The guards who had blocked Liu Jingyu’s group stood tall like pines. With a swift movement of sword and blade, cold light flashed as an authoritative shout rang out, shaking the petals around them.
“Impudent! How dare you collide with Xun Junwang!”
The leading palace attendants were already timid, and the shout frightened them into stumbling back several steps, crashing heavily into Liu Jingyu behind them.
At this moment, Liu Jingyu was walking lightly, her brows filled with unconcealed joy. Everyone knew she was about to receive an imperial decree in a few days, marrying into the Crown Prince’s residence as Crown Princess.
Once she became Crown Princess, and when the Crown Prince ascended the throne, she would become Empress, the mother of the nation, ruler of the harem. This thought swelled in her heart, filling her with pride. She felt everyone around her should be eager to flatter her, even her steps carried a light, arrogant confidence.
Today she had come under the Empress’s order to deliver fresh fruit to the Crown Prince. The fruit was held on a gilded tray carried by palace maids. She had intended to deliver it and spend a moment alone with the Crown Prince, which only increased her joy. She had not noticed the movements of the attendants ahead.
The sudden collision caught her off guard. Her toes were stepped on hard, and she cried out as she fell backward. The maids and attendants beside her also lost balance, tumbling into a chaotic heap.
The tray clattered to the ground. Fresh fruit rolled everywhere, some bruised and leaking juice onto the blue stone pavement, mixing with scattered skirts and panicked footsteps in a mess.
Not far away, a noble and upright figure stepped out from behind the rockery.
It was Xun Junwang, Pei Yuanjun.
He wore a moon-white robe embroidered with subtle patterns. His brows carried a careless elegance, yet also a cold detachment that kept people at a distance. He glanced sideways at the disordered scene, his voice cold as ice as it clearly reached everyone’s ears.
“According to rules, those who do not understand etiquette shall be punished with cane discipline.”
With that, he turned and left without hesitation. His robes fluttered as he walked, as if everything on the ground was unworthy of his attention.
The maid trembled but still stood in front of Liu Jingyu, forcing herself to speak with shaky but firm authority.
“Impudent! This is County Lady Jingyu, the future Crown Princess!”
Before she finished, two sharp slaps rang out without mercy, striking her face from both sides. The force sent her stumbling back, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.
Leng Yue’er, standing at a distance near the end of the path, was whispering to Pei Qingmin as she watched the scene unfold, her tone amused as she casually explained the situation.
The maid’s face quickly swelled, blood dripping from both corners of her mouth as she looked utterly miserable.
Pei Yuanjun paused at the sound. He lifted his eyes slightly, first glancing toward Pei Qingmin and Leng Yue’er in the distance behind the rockery, a faint trace of amusement flashing through his eyes, before turning to Liu Jingyu, who had been helped up and looked pale with shock.
His phoenix eyes lifted slightly.
“County Lady Jingyu?”
Liu Jingyu had long lost her earlier arrogance. Her teeth chattered as she lowered her head.
“Yes… greetings to Xun Junwang.”
“Why were you hiding behind the rockery, spying on this Prince?” Pei Yuanjun’s tone was light, but it carried undeniable pressure.
Leng Yue’er, watching from afar, curled her lips in disdain, silently mocking him for being shameless.
Liu Jingyu hurriedly shook her head.
“I… I did not… I only happened to pass by here. I did not intend to offend Your Highness.”
“Hmm…” Eunuch Ji Hai behind Pei Yuanjun chimed in with a cold, mocking tone. “All the young ladies who run into His Highness say the same thing. No originality at all.”
That sentence shattered Liu Jingyu’s composure. Her body swayed, nearly collapsing again, all color draining from her face.
She was the future Crown Princess. How could she possibly be accused of spying on a prince? Yet she had no strength to refute it.
“I am not!” she cried anxiously, her voice trembling.
“Then leave,” Pei Yuanjun said lightly with a faint smile.
Just as Liu Jingyu was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Ji Hai spoke again.
“The rest, punish them according to regulations.”
The guards immediately surged forward. The palace servants’ cries and wails echoed through the Imperial Garden, starkly contrasting the earlier calm.
Leng Yue’er could not help but laugh out loud, her eyes curved with amusement as she enjoyed the spectacle.
She grabbed Pei Qingmin’s sleeve and walked forward quickly, as if trying to catch up to Pei Yuanjun.
“What are you doing?” Pei Qingmin quickly pulled her back, confusion written across his face.
“Aren’t you going to greet your Imperial Uncle?” Leng Yue’er glanced back at him with a teasing tone. “He already saw you. Ignoring him like this is rather impolite.”
“I… I know, don’t pull me!” Pei Qingmin struggled slightly.
Leng Yue’er let go and gestured for him to go ahead.
Pei Qingmin sighed helplessly, adjusted his robe, and hurried after Pei Yuanjun.
Leng Yue’er folded her arms and watched his retreating figure, smiling faintly before leisurely following behind like a detached spectator.
The group soon reached the Imperial Study.
Pei Qingmin followed Pei Yuanjun inside. The doors closed behind them. Leng Yue’er looked around, then leapt lightly onto a large old locust tree nearby. She settled herself on a branch, appearing to rest while her ears remained alert.
Half an hour later, the doors of the Imperial Study opened.
Pei Yuanjun came out first, expression still cold and composed. Behind him followed Crown Prince Pei Luo’an and Prince Pei Yuanzhun. At the very end was Pei Qingmin, his face pale as paper, occasionally coughing, his frail body needing support from a young attendant.
Clearly, the discussion inside had drained his already weak strength.
Leng Yue’er immediately leapt down and rushed to his side.
Without hesitation, Pei Qingmin naturally leaned onto her arm for support.
“The Emperor said my body is too weak, so I am not allowed to participate in court discussions with the other princes…” Pei Qingmin gave a bitter smile, self-mockery in his tone.
“So what?” Leng Yue’er replied calmly. “It’s about participation. Understand?”
Pei Qingmin fell silent again, deep in thought.
Earlier that morning, she had already given him medicine to strengthen his body, so his weakness was slightly unexpected. Without further comment, she supported him slowly toward the exit of the palace.
Halfway through the Imperial Garden, they saw Pei Yuanjun standing alone in a pavilion ahead, hands resting on the railing, waiting.
Pei Qingmin immediately glanced at Leng Yue’er and understood instinctively. Today’s unusual behavior from his Imperial Uncle was likely directed at her.
As expected, Eunuch Ji Hai soon approached them.
“Prince Wei, this young lady, His Highness invites you both to the pavilion for a conversation.”
Pei Qingmin helped Leng Yue’er forward.
After exchanging greetings, Pei Qingmin sat while Leng Yue’er leaned casually against a pillar.
The moment Pei Yuanjun set down his teacup, he and Leng Yue’er moved at the same time.
Pei Yuanjun struck first, his palm force sharp and oppressive, each move aimed at vital points. His eyes grew increasingly cold as the exchange continued.
Leng Yue’er moved like a butterfly, light and precise. Every block and counterattack was controlled, never exceeding seventy percent strength. Even her openings were intentional.
After more than ten exchanges, beads of sweat appeared on Pei Yuanjun’s forehead. His expression darkened as he realized she was deliberately holding back.
He abruptly withdrew and stepped back, no longer attacking.
Leng Yue’er brushed off her sleeves casually.
“Your Highness yields,” she said lightly.
Pei Yuanjun snorted coldly, said nothing more, turned, and left with Eunuch Ji Hai.
Leng Yue’er stood where she was, watching their departing figures, expression unchanged.