Chapter 13

Dressed in a water-blue waist-revealing blouse and skirt, my hair loosely gathered into a bun, two magnolia flowers tucked low at my temples, and a beaded veil just barely covering half my face.

Suli handed me a budding magnolia, lifted my chin and smiled at me, “My dear Mingzhu, even if only your eyes are showing, you can still outshine all others.”

Barefoot, I stepped onto the stage and began to dance to the musician’s zither. My tense nerves gradually eased, and my movements became more natural.

Someone in the crowd cheered loudly. As I turned inadvertently, I suddenly caught sight of Liu Chaoming, clutching his wine cup tightly, his gaze fixed on me, filled with confusion and shock.

Why is he here?

My heart leapt in alarm, panic overwhelming me in an instant, a heavy sense of shame rising up. Under his deep, suspicious gaze, I felt utterly exposed. I kept reassuring myself-he won’t recognize me, only my eyes are visible, he definitely won’t recognize me.

I dared not look his way again, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up inside, a sudden sourness that made me want to cry.

When the dance ended, I steadied my voice and introduced myself on stage.

Liu Chaoming stood up, staring straight at me, and walked toward me through the noisy crowd.

I was so afraid that, as I hurried off the stage, I stumbled and fell to my knees.

“Get up.” An outer robe was flung over me with a swish, and a voice tinged with anger sounded above my head.

Clutching the robe, I heard people around me whisper, “Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

I was half dragged, half pulled into an empty private room. The door slammed shut with a bang.

“Zhang Qiuhe, you are truly stubborn and incorrigible.”

Why is Yin Jiuqing everywhere? Why does he always want to lecture me?

“What right do you have to control me? You said it yourself-people must rely on themselves. I am relying on myself now.”

“Look at what you’re wearing. Dressed like this, in a place like this-is this what you call relying on yourself?”

I quickly stripped off the robe he had thrown over me and shoved it back into his arms. “I can earn my own money. What’s wrong with using my own skills to make others spend on me? Your words are as absurd as ‘let them eat cake.’ I just want to live with dignity-why do you keep humiliating me over and over again?”

Yin Jiuqing’s face darkened as he repeated, “Humiliate? Do you really think you’re dignified right now?”

I bit my lip and said nothing.

“If you truly have a clear conscience, why did you panic when Liu Chaoming walked toward you? What are you hiding?”

His words struck my heart like a heavy blow. I staggered back two steps, digging my nails into my palm, silent.

Yin Jiuqing shook the robe several times, as if trying to shake off something dirty. “Today was the palace examination-Liu Chaoming ranked eighteenth in the second class.”

He put on the robe and said, “Don’t come to places like this again. Anyone who knows you well could recognize you at a glance.”

“I don’t need you to meddle,” I replied coldly. “I rely on myself, my conscience is clear, I don’t need you to point fingers.”

“If someone discovers your identity, how will your uncle face it?”

I remembered what my father said-the Zhang Family’s reputation has been utterly ruined by me. They really are alike in this regard.

“You are the Crown Prince, all the people of the world are your subjects. I wanted to beg you to save me, but you told me to rely on myself. Now I am truly relying on myself, yet you scold me for lacking propriety and disgracing the Zhang Family. Crown Prince Brother, teach me-what exactly should I do?”

“No one in the manor cares about me, no one likes me. I don’t want to be married off carelessly. At least I am beautiful; why can’t I carve out a path for myself here? I even had to sneak out through the dog hole to come here. You are always above it all, taking everything for granted, because you can’t see my situation at all. You only judge me based on your own assumptions.”

Yin Jiuqing was stunned, his slightly furrowed brows tightening even more. He said stiffly, “I’m doing this for your own good.”

“Thank you, but I don’t need it.” I paused. “Still, thank you for making me less embarrassed in front of him.”

I lowered my head and ran out quickly.