A magnificent view appeared before Ruan Ning. She was stunned for a moment, then covered her eyes but peeked through her fingers. Her peeping was quickly discovered by Chu Yuan, who laughed, his mood joyful.
He realized there was pleasure in the world. He covered himself with the blanket, wanting to tease her: “Don’t you have them? Let me see.”
“No!” Ruan Ning dove into her blanket, desperately trying to wrap herself more securely.
Chu Yuan laughed, finding her adorable. He leaned over, kissed her forehead, and whispered, “We’ll look next time, sleep now.”
He returned to his blanket and quickly fell asleep. Ruan Ning didn’t dare to disturb him and thought about the details in the original text, but there was too little information about Chu Yuan. Gradually, she fell asleep too.
Chu Yunzheng and the Empress sat on the high platform. Upon seeing Chu Yuan, they ordered, “Let the Prince of Ning come over and speak.”
When Chu Yuan arrived with Ruan Ning, Chu Yunzheng’s face darkened. “She is of low status. It’s fine to pamper her in the palace, but why bring her here? Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”
“Who dares to laugh at my woman?” Chu Yuan replied calmly.
Chu Yunzheng was unhappy but didn’t want to argue.
He turned to Ruan Ning and said, “The Prince of Ning dotes on you. Don’t you have any sense of propriety? Is this a place you can come to?”
Ruan Ning remained silent. Chu Yunzheng had been reprimanding her frequently. Although Chu Yuan defended her, Chu Yunzheng persisted in finding fault.
Chu Yuan wrapped his arm around her waist and said to Chu Yunzheng, “Wherever I can go, she can go. If Your Majesty dislikes her, I’ll leave with her.”
Chu Yunzheng, typically scheming, was often outmatched by Chu Yuan. The Empress, sensing the tension, laughed and mediated, “Your Majesty mentioned this morning that this year’s Winter Solstice Banquet should be informal, allowing the children to enjoy themselves. He must have forgotten amidst the bustle. Let’s allow them some freedom. By the way, Prince of Ning, the palace servants just said that the first green plum blossoms have bloomed in the Plum Garden. The Crown Prince and others have gone to appreciate them. You should go too.”
With the Empress’s intervention, Chu Yunzheng stopped nagging. Chu Yuan took Ruan Ning away. Just as they entered the Plum Garden, a delicate figure in white fox fur appeared, saying softly, “Huo Rou pays respects to the Prince of Ning.”
Ruan Ning noticed that Huo Rou had dressed carefully today. Her subtle makeup enhanced her naturally fair skin, making her look rosy and inviting. Dressed in white, she resembled a delicate pink ball, attracting the attention of many men.
However, Chu Yuan didn’t glance at her. Avoiding conversation, he pulled Ruan Ning to walk past Huo Rou. Ignoring this, Huo Rou called out, “Ning sister, please wait a moment.”
Chu Yuan frowned and asked Ruan Ning, “Do you know her?”
Ruan Ning stood on tiptoe and whispered, “She’s probably the one who asked to see you through the Crown Prince’s wife the other day.”
As they spoke closely, Chu Yuan slightly bent down to hear her, revealing a tender side that stunned Huo Rou. Previously, she had thought him cold and unapproachable, but this tenderness made her determined to win him over.
The people around them took notice. Many had heard that the Prince of Ning had a new favorite, but whispers began when they realized this favorite was the daughter of the executed Ning Prime Minister. Once a notable figure in the capital, she was known for her beauty and arrogance.
Everyone remembered how she had once made things difficult for Huo Rou. Now, seeing them face to face again, with Ruan Ning involved with the popular Prince of Ning, many secretly sympathized with Huo Rou.
Unexpectedly, Ruan Ning bowed to Huo Rou and said softly, “Sister Rou, long time no see.” In the past, she had never looked at Huo Rou directly. Now, she was greeting her courteously, causing the noble ladies who knew them to exchange surprised glances.
Huo Rou, aware of the tricky situation, was on high alert. Before she could speak, tears rolled down her cheeks: “Ning sister, I shouldn’t have disturbed you. But sister, Liang Fu was injured because of you and is now bedridden. You had a marriage contract, and he once saved you. If you have time, please go see him.”
The details of Liang Fu’s injury were known to few. Huo Rou deliberately blurred the circumstances, saying he was hurt for Ruan Ning. Her plea made others think Liang Fu still had feelings for Ruan Ning, remembering their previous engagement and Ruan Ning’s cancellation. Many felt sorry for Liang Fu.
Before Ruan Ning could respond, Chu Yuan spoke: “Liang Fu obstructed my carriage, so he was beaten. Who says he was innocent?” Though he didn’t fully understand Huo Rou’s words, he knew she wasn’t speaking kindly and directly blocked her.
Ruan Ning gently tugged his sleeve.
While his status could suppress Huo Rou, she feared Huo Rou’s talent for twisting facts and spreading unpleasant rumors.
Feigning victimhood, Ruan Ning dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice heavy with emotion: “Sister is right that Liang Gongzi saved me. He bought me when I was being sold by the government, but sister also witnessed how he beat me, scolded me, made me kneel in the snow in thin clothes, causing me to faint from abuse, then locked me up without food. If not for the Prince of Ning, I would have died!”
The crowd understood; Liang Fu bought her for revenge over a broken engagement. How could there be such a loyal lover? She had responded to hatred with kindness.
Huo Rou quickly said, “Sister, you misunderstand. How could brother be so cruel? You were betrothed…”
Ruan Ning interrupted through tears: “Sister, please don’t say that. Liang Gongzi has always loved you. I broke off the engagement to bring you together. His love for you is deep and righteous. Even branded with the shame of breaking the engagement, it’s worth it to see you two together!”
The onlookers became excited again. So this was the inside story of the broken engagement?
Many women hoped for more drama. Huo Rou gritted her teeth; the more they argued, the more interested people became. It was better to resolve the confusion quickly.
She shed two lines of tears, saying: “Ning Mei, I didn’t… You misunderstand me.”
Before she could finish, she swayed and fell toward Chu Yuan. If he supported her, half of her goal would be achieved. Chu Yuan dodged, and Huo Rou closed her eyes and fell.
Just then, a figure leaped over, catching her before she hit the ground. “A Rou, are you alright?” he called urgently.
Chapter 122
In the Mei Garden, plum blossoms competed in beauty, filling the air with a subtle fragrance. However, no one was appreciating the flowers; all eyes were on the two men and two women. Many felt the trip to the palace was worthwhile to witness the drama.
Huo Rou lay unconscious in the person’s arms. After calling “A Rou” several times without response, he turned to Ruan Ning and exclaimed: “It’s you again! Just because A Rou doesn’t hold you accountable, you think you can bully her? Today, I’ll seek justice for her!”
Though he hadn’t seen this face before, Ruan Ning was certain this was Liu Yi, the male protagonist from the original text, known for being dramatic and making a fuss whenever Huo Rou showed discomfort. Liu Yi was talented and well-born, his only flaw perhaps being slightly loud-mouthed—understandable for a male lead in a romance novel.
“Is she a criminal slave?” Chu Yuan repeated, darkening his face. “She is my future queen. How dare you disrespect her? Liu Shizi, if you don’t know what crime this is, you might as well ask Duke An.”
