was instantly frightened and lowered her head, repeatedly bowing, no longer daring to lift it up.
Miss Xie, please forgive this servant this time; this servant will never dare to do so again. Although the maid stopped bowing, she still did not dare to get up immediately, clearly fearing the Fourth Prince
Just as she was sizing him up, the Fourth Prince suddenly reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist. Li Yun had not yet realized what was happening when her body was already lifted into the air by the Fourth Prince. He did not step on the jade bridge's surface at all, instead, he flew towards the viewing platform, skimming over the shimmering ripples of the lake like a dragonfly touching the water.
She composed herself and turned around to glare at the Fourth Prince in anger, "You didn't even say a word; do you want to scare me to death?"
If this girl were to die, the danger would be reduced by one degree
Li Yun did not dare to speak easily, and naturally remained silent, merely maintaining a stern expression and putting on a rather unpleasant look. Since he believed that this was the normal way for her to be, she decided to cooperate.
The Fourth Prince smiled mischievously, his expression full of pride, "How could I possibly scare Sister Yue? Your lightness skill is no less than mine! This is merely the Water Treading Technique that I have just mastered, and I wanted you to experience it for yourself."
Li Yun also glanced at the girl, and it seemed that this girl was the personal maid of this body; otherwise, why would there be no one else attending to her when she woke up, but only this one person? ... Since she is a personal maid, she would naturally be most familiar with this body. If there were any slight changes in her, it could easily be discovered, and the consequences would be unimaginable ...
Li Yun's thoughts stirred as she followed the gaze of the Fourth Prince.
She was indeed a clever person. From the words of this maid and the Fourth Prince, it seemed that the owner of this body was quite arrogant, looking down on everyone and rarely being bullied by others; otherwise, the maid would not have been so indignant after being pushed once. Regardless of his intentions, the Fourth Prince repeatedly declared that no one dared to bully her, and she decided to take a gamble. She shouted at a prince to see how he would react. Regardless of his intentions, the Fourth Prince repeatedly declared that no one dared to bully her, and she decided to take a gamble. She shouted at a prince to see how he would react
Indeed, as the Fourth Prince finished speaking, a light cough was heard from the upper seat, followed by a warm and gentle female voice reproaching the Fourth Prince: "Yu'er, why have you become increasingly mischievous? Hurry and let your sister Yue go, look at how frightened you have made her."
Li Yun thought to herself that this person must have arrived long ago and had merely been hiding behind the rockery. Otherwise, how could he have uttered the phrase "disaster comes from the mouth"? It is evident that he must have heard the maid's words. A mere maid scheming against His Highness the Crown Prince, is that not a case of disaster coming from the mouth?
In the distance, one can see pavilions standing in the center of the lake, where dozens of people are either standing, sitting, or reclining inside the pavilions. The scene is adorned with vibrant flowers and lush willows, featuring both men and women, though their faces are not clearly visible. However, it is evident that everyone is dressed elegantly. It seems that this is the poetry appreciation gathering referred to as the scenic garden today
I just thought you had changed your temperament! It turns out you are still so willful. Well, I won't care anymore; after all, you are just a servant. Do you think I really have that kind of leisure time? Isn't it just that I'm afraid you might get implicated because of a maid?" The Fourth Prince shouted at Li Yun without any concern, a hint of a smile lingering at the corner of his mouth, as if he were used to it; her quiet and subdued demeanor was what seemed unusual.
Being scolded yet feeling pleased? How truly despicable! As Li Yun silently cursed in her heart, she also let out a sigh of relief, it seemed her gamble had paid off. She cast a glance at the young maid, who immediately stood up with a start, respectfully allowing the two to pass.
After taking a few steps, the Fourth Prince turned his head and glanced at Li Yun. Seeing that she no longer opposed him holding her hand, the corners of his mouth curled slightly. A certain something flashed in his phoenix-like eyes, and the smile seemed to deepen.
Li Yun did not know what to say, and thus remained silent
The Fourth Prince seemed unaware of the urgency, continuing to leisurely stroll with Li Yun.
Your Highness, that statement is not quite accurate. The Empress has sent someone to look for you early this morning, but the servants have been unable to find you. Upon hearing that Miss Qianyue has already entered the palace but has not yet visited the Viewing Garden, the Empress sent this servant to find you, fearing that something might have happened.
Why are you so talkative? Is it annoying? You're just a servant; I can kill or spare my people as I wish. Why do you meddle so much? Are we going to the Scenic Garden or not? If not, I will return to the manor right now. This way, I can avoid having my servant be an eyesore to you.
Li Yun paid no attention to the strange gazes of those around her, focusing instead on what lay before her. Not far away was a jade-green lake, which was more than twice the size of the pond where she had just awakened. The previous one could only be considered a pond.
"Enough, stop hitting. If you get injured, how will I take you out to meet people in the future? Get up! Find a place to bandage yourself, and come back to the viewing garden to look for me." Li Yun ignored the Fourth Prince's words and waved her hand. She spared the girl's life, hoping that she would be more sensible in the future. Even if she discovered that the girl was not the original lady, she would still help her. Even if she chose not to help, she would not expose her.
After passing through two corridors, the number of palace maids and eunuchs gradually increased. They weaved back and forth, carrying trays of fruits and water. Upon seeing the hands of the two intertwined, they all displayed expressions of astonishment and disbelief, each one greeting them with a strange look.
