Chapter 26: A Reminder to the Crown Prince

Ji Shulan realized her voice had risen and quickly softened her tone, continuing, "Of course, I am only worried that Prince Xuan might be deceived. After all, she has managed to fool the entire capital. A woman as narrow-minded and calculating as her—how could she possibly deserve the title of the capital’s most talented woman? I say this only for your sake, Prince Xuan!"

As she spoke, tears began to stream down her face. With her delicate, willow-in-the-rain appearance, she was truly a pitiable sight. Had she been speaking to an ordinary man, he might well have fallen for such a deceitful fabrication. Unfortunately for her, the Prince Xuan before her was no ordinary man.

...

A breeze stirred by the lakeside, causing the willow branches to sway, yet there was no one to appreciate such a beautiful scene.

Ji Hua’s calm, slightly cautionary voice broke the silence. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, please do not stray from the crowd today, and do not accept anything from anyone. If someone were to plant forged evidence, it would be difficult to clear your name."

Ling Yuzhao’s gaze turned icy, his eyes fixed intently on Ji Hua. "What do you mean by that?"

Ji Hua shifted her gaze from the lake back to Ling Yuzhao’s face. "Your Highness is clever; you should understand."

Without waiting for him to speak, she continued, "I will certainly fulfill the promise I made to help you deal with Prince Xuan. Therefore, my words today are merely a well-intentioned reminder."

"Your Highness must know that Prince Xuan does nothing without purpose. This banquet by the lake is nothing more than a trap—a Hongmen Banquet specifically set for you."

"If you do not wish to be accused of abusing power, currying favor, or forming cliques—and subsequently losing the Emperor’s favor—you would do well to listen to me. At the very least, today, you must tread carefully and keep your distance from anyone who approaches you without reason."

Ji Hua’s words were cryptic, yet she did not spell them out explicitly. Ling Yuzhao was well aware that Ling Moxuan’s invitation was not born of kindness and that he would surely attempt some scheme today. But from the implication of her words, was Ling Moxuan planning something truly grand?

Forming cliques...

That was indeed an effective charge to cost him the Emperor’s favor. But how did Ji Hua know this? And by the look of it, she seemed to know quite a lot.

Just as Ling Yuzhao was about to press her for more, the sound of footsteps interrupted him. He stopped his impending question and turned to look. Several unfamiliar gentlemen were walking toward them.

Were these the people approaching without reason? Had Ji Hua truly predicted this?

Ling Yuzhao glanced back at Ji Hua. She had also spotted them; her expression remained indifferent, though her hand, hidden in her sleeve, moved slightly. She then stepped forward unobtrusively, standing side by side with Ling Yuzhao.

The strangers arrived, and the man in the lead, dressed in a long blue robe, bowed to Ling Yuzhao. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, Lady Ji."

After the greeting, he introduced himself, addressing Ling Yuzhao primarily. "Your Highness, this is our first meeting, and I apologize for the intrusion. I am Dong Yufeng, a commoner from the Dong family of Qingzhou. I am the third son, and I would like to request a private word with Your Highness. I wonder if it might be possible—"

Dong Yufeng dragged out the final word, shifting his gaze toward Ji Hua. If she were a sensible person, she would have stepped away at this hint.

However, Ji Hua simply maintained a faint smile, acting as if she hadn't heard him, while her eyes swept over Dong Yufeng and his companions. Very well, she recognized none of them. As for whether they really came from Qingzhou, that remained to be verified.

But Ji Hua was already certain that these people were targeting Ling Yuzhao—the very "grand gift" Ling Moxuan had prepared for him. She had already given her warning; surely the Crown Prince would be on his guard now?

Ji Hua lifted her eyes casually to look at Ling Yuzhao, who happened to be looking at her as well. Their eyes met in the air.

She saw Ling Yuzhao offer a cold, distant smile before turning a stern gaze toward Dong Yufeng. "Oh? Why the need for a private word? The eldest daughter of the Ji family is my future Crown Princess, not an outsider. There is nothing to hide from her. If you have something to say, speak it; if you are unwilling, then it must not be important."

Dong Yufeng had not expected the Crown Prince to refuse so bluntly. Nor had he expected Ji Hua to be so oblivious; when a man has official business to discuss, shouldn't a woman know to step aside?

The eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's residence? Hmph, so that’s all she is. The so-called talented woman must be nothing more than a hollow reputation. How rude!

Though he thought this to himself, Dong Yufeng dared not show it, forced instead to appear even more respectful. His tone became more humble. "Your Highness, the matter I wish to discuss concerns official business—it is quite important. You may not know me, but I have heard of your deeds and hold you in great admiration."

At this, he added a deliberately cryptic remark. "Your Highness, I have shared drinks with Magistrate Gu Zirui in Qingzhou several times, and it is regarding him that I wish to speak. Magistrate Gu left something of great importance with me. Would you not reconsider and step aside for a moment?"

Every word Dong Yufeng spoke served one purpose: to get Ling Yuzhao alone. Had it not been for Ji Hua’s warning, Ling Yuzhao might have truly stepped aside to hear what this "important item" was. But with her warning in mind, he refused to step into the trap. His gaze toward Dong Yufeng grew even colder.

He thought to himself that Ling Moxuan’s audacity was growing by the day—was he being so blatant with his arrangements now?

Just as Ling Yuzhao was about to issue a cold refusal, Ji Hua suddenly spoke. "Oh, so it is a matter of official business? Then it would be improper for me to listen. As it happens, I am feeling a bit thirsty, so I shall go have some tea."

Ling Yuzhao looked at her in surprise, unable to fathom what she was doing. Had she not just told him to stay away from these bizarre people? Why would she voluntarily leave the space now? What was she planning?

A hint of displeasure clouded Ling Yuzhao’s expression, but it quickly faded. Ji Hua had indeed intended to leave, but as she passed by Ling Yuzhao, she let out a soft "Oh!" and her slender frame tilted.

Ling Yuzhao instinctively reached out to catch her, and Ji Hua fell straight into his arms. His hand rested once again on her slender waist. As a familiar, fragrant scent filled his senses, Ling Yuzhao froze for a moment, and Ji Hua’s voice whispered in his ear.

"Your Highness, I think I’ve sprained my ankle. What should I do? I don't know if it’s serious, but what if it delays the wedding?"

As she spoke, she tilted her head to look up at him, her words filled with the fear that her injury might prevent her from becoming the Crown Princess.

Dong Yufeng and his companions were stunned by this sudden turn of events. Before they could react, Ji Hua reached out and gripped Ling Yuzhao’s lapel. Out of sight of the men, she curled her lips into a smile and said, pitifully, "Your Highness, could you please take me to the painted boat to have it bandaged? I am truly worried about my foot."