The air around them was thick with the fragrance of a hundred blooming flowers.
Amidst the riot of colors, Liu Yun wore a bewildered expression as she looked up and stammered, "What?"
Liu Yun didn't quite understand how the Crown Prince had steered the conversation to this topic.
It came out of nowhere, unclear and disjointed.
Xiao Heng lowered his head, facing the young girl's upturned face.
Fair as snow and porcelain, with round apricot eyes shimmering with moisture, full of confusion.
Liu Yun was already much shorter than him, and now it was even more inconvenient to converse.
Xiao Heng took the opportunity to crouch down, gazing into the young girl's eyes with a flickering look. "I heard that pair of Sese Jade bracelets from Huazhen Tower ended up in Lady Liu's hands. Since you've obtained such a fine pair, why not wear them out? Why use such cheap trinkets instead?"
The distance suddenly closed, and the Crown Prince's face was right before her eyes.
Though cold and sharp, it was undeniably handsome, so much so that Liu Yun naturally lost her focus, her thoughts muddled.
Facing the Crown Prince's question, Liu Yun answered honestly and slowly, "Oh, that. That pair of bracelets is too precious. I was afraid I'd knock or scratch them and break them, so I left them at home."
"I—mine isn't a cheap trinket either. My mother bought it for me when I came of age. I really like it."
After explaining, Liu Yun didn't forget to refute the Crown Prince's remark about cheap trinkets, her face full of seriousness.
"Pfft—"
Hearing this, Xiao Heng let out a scoff first, then said nonchalantly, "If they break, they break. Can't you just buy another pair?"
Liu Yun was momentarily speechless, staring at him with a thousand complaints in her heart.
Did he think she was someone who could just buy Sese Jade of that quality on a whim?
She'd only gotten that pair through a stroke of luck. Did he think everyone was like him?
Truly, "let them eat cake"!
But she only dared to think these things in her heart. On the surface, she remained obedient and proper, chuckling nervously. "Your Highness jests. Sese Jade is worth a fortune; naturally, this humble daughter wouldn't bear to spend on it."
Even though her storybooks had brought her considerable income, Liu Yun still couldn't bear to part with the money.
Perhaps not expecting such a reason, Xiao Heng froze for a moment, unconsciously murmuring, "What does that matter? I can—"
Suddenly remembering something, Xiao Heng shut his mouth, put on a serious air, and rose to his feet, saying in a flat tone, "Rise."
As if what had just happened was merely Liu Yun's illusion, and the Crown Prince had said nothing at all.
After this exchange, Liu Yun also forgot their earlier friction and obediently stood up, her demeanor respectful.
Just as Xiao Heng was about to clear his throat and find something to say, light footsteps sounded from outside, accompanied by a child's laughter.
"Uncle! Uncle!"
The gauze curtain of the glass conservatory was pushed open as a little girl ran in giggling, chased by her wet nurse, followed by Princess Changyang wearing a face full of affection.
Even without having met her before, Liu Yun could guess the little girl's identity from the scene.
She must be Princess Changyang's eldest daughter, County Mistress Kangning, Song Yan.
The Emperor's love extended even to his granddaughter, who had been granted the honor of a prince's daughter and bestowed the title of County Mistress.
Now four years old, the little County Mistress was adorable as jade and snow, her rosy little face full of sweet, innocent smiles as she hugged the Crown Prince's leg affectionately.
Seeing his beloved niece, the usually cold and arrogant Crown Prince's expression softened, and he even playfully lifted the little County Mistress up by her armpits, eliciting another round of giggles from her.
"Giggle, too high, too high! Uncle, put me down~"
Princess Changyang fanned herself from the side, teasing with a smile, "If you like little children so much, then hurry up and marry a Crown Princess. You'll have plenty to hold then."
Hearing this, Xiao Heng subconsciously glanced at the quietly standing young girl beside him and said lazily, "Soon."
County Mistress Kangning was set down, her pair of lively black grape-like eyes darting around the room before she noticed there were other people in the conservatory.
The little County Mistress stared blankly at Liu Yun for a few breaths, then looked at her uncle, and suddenly blurted out—
"Uncle, is this my aunt?"
Children speak the truth, but they also speak startling words. Caught completely off guard, Liu Yun's face flushed red then pale as she frantically waved her hands. "No, no! County Mistress, you're mistaken! I'm nothing at all!"
