Chapter Eleven: So It Was You?

Yuwen Hao was indeed flustered for a moment, but as the Crown Prince, he possessed the composure befitting his station. No matter how dissatisfied the common folk were, they dared not freely criticize the royal family; should they be caught, a hundred or more lashes would be their fate, left to perish or, worse yet, executed as a warning to others. Such was the law in Huai Jing. The people, who cherished their lives like gold, would never provoke a royal scion; they could only seethe in silence, anger without voice—the most commonplace expression of their resentment.

Yuwen Hao commanded the dignity of a Crown Prince. Wherever his shadowed gaze fell, not a single citizen dared to meet his eyes; all quickly turned away, feigning ignorance. His face was now darker than the night itself. Mu Xinqi, having never witnessed so grim a countenance, felt aggrieved but dared not speak. Mu Xinmi, observing this, stepped forward and gently took Mu Xinqi’s hand, leading her away.

The spectacle had run its course; it was time to depart.

Their glances at Meiniang were varied and complex, but she responded only with her back. Soon, guided by the attendant, they arrived at another refined private room.

Across from them, Zirlin, who had watched the commotion, shook her head. Like a wistful woman, she gazed toward the direction Feng Xiaoli had gone. Standing behind Zirlin, the shadowy figure known as Meiying felt quietly embarrassed.

Feng Xiaoli slowly savored the low-grade tea of Phoenix Pavilion, the Dragon Sea’s Turbulence, drinking with relish. Yuwen Che surveyed the tea before him but did not touch it; seeing her so thoroughly enjoying herself, he was first puzzled, then took a tentative sip. Instantly, his furrowed brow relaxed, his eyes shining with delight.

“A-Li—” As a member of the royal family, he naturally understood tea; discerning quality was as simple as tasting it for one who knows. Yuwen Che regarded Feng Xiaoli as if he were seeing her anew, his gaze flickering. Feng Xiaoli caught his reaction and her eyes curved with a smile.

She made a gesture for silence and spoke lightly, “A-Che, I truly wish to see this woman named Hua Pei soon!”

Yuwen Che, his own words interrupted, abandoned his train of thought and followed hers. “I saw her sing and dance a year ago, and ever since, no other woman’s performance has come close—not even a tenth as captivating. Now, to see her again, I find myself longing all the more.”

Feng Xiaoli teased, “A-Che, are you smitten?”

“Smitten?” He paused, then said, “Perhaps.”

The door creaked and swung open. Entered the woman who called herself Meiniang, accompanied by the attendant who had led them earlier. Feng Xiaoli and Yuwen Che exchanged a puzzled glance. Jin Ning hesitated before rising to stand behind Feng Xiaoli.

Meiniang bowed respectfully. “Second Prince, Miss Li, greetings.”

Yuwen Che laughed, seeing Meiniang’s deference. He joked, “Meiniang, why so respectful today? That’s not how you usually are with me!”

“Your Highness, please don’t tease me. You know my temperament well. If there weren’t an urgent matter, I wouldn’t dare disturb your enjoyment. The truth is, there are no extra private rooms left on the second floor, and as you know, the third and fourth floors are not open to the public—” Meiniang’s meaning was clear: new guests had arrived, their status clearly unsuitable for the main hall, yet for some reason, she consulted only them.

Meiniang seemed to sense their thoughts. “The Crown Prince doesn’t care for Meiniang, so I dare not risk his wrath. That’s why I’ve come to ask your opinion, since you know these ladies.”

Feng Xiaoli took up Meiniang’s words, “If you know them, let them in.”

After Meiniang departed, the attendant ushered in two young ladies. Feng Xiaoli, seeing one of them, stiffened, her gaze sharpening, her hand unconsciously clenching. Yuwen Che, seated beside her, glanced over in confusion.

Wanqing, what is happening?

All of Feng Xiaoli’s attention was pinned upon Yue Wanqing. She ignored every other glance. At this moment, Yue Wanqing was more reserved than relaxed; her attire and makeup were exquisite and luxurious, nothing like the rough garb from Snow Mist Mountain. Had she not looked closely, Feng Xiaoli might not have recognized her.

