Yu Jiao mischievously blinked at him, looking ready to do something naughty.
She spread her arms wide and called out, “Your Highness, carry me.”
Enlightened—she was being so forward today?
Chu Yin was slightly surprised, but without overthinking it, he scooped her into his arms.
Yu Jiao closed her eyes and waited for a long while without moving, instead burying her head in the hollow of his neck.
She opened her eyes and blinked. “Huh? Your Highness, what are you doing?”
The person on top clearly paused.
“Your Highness, we have to climb over the wall! This wall is so high, I can’t get over it.”
Chu Yin’s expression remained cold as he pushed her away with a scowl. “What does this have to do with this Prince?”
Yu Jiao was momentarily stunned. Truly, he was unpredictable in mood.
With a helpless sigh, she nestled back into his embrace and stretched her hands over his waist, lightly patting his back. “Dear Prince, will you take me over the wall?”
Chu Yin snorted dismissively.
Who wanted to hear such coaxing words from a child?
He looped his arm around her waist and said disdainfully, “Such a nuisance.”
With just a tiptoe, he easily leapt to the top of the wall.
Yu Jiao peeked down quietly, then hurriedly shut her eyes, tightening her grip around his waist. Her lashes fluttered rapidly from fright.
Chu Yin curled his lips into a wicked smile. Oh, so she was afraid of heights.
He pulled her hand and lifted her out of his embrace, not letting her cling to him.
Tilting his head slightly, he said, “Tell me—if this Prince, were to throw you off this wall, which side would you fall? Into the courtyard or onto the street? Hm?”
Yu Jiao’s legs went weak, trembling uncontrollably. She clutched his hand tightly, but no matter what, he refused to let her dive back into his arms.
She glanced at the ground below and felt even more frightened. Tears glimmered in her eyes as her voice trembled. “Your Highness, I’m scared…”
Chu Yin studied the expression on her face, clicking his tongue. Indeed, she looked utterly pitiful.
“Please let me through, Your Highness… I’m really scared…” Her voice quavered, choking with emotion.
He watched her with interest. Suddenly, he grew curious—those tiny teardrops looked almost… delicious.
He licked his lips, unsure whether the taste would be sweet or salty.
Yu Jiao slipped slightly. Her heart jumped to her throat, but he yanked her back with a strong pull, still refusing to let her fall into his arms.
A single tear slid down her cheek, lingered on her chin, then dropped.
Chu Yin frowned. “So, which side would you fall toward, hm?”
“Toward Your Highness! I’ll fall toward Your Highness! I’m really scared, sob sob sob!”
Chu Yin was momentarily stunned. The next second, the soft little body collapsed into his arms, tears streaming relentlessly.
He lowered his gaze, watching the teardrops, and suddenly licked one. His brow furrowed.
Bitter and salty.
When they landed in the courtyard, he wiped her tears with his sleeve. Yet, like thread unraveling, they wouldn’t stop.
Growing impatient, he held her tightly in his arms, irritably saying, “Why are you crying? Next time, this Prince, just won’t push you away.”
The sobbing in his arms finally eased, though her shoulders still shook slightly.
Truly troublesome—why was she so difficult to soothe?
He casually patted her back twice with a touch of warmth he didn’t even realize he was showing. “Good girl, don’t cry.”
Rubbing his brow with one hand, he glanced at the top of the wall. Next time, he decided, he’d use a different method to make her cry.
“Weren’t we supposed to go to the storage to get the treasures?”
Before he finished speaking, Yu Jiao lifted her wet face abruptly, naturally taking his hand. “Your Highness, this way, please.”
Chu Yin: “……”
Hmph… what a little treasure-hunter she really was.
In the small bamboo grove in front of the storage, no matter what Yu Jiao said, Chu Yin still held his head high, refusing to duck and sneak inside with her. She had no choice but to go in herself.
Chu Yin crossed his arms and watched her crouch inside, snickering.
It was clearly something that could be taken easily, yet she insisted this was the fun of stealing treasures.
Yu Jiao had Chu Yin knock out the storage guards and was happily unlocking the storage, completely unaware of the shadow that suddenly turned behind her.
Chu Yin’s slitted eyes narrowed slightly, a brow raised. Foolish—she didn’t even realize someone was watching.
He watched the figure disappear and curled his lips into a small smile.
Inside the storage, Yu Jiao picked only the most expensive, smallest items. If she secretly carried them away and later brought Chu Yin, Second Uncle and the others would have no choice but to compensate her again—getting double in the process.
She truly was a clever little trickster.
“Miss Yu, hurry! She’s stealing things in the storage!”
Yu Jiao froze mid-selection. That was the voice of the Yu family steward.
Before she could move, the door was flung open.
Second Aunt Madam Liu, Yu Ning’er, and the steward blocked the entrance, glaring viciously.
“Ah! You shameless brat, you dare steal!” Madam Liu crossed her arms. Her sharp eyes dug deep into her face, full of malice.
“Someone, catch her! Today, see if I don’t skin you alive!”
The steward waved, and a group of servants rushed forward.
“How dare you!” Yu Jiao dropped what she had in her hands. Since she had been caught, she might as well be bold.
“My husband is Your Highness! Who dares touch me?”
Yu Ning’er pinched a handkerchief to her mouth, snickering with contempt. “Your Highness? You mean the Prince of Yan?”
Outsiders might not know, but in the Yu household, everyone knew Yu Jiao had been married off as a fortune-bringer. Now she had snuck out and was stealing. Aside from the Prince of Yan’s illness being the reason for her escape, what other reason could there be?
Realizing this, Yu Ning’er became even bolder. “Sister, I advise you to shut up. Are you really hoping that short-lived Prince of Yan will save you?”
Yu Jiao coldly smiled. “Yu Ning’er, don’t forget—the one originally meant to marry the Prince of Yan was you. If the Emperor knew, it would be considered treason against the throne.”
Yu Jiao had been protected by her father and mother since childhood. Outsiders might have heard of the Yu family’s only daughter but never seen her. In the past two years, Madam Liu’s family had successfully made the world believe that Yu Ning’er was the Yu family’s daughter.
When the Second Prince requested the Emperor to have a Yu family daughter marry the Prince of Yan, it was naturally assumed to be Yu Ning’er. Even if the Prince of Yan had fallen out of favor, the Emperor would consider royal face. Yu Ning’er’s reputation outside was excellent, so she was deemed suitable. Little did anyone know, it was Yu Jiao who ended up on the bridal sedan.
“Really? Little sister is so scared… but how can the dead complain?” Yu Ning’er smiled.
“Ning’er, don’t talk to this shameless brat. Today, I’ll kill her!” Madam Liu’s hatred was obvious. For a moment, Yu Jiao even wondered what the Original Owner had done to earn such hatred.
Yu Jiao glanced at the doorway anxiously. Where was the Prince? Why hadn’t he come yet?
Seeing her glance around, Yu Ning’er became even more smug. “Sister, stop looking. Are you really hoping the dead Prince of Yan will save you?”
No sooner had she spoken than the servants behind her let out pained screams.
A red-clad figure floated at the doorway, and Chu Yin spoke lazily, “I heard this Prince, is dead?”