Passing through three lotus ponds and several clusters of rockeries, Liu Yun followed Princess Changyang to her peony greenhouse.
Liu Yun immediately revealed a look of astonishment.
The flower house was simply too beautiful, causing Liu Yun to stare wide-eyed on the spot.
It was a structure built of colored glass—every tile, door, window, and wall made of precious glazed crystal.
But because peonies favor sunlight yet shun harsh exposure, and fearing the summer sun would wilt them, the glass greenhouse was draped in a layer of fine gauze, greatly softening the intensity of the daylight.
This also made the glass flower house appear even more beautiful.
Through the gauze-veiled glass room, one could see the dazzling array of colorful blooms competing for attention within.
"Wow, this is absolutely gorgeous!"
Stunned by such extreme beauty, Liu Yun couldn't help but let out an exclamation, her eyes going distant as she stood frozen at the doorway.
Princess Changyang only chuckled softly without a word, her face carrying a hint of pride at being praised—clearly, she was quite satisfied with her flower house.
Only Xiao Heng's gaze flickered, his eyes darting between Liu Yun's cheeks and the greenhouse, a thought stirring in his mind.
"Come in and take a closer look."
Princess Changyang beckoned, and Liu Yun's eyes sparkled as she trotted eagerly after her, momentarily forgetting that a menacing presence accompanied them.
At the entrance to the flower house hung light gauze strung with beads and jade, and as it was brushed aside, it produced a pleasant tinkling of jade colliding.
Beyond the beaded curtain door lay yet another breathtaking beauty.
Because of the gauze layer, the glass room that originally absorbed the vast sunlight now held a glow that was no longer harsh—soft and radiant within, the light spilling out gentle and airy, unconsciously calming one's heart to peace.
Paired with the profusion of fresh flowers inside the glass room, Liu Yun's heart was left with nothing but serene tranquility.
In a daze, fragrant aromas swirled around her, intoxicating Liu Yun somewhat.
Princess Changyang favored the regal peony, but the greenhouse was not lacking in other flowers.
Roses, rambling roses, irises, herbaceous peonies, gardenias, lotuses…
Liu Yun's eyes couldn't take it all in, and she no longer regretted following Princess Changyang here.
"This palace doesn't stand on such ceremony—go look at whatever you like."
Even though Liu Yun wished she could transform into a butterfly and flit to every flower, mindful that she was a guest in someone's home, she forcibly restrained herself, only gazing at the fragrant, lovely blooms with a reserved demeanor, her eyes shining brightly.
Princess Changyang noticed and said with a smile.
With the hostess's permission, Liu Yun no longer held back. She thanked her and hurried over with small, quick steps toward the cluster of blossoms blooming in riotous color.
This was pure bliss!
If this flower house were hers, she'd place a lounge chair right here, lie down comfortably, have Jin He prepare chilled drinks and pastries, and after eating and drinking her fill, simply drift off to sleep.
What a wonderful thought.
Too bad it could only remain a thought.
Spotting a lushly blooming Guifei Chacui peony, Liu Yun crouched down, gently stroking its petals, pressing her nose close to inhale its scent.
Unlike Yao Huang and Wei Zi, this Guifei Chacui before her had a faint, delicate fragrance—elegant and refined, with a charm all its own.
Not far away, the siblings walked together, both gazing at the slender, exquisite young woman among the flowers, occasionally exchanging glances.
Why hasn't he made his move yet?
Facing his sister's teasing, urging gaze, Xiao Heng read the meaning within.
Looking away, he shot his sister a look for her to interpret on her own.
Princess Changyang understood her brother's meaning and felt somewhat troubled.
What excuse could she use to leave the flower house?
Just as she was at a loss, Yao Huang, the servant responsible for escorting her daughter to and from the palace for lessons, came rushing over, saying that little Nian Nian had come home crying and was looking for her.
While worrying about her daughter, Changyang secretly rejoiced at having found a reason to leave.
It seemed heaven was also rooting for her brother and Yunniang!
"This palace suddenly has some urgent matters—Yunniang, please make yourself at home here."
With that thought, Changyang only smiled, left those words, and hurried away.
Liu Yun didn't even have time to interject a single word—like offering to leave together with the princess—before Princess Changyang had vanished from sight.
Her body began to stiffen, and with timid, fearful eyes, she glanced at the Crown Prince standing with arms crossed beside the wisteria. Liu Yun didn't know what to do with her hands.
On the hostess's turf, Jin He was temporarily stationed outside as a maidservant, and Liu Yun didn't have the courage to call for her.
As a result, after Princess Changyang left, the beautiful, dreamlike glass flower house contained only Liu Yun and the Crown Prince.
Liu Yun was restless and anxious, even wanting to flee.
But she had no reason to, so she could only remain there trembling, like a little mouse cornered by a tabby cat.
Afraid of drawing the Crown Prince's attention, Liu Yun quietly shrank in place, pretending to admire the flowers.
