At this moment, Xiao Heng very much wanted to turn around and send someone to investigate that man's background, but unfortunately there were still irrelevant people nearby.
His brow was nearly twisted into a knot, his gaze dark and brooding.
Although Wen Yuzhu spent most of her time chatting and laughing with her cousin, her attention on her cousin the Crown Prince was absolutely paramount.
Seeing the Crown Prince's clearly directed gaze, she followed it and spotted a man and woman engaged in intimate conversation and laughter.
Wen Yuzhu recognized the young woman—it was that Miss Liu from the Ministry of Works, the one from earlier.
The next moment, she remembered that it was precisely because she had made a few remarks about the Liu family that she had been scolded by her cousin the Crown Prince. Wen Yuzhu felt displeased and began muttering under her breath.
"This Miss Liu appears plain in appearance and unremarkable in virtue, yet she's already found a prospect so quickly. I wonder which family's son is so… casual in his tastes~"
As she spoke, a light smile curved Wen Yuzhu's lips, and the contempt in her words once again slipped out uncontrollably.
This time, even Princess Changyang found it hard to watch. She shielded her face with her fan and turned to observe her brother's reaction.
Sure enough, under the double provocation, Xiao Heng had completely lost his patience. A cold light suddenly blazed in his phoenix eyes as he turned and said icily to Wen Yuzhu, "You talk so much—it's deafening."
With that, he walked away without looking back, his robes billowing in the wind, leaving Wen Yuzhu behind with a face full of grievance and embarrassment.
"…Cousin!"
She didn't dare chase after him, only immersed herself in bewilderment, then looked at her cousin Princess Changyang with a pitiful expression, seeking some comfort and guidance.
Although her cousin had never been particularly warm toward her in childhood, at least he had allowed her to trail behind him and Cousin Changyang during their play.
Now that they were grown, the relationship had grown even more distant.
It was as if she weren't his own cousin at all, no different from any other young lady.
Now he even snapped at her.
Wen Yuzhu's eyes turned red, not knowing what she had done wrong. A silk handkerchief was nearly twisted to shreds in her hands.
Princess Changyang couldn't quite explain it either, and could only sigh and say, "Yuzhu, in the future, you should speak less in front of Ah Heng."
Wen Yuzhu pouted and lowered her head dejectedly.
But soon, she perked up again, her fighting spirit renewed.
She was destined to be the Crown Princess—what was a little hardship like this!
Once they were husband and wife, she refused to believe her cousin would still be so harsh with her!
After fuming for quite a while, Wen Yuzhu tried to find her cousin again, but he was nowhere to be seen.
On the other side of the lake, Liu Yun was speaking softly and gently with Brother Yang, when she caught sight of Zhenzhen beside her wearing a mysterious smile.
It was her own fault—she had blurted out all her parents' plans to Zhenzhen as a secret, so now Zhenzhen couldn't help but wiggle her eyebrows and make faces every time she saw Liu Yun and Brother Yang together.
How embarrassing!
But she couldn't very well explain it openly in front of Brother Yang, and Liu Yun was about to die of mortification.
"With the palace examination concluded, though I don't know how well Xiuyuan-gege performed, Yunniang would like to offer her wishes here that Xiuyuan-gege's name appears on the list and that he attains the jinshi degree."
Liu Yun was the best at saying auspicious words, and paired with the sweet dimples on her cheeks, it was hard not to feel pleased.
Yang Xiuyuan smiled, warm and gentle like the spring breeze of March.
"Thank you, Yunmei."
The two spoke softly, the corners of their eyes and brows carrying delicate, tender light, perfectly harmonious together.
Even Xiao Heng had to admit that although the scene before him was grating, it was unexpectedly fitting.
The stifled frustration in his chest made Xiao Heng casually tear off a peony at hand. His five fingers clenched tightly, crushing the tender petals into a mess. Just as he was about to discard it, his gaze fell upon the peony, and he realized it was also a pinkish-white bloom.
Then, Xiao Heng pondered for a few breaths, and as if a sudden bout of kindness had come over him, he smoothed out the petals one by one and placed them back on the branch.
But a flower once broken cannot regain its vitality—it could only await death.
Xiao Heng paid it no further mind and turned to leave.
Coincidentally, a cup of tea's time later, Liu Yun and her companion strolled over to this spot and noticed the ravaged Zhao Fen peony. With great pity, she said, "What wicked wretch would ruin such a beautiful peony? They really ought to be found and given a good beating by the Princess!"
Liu Yun said indignantly, unaware that Crown Prince Xiao Heng was strolling nearby. With his sharp ears and keen eyes, he caught every word of Liu Yun's scolding.
He tugged at the corner of his mouth, a cold sneer escaping as Xiao Heng laughed in spite of himself.
This cold, snorting laugh drew the attention of those around, and Liu Yun looked over as well.
Seeing the Crown Prince's familiar face, Liu Yun instinctively began to panic and wanted to flee.
But in broad daylight, she couldn't be so undignified.
After paying her respects along with everyone else, Liu Yun was just about to pull Zhenzhen away when she witnessed the infuriating scene.
There was the Crown Prince, stopping before a White Snow Pagoda peony. His merciless iron claws reached out, yanked the large, full-bloomed peony from its stem, crushed it into a messy ball, and then tossed it to the ground with utter indifference.
Just as Liu Yun was mourning the peony, the Crown Prince's gaze swept over.
Indifferent, yet tinged with a hint of eager provocation.
Liu Yun couldn't decipher its meaning, but she felt inexplicably furious.
The kind of fury that made her want to charge over and give him a piece of her mind.
Under this emotional state, Liu Yun's expression was completely different from before—not only was her face flushed red, but she was also puffing up with anger.