Being mistaken as someone's spouse was bad enough, but with the Crown Prince of all people—Liu Yun broke out in a cold sweat.
The four-year-old County Mistress looked confused, her gaze shifting between the two for a moment before she turned to her uncle to confirm. "Uncle?"
Xiao Heng's throat bobbed as he nearly let the acknowledgment slip, but in the end, reason won out, allowing him to maintain his composure and restraint.
"Mhm."
A single simple syllable that could be taken as agreement, though it wasn't particularly convincing—especially for the young County Mistress Kangning, who couldn't quite grasp her uncle's meaning.
To her ears, it sounded more like her uncle was answering her question.
But then Princess Changyang stepped in, soothing her daughter in a few words.
"Yan'er, don't be silly. This is Lady Liu, whom Mother invited over as a guest today. Go on, greet her properly."
Only then did the little County Mistress obediently say "Oh," and with her small, delicate frame, performed a proper bow.
"Greetings, Sister Liu."
Just like a little glutinous rice dumpling, utterly adorable.
Liu Yun immediately returned the salute, her smile warm and amiable as she said, "The County Princess is too polite."
Although she was the elder, Kangning County Princess held an honorary title, and Liu Yun could not afford to be remiss with her.
After the two exchanged greetings, the lively young county princess sidled up to her, calling out "Sister" without pause as she chatted with her.
Just as the little county princess called her "Sister Liu" once more, the Crown Prince, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke up.
"Kangning, you've got it wrong. She's not your sister."
Calling her that would directly skip a generation.
Liu Yun's expression froze, thinking the Crown Prince looked down on her as a mere subject's daughter, unworthy of the little county princess calling her "sister." Her face immediately dimmed, and she felt a pang of displeasure.
Indeed, how could the imperial kin ever think highly of an ordinary subject's daughter like her?
Seeing Liu Yun's suddenly darkened expression, Xiao Heng realized his words had been inappropriate. He parted his lips, wanting to salvage the situation, but could not find a reason at the moment.
It was Princess Changyang who reacted quickly, glaring at her foolish younger brother with a look of exasperation, then explaining with a smile, "Indeed, she shouldn't call you 'sister,' or else Yunniang would become a child of my generation."
With that explanation, Liu Yun's mood improved considerably, and a sparkle returned to her eyes.
But the little county princess was puzzled and asked curiously, "Then what should I call Sister Liu?"
For a moment, the siblings were stumped, unsure how to respond.
Liu Yun was not a relative of either of the little county princess's parents, so any form of address seemed somewhat inappropriate.
Having already calmed her emotions after Princess Changyang's explanation, Liu Yun no longer minded and said to the little county princess with a smile, "It's fine. The County Princess may call me 'sister.'"
Being a generation younger was fine—it even made her seem youthful!
Seeing this, Princess Changyang stopped dwelling on it and smiled faintly without a word.
Xiao Heng, however, pressed his lips tightly together, listening to his niece's repeated calls of "sister," pondering something in his mind.
Amid the little county princess's chattering, a maidservant entered and announced that lunch was ready, asking the masters for their instructions.
Liu Yun was startled, not expecting that so much time had passed and it was already noon. That was truly improper.
She immediately stepped forward, ready to take her leave.
How could she have the nerve to stay for a meal at Princess Changyang's residence? Just thinking about it made her scalp tingle.
"Your Highness, this subject…"
Just as she opened her mouth to leave, Princess Changyang interrupted her with a radiant, enthusiastic smile.
"What a coincidence. Yunniang, stay and eat with us."
At those words, Xiao Heng's hand, which had been rubbing his jade thumb ring, stopped. He looked at his sister Princess Changyang with eyes full of admiration.
Then, he quickly shifted his gaze to Liu Yun, a faint tremor in his eyes that no one else could discern.
Liu Yun shook her head like a rattle-drum, wondering where things had gone wrong to lead to this situation.
"I thank the Princess for her kindness, but this subject is merely an outsider and should not stay. I ought to return home."
Eating at the same table as the Crown Prince—she feared she wouldn't be able to swallow a bite.
Liu Yun's polite refusal was within Changyang's expectations. She did not lose heart, only sighed and said, "Yunniang, don't mind me. Ever since my consort went south to handle a case, it's just my daughter and me in this vast princess residence. Often there's no one to talk to. I'm someone who dreads loneliness."
