Chapter 21 A Light Kiss Yuan Chaolu Leaned Down and Kissed Him.

Yuan Chaolu stopped, a night wind blowing in from behind, causing her moon-white skirt to billow, and cold rain dampening her neck. She came to her senses, turned around and closed the door.

"Why did you bring the Golden Lion again, young master?" Her voice rang out softly in the empty house.

A voice came from behind the desk: "If I remember correctly, this is my dormitory."

The voice was slow and deliberate, like a tiger or leopard informing the intruder whose territory this was.

Yuan Chaolu looked at his face; his dark, phoenix-shaped eyes were smiling, yet seemed to conceal a sharp, dark glint, completely different from the gentle demeanor she had before she left.

She had to ponder what had happened in just a few short moments to cause such a drastic change in his demeanor.

"Young master promised me this afternoon that he would not allow the Golden Lion to appear around the house again. Have you forgotten, young master?"

“I did say that,” he said, his fingertips casually stroking the leopard’s head, “but you also said that when you were taming the Pegasus, you were thinking of me. This leopard has been raised by me for years. Since you’re going to stay by my side, you’ll have to get used to it sooner or later, won’t you?”

Yuan Chaolu gently clenched her hands at her sides, and finally moved forward. Xiao Zhuo slightly turned to let her sit down beside him.

As soon as Fang sat down, he heard a low growl from a wild leopard. Although the beast did not move, its scorching heat enveloped him.

She had learned the art of animal taming since childhood, so she wasn't really frightened by this golden lion.

However, it cannot be said that one would feel no emotion when facing such a cheetah.

Its sharp teeth gleamed coldly in the darkness, and if it were to pounce and bite her throat, it could tear her flesh to shreds in an instant, just like its master, exuding a dangerous aura.

Getting close to it is by no means a wise move.

She smiled and said, "Why don't you light a lamp, young master?"

"When you came, you opened the door, and the wind that rushed in from outside extinguished the lamps inside."

Darkness flooded the house like a tide, but Xiao Zhuo's eyes shone brightly in the gloom. "I have something to ask you. When you went to Tianzhen Pavilion that day, did you meet a young gentleman?"

Yuan Chaolu said, "That day when I went to pawn my calligraphy and paintings, I did indeed meet a young man who bought them. Are you referring to that young master from the Lu family, Lu Yanzhou?"

"You've never seen him before?"

A look of doubt appeared in Yuan Chaolu's eyes, and she shook her head. "Could that young man be someone important? Is there something urgent he needs?"

The room fell silent for a moment.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhuo knew that the Prince of Yan must have been outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant and had not personally apologized to her. Otherwise, he would not have encountered her by chance at Tianzhen Pavilion and failed to recognize her as Miss Yuan the Second.

If these two had even met once, how could she possibly mistake herself for the Prince of Yan?

Their first encounter at the Buddhist temple pavilion was meticulously planned; her injury at the Zen monastery by the golden lion was intentional. Even her revelation of being treated coldly at home was meant to evoke his pity.

She lies without even blinking.

Today, she was even able to ignore the man's contradictory words and obediently come to the side of the cheetah she had mentioned fearing.

Xiao Zhuo smiled slowly. He just suddenly wanted to see how far she would go to achieve her goal.

He slowly removed his hand from the golden lion's forehead. The leopard suddenly stood up, her body trembling slightly, and she suddenly threw herself into his arms in fright.

Xiao Zhuo asked, "Should I move the golden lion to another room?"

"Is it okay?" She lifted her head from his chest and gently rubbed her cheek against his robe.

Xiao Zhuo said, "But the rain is too heavy. Half of the Golden Lion's house has collapsed, so it can only stay here. And your house may not be able to withstand the wind and rain either."

Yuan Chaolu was taken aback: "If it's really that serious, then tonight..."

She hesitated slightly before saying, "May I stay here tonight? I'm afraid I might disturb your peace."

Xiao Zhuo said, "You have already disturbed us. If you wish to stay, then stay."

In the darkness, she suddenly sat up, and Xiao Zhuo felt a weight on his knees as her body pressed against his legs.

If during the day she traced his chin with her lips with some restraint, now she was completely unrestrained.

Yuan Chaolu hooked her arms around his neck: "The golden lion scared me again. Young master, could you please take it away first? If it stays here, I really can't feel at ease."

From an angle where Xiao Zhuo couldn't see, she grinned at Jin Ni, revealing a fierce look.

Xiao Zhuo felt the person beside his neck clearly laughing and said, "Since Miss Aju can tame a heavenly horse, can you tame a leopard?"

