Chapter 17 Offense. Xiao Zhuo truly felt that his younger sister-in-law had offended him greatly. ...

Helan Zhen came to the capital to await marriage, which was to be arranged with Prince Anle. Although she was a member of the imperial family, the Helan clan had been generals for generations. They had contributed greatly when the Xiao family raised their army. Now, General Helan Yi, the General Who Guards the West, was the emperor's right-hand man, who had repeatedly swept the borders and made outstanding military achievements. He was truly favored by the emperor.

This marriage was a win-win situation, and it's hard to say who benefited from whom.

Yuan Chaolu stood at the top of the stairs, witnessing Helan Zhen and Prince Anle ascending the stairs hand in hand. Judging by their appearances alone, the two seemed like a perfect couple, chatting and laughing together.

After Helan Zhen finished speaking, Xiao Luozhi looked at Yuan Chaolu with gentle eyes, as if waiting for her to answer.

Yuan Chaolu remained silent for a long time, and everyone present vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

Finally, Prince Anle broke the silence: "Brother Lu, have you heard? Several fine horses have recently arrived at the military parade ground. They are Ferghana horses from Dayuan! Miss Helan is skilled in riding and archery and would like to go and see them. I wonder when Brother Lu would like to join us for a visit?"

Xiao Luozhi said, "Although the Martial Arts Review Ground has space for horse racing, the soldiers of Luoyang City are currently practicing martial arts, so it may be inconvenient."

Prince Anle said, "I know, but the place is backed by Chanxu Temple, and the scenery is serene and suitable for riding horses. Although there are always soldiers training there, Prince Yan and the Seventh Princess often go there to ride horses and relax, don't they?"

He patted Xiao Luozhi's shoulder lightly, "Brother Lu has a deep friendship with the Prince of Yan, would you mind doing me a favor?"

Upon hearing the words "Prince of Yan," Yuan Chaolu couldn't help but look at Xiao Luozhi.

Helan Zhen continued, her voice soft and gentle, "When I was in Longxi, I often rode horses with my elder brother. After entering the capital, I haven't touched a saddle in a long time, Young Master Lu..."

Xiao Luozhi put away his joking expression and said solemnly, "It is a rule personally set by the higher-ups. If we release people casually, we may be guilty of dereliction of duty."

Prince Anle was taken aback upon hearing this, clearly not expecting to be rejected in this way.

He Lanzhen was also slightly embarrassed. She looked at Yuan Chaolu and suddenly paused, "This young lady seems very familiar."

Xiao Luozhi asked, "Have you met Miss Helan before?"

Yuan Chaolu stood quietly to one side, facing Helan Zhen's scrutiny. She felt that Helan Zhen's gaze gradually sharpened from its initial calmness, until it was like a needle piercing through the gauze curtain.

"Where are you from, young lady?" Helan Zhen asked, her voice trembling slightly.

She stepped forward to take Yuan Chaolu's hand, but the other woman stepped aside, causing a moment of silence to fall over them.

The light veil, like mist, blocked Yuan Chaolu's view, but she could still imagine the expression on the person in front of her.

That face was always proud and arrogant, its joy and anger always on display, unable to hide a single thought. At this moment, it must be filled with panic, even its voice has lost its composure.

In this world, the one who fears her being alive the most is undoubtedly Helan Zhen.

Yuan Chaolu's past fear of the Helan family surged up in a completely opposite way, like the trembling feeling of a beast finally finding its prey and pressing its claws against the prey's throat.

She wanted to see with her own eyes what kind of expression Helan Zhen would have when she met her.

He Lanzhen repeatedly tested the waters, her words and actions bordering on overstepping her bounds.

Yuan Chaolu's lips curled up as he slowly raised his hand, about to lift the curtain, when a figure blocked his way, obscuring most of the light.

Xiao Luozhi spoke coldly, "Miss Zhou is my honored guest. Isn't Miss Helan being too presumptuous?"

Yuan Chaolu raised her eyes and looked at the person in front of her.

He Lanzhen seemed to wake from a dream, and placed her hands together in front of her abdomen to bow: "I was momentarily confused and thought that Miss Zhou was an old friend of mine. I was too eager to recognize her and offended Young Master Lu."

Xiao Luo remained silent.

Helan Zhen looked at Yuan Chaolu, and after a long while, slowly bowed to her, saying, "Miss Zhou, I was very rude to you just now."

