Prince Nan looked at her and saw that her eyes were lowered. She looked earnest and sincere and it did not seem like she was putting on an act.

Huangfu Xuan's eyes widened in disbelief.

This rude girl wasn't here to see him? He couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at the thought of that.

"Humph! Hua Qiyue, you must have heard that Prince Nan and I are good friends and that we often meet at his residence to play chess and drink! Was this why you deliberately adopted that—"

"Your Excellency, I sincerely hope that you would grant my request!" Hua Qiyue repeated, interrupting Huanfu Xuan.

Prince Nan's eyes narrowed slightly. He had heard about Hua Qiyue and was surprised to see that she seemed so different from the quiet, insecure woman that the rumors made out her to be.

Yun Shimo remained unmoved and said coldly, "Sorry, I'm not going to treat him."

Hua Qiyue held up the silk

"You think that just because I have no interest in you, you can throw yourself at Brother Yun?"

Huangfu Xuan shouted angrily.

The two pharmacy apprentices were shocked. It was improper for men and women to touch each other's hand in passing objects. Yet, this maiden had just flung herself upon their master. They had no idea what to do.

Hua Qiyue's body clung to Yun Shimo's. Her perfume drilled into his nose and her hanging hair tickled Yun Shimo's face.

He raised his gaze to her face, only to see Hua Qiyue's surprised eyes, as clear as a crystal spring without any lust.

Hua Qiyue took a head-on look at Yun Shimo's luminous eyes and jumped up with fear, saying, "I am so sorry. I did not expect... I did not expect... "

Huangfu Xuan rushed over and pulled up Yun Shimo, hovering over him like a hen protecting its chicken. "Hua Qiyue, how dare you!"

Hua Qiyue was embarrassed — she’d ne

Along the way to Prince Nan’s residence, Hua Qiyue heard many people discussing the same topic.

"I heard that Princess Huizhen has been seen in public together with Zhou Zhicheng. Tsk. I can't believe that haughty princess has fallen for someone as poor as him."

"Exactly. The Zhou family are mere commoners. Tsk, it's a miracle that the princess could fall for someone like him."

"Ha, Zhou Zhicheng is rather handsome, but it has only been a few days since his wife passed away. This is really indecorous of Princess Huizhen."

"Princess Huizhen has always been rude and bratty. Why would she care about what the world thinks of her?"

"Shh, stop it. Walls have ears."

Hua Qiyue held Tianci's hand and her eyes flashed coldly.

How dare that cheating couple head out in public together so soon?

The child beside her fretted anxiously. He was probably afraid when he heard others mention Princess Huizhen's name. Looking down, she could see Tianci's face was deathly pale and his tiny fists were clenched tightly. Cold sweat broke out over his forehead and his heads trembled slightly as he pursed his dry lips together.

Hua Qiyue used her handkerchief to gently wipe the sweat off his forehead. "Tianci, are you feeling too warm?"

Lvxin hurriedly smiled and waved the fan with more force.

"Come have a bowl of Long Red Ginseng Soup," said Youshui, who had specially brought some Long Red Ginseng Soup to quench their thirst along the way. As Youshui passed the soup, Tianci looked fearfully at Hua Qiyue.

Hua Qiyue nodded and said, "It’s alright, Tianci. These are good people. You can trust them."

Tianci blinked his large, black eyes in confusion.

His mother had treated her maids well too, but they’d all turned against him after she passed away.

Tianci's eyes turned sorrowful at the thought of his deceased mother. He held Hua Qiyue's hand tightly as he drank the soup.

Hua Qiyue knew what he was thinking. "Tianci, don't be sad. One day I'll teach all those who bullied you a lesson!"

Tianci's eyes lit up like the stars in the sky at those words.

It was clear that Tianci was heavily traumatized after what he had been through. She wondered how she would be able to turn him back into the innocent and lively child that he had been.

Upon arriving at Prince Nan’s residence and announcing their identities to the servants, Hua Qiyue and Tianci were led inside.

Hua Qiyue was famous around these parts after she adopted the son of the owner of East Sea Restaurant. This was the first time an unwed lady in the area had adopted a young boy. But it had been approved by Master Xuanji, so no one questioned whether it was inappropriate.

Hua Qiyue led Tianci toward the main hall. There were winding corridors everywhere, not to mention a new pavilion or building every few steps.

The roads were paved with jade, and there were jade terraces and waterside pavilions. Many flowers bloomed beautifully and elegant music could be heard in the distance.

They reached the anteroom and Hua Qiyue calmly led Tianci inside. Tianci looked around fearfully at his surroundings.

Two men lounged in the couch of the main hall. One of them was clad in robes whiter than snow and while he looked warm, his eyes were extremely cold. His thin lips were pursed tightly and his brows were as long as mountains while his eyes were like stars. A gentle breeze swept into the hall and caressed his long, black hair.

Behind him stood the faint outline of the green rolling hills and mountains, and making him look like he’d walked out from a painting. His flowing white robes and fluttering black hair made him seem otherworldly and ethereal.

The other man was clad in a long black robe. His face was handsome and he had long and narrow eyes. His sharp chin and straight nose made him look very striking. His expression was haughty, and he almost jumped straight out of the couch at the sight of Hua Qiyue.

"Hua Qiyue, how dare you come here? Have you come all the way to Prince Nan's residence to air your grievances after I broke off our engagement?"

Hua Qiyue recognized Huangfu Xuan, son of Prince Gong, and former fiance of the original Hua Qiyue. The previous princess consort and Madam Hua had been sworn sisters and so their children had been engaged since birth. However, after Madam Hua passed away, Hua Qiyue had become withdrawn and unsociable, and Huangfu Xuan asked to break off the engagement.

The previous Princess Consort could not persuade him otherwise and thus their engagement was called off.

Tianci noticed Huangfu Xuan's savage expression and was so terrified that he immediately hid behind Hua Qiyue.

Hua Qiyue's face darkened. She assumed the other man must be Prince Nan, but he gazed detachedly out of the window to look at the beautiful sunlight.

Sunlight rippled across the pond's surface and the waters twinkled. The main hall's roof, carved from lean bamboo, reflected in the water, making the scene seem strangely peaceful.

From the faint herbal scent that wafted in, Hua Qiyue deduced that the herb garden was in the backyard.

Hua Qiyue knelt down respectfully. She would do anything for Tianci.

"Greetings Prince Nan and Prince Huangfu. I'm not here to look for your royal highness, but rather, I have come to visit Prince Nan. I would like to request that he heal my son. His throat has been damaged by poison which has robbed him of his speech. I hope that you would be able to grant my request."

Prince Nan looked at her and saw that her eyes were lowered. She looked earnest and sincere and it did not seem like she was putting on an act.

Huangfu Xuan's eyes widened in disbelief.

This rude girl wasn't here to see him? He couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at the thought of that.

"Humph! Hua Qiyue, you must have heard that Prince Nan and I are good friends and that we often meet at his residence to play chess and drink! Was this why you deliberately adopted that—"

"Your Excellency, I sincerely hope that you would grant my request!" Hua Qiyue repeated, interrupting Huanfu Xuan.

Prince Nan's eyes narrowed slightly. He had heard about Hua Qiyue and was surprised to see that she seemed so different from the quiet, insecure woman that the rumors made out her to be.

Yun Shimo remained unmoved and said coldly, "Sorry, I'm not going to treat him."

Hua Qiyue held up the silk box that contained the Long Red and said, "Your Excellency, I'm willing to part with 

Chapter 20: A Spectacular Fall