Chapter 61
Chapter 61
The scattered whispers burrowed into Mu Tingting’s ears like venomous insects.
Ying’er could not bear to listen any longer and was just about to speak up in retort when the person beside her tugged her back.
Mu Tingting clenched her clothes with one hand and held her maid back with the other, shaking her head at her.
“Miss, they’re going too far!”
Ying’er lowered her voice, but she could not suppress the anger in her eyes.
How could Mu Tingting not be furious?
But now that things had come this far, if she wanted to establish herself in Shangjing City, she had to endure it.
Endure until everyone knew she was General Xia’s daughter.
Endure until she married Young Marquis Ren.
Only then would she finally be able to hold her head high.
If her mother knew from beyond the grave, she would not be disappointed in her.
After changing into fresh clothes, Mu Tingting had Ying’er touch up her rouge and tidy her hair.
She made sure that when she stepped out again, her appearance was still proper and graceful.
The young ladies who had been gossiping nearby heard the movement and tactfully walked away.
After all, she was under the protection of Renxuan Marquis Manor. They did not dare provoke her to her face.
Mu Tingting wore an open, poised smile as she glanced toward the banquet seats. The Marquise, Lady Rong, was speaking quietly with the Duchess and several countesses.
Mu Tingting was just about to go over when the matron beside Lady Rong came to her first.
“Miss Xia, Madam says that if you feel stifled, you may go enjoy the flowers in the garden or make the acquaintance of some friends. There is no need to remain at her side the entire time.”
Gratitude welled in Mu Tingting’s heart at those words.
The Marquise must have noticed how ill at ease she was, and that was why she had excused her from attendance.
Mu Tingting nodded obediently and gave a small curtsy. “Then may I trouble you to inform Madam that Ximo will take a walk in the garden first.”
The Duke’s Manor covered a vast area, and in both layout and grandeur, it was no less impressive than Renxuan Marquis Manor.
As Mu Tingting walked among the pavilions, terraces, and towers, she could not help sighing inwardly.
In Xiling County, the Mu Family could be considered one of the most prominent households.
But compared with the capital, it was nothing at all.
A single garden in the Duke’s Manor was larger than the entirety of Mu Manor, not to mention the rare flowers and unusual trees planted within, all of which were things she had never even heard of.
Mu Tingting walked slowly along until she suddenly felt that her wrist was empty. She immediately gave a soft cry.
“Ying’er, when I changed just now, I think I forgot my bracelet.”
That jade bracelet had been given to her by Lady Rong just that morning. One glance at its quality was enough to know it was extremely valuable.
Ying’er hurriedly said, “Then I’ll go back and look for it now. Miss, wait here for me.”
Mu Tingting nodded. “Hurry back.”
After Ying’er left, Mu Tingting found a nearby pavilion and sat down.
Though it was winter, beneath the noonday sun, the garden was not cold.
Just then, hurried footsteps approached from a distance.
“Sister…”
At the sound, Mu Tingting immediately looked up and saw a young woman standing on the flower path, holding a man’s cloak in her arms.
“I am Feng Qing, daughter of Grand Commandant Feng. May I ask Sister to do me a favor?”
Mu Tingting rose to her feet. Seeing Feng Qing’s anxious expression, she asked politely, “May I ask what has happened, Miss Feng?”
Feng Qing pressed a hand to her lower abdomen and slowly moved closer. Her small face was deathly pale. “His Highness the Crown Prince is drinking at the lakeside pavilion and asked me to bring him a cloak.”
“But I suddenly feel unwell. Sister, could you help me?”
When Mu Tingting heard that it was His Highness the Crown Prince, she could not help freezing for a moment.
Feng Qing observed her expression, then continued, “Sister looks somewhat unfamiliar. You must have only just arrived in the capital, so you probably don’t know His Highness the Crown Prince’s temperament, do you?”
“He has always liked ordering us to fetch things for him, and he doesn’t allow maids to do it in our place.”