"I thought that if Yunniang could stay for a meal today, it would liven things up a bit. What a pity…"
Princess Changyang was exceptionally beautiful, a true great beauty, and with her pitiful, charming demeanor at this moment, Liu Yun—being but an ordinary mortal—was immediately entranced, her resolve wavering.
A quarter of an hour later, Liu Yun sat stiffly at the dining table, looking awkwardly at the array of delicacies before her.
Yes, she had been bewitched by the Princess's beauty without realizing it.
Pursing her lips in worry, Liu Yun looked up and met the Crown Prince's sharp, handsome eyes.
She felt like crying.
"Yunniang, don't stand on ceremony. Whatever you'd like to eat, just have the maidservant serve you."
The Liu family did not have such strict rules, but Liu Yun knew that the great households could not do without them.
For instance, at meals, one had maidservants serve the dishes, so one need not reach out oneself and risk soiling one's sleeves.
And so, Jin He stood beside her, adding food to her plate.
Likewise, Jin He was extremely nervous in the presence of the imperial siblings, her hand trembling faintly as she served the dishes.
Perhaps sensing her nervousness, Princess Changyang chatted with her from time to time, and naturally the conversation turned to her lip balm.
Upon learning that she made other things besides lip balm, Princess Changyang pressed for more.
"Yunniang truly has skillful hands. What else can you make?"
At the mention of her craft, Liu Yun perked up, her eyes sparkling as she said, "I also make rose water, pastries, and…"
"Stuffed dolls…"
When she mentioned the last item, Liu Yun felt a little shy.
But before Princess Changyang could speak, Kangning County Princess happily exclaimed, "Stuffed dolls! Nian Nian loves those! Sister Liu, are the dolls you make pretty?"
Shy as she was, Liu Yun felt her craftsmanship was quite good. Her cheeks flushed as she said, "They should be pretty."
After all, even Madam Fan liked them.
Hearing this, Kangning County Princess clapped her hands joyfully and said, "Then can Sister Liu make a doll for Nian Nian? Nian Nian will give you a gift in return!"
Princess Changyang smiled and tapped her daughter's head, scolding lightly, "Alright, alright. Why must you trouble your Sister Liu? Go eat your meal!"
Liu Yun couldn't help but laugh, finding the young county princess adorable and innocent. She didn't think making a cloth doll was any trouble at all, so she said generously, "If the county princess would like one, I can sew one for you. It's no trouble at all."
"What style would the county princess like? A kitten? A puppy? Or a little rabbit? Or perhaps a little tiger?"
Children usually only liked these few types, Liu Yun thought.
But County Princess Kangning gave an unexpected answer.
"A fox! I want a fox!"
Liu Yun was surprised for a moment, but still accepted with a smile.
Seeing this, Princess Changyang no longer tried to stop her, only saying with a smile, "Children are so greedy. We'll have to trouble Yunniang again. Don't worry, the princess's mansion will certainly provide proper thanks."
This time, Liu Yun absolutely refused to accept anything.
The golden hairpin from before, along with its attached value, was already extremely precious. Since she was only sewing a cloth doll, Liu Yun didn't want to accept another generous gift from Princess Changyang.
Seeing this, Princess Changyang didn't insist further, only having the young county princess give her sweet thanks.
After the conversation ended, Liu Yun lowered her head to eat, only to find her bowl piled high with food towering above the rim. A look of astonishment crossed her face.
She turned to look, and Jin He smiled at her sheepishly, as if trying to explain something.
She had probably been so nervous that all she could do was keep adding food to Liu Yun's bowl.
Fortunately, Jin He knew Liu Yun's tastes and had only picked dishes she loved.
Suppressing a quiet laugh, Liu Yun buried her head in her meal.
She had thought that facing the Crown Prince would ruin her appetite, but unexpectedly, the cooks at Princess Changyang's mansion were so skilled that they distracted her from everything else, and she ate until her belly was round and full.
Throughout this process, Liu Yun, focused entirely on her meal, failed to notice the Crown Prince's deep, unfathomable gaze.
Nor did she notice the glances that kept falling on her tender red lips, which parted and moved gently as she chewed her food.
Xiao Heng was also pondering how he would later take the item away from his niece's hands.