He Lanzhen stood up, wanting to look again, but Xiao Luozhi had already turned around and said to the person behind him, "Miss Zhou, let's go."

Helan Zhen and Prince Anle stepped aside to watch the two descend the stairs. The Prince of Yan was polite and indifferent to them, but extremely gentle to the woman.

After the two figures disappeared, the forced smile on Helan Zhen's face gradually faded.

Under the glow of the glass lamp, the beautiful young woman's face was as white as paper, and her forehead was covered in cold sweat, as if she had been pulled out of the water.

"You and that Miss Zhou really knew each other?" came the voice of Prince Anle.

He Lanzhen's ten fingers, hidden in her sleeves, had already turned white from twisting them together. She forced a smile and said, "I am new to Luoyang, so naturally I don't recognize that woman. But at first glance, I thought I had met an old friend."

The young woman, dressed in a silk skirt and adorned with dazzling decorations, could hardly be that lowly slave girl, Chaolu.

He must have been truly bewitched to mistake the woman beside the Prince of Yan for her.

She met the probing gaze of Prince Anle, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief: "Speaking of which, I happened to run into Prince Yan today and stumbled upon a romantic affair, didn't I?"

She deliberately emphasized the words "romantic affairs" very softly, the implication of which was self-evident.

Prince Anle immediately understood and smiled as he gestured for her to enter: "That's quite rare. It's the first time I've ever seen the Prince of Yan traveling with a woman. Let's not talk about him anymore. Come, see if there are any treasures that catch your eye."

The servants displayed the treasures on the table.

Helan Zhen casually picked up a hairpin and, by raising her eyes, sized up the prince before her.

Prince Anle was handsome and refined, inheriting the ethereal appearance of the Xiao family. Before coming to the capital, she had high hopes for her fiancé, but after arriving, she heard more and more stories about his romantic escapades.

He is said to be gentle and refined, especially kind and considerate to women, and also known for his flirtatious nature.

Helan Zhen concealed a hint of gloom in her eyes, raised her head with a smile, and pointed to a filigree gold phoenix hairpin with her fingertip: "This one will do."

**

As dusk settled, the last rays of sunlight completely disappeared behind the mountains, and night gradually crept into the sky.

Yuan Chaolu emerged from the Treasure Pavilion, her heart churning with emotions. She had just encountered her enemy and was planning to reveal her true identity to Helan Zhen, but unexpectedly, Xiao Luozhi stepped in to help her out of the predicament.

She did act impulsively and almost ruined something big.

Helan Zhen is not the most terrifying; the one we need to be most wary of is Helan Yi, who is behind her. At least for now, we must not let the Helan family know her identity.

"Please wait a moment, young lady, I'll go get the horse," Xiao Luozhi said.

Yuan Chaolu smiled and said, "Okay."

Today I left Chanxu Temple to search for medicine for my elder sister. I searched all over the capital but found nothing. But meeting this person made it all worthwhile.

From the very first meeting, this person behaved with exceptional politeness and knew how to conduct himself appropriately.

The power dynamics in the capital are deeply entrenched, with the interests of powerful families intertwined like the roots of a tree. Cultivating connections with several influential figures would undoubtedly be beneficial to her.

Moreover, she had heard that he had a close relationship with the Prince of Yan...

Just as he was pondering this, Xiao Luozhi brought over a fine horse.

Xiao Luo gently stroked the saddle a few times before finally speaking, "I see it's getting late, why don't I escort you back to your residence?"

Yuan Chaolu chuckled lightly: "My lord, you only have one horse. How will you deliver it to me?"

Xiao Luozhi glanced at the horse beside him and said, "Please wait a moment, young lady. I will have my attendant find a carriage..."

"No need for that." Her soft laughter came from behind the curtain.

"I can walk back by myself. Young Master Lu, you should go back to your residence and rest early."

Just as Xiao Luozhi was about to reply, he saw her suddenly stop and turn around.

"There is another matter I would like to ask you, young master. Just now I heard what the Prince of Anle said, that you and His Highness the Prince of Yan seem to be very familiar with each other?"

This unexpected question startled Xiao Luozhi slightly. He answered cautiously, "I am fortunate to have been able to associate with His Highness Prince Yan, but we are not particularly familiar with each other."

