Chapter 4

Chapter 4

After returning to the manor, I still came down with a chill and was bedridden for several days.

Only after a full week of rest did I finally recover completely.

“Miss, I heard tofu and fish soup is especially nourishing.”

The moment I heard that, I laughed. Qingkui was craving something again.

As it happened, spring water mandarin fish were plump this time of year, and I was craving some too.

“Come on. This young lady will take you fishing.”

With a quick kip-up, I flipped out of bed.

“Hehe, Miss, I knew you were the best.”

Qingkui beamed as she helped me dress and do my hair.

By the stream.

The float suddenly sank, and the fishing line drew taut, trembling faintly.

My heart leaped with secret delight. This was clearly a big fish taking the bait.

Three… two… one…

I was just about to lift the rod and pull the fish in with the momentum.

Then a soft, angry shout rang out behind me.

“You, stop right there!”

Someone ran past in a hurry, kicking up a clatter of loose stones.

The fish was startled. With a violent flick of its tail, it shook free of the hook and slipped back into the water.

At the end, it even leaped out of the lake as if to taunt me, its silver scales flashing brilliantly.

“Whoa, what a fat fish! It got away!”

That person doubled back.

Whose fault was that? And she still had the nerve to say it!

Anger surged up in my chest, and I turned back with a glare.

The moment I turned, my pupils shrank.

It was Yan Zhao.

And Princess Anning, who was chasing close behind him.

“Yan Zhao, am I really that unpopular?”

“Why do both you and your brother avoid me like the plague?”

My brow twitched.

Oh, wow. Substitute romance?

Or was this the younger-uncle trope?

I shrank back a little, but couldn’t help sneaking a sideways glance from the corner of my eye.

Yan Zhao merely lifted his eyelids lazily.

His sharp brows rose slightly, his expression arrogant.

“Your Highness is overthinking it. The Yan family simply has no interest in the position of prince consort.”

“Besides, I already have someone I admire.”

Princess Anning frowned and blurted out, “Why don’t I know about that?”

Yan Zhao suddenly turned around, and our eyes met without warning.

Startled, I stepped on a loose stone by my foot.

My body pitched backward.

Yan Zhao reacted with astonishing speed. With one sweep of his large hand, he caught me and pulled me back.

Then he leaned down and rasped, “Miss, help me.”

His warm breath brushed over my earlobe.

Old memories surged in like a towering wave.

On the bed, by the latticed window, aboard the pleasure boat…

Countless times, he had lightly bitten my ear.

“Yaoyao, help me.”

Back then, I had been like a piece of driftwood, rising and falling with the current, striking the rocks again and again.

Powerlessly, I had clung to his shoulders.

That familiar tingling sensation crossed time and space, shooting through my entire body.

Before I could react at all, Yan Zhao had already shielded me behind him.

His low voice fell at the same time.

“Today, I arranged to meet my beloved here.”

“She has always been shy and afraid of strangers.”

“I hope Your Highness will take the hint and stop disturbing lovers at their meeting.”

My heart pounded wildly, and my hands and feet went stiff. I couldn’t move.

So I could only hide behind him and pretend to be shy.

The princess was furious. With a flick of her sleeve, she snapped, “You don’t know what’s good for you.”

“It is not as if I must have someone from the Yan family!”

I froze for a moment.

Then I remembered Yan Zhao once saying, “It is not as if I must have you.”

So this line was that famous, huh?

Did all the noble sons and daughters in the capital like talking this way?

What a fine declaration of “independence.”

After the princess left, Yan Zhao immediately let go of me.

In my previous life, after the drugging incident was exposed, the palace deliberately suppressed the rumors.

But Princess Anning was soon granted a marriage by His Majesty.

In this life, after I jumped into the pond, it was only a minor official’s daughter accidentally falling into the water. Naturally, it could not stir up much trouble.

A scheme had turned into a trivial incident.

But seeing Yan Zhao’s attitude, as if he wanted nothing to do with it whatsoever, and the fact that he had gone out of his way to use me as a shield…

Clearly…

I understood everything at once.

“Yan Zhao, you came back too.”

It was not a question, but a statement.

He did not deny it.

His eyes flickered. After hesitating for a moment, he stammered, “Th-then why didn’t you come looking for me that day?”

I didn’t understand. I was deeply shocked.

“Weren’t you the one who said you didn’t want to have an illicit affair with me without a matchmaker?”

“I am so generous, of course I had to grant your wish.”

Yan Zhao seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

“I see. That’s good, then.”

Seeing his face, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, I couldn’t help wondering.

Was there any need to be that relieved?

I curled my lip.

“Don’t worry. In this life, I won’t hold you back.”

“Rong Zhen and I are getting married soon.”

With that, I wanted to turn and leave.

Yan Zhao abruptly grabbed my wrist.

His tone was urgent and fierce.

“Wait! Who did you say?”

I was baffled.

“Rong Zhen. You should still remember him, right?”

“In our last life, you even burned incense for him.”

Yan Zhao’s face turned several shades paler with a swish.

“So it really is…”

He muttered something about compromise, childhood sweethearts, and reunion.

I couldn’t hear it very clearly.

“Miss, look! I caught so, so many fish!”

Qingkui ran over carrying a heavy fish bucket.

She looked at Yan Zhao in confusion, then looked up at the sky.

“Miss, it’s almost dark. We should hurry back.”

“The master and madam will start worrying soon.”

She pulled me away at a brisk pace.

When I looked back, Yan Zhao was still standing there in a daze.

In the sunset, his shadow was stretched straight and long.

Like a bare wooden pole.

It really ruined the view.