Pei Yaran shifted her gaze to the Purple Fragrance flowers. I have blamed Su Xi-er wrongly. However, I am curious about how beautiful that civilian woman is. If he brings her into the Beauty Palace… the corner of Pei Yaran’s mouth was slightly upturned, I must definitely put her to death.
With her decision made, Pei Yaran raised her head to gaze at the clear blue sky. Pei Qianhao, I don’t care about the other women in the Beauty Palace, but don’t blame me for being crude if you bring a civilian woman over.
Yet, Pei Yaran didn’t know that this ‘civilian woman’ was precisely Su Xi-er.
~~~
Su Xi-er was currently sitting in the carriage as Pei Qianhao laid against the wall with his eyes shut. “After we arrive in Nanzhao, I’ll ask someone to simmer medicine for you. Are you feeling better?”
Su Xi-er nodded. “Much better. Many thanks for your concern, Prince Hao.”
“Concern? It’s the first time this prince has heard someone say that I am worried about someone else. If your body isn’t well, who’s going to wait upon this prince during the whole journey? This prince is only making considerations for myself.”
The horse carriage quickly left the small county, rapidly approaching the border between Beimin and Nanzhao.
A mocking look flickered across Pei Qianhao’s eyes. “There are refugees at the frontier. So this is how Prince Yun governs Nanzhao.”
Su Xi-er’s heart tightened and followed his gaze, only to see a row of commoners squatting at the roadside. Every single one of them had a sallow and gaunt look while wearing tattered clothes.
It was obvious that these refugees wanted to go to Beimin, but were unable to enter due to the stringent regulations at the frontier.
The frontier wasn’t in such a state when she was still around. If this goes on, formidable enemies will enter from the frontier and invade Nanzhao. Despite all the work it took to raise Nanzhao’s national power to second among the four nations, it will definitely drop to last place if this continues.
Pei Qianhao remarked unhurriedly, ”Prince Yun is only suitable for leading the troops to war. When it comes to governing a nation, he’s inferior to even a woman.” The ‘woman’ he was referring to was none other than Ning Rulan.
“Prince Hao, you never went to Nanzhao’s state banquet in the past, so why have you decided to come this time?” Su Xi-er voiced her puzzlement. She remembered that she had once sent a letter to Pei Qianhao, but he had directly refused her.
“Ning Rulan is dead, and the nation’s affairs have been left in the inept hands of the young emperor and Prince Yun who is acting as prince regent for the first time. This is Nanzhao’s most crucial period. This prince has come to see how Nanzhao has changed.”
Su Xi-er could discern the dangerous look in Pei Qianhao’s pupils. He’s making use of the state banquet to scout out Nanzhao. If he finds it weak in power, is he planning to raise an army to invade it?”
“However, this prince is more interested in checking if Ning Rulan’s newly implemented policy has been abolished.”
Su Xi-er’s heart clenched again. There are refugees at the frontier, and since the new policy had threatened the wealthy and influential, there’s little doubt that it has been removed.
“Prince Hao.” An imperial guard’s voice could be heard as the horse carriage suddenly stopped.
Upon lifting the horse carriage’s curtain, a devilish and wanton expression flitted past his eyes. “Prince Yun has personally come.”
When Su Xi-er heard the words ‘Prince Yun’, she could feel her heart clench. I didn’t expect that I would meet him so quickly.
Yun Ruofeng, do you know that I, Ning Rulan, am still alive? You wanted me dead, but unfortunately for you, that didn’t happen. I really wonder how you would feel if you found out. Will you be very disappointed?
Pei Qianhao let down the curtains and leaned against the wall of the carriage. The sound of horse hooves gradually approached.
“Prince Hao, are you not going to alight the horse carriage?” Su Xi-er couldn’t help but ask.
Su Xi-er felt his flippancy and arrogance again. Although Yun Ruofeng is the most powerful person in Nanzhao, he doesn’t amount to anything in Pei Qianhao’s eyes.