Yuan Chaolu said, "I used to be in the Northwest and came across some unique horse-taming methods. I never thought I could use them today. But few people keep leopards. How could I possibly know how to tame such a ferocious beast?"

Is that really the case?

His hot breath brushed against her earlobe, and Yuan Chaolu's nose broke out in a fine sweat. She felt his hand caressing her wrist, sending a tingling sensation through her.

If he let Jinni into the house today because of the heavy rain, then it makes sense; it doesn't mean he forgot her words.

But unusually, tonight he not only acquiesced to her advances, but also gently stroked her back to soothe her emotions.

Does taming the Pegasus really make him so happy?

That lazy gaze fell on her cheek, yet it was like a tiger or leopard staring at her throat.

Everything was extremely strange tonight. Her breathing quickened slightly, and she realized that acting too hastily would only make her seem too eager...

His question, "Can you tame a leopard?" brought to mind a scene from the Buddhist temple in Longxi.

She knelt before that unapproachable nobleman, who asked in the same languid tone, "Can you tame a leopard?"

She suddenly broke free from his embrace.

Yuan Chaolu tucked a stray hair behind her ear and said, "After thinking about it, I've decided not to disturb your rest, young master."

Her heart pounded and her breathing became erratic, while he remained perfectly still, his expression calm, simply looking at her with a smile.

"Are you really not going to leave any behind? You haven't even finished reading two chapters of your Analects."

It's too late; no man or woman would read the Analects in a place where it's almost midnight and there's not a single lamp in the room.

Yuan Chao smiled slightly and said, "No, I've only come to say goodnight to you, young master."

She gracefully took her leave, and after turning around, she raised her hand to caress the spot where he had just touched her, rubbing it vigorously.

It felt like it had been bitten by ants, a tingling, numb sensation.

The palace doors closed, and only the breathing of the golden lion rose and fell in the darkness inside the room.

Xiao Zhuo's smile gradually faded.

He pitied the youngest daughter of the Yuan family for being orphaned at a young age and hired a renowned tutor for her. Despite being preoccupied with official duties, he still found time to review her studies, but she was preoccupied with other things.

She was truly willing to throw herself into her fiancé's arms and agree to spend the night with him.

If it were his younger brother here, he would probably have been hooked by this advances and willingly taken the bait.

After all, the two had only met once at Tianzhen Pavilion that day, yet the Prince of Yan couldn't forget her.

But is her character truly worthy of being the Princess Consort of Yan?

Xiao Zhuo's gaze grew cold as he recalled her behavior tonight.

**

The rain fell all night and stopped the next day.

Yuan Chaolu sat in front of the mirror, looking at the bamboo shadows cast into the mirror from outside the window, her mind heavy with worries.

He Yi placed the broken zither on the zither table. Seeing that she was absent-minded, she asked, "You mean, when you went to see the Queen of Yan last night, you felt that something was wrong with him?"

Yuan Chaolu turned her head, a layer of sorrow lingering in her eyes, "Yes, I always felt that there was something more to his gaze when he looked at me."

A hint of hesitation flashed across He Yi's eyes. "Aju, something felt a little strange last night..."

She knelt beside her and whispered in her ear.

After listening, Yuan Chaolu murmured, "Sister, you said that someone came outside when I finished bathing?"

He Yi nodded gently: "At the time, I thought I was seeing things. The figure flashed by. Although I found it strange, I didn't think much of it. It was only when I heard you mention the great reaction of the Prince of Yan that I remembered this matter. That person might be the Prince of Yan."

Yuan Chaolu's hair tassels hung coldly on her face, making her cheeks feel cold. The words she spoke with Heyi last night must never be heard by the Prince of Yan.

Yuan Chaolu put down the comb and walked to the clothes rack. "Sister, I need to go out for a bit."

He Yi said, "Lord Lu, who will be teaching you the zither, will be here soon."

Yuan Chao said, "I can't wait, I'll go see the Prince of Yan now."

Last night, all my deliberate attempts to get close to him, those clumsy attempts at seduction, were probably all seen through by him.

No wonder he let me get close; he was probably testing me.

The Prince of Yan resisted the marriage proposal. She originally wanted to approach him using a false identity to show her true feelings, but the current situation might not only change the Prince of Yan's opinion on the marriage proposal, but also make him a fodder for her resentment.

She put on a veil to shield herself from the scorching sun, walked out of the Zen temple, and gazed at the ancient temple nestled among the pines and cypresses.

This was the place where the Prince of Yan practiced seclusion.

