Li Xiang's words silenced Yan Shu. She had been fantasizing about the happiness of marrying into the Prince's family, but she never expected it to be such a frustrating and upsetting affair.

However, she quickly came to terms with it, after all, Li Xiang was only a prince, several ranks lower than the crown prince.

In Yan Shu's world, her aunt was the happiest person in the world. Not only was she married to a prince, but he was also the most intelligent person in the world, proficient in poetry, prose, and calligraphy. Her personally compiled "Kuodi Zhi" (Comprehensive Gazetteer) was the greatest book in history, winning the favor of the emperor and causing a paper shortage in Chang'an, which was praised by scholars throughout the land.

In reality, this is just a little girl's fantasy of happiness.

As for whether marrying someone like Li Tai would bring happiness, only Yan Wan probably knows the answer.

"Li Xiang, if... I mean if, I marry you... will I be as tired as the Crown Princess?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiang was first taken aback, and then his heart was filled with immense joy.

"No way!"

"I will never let you get that tired!"

"Moreover, I can guarantee that I will never take a concubine, and that you will be my only woman in this life!"

"Really?"

To be honest, Yan Shu didn't really believe this promise. Not to mention others, her father alone had several concubines.

On many quiet nights, her mother would hold her and cry, expressing her grievances against her father.

"Of course it's true, I swear to God..."

Yan Shu immediately shook her head.

"No need, I trust you..."

"Oh, by the way, did you receive the handkerchief I sent you?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiang hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief from his sleeve and, in a rather cheeky manner, put it under his nose and smelled it.

"It smells so good..."

Upon seeing this, Yan Shu immediately reached out to snatch it, but Li Xiang was prepared and dodged it with a quick movement.

"Give it back to me!"

"You lecherous scoundrel... If I had known you were this kind of person, I wouldn't have given it to you..."

"It's too late to snatch it now. We'll give it back to you after we get married, hahaha..."

Upon hearing this, Yan Shu immediately raised her leg to kick, but Li Xiang had practiced martial arts since childhood, how could he be ambushed by a little girl like her?

The two chased each other and made a ruckus for quite a while until Yan Shu got tired and stopped.

"Li Xiang, I'm thirsty..."

"thirsty?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiang was immediately perplexed. This place was extremely desolate, sometimes even serving as a cold palace. Who would be here to serve tea and water?

Just as Li Xiang was wondering where to get some water for Yan Shu, he suddenly realized that this place seemed to be very close to the palace gate. As long as he went out of the palace gate, he could buy honey water from Sanglin Village.

"Wait here for me, I'll be right back!"

Where are you going?

"I'll go buy you some honey water!"

After Li Xiang left, Yan Shu felt a little scared being alone in the empty Shan Hai Courtyard.

It was so desolate and quiet here that even the insects flying in the grass would startle her and make her break out in a cold sweat.

Yan Shu wanted to move to another place, but she was afraid that Li Xiang wouldn't be able to find her when he came back.

Just as Yan Shu was struggling with her decision, she suddenly saw two eunuchs walking quickly toward her.

Seeing this, Yan Shu didn't suspect anything. She just thought it was good to have two people to embolden her, and even wanted to leave the two eunuchs at Shanhaiyuan for a while.

However, just as he was thinking this, he suddenly realized that the two eunuchs were coming straight for him.

Yan Shu felt a pang of panic when she saw the other person's hurried pace.

Are these two planning to target me?

Just as Yan Shu was hesitating whether to run away, two eunuchs each took out a portrait from their sleeves, looked at Yan Shu sitting on the stone, and after confirming that she was the person they were going to kill, the two immediately stepped forward and grabbed Yan Shu.

"Let me go!"

"What are you trying to do? I have no grudge against you, why are you trying to kill me..."

The two of them didn't say a word, but held Yan Shu tightly and dragged her towards the pond in the Shan Hai Academy.

Although Yan Shu tried her best to resist, she was still unable to break free from the two men's restraints and could only watch helplessly as she was dragged into the water step by step and then held down in the water.

"No...don't...pfft..."

"I...I don't want to...I don't want to die...Pfft..."

"Why...why are you killing me...I have done nothing wrong..."

Outside the palace.

Li Xiang searched around several times but couldn't find a vendor selling honey water.

This puzzled him greatly, as there should usually be many at this time.

He walked for several blocks before finally spotting a wonton stall.

Do you sell honey water here?

"No……"

"If you don't mind, I can bring you some water."

"Clear water..."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiang pondered for a moment and then replied.

"Alright, pack it in a bamboo tube for me..."

"Okay!"

"Sir, the water is free, but the bamboo tube will cost you two coins..."

"fine!"

Li Xiang generously tossed out two copper coins, then picked up the bamboo tube filled with water and headed back. However, just as he reached the palace gate, he saw Consort Wei's maidservants rushing over.

"Young Master Xiang, what brings you here? The Imperial Concubine has been looking for you for a long time!"

"What does Consort Wei want with me?"

"What else can I do? Of course, I'll introduce you to some noble ladies!"

"The Crown Princess's niece is sixteen years old, and Consort Wei is very pleased with her and wants to arrange a marriage between you two..."

Upon hearing the words "Crown Princess," Li Xiang couldn't hide his disdain.

In his view, there was only one person in the world who could be called the Crown Princess, and that was his deceased mother.

"snort!"

"Thank you for your kind offer, Consort Wei, but I already have someone I love, so I won't trouble you!"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!