But unbeknownst to her, every petal of those Guifei Chacui peonies had been touched by her, and their fresh fragrance had nearly been breathed away by her.
Xiao Heng laughed outright at the sight.
Was he really some kind of ferocious beast that she had to fear him this much?
His mood soured, and Xiao Heng's expression turned cold and grim, displeasure written across his face.
Sometimes, when a person's presence is too strong, their emotional influence is equally powerful, making it impossible for those present to ignore them.
Like the Crown Prince, standing there in silence.
Liu Yun felt as though the air in the glasshouse had grown thin, making it hard for her to breathe.
Tap, tap, tap…
Just then, something even more heart-stopping came.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the Crown Prince walking step by step toward her, his strides swift and forceful.
Liu Yun's heart leaped to her throat as she caught glimpses of the purple-robed figure drawing ever closer.
A gust of wind brushed past her from behind. Just as Liu Yun was about to let out a sigh of relief, a swath of fabric suddenly covered her head.
In that instant, everything went dark before her eyes, with only a fragrance lingering at the tip of her nose.
It was a very distinctive scent—as if mixed with agarwood, calming to the mind and spirit, yet carrying a crisp coolness with a hint of sweetness beneath.
Liu Yun had never smelled anything so pleasant, and her nose instinctively twitched.
When her vision cleared again and the fragrance dissipated, Liu Yun realized what had just happened.
It seemed a sleeve had brushed past her head, sweeping across her face.
As for whose it was, there was no need to guess.
In the glasshouse, besides herself, there was only the Crown Prince.
Liu Yun turned her head and stared blankly at the Crown Prince's lean, upright back.
How rude—he'd actually flicked his sleeve at her head!
Jin He had styled her hair in double-loop buns today, so pretty and neat—she couldn't have anyone messing it up.
With that thought, Liu Yun immediately reached up to touch her hair and found that the silk flower had indeed tilted slightly. She was greatly displeased.
Driven by emotion, Liu Yun instinctively wanted to glare at him—even just at his back would do.
But the moment she looked up, her indignant eyes met the young man's deep, cold phoenix eyes.
All of Liu Yun's anger vanished.
Forcing a strained smile, Liu Yun tried to appear obedient and pitiful, hoping to make the Crown Prince think what he'd just seen was merely his imagination.
Amidst the riot of colorful blooms, the timid young girl remained the most striking touch of color.
Xiao Heng did not speak. He only looked for a few breaths, then leisurely turned away, his eyes brimming with laughter.
Crisis averted, Liu Yun let out a sigh of relief and buried her face in her palms for a moment to compose herself.
But she hadn't expected there to be a second trial.
To relieve her numb, crouched legs, Liu Yun stood up and shuffled around for a bit, then furtively scurried to the other side, putting even more distance between herself and the Crown Prince.
Liu Yun prayed for Princess Changyang to return quickly while keeping a watchful eye on the Crown Prince out of her peripheral vision, lest he approach again.
Vaguely, Liu Yun saw the precious peony she'd been fondling just moments ago now clasped in the Crown Prince's merciless grip, his hand closing around it.
Barring any accident, this beautiful peony would be crushed and withered just like the one at the banquet last time.
Just moments ago, she had been cradling it in her palms, sniffing it, stroking its tender, lovely petals.
How could Liu Yun bear to witness such a sight? In a moment of agitation, she blurted out loud.
"Stop!"
In truth, Liu Yun's voice wasn't very loud, nor was her tone sharp in the least—it could even be described as pleading.
But the moment the words left her mouth, Liu Yun realized what she'd done.
She had offended the Crown Prince.
And a Crown Prince with a rather poor temper, at that.
At the thought, her heart pounded wildly and her head buzzed.
"You… are commanding me?"
After a light chuckle, the Crown Prince's words came through, his emotions unreadable, carrying a sinister undertone of interrogation.
Liu Yun was timid by nature, and having run afoul of the notoriously fearsome Crown Prince, her legs immediately gave way, and she dropped to her knees with a thud.
"Your Highness, forgive me! This humble daughter spoke in a moment of confusion—please, Your Highness, be lenient!"
The Crown Prince, second only to the Emperor himself, could dispose of her—or even the Liu family behind her—with the greatest of ease if he were angered. Liu Yun understood the stakes and surrendered her pride without hesitation.
Footsteps sounded once more, growing closer and closer. Liu Yun knew the Crown Prince was coming over to deal with her.
What to do? So terrifying!
Her heart wailed tearfully, but Liu Yun had no tears to shed.
A shadow fell over her, and a pair of black deerskin brocade boots appeared before her eyes, along with the hem of a purple robe embroidered with golden dragon patterns.
Sensing an intense gaze upon her, Liu Yun flinched and shrank back like a startled bird.
"Why aren't you wearing that pair of bracelets?"
What she received after all her anxious waiting was a baffling question.
Liu Yun was stunned, and she raised her head in bewilderment.