Hearing the prince's words, Li Yun deduced that he must have been hiding behind the rock garden all along. Otherwise, how could he have heard the maid's words about "misfortune from careless words"? A mere servant gossiping about the Crown Prince was a clear example of such misfortune.
Terrified, the maid quickly lowered her head and began bowing repeatedly, too frightened to look up.
"That's enough. Stop bowing already. If you end up hurting yourself, how will you face others later?" Li Yun waved her hand dismissively. "Find a place to patch yourself up, and meet me later at the Viewing Garden." Ignoring the prince's comments, she decided to spare the girl for now, hoping the maid would be discreet. Even if the maid suspected her identity had changed, perhaps she'd choose to support her, or at least not expose her.
"Thank you, my lady. This servant will never act out of line again," the maid murmured gratefully, though she remained kneeling, still too afraid to rise, especially in the prince's presence.
"When did you become so soft-hearted, Moon? You've always switched out your maids without a second thought—why keep this one?" The prince stopped walking, casting a probing glance at Li Yun.
"Why are you so chatty? Aren't you annoyed yet? It's just a servant. My servant. If I want to discipline her, I'll do it; if I don't, I won't. What does it matter to you?" Li Yun snapped, hoping to create an opportunity to sidetrack him. "Are we going to the Viewing Garden or not? If not, I'm heading back to the manor, so I don't have to watch my servants getting on your nerves."
Having picked up clues from the prince and the maid, Li Yun wagered that the previous owner of this body must have been fierce and haughty, rarely tolerating disrespect. Otherwise, the maid wouldn't have been so indignant on her behalf, nor would the prince keep insisting that no one would dare bully her. She decided to test her theory—she could always observe the prince's reaction.
The prince only chuckled. "For a moment, I thought you'd changed. But it's just the same old you—so reckless and headstrong. All right, I'll back off. It's just a servant, after all. Do you think I'd waste time worrying over her? I was only concerned she might get you into trouble."
*Is he actually pleased after I yelled at him? How shameless!* Li Yun cursed inwardly, though she also felt a wave of relief, realizing her gamble had paid off. She cast a quick glance at the maid, who quickly scrambled to her feet and respectfully stepped aside to let them pass.
Without saying another word, the prince held Li Yun's hand as they strolled around the rock garden. In front of them, paths paved in jade diverged in various directions, and he led her toward a narrow, less crowded pathway to the far right.
Li Yun walked along, holding her tongue, keeping her expression stern and unpleasant. If he expected her to act this way, she'd play the part.
They had barely walked a short distance when an elderly woman dressed as a palace maid hurried toward them from the opposite direction. She looked relieved upon spotting Li Yun but stiffened slightly when she noticed the prince holding her hand. After a moment, she composed herself, approached them, and respectfully bowed. "Your Highness, Fourth Prince, greetings. Miss Qianyue, the Empress sent me to find you, since she noticed you hadn't arrived at the Viewing Garden."
Li Yun stayed silent, unsure how to respond.
The prince offered her a warm smile. "It seems that even as her son, I don't hold a candle to my cousin in Mother's eyes. For her to send Senior Maid Sun to find you herself, Mother must truly dote on you, Yue. And here I thought she'd be searching for me as well."
"Your Highness, the Empress did send people out to look for you early on," Senior Maid Sun replied with a hint of rebuke. "But no one could locate you. The Empress only sent me after hearing that Miss Qianyue was already in the palace but hadn't shown up at the Viewing Garden. She worried something might have happened."
"My mistake, then, for assuming otherwise. I'll be there right away," the prince replied. "Senior Maid Sun, go ahead and inform my mother we're on our way."
The old maid cast a cautious glance at Li Yun before turning to head back along the path they came from, quickening her pace.
The prince, however, seemed in no hurry at all and continued to walk slowly, keeping her hand firmly in his grasp.
Processing this new information, Li Yun realized she was the Empress's niece. Judging by Senior Maid Sun's expression, her position was indeed privileged. She tried to pull her hand away, but the prince's grip only tightened. She glared at him, but he didn't react. She let it go—after all, anyone who cared had already seen them together, so it was too late to change appearances now.
As they passed two covered walkways, the palace servants grew more numerous. Men and women in palace garb moved briskly, balancing trays of fruit and refreshment. Noticing the two of them holding hands, the servants' expressions shifted to shock and curiosity as they each paused to greet them with a bow.
Li Yun ignored the stares, focusing on what lay ahead. She soon spotted a lake much larger than the one where she'd awakened. In the middle of the lake stood a cluster of pavilions, draped in vibrant colors and brimming with people. Men and women, all dressed in extravagant attire, gathered there in small groups. *So this is the Viewing Garden and the poetry gathering they mentioned earlier.*
As she took in the view, the prince suddenly slipped his arm around her waist. Before she could react, he lifted them both into the air. Skipping across the water like a dragonfly, he moved so quickly that she barely registered it. They glided effortlessly over the lake without touching the bridge, their feet skimming the water as he transported them to the central pavilion.
Li Yun's heart raced as they landed. She barely had time to catch her breath before she was hit with a dizzying view of the festivities. Bright colors and sounds surrounded her, momentarily overwhelming her senses. She blinked hard, forcing herself to focus.
She shot the prince a furious glare. "You could've given me some warning! Were you trying to scare me to death?"
The prince's mischievous smile widened, his eyes gleaming with pride. "I didn't think I could scare you, Yue. Your lightness skill is as good as mine! I only wanted you to experience my latest technique—Walking on Water."
Hearing that she, too, possessed such skills, Li Yun felt a flash of excitement. But she kept her expression neutral, giving a cold huff. "Who knows what ridiculous tricks you'll pull next?"
YOU ARE READING
The Dandy's Duchess
Chick-Lit"The Dandy's Duchess" tells the story of the youngest and most talented general of the National Security Bureau, who sacrifices his life for his country and finds his soul transported to another world, where he is reborn as Yun Qianyue, the only leg...