Zhong Changjun said this morning that the young master went up the mountain to Abbot Yinghui's place to listen to Yinghui preach the Dharma.

**

The mountain path winds its way through the lush greenery.

The blazing sun cast waves of heat across the bluestone steps. Prince Xiao Cunmao of Anle and Helan Zhen walked slowly.

From the foot of Chanxu Temple to the ancient temple on the back mountain, it usually takes only half an hour to reach the temple. However, we have already walked for an hour and are still halfway up the mountain.

Prince Anle stopped and looked back once more, only to see the young girl resting again several dozen steps away.

Several servants and maids came forward to serve her, some gently fanning her with fans, others bending down to massage her legs.

Although his fiancée was beautiful and charming, she was quite proud and arrogant.

The back mountain of Chanxu Temple is a quiet place, and it has never been frequented by many people with large entourages. Even nobles and dignitaries travel light.

However, she was a noblewoman of the Helan clan. When she entered the temple, she was stopped by the monks and still needed several people to follow and serve her.

Xiao Cunmao stood under the scorching sun, his forehead covered in fine sweat. His fingertips irritably rubbed the jade pendant at his waist. Just as he was about to send a servant to urge her to hurry up, he saw that beautiful figure finally slowly get up from the stone.

“This is a sacred Buddhist site, Miss Helan should approach it with a devout heart.” Xiao Cunmao’s tone was slightly somber. “Besides, we are meeting the Emperor today, and we cannot delay the appointed time.”

Helan Zhen gently wiped away her sweat with a handkerchief and smiled, "I understand, Your Highness, please go quickly."

Xiao Cunmao let out a breath and said no more, and they went up the mountain together.

Helan Zhen always lagged behind, her gaze casually sweeping over the bamboo grove beside the road.

As she walked, she saw a figure in plain clothes flitting through the bamboo shadows. She didn't pay any attention to it. As she took a few steps closer, the person's face gradually became clearer. He Lanzhen's eyelids twitched suddenly, and she subconsciously reached out to grab the hand of the old woman beside her.

The old woman said, "Miss."

Seeing that she had stopped again, Xiao Cunmao said impatiently, "If Miss wants to rest, I will go up the mountain alone first."

Helan Zhen said, "Please wait a moment, Your Highness," lifted her skirt, and quickly passed in front of him, heading towards a bamboo grove on the side.

As Yuan Chaolu was walking through the forest, she suddenly felt the bamboo shadows around her move slightly. She looked up and saw a figure in fine clothes blocking her way, with several servants surrounding him behind him.

"Morning dew." He Lanzhen parted her lips slightly.

The moment Helan Zhen saw her face clearly, a string in her mind snapped, and her blood seemed to run backward. "It's you! It really is you! You're still alive..."

Miss Helan wore a pale yellow silk dress with cloud patterns, adorned with pearls and jade, radiating beauty. The bracelet on her wrist sparkled dazzlingly in the sunlight, causing Chaolu to squint.

"You're still alive, and you dare to come to Luoyang..."

Having witnessed their previous encounter, Yuan Chaolu reacted quickly this time, while Helan Zhen's face was distorted with shock.

Yuan Chaolu smiled gently: "Miss Helan, are you also here to offer incense at Chanxu Temple today?"

Helan Zhen's gaze was like a cold needle as he looked Yuan Chaolu up and down several times. He said, "You assassinated Wen Amu and killed the servants in the mansion. You carried two lives to Luoyang and escaped cleanly. Chaolu, if I happen to run into you here today, I will definitely hand you over to the authorities."

Yuan Chaolu said, "Miss Helan, have you finished speaking? If you have, please do not stop me from going up the mountain."

Before he finished speaking, four servants had already surrounded him.

Yuan Chaolu said, "There is a distinguished person at Chanxu Temple. Is Miss Helan sure she wants to make a big fuss and not be afraid of disturbing the distinguished person?"

Upon hearing the words "noble person," Helan Zhen's fingers, hidden under her sleeve, immediately tightened.

She paused briefly before speaking, her voice still steady: "How did you know?"

Yuan Chaolu smiled and said, "So even under the Emperor's nose, Miss Helan has moments of fear. But would you dare to send me to report to the authorities?"

"My life may not be as precious as Miss Helan's, but Miss Helan, you can see who is right and who is wrong in this lawsuit. At worst, we'll both go down together. Miss Helan is of noble birth and is about to be married in the capital. Aren't you afraid of damaging your reputation before the wedding?"

A mountain breeze rustled through the bamboo leaves.

