I opened my mouth, and after a long while, I asked in surprise: “How did you know!”
His gaze swept past my face, landing only on the top of my head, saying nothing. Zui’er followed his gaze and couldn’t help but inhale sharply, her face turning pale. I looked at them in confusion and reached out to touch my head, my fingers touching something delicate. I pulled it down to see – it was actually a cherry blossom petal…
I felt like I’d been caught red-handed. Looking at Qi Chenxuan, I laughed awkwardly: “Hehe… this, this… is a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding…”
Fortunately, he had no intention of pursuing it further, only speaking in a cold voice: “The imperial court is full of dangers. I can allow you to be unruly, but I must remind you: smart people should know what they can and cannot do, what they can and cannot say. Otherwise, the consequences will be beyond your imagination…”
I couldn’t help but feel a “thud” in my heart, inexplicably feeling a chill, looking at him nervously: “If I know I’m not suitable, can I choose to leave?”
Damn it, how dare you threaten me.
Qi Chenxuan suddenly increased the force in his hand, angrily saying: “Are all you women the same, always avoiding problems when they arise?”
“You women?” I repeated his words in confusion, “Could there be others like me?”
Qi Chenxuan suddenly let go of my hand, a hint of pain flashing in his dark brown eyes.
Then, without a word, he turned away. I hurriedly caught up with his pace, unwilling to give up, and asked: “Hey, don’t go! Explain it clearly to me! Is the other woman you mentioned the Miss Han who lives in the Cherry Garden?”
Qi Chenxuan finally stopped, his gaze as sharp as a knife, glaring at me: “Don’t you think you’re talking too much?”
“Am I? I don’t think so!” I blinked, seriously thought about it, and then smiled and told him: “It must be your illusion!”
Several black lines appeared on Qi Chenxuan’s forehead as he coldly stared at me: “Stop playing dumb. Anyway, I’ll let it go this time, but if there’s a next time, remember, the punishment won’t be just for you!”
Turning along his line of sight, I suddenly noticed that Shui’er had somehow been standing behind me, pale-faced, with Zui’er beside her, both looking terrified…
I glared at Qi Chenxuan dissatisfied: “You can be angry with me, but why scare them?”
Qi Chenxuan shrugged nonchalantly: “I was just reminding them. After all, if the master makes a mistake, it’s mostly because the maids didn’t advise properly, right? You just arrived at the Wang Mansion, and there’s a lot you don’t know. I won’t blame you for making mistakes, but if they’ve been here so long and still don’t understand, what use are they in the mansion?”
I suddenly realized that this guy wasn’t as harmless as he appeared, sending a chill down my spine: “No matter what, since you’ve assigned them to me, they are now my people.”
I won’t allow you to casually drive them out of the mansion!”
Qi Chenxuan looked at me provocatively: “And why not?”
“Because, because…” I became anxious, my mind going blank, unable to think of any reason. After a long pause, I said: “Because I like them. If you drive them away, I’ll definitely leave without hesitation! I believe the rumors about you will only increase!”
Qi Chenxuan clenched his fist, gritting his teeth and glaring at me: “You dare to threaten me?”
I dismissively curled my lips: “Who’s threatening you? I’m just stating a fact! But it seems the Crown Prince has agreed!”
I thought Qi Chenxuan would be even more angry, but unexpectedly, he just smiled faintly, his eyes looking playful: “It seems you’re more quick-witted than I imagined!”
I responded with a proud smile, pretending not to hear the mockery in his words: “Thank you for the praise, Your Highness! If there’s nothing else, we’ll return to our rooms!”
After walking a few steps, I turned back with a charming smile: “By the way, the days in this mansion are quite boring. If the Crown Prince ever feels like telling me a story, I’ll be more than welcome!”
Qi Chenxuan’s phoenix eyes narrowed, glaring at me angrily: “Woman, don’t be too pleased with yourself!”
I continued to provoke him fearlessly: “We’re even!
This humble woman comes from a poor background and doesn’t know many rules. I’ll need Your Highness to guide me in many things!”
Qi Chenxuan’s mouth twitched more intensely, seemingly suppressing his anger, with obvious flames dancing in his eyes. I grabbed the two maids and quickly escaped the scene before he could explode!
After running a short distance, the two maids began to pant: “Madam, wait, we can’t run anymore!”
Seeing we were far from Qi Chenxuan, I let them go and criticized them with a disdainful tone: “What’s wrong with you? You’re tired after running just a few steps? When I used to run 1500 meters, I didn’t even stop once! It seems I need to train you two!”
Zui’er and Shui’er suddenly felt uneasy: “Madam, what are you planning?”
I slightly raised my lips with an innocent smile: “Nothing, just that you two will join me for morning runs from now on!”
“Running?” They immediately showed terrified expressions, shaking their heads: “Madam, please spare us! We have so many things to do every morning, we don’t need this training!”
I shook my head uncompromisingly: “No discussion. Your physique is too weak, you must run. Anyone who slacks off won’t be allowed to follow me!”
…
Walking too much at night, you’ll encounter a ghost.
The moon hung over the willow tips, and the Crown Prince’s mansion was particularly quiet.
Cherry blossoms silently fell overhead as I walked with a lantern among the swaying flower shadows.
During dinner, Qi Chenxuan had sent a message saying he would sleep in the study. The curiosity from the day weighed on my mind, and I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Finally, I got up and secretly slipped to the West Courtyard, planning to investigate the bamboo building!
The evening breeze brushed past, carrying a hint of coldness that created an eerie atmosphere!
Suddenly, something seemed to touch my shoulder, and a cold sensation quickly spread through my body. I froze in place, eyes wide open, with only one thought in my mind: “Oh no, oh no, it’s true that walking alone at night will make you encounter a ghost!”
And then, the ghost actually spoke, “My lady, are you alright?”
My mind went blank for a moment, and the lantern in my hand fell to the ground with a “pa” sound. I blinked in disbelief and turned around to see Zui’er standing behind me in a thin garment, looking anxious and asking, “My lady, are you okay? Why are you out here alone in the cherry garden so late?”
“I…” I stood awkwardly under the cherry blossom tree, feeling embarrassed: “I, I… I was sleepwalking.”
Yes, I was sleepwalking… Hehe… Hehehe…”
Then, as if suddenly coming to my senses, I casually glance around and say, “Eh? How did I sleepwalk to this ghostly place? Quick, let’s go… Oh, it’s so cold!”
Before Zui’er can react, I rush out of the west courtyard. I wonder what kind of people are in this household!
“My lady, wait for me!” Seeing my figure about to disappear at the cherry garden entrance, Zui’er hurriedly chases after me, her voice particularly clear in the cold night.
…
Well, I’d better sleep in the study room.
The dim yellow light inside the room flickers. I lift the curtain and rush into the inner room, accidentally bumping into a solid embrace. A man’s pleasant, magnetic voice sounds from above, “Where were you so late?”
I look up in panic to see Qi Chenxuan standing at the room’s doorway, his face stern and slightly displeased, his handsome eyebrows furrowed.
“How, how are you here?” I stare at him in surprise.
Qi Chenxuan responds impatiently: “This is my room. What’s strange about me being here?”
