“Wuwu… My Li’er…”
Amidst soft sobs, a gentle bamboo-green figure enveloped Yun Li in her embrace.
Ever since Yun Li was forcibly taken to the Regent’s Mansion by Rong Zhou, Shen Zhiyi had been unable to eat or sleep, weeping day and night, constantly worrying that her pampered daughter might suffer under the abuse of power.
Now that the only daughter of the Zhenguo General’s Manor—her beloved girl—had finally returned home, Shen Zhiyi wept with joy, “It really is Li’er…”
“Mother.” Yun Li called out softly and sweetly.
“Coming back is good… coming back is good.” Shen Zhiyi quickly released her daughter, holding her shoulders and turning her around to examine her. “Our Li’er must have suffered grievances. Mother can see you’ve lost weight. Has His Highness the Regent Prince been treating you poorly?”
“How could that be?” Yun Li smiled sweetly at her mother.
She tenderly wiped away her mother’s tears. “Mother, don’t worry. Ah Zhou treats me extremely well, and Ah Li genuinely likes him too. I don’t feel wronged marrying into the Regent’s Mansion.”
Hearing this, Shen Zhiyi slightly furrowed her brows.
But she clearly remembered it wasn’t like this before. Previously, the Regent Prince had schemed extensively—first trying to approach Yun Li to cultivate feelings, but after repeated rejections, he came with an imperial decree to propose marriage. Yun Li would rather have the Regent Prince grant her a white silk cord for suicide, which eventually forced the Regent Prince to resort to abduction and forced marriage…
So why did his attitude suddenly change after marriage?
Shen Zhiyi grew increasingly concerned. “Li’er, don’t be afraid. Tell mother about your grievances. Although the Regent Prince is cruel and ruthless to the extreme, and your father and the others haven’t returned from the border yet, your mother isn’t someone to be bullied easily. Even if I die, I will definitely protect your safety…”
“Your Highness.” Lian Qiao’s voice suddenly sounded.
Before Shen Zhiyi’s fierce words could fully land, she suddenly sensed a noble presence. Looking up, she saw a tall figure striding in, wrapped in an imposing aura that reached the clouds.
Yun Li curved her eyes, “Ah Zhou!”
Shen Zhiyi immediately recognized the identity of the person before her. Even without his usual black attire, the dark blue brocade robe embroidered with black and gold cloud patterns still accentuated Rong Zhou’s imposing stature.
His ink-black hair was tied up with a jade-inlaid gold crown, a jade belt with soaring cloud patterns around his waist, and a translucent jade pendant hanging by his knee.
Shen Zhiyi lightly pursed her lips, quickly using her handkerchief to wipe away tear stains from her face. Just as she was about to curtsy to His Highness…
She saw Rong Zhou sweep his wide sleeves and respectfully bow to her, “Mother-in-law.”
Shen Zhiyi was so startled she stumbled backward a step.
Even though her father was a Grand Tutor of three dynasties, having grown up in a scholarly family, facing the Regent Prince—known as the living King of Hell—who actively bowed to her, she couldn’t maintain any elegant expression for a moment. “You…”
“Ah Zhou!” Yun Li fluttered over like a little butterfly.
She skipped to Rong Zhou’s side, intimately linking arms with him. “You’ve frightened my mother.”
Ripples stirred in Rong Zhou’s ink-black pupils.
He slightly frowned, his handsome and sharp features showing some confusion. After all, no matter where he had been, he had never truly learned how to be respectful, gentle, and modest…
“My mistake.” Rong Zhou slightly lowered his gaze.
He reached out to draw his little Princess Consort into his embrace, his slender jade-like fingers gently caressing her cheek. “Then what should I do, Ah Li? Should I go ask Mother-in-law for punishment? Let’s follow the family rules of the Zhenguo General’s Manor.”
Shen Zhiyi: !
Hearing the Regent Prince say these words…
Her fragile little heart trembled slightly.Everyone says the Regent Prince of Yu Kingdom is gloomy and tyrannical. Though he holds the title of prince, he was the late emperor’s most beloved younger brother, personally granted a rank above all others on the emperor’s deathbed. With the current emperor being only six years old, one could say this Regent Prince holds power no different from the sovereign himself!
Yet unexpectedly…
Rong Zhou, whose authority surpasses even the emperor’s, was willing to submit to her family’s disciplinary punishment for Yun Li’s sake?
To make matters more astonishing, Rong Zhou asked in a low, hoarse voice, “Should it be palm striking or kneeling in the ancestral hall? Could the servants be dismissed before punishment? A’Li, save some face for this prince.”
