The early summer breeze, laden with the lotus fragrance of Taiye Pond, swept past the white marble railings of the Nine-Curve Bridge in the Imperial Gardens, rustling the pink and white lotus blossoms. Dewdrops from petals fell onto the emerald leaves, startling a flock of red carp to leap out of the water, shattering the rosy glow of the pond. When Lin Wanrou was hurriedly pulled from the pond by the eunuchs, the inflatable, crimson pigskin raft still strapped to her waist remained. Her struggles created huge ripples on the water, and the cinnabar-painted pig's eyes on the raft were distorted by the waves, making them seem like a mocking grin. She was so angry that her silk clothes were soaked and her teeth chattered.
"Miss Lin, your skill in 'walking on water' is truly remarkable!" Shen Weiwan was being pulled back by Xiao Yu, her moon-white skirt brushing the slippery moss by the pool. However, she turned back and raised her voice to finish the attack. Her voice was so clear that it penetrated the laughter in the room and startled the sparrows in the willow trees. "It's just that this pig-skin raft is too ostentatious. It looks exactly like Nezha riding a wind-fire wheel. If it were made of red silk, I'm afraid it could have gone straight to the Heavenly Palace to attend the Peach Banquet!"
Lin Wanrou, who was being held by two burly eunuchs, felt her legs buckle at the words, her knees slamming against the bluestones by the pool, causing her to gasp in pain. Her drenched lilac skirt dripped with water, her pearly hairpin tucked behind her head, a few strands of damp hair clinging to her sweaty cheeks. Hearing the "Nezha Conquers the Dragon King" metaphor, her eyes flushed with anger, her face redder than the pigskin raft at her waist. "Chen Weiwan! You, you're slandering me! Believe it or not, I'll sue you for slander!"
"How could I be so mean?" Shen Weiwan blinked in feigned surprise, her black eyes moving like a cunning little fox. She hid behind Xiao Yu and peeked out, the white magnolia hairpin in her hair gleaming with tiny gleams. "I'm saying Miss Lin is incredibly gifted. Others falling into the water is called a slip, but you're called 'Nezha making trouble in the sea'. I'm praising you for your immortal spirit and the promise that you'll become something great in the future!"
The noble ladies watching around them, already choking with laughter, could no longer contain themselves and erupted in thunderous laughter. The daughter of Grand Tutor Li clapped her hands on the carved railing, nearly shaking the filigree golden phoenix hairpin from her hair. She responded with a barrage of words, "Miss Shen is right! Miss Lin's aura would probably alarm the Dragon King of the East Sea, who would personally issue a decree requesting you to help control the flood!"
"Hahaha! Next time you fall into the water, remember to change into a red silk cloth. You really are the reincarnation of Nezha!"
"Of course! This pigskin raft looks so impressive floating on the water like a hot wheel. Even the Third Prince would borrow it to play with it if he saw it!"
Lin Wanrou felt dizzy as she listened to the roar of laughter from the entire audience. The pigskin raft around her waist suddenly deflated with a "poof," halfway down, drooping like a deflated ball. The pig's nose on the raft just happened to hit her knee, causing everyone to burst into laughter. Even the old eunuch by the pool couldn't help but turn his back, his shoulders shaking. The empress dowager, leaning on her dragon-headed cane, burst into laughter, the tip of the cane almost digging into the mud in the pool. Tears streamed down her face as she laughed: "I see, it's even funnier than the 'Nezha Conquers the Dragon King' performance on stage! This pigskin raft, used as a wind-fire wheel, is even more realistic than the stage props!"
Xiao Yu suppressed his laughter, his chest trembling. He reached out and pulled Shen Weiwan into his arms, his fingertips brushing against the lotus petals stuck in her hair. His tone was filled with doting helplessness: "If you keep laughing, Miss Lin will probably perform 'carp leaping over the dragon gate' on the spot and jump back into the water to prove her innocence." He looked down at her sparkling eyes, which seemed to be filled with stars. "Let's go. I have ordered lychees to be sent from Lingnan by express horses. Each one is like red agate and very sweet."
Chen Weiwan broke free from his hand and raised her voice to Lin Wanrou, her voice full of mischief, startling the white cranes drinking water by the pool and making them fly up: "Miss Lin, remember to hide the pigskin raft before you jump into the water next time. Don't let anyone see it! Otherwise, the neighbors will think you are the reincarnation of Nezha and squat at your door every day waiting to watch the 'Nezha's Sea Dance'! Maybe someone will even come to ask you to draw talismans to exorcise evil spirits!"
This sentence completely ignited the laughter point. Even the usually dignified queen couldn't help but cover her mouth with a jade-studded handkerchief, and her shoulders shook so much that the pearls and jade swayed. Lin Wanrou was so angry that her whole body was shaking. Her fingers pointing at Shen Weiwan were trembling, and her nails dug into her palms, oozing blood. But she couldn't even utter a complete sentence, and could only scream: "You...just wait! I won't let you go!"
"Okay," Shen Weiwan tilted her head and smiled, revealing two rows of small white teeth. The hem of her skirt rose with her movements, like a proud little peacock. The pearl tassels in her hair brushed the back of Xiao Yu's hand. "I'll set up tea in Xiefang Courtyard in the General's Mansion and wait for Miss Lin's next 'wonderful performance'! Remember to bring your new 'Hot Wheels'!"
Xiao Yu shook his head helplessly and simply picked up Shen Weiwan horizontally. She screamed and subconsciously hugged his neck. The tip of her nose rubbed against the jade pendant on his chest. The cold touch made her cheeks instantly hot: "Your Highness! Put me down quickly! What will it look like if someone sees me? How shameful!"
"I won't let go," Xiao Yu looked down at her, his eyes full of smiles, but he didn't stop walking. He carried her through the moon-shaped doorway, his dark skirt sweeping across the rose bushes beside the door, startling a pink petal. "If you continue to attack, Miss Lin will probably find a piece of tofu to kill herself. I must protect my little princess, lest your sharp tongue offend others and keep you awake at night."
When they reached the pavilion beside Taiye Lake, Xiao Yu gently set her down and picked up a bunch of glistening lychees from the stone table. The peels were red like agate, glistening in the sunlight, and each one was plump and round. "Try this! It's 'Fei Zi Xiao' from Lingnan. It's so sweet it's sickening. It'll calm you down."
Shen Weiwan peeled the lychee, its snow-white flesh gleaming in the sunlight. She took a bite, and the sweet juice instantly burst across her tongue, flowing down her throat, dispelling her earlier smile. She looked at Xiao Yu's hand as he wiped the juice from the corner of her mouth, his fingertips warm. Suddenly, she asked, "Your Highness, do you think Lin Wanrou will die of rage? She looked at her just now, her face was purple."
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