Li Yun heard that she could actually perform lightness skills, and she couldn't help but feel delighted, yet her expression remained unchanged. She let out a cold snort and said, "Who knows what tricks you are playing to tease me this time"
Rong Jing? Qing Ran? She silently repeated the two names she had just heard twice in her mind. Since her arrival, apart from the title of His Highness the Crown Prince, these two names were the ones she had heard the most. It seems that the protagonists of today are these two individuals. As long as she remains cautious and does not make any major mistakes, she should not be discovered as no longer being the person she once was
She is merely a lowly servant. There is no shortage of useful ones; I can select eight or ten from my household for you, guaranteed to obey your commands, not daring to go west when you instruct them to go east. It is better for servants to be obedient, to avoid trouble arising from careless words.
Seated to the left of the queen was a young man in his twenties, whose bright yellow attire stood out prominently against the queen's deep red garments. She glanced at him briefly before averting her gaze, contemplating that this must be the individual she had heard referred to as His Highness the Crown Prince countless times today.
As the two walked for a while, they suddenly saw an elderly woman dressed in ancient attire, resembling a maid, rushing towards them. Upon seeing her, they were momentarily delighted, but then noticed the Fourth Prince, who was holding her hand, suddenly stiffen. However, he quickly concealed his emotions and hurried over to bow to the two, saying, "This old servant pays respects to His Highness the Fourth Prince and Miss Qianyue. The Empress Dowager has noticed that Miss Qianyue has yet to arrive at the Viewing Garden and has sent this old servant specifically to look for her."
Li Yun, feeling helpless, could only follow the Fourth Prince out of the pavilion with an anxious expression
The girl seemed taken aback that Li Yun had bypassed her, and she immediately raised her head to look at Li Yun in disbelief, her gaze, which was as silent as death, shattered to reveal a glimmer of light
"Mother, you know that Sister Yue has a temperament as vast as the sky; who could possibly scare her? You show favoritism and yet blame your son." The Fourth Prince chuckled, leisurely releasing Li Yun's hand and waist. After speaking, he cast a meaningful glance at the figure in bright yellow sitting to the left of the Empress, and pointedly remarked, "However, today Sister Yue was truly frightened! I have never seen her bullied to the point of hiding alone in the pavilion by the mandarin duck pond, feeling sad and not daring to come to this scenic garden..."
So it is, then it is the son who is unfilial, misunderstanding the Empress Mother. Just now, I happened to meet Sister Yue, and we shall go to the Scenic Garden. You should go ahead and report to the Empress Mother.
Having made up her mind, Li Yun's initially anxious and flustered heart settled down a bit
With years of sensitivity, Li Yun's gaze subtly caught the smile at the corner of the Fourth Prince's mouth. Whether it is a horse or a mule, whether a good person or a bad person, one must take them out for a walk to truly know. Although going to the Scenic Garden today without any preparation and in a state of confusion is dangerous, is it not also an opportunity for her to quickly understand the current situation?
Li Yun subtly furrowed her brow, as she had already sensed dozens of gazes directed at her and the Fourth Prince. The more she tried to remain calm, the less she dared to move, and the anger on her face became increasingly apparent. Logically speaking, this body, Yun Ying, was unmarried, and in ancient times, being intimate with a man in such a manner was against propriety, especially in front of so many people. The Fourth Prince was certainly aware of this, yet he still did not let go of her, suggesting he had ulterior motives. She was curious to see what his intentions were.
"What a tremendous injustice, how could I dare to tease Sister Yue?" The Fourth Prince immediately pleaded for mercy. However, he did not loosen his hold around Li Yun's waist. Such an intimate gesture came naturally to him.
The Fourth Prince remained silent, slowly leading Li Yun around the artificial hill. Before them lay several intersecting jade stone pathways, and he guided Li Yun towards the farthest right path.
Li Yun was suddenly startled, her mind had not yet had time to feel dizzy, and her feet had already touched the ground. The dazzling scene was suddenly right before her eyes, and she was momentarily dazzled, involuntarily closing her eyes, then instantly opening them again. Without needing to turn back to look at the lake surface that had passed by, she could clearly know that this was the legendary lightness skill that allowed one to walk on water without leaving a trace. ... It turns out that such a skill truly exists in the world ...
"It is!" Granny Sun glanced at Li Yun again, turned around, and quickly retraced her steps.
The maid, upon hearing this, was so frightened that she fell to her knees with a thud, her small face pale and her whole body trembling, yet she did not plead for mercy
The Fourth Prince changed to a gentle smile and said: "It seems that as a son, I have not yet won the heart of my niece from Mother Empress. To have Granny Sun come to find Sister Yue, Mother Empress is truly growing fonder of Sister Yue. Has Mother Empress not noticed that I have not gone either? Why has no one come to find me?"
When did Sister Yue become soft-hearted? The maidservants around you have been replaced time and again, so when did it matter if one more was different? The Fourth Prince stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Li Yun with a probing gaze
Li Yun stared at the girl, whose frail and weak figure was now kneeling on the ground in a state of fear and silence. Where was the lively and energetic demeanor she had just displayed upon waking? At only twelve or thirteen years old, she was in the prime of her youth. Li Yun averted her gaze and casually remarked, "It's fine to keep her around to serve me, just let her stay!"
"Such a disobedient maid can simply be dealt with by punishment or even death; why bother to let it trouble your mind?" As he walked past the maid, he glanced at the bloodstains on her forehead and face, and the Fourth Prince turned his head away in disgust
Li Yun was digesting the information she had just received, realizing that her body was that of the queen's niece. Given the expression of Granny Sun just now, she forcefully tried to pull her hand away from the Fourth Prince, who had been holding it tightly. The Fourth Prince tightened his grip even more, refusing to let her withdraw. Li Yun shot him a glare, but he seemed oblivious to it. She then gave up; after all, what needed to be seen had already been seen, and it was too late to remedy the situation.