Yue Wanqing met her gaze and replied with a look of her own. Feng Xiaoli, as if suppressing a long-held emotion, suddenly grabbed a teacup from the table and flung it at Yue Wanqing.

Yue Wanqing dodged to the side and shouted, “A-Li, are you trying to rob and murder me?” Despite her ladylike appearance, her shout revealed her true nature.

Feng Xiaoli patted her chest and sighed, “Thank goodness! You really are Wanqing. I was thinking, if you weren’t, I’d have called someone to carry you away!”

But the other girl was less forgiving.

“Ah! My gown is soaked!” The young woman beside Yue Wanqing began to complain as soon as she entered, not knowing what had happened, and was immediately drenched with tea. The culprit looked innocent; Yue Wanqing appeared calculating. Yuwen Che closed his eyes, unwilling to witness the scene, while Jin Ning stared at the girl’s wet collar.

Yuwen Che rubbed his forehead, embarrassed. “Princess, please have a seat first.”

Princess Xiang Lian approached Feng Xiaoli and scolded, “Are your eyes on the back of your head? How could you miss such a large target at such close range? If you’re not embarrassed, I certainly am for you. Watch this—I’ll show you my one hundred percent accuracy.” She grabbed Yuwen Che’s teacup and, with a swish, sent it flying at Yue Wanqing. But Yue Wanqing was not easily bested; with a gentle lift of her foot, the cup changed direction and flew back at Princess Xiang Lian, who was caught off guard and soaked again.

Feng Xiaoli sat upright, solemn. “Such accuracy! Princess, your skill is truly astonishing, unrivaled in the world—yours alone!”

“You’re mocking me!”

Feng Xiaoli shook her head. “I wouldn’t dare. You are a royal, how could I dare mock you?”

“You and Yue Wanqing are partners in crime!” Xiang Lian spat, and then turned and vanished. Feng Xiaoli was puzzled: how had she disappeared so quickly?

Yue Wanqing laughed and explained for Xiang Lian, “She’s gone to the palace to change. She won’t be back for some time. That’s just her nature—carefree, never petty, truly a good temperament!”

Feng Xiaoli tilted her head, complaining, “So you think I’m petty?”

Yue Wanqing reached out and stroked Feng Xiaoli’s cheek, praising, “A-Li, you really are clever!”

“Yue Wanqing!”

Yuwen Che exclaimed, “Weren’t you the woman I saw on the street yesterday? Yue Wanqing? Isn’t that the same name as the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister’s household? Are you really the lady from the Prime Minister’s residence?” He continued, “How come I don’t know you, Miss Qing?”

“Don’t call me Miss Qing, that’s too formal. Just call me Wanqing, like A-Li does. Your Highness, of course you don’t know me. I’ve been training outside since childhood, and only returned yesterday. I rarely appear in Huai Jing, so it’s normal you don’t recognize me.” Feng Xiaoli could tell Yue Wanqing was holding something back in her words.

“Then how did you meet A-Li so quickly after returning? Didn’t you just arrive yesterday?” Yuwen Che pressed.

Yue Wanqing glanced at Feng Xiaoli, explaining, “I saw A-Li wandering the streets yesterday, looking a bit dazed. When she wasn’t paying attention, I checked her pulse and found it irregular. Then I noticed a small bump on the back of her head, so I suspected she had lost her memory. I originally meant to take her to the Bureau of Destiny to see if anyone had reported a missing person, but at that moment, Your Highness appeared. Since you were acquainted with A-Li, I felt comfortable leaving her with you. Later, I returned home and had someone investigate, only then learning that yesterday I had met the Second Prince and that A-Li was the daughter of the Prince of Chun.” Seeing Yuwen Che’s skeptical look, she added, “Your Highness, the news of the Prince of Chun’s household yesterday has already spread everywhere.”

Yuwen Che nodded, though Feng Xiaoli twisted her lips—who could believe such a story?

At that moment, someone announced, “Hua Pei has arrived!”