Chapter Ten: Lian Yue Weeps

From the day after Lianyu returned to the manor, the threshold of the Yue residence was nearly worn down by the endless stream of visitors. Calling cards arrived one after another. If it were merely a matter of the Princess Consort of Nanping, such fervor might be excessive, but if she were to be the birth mother of the future lord of the Imperial City, then everything changed.

The current Emperor had fathered sixteen princesses in succession but not a single son. The King of Nanping, being the Emperor’s full brother, had a son who, from a young age, was clever and endearing, much loved by both the Emperor and his father. If not for concerns that an official decree might adversely affect the young heir’s fortunes, the order establishing him as crown prince would have been given long ago. Even so, those with political acumen understood that unless the Emperor managed to sire a son in the next couple of years, the seat of power in the Imperial City would undoubtedly fall to the young heir of Nanping.

Although the entrance of the Yue residence was bustling with visitors, Lianxiang Garden was the picture of bleakness. Yue Lianyue, wearing a face full of grievance, vented her frustrations by fiercely pelting a disfigured snowman with snowballs. Her pouting lips muttered resentfully, “That’s what you get for stopping my carriage! For frightening my horse! For making me get punished by my eldest sister! Serves you right—no wonder she won’t see you…”

Beside her, Ziling dutifully handed her snowballs. Well-versed in her mistress’s temper, she knew better than to speak at such a time; otherwise, the snowballs might be directed at her instead of the snowman.

How did Yue Lianyue end up being scolded by Lianyu for no reason? In truth, during the first two days after Lianyu’s return, Lianyue had obediently stayed by her sister’s side. However, among the calling cards delivered were some sent by Lianyu’s old friends—those she had known before marriage—as well as by people she could not refuse to see. Naturally, Lianyu’s attention was divided, and she could not spare much time for her younger sister.

Lianyue, lively by nature and only just released after a month’s confinement, was eager for amusement. Seeing her sister preoccupied, she took Blueshade and Ziling, and together they left the manor in a carriage. But not far from the gates, they were surrounded by a group of people who appeared as if from nowhere. Startled by some unknown disturbance, the horse at the front of the carriage reared. Fortunately, the Yue family’s coachman was skilled and, with Blueshade and Ziling’s protection, Lianyue was unharmed. Only a few in the crowd failed to dodge in time and were trampled, but thankfully their injuries were not life-threatening.

The steward, arriving in haste upon hearing the news, quickly managed the aftermath. Lianyue, her interest lost, returned home in low spirits. Lianyu, upon hearing what had happened and finding her little sister unhurt and unshaken, breathed a sigh of relief and used the opportunity to give her a stern warning: she was to stay in the courtyard for the next few days and not go anywhere.

It was not truly a punishment, but, out of concern for her sister’s safety, Lianyu posted a squad of guards outside Lianxiang Garden. Feeling wronged, Lianyue misunderstood the gesture and refused to speak to Lianyu for days, leaving her elder sister both exasperated and amused.

Qiao Zhi walked in just in time to see Yue Lianyue hurl a snowball hard at the snowman’s head. “Well now, who is this snowman taking the blame for? Looks rather pitiful. Could it be that I neglected you, little Moon, and this poor thing is suffering for it?” Before he could finish, a snowball hurtled toward him. Yet for a carefree prince like Qiao Zhi, dodging a single snowball was child’s play; he tilted his head slightly and it flew past.

Had he not dodged, it might have been better, but his easy evasion utterly infuriated Yue Lianyue. Nursing her grievances, she now had a live target and, without hesitation, snatched snowballs from Ziling and began pelting him one after another.

Though the snowballs flew thick and fast, Qiao Zhi remained relaxed, sidestepping with ease as he advanced step by step toward her. Seeing that he was dodging so effortlessly and would soon reach her, Lianyue stopped using snowballs altogether. Instead, she bent down, scooped up two handfuls of snow, and flung them straight at Qiao Zhi, determined to see how he would evade now. To her astonishment, he flicked open his fan with a flourish and waved it nonchalantly; the snowflakes scattered into nothingness. With a look of smug satisfaction, he taunted, “Little Moon, have you any other tricks? Don’t hold back—let me see them all!”

Seeing even this tactic fail, Yue Lianyue felt as though everyone were conspiring against her. Her pent-up grievances burst forth—her eyes reddened, and tears gushed down like a broken dam. Unconcerned for her dignity, she began to wail.

Qiao Zhi was utterly flummoxed. How had things come to this? He had always been fearless, yet there were two things he dreaded—one of them being girls in tears. And this was none other than his fourth sister-in-law’s own sister. The usually carefree prince was at a complete loss, flustered and hurriedly trying to soothe her. “Don’t cry! I didn’t do anything to you!”

But his words only made her cry louder, leaving Qiao Zhi even more at a loss.

“How about I stand still and let you hit me with a snowball?”

Still she cried…

“One’s not enough? Then two!”

The crying continued…

“However many you want, I’ll let you throw, just please stop crying…”

Ziling, who was trying to comfort Lianyue, felt some annoyance toward the prince but couldn’t help thinking that if her mistress did not soon stop, the dignified prince himself might burst into tears.

Yue Lianyue, too, was filled with regret, berating herself inwardly. Why did she lose control and cry in front of him? How embarrassing! How could she end this? Now, she was only making crying noises, the tears already dried up, but as she had shed so many moments before, it was not obvious.

Qiao Zhi, seeing she was still inconsolable, steeled himself and declared, “So long as you stop crying, whatever you say, I’ll do. Whatever you ask, I’ll obey! I beg you…”

Lianyue had been looking for a way out, and upon hearing this, she choked back her sobs and replied, “You… really mean it…”

Seeing hope, Qiao Zhi nodded eagerly. “I swear! Truer than gold!”

“What if… you go back on your word…”

“A gentleman’s promise is unbreakable. I swear on my father’s name—I will not renege!”

Hearing this, Lianyue decided to relent. “Very well. In a moment, you shall stand here and let me throw ten snowballs at you. You mustn’t block, dodge, or use your lightness skill.”

Qiao Zhi agreed at once.

“Then wait here in the courtyard while I go wash up. Don’t leave. If you run off, I’ll tell my sister!”

“My dear lady, I swear I’ll be right here waiting for you…” Qiao Zhi raised three fingers in oath, inwardly cursing his own rotten luck.

At last, Yue Lianyue was satisfied, turning with a triumphant air toward the house. Catching Blueshade’s amused smile at the door, she stuck out her tongue sheepishly—nothing ever got past Sister Blue. Meanwhile, Ziling, from the moment she’d turned around, had been struggling not to laugh aloud.