Sunlight shone into her eyes, and within them seemed to burn with fierce flames, each word clashing against her, devoid of any sense of awe.

"You lowly servant," Helan Zhen cursed softly, recalling the same unyielding look in Yuan Chaolu's eyes when she was tied up in the woodshed.

Back then, she was covered in dust and kneeling before him, but now she has transformed, shedding all her former humility.

Yuan Chaolu said, "If you want to talk to me, then get rid of your servants."

The old woman beside her tried to dissuade her, saying, "Miss."

Helan Zhen sneered, "Wait here." With that, she followed Yuan Chaolu into the depths of the bamboo forest.

At the end of the bamboo grove, a stream flowed, its waters gurgling. Two figures stood facing each other.

Prince Anle hurried into the bamboo forest and saw the servants of the Helan family standing anxiously in the woods, but Helan Zhen was nowhere to be seen. Just as he was about to urge the servants to go and call for help, he heard shouts coming from the lakeside.

He looked up and was startled.

A woman in a pale yellow dress was kneeling by the lake, her head being pressed into the water by a girl in a plain dress beside her.

Amidst the violent splashing of water, Helan Zhen's face rose and fell on the surface, her intermittent cries for help mixed with coughs echoing through the air.

By the time everyone reached the shore, Yuan Chaolu had already let go. Helan Zhen was soaking wet, her hair disheveled, her gold hairpin askew, and she raised her face, her expression one of uncontrollable rage.

Xiao Cunmao looked up, his gaze falling on Yuan Chaolu's face. He paused for a moment until Helan Zhen's angry rebuke came from beside him. He then quickly bent down to help her up.

Yuan Chaolu smiled and said, "Before I entered Luoyang, Miss Helan was an unattainable noblewoman in my eyes, and the only aristocratic lady I knew."

She bent down to pick up the scattered gold pieces at her feet. "Looking at it now, it's nothing special."

Seeing the mockery in her eyes, Helan Zhen clenched her teeth, her lips almost bleeding, and coldly ordered the servants to step forward and restrain her.

Yuan Chaolu said, "Miss Helan, do you know that I tamed the heavenly horse at the martial arts parade yesterday, and the reward promised by His Majesty has not yet been delivered? Do you really want to make a scene before the Emperor to confront him?"

Xiao Cunmao's gaze was intense: "You were the one who tamed the celestial horse yesterday?"

Yuan Chaolu wiped the water droplets from her hands with a handkerchief: "You should have guessed that the person next to Young Master Lu was me that day at Tianzhen Pavilion. However, I still have something to tell you."

Yuan Chaolu squatted down, her long, bright eyes looking directly at Helan Zhen, a smile playing at the corners of her eyes.

"During your time in the capital, have you heard of the marriage agreement between the Prince of Yan and Miss Yuan the Second?"

Before saying these words, Helan Zhen was still burning with anger, but after these words were spoken, his body immediately stiffened.

The news of the Prince of Yan's frequent visits to the Yuan residence has been widely discussed lately, so how could she not know?

It is said that the Prince of Yan is interested in the second young lady of the Yuan family.

"Helan Zhen, remember my name. My name is Yuan Chaolu."

She patted Helan Zhen on the shoulder, smiled and stood up, and the surrounding servants quickly retreated.

Just as Prince Anle was about to speak, he saw Yuan Chao's cold gaze sweep over him as well.

After that figure left, Helan Zhen trembled uncontrollably, causing the pearl hairpins in her hair to rustle.

She felt like she was choking, as if a breath of stale air was pressing down on her throat; the nightmares she had been having for the past few days had actually come true.

Xiao Cunmao asked, "Why did you clash with Miss Yuan Er today?"

Miss Yuan the Second.

How is that possible? How could she still be alive? She's the second young lady of the Yuan family.

He Lanzhen remained silent, her eyes red and swollen. Water streaks meandered across her delicate makeup, forming twisted lines, and the rouge had smudged into a thick, dark blotch.

Looking at her disheveled appearance, where was even a trace of the dignity of a noble lady? Xiao Cunmao frowned and said, "Miss Helan, quickly tidy your appearance. How can you face the Emperor looking like this..."

**

On her way up the mountain, Yuan Chaolu unexpectedly encountered Helan Zhen, which delayed her for a long time. Although she wanted to hide her identity, she knew that in Luoyang, she could not avoid this side of herself.

She was forced to step out of the shadows and into the light, but the important thing was that she had to mend her relationship with the Prince of Yan immediately.