Her voice held a hint of doubt: "Has His Highness the Prince of Yan ever kept a leopard?"

"leopard?"

She took a half step forward, her eyes seemingly carefully observing his expression: "I heard by chance some time ago that the Prince of Yan has a leopard with supernatural abilities, but after inquiring from various sources, it seems that this is not the case. Today, when I met you, sir, I remembered this interesting story and wanted to ask you if I could. It is truly rare to find someone who keeps a leopard."

Xiao Luozhi breathed a sigh of relief: "The leopard you mentioned, is it called the Golden Lion?"

Her eyes suddenly lit up. "Does such a leopard really exist?"

“That golden lion is quite close to the Prince of Yan. His Highness has taken it with him when he went hunting. What you heard is not untrue.”

Yuan Chaolu can finally rest assured that the person in Chanxu Temple is undoubtedly the Prince of Yan.

The two parted ways under the moonlight, and Yuan Chaolu's figure disappeared into the street.

Sitting on his horse, Xiao Luozhi watched as she walked more than ten steps before suddenly stopping, turning back, lifting the veil, and giving him a faint smile in farewell.

A night breeze blew gently, and the gauze curtains flowed like water, caressing her face.

Xiao Luozhi stood there stunned. By the time he came to his senses, the figure had already disappeared into the bustling crowd.

**

Yuan Chaolu returned to her house under the soft moonlight, and Zhong Changjun opened the wooden door for her.

“Miss, you’ve returned too late,” Zhong Changjun said gently, without any hint of blame. “Next time, I hope you will return earlier.”

Yuan Chaolu repeatedly said "yes," and when she returned to the house, she saw Zhong Changjun carrying several scrolls of books inside.

"Young master means that the young lady needs to improve her studies. She needs to finish reading these books within ten days. Young master will need to check them in person at that time."

Zhong Changjun placed the scroll on the table.

Yuan Chaolu stood before the lamp, gently turning the pages of the book. All she saw were difficult and obscure articles that she couldn't understand. She couldn't help but recall the glance that Prince Yan had given her when she left this evening.

Her act of pulling him up to her waist clearly offended the Prince of Yan, which is why she received such a harsh welcome upon her return.

But... as long as it stirs his emotions, that's fine.

What I fear most is not his anger towards me, but his lack of reaction.

Her time was limited. Helan Zhen's wedding was scheduled for autumn. If the border was stable by then, Helan Yi would definitely go to the capital to attend his sister's wedding banquet.

She had to get the Prince of Yan to genuinely agree to the marriage before that could happen.

Helan Zhen told me today that she wanted to enter the martial arts arena but failed, so she could only try to get in through the Prince of Yan's connections...

Yuan Chaolu's lips curled up.

Miss Helan desires things she cannot have, yet she insists on possessing them.

The following afternoon, Yuan Chaolu, carrying her studies, went to the residence of the Prince of Yan to wait for his return.

He had to leave Chanxu Temple today, so Yuan Chaolu was accompanied by Zhong Changjun to complete his studies at the desk.

As night fell, Yuan Chaolu fell asleep, slumped over the table, and did not wait for anyone to return. She only received an invitation from Zhong Changjun that the young master would be staying outside that night.

Yuan Chaolu had no choice but to pack up her writing materials and return to her room.

At first, she thought it was a coincidence. On the second and third days, she still couldn't find him. But every time Yuan Chaolu handed in her homework, she would receive his comments the next day.

The handwriting was flowing and elegant, yet it was full of businesslike indifference and coldness, devoid of any warmth.

Yuan Chaolu gradually realized that something was wrong.

Zhong Changjun did not conceal the young master's identity, and said directly that the young master had been at the military review ground to deal with military matters these past few days, and asked if he could spare some time for the time being.

As dusk fell, Yuan Chaolu was reading books in her room when she suddenly heard voices coming from outside the courtyard. It was the sound of the Prince of Yan returning.

She quickly put down the book in her hand and hurried out of the house.

Dressed in a black riding robe, he calmly entered the courtyard while conversing with an official beside him.

Yuan Chaolu immediately went to greet him, but saw that pair of phoenix eyes coldly sweep over her. Before Yuan Chaolu could speak, he had already stepped aside and entered the house, as if he had not seen her at all.

This time, Yuan Chaolu was certain that he was still angry and deliberately avoiding her.

A note from the author:

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