Mu Tingting had not known the Crown Prince was also at the Duke’s Manor today. A thought stirred in her mind, and she hesitated before saying, “I can… take it for you, but would His Highness the Crown Prince be displeased?”
“Of course not. His Highness the Crown Prince is a most gracious host. He’s always perfectly polite to any ‘friend’ he’s just met.”
As Feng Qing spoke, she handed the cloak straight to her. “Sister, just follow this path straight ahead. When you see a two-story waterside pavilion, His Highness the Crown Prince will be inside.”
“You’ve truly gone to so much trouble. Another day, I will come to your residence in person to thank you.”
Hearing how courteous she was, Mu Tingting took the cloak in her hands. It was surprisingly heavy.
A faint scent of ambergris drifted from it, making her cheeks warm slightly.
His Highness the Crown Prince…
She had only ever heard her father mention him once.
What an exalted personage he was. She had never imagined she would have the chance to meet him today.
“Then I’ll make the trip for you.”
“Thank you, Sister.”
After thanking her, Feng Qing actually darted away like a wisp of smoke.
Mu Tingting was left standing there in a daze, a strange feeling rising in her heart.
She thought, She didn’t even ask who I was before rushing to hand me the cloak. It feels as if she was desperate to toss away a hot potato…
But on second thought, she was only delivering a piece of clothing. If she could take the chance to meet the Crown Prince, that would be a stroke of fortune as well.
Mu Tingting immediately inspected the cloak inside and out with great care. Only after confirming there was no damage and nothing hidden inside did she feel slightly more at ease.
And so, with a thread of anticipation in her heart, she followed the flower-lined path all the way forward. Sure enough, she soon saw a waterside pavilion by the lake.
Just as Feng Qing had said, the pavilion had two stories, but no one was standing guard at the entrance.
After she walked in, the interior was still completely empty.
Had she gone to the wrong place?
Mu Tingting could not help looking toward the second floor and was just about to go upstairs when she heard a rustling sound.
As if possessed, she climbed two steps, only to hear a woman cry out coquettishly, “Your Highness, someone is here…”
The next moment, a man’s lazy voice rang out. “Come up.”
At the sound, Mu Tingting found herself caught between advancing and retreating.
She could be certain that His Highness the Crown Prince was not alone upstairs. And judging from the noises, it was clearly not as simple as drinking wine.
“His Highness the Crown Prince, I have come on behalf of Miss Feng of the Grand Commandant’s household to deliver your clothing.”
She had no choice but to speak first and state her purpose.
However, the Crown Prince did not respond.
Instead, a graceful woman slowly descended from upstairs. As she passed Mu Tingting, she gave a seductive smile. “His Highness is calling you up.”
Mu Tingting shuddered and instinctively glanced at her.
On such a cold day, the woman was wearing only a thin white inner robe. Her collar hung half-open, revealing the faint outline of her collarbone, as well as suspicious, intimate marks…
Mu Tingting could not tell her status.
But those eyes were as bewitching as a fox’s.
Mu Tingting hurriedly looked away and said, “Might I ask you to-”
“No.”
The woman curved her lips into another smile. “Deliver it yourself.”
With that, she went straight downstairs, leaving behind only a faint trace of cold fragrance.
Mu Tingting stood frozen on the stairs for a moment. Not daring to disobey, she could only steel herself and go upstairs.
Behind a four-panel silk gauze screen, the vague silhouette of a man could be seen sitting there. The air was indeed filled with the smell of wine.
For a moment, she did not dare step forward. She could only ask, “Your Highness, the clothing… shall I place it on the screen for you?”
The man behind it let out a low chuckle, then ordered, “Come closer. I have something to say to you.”
With no other choice, Mu Tingting took another two steps forward.
Yet in the next instant, she heard a voice from behind the screen that made her blood run cold.
“If one day your true identity is exposed, remember to come find me at Fu Tower.”