Upon entering the ancient temple, one sees Zhong Changjun standing under a ginkgo tree in the Zen courtyard.

Zhong Changjun greeted her with a smile: "Miss Zhou, what brings you here?"

Yuan Chaolu smiled and said "Hello, Uncle Zhong," but saw that Zhong Changjun looked at her with concern.

"The girl's face was very pale."

Yuan Chaolu touched the cool cheek with his fingertips and said, "Please trouble Zhongshu to inform the young master that I have come to see him and have something important to discuss."

Zhong Changjun nodded in understanding, and stepped lightly into the meditation room.

The room was quiet and serene, filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. The emperor was leaning back against the chair, his eyes closed in meditation. He rested one hand on his forehead, one hand on his brow bone, and the other casually on the armrest, as if he were in a meditative state.

Upon hearing the announcement, he didn't even raise his eyelashes, but simply tapped his hand lightly on the sandalwood armrest to indicate that he was aware of it.

Zhong Changjun stepped out of the room and said softly, "Young Master is still taking a nap. If you go in and find him still asleep, please wait a moment."

Yuan Chaolu nodded gently, entered the room, and slowly walked to the sandalwood tea table. She saw his eyes were lightly closed, bathed in the golden sunlight streaming through the window, his long eyelashes falling on his jade-white face.

Before coming, I had thought of many ways to deal with the situation, but at this moment I don't know how to say it.

The house was so quiet that even the sound of incense burning in the incense burner echoed loudly in this secluded place.

Yuan Chaolu picked up the teapot on the low table and poured water, making a clear, crisp sound. She then pushed the tea table with her elbow, making quite a commotion. Afterward, she turned to look at the man.

"Your Highness, Prince Yan." A soft voice rang out.

"Your Highness?"

She spoke tentatively, calling out a few times, but receiving no response, she breathed a sigh of relief, her tone softening: "I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's kindness these past few days; I will never forget it. There are some things... I have never dared to tell Your Highness, but never mind, I shouldn't have told Your Highness..."

Xiao Zhuo had been awake since she came in, but he was too lazy to open his eyes. He never expected to hear these words.

Then came the soft sobbing of the young woman.

"On my way here, I was bullied on the road. Miss Helan was very domineering and blocked me. Even though I gave in to her every time, I was still bullied."

She suddenly leaned forward, her cheek pressed against the armrest, tears dripping down her cheeks.

"I just realized how powerful the Helan family is in the capital. I've offended Miss Helan today, and the Yuan family doesn't like me either. I'm afraid I'll have nowhere to go in Luoyang..."

She raised her fingertips to pull on the injured hand that she had bandaged.

"Actually, I had ulterior motives from the very beginning when I approached Your Highness. I knew your identity all along. If you knew, you would surely be furious with me."

The young woman's eyes were filled with tears. "Although I was taken in when I was young, my family did not treat me like their own child. I do not like poetry and books because my foundation is too poor. But Your Highness is so good to me. No one has ever taught me poetry and books. Even if I had ulterior motives when I first approached you, now... there is still some sincerity mixed in."

“They all say I’m ignorant and treat me coldly at every turn. Even Miss Helan bullied me today. Only His Highness treats me so well…”

A tear fell gently from her eye and landed on his cheek.

Xiao Zhuo felt her leaning closer, her hot breath brushing against his nose. Just as he was about to open his eyes, her lips suddenly pressed against his.

"But Your Highness, I want to marry you and be your wife."

Her lips were moist and soft, sliding along his skin and gently placing a kiss on the side of his nose, as light as a feather.

The rich scent of her hair followed. Yet she did not move her lips away, but slowly moved them upwards to wipe away the tear that had slipped down her cheek.

Xiao Zhuo's eyelashes trembled slightly.

"Never mind, how could I say such things?" Her voice suddenly tightened, as if she had realized something.

The aura on her face vanished abruptly, and the hurried footsteps of her daughter could be heard as she almost fled in panic.

After she left, Xiao Zhuo slowly opened his eyes, looking in the direction she had left with an ambiguous expression.

A multitude of strange and complex emotions welled up within her; she had actually become so absurd.

Not only did he consider himself the King of Yan, but he also said such ambiguous things and went further by kissing him.

But she was always full of sweet talk and could tell lies with ease without batting an eye. Xiao Zhuo couldn't tell which words were true and which were false, whether she was doing this because of the Prince of Yan or truly because of him.

Only her kiss remained on his cheek, where he could feel it as real as if it were true.

-----------------------

Author's note: Morning Dew: Such a brilliant strategy exists in the world.