Chapter 116: Catching the Adulterer
On the day of Su Baizhi’s wedding, she was attended to by her maids early in the morning. She was dressed in peach-colored robes; as she was not the primary wife, she was not entitled to wear the formal red bridal attire.
As she changed, two tears fell from Su Baizhi’s eyes, quickly soaking into the fabric and vanishing. Su Lailuo and others followed along to the Eastern Palace to offer their congratulations.
Seeing the golden, opulent splendor of the Eastern Palace, Su Shan’er felt a burning hatred in her heart. She muttered to herself, “Su Baizhi, I will never let you have an easy time. I will make sure you suffer a public humiliation on this momentous day, so that you may never hold your head high again.”
Su Shan’er headed to the front courtyard, where the Crown Prince was drinking with guests. Although it was only the induction of a secondary consort, the Eastern Palace had set out several tables for the feast, as Su Baizhi was the daughter of the Prime Minister, and the occasion could not be understated.
Yun Fengxiao, having been urged to drink several cups, took the opportunity to head toward the latrine. Just as he entered the corridor, he bumped into Su Shan’er. She started, stepping back in alarm, but upon recognizing him, she immediately bowed. “Shan’er pays her respects to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“No need for formalities. Why are you not attending to your sister?” Yun Fengxiao had little impression of Su Shan’er, remembering only that she was a concubine-born daughter of the Prime Minister’s household, and he had paid her no mind.
Su Shan’er said with a look of dejection, “There are many people in my sister’s room; my absence will not be missed. Where is Your Highness headed? Why are you without your attendants? Would you like me to accompany you for a walk?”
Yun Fengxiao had consumed a bit too much and was looking to clear his head with a stroll. Su Shan’er’s suggestion was exactly what he wanted, so he readily agreed. “Very well, you may walk with me for a bit, then return to your sister’s side.”
“As you wish, Your Highness,” Su Shan’er replied, nodding with feigned shyness.
She walked alongside Yun Fengxiao, occasionally pointing out a flower or a tree to keep the conversation going, and the two gradually made their way toward the garden.
Su Lailuo found the lively atmosphere in Su Baizhi’s room stifling and distasteful, so she decided to step out for a walk, eventually finding herself near the garden.
Suddenly, Su Shan’er pointed ahead and exclaimed happily, “Look, Your Highness, it’s my eldest sister! Shall we go over?”
Su Lailuo was standing before a rose bush in the garden. Yun Fengxiao’s gaze fell upon her and remained fixed there for a long time. As he approached with Su Shan’er, she suddenly shrieked, “Your Highness, I just remembered something I must attend to. Please excuse me.”
“If you have matters to attend to, you may go,” Yun Fengxiao said, pleased by her tact. He walked up to Su Lailuo, looked her over for a moment, and said, “Miss Su, it has been a long time.”
“Lailuo pays her respects to the Crown Prince.” Su Lailuo’s expression was cold as she offered a formal, graceful bow.
“No need for such formality. Have you grown distant from me, Lailuo? You used to love talking to me most of all.” Yun Fengxiao was well aware of Su Lailuo’s growing reputation; even he had heard of her talent in snow-sculpting, a true testament to her fame in the capital. Looking at the lovely woman before him, she seemed a world apart from the person he once knew.
As for Su Baizhi, whom he was marrying today, many were gossiping about the Prime Minister’s household. They spoke of how she had acted recklessly even during her engagement period, sneaking out of the manor and becoming the talk of the town. At the thought of this, Yun Fengxiao’s face darkened.
Su Lailuo was startled to see him; she had only wanted a moment of peace and never expected to encounter him here. She wondered, *Shouldn't he be in the front courtyard?*
Seeing her silent, he asked, “Lailuo, how have you been? Since we broke our engagement, I have often thought of you—I have even spent many nights sleepless.”
“Your Highness, those are matters of the past. You now have a primary wife in your inner court, and today you have gained a secondary consort. You should focus your care on Younger Sister Zhier.” Su Lailuo turned her head, unwilling to meet his gaze; the mere sight of him made her feel nauseated.
Just as Yun Fengxiao began to recount fond memories to stir her heart, a cold, male voice sounded from behind. “Your Highness, I have finally found you. The guests in the front courtyard are looking for you. You had best return to host them, or they will soon come rushing into the back gardens.”
Yun Fengxiao had only snuck away for a breath of air and had no intention of avoiding the banquet, especially since many high-ranking officials—people he needed to court—were present. He looked at Su Lailuo, hesitant to leave, and said, “Lailuo, I must go, but we shall talk more when there is time.”
“Your Highness’s official duties come first.” Su Lailuo only wished for him to vanish immediately; she did not want to look at him a second longer, lest her disgust grow.
After Yun Fengxiao left, Yun Yanyi raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “What? Have you taken a liking to the Crown Prince again? Do you intend to compete with your sister for a husband? Su Lailuo, if the world knew of this, how would you ever show your face?”
Yun Yanyi’s tongue was as sharp as ever, nearly making Su Lailuo choke with anger. She rolled her eyes, but before she could explain, he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her behind a nearby tree.
Su Lailuo pressed against the trunk, with Yun Yanyi standing close behind her. The proximity made her uncomfortable, and she tried to move, but he held her firmly in place, whispering in her ear, “Don’t move.”
His gentle tone sent a shiver through her. Seeing Su Shan’er and Jinling approaching, Su Lailuo ignored his presence and focused on the scene before them.
Su Shan’er and Jinling scanned the area, finding no one. Jinling asked suspiciously, “Third Miss, where is the Crown Prince?”
“He must have already left. Forget it, let’s go back.” Su Shan’er felt stifled; it had been such a perfect opportunity, why had they finished talking so soon?
Jinling scoffed and left Su Shan’er behind to return to Su Baizhi. Su Shan’er looked displeased and confused, scanning the area one last time before storming off in a huff.
Once they were gone, Su Lailuo turned her attention back to Yun Yanyi. Feeling the man behind her drawing closer, his breath grazing her neck, she tried to shrink away from the invisible pressure.
“Prince Yi, please move aside.” She shoved her elbow back, but he did not budge. Yun Yanyi used both hands to turn her around, bringing his face mere inches from hers.
“What, are you shy? There is nothing to be uneasy about. It is not as if we haven’t kissed before. Or have you forgotten? Perhaps I should help you refresh your memory.” With that, he leaned in, intending to claim those lips again.
Su Lailuo turned her head, and his lips landed on her cheek instead, soft and sweet like a confection.
“Prince Yi, please show some self-respect.” Su Lailuo gritted her teeth in a half-hearted warning.
Yun Yanyi never heeded such things. Seeing her flushed cheeks, he became even more intrigued. “I have never known how to write those words. Perhaps you could teach me, Lailuo? Hmm?” The lingering tone made her limbs feel weak. Su Lailuo resisted his suggestive aura, chanting to herself: *He is doing this on purpose just to mock you. Su Lailuo, do not fall for it.*
After a few moments of reflection, her eyes cleared. She stiffened her neck and said, “Prince Yi, please keep your distance. You are making things very difficult for me.”
“Is that so? But I fear that if I move away, you will run.” Yun Yanyi’s gaze locked with hers, and Su Lailuo nearly drowned in the tenderness within them. Seeing the smirk on his lips, she knew he was baiting her. Catching him off guard, she pushed him hard and ran off, her face burning crimson.