Si Yang was stunned. “W-what did you say?”
Chu Liuyue also did not know why she suddenly said that herself. But when she saw Si Yang’s expression, she decided to continue with the conversation. “I made myself very clear. Do you need me to repeat it again?”
“No, no… Who do you like?” asked Si Yang instinctively. Who can be more outstanding than Si Ting in the Imperial City? Didn’t Chu Liuyue previously say that she still liked the Crown Prince? Why has her crush turned into someone else in such a short time?
“Are you lying to me? Who is he?”
“Whoever he is has nothing to do with you. That’s my own business. Si Yang, I treat you two as my friends. Both in the past and in the future.” However, my relationship with both of you will only go this far.
Si Yang understood the meaning behind Chu Liuyue’s words, but he refused to believe it in his heart. However, Chu Liuyue didn’t seem to be lying, considering her calm expression and clear eyes.
After being conflicted for half a day, Si Yang frustratedly rubbed his face. “Okay! I promise that I’ll never bother you about this ever again! We’ll still be friends in the future!”
Chu Liuyue’s lips curved up into a slight smile. “Okay.”
Si Yang still felt a little defeated. “I’ll take my leave then. I’ll tell Mr. Dongfang about you participating in the Qing Jiao Competition.”
After saying that, he turned around to leave. If he stayed any longer, he would really annoy Chu Liuyue.
Chu Liuyue raised her voice and said, “Thank you so much!”
Si Yang did not turn back. Instead, he waved his hands and quickly left.
Chu Liuyue stood rooted to the ground for quite a while. Suddenly, she thought of something and turned around.
Far away, Rong Xiu was lying on the rattan chair. His eyes were also shut as if he had fallen asleep again.
Considering the distance, he probably didn’t hear me. Right…? Chu Liuyue started to become anxious. She hurriedly retracted her gaze and left.
The surroundings became quiet once again.
The light breeze blew gently, and a leaf landed on Rong Xiu’s face. He turned his head slightly and opened his eyes.
His pair of clear eyes seemed much deeper now as if he suffered inner turmoil that confused people for no reason.
How was he asleep? He had obviously been awake all this while.
Rong Xiu’s lips slowly curved up into a smile, which extended to his eyes. Then, he took the leaf out of his mouth and folded it.
A clear and relaxing whistle reverberated throughout the air.
Chu Liuyue—who had already walked quite the distance—heard the sound coming from behind her and suddenly froze.
…
When Yan Qing brought the items over, he felt that his master seemed to be in an especially good mood. As he swept the yard, he kept looking up to glance at Master.
When Rong Xiu plucked another leaf and placed it by his lips, Yan Qing could not help but ask, “Master, do you like blowing peach leaves this much?”
Rong Xiu raised his brows. “Do I?”
Yan Qing was speechless.
So many peach leaves—which you have blown—are on the floor. Do you think I’m blind? You’ve been whistling for more than an hour! Even if you’re not tired, my ears are about to burst. Yan Qing yelled in his heart, but he definitely did not dare to say his thoughts aloud.
“Is it awful?”
Yan Qing suddenly raised his thumbs. “Melodic.”
Rong Xiu nodded in satisfaction. Actually, it didn’t matter if the whistles were pleasing to the ears. It was more important for someone to hear it.
“Your Highness, I’ve already unpacked the items you’ve brought from the mansion. Do you want to check if you’re still lacking in anything?”
Rong Xiu thought for a while. “I’m missing some tea.”
“I’ll make some tea for you right away,” said Yan Qing. How can you not be thirsty after blowing for so long?
“It’s okay; I’ll go request for some tea later.”
Yan Qing obediently answered him as he looked at the faraway yard and silently prayed for his master. Ms. Liuyue, you must come back early!
…
Chu Xianmin did not have a good time for the past two days. She originally thought that Chu Liuyue was dead and that she could replace Chu Liuyue as the warrior assessment’s top scholar. Thereby elevating her status in Crown Prince Mansion and the Chu family.
However, Chu Liuyue actually managed to come back alive, and she looked fine!
Chu Xianmin’s plan was ruined, and she had to rethink everything. The current situation was even worse than before.
Chu Xianmin was overwrought as she stared at the letter her father, Chu Yan, sent her. Mother actually instigated Madam Gu to cause a scene in front of the academy? What was she thinking? It’s fine if she wants to cause trouble for Chu Liuyue, but why did she have to drag herself into the mess?
If she wrote an anonymous letter, nobody would find out about her actions. The trouble today also wouldn’t exist! The Gu family now has blackmail over her, and they definitely won’t let this matter slide.
Madam Gu humiliated herself and tarnished the entire Gu family’s reputation. They would definitely push this blame to Lu Yao. Lu Yao already had a hard time at the Chu family, and this was just adding oil to the fire.
Chu Xianmin looked at the letter in her hands. The words were very messy, which clearly looked like they were written in a hurry.
Chu Yan was currently injured, so how could he save Lu Yao? He could only pin all his hopes on Chu Xianmin.
However, when the Crown Prince found out that Chu Liuyue was alive, he harshly chided Chu Xianmin. Right now, she could not even save herself, let alone have so much energy to do something else.
She frustratedly tore the letter into shreds and walked out.
Since she had entered the academy with good grades, she lived in a house alone.
She walked to the courtyard’s left wall and felt around the gap in the bricks for a while. Then, she took out something and quickly returned to the house.
This object was a golden cylinder even smaller than a pinkie.
She lightly twisted and opened the cylinder to take out the note.
She opened the note and tapped her brush in water before brushing it against the note.
A line of words gradually appeared. “The matter might fail. You must be careful!”
Chu Xianmin was stunned, and the note dropped onto the floor.
…
It was already late at night when Chu Liuyue returned.
The round, bright moon hung high up in the sky.
Chu Liuyue, almost instinctively, shot a glance at the side and discovered that Rong Xiu was not at the faraway courtyard. Then, she could not help but heave a sigh of relief.
“I’m here.” A low voice sounded.
Chu Liuyue’s heart skipped a beat, and she looked up to see Rong Xiu standing beside the window on the second floor.
“Why are you here?” Words rushed out of Chu Liuyue’s mouth.
Rong Xiu looked into the distance, and his facial expression seemed a little strange. “I’m thirsty, so I came here to ask for tea.”
Chu Liuyue sneered. “Your Highness, you are of formidable status, and you’re very intelligent. Do you really need a cup of tea from me?”
Rong Xiu finally looked at her with his charming and mesmerizing eyes. “Yeah. Peach leaves are bitter, and only your tea can resolve this bitterness.”