Chapter 9

Chapter 9

We were escorted to Jingsi Hall.

Chen Xiao closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.

I followed closely behind him, my palms clenched tight.

I hadn’t told Chen Xiao the whole truth.

Yuan Mu had been famous for his talent since youth. He had entered the palace as a study companion at the age of ten and had known Wei Qiong since then. It was possible she might recognize him as an impostor.

But at this point, I had to force Chen Xiao to play the part, whether he was ready or not…

The corridors of Jingsi Hall surrounded the palace, their pillars painted in mottled colors. The railings leaned outward, designed for people to sit and rest against.

Looking down from the railings, there was a winding, narrow canal.

The water was practically stagnant, filled with nothing but withered branches and fallen leaves-hardly a scenic view.

But in my memory, this place had once been filled with lotus flowers.

Pale pink blossoms emerged from deep green leaves, swaying in the wind through light and shadow.

“This type of railing is called a Meiren Kao. Legend has it that King Fuchai of Wu built them for his beauty, Xi Shi…”

Wei Fu, Prince Dongyang, hadn’t even finished speaking to me before someone kicked him from behind.

The eleven-year-old Wei Fu, who had a sturdy build, tumbled forward onto the railing. The wood snapped under the impact, and he flipped into the ditch.

I looked down in a panic.

Wei Fu was half-covered in silt, his voice cracking with rage as he screamed.

“Who was it! Who dares plot against this Prince? I’ll have him killed!”

A clear voice rang out from behind me.

“It was I.”

I instinctively turned around. The person was stepping forward at that exact moment, unintentionally coming very close. We stared at each other, both stunned.

Wei Fu caught sight of the figure and ground his teeth. “Yuan Mu! I was just saying a few words to someone; what business is it of yours? You’ve attempted to murder this Prince! I’ll have the Empress Dowager punish you!”

Yuan Mu leaned his hands on the railing, poking his head out to look down with a playful smirk.

“You? Comparing yourself to King Fuchai of Wu? I think you’d better learn from King Goujian of Yue and endure hardships to strengthen your resolve.”

Wei Fu snapped off a large lotus leaf, intending to throw it up at Yuan Mu.

But his aim was off, and he threw it toward me instead.

Just as I was about to raise my hand to block it-

The green lotus leaf suddenly stopped, trembling as it fell away to reveal a young man’s handsome features.

That was the first time Yuan Mu saw me.

The thirteen-year-old Wei Qiong came running over in a hurry, followed by two palace maids.

“What happened? Quick, pull him up.”

Wei Fu was hauled out of the ditch by the maids and stomped off in a huff.

Wei Qiong watched his retreating back and couldn’t help but sigh. “If Mother finds out, she’ll scold me again.”

“Ah Qiong,” I called out to her.

Wei Qiong snapped back to her senses and took my hand.

“Sister Chao Er, are you here to deliver something to Brother Chao?”

“Yes.”

Originally, those who studied together in the palace were the Emperor, the Elder Princess, Prince Dongyang, and Yuan Mu. That year, the Emperor was soon to take the reins of government, and Wei Qiong was approaching her coming-of-age ceremony. Soon, only Prince Dongyang and Yuan Mu would be left.

The Empress Dowager had recruited several more sons of noble families to enter the palace as study companions for Prince Dongyang.

My Elder Brother, Chao Huaijin, was among them.

Wei Qiong thought for a moment. “Give the items to me. I’ll pass them to him for you.”

Yuan Mu, standing opposite us, pressed a fist to his lips and gave a light cough. “Chao Huaijin? I sit next to him. I’ll take them to him for you.”

Wei Qiong asked in confusion, “You? You changed seats…”

Yuan Mu interrupted her, his gaze fixed directly on me. “Where are the things?”

I hurriedly handed the carrying case to him.

As Yuan Mu took it, he looked up slightly and watched me. “Chao…”

“Chao Huaijin.”

I was afraid he wouldn’t remember.

“No.” He held the box, hesitating. “You…”

Wei Qiong watched for a long while before her lips quirked. “Her name is Chao Ruyu.”

Yuan Mu lowered his head and laughed awkwardly.

My face felt inexplicably hot, a warmth that spread all the way to my heart.

We were so young then. Thinking back on it now, it feels like a lifetime ago.

Stepping over the threshold, my thoughts returned to the present.

Wei Qiong was sitting at the table, which was covered in dishes.

Was she planning to eat?

I looked at the sky; it was still a bit early for dinner.

Chen Xiao took a seat and picked up his chopsticks, only to find that every dish was vegetarian.

“During the period of national mourning, no meat is to be consumed. Lord Yuan has just left the Prison Ministry, so I’m afraid you’ll have to endure this for now.”

Wei Qiong’s tone was full of apology.

Chen Xiao looked at the exquisite dishes and swallowed hard. “It’s fine…”

Just as he was about to move his chopsticks, I pressed my hand down on him and stepped forward to serve him.

“Lord Yuan rarely eats meat to begin with, so this is perfect.”

*Clack.*

Chen Xiao dropped his chopsticks.

The Elder Princess was testing him.

Yet Wei Qiong seemed to have no such intention.

“I thought that after a month of prison food, he might have fixed his picky eating habits.”

Chen Xiao forced a smile, but his appetite had vanished, terrified that a single wrong word would cost him his life.

Wei Qiong looked at me, seemingly in the mood for conversation.

“Once Prince Dongyang returns, the four of us can have a gathering. I still remember a time in my palace, also the four of us… Does Lord Yuan remember what happened back then?”

Chen Xiao froze, using his knee to nudge my leg.

I secretly lifted my foot and gave him a sharp kick.

Chen Xiao wobbled, nearly falling off his seat.

“I remember! Of course I remember! I even kicked Prince Dongyang!”

Hearing this, Wei Qiong lowered her eyes.

“Let us eat.”

That seemed to have dispelled her suspicion.

The rest of the meal was conducted in silence.

After dinner, Wei Qiong wanted Chen Xiao to stay behind to discuss matters, but Chen Xiao couldn’t read her signals.

She was forced to speak plainly. “Lord Yuan, after being apart for so many days, do you have nothing to say to I, the Princess?”

There was no way to prompt him for this question; he just needed to say yes.

But Chen Xiao was stumped.

I didn’t know exactly what was going on in his head.

I only heard him speak hesitantly.

“My condolences?”

It was over.

Wei Qiong’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What did you say?”