Hearing this, Yun Li burst into laughter.
But Shen Zhiyi’s heart was still trembling. She quickly pulled her daughter aside, “Li’er, His Highness is…”
Could he have gone mad with joy after marrying his beloved?
“Now does Mother believe A’Zhou dotes on me?” Yun Li smiled charmingly, “But I couldn’t bear to let him be punished!”
Shen Zhiyi still hadn’t recovered from her shock.
Yun Li clung to her coquettishly, “Mother, A’Zhou has prepared many gifts. Shall we continue inside?”
Just as Shen Zhiyi hesitated before nodding,
A carefree and unrestrained voice suddenly sounded, “Indeed, we should first invite His Highness the Regent Prince into the mansion.”
Everyone looked up toward the voice.
They saw a moon-white robed figure approaching with a fan. Yun Heng’s face was as flawless as jade, his features handsome and bright, with a carefree smile playing on his lips that still showed traces of romantic charm and high spirits.
Yun Li’s eyes shimmered with emotion, “Second Brother…”
Hearing her voice, Yun Heng’s eyes rippled with tender, amorous laughter as he gazed fondly at his beloved younger sister.
Yun Li unconsciously clenched her skirt.
Seeing her second brother—famous throughout the capital for his talent—still alive, not having been executed by dismemberment in the streets under false charges, her heartstrings were suddenly plucked, nearly making her burst into tears of joy…
But fortunately, she blinked and held them back.
Yun Heng opened his fan and pressed it to his chest, “If we linger here any longer, the storytellers’ tales tomorrow won’t be hard to predict—His Highness the Regent Prince and his new Princess Consort clinging together outside her maternal home, shamelessly in broad daylight, reflecting the moral decline of our times, corrupting public morals and violating all propriety.”
He lazily lifted his eyelids to look at Rong Zhou.
Though Yun Heng’s tone sounded respectful, his attitude remained unbridled, “Those in high positions need not care, but this humble one doesn’t wish to see my younger sister’s reputation tarnished. I beg Your Highness’s understanding.”
They say three women make a drama, but the tension between two men could also ignite blazing flames.
Rong Zhou narrowed his long, peach-blossom eyes.
He keenly detected Yun Heng’s hostility toward him, but it wasn’t hard to guess why—after all, he had first abducted the pearl of the Zhenguo General’s Manor, cherished by all in the household.
“Heng’er…” Shen Zhiyi intended to remind him.
But the General’s Manor was known for its unyielding character. Even though Yun Heng didn’t go to battle, he still maintained his integrity, showing not the slightest submission.
Rong Zhou’s ink-black pupils studied him for a moment.
Then he swept his sleeve and pulled Yun Li into his embrace, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his eyes, “Second Brother speaks rightly. This prince naturally couldn’t bear to see A’Li’s reputation tarnished either.”
Hearing this, Yun Heng raised an eyebrow.
Perhaps he hadn’t expected Rong Zhou to respond this way. But to avoid attracting too much attention outside the mansion, he eventually turned with his fan and entered the residence, with the others following.
Shen Zhiyi ordered the mansion’s maids to brew tea and prepare Yun Li’s favorite pastries.Yun Li nestled close to Rong Zhou, cupping her face in her hands. “What does Ah Zhou like to eat? I’ll have the kitchen prepare it for you! Our mansion’s chefs are truly skilled!”
“Little greedy cat.” Yun Heng chuckled affectionately.
He lifted his eyelids to glance at Rong Zhou. “However, our mansion’s chefs have always catered to our little pear blossom’s tastes. If Your Highness the Regent Prince finds it unpalatable, you’re welcome to return to your own residence. I’m sure numerous renowned chefs would be willing to dedicate themselves to Your Highness, and it would also avoid disrupting our family reunion here.”
Shen Zhiyi: “…”
Hearing her son speak to the Regent Prince in such a manner, and clearly sensing the cold aura emanating from Rong Zhou, her heart trembled faintly.
But Yun Heng remained completely unbothered by this.
He picked up a piece of pastry and placed it before his sister. “Little pear blossom, try this pear shortcake.”
Yun Li hesitantly lifted her gaze to Rong Zhou.
She felt somewhat sorry for him, but since Rong Zhou had forced her into marriage, it was inevitable that the people of the Zhenguo General’s Manor would hold some resentment toward him. Her mother and second brother truly didn’t know how deeply he loved her…
It would be difficult to change her family’s attitude immediately.
Therefore, Yun Li could only start with Rong Zhou first. She gently tugged at his sleeve with her fingertips, swaying it coquettishly. “Ah Zhou… would you like to try some first?”