Chapter 16: Malicious Intent

The maidservant beside Ji Hua was difficult to describe as beautiful. At first glance, she seemed decent enough, but upon closer inspection, there was an inexplicable strangeness about her—hardly pretty.

Liu Yiyi was looking at Ji Hua with deep emotion.

She had never imagined that the young mistress would have such thoughtful intentions. It turned out all of this was meant to be a gift for her...

Nearby, Ji Hua felt a flicker of unease in her heart.

Earlier, on the carriage, she had changed Liu Yiyi’s appearance completely, giving her a new look. She wondered... would Ling Moxuan still recognize her?

She dared not underestimate Ling Moxuan.

Fortunately—

Suddenly, a sharp female voice rang out from the stairs, interrupting Ling Moxuan’s thoughts.

“Your Highness, Prince Xuan!”

Ji Shulan had just been selecting a hairpin, likely intending to show off and undermine Ji Hua.

But unexpectedly, she witnessed this scene!

That wretched bitch actually dared to get so close to Prince Xuan!

Recalling events from her past life, Ji Shulan was filled only with caution.

She knew well how much the prince doted on Ji Hua, even bestowing upon her the supreme honor of becoming Empress!

Who knew, without the arranged marriage this time, whether feelings might still quietly grow between them?

Could it be that the prince already held Ji Hua in his heart?

No, she absolutely could not allow such a thing to happen!

Ji Shulan quickened her steps, nervously maintaining her composure as she approached and bowed to Ling Moxuan.

“Your servant, Ji Shulan, greets Your Highness!”

This tactful bow conveniently pushed Ji Hua aside.

Ji Hua was only too happy to let it be and, not bothering to argue, whispered to Liu Yiyi, “Go settle the bill and keep it safe.”

“Yes!”

For now, sending Liu Yiyi away was the safest course.

Ji Hua was about to follow when Ji Shulan’s voice came again.

“Sister, really, since Prince Xuan is here, why didn’t you have someone call me up?”

Ji Shulan’s tone was reproachful, tinged with subtle possessiveness and jealousy.

“Besides, now that both of us have an engagement, you deliberately getting so close to Prince Xuan is quite improper!”

“Ji Shulan, watch your words.”

Ji Hua’s earlier coldness vanished, replaced by a sharp glare.

Her indifferent gaze fixed on Ji Shulan. “Not to mention that Prince Xuan and I just happened to meet by chance, by your logic, when you chatted a little longer with the servant upstairs, was that also an intentional move to get close?”

Ji Shulan’s face paled. “I—I didn’t mean that!”

Damn it, how had Ji Hua become so sharp-tongued!

“As long as you didn’t,” Ji Hua said coolly.

She withdrew her gaze with icy detachment. “Since Your Highness is your fiancé, you can inquire about his whereabouts yourself. There’s no need for me, an outsider, to inform you.”

With that, she gave Ling Moxuan a faint bow.

“Your Highness, I have matters to attend to. I take my leave.”

Ling Moxuan nodded slightly.

Recalling Ji Hua’s quick wit just now, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

Ji Shulan held back her anger, unable to lash out at Ling Moxuan, so she forced a smile and said,

“Your Highness, please don’t mind. My sister just has that sort of temper.”

Ling Moxuan smiled faintly but said nothing.

Seeing no response, Ji Shulan changed the subject.

“Your Highness, what brings you to the Jade Pavilion today?”

She shyly twisted her handkerchief. “I... I’m buying some things to wear in the future...”

Ling Moxuan responded absentmindedly, his gaze drifting out toward the long street.

On the street, Ji Hua’s flowing robes fluttered as her maid helped her step onto the carriage. Her expression was gentle and warm, smiling softly as she tugged the maid’s sleeve.

Watching the carriage depart, Ling Moxuan suddenly lowered his gaze toward Ji Shulan.

Her heart skipped a beat.

The prince seemed not to enjoy conversation; she had been the one speaking all along. But... perhaps he was shy as well.

“I will escort you back,” Ling Moxuan said.

Ji Shulan’s eyes suddenly brightened, followed by overwhelming joy!

She had known this tactic would work. Perhaps the prince was the responsible kind who would be faithful to whomever he married for life!

Suppressing her delight, she nodded shyly. “Alright...”

Once inside the carriage, Ji Shulan sat opposite Ling Moxuan.

The redwood carriage was exquisitely decorated, filled with a faint scent of magnolia.

“Your Highness, do you like magnolias?” Ji Shulan deliberately opened a conversation, smiling brightly.

Ling Moxuan toyed with the new white jade bodhi bead in his hand and merely nodded slightly.

Ji Shulan smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear gently. “I like magnolias too. There are several planted in the courtyard. If Your Highness is interested, you could take a look sometime.”

“I am tired,” Ling Moxuan said abruptly.

His words cut off all of Ji Shulan’s attempts at conversation.

She was stunned, lifting her eyes to see the darkness in Ling Moxuan’s gaze, her heart suddenly sinking.

Did this mean he didn’t want to talk to her?

No—

Ji Shulan suddenly realized what she had overlooked in her elation.

At the Jade Pavilion, hadn’t Ling Moxuan been looking outside?

Could it be... he was looking at Ji Hua?!

This realization made Ji Shulan clench her palms tightly.

She had been reborn once already; how could she still lose to Ji Hua?

One or two, they were all obsessed with her!

Ji Shulan gritted her teeth in hatred, turning her face away and refusing to speak another word until they reached the manor.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the Xiang residence.

“I will see you inside,” Ling Moxuan said.

With her father still at the palace and Ling Moxuan insisting, Ji Shulan didn’t have a reason to refuse.

She forced a smile but her thoughts remained on Ji Hua.

That wretched bitch, I hope she doesn’t show up!

But fate was not on her side.

As they walked toward the flower hall, not yet reaching the corridor, they saw Ji Hua seated gracefully in the hexagonal pavilion, accompanied by a maid. Her figure was elegant, her delicate jade hand lightly twirling a begonia petal.

The floral fragrance filled the air, instantly capturing Ling Moxuan’s gaze.

Her beauty was breathtaking, rivaling the begonia itself. Stray strands of hair fluttered in the breeze, a petal falling as she smiled softly and casually tucked her hair behind her ear.

Ling Moxuan stared wordlessly.

Ji Shulan’s jealousy drove her mad. She struggled to contain her fury, clutching Ling Moxuan’s sleeve hastily.

“Your Highness, let’s go quickly. We’re just about to reach my courtyard. You’ll surely like it...”

Before she could finish, Ling Moxuan coldly shrugged off her sleeve without a glance.

In an instant, Ji Shulan’s eyes reddened.

Hearing the commotion, Ji Hua instinctively looked up, surprised.

She hadn’t expected to encounter Ling Moxuan again.

Ji Hua frowned slightly. This man never acted without purpose; if he came, there must be a reason.

With her thoughts shifting, she suppressed her disdain and gave a slow, graceful bow.

“Greetings, Your Highness Prince Xuan.”

Ling Moxuan’s lips curved into a faint smile as he took a few steps forward and stopped before Ji Hua.

“I have heard that Miss Ji is the capital’s foremost talented lady, quite refined. Upon seeing you today, the begonia’s bloom truly lives up to its reputation.”

Ling Moxuan’s tone carried a hint of admiration, maddening Ji Shulan, who gripped her hands so tightly her eyes rolled skyward.

Is Ji Hua out of her mind?

Instead of staying in her own courtyard, she had to come out and lure the prince!

Ji Shulan’s face darkened with rage, but with the prince present, she dared not say a word.