From a distance, she looked like a ripe peach, tempting Xiao Heng's teeth to itch with the urge to do something.
But Liu Yun quickly came to her senses, lowered her head, and hurried away with Zhenzhen in tow.
Had she gone mad just now, actually thinking about hitting and scolding the Crown Prince?
She must have been possessed.
After this little episode came the banquet.
At the maid's notice, Liu Yun and Zhenzhen found an inconspicuous seat and sat down, enjoying the delicacies of Princess Changyang's estate.
Princess Changyang was the eldest daughter of the late Empress Wen, and she and the Crown Prince were the Emperor's most beloved children, with nothing but the best in clothing, food, housing, and transportation.
The Princess adored lavish attire and fine delicacies, so the chefs at Princess Changyang's estate were first-rate.
Not to mention the main courses—even the pre-meal snacks were extraordinary, such as the assorted pastries and fruits from Baoyue Studio, the candied fruits from Furong Pavilion, and the flower teas from Changchun Garden.
With tea and food to her heart's content, Liu Yun's stomach was satisfied, and for a moment, all her worries were cast aside.
But throughout the meal, Liu Yun kept feeling that something was off.
It was as if someone was watching her with a sinister gaze—very unsettling.
Yet whenever she looked up to observe, she found nothing, which left Liu Yun feeling dazed.
Could it be her imagination?
She considered herself to have decent relationships with people; surely she didn't have any enemies who held a grudge against her, right?
After the meal, the peonies had been admired, the Princess's estate had been toured, and the catching-up was done. Having thoroughly indulged herself, Liu Yun was ready to head home.
Guests at the banquet were free to come and go without needing to bid farewell to Princess Changyang one by one. Liu Yun and Zhenzhen were chatting and laughing as they were about to step out of the Princess's gate when, at that moment, a familiar green-robed maid came chasing after them.
"Lady Liu, please wait a moment."
Liu Yun stopped and recognized the newcomer, asking in surprise, "Sister, what do you need from me?"
The green-robed maid approached closer and said with a light laugh, "Lady Liu, surely you haven't forgotten—the Princess was curious about your lip balm earlier, but she got distracted by Lady Wen and forgot for the moment. Now she's remembered again and specially sent me to find you."
Liu Yun had more or less guessed what Princess Changyang meant, and asked softly, "Has the Princess taken a liking to the lip balm I made?"
The green-robed maid smiled and nodded, relaying the Princess's words one by one: "The Princess said that the lip balm Lady Liu made by hand has a novel and lovely color, and she wishes to commission several boxes from you at a generous price. She wonders if Lady Liu has the time?"
It was just a few boxes of lip balm—nothing particularly precious. Liu Yun wasn't some merchant, so why would she need to charge money for everything?
She wasn't short on silver anyway.
Besides, building some rapport with Princess Changyang could only be a good thing. That way, if her family ever ran into some filthy trouble again, she'd have a connection to turn to.
She wouldn't have to go seeking that demon of a Crown Prince.
With that thought, Liu Yun beamed and said, "The Princess flatters me—it's a trivial matter. How about this: it should be done in three days, and I'll send a servant to deliver it."
But the green-robed maid didn't agree immediately. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Perhaps Lady Liu could come to the Princess's estate again at that time? The Princess said she'd like to consult you about the method of making lip balm."
Hearing this, Liu Yun also hesitated for a moment, mulled it over for a few breaths, and conceded, "In that case, I'll personally deliver it to the Princess in three days."
Hearing this, the green-robed maid seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as if her task was complete, and with a gentle smile, she saw Liu Yun off.
"How strange—Princess Changyang has seen every fine thing under the sun, yet she's taken a liking to the little trinket I made."
Stepping out of the Princess's estate, Liu Yun muttered to Zhenzhen.
Chen Wei laughed and said, "Naturally, it's because our Shanshan is clever and skillful—the lip balm really does look lovely. Several of my female cousins have been asking me about it."
"Then… then I'll make a few for them tomorrow, shall I?"
To her, it was no trouble at all, and Liu Yun didn't find it tiring.
But Chen Wei waved her hand and declined, "Shanshan needn't bother. If you give to everyone who asks, not only would you tire yourself out, but you're not a cosmetics lady—why work so hard? Just rest."
Liu Yun grinned foolishly and said, "It's just because they're your sisters and cousins…"
"Sisters and cousins or not, they're not me. It's enough that you're good to me alone, hehe~"
Chatting and laughing, the two of them horsed around together before heading home separately.
After the banquet dispersed, only the siblings remained in Princess Changyang's estate. It was peaceful, to be sure, but something was missing.
Princess Changyang looked at her younger brother's gloomy expression and first teased him with a hint of mystery, saying, "There were too many people today—it wasn't quite ideal. Why don't you come visit me another day, little brother?"
Since the person he wanted to see was nowhere in sight, Xiao Heng had lost all desire to linger there, let alone visit again.
So he said coldly, "No need. Sister should enjoy herself on her own. In a few more days, the Consort should be returning from his case in Jiangnan, so you won't be bored."
"I'm off now."
With that, Xiao Heng turned and left without a trace of reluctance.
Her younger brother's indifference made Princess Changyang all the more expectant. Catching a glimpse of the maid Fuling returning from the corner of her eye, she beckoned her over and asked, "How did it go? Did Lady Liu agree?"
Deliberately raising her voice, Princess Changyang indeed saw her younger brother's figure falter.
"She agreed to what?"
As expected, Xiao Heng, who had just been acting aloof, turned back and cleared his throat before asking.
Though his expression remained cold and stern, after years of knowing him, how could Princess Changyang fail to see her younger brother's awkward shyness?