Chapter 15: I Fear Lord Yun Might Misunderstand

“Shall we deal with him again after some time?”
“That would be too easy on him.”
“Then once the spring examinations are over, I’ll allow you to go out and have some fun.”
“Since Mother has spoken, let’s let him off for today.”

As the group drew nearer, Cheng Xueyang swiftly pulled Xuanxuan away from Gu Mo and handed her to Yun Huaian. “Let’s go quickly.”

She didn’t want Xuanxuan and Yun Huaian to appear in public so soon.

Ying San grabbed Yun Huaian by the shoulder, ready to take them away.

Yun Huaian was reluctant and shot a fierce warning at Gu Mo, “Don’t think that just because you’re skilled in martial arts, you can snatch people away. True love is about sincerity, security, and happiness—things you cannot provide. Your heart is too big, too full of others; you are never her first choice. If you wanted to push her away back then, you should have stuck to it. Now, these actions—are they regrets? Too late. As long as I’m here, Your Highness, it’s enough. Belated affections are worthless.”

Ying San quickened his pace. “If you keep nagging, I’ll leave you behind.”

Yun Huaian hastily hugged Xuanxuan tighter. “Don’t fly too high—I’m a bit afraid of heights.”

Xuanxuan pouted. “Mother isn’t taking me to have fun again; it’s no fun.”

The three figures vanished in an instant.

Prince Shou immediately led people to rescue those trampled in the flower fields, while Prince Jing walked over, watching their departure with keen interest.

“There are quite a few extraordinary people around the Imperial Sister. That man is the famed righteous assassin known as ‘Grass Flyer’ in the martial underworld, specializing in eliminating the gravest villains. We haven’t heard from him in years; turns out the Imperial Sister recruited him. It’s truly enviable.”

Cheng Xueyang, the Crown Prince, and Prince Jing were all born in the same year and month, though Cheng Xueyang was premature by over half a month, arriving before them. The Crown Prince and Prince Jing were born on the same day, but the Crown Prince was born during the day, becoming the Emperor’s firstborn, while Prince Jing was born several hours later.

Cheng Xueyang wasn’t sure if Prince Jing noticed Yun Huaian and Xuanxuan; he only mentioned Ying San and continued, “Your Highness jokes. He is merely a covert guard, nothing more.”

Prince Jing withdrew his gaze and focused on Cheng Xueyang, slightly surprised. Before leaving the capital, Cheng Xueyang had already become remarkably outstanding. He had assumed that the hardships of the past few years would have withered this rare flower, but instead, life’s trials only enhanced her radiance—she blossomed more brilliantly than ever.

No wonder Ugxi had become much more obedient after meeting Cheng Xueyang.

Recalling Cheng Liuyi’s swollen, puffy face, and comparing it to Cheng Xueyang’s exquisite one, a dangerous gleam flashed in Prince Jing’s eyes.

Cheng Xueyang was well aware of how much Prince Jing favored Cheng Liuyi, her full sister, but a beating was a beating—there was no need to suddenly become afraid now.

Gu Mo stepped forward casually but deliberately entered Prince Jing’s sight as a warning.

The coldness in Prince Jing’s eyes dissipated. He knew well what was appropriate and would not act beyond reason.

A faint, chilly smile curled at the corner of Prince Jing’s lips, but it held no warmth. “Sisters quarreling is nothing unusual, but this is outside the palace and on the occasion of Her Majesty’s birthday. Such a commotion might be hard to explain to the Emperor.”

Cheng Xueyang’s eyes were calm and unruffled. The reason Cheng Liuyi wanted to provoke her was easy to guess.

She wanted the Emperor to summon her.

That day, the Emperor had left her waiting outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation and never summoned her again.

The imperial decree granting Cheng Xueyang’s marriage to Ugxi had yet to be issued, and the decree for Cheng Liuyi’s marriage to Gu Mo was also delayed. Cheng Liuyi was becoming anxious.

She was desperate for the Emperor to summon Cheng Xueyang so the marriage arrangements could proceed swiftly.

Cheng Xueyang bowed slightly. “Thank you for your advice, Your Highness. I already have a plan to withdraw gracefully.”

Prince Jing’s eyes brightened briefly, then he shook his head with a smile. A graceful retreat? Impossible.

He looked at Gu Mo and Ugxi. “Prince Ugxi, Lord Gu, shall we continue this conversation elsewhere?”

“Very well, please lead the way.”

Ugxi gladly agreed. He had come to this princess’s birthday banquet precisely to see Princess Xuanyun and Princess Yunxiang in person—an opportunity not to be missed.

Now that he had seen both princesses—one with a swollen face, the other still as stunning as ever—although the competition was fierce, Prince Jing would surely support him.

Gu Mo made a gesture inviting them to go ahead, saying he would follow shortly.

Prince Jing cast a curious glance back and forth between Cheng Xueyang and Gu Mo, then patted Gu Mo’s shoulder as if to say, “I understand,” before departing with Ugxi.

There were many ladies present; it was inappropriate for men to linger.

Gu Anyu approached, looking uneasy. “Sister Xue, Brother.”

Gu Mo glanced at Gu Anyu briefly.

Gu Anyu immediately faltered. “Brother, it really wasn’t us stirring trouble. It was Princess Yunxiang being too overbearing.”

She recounted how Princess Yunxiang had given away flowers not her own and then tried to wreck the goddess statue. “See? It was Princess Yunxiang provoking deliberately.”

“Knowing fully well the danger, yet still charging in—that’s brave,” Gu Mo commented.

“That’s because Brother taught me well—not fearing tyranny, only upholding my own sense of justice.”

“Hey.”

Gu Anyu teasingly retorted at Gu Mo before hiding behind Cheng Xueyang. “Anyway, things have come to this. No use scolding anymore. Better to think about what to do next.”

“I will handle what comes next myself. No need to worry,” Cheng Xueyang said quietly but resolutely.

Gu Anyu peeked out and asked, “Sister Xue, did you already have a plan in mind when you were hitting her?”

Gu Mo watched Cheng Xueyang silently, clearly eager to hear her brilliant strategy.

Cheng Xueyang met his gaze.

Gu Mo’s heart skipped a beat, as if a little cat had suddenly swiped at him.

Her expression was calm. “You will know in time.”

She added, “Lord Gu, my matters do not concern you. Do not interfere; I fear Lord Yun might misunderstand.”

With that, Cheng Xueyang turned and walked toward Prince Shou.

Gu Anyu sighed, watching her retreating figure. “Time is ruthless, capable of changing many things. I still remember Sister Xue chasing after Brother with relentless determination—such a remarkable woman. Now, even I feel something has separated us, our bond not as it once was.”

Especially in front of Brother, Sister Xue seemed distant toward her. It hadn’t been like this when Brother wasn’t around.

It was all for show, for Brother’s sake.

Gu Anyu sighed again, gazing at her brother. “Sometimes I truly resent that you have no heart. Why did you push everyone away before? Now look—you reap what you sow. Even your own daughter doesn’t recognize you.”

Gu Mo remained silent and left.