The more Shui Yinglian looked at her, the more analytical she became. Only after Su Xi-er placed the teakettle on the stove and turned around did Shui Yinglian stow away her inquiring gaze and reveal a smiling expression. “As Prince Hao’s personal maidservant, you definitely know some of his preferences. Can you tell them to me?”
How would I know his preferences? Since this eldest young miss wants to know, there is no harm in…Su Xi-er chortled inwardly before raising her head to look at Shui Yinglian. “You really want to know?”
Shui Yinglian’s smile was even more radiant, and her attitude became increasingly genial. “Can you tell me? Of course, I won’t force you if you don’t want to.” She understood very well that if she used the hard way on this woman, it would definitely cause a large commotion. It wouldn’t be good if Dad is drawn over.
Su Xi-er pretended to deliberate before she whispered, “I can tell you, but you mustn’t breathe a word to others. At worst, this matter may even be considered as secretly defacing Prince Hao, and would cause us to lose our heads!” When she spoke, she deliberately put on a frightened appearance.
Shui Yinglian immediately nodded. “Don’t worry, I am also afraid of losing my head. Now, quickly tell me what he likes.” Traces of bright light shot out from her eyes. As long as I know Prince Hao’s preferences, I will be able to approach him without causing him to be repulsed.
Su Xi-er knew that Shui Yinglian had taken the bait. “Prince Hao likes bold women; and they even have to be daring in a way that it fits his taste. It’s hard to explain this taste of his. If you audaciously challenge his authority in front of others, Prince Hao will punish you accordingly. But if you are a bit bolder at night, when others are absent, he may take a fancy to you”
Shui Yinglian recounted the past day carefully. No wonder Prince Hao’s expression was unpleasant that day. So it’s actually because I was bold at the wrong time. Everyone was present, so wasn’t I not giving him face?
So it’s actually like this! An idea suddenly popped into Shui Yinglian’s eyes. She looked at the teakettle on the stove and smiled. “Would it be alright for me to send hot water to Prince Hao?”
Su Xi-er purposely waved her hand repeatedly. “That won’t do. Since Prince Hao has already ordered for me to send it, I will have to bear the consequences if he finds out that you have taken my place.”
“I have a way!” Shui Yinglian smiled and raised her hand, about to aim for Su Xi-er’s sleeping acupoint. “I will knock you out. How are you going to deliver water when you are unconscious?”
Su Xi-er moved to the side rapidly, dodging Shui Yinglian’s blow. She’s a well-bred daughter from a noble family, yet she knows where the sleeping acupoint is.
Shui Yinglian’s eyebrows furrowed as she didn’t understand what Su Xi-er meant. Only if she has fainted, Prince Hao won’t reproach Su Xi-er even if he finds out.
“You don’t have to knock me out. I can pretend to be unconscious. Do you want to change into grey coarse attire before going? Otherwise, with this light yellow dress of yours, you will be kicked out before you even go in.” Su Xi-er proposed slowly. Letting Shui Yinglian change her clothes and send the water disguised as myself can be considered a big ‘pleasant surprise’ to ‘repay’ him for his actions.
Shui Yinglian’s expression brightened. “Okay! Let’s do that then! We will exchange clothes, then you will pretend to be unconscious while I send the hot water over. If it succeeds, I will thank you properly.”
“You don’t have to thank me.”
As Su Xi-er and Shui Yinglian were exchanging clothing, Shui Yinglian inadvertently noticed the scar on the back of the latter’s shoulder.
Shui Yinglian’s body involuntarily trembled. This woman has suffered so much. She has been flogged to this extent.
“If I become Princess Consort Hao in the future, you won’t lack benefits. No one will whip you.” Shui Yinglian vowed solemnly.
As long as she doesn’t fight over Prince Hao with me, everything else can be easily negotiated.
Su Xi-er chuckled. “I wish you luck. Make sure that you carry the water over only after you’ve added a little cold water and properly adjusted the temperature.”
Shui Yinglian followed Su Xi-er’s instructions, and was soon carrying a basin of water out the door of the boiler room.
Shui Yinglian nodded. Her heart pounded increasingly harder as her footsteps became heavy.
Su Xi-er extinguished the fire under the stove and sat on the wooden stool, gazing at the night scenery in the courtyard through the window.
The bright moonlight shone on Su Xi-er’s face. Coupled with a light yellow dress, she was like a beautiful illusion. If there had been anyone around, they would definitely have been stunned by this unforgettable sight.
Su Xi-er raised the corner of her lips. Pei Qianhao, I wonder if you will like the pleasant surprise I sent you? Shameless man. When she recalled what he had done to her, her expression became ghastly.
~~~
Shui Yinglian carried the basin of hot water as she walked to Pei Qianhao’s room. After taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door to enter.
A deep and low voice sounded, enabling her to imagine the way those thin lips were moving. Even his voice is so enchanting.
“Carry the water in and put away the dishes on the table.”
Shui Yinglian didn’t dare to make a sound, fearing that he would recognise her voice. She lowered her head as she walked into the inner chamber step by step.
As she slowly raised her head, she saw Prince Hao…undressing!
The upper garment was hanging on Pei Qianhao’s shoulders, his powerful figure causing Shui Yinglian to stare at him in rapture.
“Place the wooden basin down and go out.”
Seeing that Prince Hao was still going to continue removing his clothes, Shui Yinglian gulped nervously. She already heard the displeasure in his voice.
She lowered her head and placed the wooden basin to the side, a handkerchief hanging from the side of it.
As the night breeze blew, the body fragrance of the woman wafted into Pei Qianhao’s nose, causing his eyebrows to furrow as his expression became inexplicable.
He lifted his clothes back up and wore them properly before turning around to face the woman before him.
Although he didn’t utter a single word, Shui Yinglian felt a strong sense of intimidation.
“You are not her.” The words were spoken with a deep intonation, a confident tone, and a threatening oppression.
Shui Yinglian felt that this man was very dangerous, even more so than he had been earlier that day!
“You wore the same clothes and used the same hairstyle as her.” Pei Qianhao narrowed his eyes slightly. It’s just that…the smell is different.
Shui Yinglian didn’t dare to raise her head, trembling uncontrollably as she laid prostrated on the ground. “Please forgive me, Prince Hao.”
Pei Qianhao snorted coldly. “Kneel in the courtyard and carry the water basin on your head for a night. If you take it down, your life will be gone tomorrow.”
Shui Yinglian was fearful to the point that she became speechless and froze on the spot.
“Scram.” The deep and low voice sounded again. Shui Yinglian’s whole body trembled as she immediately rose to leave.
Pei Qianhao stood up and walked outside the room. Based on the fact that they have even swapped clothing, this must be her idea. Otherwise, I don’t believe that there is someone in this world who could have forced her to go along with such a thing.
When he arrived at the courtyard, Pei Qianhao briefly swept his gaze across the woman holding up a water basin.
The expression in his eyes was like a sword coated in ice, causing Shui Yinglian to feel like freezing blades had pierced through all her body.
She recalled the day she had first met Prince Hao. She had pointed her finger at him and announced, “Dad, I want to marry this man.”
At that time, she didn’t know that the person in question was the illustrious Prince Hao. Only after her father chided her did she find out about his identity
