Chapter 113: The Encounter

The Heir of Annan felt his face flush, and he looked at Su Liluo in a daze. Hearing his younger sister’s question, he quickly nodded and replied, "Of course I remember what you like to eat. Rest assured, I would never forget you, no matter whom else I might forget."

County Princess Anping then said with a playful air of arrogance, "That’s more like it. Sister Liluo, what is the matter?"

"It is nothing. Heir, please do not mind me; just order whatever you and the County Princess enjoy. I have had a poor appetite lately and truly cannot eat much." Su Liluo politely declined the Heir’s kindness, which left him somewhat disappointed, his earlier excitement visibly fading.

County Princess Anping quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Brother, Sister Liluo’s stomach is only so big—how could she finish all that you’ve ordered? Just pick a few dishes and have them served quickly; I am already getting hungry."

The Heir of Annan then recovered his composure. Looking at Su Liluo’s cold and distant demeanor, he felt an even deeper longing for her, finding it impossible to let go so easily.

Shortly after the dishes were served, Su Liluo tasted them and gave a slight nod; they were indeed quite good. Three soft knocks sounded at the door. The Heir of Annan set down his bamboo chopsticks and said softly, "Come in."

A servant at his side whispered a few words into his ear. The Heir looked troubled, but eventually, he made up his mind and said, "I apologize, but I fear I cannot accompany Miss Su today. Anping, please entertain Miss Su well on my behalf. I have business to attend to and must take my leave."

Su Liluo responded with great understanding, "Please, Heir, do go and attend to your matters. Do not let me hold you back. The County Princess and I can look after ourselves."

Hearing this, the Heir felt a sharp pang of bitterness. Su Liluo ultimately treated him as an outsider. He cast her an apologetic look before striding out of the room.

Seeing Su Liluo’s cold expression, County Princess Anping felt sympathy for her brother. She looked at Su Liluo innocently and asked, "Sister Liluo, will you really not consider my brother?"

"County Princess, my feelings for the Heir are merely those of a friend; there is not a shred of romantic love between us. Please do not try to pair us together again, lest it become awkward for everyone," Su Liluo sighed in frustration.

County Princess Anping furrowed her brows tightly. After a long silence, she couldn't help but ask, "Then what kind of man do you like? Someone like the Crown Prince? Or perhaps Prince Jin? It surely isn't Prince Yi, is it... Sister Liluo, you must not fall for him! He is a total pervert, and he is impotent. You would never be happy with him for the rest of your life."

Seeing that Su Liluo remained silent, the County Princess continued to warn her. Su Liluo was so shocked by the insults leveled at Yun Yanyi that her eyes widened. If Prince Yi were to hear this, would he go on a killing spree?

"County Princess, do not guess so wildly. There is no one in my heart. Because of my family’s situation, my marriage is not something I can decide for myself. Do you understand?" Su Liluo looked at the County Princess with wide eyes, using this excuse to fend off the constant questioning.

As long as the military tally remained in her hands, the Emperor would not allow her to marry at will. The Heir of Annan was indeed a fine candidate for marriage, but alas, she lacked the good fortune. Once one holds a military tally, who would truly love her for herself, rather than the power she represents? The more she thought, the more disheartened she became, and her interest in marriage waned further.

"Very well then. But Sister Liluo, you must remember what I said—you must never marry Prince Yi. Everyone in the capital knows what kind of man he is. If you marry him, how could you possibly live out the rest of your life?" The County Princess thought of Yun Yanyi’s impotence and felt deep sympathy for his future consort.

Su Liluo, not expecting the County Princess to dwell on the matter of Yun Yanyi, could only nod repeatedly to appease her. "Rest assured, County Princess, I will not easily develop feelings for anyone."

County Princess Anping let out a sigh of relief, as if a great weight had been lifted. As the weather grew hotter, the County Princess would go to her family's villa to escape the heat every year, and this year was no exception. Looking at the bright and beautiful Su Liluo, she couldn't help but try to help her brother once more. "Sister Liluo, in a few days we are going to the Prince’s villa to escape the heat. Why don't you come with us? We can play together, and you can keep me company."

Su Liluo was tempted, but the thought that the Heir of Annan would surely be there dampened her spirits. She declined, saying, "County Princess, what a pity. My second sister is getting married in a few days, and there will be much to do in the household afterward. I do not know if I can get away, so I can only give you an answer then."

The County Princess looked at her with disappointment and muttered, "Sister Liluo, are you unable to get close to me because of my brother?"

Su Liluo dared not confirm this and waved her hands repeatedly. "County Princess, you have misunderstood. It is truly because I am busy. Otherwise, how could I refuse? I know you have my best interests at heart; it is simply that I lack the fortune."

As she spoke, she grew melancholy. The County Princess soon realized that Su Liluo hadn't given a firm refusal, and thought that if she persuaded her a few more times, she might agree to go, which made her excited again.

Watching her shift from sadness to joy, Su Liluo sighed to herself, "The County Princess still has the heart of a child."

After the meal, which was quite good, they both felt rather full and decided to take a stroll to digest their food. Just as they stepped out of the restaurant, they encountered a gorgeously dressed woman. Both Su Liluo and the woman froze.

County Princess Anping noticed Su Liluo stop and asked in confusion, "Sister Liluo, why have you stopped? Do you know her?"

The woman was Yanhong, a famous courtesan from the brothel. Seeing the County Princess speak, she couldn't help but appraise the fine clothes she wore; the attire was worth a fortune, and her bearing was not that of an ordinary family. A plan formed in her mind, and she spoke urgently, "Of course I know her."

Yanhong addressed Su Liluo with familiarity, "Miss, have you forgotten me? It is I, Yanhong. Surely you are not despising me, and that is why you refuse to speak with me?"

Su Liluo felt a headache coming on. Which deity had she offended today to run into her?

County Princess Anping saw the woman’s affected, coquettish tone and her behavior, which was nothing like that of a lady of good breeding. Frowning, she looked at Yanhong with clear dislike.

Seeing that Su Liluo remained silent, Yanhong became even more emboldened. She pulled out a handkerchief to dab at unseen tears and cried, "Miss is truly a person of nobility now, unwilling to speak with us common folk."

Su Liluo was annoyed but could not lash out at Yanhong. She explained softly, "How could that be? I was simply surprised to see you so suddenly. I have matters to attend to today; when I have some free time, I will speak with you in detail."

She turned to the County Princess, "County Princess, didn't you say we needed to get something? Let us go."

Yanhong did not block their path, knowing that the lady at Su Liluo’s side had an extraordinary status that should not be offended.

When the County Princess could no longer see Yanhong, she asked curiously, "Sister Liluo, who was that woman? She did not look like a lady from a respectable family."

"I saved her some time ago and gave her some money. I do not know her background, and I was quite surprised to see her again today," Su Liluo offered a casual excuse to soothe the County Princess.

The County Princess, who already disliked Yanhong, believed her immediately. Su Liluo, seeing that the questioning had stopped, worried whether Yanhong had deduced her identity from what she had seen today. If so, her troubles would be significant.

Yanhong watched them leave, then stared at the restaurant. This Deyuan Restaurant was a famous establishment in the capital. For two women to come here to eat, they must be from wealthy families.

Yanhong walked into the restaurant and asked the shopkeeper at the counter, "Sir, do you know the identities of the two women who just left?"

"Why do you ask?" The shopkeeper looked at Yanhong with suspicion. Seeing that she was merely a frail woman, he ignored her and returned to his work.