Zui’er anxiously explained: “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you. But everything about the Cherry Blossom Garden has become a taboo in the royal mansion. Three years ago, when the Prince sealed the area, he explicitly warned that anyone who dared mention a single word would be immediately expelled from the mansion!”
“That serious?” I secretly clicked my tongue.
The more she refused to speak, the more curious I became, speculating: “Could it be that a woman lived here before – someone the Prince loved?”
Zui’er was shocked, blurting out: “Madam, how did you know?”
“Just a guess!” I announced with a smile. “From your reaction, I’m right, aren’t I?”
Zui’er realized she’d let something slip, immediately covering her mouth in terror: “Zui’er, Zui’er said nothing!”
I rolled my eyes: “Okay! Don’t worry, I won’t tell the Prince. However…”
“However what?” Zui’er asked eagerly.
“I want to know everything…”
Zui’er looked conflicted: “But Zui’er doesn’t know very clearly! I only know a woman used to live in the West Courtyard, but she left a long time ago!”
“Why did she leave?” I was stunned, unable to understand.
Zui’er bit her lip and shook her head: “Zui’er isn’t very clear. I only know that Miss Han liked peace and quiet. The Cherry Blossom Garden had few visitors. But suddenly one day, people heard Miss Han had left, and then the Prince ordered the area sealed, forbidding anyone from entering!”
“Miss Han?” I blinked curiously. Before I could ask, Zui’er explained: “The lady who used to live in the Cherry Blossom Garden that madam just asked about!”
I tentatively asked: “Did your Prince really like her?”
Zui’er said quietly: “I once heard the ladies serving the Prince say that back then, Miss Han was an assassin sent to kill the Prince. No one knows why she failed in her assassination attempt. Strangely, the Prince never pursued the matter, even suppressed the news, and from that day, Miss Han remained in the Cherry Blossom Garden, never leaving.
I finally understood: “So the rumors that the Prince doesn’t approach women aren’t because of any special preferences, but because he already had someone in his heart?”
