Shui’er nodded timidly and whispered urgently: “I know. Go quickly! The madam has already gone far. Make sure she doesn’t enter the forest alone! I’ll go wait at the main gate and immediately come to notify you as soon as the Prince returns…”
The two assigned their tasks and ran in opposite directions. When Zui’er caught up with me, I had just arrived outside the cherry blossom forest courtyard. The heavy gate was slightly ajar and unlocked, with intertwining branches faintly visible!
It was early April, and only a few cherry blossoms had bloomed. The mottled branches revealed a few hints of deep red!
I walked forward and gently pushed – the door opened immediately! I touched the copper bolt, which was clean without a speck of dust, suggesting someone must frequently visit!
I just want to know who she is.
The forest was quiet, with occasional insect sounds. Fallen cherry blossoms brushed against my face, creating a sense of ethereal confusion. At the end of the cherry blossom grove stood an elegant bamboo building.
I couldn’t help but stop and ask the person behind me: “Zui’er, did someone live here before?”
Zui’er’s gaze was evasive, staring at her toes: “Sorry, madam! Zui’er… Zui’er doesn’t know!”
“Really?” I narrowed my eyes, clearly not believing her.
“Of, of course it’s true!” The young maid grew increasingly nervous, her voice trembling.
I pretended to be angry: “I thought you two were truly loyal to me. It seems I’m still an outsider in this royal mansion!”
Zui’er clutched her sleeve, hastily shaking her head: “Madam, it’s not like that! Zui’er is truly loyal to you!”
I snorted coldly, continuing with a stern face: “Since you say you’re sincere, you clearly know the secrets of the Cherry Blossom Garden. Why won’t you tell me!”
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?”
Zui’er nodded: “Probably. Although I’ve never seen Miss Han, I heard she was very beautiful, always wearing a white dress, standing under the cherry blossom trees from morning to night. Quiet and ethereal, like an immortal. But among those who’ve seen her, no one has ever seen her smile!
It turns out that guy likes cold beauties, and I really didn’t see that coming. Fortunately, I’m not his type, otherwise being locked in this courtyard for years would drive me crazy…
I nodded, muttering to myself: “He must have kept that girl locked up here for too long, so she ran away…”
Zui’er slightly furrowed her brow, disagreeing: “But I heard that Miss Han herself didn’t want to leave Yingyuan. The Prince didn’t issue any house arrest order!”
“Huh? Why is that?”
The young girl shook her head blankly: “Zui’er doesn’t know!”
It seems the story between those two is quite complicated. Unfortunately, I can’t ask directly, alas, this is truly a kind of torture…
Zui’er looked up at the sky and couldn’t help pulling me: “Madam, it’s getting late. The Prince should be returning to the mansion. We should leave quickly!”
I stared fixedly in the direction of the bamboo building, unwilling to leave just like that. I turned around, looking at her with pleading eyes: “But, I still want to go in and take a look!”
Zui’er immediately shook her head, nervously dissuading me: “No way, if the Prince discovers us, we’ll be in trouble! If Madam really wants to see, you can come when the Prince is out next time!”
I negotiated with her persistently: “We’re already here, just let me take a quick look! I promise, I’ll take a glance and leave!”
Zui’er rolled her eyes directly, answering unceremoniously: “Madam, you just said you’d go in and take a look and leave. But now we’ve been lingering for almost an incense stick’s time! If the Prince discovers us, Zui’er and Shui’er will truly be expelled from the Prince’s mansion. Please don’t make things difficult for us!”
“Okay, okay! I’m leaving, alright!”
When returning to the room, I ran into Qi Chenxuan head-on. Zui’er lowered her head guiltily, not daring to look at him, while I walked past him as if he didn’t exist.
“Where did you go?”
At the moment of passing, he suddenly grabbed my hand and asked softly.
I shrugged, feigning innocence: “Didn’t the Prince tell me to walk around freely in the mansion? I’m just following your instructions and walking around.”
Is there a problem?”
Qi Chenxuan looked at me amusedly: “I didn’t know you were such an obedient person.” His black eyes were warm as water, with gentle waves carrying a hint of teasing.
I retorted without conceding: “How would you know? If I’m not that kind of person, what kind of person does the Prince think I am?”
Qi Chenxuan slowly curved his lips, his gaze flickering with a roguish smile: “An interesting person, someone… who intrigues me…”
I directly rolled my eyes, responding impatiently: “I believe there are many people who intrigue the Prince!”
Qi Chenxuan shook his head and laughed: “You’re wrong. So far, you are the second one!”
“Who’s the first?” Curious, I couldn’t help but ask.
“Is…” Qi Chenxuan’s face suddenly darkened, his lips turning pale: “Someone… who is no longer important!”
From his expression, I could guess about eighty percent. I tentatively asked: “Is it the owner of Yingyuan?”
His gaze suddenly fell on my face, becoming cold, his words carrying a hint of chill: “What have you heard?”
“I haven’t heard anything!” I honestly shook my head, smiling innocently: “But if the Prince wants to tell me himself, I don’t mind being a listener!”
Qi Chenxuan said coldly: “There’s no need. If there’s nothing else, go back to your room and rest. Also, I believe the steward has already explained everything before. In the future, don’t casually wander around the West Courtyard.”