“Nanzhao is greatly honoured that you have taken the time to travel all the way here. Lotus Flower County has already prepared high-quality dishes, and is awaiting your arrival.” Yun Ruofeng’s clear and sonorous voice entered Su Xi-er’s ears. It was still as mellow and rich as she remembered.
If it had been in the past, her face would have been lit up with joy at the sound of his voice. However, all that was left now was resentment.
Pei Qianhao glanced at Su Xi-er. Why is her head lowered? Despite the confusion in his heart, he knew that it wasn’t the time to be questioning her.
“Prince Yun, since you have given plenty of face to Beimin by personally coming to receive me, how can this prince not accept the invitation? Please lead the way to Lotus Flower County.” Pei Qianhao hadn’t lifted the horse carriage curtain ever since he started speaking.
The voice streamed into Yun Ruofeng’s ears, but the owner of the voice didn’t appear.
Nanzhao’s soldiers outside the horse carriage were a little indignant. Prince Yun personally came over. Even if Beimin’s Prince Hao doesn’t alight the horse carriage, he should have at least lifted the horse carriage curtains!
He’s treating Prince Yun with contempt, and looking down on Nanzhao!
Yun Ruofeng could sense the dissatisfaction of the soldiers and cast a meaningful look to calm their emotions. Then, he replied, “Prince Hao, please rest well in your horse carriage. Lotus Flower County is just 10 miles away.”
As the horse carriage continued to move, the wind blew the curtains up. Glancing outside, Su Xi-er caught sight of someone on top of a horse fully clad in white.
White apparel with cloud designs. Su Xi-er’s eyes were slightly narrowed. The same clothes he wore the night that he killed me.
Coincidentally, Yun Ruofeng’s gaze also turned around and landed on Su Xi-er sitting in the carriage. His eyes were full of unanswered questions as he continued to stare.
Su Xi-er raised her head to look straight at him. He hasn’t changed in the least. He still has a handsome and elegant countenance. His straight eyebrows are slanted slightly upwards, and his pitch-black eyes carry a sense of confusion and contemplation.
All of a sudden, the horse carriage curtain was pulled down by a large hand before a man’s deep and low voice could be heard. “Have you looked enough?”
Su Xi-er broke off her gaze. “This servant was only looking at Nanzhao’s scenery at both sides of the road.”
“Yellow land, grey brick walls, and not many trees. The frontier’s scenery can’t even compare to half of Beimin’s. What is there to look at?”
Su Xi-er could hear the reproach in his voice and took the initiative to give in. “This servant has never left the imperial palace, much less Beimin. It’s inevitable for this servant to be curious when coming to Nanzhao.”
Pei Qianhao clearly didn’t buy her justification. “From what I see, your curiosity is not towards Nanzhao’s scenery, but Prince Yun.”
He then leaned close to Su Xi-er. “Raise your head and look into this prince’s eyes.”
People’s eyes won’t lie. If she’s feeling guilty, the expression in her eyes will reflect that.
Su Xi-er looked him straight in the eye, completely indifferent. “Prince Hao, this servant has seen just now that Prince Yun isn’t as handsome as you.”
Pei Qianhao was taken aback but quickly returned to normal. He didn’t expect her to have such a reply.
Only after thinking upon her words did he conclude that she was very clever. By changing the topic, not only did she make up for her mistake in lying, she even praised me.
However, this time, he wasn’t satisfied.
“You are too sycophantic while trying to curry favour with me. This prince is uncomfortable.”
Su Xi-er replied slowly, “It must be because you have sat too long in the horse carriage. It’s inevitable that you will be uncomfortable.”
“You have to be kidding. This prince doesn’t even feel tired when riding on a horse for a few days and nights. How would this prince feel uncomfortable just by sitting in the horse carriage?” Pei Qianhao leaned even closer. Let’s see how she’s going to reply this time.
Su Xi-er shifted to the side. “If that’s the case, you weren’t uncomfortable, but simply scaring this servant just now.”
Her words caused Pei Qianhao’s face to darken. What a powerful mouth. She set a trap for me to jump into.
What’s even more ridiculous is that I unsuspectingly jumped in. Recognising this, he was even more displeased.
