Shen Wan didn’t understand.
“Which person? What person?”
But Pei Changli was playing riddles with her.
“The person backing you.” Pei Changli said with certainty.
Shen Wan turned to look behind her. ”There’s no one behind me.”
Pei Changli seethed with indignation, the fury in his eyes like a volcano about to erupt.
“Stop playing the fool in front of this prince.” He paused, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. “This prince has captured a spy, and he knows you.”
Shen Wan’s heart jolted. Was she about to be exposed so soon?
“That’s impossible! What spy could possibly know me? Absolutely impossible!” She flatly denied it, though her heart was in turmoil.
She pretended to casually size up Pei Changli, only to find him staring steadily at her, his eyes full of probing suspicion.
Shen Wan felt guilty and could only smile to cover it up. “Your Highness really shouldn’t make such jokes.”
Pei Changli saw through her guilty conscience at a glance, but for now, he had no intention of exposing her.
Give them enough rope and they’ll hang themselves.
According to the captured spy, their stronghold in the capital was the small courtyard at the chancellor’s residence.
In that case, why not take Shen Wan there and probe what she was really about?
His mind made up, Pei Changli smiled warmly.
Uneasy, Shen Wan’s eyes darted about.
Pei Changli was always unpredictable, and his expression shifting from dark to bright this quickly—something had to be up.
“Just now I noticed you wanted to go out and get some fresh air. In that case, get ready and accompany this prince to the banquet and boating party at the chancellor’s residence. How does that sound?”
Not good!
Shen Wan saw right through it—Pei Changli’s boating trip was a facade; he surely had ulterior motives.
She wanted to refuse.
But Pei Changli didn’t give her the chance.
“It’s settled then. Otherwise, when the Old Concubine Dowager learns about you barging through the palace gates today, she certainly won’t let you off lightly.” Pei Changli’s expression was calm, but the threat in his words was barely veiled.
Shen Wan knew the Old Concubine Dowager’s methods, and she knew Pei Changli’s words were no idle warning.
After much hesitation, she could only grit her teeth and agree.
A boating trip—it sounded boring just hearing about it!
“This is absolutely gorgeous!”
Shen Wan couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
On the way over, all the worries in her mind had instantly been cast aside.
She’d assumed the boating trip would be dull as dust, but it was actually quite lovely.
Who would have thought a single residence could hold such beautiful lake and mountain scenery?
Misty mountains, shimmering waters.
“Yes!” Shen Wan darted off toward the little boat at the lake’s edge.
Weather like this, scenery like this—drifting out on the water was truly a wonderful choice.
She glanced at Pei Changli. She had to admit, for a man who looked so cold and aloof, this fellow had a bit of an eye for the finer things in life.
“Little boat, little wine—here I come.” Shen Wan lifted her skirt and stepped toward the boat.
But before she knew it, she felt herself go weightless—someone had scooped her up from behind.
She kicked her legs, struggling. “Put me down! Don’t you know how rude this is?”
She felt like a helpless little chick, and she hated the feeling.
Pei Changli paid her no mind, carrying her a full arrow’s flight away from the boat before finally setting her down.
Shen Wan let out a muffled grunt as she landed on the ground, wincing at the pain.
“Didn’t Your Highness want to go boating? Why the sudden change of heart?”
Pei Changli’s sole focus was using this opportunity to hunt for clues about the spy—the boating trip was merely a cover. Did she really think he would actually go boating with her?
One had to admit, a prince was a prince—faced with Shen Wan’s questioning, he couldn’t be bothered to explain.
Shen Wan was furious, watching them enjoy the lake with envious eyes.
It was all that ice-block face’s fault!
“What kind of prince is he? Just a man who breaks his word and blows hot and cold. Bah!”
After cursing, Shen Wan didn’t wait for Pei Changli to react and quickly loaded a save.
Pei Changli was holding her up by the collar and was about to let go, but Shen Wan had braced herself in advance, so this time she didn’t fall.
“A bullying, moody lunatic! Ignoring perfectly good scenery just to torment people!”
Another curse, another save loaded!
After two or three rounds like this, Shen Wan finally cursed to her heart’s content, venting much of her pent-up frustration.
She let out a long breath and looked again at Pei Changli, who had hauled her off to the side.
But this time, before she could speak, Pei Changli beat her to it. “The scenery over there is nice. Once the boat rows past, you can take a good look.”
Pei Changli flexed his somewhat sore arm and pointed toward another spot not far away.
Shen Wan followed his gaze—the scenery was indeed lovely.
But… did that mean he was agreeing to the boat ride?
Shen Wan studied him and felt he didn’t seem to hate the idea all that much. Well, no matter—life is short, enjoy it while you can. Off to the boat!
Watching Shen Wan practically jump for joy, Pei Changli couldn’t help but curl his lips.
This woman really had quite the talent for cursing…
And she looked thin and small, but she was surprisingly heavy.
Pei Changli gently flexed the arm he’d used to haul Shen Wan up four or five times.
Once aboard, Shen Wan felt the boat swaying beneath her. She couldn’t swim, and instinctively felt a little afraid.
“Your Highness…”
Shen Wan called out softly, wanting to act sweet and make a good impression—if danger struck, say she accidentally fell into the water, surely Pei Changli wouldn’t just watch her die.
But she saw Yefeng lean in and whisper to Pei Changli, “Your Highness, we’ve found that little courtyard.”
Shen Wan strained her ears to eavesdrop but heard nothing.
Those two were always being so secretive—who knew what shameful business they were up to behind everyone’s backs.
Shen Wan pursed her lips, deciding to speak after they finished their conversation.
But then Pei Changli actually went ashore, taking Yefeng with him. His figure was truly graceful as he departed—leaving poor Shen Wan standing all alone on the boat, not knowing whether to go or stay.
Laughter drifted out from the cabin from time to time.
Shen Wan wanted to join in.
Oh well, if Pei Changli wanted to leave, let him. Nothing wrong with having fun alone!
Shen Wan muttered under her breath and turned to head for the cabin as well.
“Mmph—!”
Crash!
A muffled grunt sounded, along with the clatter of a teacup hitting the wooden deck.
Shen Wan instinctively stepped back, only then realizing that in turning around, she had bumped into a young lady who was drinking tea.
“How dare you! Who are you, to be so rude and offend the young lady of the Prime Minister’s residence!”
A little maid stormed forward aggressively to confront her.
Shen Wan, embarrassed, picked up the teacup and set it on a nearby low table while brushing the tea off the young lady’s dress.
“I’m so sorry, so sorry… Did it burn you?”
The young lady said nothing, but the little maid shoved Shen Wan aside. “What stray cat or dog dares lay hands on our young lady!”
Shen Wan was immediately displeased, but since she was in the wrong to begin with, she took a deep breath and held it in, instead turning to look at the Prime Minister’s daughter, Yan Qingqing. “May I ask what the young lady’s wishes are?”
This daughter of the Prime Minister’s household carried herself with all the lofty grace of nobility—surely she wouldn’t humiliate her in public, would she?
But Yan Qingqing let out a cold snort. “Kneel! And apologize!”